November 8, 2008

Cysts on Ovaries: Should You Panic and Freak Out?

When ovarian cysts are found, many women panic. Every month women grow cysts on their ovaries and they burst when ovulation happens, a normal process of the female system. Sometimes a cyst forms with something other than clear fluid, like endometriomas which is a cyst filled with menstrual blood, or a cysts that has calcium and hair also called a dermoid cyst.

Some cysts disappear on their own but other cysts need to be removed. It is very common in women and nothing to freak out about, as long as they are being watched there is nothing to worry about.
If you're interested in a permanent cure from ovarian cysts and PCOS related symptoms, please read about this Cysts on Ovaries Treatment

Filed under Women's Health by Tracy

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November 6, 2008

Detection and Prevention

I know that this is supposed to be a PMS site and this is related because in a woman’s overall health it is important to stay as healthy as possible and many of the symptoms and health issues we have are interrelated.  Bloating, mood swings, breast tenderness, food cravings, headaches and more can all come with PMS, but some women experience those symptoms and others that might or might not be related to PMS.

lady9.jpgThere are many women in the US who go through the year not having detection tests done even after the recommendation from their doctors to do so.  It is important for every woman to have a yearly physical examination with pap smear and when age appropriate or symptoms are present to have an annual mammogram, too.  It doesn’t make sense for a woman to get one part of her body “fixed” or cared for and not the others.  We all need to be taking part in detection tests for cancers and other problems like endometriosis, cysts, and other issues that plague women these days.

Pap Smears are a screening technique to determine cancerous or pre-cancerous changes of the cervix. HPV is now an epidemic and many women are affected by these changes.  During the test, cells are scraped from the cervix and then evaluated microscopically.   Pap smears are not diagnostic tests, but they are screening tools used to find any abnormal cells or dysplasia in the cervix.  When women are faithful in having regular Pap smears, they increase their chances for early detection and treatment of any potential problems.  This is one of the best tests a woman can take.  Despite these positive factors, every year, about 14,000 American women are diagnosed with the condition and about 3,900 die from it. This test can be a lifesaver, because cervical cancer detected in its early stages has a cure rate of 90 percent.  You are worth the test!

Mammograms are among the best early detection methods, yet women are still not getting them. You might think the main reason is health care funding, but it’s not poor access to health care that’s to blame!  Most insurance programs help cover mammograms and if not there are free or significantly reduced tests that are available to women.  Mammograms are usually a black and white picture of the breast tissue on a large sheet of film that is read, or interpreted, by a radiologist.  The test doesn’t take very long and could very well save your life.

Breast cancer still remains the number two cause of cancer-related deaths for women but regular mammograms can detect tumors, cysts and calcifications.  The doctor may investigate these abnormalities further, to determine their effect on your body.  Breast cancer usually appears in the form of calcifications, architectural distortions, or abnormal densities.  Breast cancer will strike an estimated 180,000 women this year.  It is vital to get checked!

Filed under General Health, Periods, Premenstrual News, Women's Health by PMS Chick

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November 5, 2008

Sarah Summer Natural Cure For Yeast Infection - 5 Easy Ways To Natural Yeast Infection Cure!

Natural yeast infection treatment is something that most people don’t usually think of when they have yeast infection. Over the counter drugs and medication is the first remedy that is used. Don’t get me wrong – there are some medications that work, but most of them do not. If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, that will only make it worse because yeast infection thrives on antibiotics.

Chronic yeast infections are the hardest to cure and can be very depressing for some people because they don’t know where to turn. It is especially hard when you have tried all different types of remedy and nothing works and then you suffer from recurring yeast infection. That certainly is frustrating. Find out more about Sarah Summer solves Yeast Infection Problems.

Instead of trying temporary relief, it is best to use natural remedies that will prevent your yeast infection from recurring. Sarah Summer, author of 12 Hour Natural Yeast Infection Cure, uses her guide to educate those who don’t know that natural remedies are the best thing for getting rid of the disease.

Sarah, herself, went through the agony of recurring yeast infection and did extensive research in finding a cure that helped her to get rid of it for good.

The advantages of natural yeast infection cure are that it is safe, no side effects and is proven to work more than drugs do.
It is imperative to get your yeast infection tested and treated before it gets chronic. If you don’t do this, then it will get worse and become out of control and harder to cure. For anyone who has had no success with natural cures or over the counter drugs, Sarah Summer’s guide is recommended because she gives the exact natural remedies that helped her.

Yeast infections are really very difficult to endure and most people will do anything to get rid of them once and for all. I know you would.

Like I said, Sarah Summer suffered from chronic yeast infection sufferer and who can recommend something more than someone who went through the same thing that you are. Her yeast infection treatment has been proven to work for thousands of people to the extent of preventing it from coming back again. With her solid money back guarantee and a guide that sells for less than doctor’s visit, you really have nothing to lose.

Read the popular reviews written about Sarah Summer's book at Sarah Summer Yeast Infection Cure and her guaranteed yeast infection cure that is safe and natural to administer.

Filed under Women's Health by Tracy

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October 30, 2008

PMDD…What is it?

lady9.jpgPremenstrual dysphoric disorder—PMDD for short, is affecting more and more women all of the time.  It is a condition that has severe emotional and physical problems associated closely to the menstrual cycle.  The symptoms usually start in the second half of a woman’s cycle and continue on until her period starts, or shortly thereafter.  PMS (premenstrual syndrome) affects up to 75% of menstruating women, with about 5% of menstruating women having PMDD. 

The symptoms of PMS and PMDD are the same—bloating, depression, anxiety, tension, irritability, breast tenderness, etc, but the severity of the symptoms is what separates women with PMS from women with PMDD.  The lives of the women with PMDD are usually disrupted in some way, whether that means they stay home from work or school, interferes in their relationships or hurts other areas in their lives.

Most women relate the same stories of sudden bursts of anger, anxiety, depression and not feeling like themselves.  They also report the symptoms coming on as quickly as they go once their period starts.  The cause is not known for certain.  Hormones seem to play a part, although women with PMS and those with PMDD have been shown to have very similar hormone results, not really showing a greater difference in those with PMDD from those with PMS.  Genetics may also have a role in this, as well as social, environmental, psychological and cultural factors.  

There are different types of PMDD and one can be diagnosed with it, but in order to be diagnosed the symptoms must not be present during the week after menses.  Some of the different types include symptoms beginning at ovulation and worsening as menses approaches and then ending after menses begins.  Another type is when symptoms begin during the week before menses and then ends shortly after the period begins.  Sometimes symptoms come on during ovulation and then go away for a few days, only to reappear as the period approaches.  The last type is when symptoms begin at ovulation and worsen and last until menses ends. 

In order to be tested for PMDD you must see your doctor.  You will be able to get some help by using medications, good nutritional habits and psychobehavioral approaches including exercise and maybe therapy.  Most doctors recommended a combination of all three, but some women may find that one or two of these may work for them in reducing their symptoms.  You don’t have to go on suffering when there if help available.

Filed under PMDD by PMS Chick

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October 23, 2008

PMS and Bioidentical Hormones

lady.jpgThe new thing in PMS health really isn’t so new.  Hormones are such an integral part of the workings of our bodies, yet they have almost been ignored for years, or doctors have used synthetic means to try to balance natural hormones.  They don’t match up very well.  Bioidentical hormones are finally being recognized by health practitioners as the missing key to many women’s and men’s health issues. 

Bioidentical hormones used in BHRT include estradiol, estrone, estriol, progesterone and testosterone.  Some therapies are available from drug companies as standard prescriptions; others must be compounded for the individual woman by a pharmacist.  BHRT differs from other therapeutic hormonal preparations which may have a similar function to the body's hormones, but do not have identical structures.  Hormones with a different structure are likely to have different levels of activity in the body than the natural hormones and require different metabolism. 

BHRT generally refers to supplements of estrogen, progesterone or testosterone that are chemically identical to the body’s own hormones.  They’re usually derived from plant sources, such as Mexican wild yam and soy, unlike traditional hormones, which come from sources such as the urine of pregnant horses and are molecularly different to a woman’s own.  Bioidentical hormones on the other hand have been produced by the human body for your entire life.  Further, they are not usually given in a standardized, 'one size fits all' dose, but tailored to a woman's presenting history.  The types and doses needed for each person can be determined by blood tests and even some saliva tests through your doctor’s office.

These more natural hormones are a good alternative to traditional hormone replacement therapy.  They can be used to treat PMS symptoms including breast tenderness, mood swings, bloating and fatigue.  Many women have seen tremendous results in their PMS symptoms even in a short time from using this form of natural hormone replacement.

Bioidentical hormones have been around for many years.  However, up until now, they have not been widely advertised or promoted by the medical community.  Hormones, whether synthetic or natural, carry serious risks when misused.  You need to be tested and have hormones prescribed for you that fit your needs and you should be retested on regular intervals. 

Filed under Hormones, PMS Relief, Women's Health by PMS Chick

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October 6, 2008

PMS, Getting Older or Something Else?

pmsposter.jpgI’ve had symptoms of PMS that have varied over the course of my life, but in the last year the symptoms have seemed to worsen.  Other women have told me that their doctors have said they are just getting older and there is really nothing to do about it.  I thought that for a while, but then decided otherwise. 

Since doing so much research on PMS and finding out what is the cause, things that make it worse and different remedies, or at least aids, that can help with the symptoms, I decided to put the research to the test.  With symptoms like breast tenderness, anger, food cravings, headaches, early spotting and more painful cramps I decided to see my doctor, a D.O. who works with natural and medical procedures.  She told me about how my hormones may be off balance and that I could use a natural cream two weeks out of every month (starting day 14 – 28 of my cycle) and see if that helped.  I began using the cream and after a few months I noticed a big difference.

I stayed on it consistently for a while and then began to forget to start it on time or go shorter time on purpose, but the symptoms got worse.  I stayed on the cram consistently for those two weeks for the next several months and continued to notice improvement.  However, I hadn’t changed my diet too much and wondered if that would help even more. 

I’ve not been a big caffeine consumer, although chocolate sure gets my attention, but other things like sugary foods and some high fat foods like fries or pastries would crowd out the vegetables and fruit that I really needed.  I’ve cut way back on all of those sweet and high fat things we think we must have and once the really bad cravings go away and your body begins to enjoy eating the fresh fruit and vegetables again; it really makes you feel great.

I also cut out much of the full fat dairy and some of the wheat products that I was used to eating.  I’ve realized I can eat less than what I once thought I needed to survive, feel better and my PMS symptoms this last month have almost disappeared.  I hardly had any warning that my period was about to start.  I also started exercising again, but not an Olympic regimen, only 15 – 20 minutes most days of the week of walking or exercises. 

Just by making some diet changes, maybe adding in a natural hormone if yours are off balance and moving around a little you could begin to feel more like you want to feel and not become a slave to your PMS symptoms and feelings.  It’s working for me!

Filed under PMS Relief, PMS Symptoms, Women's Health, nutrition by PMS Chick

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September 24, 2008

Basics of Menstruation in Women

Menstruation (a period) is a major stage of puberty in girls; it's one of the many physical signs that a girl is turning into a woman. And like a lot of the other changes associated with puberty, menstruation can be confusing. Menstruation is have the law, periodic, it is one of explicit marks with reproductive mature function. This kind of haemorrhage is ovarian bubble maturity, oviposit and corpus luteum form, and the film inside the uterus arrives from hyperplasia the result that secretes change. Menstruation is a personal thing and I don't believe it is the same for all women; I don't even think it is the same for us as individual women.

friends.jpgPMS is tied to hormone changes that happen during your menstrual cycle. Doctors don't fully know why premenstrual symptoms are worse in some women than in others. PMS does not have to occur and women no longer need to experience those horrible monthly blues,” says Susan Thys-Jacobs, M.D ., an endocrinologist and researcher. She added that “PMS is not a disease but an easily treatable chemical imbalance and nutritional deficiency.

Estrogen promotes the normal development of a woman?s breasts and uterus, controls the cycle of ovulation (when an ovary releases an egg into a fallopian tube), and affects many aspects of a woman?s physical and emotional health. Progesterone controls menstruation and prepares the lining of the uterus to receive the fertilized egg. Estrogen also sets off the development of breasts and the growth of hair under the arms and the public region. The body often responds to this new hormonal activity with confusion- oily hair, acne, budding sexual interest, mood swings, and sometimes, painful menstrual cramps.

Menstruation is an ultimately feminine experience and a celebration of womanhood. All women need to stand up and make that known by not offering to excuse their behaviors as hormonally motivated, by not seeking “treatment” to rid themselves of the normal, natural physical cycle that menstruation is and by using the best possible language to describe its process. Menstrual irregularities, such as painful periods and abnormal bleeding may be an indication of ovarian cysts, especially if there is no prior history of irregularities. This could also mean a longer or shorter than usual menstrual period, an absent menstruation, or an irregular menstruation.

Women normally do not menstruate before puberty, during pregnancy, and after menopause. At other times, she should have regular menstrual cycles every month; if she doesn’t, this may be a sign rather than one of the causes of infertility or another treatable medical condition, however, there are some conditions that cause this cessation of periods that may also cause infertility.

Filed under Hormones, PMS Relief, Periods, Women's Health by PMS Chick

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September 23, 2008

PMS In The Teen Years

The teen years are hard enough without having to worry about getting your period and the symptoms that may come along with it each month.  Some teens seem to experience severe PMS symptoms while others have few symptoms.  Some of that may depend on your risk factors like family medical history and then also what you are putting in your body, as well as what you may not be putting in your body that it needs. 

This is a checklist of possible symptoms of PMS and how to recognize them:

  • Bloating and weight gain.  Do your jeans feel tighter as your period approaches?
  • Tension, anxiety or crying spells.  Do you find yourself overreacting to stress? Do you get angry easily just before your period?
  • Depression. Do you feel sad for no reason?  Feeling down for a few days is normal, but if it lasts longer than a few days you may need to talk to your mom or doctor to get some help in feeling better.
  • Breast tenderness. Do your breasts hurt when touched? Does your bra feel tighter?
  • eatingchocolate.jpgFood cravings. Do you want chocolate, potato chips or other foods (particularly salty or sweet foods)?
  • Joint or muscle pain. Do you wake up feeling sore even though you haven’t done anything strenuous?
  • Nausea or vomiting. Does your stomach feel upset, even though you're not eating anything different or have the flu?
  • Headache. Do you have a pattern of headaches before your period?
  • Trouble with concentration. Is it harder to study or pay attention in class?
  • Fatigue. Do you feel tired early in the day? Do you feel exhausted when you get home?

If you make some simple changes you may notice a huge difference in your symptoms.  It may take a few months for some of the changes to reach their full affect, but you will be surprised at how much better you can feel.  Here are some things you can do to avoid or relieve PMS symptoms:

Eat right.

  • Eat more frequently, but make your portions smaller.
  • Increase your calcium intake up to 1,200 mg a day, but some dairy can make symptoms worse, so you may want to use a supplement.
  • Increase your magnesium intake up to 200mg per day with diet or supplement.
  • Eat more fresh fruit, vegetables and whole grain foods.
  • Reduce the amount of salty foods and refined sugar, especially during the 7 to 10 days before your period begins.
  • Cut out the caffeine, which can worsen irritability and breast tenderness.
  • Drink low-fat milk, eat low-fat yogurt, cheese and other calcium rich foods.

Exercise.

Exercise can greatly reduce your feelings of fatigue, depression and irritability.  You should get about 20 to 30 minutes of exercise at least three times a week in order to make a difference in your health and could include a brisk walk, a short run, a bike ride or even sports practice.

Reduce your stress levels. Be sure to get adequate sleep.  Many teens do not get the 9+ hours of sleep needed to feel their best.  You may be surprised by how many symptoms can be lessened when you get enough sleep.

Also, no matter how busy you get with school, activities or a job, take time to do something fun and enjoy yourself— see a movie, hang out with friends, read a book for fun.

You can also use Ibuprofen or Tylenol for pain and to reduce some other symptoms like headache.  If you try these steps for a few months and there are not significant changes in your symptoms, you may need to contact your doctor for a visit and see if there is anything else they could do to help relieve your symptoms. 

Filed under PMS Relief, PMS Symptoms, Periods, nutrition by PMS Chick

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