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Endometriosis – Symptoms, Causes and Treatments

Endometriosis is the presence of endometrial-like tissues and cells which appear and grow outside the uterine cavities, mostly on the ovaries. Endometrial cells and tissues line the uterine cavity and are controlled by female hormones. Ultrasound reports show the growth of these tissues at an abnormal anatomical location.   In America alone this condition afflicts more than 7- 10% of women. It occurs when there is an imbalance of estrogen in the circulation. This condition is more common in women who are in the reproductive age. ??20- 50 % of infertile women are found to be suffering from endometriosis. It account for the hospitalization of more than 20-50 % asymptomatic women.  Causes:

  • Smoking: It has been found that smoking has a direct effect on the fertility of women. Women who smoke are more prone to spontaneous abortions and ectopic pregnancies. Nicotine is believed to interfere with the action of estrogen due to which women who are chronic smokers experience an early menopause. Due to this interference, these women are said to be more prone to endometriosis making them infertile.
  • Genetic: Females who have a history of endometriosis in the family are more likely to suffer from this is future.
  • Dysfunction of the immune system: It has been found that women who have immunological defect are more prone to this condition.
  • Environment: Studies have shown a relationship between the environment and endometriosis. It states that toxins in the environment can have adverse effect on the condition.

Symptoms

  • Pain during menstruation: Women experience severe pain at the time of menstruation. The pain is more severe around the bladder, bowel, umbilicus and perineum. The pain is severe and cutting across the uterus.
  • Pain before menstruation: The women experience severe pain before the onset of menstruation. The severity of this pain is high and it radiates from the back to the uterus of the women.
  • Pain during intercourse: These women intense experience pain during intercourse.
  • Low back pain: There is continuous pain in the lower back, even when the women in not menstruating. This pain lasts through the month
  • Heavy and irregular periods: Some patients experience heavy periods while others may have normal bleeding but the cycle is irregular.
  • Painful bowel movements: During the menstrual cycle, women find it hard and painful to pass stool.
  • Painful urination: During the menstrual cycle, pausing urine become pain and the woman has to stress a lot.
  • Fatigue: The patients are chronically fatigued and tired.
  • Severe diarrhea and constipation
  • Some patients also experience headache, low grade fevers, depression and anxiety.

Treatment:
Endometriosis can be treated through-

  • Surgery: Depending on the severity, patient can opt for surgically removing the mass. This can be in the form of
  1. Conservative surgery: Reproductive potential is retained
  2. Semiconservative: The reproductive ability is eliminated but the ovarian function is retained.
  3. Radical: This is where the women may have to go for hysterectomy i.e. , the whole uterus is removed.
  • Medical therapy: The female may be put under combination oral contraceptive pills (COCPs), danazol, progestational agents and GnRh analogs

 

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Breast Cancer- Early Signs and Symptoms

In today’s time and age, breast cancer is the most common form of cancer afflicting women post the age of 20. In the last few decade millions of dollars have been spent on research based on breast cancer. It was estimated that nearly 1.4 million new cases of invasive breast cancers were present all over the world in 2008. The last three decades have observed an alarming increase in the number of breast cancer cases with maximum cases being reported in the developed western nations. The main reasons for this new development is said to be change in dietary habits, lifestyle changes, delayed pregnancy and sedentary lifestyles.   The cancer is more common is women who  

  • Haven’t been pregnant
  • Never breast fed their children
  • Were under hormonal therapy for a longtime (e.g. oral contraceptive pills).
  • Women who are chronic smokers
  • Recovered from some other form of cancer

Though the disease is fatal, if detected at an early stage, it can be cured and lives can be saved. In the recent times, early detection has increased the survival rates particularly in young women. Unlike other forms of cancer which are usually asymptomatic in the early stages, this form of cancer has physical manifestations, which can be detected by the patient on self examination. Therefore it is important to self examine every month.  

  1. Flat or inverted teat: An otherwise normal teat appears to have sunk into the breast and hence appears flat or inverted.
  2. Itchy breast or teats: The teat area starts itching all of a sudden. Usually women do not pay much of attention to this symptom. But an itchy teat needs immediate medical attention to rule out breast cancer.
  3. Dimpled skin: The skin around the teat appears to be dimpled and starts resembling the skin of an orange peal. This should not be confused with cellulite which is excess fat.
  4. Abnormal swelling in the breast- Usually during menstrual cycle, the breast appears to be swollen and feels tender. This occurs due to hormonal imbalance. Post the menstrual cycle, the breast returns to their normal state. If they still remain tender and swollen, it is a cause for worry and needs medical intervention.
  5. Sudden increase in the breast size: This is another characteristic symptom of breast cancer. There is an abnormal increase in the size of the breast which is not in proportion to the rest of the body. At times the size of only one breast increases.
  6. Change in color: The breast appears red or botchy. Usually it appears as if there are too many rashes around the breast. This is a symptom of inflammation in the breast (inflammatory breast cancer). This type of cancer is dangerous as it cannot be detected even after a mammography or self breast examination.
  7. Lump: Presence of a painless lump anywhere in the breast which can be found on examination of breast.

Due to increased awareness and breast cancer education, breast cancer mortality has decreased, though breast cancer incidences have increased.

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Taking Antibiotics During Pregnancy

Antibiotics are medicines which are taken to kill bacteria in the body or not allowing them to reproduce in the system. It helps the body to heal by providing its own defenses to overcome the infection. Women also taken antibiotics for several reasons but before taking them during pregnancy they should consult their doctor or gynecologist. Often while treating a woman who is pregnant, dentists and other doctors also consult the gynecologists or obstetricians before prescribing antibiotic to their pregnant patients. Most antibiotics are unsafe during pregnancy so it is advisable to take it only after the doctor’s advice. This chart may help you to understand better what antibiotics are safe to take during pregnancy: Due to several infections, a woman might need to take an antibiotic drug. This list will give you a fair idea of what is safe and what is not but a doctor’s advice is still necessary before self-medicating.

Penicillins Safe during pregnancy.
Cephalosporins Safe during pregnancy.
Erythromycin Safe during pregnancy.
Azithromycin Safe during pregnancy.
Tetracycline(incl.doxy) UNSAFE AT ANY TIME DURING PREGNANCY.
Metronidazole Safe after 14 weeks. Avoid single-dose therapy. Safety prior to 14 weeks not well-established.
Aminoglycosides Basically safe during pregnancy, but renal and ototoxicity are potential problems if the dose is high or prolonged.
Clindamycin Safe during pregnancy.
Chloramphenicol Probably safe prior to 28 weeks
Sulfa drugs Safe prior to 34 weeks. After that, babies may develop jaundice if exposed to sulfa.
Quinine Only to be used in life-threatening, chloroquine-resistant P. Falciparum infections
Miconazole Safe during pregnancy.
Clotrimazole Safe during pregnancy.
Quinacrine Probably safe during pregnancy.
Chloroquine With prolonged or high doses may cause congenital defects.
Pyrimethamine Safe after 1st trimester. Add folic acid supplement.
Trimethoprim Safe after 1st trimester. Add folic acid supplement.
Primaquine May cause hemolytic anemia in the presence of G6PD deficiency. You may use it if needed.

What kind of antibiotic do you need to take? There are some kinds of antibiotic medicines that are safe and can be used throughout the pregnancy. The examples of these drugs are penicillin, cephalosporin, and erythromycin. Whereas, there are some antibiotic drugs that could lead to complications to the unborn child when taken during any point in pregnancy. How much antibiotics does need and how long? It is important to be aware of the quantity of antibiotics you’re going to consume for your infection and treatment. Taking antibiotic for too long in your pregnancy can lead to developing deformities or abnormalities to your growing baby due to the medicine. Medicines and antibiotics have to be prescribed very carefully by your gynecologist after evaluating and condition and giving it only if necessary. When during the pregnancy will you need the antibiotic? For most prescribed antibiotics, they are safe to be taken if prescribed by your doctor whether it’s the first, second, or third trimester of your pregnancy. There are certain medicines that can be taken only during certain times in the pregnancy. Metronidazole is very safe once the pregnancy is over 14 weeks, chloramphenicol is also safe before you reach your 28th week of being pregnant, and sulfa drugs are good to use till 34th week of pregnancy. There are other antibiotics as well that can be taken till a certain point in pregnancy but some antibiotics are never good to be taken during this time. ??A good example of a very dangerous antibiotic drug to take during pregnancy is Tetracycline. Whether you read up on pregnancy do’s and don’ts it is imperative that you consult your gynecologist at every illness of yours so that a right medicine can be prescribed. Do not self-medicate during this time as it may lead to severe deformities for your unborn child. Seek the doctor’s advice for whatever you are going through and he will take care of the situation.

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Conquer Menopause Naturally

You can eliminate the symptoms pertaining to menopause the most natural way using methods that do not interfere with chemicals, medicines or any unnatural therapy. The most common health hazards linked to menopause are osteoporosis and heart related disease. For mostly all women this is also the time for intense emotional and physical discomfort. One needs to be positive in order to tackle with it most effectively and easily. Menopause is inevitable in every woman’s life and is unavoidable to all. It is a normal process of aging and every woman faces it when the time comes. You can make your life easier during menopause by taking it in your stride. Think about it as a process ‘ that menopause means you are relieved of the monthly mess every month. This is when the period stops permanently letting you be more free and independent than ever. Your perspective on menopause will help you to face the symptoms better. Symptoms of menopauseSome women face the symptoms for long while with some women the symptoms go away even without treatment. The regulator for these symptoms coming and going are the hormones that manifest into hormone imbalance and lead to mood swing and other emotional and physical traumas. Some common early signs of pre-menopause, menopause symptoms may be: -””’?? Changes or stop of the monthly cycle
-””’?? Irritability or acute mood swing
-””’?? Headaches
-””’?? Hot flushes
-””’?? Extreme fatigue
-””’?? Depression
-””’?? Pains, aches and cramping
-””’?? Changes in body hair
-””’?? Yeast infection
-””’?? acute PMS
-””’?? Disturbed sleep
-””’?? Low libido
-””’?? Water retention
-””’?? Night sweating
-””’?? Blood sugar fluctuation
-””’?? Low female sexual organ lubrication How does on conquer menopause
Don’t waste time pondering over it rather free yourself from the hassle of the monthly flow mentally and physically. You will soon discover symptoms like hot flashes and how to overcome them. It is a matter of time but nothing is impossible. Look ahead to a life without hassles and a future of freedom and happiness. It is all a matter of balance, start with a concept ‘ balance you time ‘ balance your emotions ‘ balance your hormones. You will soon see you are able to conquer the nuances of menopause more effectively and will start to live life well again. Take time to go over the menopause symptoms due one by one and see how you can understand them and manage them to the best of your advantage. You could suffer a slight headache or a twinge in your finger but it is all temporary and easily handle-able. These are what come with the grace of aging. Since all of us face it for the first time, it may look difficult or scary but it is not. It is how you let it affect you. It is only your reproductive system that seems to have stopped working; the rest of your system is working in top condition. It is not fair to let the remainder body go off-track just because your period stops. Let menopause not rule your life. Your life has to go on like it used to. There is no need to change for this little physical change in you. You should carry on normal behavior with family, friends and your partner; the world has not come to an end. Menopause had to happen to you if you are born a woman, the face you realize this, the better for you.
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Post Menopause Women Tend To Grow Fat

enopause is associated with aging. As women age the metabolism decreases and they are unable to burn the calories that are consumed through the day doing nothing. Weight gain during menopause is a natural process of aging. The extra pounds that are gained every year with decreasing BMR, along with the extra calories during the mid-stage of their life can lead to obesity. Consequences of obesity are severe as it exposes the women to a risk of stroke, hypertension, sleep apnea, cancer, arthritis, mental health problems and various cardiovascular disorders.? If not controlled, over time it can give rise to serious issues and aggravate all the disorders (such as diabetes and hypertension) which can give rise to health problems. This can be fatal or cause irreversible damage. One of the most fatal diseases which are prevalent in this phase of a women’s life is heart disease. The rates of death due to heart failure are more common than breast cancer though it is preventable. More than two 60 % of American women are clinically overweight and women post menopauses are the more vulnerable. It also a known fact that women have a slower BMR than men and as they age, their BMR decrease further making them more prone to weight gain and getting obese. It has also been observed that post menopause; women gain the maximum weight around their abdomen. This could be due to the fact that

  • Women post child births already have a tendency to put on weight at the abdomen
  • Estrogen level decrease on reaching menopause. Due to this the fat distribution shifts and there is an increase in the androgen-estrogen ratio. Once the fat distribution changes, a women’s body is designed as such that the fat accumulation is more around waist and stomach, giving her a protruding tummy.
  • Most women undergo mood swings and experience severe depression. Due to this they end up overeating which leads to piling on of the calories.

This makes it important for the doctor to be aware of weight gain during the perimenopausal and postmenopausal years as they need to be counseled on weight loss strategies. Loosing weight and preventing weight gain during menopause is beneficial for women. The phenomenon of weight gain is natural, so it cannot be totally avoided by adapting a few healthy ways which can make a world of difference. This includes working out regularly, having a balanced diet and avoiding stress. A common issue that women face in menopause is that of a bladder dysfunction. Women usually experience urine inconsistency which causes dribbling of urine when they laugh, sneeze or lift heavy weights. Due to this doctor usually recommend pelvic exercises as this strengthens their pelvic muscles and help to control the inconsistence. Controlling weight post pregnancy also helps to delay the onset of other related medical disorders such as diabetes, osteoporosis, arthritis and hypertension. It’s also beneficial for the heart and helps to avoid fatalities like heart attacks and strokes. It’s not a difficult task, a slight shift in the lifestyle and avoiding stressful situations helps to keep the weight in check

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Appropriate Eating Habits During Pregnancy

o include grains in your regular diets as these are highly rich in fiber and vitamins and meet the requirement for both the child and mother as well. One ounce or 28.34 grams of grain contains equivalent nutrition to one bread slice, or half bun or a tortilla, a cup of readymade cereal or half cup of cooked cereals etc. One should eat whole grains on every day basis.  Fruits:
Fruits are known for their potential in providing important supplies of vitamins and other such nutrients to the body. In case of pregnant women two servings on daily basis can help the mother as well as the baby to stay healthy.’ Try ingesting fruits of different colors and mostly rely on fiber rich fruits which can help to prevent pregnancy side effects such as hemorrhoids. Two servings of fruits are ideal for expecting mothers on daily basis.  
Dairy product:
Dairy products are considered as one of the most beneficial categories of food for pregnant ladies as it provides required nutrients to both, the baby and mother. Dairy products are rich source for obtaining calcium and Vitamin D. You can intake any dairy item ranging from milk to cheese. In case you are intolerant to any of such products, you can substitute it with soy.   Other sources of required nutrients are vegetable, beans, meat and certain helpful oil such as canola oil etc, are some important sources that can help you gain required energy during pregnancy.  
Don’ts:
As there are diet related aspects that you should follow, there are other hazardous factors that should be avoided. During your pregnancy phase it is essential to avoid junk foods which can be harmful to you and your baby. Alcohol and caffeine should be eradicated from your diet in order to keep the baby safe and healthy. Smoking is hazardous in all cases and in pregnancy it is strictly forbidden by the health experts. Hence, avoid smoking as it may bring your child at risk of health hazards. One should also avoid food which contains numerous fats and/ or additives such as preservatives, added flavors, color etc.   By followings such diet you can ensure good health of yourself and appropriate supply of nutrients to your baby.
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All About Irregular Menstrual Cycle

Irregular Menstrual cycle is a commonly seen issue related to women’s health. Most women are worried about this physical malfunction and desire to obtain information on the topic. It should be understood that most irregular menstrual are scientifically proven to be benign. Irregular menstrual cycle or abnormally frequent menstrual, excess clotting and bleeding are commonly known issues which is generally resulted due to hormonal imbalance. To your interest, these issues can be treated easily. Irregular menstrual or missed periods is a malfunction which is faced by most women at some point of time in their lives. However, it is always better for all females to possess information on the subject and be equipped with required knowledge for such incidents. What is Irregular Period or Irregular Menstrual: The study of menstrual is vast and involves various complex medical phenomenons. It is universally believed that a woman may experience periods in a periodic interval of 24 to 29 days according to what is mentioned in books. However, researched and surveyed records depict a wider range specifically of time gap between two menstrual cycles, which is approximately 23 to 35 days. This figure is considered as standard in cases of most women. It should be understood that a female may experience her periods minimally one to four events in a year; however, on the other hand a female may also face menstrual transudation even 2 to 3 times in a month; this may involve secretion of droplets or even slightly heavy flow than normal. There are also fair chances of a woman facing incidents of heavy bleeding in an interval of two to three months. In simple terms an irregular menstrual cycle is any event of period occurring in untimely manner. Causes of Irregular Periods:
Most doctors do not consider one or two events of missed periods to be serious, within a year. However, extended discrepancy may be a symptom or indication of ‘perimenopause’. It can also be considered as a commotion of natural chain of menstrual related hormonal events. There are more than one factor that can invigorate irregular periods, some of these factors are listed below. Dramatic fluctuation in weight: Significant weight gain or weight loss is also considered as a factor stimulating irregular menstrual cycle. Inappropriate diet: Inappropriate eating habits and poor nutritional food may also lead to such irregularities; especially diets which are extravagant in carbohydrate may lead to such menstrual irregularities. Cigarettes: It is also studied that smoking may also lead to untimely menstrual cycle as it truncates the follicular stage. Cigarette smoking is harmful for physical menstrual condition as well as fertility. Stress: Irrespective of the source, stress causes the adrenal glands to release hormone cortisol, which has its direct influence on sex hormones which may lead to the relevant issue of menstrual.? There are other such notable factors which may lead to irregular menstrual cycles such as use of drugs, caffeine intake, alcohol abuse, eating disorder, hormonal imbalance, breastfeeding, miscarriage etc. Important points essential for caring about the disorder:

  • It is essential to keep of track of your irregular periods and symptoms.
  • Make a note of time when your irregular menstruation starts and ceases.
  • Track the amount of flow during your periods. This can be done by keeping a count of pads or tampons utilized including whether they were dry or soaked.
  • Note the time of bleeding between menstruations as well as after the course of copulation.
  • Also record any other symptoms if noticed.

When to consult your doctor:

  • If you have soaked number of tampons or pads approximately 4 to 6 times in 2 to 3 hours.
  • Consult your doctor if bleeding persists for more than a week.
  • If you are suffering from severe pain, especially when you are not experiencing menstruation it is suggested to consult your doctor.
  • It is wise to see your doctor when you have abnormal and odorous female reproductive organ discharges or fever during the period.
  • Also it is wise to consult a doctor even when you experience nipple discharge.
  • There are other conditions wherein you need to call your doctor such as in case of pregnancy or infertility, untimely spotting or bleeding, prolonged period etc.