I just came across this great site called My Monthly Cycles. It is great for tracking everything on a calendar, getting PMS dates, reminders, etc. Go to:
http://www.mymonthlycycles.com
Itâs amazing what you can find out there on the Internet today.
This PMS site is cool!
The news today brings up the old question about douching. Is it safe? Some say yes, some say no. Some want you to feel fresh as a daisy in May. So, here is a bit from the news article at About.com The link to read the rest is below.
“Is Douching Healthy? Simply stated, the answer is “No.”
“According to a study published by the American Journal of Public Health, douching may reduce a womanâs chance of becoming pregnant during a particular month by approximately thirty percent.
“Regular vaginal douching changes the delicate chemical balance of the vagina and can make a woman more susceptible to infections. Douching can introduce new bacteria into the vagina which can spread up through the cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes. Researchers have found that women who douche regularly experience more vaginal irritations and infections such as bacterial vaginosis, and an increased number of sexually transmitted diseases.”
Read the rest at: http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/azhealthtopics/a/vagdouching.htm
Practicing these simple tips will significantly reduce your risk of getting a vaginal infection:
1. It is best to wear cotton panties. Cotton breathes, helping the vaginal area to stay dry. Itâs also recommended to not wear panties at night when you are sleeping.
2. Donât douche.
3. Donât use K-Y jelly for lubrication. It can be a breeding ground for bacteria.
4. When being treated for a vaginal infection, use all the medication, even if you think you are better.
5. Donât have sex during a treatment for a vaginal infection and until the symptoms are gone.
6. Avoid products that can irritate the vagina such as feminine hygiene products, perfumed or deodorant soaps, powders, lotions, and bubble baths (I assume this is only during a time of infection).
7. Avoid wearing of tight-fitting clothes such as bathing suits, exercise wear, pantyhose, or slacks over a long period of time.
8. Donât scratch the infected area (easier said than done)! Itching will only make things worse.
9. If your period starts while you are using vaginal creams or suppositories, continue your regular medication schedule during your period and donât use tampons â use pads instead (again, easier said than done).
10. When trying to take of things yourself, if it doesnât clear up, get to the doctor. Try not to use any vaginal products for 48 hours before your appointment.
11. Always use condoms during sexual intercourse unless you are in a long-term monogamous relationship.
12. Always wipe from front to back after urination or having a bowel movement (something only women can appreciate).
Source: http://womenshealth.about.com/od/vaginaldischarg1/a/preventvaginald.htm
There are always some good articles at About.com. They have editors who take the best articles and index them on their site. Itâs a source for all things related to health.
More than 50 percent of women experience dysmenorrhea (menstrual pain) for one or two days during menstruation. Menstrual cramps occur most often in teens; however, women in their twenties and older also suffer from painful periods. Would it surprise you to know that the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) says that about one in ten women experience menstrual pain so severely that they are unable to perform their normal routine for one to three days each month?
To read more, go to http://womenshealth.about.com/cs/crampsmenstrual/a/dysmenorrhea.htm
