Body Care Facts & Health Tips

You may have heard about it, but do you know, what is endometriosis? Well, it is basically a condition which results from the abnormal growth of endometrial cells outside the uterus. These cells attach themselves to the exterior of the uterus and are commonly known as endometriosis implants. The main problem with these implants is that they carry a cancer-risk. These endometrial implants can also cause problems if they occur on the fallopian tubes, ovaries or intestines.

It may be worthwhile mentioning here that all women capable of reproduction are at risk of endometriosis, with the greatest incidence being observed in women aged between 25-35 years.

Common causes of endometriosis are yet to be pinpointed, despite continuous research in this area. However there are some reasons which have come to light:

• Endometrial cells may reach unusual locations due to the reverse flow of menstrual blood during periods. But then again, not all women who suffer from this retrograde menstruation problem, contract endometriosis.
• The pelvic organs may be surrounded by primitive cells which can warp into other forms such as endometrial cells.
• Transfer of endometrial tissue can also occur during surgeries, particularly a Cesarean Section.
• The growth of endometrial implants in the brain (as noted rarely) can only be attributed to carriage of the tissue by the blood stream.

What about the symptoms of endometriosis? Well, here too there are no specific signs to go by. Actually most women suffering from endometriosis do not have any symptoms at all. And the few who have them suffer from pelvic pain of varying degree. This pain occurs during menstruation and fades away after the period gets over.

Painful sexual intercourse or cramping during sex can also be taken as warning signs for endometriosis. If you are experiencing pelvic pain quite constantly, for months, you may have developed endometrial implants.

Problems in conceiving despite being healthy otherwise, may also be considered as a symptom of endometriosis. This is because; implants in ovaries can actually hamper the process of fertilization of the egg cell.

What happens when you have endometriosis? You can consult a doctor who them prescribes one of several types of available treatments. They are:

• Using painkillers to suppress the pelvic-pain associated with this condition. Simple analgesics such as aspirin and paracetamol or a combination of both are the most commonly prescribed painkillers. However, mild narcotics or narco-analgesics may also be used.
• Hormonal therapy usually involves the reduction of estrogen in the body, because this hormone aggravates endometriosis. Use of oral contraceptive pills is the treatment suggested by most doctors. However, in some serious cases, even direct injections of progestin are used.
• Laparoscopic surgery is used for diagnosing endometriosis. However once diagnosed, the cysts, lesions and adhesions can be removed in the same operation.
• Hysterectomy is seen as a definitive way to end all problems once endometriosis takes threatening proportions.

A proper diet is also helpful in dealing with the exertions on your health while undergoing treatment for endometriosis. You have no reason to be afraid of endometriosis because you now know what it is.

Ovarian cysts are a common problem for women, and Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS is the most discussed variety of this condition. PCOS happens when the ovaries produce more androgen than what is considered as a normal level for women. The increased presence of androgens leads to the growth of hair and can also cause acne. This is a common problem for pre-menopausal women an can sometimes take severe proportions.

PCOS occurs in 5-10% of women worldwide, yet there is no single cause of this problem, which has been identified yet. In fact, it is actually a combination of genetic and environmental factors which cause PCOS. The most commonly noted ones are:

• Genetics, because often it is seen that if the mother has polycystic ovarian syndrome, the daughter has it too. Researchers are still trying to pinpoint the link between genes and PCOS.
• Problems in the blood sugar control system or insulin imbalance. A high percentage of women who have insulin resistance and abnormal levels of insulin in blood, tend to develop PCOS syndrome.

Other factors such as presence of multiple cysts in the ovaries, fetal exposure to male hormones and imbalance in the levels of the hormone LH are also cited as possible reasons for this condition.

So, what are the symptoms which tell you whether you are suffering from PCOS?

Well, this polycystic ovarian problem manifests itself in different ways, some of the most common among which are:

• Excessive hair growth, which is a direct result of the increased secretion of androgen (the male sex hormone). Hair grows in area such as the face, chest, toes etc. At the same time, the opposite effect or hair loss, can also occur in some cases.
• Infertility is a common symptom, which you may not relate to PCOS initially, but later find out.
• Irregular or absent periods can also indicate that you are suffering from PCOS.
• Then there is the outbreak of acne, which is usually something which affects teens. So if you are in your thirties and have a bout of acne, you may suspect PCOS.

Effective PCOS treatment can help you recover well from this problem. The basic objective of most treatments is not only getting rid of polycystic ovaries, but also making sure that the cysts do not become malignant (cancerous). Birth control pills or progesterone hormone injections can help regularize periods and thus reduce the risk of uterine cancer.

For treating acne or excess hair growth, diuretics are used. If the hair growth is really strong, hair-removal creams or processes such as electrolysis can be employed too. To help prevent infertility, medicines are provided to induce ovulation.

A PCOS diet can also help you deal successfully with the condition. This is because losing weight is really effective for neutralizing several threats and complications associated with PCOS. Low glycemic-index foods and vitamin and mineral supplements feature prominently in these diets.

So, if you are diagnosed with PCOS, do not panic and remember what you have just read through.

A woman’s life is full of health issues which require her to take a lot of care. Ovarian cysts are a common problem, during the years when a woman is capable of childbirth. These cysts are basically fluid filled sacs, not too different from blisters, which form on either side of the uterus. Thankfully though, most types of ovarian cysts are pretty harmless and fade away on their own.

Having said this, you should also know the various categories into which ovarian cysts have been classified. They are:

• Functional cysts, which are naturally formed during the process of ovulation. They tend to shrink in size and gradually disappear within three menstrual cycles. Menopausal women cannot suffer from functional cysts because ovulation does not happen in them.
• Dermoid cysts are those that are filled with different types of tissues and sometimes even skin and hair.
• Cystadenoma cysts develop on the outer surface of ovaries.
• Endometrioma cysts are related to endometriosis and form when tissue attaches to the ovaries.
• Polycystic ovarian disease is a result of the buildup of follicles. The ovaries enlarge and become thicker from the outside. This can prevent ovulation and thus cause fertility issues.

But what it is that causes ovarian cysts? Well, formation of cysts is a part of the monthly process of ovulation (production of the egg cell) within a woman’s body. A follicle is formed within the ovary when this process occurs. From the follicle a structure called the corpus luteum is formed, which normally gets dissolved if the egg cell is not fertilized.

However, at times, the dissolution does not take place and cysts are formed. The more serious types of cysts, such as those in the polycystic ovarian disease usually occur as a result of hormonal imbalance.

This brings us to the symptoms of ovarian cyst or how you can know whether you have a problem. Well, unfortunately cysts do not produce any symptoms. What they do however, in some cases, is cause a dull pain in the abdomen.

This pain may be heightened during intercourse. You can treat this as a warning sign that the cyst may have burst or is bleeding. The pain may also be caused due to twisting of the cyst, which prevents the flow of blood.

Occasionally you may also have extremely painful or delayed periods and must consult your doctor immediately, to make sure that it is not a cyst.

And what if it is a cyst? Well, fret not because ovarian cysts can be treated. However, the success of the treatment depends on the size and type of the cyst, your age and your pregnancy plans. Here are a few ways in which doctors treat these cysts:

• If it is a functional cyst, you are asked to wait for two or three months, to allow it to disappear on its own.
• In case this does not work, you may be prescribed oral contraceptives or hormonal injections to help reduce the size of the cysts.
• When the above step fails, surgery may be required. If the cysts are discovered early the surgery is less invasive. Delayed surgery may require the removal of the ovary to remove a potential threat to life.

Well, that’s everything you need to know about ovarian cysts.

Since the seventies the available variety of contraception has exploded. The explosion hasn’t been completely without risk. There are many benefits to the widespread availability of birth control but there are some risks to it as well. This is a basic guide to the main types of birth control available along with the risks and benefits associated with each.

The Birth Control Pill

There are a variety of different birth control pills on the market today. Some like Yaz offer extra benefits like help with PMS. Others like the minipill are better for mothers who breastfeed because of the low dose of hormones that they offer.

There are some birth control pills now that allow women to have fewer periods throughout the year. For most birth control pills the system works by providing three continuous weeks of a hormone based pill and one week of placebo. During the placebo week the user will experience something like a period.  Some women skip the placebo week in order to continuously avoid having a period.  This should not be done for more than three consecutive months however.

Benefits

The birth control pill is about 99% effective with perfect use. Average use is probably closer to 95%. Even with average use the birth control pill is far more effective than simply using a condom to prevent pregnancy.

Risks

Most birth control pills come with an increased risk of pulmonary embolism which can be fatal. This risk is especially high in women who smoke. The same goes for cardiovascular disease. Women over 35 and women who smoke appear to have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease while using birth control pills.

Birth control pills that are used for long periods of time have also been linked to cancers such as cancer of the cervix, though the link is not entirely clear.

Birth control pills may cause a rise in blood pressure and for this reason they should be avoided by some women who already have issues with high blood pressure.

Condoms

Condoms are one of the oldest forms of birth control and they should be used in conjunction with birth control among those who are in non-monogamous relationships since other forms of birth control do not offer protection against HIV or other STDs. Condoms are generally made of latex though there are some condoms that are made out of other materials like lambskin and plastic for people who are allergic to latex.

Benefits

One benefit of the condom is that this highly effective against STDs. Condoms are pretty much the only form of birth control that offers protection against major STDs. They are also cheap, easy to find, and hormone free.

Condoms give men the opportunity to take part in the prevention of pregnancy. There are no side effects to condoms except when they are used by people who have latex allergies.

Disadvantages

Though they are relatively effective against STDs and pregnancy prevention through perfect use, most people do not use them perfectly.  Some people feel that condoms dull the sensation of sex, though there are a variety of different styles of condom to help with this issue.

Natural Family Planning

Natural family planning goes by a lot of names. Natural family planning, the rhythm method, and fertility awareness are some of the names that are used for natural family planning. This method is used for religious and political reasons.

Benefits

No hormones are chemicals are necessary for natural family planning. If used properly it can be very effective, average use is about 75-88% effective.

Disadvantages

There are several disadvantages to natural family planning. For one it will not work to prevent STDs and should only be used by committed couples. Also, NFP requires couples to abstain from sex around 10 days each month.

Participants must keep up with their natural fertility methods on a daily basis, which can be difficult for many. If you do not have a regular menstrual cycle it may not be possible for you to track your fertility properly.

References:  MayoClinic and Planned Parenthood.

There are a lot of reasons that women should not smoke.  The list could go on forever.  If you are looking for a convincing reason to quit though, here are some things that might help.  These are some of the top reasons that as a woman you should give up smoking now, rather than later.

It’s Unattractive

You might think that smoking helps you to lose weight, though it actually just greatly retards your metabolism temporarily.  The truth is for the little bit of weight that smoking might keep you from gaining, it does far more harm to your vanity.

For starters smoking makes your teeth and nails yellow and extremely unattractive.  Your hands will always smell like smoke and so will your hair, and to those who don’t smoke it really stinks.

Smoking also causes your skin to wrinkle and age must faster.  It makes your hair appear more dull and lifeless than it would without cigarettes.

It Can Kill You

Smoking is linked to emphysema, heart problems, lung cancer, cancer of the mouth, cancer of the throat, and many more severe chronic illnesses that you probably don’t ever want to experience. Smoking is one of the number one causes of death in the United States and it has claimed the lives of millions.  By smoking you are putting yourself at risk for a very long painful death.

The Effect on Your Children

Women who smoke cigarettes often have a hard time quitting when they find out they are pregnant.  Many do not quit at all.  Though you may know someone who had a child that seemed perfectly healthy after nine months, do not use them as your role model.

For one thing children who are born to mothers who smoke have lower IQs on average than children born to parents who don’t smoke.  This is something that might not be obvious when a smoking friend brings a bouncing baby home from the hospital.

Children who are born to mothers who smoke are also at a much higher risk of being premature or suffering from birth defects. These children are also more likely to get chronic ear infections and suffer from asthma.

Do not think for a second that you are only hurting yourself while smoking during pregnancy.  The smoke that you inhale does infiltrate the womb; it fills your body with hundreds of chemical toxins. Many of these toxins enter your blood stream and the umbilical cord through which you are feeding your child.

What’s more is that children who have a parent who smokes are far more likely to smoke themselves when they get older.  In fact there is a good chance that the first cigarette your child smokes will come from your pack.

Fertility

Smoking also has an effect on the fertility of both men and women.  It can greatly reduce fertility and possibly prevent you from ever getting to the point where smoking during pregnancy is an issue.  Though you might not want to have children now there is a good chance that you will in the future so this is something very important to consider.

Expense

Smoking is expensive.  Depending on how bad your habit is and what brand of cigarette you smoke you could be spending hundreds of dollars a month on cigarettes.  That is money that I bet you would rather be spending on clothes, shoes, your favorite hobby, anything other than a self-destructive cigarette.

There are countless negative effects of alcohol for women.  Not only does drinking alcohol greatly impair your ability to make decisions, it can have a number of undesirable lasting effects on the female body.  Before you guzzle your next drink here are some things to consider.

Fertility

Alcohol has a negative effect on the fertility of both men and women.  For women alcohol is the leading factor in several different fertility disorders.  Excessive alcohol consumption can rob the body of nutrients and cause a woman to lose her ability to menstruate.  It turn she will not ovulate and natural pregnancy is not possible without ovulation.  If you plan on having children in the future you should take into account what effect your alcohol consumption many have on your chances of conceiving.

Depression

Women are far more likely to be depressed than men.  Though it may make you feel good for a few rounds, alcohol is a depressant by nature and it does increase the likelihood of depression.  If you already suffer from depression, as many women do, alcohol can greatly increase your blues.  If you are taking prescription medication for depression you should avoid alcohol all together since when used in combination with one another, these two can cause severe side effects.

Pregnancy

From the minute a baby is conceived your drinking can potentially affect the fetus.  Since half of all pregnancies are unplanned, according to The March of Dimes, it is important to avoid alcohol anytime that you may be susceptible to pregnancy.  Since no birth control is 100% effective it is important that women taken into the fact that when they are sexually active they are always susceptible to pregnancy.

Internal Damage

Alcohol can cause damage to the liver, pancreas, and cardiovascular system.  This is addition to the fact that every sip you take permanently kills some healthy brain cells.  Though women who drink in moderation will typically only acquire minimal damage, no matter how little you drink your body is receiving some damage from your alcohol consumption.

Alcohol Poisoning

Alcohol poisoning is a very real and often fatal side effect of drinking too much alcohol.  Even those who survive a bout with alcohol poisoning can have lingering moderate to severe brain damage as a result.

The two main causes of alcohol poisoning are binge drinking which is defined as downing 5 or more drinks in an hour and combining alcohol with other substances.  Even over-the-counter medications like aspirin can increase the effects of alcohol.

If you think alcohol poisoning is rare you should know that on average 60,000 people a year die in the United States as a result of alcohol poisoning according to recent statistics. Even more people suffer from alcohol poisoning but somehow manage to pull through.  It is not as unusual as you probably think.

In general alcohol is a dangerous intoxicant.  It kills far more people every year than most illegal narcotics combined.  It is extremely dangerous for women of all ages and should never be used more than occasionally.