15 Tips To Beat Menopause Hot Flashes!

Menopause is the stage that every woman needs to go through it and during this stage you won’t get your periods.

Most of the women will ask a question that what symptoms they might experience during this phase.

Generally, menopause symptoms greatly vary from one woman another.

Some women may experience insomnia as a major symptom, some experience severe back pain and some others experience menopause hot flashes.

We are not always certain which symptoms of menopause will strike your life.

Here are 15 tips that can help you to reduce the severity of menopause hot flashes:

1. Dietary triggers: There are several triggers that can increase the severity of menopause hot flashes. They include: caffeine, alcohol, diet pills, cayenne and spicy foods. If the severity of hot flashes becomes more when you consume these foods, it is suggested to eliminate them from your diet.

2. Exercise: You should have at least 30 minutes exercise daily whether it may be in the form of walking, running, bicycle riding or any other activity that make you work. Don’t do any exercise at least 3 hours before going to bed, as it can increase the severity of night sweats.

3. Hormone replacement therapy: This therapy includes estrogen replacement to provide relief from menopause hot flashes. But, estrogen has been associated with some medical risks and should be taken sparingly. Before undergoing estrogen replacement therapy, make sure to understand both the risks and benefits.

4. Soy: Research showed that including soy in your diet can reduce menopause hot flashes and also various other symptoms. Take soy most from your foods but not from soy supplements. Food sources of soy include: tempeh, soy milk, texturized vegetable protein, tofu, miso, whole soybeans, and soy powder.

5. Natural progesterone: Research found that progesterone give you relief menopause hot flashes and various other menopausal symptoms. You can find natural progesterone in the form of over-the-counter cream, capsules, compound prescription cream or in traditional prescription such as Prometrium.

6. Black cahosh: This is the most popular alternative for reducing menopause hot flashes. Not only hot flashes, also has this herb helped to relieve anxiety, heart palpitations and headaches.

7. Effexor: This is an anti-depressant helps to reduce menopause hot flashes in women taking breast cancer treatment. This medicine works well for women with breast cancer, so it is a best choice for women who don’t want to seek hormone replacement therapy.

8. Gabapentin: This drug helps to relieve migraine headaches. Research proved that this drug also help to relieve hot flashes to some extent.

9. Vitamin E: Research showed that vitamin E helps reduce the occurrence and severity of hot flashes and night sweats during menopause.

10. Antidepressants: Low-dose antidepressant medication may help forestall a hot flash by rebalancing or intercepting the chemicals in the brain that transmit the hot flash alarm, epinephrine and serotonin.

11. Acupuncture: This alternative treatment helps to move your inner wind, energy, or spirit. This treatment is helpful to reduce your hot flashes.

12. Relaxation and stress reduction: Relaxation and stress reduction can lower menopause hot flashes to some extent. Follow any of the techniques such as massaging, meditation, yoga, visualization, biofeedback technique, breathing exercises, and relaxation exercises.

13. Life style factors: Changing your lifestyle habits can have a positive impact on your life. Not only they can help to reduce menopause hot flashes, but also help to reduce fatigue, mood swings, loss of libido, insomnia, elevated cholesterol levels, muscle health, heart health, and bone health.

14. Fluid: Increase the intake of fluids than the usual. Drink lots of water and juices.

15. Hot conditions: Hot weathers even increase the severity of hot flashes. So, reduce hot foods, hot rooms, hot baths, hot tubs, and hot beds. Wear cotton clothes that allow your skin to breathe.

Importance Of Homeopathy For Women’s Health!

Homeopathy is a form of complementary and alternative medicine which contains few to no pharmacologically active ingredients.

Essentially, Homeopathy is completely natural and organic herbal ingredients in most cases.

Homeopathy may give you good health in all stages of life from infancy through old age.

Homeopathy gives you good emotional, physical and mental healthy. It aids through the transitional and developmental milestones of your life.

Homeopathy during teenage:

During the teenage, homeopathy can help with various hormone changes of puberty and acne break outs that most of the people experience at this time. Moreover, homeopathy helps with the emotional disturbances that frequently occur during the transition of little girl to womanhood.

When you are treated with homeopathy for pre-menstrual syndrome, the practitioner considers the most appropriate remedy that helps in relieving the symptoms like breast tenderness, irritability, fluid retention, mood swings and headaches.

Homeopathy during conception:

When you are trying to conceive or problems in conceiving, homeopathy helps you to some extent. During pregnancy, homeopathy helps with the symptoms like depression, nausea and morning sickness.

Homeopathy treats illnesses during pregnancy and makes you healthy to deliver a healthy baby and the baby free from any inherited diseases. Also, homeopathy helps you during the process of childbirth.

Homeopathy after childbirth:

Homeopathy helps women to overcome from the severe effects of difficult birth, hysterectomy, abortion, and also the use of contraceptive pills.

Homeopathy during menopause:

Homeopathy is extremely beneficial to women during menopause. Homeopathic remedies help women pass through this transition with relative ease. These remedies help to heal menopause symptoms like lack of energy, hot flashes, weepiness, insomnia, night sweats, and anxiety. These symptoms gradually disappear in such a subtle fashion that the person is unaware of how they passed.

Homeopathy works by stimulating the body's healing system to regain a sense of balance, problems involving hormonal imbalances respond well to homeopathic treatment. Problems associated with menstrual cycles, hormone imbalances, and pre-menstrual syndrome can be treated with homeopathy.

Fibroids can also be treated with homeopathy. For some women, homeopathy prevents the need of hysterectomy.

Along with the above conditions, homeopathy helps to treat conditions like: irritable bowel syndrome, eczema, gallstones, respiratory ailments, migraines, cystitis, fatigue, hay fever, depression and anxiety.

But, pregnant women while taking homeopathic remedies, consult the practitioner about their safety during pregnancy. Some may recommend homeopathy during pregnancy for heartburn, hemorrhoids and constipation.



10 Steps To Do Self Breast Exam!

Every woman should know about the benefits and limitations of breast self-examination.

It is essential to know how your breasts normally look and feel.

Don’t forget to report to your health care professions, if you observe any new breast changes.

Identifying a breast changes doesn’t necessarily mean there is a cancer.

You can easily recognize changes of your breasts:

• If you know how your breasts normally look and feel


• If you have proper breast awareness


• If you make a step-by-step approach for breast self-exam


• If you use a specific schedule for examining your breasts
  

It is best to exam your breasts if they are not tender or swollen. Women who want to do breast self-examination should know the technique during the periodic health exams by your health care provider.

Women who had breast implantation can also do breast self examination. With the help of your practitioner, identify the edges of implants so that you can easily identify what you are feeling. Pregnant or breast-feeding women can also choose self examination of breasts.
Step-by-step approach for breast self-examination:

1. Breast examination can be performed while you are lying down. Lie down on your back by placing your right arm behind the head. While lying down, your breast tissues spread evenly across the chest area and is very thin thus making it easy to feel all the breast tissues.


2. Use left hand to test your right breast. With the helps of finger pads of your three middle fingers, feel for any lumps in your breast. Moving the fingers in circular motion can make it easy to fell all the breast tissues.


3. You need to apply pressure of three different levels. Apply light pressure in order to feel the tissues closer to your skin. Use medium pressure to feel the tissues little deeper and rigid pressure to feel the tissues very closer to ribs and chest.


4. At the lower curve of each breast, you may feel a firm ridge. But, no need to worry, it is normal. Apart from this, if you find anything else, make sure that you tell your doctor.


5. If you can not apply the pressure properly and unable to check your breast, ask your doctor or nurse for suggestions. Make sure that you apply each pressure level properly.


6. Move the hand around your breast in an up and down pattern starting at an imaginary line drawn straight down your side from the underarm and moving across the breast to the middle of the chest bone. Make sure that you check total breast region until you identify only ribs and up to the neck or collarbone.


7. Research proved that up-and-down pattern can be the most popular choice to test your entire breast and to not to miss any tissue.


8. Use the same procedure to test your left breast with right hand finger pads and keeping left hand behind your head.


9. You can also test your breast while standing. Stand in front of the mirror by pressing your hands hardly down on the hips. Then observe the shape, size, dimpling or contour, scaliness, or redness of the nipples or breast skin.


10. Also, you can exam your underarms when you are sitting up or standing. Raise the arm slightly so that you can easily feel the area. If you raise your arm straight, the tissues of the region become tight and it is harder to examine.
    

These steps can greatly help you for breast self examination. Applying the properly and regularly can increase your ability to detect the abnormal areas of the breast. Early detection breast abnormalities can reduce the risk of breast cancer.

Benefits Of HRT During Menopause!

HRT or hormone replacement therapy, a treatment used to replace the hormones, which your body can no longer produce because of menopause.

In this therapy, the hormones that can be replaced include estrogen and progesterone.

The average age at which menopause can strike your life is 52 years, but some can experience menopause during their 30s only.

Role of estrogen hormone: Estrogen can be used to encourage the release of eggs. If your body can not release the eggs, it means that there is no more estrogen hormone in your body.

Also, estrogen helps to perform various bodily functions such as bone density, temperature of your skin and also vaginal lubrication.

Estrogen deficiency can greatly linked to various other health problems such as:

• Vaginal dryness


• Hot flashes


• Lack of sex drive


• Joint pain


• Back pain


• Mood changes like depression or irritability


• Night sweats


• Thinning of the bone that can lead to osteoporosis
  

Role of progesterone: Major function of progesterone hormone is to get ready for the possible pregnancy. Also, progesterone helps to protect the womb lining.

Deficiency of progesterone can increase the risk of cancer of the uterine lining, which is called as endometrial cancer. So, progesterone can be used in combination with estrogen.



8 Diabetes Dangers For Women!

Nowadays, diabetes has become a common condition for several women.

Having blood glucose levels more than the usual range specify that you are with diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes is of three types, such as type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes.

Diabetes looses the ability of your immune system to convert the food into energy.

Type 2 diabetes can occur at any age and even in the childhood also.

Here are the effects of diabetes on your health:

1. Diabetes and menstrual cycle

During your menstrual cycle, you body undergoes various hormonal changes. These hormonal changes can greatly affect your blood sugar levels. When there are high estrogen levels, your body is resistant to its own insulin or injected insulin.

Usually women have high blood sugar 3-5 days before their menstrual cycle i.e. a week prior to ovulation. Once your period starts, your blood glucose levels will naturally fall down. This fluctuation is due to the increase in estrogen and progesterone levels, which greatly interfere with insulin activity.

Premenstrual symptoms become worse with poor blood sugar control. Young women with cycles of more than 40 days or cycles that were too irregular to estimate were found to be twice as likely to develop diabetes as those with normal cycles.

2. Diabetes and sex life

A new study conducted recently said that diabetes can cause women sexual dysfunction. All women have some kind of sexual health problems. Sexual problems occur in same rate in women with type 1 diabetes as women without diabetes. But the problems are severe in women with type 2 diabetes. Here are some of the sexual health problems:

• Vaginal dryness: Vaginal lubrication decreases with low hormone levels, damage to the blood vessels, or nerve damage. Age, pregnancy, medications and stress can also reduce vaginal lubrication.


• Yeast infection: High glucose levels in your blood increases the fungus called as yeast around your vaginal area. If the condition is not treated, then it can lead to severe urinary tract infection.
  

3. Diabetes and birth control

You will find various types of birth control methods. The risk of blood clotting is higher for women with type 2 diabetes who use oral contraceptives.

The risk of blood clots can also increases if you don’t exercise, are overweight, smoke, have high blood pressure or high levels of cholesterol.

So, women with any of these risk factors should choose low dose oral contraceptives.

4. Diabetes and menopause

Women with type 1 diabetes enter into menopause stage earlier than women without. But, women with type 2 enter into menopause stage later than normal women. Women with diabetes can experience major hormonal changes.

These hormonal fluctuations can cause women to suffer from mood changes, menstrual periods that are more or less frequent, greater PMS symptoms, lighter or heavier blood flow during menstrual cycle.

Women with type 1 diabetes can experience hypoglycemia as the first sign that indicate that hormonal levels are decreasing and it is essential for insulin adjustment. Women with type 2 diabetes experience major weight gain and greater increase in blood glucose levels.

5. Diabetes and eyesight

Nowadays, diabetes is the leading cause of blindness. About 10% of women with diabetes are blind. Recent research showed that more Americans than ever are facing the threat of blindness.

6. Diabetes and other health conditions

Also, there are various ways in which diabetes affects a woman’s life. Diabetes can cause a woman to enter into coma, nerve damage, hypertension, stroke, and urinary tract infection.

7. Diabetes and reproductive problems

Diabetes can cause various reproductive abnormalities in women. Among which the most serious effects of diabetes is on fertility. Diabetes can lead to miscarriage and polycystic ovary syndrome.

5% of all pregnancies in United States experience gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes can lead to high blood pressure, bladder infection, birth defects, premature delivery, spontaneous abortion, kidney and urinary tract infection.

8. Diabetes and heart disease

Heart disease is the most common threat of diabetes in both women and men. It is estimated that 45% of women with diabetes have heart disease. Women with heart disease have poorer prognosis than men.

After suffering from a heart attack, women are at higher risk of dying or having another heart attack.

Is It Normal To Bleed After Sex?

No, it is not normal and should be checked out. But, this condition is not necessarily a sign of cancer.

Bleeding after sex can happen if your sexual experience was rough or exuberant.

Also, there are some medical causes that can lead to bleeding after sex.

Vaginal bleeding after sex can be due to the conditions like:

Chlamydia – A sexually transmitted infection most commonly occurs through sexual activity or contact with semen, vaginal fluid or blood.

Cervical dysplasia – Precancerous changes that occur in epithelial cells, which line the cervix.

Risk is high in women who have multiple sex partners, childbirth before the age of 16 years, or a past history of STDs.

Cervical polyps – They are red, smooth and finger like growths that appear on the mucus layer of cervix. They are extremely fragile and spread out of your cervix also.

Cervical ectropion – A condition in which cervical tissues are more susceptible to abrasion.

Endometriosis – This is inflammation of endometrium, which is the inner most layer of your uterus.

Vaginal yeast infection – It is due to abnormal growth of fungus in your vaginal area. It causes burning, itching and white, odorless and cheese like discharge.

Gonorrhea – An STD that is due to bacteria. There are various treatments available for this condition.

Trichomoniasis – An STD caused by protozoan. This condition can also be transmitted to the newborns during vaginal birth. Also, it can cause vaginitis.

Uterine polyps – Polyps in your uterus can greatly cause various conditions such as bleeding between periods, spotting, bleeding after sex, bleeding after menopause and menorrhea.

Fibroid tumors – They are usually benign tumors. Symptoms vary from one woman to another. In some women fibroids can disappear on their own after entering into menopause state. It is important that women who have fibroids should avoid estrogen therapy or any other form of birth control pills.

Vaginitis – An inflammation or swelling of your vagina. This condition can also be called as cervicitis.

Cervical erosion - It is the most common cause of bleeding after sex. This is an inflamed area on the surface of the cervix. Sex can cause it to start bleeding. Cervical erosion is the most commonly observed condition in young girls, pregnant women and women on the birth control pills. This is harmless and most often it disappears on its own. This condition can be easily treatable with cryotherapy, which is freezing the area under local anesthesia.

Drugs - Sometimes, aspirin, birth control pills or blood thinning drugs can lead to post sex bleeding. Abnormal cell changes in the cervix and certain blood disease can lead to bleeding after sex.

Vaginal dryness – It is the main cause of bleeding after sex, your doctor prescribes estrogen therapy and over-the-counter water based lubricants or moisturizers.

Treatment for this condition depends on the underlying cause of the bleeding.

How AIDS Affect Women Different From Men?

Do you know that 30.8 million adults around the world are living with HIV and AIDS among which half are women?

The main reason behind AIDS is damage to the natural defenses against the disease because of HIV.

HIV is a virus that infects the cells, which are responsible to make up the human body and replicate within those cells.

HIV greatly damages the immune system, which is mainly responsible for protecting your body against the diseases.

Particularly HIV attacks a special type of immune system cells known as CD4 lymphocytes. HIV makes you to become ill more and more often several years after getting infected.

AIDS one of the particular stages of HIV infection. AIDS can be noticeable when the number of cells in your body drops below a certain level.

If you don’t receive any drug treatment for HIV infection, it ultimately leads to AIDS in about 10 years. This period depends on the diet that you are having. Malnutrition can cause well progression of AIDS and also death.

Taking antiretroviral medications can prolong the period between the HIV infection and AIDS. Also, combination therapy works effectively and a person with HIV can live long time before it becomes AIDS.

AIDS in women:

AIDS epidemic has a unique impact on women. Usually, women are at greater risk of heterosexual transmission of HIV. Studies showed that women are at twice the risk of infecting with HIV when compared to men.

The percentage of women living with HIV/AIDS greatly varies among various regions of the world. Areas like Europe and Oceania, there is relatively low percentage of people infected with HIV. But, in areas like sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean, percentage of people with HIV is significantly higher.

In United States Hispanic women and African American women account for 80% of AIDS cases. Almost, men and women tend to suffer from very similar AIDS related conditions and symptoms. But, there are few variations between men and women when comes to opportunistic infections and antiretroviral medications.

Opportunistic infections that are affecting the women include: pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), cancerous changes in the cervix and recurrent vaginal yeast infection.

Also, the side effects of antiretroviral medications can vary from men to women. For example, Nevirapine is a drug used to prevent transmission of HIV from mother to child and also it is used in combination therapy to prevent HIV/AIDS.

Sometimes, it can also cause some sever side effects such as liver toxicity and skin rash, which can lead to life-threatening action.

There are various preventive technologies that can benefit you in preventing HIV.

1. Female condom

It is the only HIV prevention method presently available for women. They can greatly help you to protect yourself from becoming infected against HIV infection if used consistently and correctly.

2. Antiretroviral drugs

The drug named as post-exposure prophylaxis helps to decrease the possibility of infection after the exposure to HIV.

3. Vaginal gel or cream

Vaginal gel or cream named as Microbicide applied around the vagina can help you protect against HIV.

What Your Lupus Type Is?

Are you with lupus? Want to know what is your lupus type?

Lupus, an auto immune disease causes various tissues in the body to become inflamed.

Autoimmune disease means that a person’s immune system, which produces antibodies to fight against illness causing viruses or bacteria, mistakenly attacks the healthy body tissues.

Lupus can be mild or life-threatening depending on which tissues are affected. It can affect people of all ages and the definite cause of lupus is unknown.

Which body parts are more susceptible to affect with lupus?

Lupus can affect any part of your body. For instance,

• Lupus on skin causes inflammation, rash, body and mouth ulcers


• Lupus on the scalp can lead to hair loss


• Lupus affecting your joints can cause swelling and pain


• Inflammation of any organ like kidney can affect the functioning of kidney


• Swelling of the lining of your heart or lung can cause chest pain
  

There are four types of lupus, such as:

• Systemic lupus erythematosus


• Drug induced lupus


• Discoid lupus


• Neonatal lupus
  

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): This is the most common and also serious type of lupus. This form of lupus can affect any organ or system of the body.

But in most of the patients only skin and joints are affected. This condition is called as minor organ threatening lupus. In some others, SLE can affect heart, lungs, kidneys, brain and blood vessels. Lupus affecting the brain is a major organ threatening lupus.

SLE can cause variety of unspecific symptoms that range from mild to severe. Lupus symptoms are different from one person to another, so diagnosing the condition is very difficult. In addition, SLE requires enduring combination treatment.

Drug induced lupus: This is a transient form that occurs due to a reaction to some medications. It disappears when you stop the causative drugs. Symptoms of this lupus are very similar to SLE, such as rash, arthritis, strange fever, coronary and pulmonary infection.

The most common drugs that cause drug induced lupus include: hydralazine (Apresoline), phenytoin (Dilantin), methyldopa (Aldomet), quinidine (Quinaglute), isoniazid (INH), carbamazepine (Tegretol) and procainamide (Procan).

Discoid lupus: Also called as chronic cutaneous lupus erythematosus, generally appears as a red scaly rash on sun-exposed areas like arms, face, legs, scalp, or trunk. Generally, discoid lupus is milder than systemic lupus. It can be diagnosed by its appearance and by skin biopsy.

In rare cases, people with discoid lupus can also develop SLE. But people with discoid lupus have their condition confined to the skin only.

Neonatal lupus: It is a rare condition that affects infants of women who have lupus and is caused by certain antibodies from the mother acting upon the infant in the womb.

During the birth time, your infant may have liver problem, skin rash or low blood cell counts. Usually these symptoms will go away within several months after the birth.

Some newborns with lupus can have serious heart defect. Undergoing proper testing can help to identify the condition before or after the birth.

Subacute cutaneous lupus is another milder form of lupus that causes skin rashes, sun sensitivity and joint aches.

8 Most Common Causes Of Yeast Infection!

Yeast is a fungus i.e. scientifically called as candida.

The type of fungus i.e. most commonly responsible for yeast infection is candida albicans.

Normally, yeast is found on our skin and in areas of moisture such as vagina and mouth.

Researches showed that 20-50% of women carry yeast in their vagina.

There is treatment readily available for yeast infection, both over-the-counter and also alternative and drug-free treatments.

There are various causes result in yeast infection, they include:

1. Douching

All the healthy women have bacteria and various other organisms in the vagina. These organisms and the normal acidity of the vagina prevent overgrowth of some specific organisms thus leading to begin symptoms of vaginal infection.

Douching upsets the normal environment of the vagina thus leading to inflammation and imbalances in the organisms of the vagina. Often, this condition leads to symptoms like discomfort and chronic vaginal discharge.

So, you should avoid douching unless it is prescribed by your doctor. Every woman’s body has the natural ability to clean the vaginal canal. Douching won’t give you any health benefits and it actually worsens your vaginal symptoms.

2. Medications that contain steroids

Steroid medications are strongly correlated with increase candida yeast infection rates. These medications increase glucose levels in the blood.

Increase in sugar levels can change natural environment of the vagina thus increasing yeast proliferation levels. So, only use steroids when they are prescribed by your doctor.

3. Usage of antibiotics

Usage of antibiotics can alter the delicate balance of your vagina and suppress some of the good bacteria that put yeast infection under control. Whenever the good bacteria are suppressed, yeast levels rapidly increase and lead to infection.

If you are using any antibiotics, it is better to talk to your doctor to know the best course of treatment.

4. Risk of diabetes or having high blood sugar levels

Diabetics are at higher risk of contracting yeast infection. Increase in blood sugar levels multiplies the yeast bacteria thus leading to yeast infection. Sugars such as glucose and glycogen provide basis for yeast to grow. Sometimes, having yeast infection means that your diabetes is not under control.

5. Birth control pills or any other forms of hormonal contraceptives

Usage of birth control pills can cause cervical changes and increased vaginal discharge. You seem to have either or both of them. So, it is better to choose birth control pills that have lower levels of hormones.

6. Regularly wearing tight pants or pantyhose

Wearing tight pants make it hard for your body to breathe. It is very difficult for the areas like mouth and vagina. If you already have yeast infection, it will become further irritated by wearing tight, synthetic undies, stockings, pants, etc.

7. Menstrual cycle

Menstrual cycle keeps you at higher risk of yeast infection because at this time hormonal changes are greater, which disturbs good bacteria at the vaginal area making the infection more severe.

8. Pregnancy

Pregnancy can greatly trigger the yeast infection other than normal conditions. Particularly during the second trimester, you will notice an increased amount of thick, white and odd smelling discharge.

Pregnancy is the period for hormonal changes, so it is difficult for your body to maintain the normal chemical changes at the vaginal area thus causing an imbalance, which results in too much fungus.

Pap Smear To Detect Cervical Cancer!

Are you in fear of having cervical cancer? Then consider Pap smear to confirm it.

Pap smear, also called as Pap test is an invasive procedure to test for the presence of cervical cancer.

This procedure involves collecting cells from your cervix at the lower and narrow end of the uterus.

Early detection of cervical cancer with Pap smear gives you greater chance for cure. Cell changes in your cervix can also be detected with Pap smear because cell changes indicate a sign of cervical cancer in the future.

Usually, Pap smear is done in conjunction with pelvic examination. During pelvic examination, your doctor tests your external genitals, uterus, vagina, rectum and ovaries.

Who should receive Pap smear?

Every woman must get Pap smear regularly throughout her lifetime. You should have your first time pap smear by the period you turn 18.

Sexually active women before the age of 18 years should consider the test even earlier. You should get the test every year or for every six years if the results are positive for abnormal cells.
Even after entering into the menopausal stage, you should consider Pap test. Certain women should be very careful in scheduling Pap smear.

Women with HIV are at greater risk of growing cervical cancer and various other cervical irregularities. Women who undergone hysterectomy should also consider Pap smear every year.

What Pap smear procedure consists of?

This is a quick and simple practice that takes few minutes. During the procedure:

• You need to lie down on an examination table keeping your feet in the stirrups or resting closer to your bottom.


• Knees will be bent outwards in order to expose your vagina.


• The surgeon inserts a speculum in the vagina. This instrument helps to keep your vaginal passage open for some time.


• Surgeon cleans your cervix by using a cotton swab.


• With the help of small brush or another cotton swab, surgeon collects some cells from the cervix for further testing.


• During the test, you won’t experience any pain, but you feel some stress on your lower abdomen. Relaxation and deep breathing helps you very much.
  

How to prepare for the Pap test?

• To get effective results, follow these tips before undergoing the procedure.


• Avoid intercourse, douching and usage of vaginal medicines, creams, spermicidal foams, or jellies for at least two days before undergoing the procedure.


• Don’t schedule Pap test during your menstrual period.
  

What is the outcome of Pap smear?

It takes one to two weeks to get the results of Pap test. If the test comes negative, it indicates that there are not any abnormal cells. If the test comes positive, it indicates the presence of abnormal cells in the cervix. Causes of an abnormal pap smear include:

• Cancer


• Infection


• Inflammation
  

Abnormal Pap smear indicates that you should undergo cervical examination once again. At this time, colposcope, a microscope like device is used to magnify the cervix. Then your doctor can determine whether there is an infection or a need of tissue sample to confirm the presence of cancer cells.

Leukemia Chemotherapy - Benefits And Side Effects

Do you or anyone you know have leukemia?

Chemotherapy is a treatment that uses powerful drugs to destroy cancel cells. These drugs can be given:

• Intravenously, through a vein


• Orally, by mouth


• Through a catheter


• Subcutaneously, injected under the skin


• Intramuscularly, injected into muscle


• Intrathecally, injected into cerebrospinal fluid
  

Chemotherapy for treating leukemia varies greatly because leukemia is of several types. Generally, leukemia treatment combines chemotherapy with various anticancer drugs that destroy cancer cells by preventing them from growing and dividing rapidly.

Catheter: When leukemia chemotherapy treatment is administered in this fashion, a thin, flexible tube is placed in a large vein, most often in the upper chest. Catheter that remains in place is useful for patients who require many IV treatments.

Your practitioner injects drugs into the catheter instead of directly into the vein. This type of drug administration avoids the need for various injections, which can make you feel discomfort and also injure the vein and skin.

Injecting into cerebrospinal fluid: If your doctor discovers cancer cells in the fluid that block the spaces in and around the spinal cord and brain, then your doctor considers intrathecal chemotherapy.

Then your doctor injects this drug directly into the spinal fluid. This method is considered because the drugs by mouth or IV injection don’t reach the cells in spinal cord and brain.

You will receive chemotherapy treatment in the form of cycle i.e. treatment period, recovery period and then another treatment period.

Leukemia chemotherapy can lead to various side effects based on the drug you are taking and the dose. Usually, chemotherapy drugs affect the cancer cells and divide them rapidly, but it can also affect other cells, which include:

Cells in hair root: Chemotherapy drugs can cause hair loss. Though your hair will grow back, the new hair may look different in color and texture.

Blood cells: Blood cells fight against infections, supply oxygen to all parts of the body and help the blood to clot. When the blood cells are affected, you are more susceptible to infections, bruise or bleed easily and feel weak and tired.

Cells at the lining of digestive tract: Chemotherapy causes lip and mouth sores, vomiting, nausea, poor appetite and diarrhea.

Some other side effects of chemotherapy:

• You may have irregular menstrual periods or periods that may stop altogether.


• You may experience menopause symptoms such as vaginal dryness and hot flashes.

What Your Ovarian Cyst Type Is?

Ovarian cyst is one of the most common conditions that occur in women.

First you should know what an ovarian cyst means. Ovarian cysts are small fluid-filled sacs or cysts, which are found to occur either on the walls of the ovaries or inside them.

Usually, ovarian cysts won’t pose any health problem, but rarely they can cause serious concerns.

These cysts usually disappear on their own. As they are asymptomatic, most of you can not notice their presence.

Ovarian cysts can not remain completely harmless and sometimes these cysts can lead to more serious and dangerous complications. Some cysts can be stubborn, instead of disappearing on their own, they continue to grow.

They increase in the size, become more complex in nature and cause very serious problems such as cancer.

Till now it is not clearly known what leads to ovarian cyst. Various factors can lead to the growth of ovarian cysts.

Disturbance in your normal menstrual cycle is the most common problem for the formation of ovarian cysts. Menstrual cycle is a regular psychological process in which an egg is formed, developed and released. During this process, ovaries produce follicles or certain cyst like structures to aid the complete process.

These follicles are responsible for the production of estrogen and progesterone hormones, which are important to control the process and to bring on a release of unfertilized egg.

Sometimes, this whole process can be triggered by certain conditions such as hormonal imbalance, side effects of certain medications or prolonged sickness. This can cause the follicles to function abnormally and finally becomes into a functional ovarian cyst.

Basically there are two types of ovarian cysts. One is functional ovarian cysts and the other is complex ovarian cysts.

Functional ovarian cysts:

Again these cysts are of two types.

1. Follicular cyst: During the menstrual period, the production of luteinizing hormone is high and also there is increased functioning of this hormone. This hormone is essential for the release of egg. If the production of luteinizing hormone is less than normal, it affects the usual functioning of ovarian follicles. They won’t rupture and turn into follicular cysts.

Follicular cysts are most common and they are not serious. Usually, they cause little discomfort or pain and disappear on their own.

2. Ovarian cysts: These types of ovarian cysts develop after the production of luteinizing hormone and after the release of egg. These ovarian cysts are more serious. After the release of egg, ruptured follicles start producing abnormal quantities of hormones estrogen and progesterone. This can lead to corpus luteum or white body.

Sometimes, the mouth of the opening that is left behind by the egg becomes sealed off thus leading to fluid buildup inside the white body and finally becoming cysts.

These cysts can also disappear on their own, but sometimes they continue and grow larger. In some conditions, the ovary can twist and causing strong pain around the pelvis and abdomen.

Complex ovarian cysts:

These are the most serious form of ovarian cysts and are more dangerous. These cysts occur in very rare conditions. These types of cysts contain both liquid and solid components. They are of three types.

Dermoid cysts: These cysts are made from the same cells from which the egg grows

Cystadenomas: They are made of ovarian tissue and are filled with mucus

Endometrioma: These cysts develop due to endometriosis and made of uterine tissue

You can detect these ovarian cysts on your own or with the help of regular test procedures. Consult your doctor if you notice any of its symptoms.

17 Abortion Complications You Should Aware Of!

Side effects after an abortion will vary from woman to woman. There are both side effects to expect and also risks that you need to know exist.

It is essential to talk with your doctor who will perform abortion regarding the possible side effects.

After undergoing the abortion, your period should return within 4-6 weeks and you can get pregnant again soon after the abortion.

If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, you need to take them as directed as this will help you to prevent the infections.

Here are some of the possible side effects that you will experience after undergoing an abortion:

1. Bladder infection

Perforation of your uterus can also cause perforation of your urinary bladder. This condition can lead to peritonitis, which is an infected and inflamed lining of your abdomen. It can cause severe pain and sometimes it needs reparative surgery.

2. Breast cancer

Women who undergo abortions have greater risk of developing breast cancer in their later life.

3. Bowel injury

Perforation of your uterus can also cause perforation of your intestines. This can result in vomiting, nausea, peritonitis, abdominal pain, blood in stools, fever and also death if the condition is not treated quickly.

A part of your intestines needs to be removed and a temporary or permanent colostomy is inserted in your abdomen.

4. Tubal pregnancy

This kind of pregnancy happens outside of your uterus. After undergoing an abortion, you are at 8-20 times at a risk of having tubal or ectopic pregnancy. If the condition is not discovered soon, tubal pregnancy ruptures and severe bleeding can sometimes lead to death.

5. Failed abortion

Failure of an abortion in aborting the unborn baby younger than 6 weeks is very common. Sometimes, an abortionist fails to successfully evacuate the placenta from your uterus. Your pregnancy will continue even though you have endured the dangers and abortion cost.

6. Effects on your future pregnancy

• Undergoing an abortion can cause:


• Bleeding during the first trimester of your pregnancy


• Your future baby is twice as likely to die during the first few months


• There is a chance to give a low birth weight baby in the future pregnancy


• There is less chance for you to have normal delivery


• Your baby will be four times at a risk of dying in the last months of her first year of life


• There is a chance to give premature birth
  

7. Infection

Infections that occur from abortion can cause mild fever and sometimes death. This can happen in 1 out of 4 women to 1 out of 50 women.

8. Hemorrhage

1-14% of women need blood transfusion due to heavy bleeding from an abortion.

9. Hepatitis

Women who undergo blood transfusion are at greater risk of developing hepatitis.

10. Cervical laceration

Every 1 out of 20 women can suffer from this condition during an abortion. If this condition is not treated properly in your next pregnancy, this can lead to 50/50 chances of having miscarriage.

If you have severe cervical damage from the abortion procedure, then there is 30-40% chance of having miscarriage in the future pregnancy.

11. More later miscarriages

The more times you undergo abortions the greater you can experience first trimester miscarriages. Undergoing vaginal abortion can keep you at ten times an increased risk of having second trimester abortions in future pregnancy.

12. Uterine perforation

Perforated uterus can be seen in 1 among 40 and 1 among 400 abortions. Almost, this can also cause peritonitis, which is similar to having a ruptured appendix.

13. Post-abortion syndrome

After undergoing an abortion, you are more likely to suffer from psychological and mental conditions, such as repeated dreams of the abortion experience, relationship problems, memory impairment, sleep disturbances, avoidance of emotional attachment, guilt about surviving, hostile outbursts, depression, suicidal thoughts, and substance abuse.

14. Placenta previa

After undergoing an abortion, you are 6-15 times more likely to have placenta previa in your next pregnancy. This condition causes heavy bleeding.

15. Disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC)

Abortion can cause DIC, which means that your blood doesn’t clot and you will continuously bleed. This condition is extremely life threatening and it is difficult for treating. This condition occurs in 2 out of 1,000 2^nd trimester abortions.

16. RH incompatibility

If the mother is RH negative, your doctor should confirm about your baby’s Rh blood type. This ensures your baby to be protected against Rh incompatibility.

The Rh incompatibility needs your future baby should receive blood transfusion immediately after birth, causes birth of the dead baby, and causes baby to die immediately after birth.

17. Sterility

Abortion can also make you sterile. This condition can happen in 1 out of 20 to 1 out of 50 women.

5 Arthritis Types Most Commonly Affect Women!

Nowadays, arthritis is the most common condition that affects every one out of six women in United States.

About 50 million people have some form of arthritis.

Arthritis simply refers to an inflammation of joints. There are about 100 types of arthritis.

Among those, five affect nine out of ten arthritic cases, such as: fibromyalgia, gout, osteoarthritis, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Among those, rheumatoid and osteoarthritis are most common in women.

Arthritis can affect anyone, no matter what your age, gender, or race.

But, it is especially important for women to know about these conditions because arthritis affects women at much higher rate when compared to men.

60% of people who have arthritis are women only. Here are the most common forms that affect women.

Fibromyalgia: This syndrome is characterized by musculoskeletal pain. Usually, this condition is associated with muscular pain, stiffness, fatigue, depression, anxiety and loss of sleep.

Fibromyalgia is a kind of soft tissue or muscular rheumatism. This means, there is no joint deformity when you affect with this condition. Currently 3.7 million Americans are suffering from fibromyalgia.

Sometimes, people confuse with chronic fatigue syndrome as a sign of some other conditions.

Gout: Also called as metabolic arthritis, is a crystal deposition disease hallmarked by elevated levels of uric acid in your bloodstream. About 5 million people in United States have gout. Gout affects women after entering into the menopause stage.

Factors such as obesity, high blood pressure, high alcohol consumption, excessive weight gain and certain drugs can increase the levels of uric acid in your blood thus leading to gout.

Osteoarthritis: Also called as degenerative joint disease, is the most common type of arthritis. Among the 27 million people who have osteoarthritis, 16 million are women.

Usually, women can affect with this condition after the age of 40 years. This degenerative joint disease causes damage to your bones and cartilage thus causing joint pain, stiffness, loss of function and swelling.

Rheumatoid arthritis: This condition affects women between 25-50 years of age. However, children can also be affected with this condition. It is a systemic disease that can affect your whole body.

Abnormalities in your body’s immune system make it to work improperly thus leading inflammation in lining of the joints and various internal organs. Sometimes, chronic inflammation can cause pain, deterioration and restricted movement.

Lupus: Also called as systemic lupus erythematosus, is an inflammatory condition, which affects your joints, kidneys, skin and various other body parts. Lupus usually affects women during their childbearing age. African American women are more susceptible to this condition when compared to Caucasian women. Also, Asian and Latino populations can get this condition.

Osteoporosis is also a form of arthritis that causes loss of bone mass and makes them brittle. This condition can lead to painful fractures, rounded shoulders and loss of height.

About 28 million Americans have osteoporosis among those every four out of five affected people are women. Postmenopausal women are more prone to this condition.

Women with rheumatoid arthritis and who take glucocorticoid medications are at high risk of osteoporosis.

Causes And Risk Factors Of Irregular periods!

Are your periods irregular or missed? Almost all women have between 11 and 13 menstrual cycles each year.

Usually, periods are irregular in some women for few years after menstruation starts.

It takes few years for the hormones that control menstruation to reach balance.

Sometimes, periods are irregular when you are near to menopause stage.

The most common causes for irregular periods are pregnancy, miscarriage or recent child birth. If you are not pregnant, the other causes for irregular periods include:

Breast feeding: After pregnancy, breast feeding is the most common cause for irregular periods. Most women can not have their periods regular until they stop breastfeeding.

Hormonal problems: Changes in hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, which are responsible for menstruation can lead to irregular periods.

Health issues: Problems with your pelvic organs such as PCOS, imperforate hymen or Asherman’s syndrome.

Eating disorders: Bulimia or anorexia can cause irregular periods.

Usage of medications: Medicines such as hormonal birth control methods can cause lighter, more frequent, less frequent, skipped or no periods at all.

Increased physical activity: Doing strenuous exercises can cause irregular periods. Athletes most commonly experience irregular periods.

Excess weight gain or loss: Usually obesity is the most common cause for irregular periods and low body weight can also be cause.

Stress: This is also the most common cause of irregular periods. If you are worried, fatigued or anxious, hormones become unbalanced.

Diet: Poor diet can greatly affect your hormones and thus resulting in missed periods.

Other causes, which can lead to irregular periods include: irregular usage of drugs, travel, break in usual routine, and illness like thyroid conditions.

Usually, irregular periods are of two types. One is long-term irregularity and the other is sudden or short-term irregularity.

Long-term irregularity: Sometimes menstrual bleeding can last for several days. You can experience excessive bleeding for the entire month. If you have severe pain and prolonged periods, it is better to consult your gynecologist.

Sudden or short-term irregularity: This is due to various causes that are listed above. These irregularities are generally one off or sporadic occurrence. Usually, this is not cause of concern unless you experience any pain.

For most women, irregular periods are not a concern. If you experience irregular periods for a year, have severe cramping, heavy menstrual bleeding, nausea, dizziness, you should visit your doctor. Other risk factors that can cause irregular periods include:

Inflammatory bowel syndrome: Bowel disorders can cause inflammation of lower intestines, which again lead to period irregularity. Sometimes, it is accompanied by abdominal pain, weight loss, or diarrhea.

PCOS: 10% of women have PCOS in their lifetime. PCOS leads to the growth of cysts on your ovaries and disturbs ovulation. If PCOS left untreated, it can lead to severe complications like ovarian cancer, heart disease and endometriosis.

You will find few treatments that help in regulating your menstrual periods. They include:

Hormonal supplements: If you have high levels of testosterone hormone, usage of hormonal supplements can regulate your periods.

Hormonal contraceptives: You will find hormonal contraceptives in various forms such as oral, ring, patch, or injectable forms.