What is PCOS Menstrual Cycle Problem?
In medical parlance, PCOS refers to polycystic ovarian syndrome, a medical condition which is brought about by the changes in the levels of estrogen and progesterone in a woman's body. This occurs to about 10% of women all over the world. Ovarian cysts are one of the major factors that can cause infertility in women.
Symptoms
The first clue that tells a woman has PCOS is an irregular menstrual period. She may previously have a regular monthly period, and then her period suddenly stops. She may also have some spotting and unexplained pain somewhere in her ovaries. A delayed period or amenorrhea (temporary lack of menstruation) may also occur. If and when her period resumes, she would normally have a heavier blood flow and possibly more painful period than before.
It is observed that most women who develop PCOS have higher levels of the androgens or the male hormone. Because of this, a woman with PCOS may also exhibit other symptoms such as increased levels of insulin, unexplained weight gain, high levels of cholesterol, and hypertension.
Treatment
A woman with an irregular menstrual cycle should consult her gynaecologist, to identify what could be causing the irregularity. Not all women with irregular periods are diagnosed with PCOS. Some women get disruptions from their periods due to stress, obesity, lack of sleep, inadequate nutrition and as an effect of some medications that she may be taking for other diseases.
If you are worried about your irregular periods, it is best to consult your doctor who may run some tests such as blood tests and an ultra sound. If cysts are found inside or on the ovaries, a biopsy would have to be taken to determine if they are malignant or benign.
Natural Remedies for PCOS
There are not a lot of recommended home treatments for PCOS, although one can prevent it from developing, by doing some changes in diet and in lifestyle. It is observed that obesity is a triggering factor for PCOS, as one in every three overweight women is likely to develop PCOS. The levels of testosterone and other androgens are elevated among obese women, and some of these androgens are converted to excess estrogen, which disrupts the normal menstrual cycle. Therefore, to minimize the risk of developing PCOS, one should make some changes in her diet, such as shifting to lower calorie foods and minimizing fats and sugar intake.
If you want to try herbal remedies for PCOS, it is best to consult a licensed herbal practitioner who can give personalized advice. Herbs that may help regulate the estrogen levels without affecting ovulation are often recommended.
In some cases, acupuncture has been quite effective in fixing the hormonal imbalance among women.
A simple half hour brisk walking exercise daily can also help maintain the balance of hormones, and can also help relieve pain during periods. Getting enough sleep and regulating your insulin levels are also found to prevent PCOS.
Although your doctor may prescribe oral contraceptives or other hormone pills to regulate your hormone levels, you may want to try these natural remedies before starting on a hormone therapy.
How to treat Severe Menstrual Cramps without over the Counter Painkillers?
Every month a woman runs the risk of experiencing menstrual cramps or formally known as dysmenorrhea. Menstrual cramps occur in varying degrees. It can persist in from a mild to a severe discomfort and pain in the abdominal area as muscles in the uterus are strained. Severe menstrual cramps can really affect a woman’s regular daily activity. With all the medical advancements available in the world today, it’s so easy to pop a pill to ease the pain. But there are also other ways to ease the pain without having to buy these over the counter painkillers.
With simple household resources one can find remedies for severe menstrual cramps. One of the easy ways to ease the pain is to provide heat to your abdomen. The heat will relax your muscles and in turn lessen the pain. You can put hot water on a bottle, wrap it with a face towel and place it over your abdomen. If you have a shower heater at home, it is one convenient way to apply heat to the soar areas in your abdomen. You can use it and target the hot water stream against your abdominal area. You can also engage in your very own mineral bath. In hot tub add a cup of sea salt and baking powder. Soak for 20 minutes to ease the pain and relax your muscles.
One can also opt for botanical remedies. One can try black cohosh an herb native to North America which has estrogen-like effects that helps in maintain normal hormone levels for women during menstruation. Another botanical remedy would be a use of a tincture of Valerian It would help as it has sedative and antispasmodic effects. One can also try Viburnum opulus also known as cramp bark and Viburnum prunifolium also known as Black Haw to help reduce menstrual cramp for it has general antispasmodic effects as well. The Black Haw specially has specific constitutes that are uterine relaxants.
Close to botanical remedies are to take homeopathic remedies instead of conventional painkillers. Homeopathy uses highly diluted preparations instead of the conventional medicines. Some homeopathic remedies are Belladonna, Bryonia, Cactus randifolia, Caulophyllum thalictroides, Chamomilla, Colocynthis, Lachesis mutus, Magnesia phosphorica, Medorrhinum, Nux vomica, or Pulstilla.
Last but not the least is to use birth control pills, patches, or vaginal rings. These are remedies which require you to use them for at least three months before you see some results. This means if you start taking the pill now, it would prevent you from having menstrual cramps in your future menstrual cycle. This remedy, however, calls the attention of parents. This can be a bit extreme for them, as it may encourage their daughters to engage in sex at an early age. On the other hand, women tend to be hesitant to use contraceptive pills, because they are known to cause weight gain.
There are a variety of ways to face severe menstrual cramps. For guidance on the selection of the proper remedy and dose that is appropriate for you it is always better to consult your physician or gynecologist.
Period Pains Mid Cycle
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While some women usually experience pain during the first few days of menstruation, there are some who experience period pain mid cycle.
The medical term for this kind of pain is called Mittelschmerz, which is german for middle pain. 20% of women have reported to experience Mittelschmerz, some experience it every menstrual cycle while others experience this kind of pain occasionally.
The pain associated with Mittelschmerz is characterized by a sharp, cramp-like menstrual pain that can last for a few hours but in some cases, it can last for up to 6 days.
The pain is somewhat similar to dysmenorrhea, which is why some women often mistake it for menstrual cramps.
Some women experience severe pain associated with Mittelschmerz causing them to panic. Severe pain associated with mid-cycle pain can sometimes be mistaken for appendicitis or sometimes, ruptured ovarian cyst. Mittelschmerz can happen midway through the menstrual cycle.
In severe cases, recurring pain can be experienced until the next cycle. Period pain mid cycle can switch from one ovary to another for each cycle. The common cause of this condition is a slight bleeding in the walls of the pelvis at the moment the eggs are released during ovulation. It has been shown through an ultrasound scan that an unusual amount of fluid is spotted in the pelvic pouch when midcycle pain is experienced. Read the rest of this entry »
Period Pain Healthy Living Tips
Period Pain Healthy Living Tips and Natural Treatments for Period Pain explained. Stop Period Pain With Natural Remedies. Find Natural techniques, tips and proven solutions for women suffering from bad period pain. Discover more about how to get natural remedies for period pain and PMS relief more easily, naturally and drug-free.
Check out this period pain tips video to help you today…
What Does it Mean when You have Period Cramping but No Period?
Menstruation is an important part of a woman's reproductive cycle. It usually starts between the ages of 11-13, some even as early as nine years old, for others. The menstrual cycle is quite complex, and is never the same for one woman and another. Some women go through monthly periods with ease, while others go through their menstruations with much difficulties, experiencing painful cramps and other discomforts such as headaches, constipation and bloating.
Women, especially young adults, would often dread the coming of their menses every month because of the pain and inconvenience they associate with it. However, period cramps are only normal occurrences and should not really cause too much alarm among women. It is estimated that about 20% of the total female adult population in the world experience cramps during their menstrual periods.
What Causes Period Cramps
The cramps that women feel during their periods are often described as throbbing or dull pain in their lower abdomen that sometimes radiate towards their lower back and thighs. This pain can sometimes be too extreme that women are unable to carry on with their daily tasks, and would often miss days at school or at work.
Menstrual cramps are actually contractions in the uterus, as it tries to expel the uterine lining. This is a natural process that happens when no fertilization of the ovarian egg takes place during ovulation. The blood and the tissues on the uterine lining have to be discharged to welcome the next cycle, and the uterine muscles contract in the process. These contractions are actually triggered by chemicals in the uterus called prostaglandins.
No Period, Yet Experiencing Period Cramps
Sometimes women may experience period cramps even after they are done with their menses. There are some factors that can cause this to happen, and one of the most common causes of cramps during no-period days is a possible pregnancy.
As most of us know, a pregnancy happens when a matured egg gets fertilized by a sperm cell. When this happens, the uterus has to make some room for the growing embryo. Cramps can be felt as the muscles in the uterus contract when the fertilized egg gets implanted there and starts to grow into an embryo.
The first thing to do then is to undergo a pregnancy test in order to confirm whether this is what is causing the cramps. A pregnancy kit may be purchased from the drug store, especially if aside from feeling the cramps, you actually have missed your period for about a week. If you are not sexually active, then there may be other causes of cramps that you would have to consider.
Other causes of experiencing menstrual cramps even without a period are stress, a fibroid (a tumor, which is often benign), polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), an imbalance on the estrogen and progesterone levels, and endometriosis. Sometimes, cramps can also happen due to other causes not related to the reproductive cycle. They may be caused by a ruptured appendicitis, an infection or even an abdominal problem. It is important to locate where the affected area is in order to accurately diagnose the cause of the cramps.
Persistent and severe cramps in between periods should not be taken for granted. Consult your doctor to get the right diagnosis and treatment for these cramps.
Period Pain Home Remedies
Instead of purchasing over-the-counter medications, you must start looking for period pain home remedies that can ease menstrual cramping. Unlike synthetic medications, natural remedies will not only mask the symptoms but will attack the root of the problem. They will work by restoring your proper hormonal balance and relaxing the tensed muscles in your uterus.
What causes menstrual cramps?
Before learning some home remedies for painful menstruation, you must first understand its underlying causes. This way, you can easily choose the best natural treatment that can ease menstrual pain in a matter of days.
According to scientific studies, period pain is caused by hormones called prostaglandins. These substances encourage the uterus to contract as it continues to shed its lining during menstruation.
Surveys also suggest that younger women experience more serious cramps than older women. Clinical findings demonstrate how cramping tends to decrease in intensity as a woman ages. In some cases, cramping may also disappear after pregnancy.
Period pain home remedies also focus on decreasing other factors that may cause menstrual pain. They try to reduce the stress, anxiety, and depression that a woman feels during her period in order to prevent the occurrence of menstrual cramping.
How is it treated?
You can try different natural remedies for reducing cramps during menstruation. These treatments include the use of heating pads, chamomile extracts, and ginger root tea.
Placing a heating pad on your lower back or abdomen can drastically reduce the pain you are feeling during menstruation. If you do not have a heating pad, you can also create a make-shift hot compress by filling a sock with flaxseeds and heating it in your microwave. This is one of the most effective period pain home remedies that can slow down the contractions in your uterus.
Chamomile is also an effective substance that has been popularly used for treating gynecologic complaints. To use this remedy, add two teaspoons of dried Chamomile flowers into a cup of boiling water. Let it boil for five more minutes and pour the mixture into your mug.
You can also add generous amounts of honey or sugar to make your homemade tea more appetizing. Start drinking Chamomile tea a week before you are expecting your period. For best results, continue drinking two cups of Chamomile tea everyday during your monthly period.
Ginger root tea has also been found to relieve the pain caused by menstrual cramps. You can use this treatment together with other period pain home remedies that can soothe your body and mind.
When preparing ginger root tea, start the process by slicing a handful of fresh ginger root. Allow the pieces to simmer in boiling water for about fifteen minutes. Use a strainer to pour the tea into your mug, and add some natural sweetener to taste.
Is exercise good for your monthly period?
Contrary to popular belief, exercise does not worsen menstrual cramping. In fact, exercise is considered as a natural and harmless way to decrease muscle tension while improving your blood flow. By maintaining a regular exercise program or walking for twenty minutes a day, you can effortlessly address the severity of your monthly menstrual cramps.
With these effective period pain home remedies, you can succeed in your battle against the unwanted symptoms of the infamous Premenstrual Syndrome.
Simple Period Pain Exercises for Effective Pain Relief
Menstruation is a natural phenomenon that a woman experiences once every month. This is brought about by the shedding of the unfertilized egg that was once housed in the uterus. When the egg becomes unfertile, the body finds away to flush it out. This is done through the contraction of the muscles that surrounds the uterus. However, there are times when the uterine wall tightens too much, causing a cramping pain on a woman's abdominal region. While this usually is nothing to be worried about, there are times when the menstrual cramps can be too painful to bear.
When period pain happens, a woman may feel too weak to move around. She often just lies down all day enduring the pain. While rest and relaxation can help soothe the pain, this is not enough; doing some simple period pain exercise is also proven to be useful in order to loosen up the tightening of the muscles and provide relief to cramping.
It is understandable that because of the pain, moving may be difficult; but all of these period pain exercise are guaranteed to be effective during that time of the month. It is always advisable to start with simple stretching. This will warm up the muscles so that it will not be forced. Stand up straight and place both hands on the waist. Slowly bend sideways, alternating from the left to the right. Gradually increase the angle as you do so. Repeat it at least 20 times until the loosening of the muscles is felt.
Doing some knee bends is also an effective period pain exercise. Drop your arms to the side and let it swing freely. With the feet placed apart, bend the knees halfway and stay in that position for a few seconds before releasing. Repeat at least 8 times, but be sure not to strain the body too much.
One can also do a couple of period pain exercise while lying down. This works by raising the legs slowly at a 45 degree angle to the body while lying comfortably on the back. Hold this position and alternately move the legs upward and downward. Bring down both legs when it becomes too strained. Rest for a couple of seconds and repeat the procedure. Doing this exercise for 20 to 30 times will surely help alleviate the pain on the abdominal region.
This type of exercise can be quite challenging as one may need to go down on her hands and knees. Keep the knees together and slowly bring your butt down to the ankles. Stretch as far as possible and then bring your head down, touching the floor. There will be a slight pressure on the back, so it is best to pull up when the tension gets too straining. Do this period pain exercise for 5 to 10 times.
Taking a long luxurious walk can also help when menstrual cramps are persistent. Walking in a slow pace for about 45 minutes can help relax and calm down the muscles; thus, lessening the throbbing pain. This will help relieve stress as it can contribute so much to the tightening of the uterine muscles as well as improve the blood circulation all throughout the body.
Severe Period Pain Help
Period pain is caused by the constant contractions that happen in the uterus during the entire process of ovulation. Once a mature egg is released from the ovary of a woman, the body feels the contractions that the uterus makes in order to cause the egg to descend. These contractions are manifested externally through cramps that are felt by the body in the lower part of the abdomen. Also, the entire process of shedding blood membrane and tissue from the walls of the uterus in the event that fertilization does not happen is also a situation where pain might be felt. This is because the uterus will again contract in order for the membrane built on its walls to fall off together with the unfertilized egg. This is what comes out as menstruation. The intensity of pain felt by each woman as her body goes through the regular reproductive process of ovulation will vary dramatically. Everything depends on the physiology of a person as well as the level of tolerance one has for pain. The levels of menstrual cramps felt by some might range from be negligible to slightly painful. But for others, the scale of pain experienced during their period ranges from moderately painful to debilitating.
If the pain is severe but is not accompanied by any other existing symptoms, the condition isn't life threatening. However, if the pain felt in the lower part of one's abdomen is accompanied by excessive bleeding, nausea, vomiting, difficulty with urination, or blood in the stool, it is best to consult a doctor. These signs accompanied by the regular period pain are not normal. This might be caused by hormonal imbalances in the body or might be caused by a sickness that might lead to harmful risks. It is best to check with your doctor in the event that any of these signs accompany your period pains.
There are a lot of natural remedies that you can do at home in order to lessen the pain felt during these situations. One of the most common solutions to intense levels of cramps is to take long warm baths. Sitting in a tub full of warm water is both relaxing and soothing to the body. Warmth is known for its soothing properties. This is why it is used as one of the most common treatments for pulled muscles and strained joints and ligaments in the body. Using warm compress is also effective in providing the same soothing effects. Put warm water in a hot/cold bag and lay it on the affected area for a few hours. The effect of this type of treatment is almost instantaneous. It might be necessary to apply the compress more often for more serious cases.
Herbal medicines might also be helpful in soothing the pain brought about by ovulation. These are herbs that are known for their diuretic properties. These herbs include parsley, hydrangea, dandelion, angelica, and horsetail. They are used by making a tea base of them and drinking them a few days before your period begins.
Period Pain Causes Explained…
Period pain is a common dilemma among women during and after their ovulation.
Pain is usually caused by the contractions made by the uterus in the entire process of ovulation. The manifestation of its contractions comes in the form of cramps that vary in intensity. Some individuals hardly feel the contractions even after they ovulate. Others, on the other hand, experience excruciating bouts of cramps that can be debilitating. This can cause women to be more unproductive.
What Causes It
During ovulation, the uterus lines itself with a membrane consisting of blood and small tissues in order to prepare for the implantation of a fertilized egg. The mature egg cell waits in the fallopian tube for the coming of a healthy sperm cell that will fertilize it which happens during sexual intercourse. When the egg cell does not get fertilized it descends to the uterus which eventually disintegrates and is released in the form of menstruation.
The disintegration of the membrane surrounding the uterus takes constant contractions in order for it to shed off completely. This process is what usually causes the pain felt at the lower part of the abdomen. Cramps are felt at around 6-8 hour intervals. Some individuals, however, feel the pain brought about by cramps for extended periods of time. Sometimes, a woman suffers 24-48 hours of constant contractions which causes intense pain in the area of the abdomen.
Natural Remedies
There are a lot of natural remedies that can be used in order to ease the pain brought about by cramping. One of the most common and most effective is to use a warm compress and place it over the affected area in order to sooth the contracting muscles. This can be done by placing warm water in a hot/cold bag. It might be necessary to apply the compress at longer periods of time depending on the intensity of the pain.
It also helps if you take a warm shower or submerge yourself in a hot tub. Warm water is known for its natural soothing effects.
Another remedy is to do simple exercise routines that will stimulate the body. Constant motion often helps flex the muscles which in turn ease the pain. Taking special classes such as yoga or pilates might be helpful as well.
Consult Your Doctor
If the pain is accompanied by nausea, high fever or difficulty in urination, it is best that you seek for medical advice. Sometimes, these symptoms are indicators of hormonal imbalances that need proper medical attention. It is best to err on the side of caution when it comes to situations such as this in order to prevent irreparable harms that might arise from an untreated condition.
There are also over the counter pills that can be purchased in order to ease the pain. These medications don't usually need prescriptions, however it is still best that you consult your doctor first before taking them. This is important, especially for individuals who might have medical allergies or things of that sort. Safety must always be your top priority.
