PMS Factor

PMS may be a HUGE pain, but if there is a bright side (other than being pregnant again ) it means that you are generally healthy. Let’s look at this a bit further.

Leading women’s health advocates met today at a scientific forum titled, “The Menstrual Cycle is a Vital Sign,” held at the New York Academy of Sciences. Co-sponsored by Rachel’s Well, Inc. and the Society for Menstrual Cycle Research, the discussion was designed to raise awareness about the role of menstruation as a unique indicator of a woman’s overall physical health.

At the center of the discussion was the importance of identifying health issues linked to the menstrual cycle, as well as clarifying any misconceptions. “The menstrual cycle is a window into the general health and well-being of women, and not just a reproductive event,” said Paula Hillard, M.D., professor of obstetrics & gynecology and pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine. “It can indicate the status of bone health, heart disease, and ovarian failure, as well as long-term fertility. Therefore, if a woman is not having her period, it is the first sign that something else could be going on.”

Source: Medical News Today

The 3 day diet is one of those trendy little diets that seems to be popular today. If you follow the 3 day diet correctly, you can supposedly lose upwards to 10 pounds in just three days. That seems like a lot of weight to lose in such a short period of time, is it healthy or even possible?

While its certainly possible to lose 10 pounds or even more in just three days, it’s probably not healthy, and generally not recommended by health professionals. The 3 day diet is invariably frowned on by nutritionists as being an overall a fad diet that is not very effective in producing sustainable weight lose. Sure you can lose 10 pounds in three days, but the chances are you’ll put it right back on again when you finish.

To read the full article, go to: 3-Day Diet

If you eat too many simple carbs at breakfast — say, a donut and coffee with sugar — your blood sugar rises and then quickly falls, and you’ll feel your energy sag. Try oatmeal, whole-grain bread or fruit instead.

Aim for three daily servings of fiber-rich carbs — eat whole fruits rather than drinking juice whenever possible; you’ll get more fiber, which helps slow the digestion of fruit sugars. Another good choice is starchy vegetables like potatoes and sweet potatoes, eaten with the nutrient-packed skin.

We all complain about getting our periods and the rigmarole that goes with having them, from period cramps and mood swings, through to the feminine hygiene products we use. And if you’re like me, you’ve spent the best part of your menstrual life using one of two products, tampons or pads.

Tampons or pads – it’s a bit like “wax or pluck” isn’t it? Neither is a particularly attractive prospect, but if you want the job done it’s a choice you have to make. Personally, I’ve always been a tampon girl. Not that they’ve ever actually prompted me to go surfing, horse riding or skydiving like the girls in the tampon commercials; but I do think they offer more freedom than pads. But they’re not a miracle product. They leak, meaning that during your heavy days you have to wear a pad anyway, pretty much defeating the purpose of using them in the first place.

Until very recently, tampons and pads were the only two options I was aware of. But now, thanks to the gals on our chatboards, I’ve had a revelation. I’ve discovered the Mooncup.

The Mooncup is a reusable menstrual cup about two inches long and made from soft silicone rubber. It is worn internally, like a tampon, but collects menstrual fluid rather than absorbing it. Unlike tampons the Mooncup is not a disposable product, so you don’t need to be putting one in your grocery cart every month.

For those of you who are familiar with the Mooncup (and why did no-one tell me about it sooner?) you’ll know it’s a cute little thing, looking not unlike a small, decorative wine glass, without the base. It’s made of soft, pliable silicone, and once it’s inside you it creates a light seal within your vagina, holding it in place. You change it less often than a tampon or a pad, and you don’t have all the extra landfill to worry about.

To learn more, go to: http://www.mooncup.co.uk/index.html