Menstruation- 03

Reproductive Health

Menstruation

1- Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
2- Why Do I Have Cramps but No Period?
3- Your Period: 5 Things You Didn’t Know
4- Common Period Problems

5- Menstrual Pain
6- Heavy Periods (Menorrhagia)
7- Irregular Periods
8- Menstrual Blood Problems: Clots, Color, and Thickness

9- Menstrual Cup
10- Why Am I Spotting Between Periods?
11- Your Period and Your Breasts
12- Painful Ovulation (Mittelschmerz)

13- Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)
14- Symptoms of Toxic Shock Syndrome
15- Treat and Prevent TSS
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9- Menstrual Cup

What’s a Menstrual Cup?

There’s a lot of buzz about this eco-friendly alternative to pads and tampons. But what exactly is a menstrual cup?

How Does It Work?

The small, flexible cup is made of silicone or latex rubber. Instead of absorbing your flow, like a tampon or pad, it catches and collects it.

Just before your period begins, tightly fold the menstrual cup and insert it like a tampon without an applicator. Used correctly, you shouldn’t feel it. It’s similar to putting a diaphragm or birth control ring in place.

Your cup will spring open (you may need to rotate it first) and rest against the walls of your vagina. It forms a seal to prevent leaks. The blood then simply drips into the cup.

Some types are disposable, but most are reusable. To remove it, you pull the stem sticking out the bottom and pinch the base to release the seal. Then you just empty, wash with soap and water, and replace. At the end of your cycle, you can sterilize your cup in boiling water.

Like any other product for your period, you can buy them online or over the counter at grocery and drugstores.

Are They New to the Feminine Care Aisle?

Menstrual cups have actually been around since the 1930s, but America was slow to catch on. The first menstrual cup for U.S. use was manufactured in 1987. Since then, there have been several others produced, manufactured from different substances ranging from rubber to silicone. Generally advertising for the cups is very low and most women who use them .learn about them through the internet or word of mouth

Pros

It’s eco- and wallet-friendly. A reusable cup that costs $30 to $40 can last up to 10 years. That means less waste in landfills and less money over time. These benefits don’t apply to disposable brands though.

You can leave it in for 12 hours. Tampons need to be changed every 4 to 8 hours, depending on your flow. But cups can stay in longer, so they’re good for overnight protection. And once you get the hang of inserting it, there’s no need to wear a backup pad or liner.

It holds more. A menstrual cup can hold 1 ounce of liquid, roughly twice the amount of a super-absorbent tampon or pad. The difference can be a comfort on your heavy flow days.

You can have mess-free sex. Most silicone and rubber menstrual cups must be removed before sex. But the soft, disposable ones are designed with sex in mind. They look like a diaphragm, so they’re shaped like a dome (not like the usual bell). Your partner can’t feel them, and there’s no blood to worry about.

There’s less odor. Menstrual blood can start to smell when it’s exposed to air. But your cup forms an airtight seal.

It’s safe. Experts say it’s safer than a tampon, because it has a lower risk of toxic shock syndrome, a bacterial infection. And compared with a pad, there’s no chance of chafing or rash.

Cons

It can cause irritation. A 2011 study found that cup users had more irritation down there than those who wore tampons. The more they used it, though, the fewer problems. It’s important to wash your hands before inserting your cup, to clean it well between uses, and to empty it two to three times a day.

It can be tough to find the right fit. Cups come in different sizes depending on your age, flow, and whether you’ve had a child. Still, finding the perfect fit can be a challenge, more so if you have a tilted uterus or low cervix. It can take some trial and error, and you could have leaks in the meantime.

Removal can get messy -- or embarrassing. Even if you find it easy to insert the cup, removing it can be tricky. In a sit or squat, you need to use your pelvic floor muscles to push the cup down, then reach up and grab the stem. Pinch the base to break the seal and angle the cup slightly back to keep it from spilling.

And if you’re in public, keep in mind you’ll need to wash out the cup in the restroom sink. (As an alternative, one manufacturer suggests bringing a bottle of water with you into the stall and rinsing it out, then wiping clean with toilet paper.)

It could interfere with an IUD. Some manufacturers don’t recommend using a menstrual cup if you have an intrauterine device (IUD) inserted, as there’s a chance the cup could pull on the string or dislodge it. But a 2012 study found no evidence of this. Still, it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor before combining the two.

10- Why Am I Spotting Between Periods?

Why Am I Spotting Between Periods?

Every woman has been there: You think your period is over, so you ditch the panty liners and grab the white pants. And then, when you least expect it, you see red. Or maybe pink. It’s just a few spots, but enough to ruin your day (not to mention your pants).

You’re not alone. Most women experience spotting between their periods at some point. Usually, it’s nothing to worry about. A number of things can cause it to happen. These are the most common:

• Hormone-based birth control. If you’re on birth control that contains hormones (pills, patches, injections, rings, or implants), you might spot during the first three months of using it. Doctors call this “breakthrough bleeding.” They believe the extra hormones may cause changes in the lining of the uterus.
• Some sexually transmitted infections (STIs), like chlamydia.
• Infection of the cervix or lining of the uterus.
• Blood clotting disorders, like von Willebrand disease.
• Other health conditions, like hypothyroidism, liver disease, or chronic kidney disease.
• Fibroids or polyps. These are non-cancerous tumors that grow in the lining or muscle of the uterus.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). If you have this condition, your ovaries don’t release eggs like they should. Your ovaries become enlarged with fluid-filled sacs that surround your eggs. Your body also makes too many male hormones (called “androgens”). This causes you to have irregular periods, spotting, and sometimes no period at all.
• Cancers of the reproductive system. These include uterine cancer. They’re most common in women who’ve already gone through menopause. But if you’re over 40 and are spotting between your periods, see your doctor to rule out more serious problems.
• Perimenopause. As you get closer to menopause, your periods might be harder to predict. Your hormone levels change, and the lining of your uterus gets thicker. This can sometimes lead to spotting.

When to Call the Doctor

Make an appointment if spotting concerns you, or if you have spotting along with the following symptoms:

• Pain in your lower abdomen
• Fever
• Symptoms that get worse or happen more often
• Any type of vaginal bleeding -- including spotting -- after you’ve gone through menopause

Spotting is very different from persistent bleeding, and any woman with persistent, heavy, or prolonged bleeding should make an appointment to get it checked out.

You should also see a doctor if you think you might be pregnant.

11- Your Period and Your Breasts

Your Period and Your Breasts

Ask just about any woman: Breasts can go through changes during a menstrual cycle. They get tender, and even seem to shift a bit in size and shape.

Chalk it up to the ebb and flow of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone over the course of your cycle.

Breast symptoms are the strongest just before your period starts, and improve either during or right after it.

What’s Normal?

Every woman is different. But it’s common to have one or more of the following:

• Swelling
• Tenderness
• Aches
• Soreness
• Changes in texture

What Can I Do?

There are a few steps you can take to curb changes in your breasts during your monthly cycle:

• Eat a diet lower in fat, avoiding high-fat foods.
• Skip caffeine, which means no coffee, tea, cola, and chocolate.
• Avoid salt 1 to 2 week before your period starts.
• Wear a bra that fits you properly and provides good breast support.
• Aim for a daily cardio workout.

When Should I Call My Doctor?

While most changes in your breasts shouldn’t cause alarm, you should make the call if you notice:

• Unusual, new, or changing lumps in your breast or under your arm
• Nipple discharge (aside from breast milk), particularly if it’s bloody or brown
• Severe symptoms that make it hard to sleep, even after you make changes to your diet and exercise routine

You should also reach out if you have changes in:

• The size or shape of your breast that doesn’t go away after you get your period
• Your nipple, such as if it becomes more pointed or turns inward
• Your breast’s skin, including itching, redness, scaling, dimples, or puckering

What Will My Doctor Do?

She'll give you a physical exam and ask you questions about your symptoms and your family’s medical history.

Most likely, your doctor will ask you questions about your premenstrual breast tenderness, such as whether it happens every time you get your period, whether you've noticed any lumps or discharge, and other symptoms you’ve noticed.

You’ll get a breast exam to check for lumps, and you may also need a mammogram or breast ultrasound.

Remember, most breast lumps aren’t cancer. But you have to see your doctor to be sure. If needed, you may get a biopsy, in which the doctor takes a tiny bit of the lump to test.

Your doctor may also suggest a few options to ease symptoms. For instance, taking diuretics, or "water pills," before your period starts may reduce breast swelling and soreness. Hormonal birth control methods can also help. In severe cases, your doctor may refer you to a breast specialist for another exam.  

12- Painful Ovulation (Mittelschmerz)

Painful Ovulation (Mittelschmerz)

Mittelschmerz is the pelvic and lower abdominal pain that some women experience during ovulation. Ovulationgenerally occurs about midway between menstrual cycles; hence the term mittelschmerz, which comes from the German words for "middle" and "pain."

The pain of ovulation can range from a mild twinge to severe discomfort and usually lasts from minutes to hours. It is generally felt on one side of the abdomenor pelvis and may vary each month, depending on which ovary is releasing the egg during that cycle. In some cases, a small amount of vaginal bleeding or discharge may occur. Some women experience nausea, especially if the pain is severe.

Who Has Painful Ovulation?

Many women never experience painful ovulation. Some women, however, have mid-cycle pain every month and can determine by the pain that they are ovulating.

What Causes Painful Ovulation?

As an egg develops in the ovary, it is surrounded by follicular fluid. During ovulation, the egg and the fluid, as well as some blood, are released from the ovary. While the exact cause of mittelschmerz is unknown, it is believed that the fluid or blood may irritate the lining of the abdominal cavity, causing pain. The pain goes away soon after the egg is released or once the body absorbs the fluid or blood.

How Do I Know If my Pain Is Due to Ovulation?

Ovulation usually occurs about two weeks after the first day of each menstrual cycle, so the timing of the pain makes mittelschmerz easy to recognize. To help determine if your pain is related to ovulation, your doctor may ask you to chart your menstrual cycles, noting any episodes of pain, as well as the location of the pain (the pain of ovulation usually occurs on one side of your lower abdomen). Your doctor also may perform an abdominal and pelvic exam to help rule out other possible causes of pain, such as endometriosis or a cyst on your ovary. If your pain is severe or if the doctor notices any irregularities on the exam, he or she may order blood tests or ultrasound or X-rays to help determine the cause of your pain.

How Is Painful Ovulation Treated?

The pain of ovulation usually goes away within about 24 hours, so specific treatment is not required. Over-the-counter pain medicines -- such as Aleve (naproxen) or Motrin (ibuprofen) -- generally are effective in relieving mittelschmerz. Applying a heating pad to the lower abdomen or taking a warm bath may also help ease discomfort. Women with particularly painful ovulation may find relief by taking birth control pills, which prevent ovulation.

Can Painful Ovulation Be Prevented?

Preventing ovulation, which can be done with birth control pills, is the only way to effectively prevent mittelschmerz.

When Should I Call My Doctor About Painful Ovulation?

Call your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms during ovulation:

• Fever
• Pain with urination
• Redness or burning of the skin at the site of the pain
• Vomiting
• Mid-cycle pain lasting longer than a day

You should also call your doctor if you missed your last menstrual period.