Women's Health Blog

The Need of Oral Contraceptive:

The Nineteenth Century and period before witnessed population explosion in the world, which if continued, our planet cannot sustain such an explosive invasion by the mankind by providing food, roofing, clothing such a massive apes population. This explosion took a serious dimension in developing countries and governments had to fight by taking stiff measures like vasectomies forces or willful putting in danger the existence of the Government itself on such a sensitive and logical issue.

Oral contraceptives came on the scene promising safe sex at the cost of acquiring dangerous disease like cancer.

Oral Contraceptives:

Commonly known as Birth control pills is widely accepted measure of birth control. About one third of the women world population use oral contraceptives. If administered properly it is 99 percent effective in suppressing ovulation and hence a birth control measure. By taking oral contraceptives the period duration is shorter, regular and scanty bleeding hence there is in built health care of a woman. Moreover Menstrual cramps get reduced.

Oral Contraceptives lower risks of uterus and ovary cancer, pelvic inflammation present in women. Taking Oral Contraceptive also helps bones to become strong and there is prevention of hot flushes, night sweating, mood swings and some other symptoms associated with onset of menopause.

Mode of Action of Oral Contraceptives:

Oral Contraceptives are synthetic estrogen and progesterone combination. A continuous low concentration of estrogen suspends ovulation and low progesterone blood level stops the growth of endometrium, which does not implant fertilized egg in the uterus. There is thickening of the mucus around cervix preventing sperm entry into the uterus.

Another Oral contraceptive is available comprising of progesterone only.  Its efficacy is only 95 % not very commonly taken. It is better alternative for women who do not tolerate the combination pill because of associated side effects.

Taking an Oral Contraceptive:

Before starting oral contraceptive you need to be examined by a Gynecologist and if it is safe for you to take pill she shall prescribe you with the guidelines. The doctors advice is to be followed and regular examination after intervals to determine the safety of the oral contraceptive you are taking.

How do I take the Pill?

The Oral contraceptive combination pill is available in packs of 21 or 28. Certain brands advise taking the pill in a particular order it releases varying amount of hormone on each day based on the normal pattern of cycle to ensure safe contraception.

The only Progesterone Contraceptive is available in a pack of 28 tablets and one tablet is to be taken daily at the same time of the day without a missing. If there is a gap between scheduled time and the time you are taking the tablet, you should take two tablets and you need to play safe for the next two days.

In case there is vomiting or diarrhea the possible is that the pill has not been absorbed properly and you need to take an extra precaution use an additional method of birth control. Few antibiotics or other drugs interfere with the oral contraceptive it is better to tell the doctor you are taking an oral contraceptive.

Forgetting the Pill:

In case of a missed pill take the moment you remember, you can safely take two pills in a day one pill you missed and the second pill which is due to be taken on schedule only effect can be a feeling of nausea which shall be relieved.  In case you missed two or more pills in continuation take the last pill you have missed and discontinue. Start it at the next cycle. In the mean time use another safe contraceptive method for next seven days. There can be blood spots or normal bleeding. If there is missing of period consult your doctor for advice for a pregnancy test.

Stress Related Diseases:

Middle Aged Women are the Stress Banks. There are a lot of stress related diseases. You name any valid or invalid reason they have a stress present. They become very lazy in their activities, easily gain weight with no desire to lose weight. The stress makes them to eat more, with no physical activity; they gain weight and lose efficiency.

Life is full of struggles associated tensions, which either can stop a person moving ahead or the person has to learn to cope with the tensions and move ahead in the path of progress. A state of uncertainties exists, when appearing for an interview till the interview is over there is a state of tension.

The over excited nerves make one stammer and tremble make unexpected expressions on the face over even simple matters of dating. This is the stress related talking and feeling. At the same time there is joy when you get the job or a successful dating. Let us make a trip to the Stress City.

Stress in the Making:

A sudden change far from daily routines in one’s life, which can be a positive or negative environment there is an element of stress in any new situation. A break from the routine the brain gives alarming signal and stress combating hormones namely adrenaline and cortisol are released. Such hormones put into action the responses because by their nature they are very potent chemicals and produce their response all over the body, including triggering of heart beats and increase in respiration rate. This combined effect makes the muscles ready for action. These hormones effect reducing digestive activity and immune system is also slowed. In real danger the objective shifts to new priorities forgetting digestion or fighting the bacteria.

Stress & Hormones:

A very minute quantity of stress hormones can provide energy needed to achieve tight schedule performance or delivering a speech to the audience. The larger dose of stress hormones can help saving the life in true danger like a sudden fall, in emergency situation. In a situation if a person approaches running from behind in the dark the adrenaline is secreted in large quantity to make you prepared to defend or counterattack even if the person approaching is just a jogger. This is a state of unexpected tension. Some times the person starts imagining about an eventuality, whose chance of happening is very bleak.

When the person feels rest assured that every thing is alright, the production of hormone ceases. Many people live in the world of imaginary threats and the stress hormones always bountiful causing them to overact and always feel annoyed about something that has not happened and shall not happen also in reality. They cannot perform well in their job and financially get battered because of poor performance.

Over Secretion of Stress Hormone:

Over secretion of stress hormones on a regular basis can ultimately threaten the health of an otherwise normal person and lives with ulcers, insecurity. The due promotions and increments go missing another real thing to worry about, besides dozens of imaginary harms. When there is a real emergency the stress hormones fail to do the desired job adding miseries in the list.

Following are the dangers of living a stressful life:

Heart disease:

In simple events like preparing to defend or fight back if due to temporary stress the heart over beats it is good, but if you make your heart beat continuously over imaginary dangers of job, marriage relations, the heart shall suffer resulting in a heart attack or stroke, which can be avoided. Continued Stressed situation increase blood pressure, make the blood thicker causing unbearable strain on heart clogging the arteries with a clot.

Researchers have come to the conclusion that Stress doubles the risk of heart attack.

Weakness of Immune System:

It is observed during in over stressed conditions there is increased incidence of skin infections and the immune system concentrates it’s activity on the skin, whereas at the same time if there is a situation requiring immune system active it fails at that moment causing failure of the immune system, when it should have been in an active mode. A stressed person becomes more disease prone to simple diseases like colds, influenza and other infections like HIV & AIDS.

Effect if Stress on Gastrointestinal System:

The more stress one is facing the Gastro Intestine system shall falter in it’s responses, Gastro Intestinal tract is highly innervated with nerves, if the brain is too busy with the imaginary stresses it lacks it’s normal communication with the GI Tract. Person can have diarrhea, irritation of bowel, constipated feeling, ulcers of the stomach. The symptom becomes flared up further with tension making life miserable.

Depression States:

A stressful brain changes the priorities of its actions. The person is never happy or satisfied with what is happenings and fails to respond in the right manner. Useless incidences of no significance get precipitated to produce stress. Stressed stricken persons do not have any desire or energy to do any thing, which in the past were doing joyfully. Now there is state of depression at its height.

Insufficient Memory:

A stressed person proves blank in memory and hence efficiency is greatly reduced. In an over stressed person the part of the brain responsible for storing memory suffers shrinkage. They become more prone to Alzheimer’s disease.

Stress Pain Relation:

Stress exerts more tension on muscles. The constant tensioned muscles produce back ache and headache and pain itself increases the tension. This is a vicious circle no end in sight.

Patients suffering from arthritis experience more painful bones and joints because stress increases pain. Changes in the activities like walking, swimming and regular exercise relieve the stress dramatically. One should keep the stress away for a happy life.

NORMAL SLEEP A NECESSITY

Sleep & Women:

A Normal Sleep is of great importance in women’s, because they are overworked handling Professional, Domestic and Family responsibilities. Professional Responsibilities require 8 to 10 hour routine including transportation time, Domestic Kitchen about 4 hours, caring for the children and husband another 4 hours and about 2 hours for personal care. If during the 4 hours left if they do not sleep they shall go mad soon.

Difference in Sleep Patterns:

There are differences between man’s sleep and woman’s sleep. The women because of sleep deprivation fall to sleep easily anywhere and everywhere, when they get a moment to sleep. Woman’s sleep can be disturbed and get up with no refreshing effect after sleep.

Women report their sleep difficulties describing them as too tired, without rest and forget the time they sleep during day time. This indicates they are physically as well as mentally tired. Women after getting up from sleep feel general lack of energy and vitality.

There are other factors displaying complexity affecting how woman gets sleep. There is a change in these factors in relation to the age of woman. An excess sleep during day time is very common in 20 to 30 years age group as compared to older women, who adapt well to duration of sleep deficiency.

Woman & Her Obligations:

This disparity is due to a number of obligations, which compete, with each other in young woman’s time. In case of working mothers they have to adjust requirement of their job, family, and for self health needs. In case of working mothers day time sleep does not carry any risks.

The usual factors affecting woman’s sleep are as given below:

• Life Activities.

• Occasional Depression

• Any Sickness

• Wrong sleep habits

• Use of any medicine disturbing sleep.

• Hormones related Physical effects.

Tips to Promote Sleep:

The following tips related to Sleep helping women get the most out of their sleep:

• The bedroom should be a calm and quiet protected place. Cut off noisy sounds and maintain temperature neither very cold nor hot.

• Put light bed sheets and wear comfortable garments.

• Occupy bed when feeling sleepy do not just lye and wait for sleep to come.

• Take a refreshing bath use some pleasant scent do relaxation exercises to get a good sleep.

• Make it a habit to go to bed and get up all the days at the same time including holidays and weekends.

• In case you want to sleep during day take a brief nap just after lunch.

• Take a caffeinated drink in the morning. Avoid alcohol and cigarettes late in the evening.

• Do not eat fatty and spicy meals which may upset digestion and acidity.

• Attend to your worries and resolve them before end of day do not think of them, when you are going to sleep.

• Take generous amount of vitamin E through fruits and vegetables or use vitamin E supplement.

• Hormone replacement therapy if needed should be initiated in consultation with your doctor. They help in sleep improvement side by side relieving hot flashes encountered in menopause.

• The use of sleeping pills should be strictly under advice and guidance of your doctor.

If sleep problem still continues, consult your doctor for necessary advice and follow up the treatment and precautions suggested.

Food Values v/s Aging Process:

There are scriptures of ancient times mentioning age of person 10000 of years, which they were having by taking natural food, living in pollution free environment and extensive Physical hard work they were doing on daily basis and consistently, because modern day conveniences were non existent.

Human body has a number of automatic functions, which can be covered by an automobile. An automobile has been man made, where the manufacturers after lot of study of performance data arrived at operators manual, which describes about the quality of fuel and lubricants can be used, which can be obtained in pure form without presence of adulterants and it is a punishable offence to do the adulteration. The automobiles are fitted with very efficient filters to filter air contaminants.

Unlike the automobile there is no standard method of food production and the human beings take the food according to taste or its convenience factors ignoring unfortunately of the nutrition values of food. More over instead of inhaling pollution free air man is day and night are polluting the environment unlike the automobile, which gets filtered air.

As a not maintained automobile suffers break downs, you cannot expect some thing different in the case of human beings.

From the above discussion it is clear to live a better trouble free and long life we have to take care of the food, water we take and the air we breathe and the physical work we do.

It is high time we should stop using pesticides and insecticides. There are insects, which eat insects for food they can be deployed instead of Synthetic Insecticides.

Organic manure should be used instead of synthetic fertilizers, which is lacking natural minerals necessary for synthesis of better enzymes and hormones promoting healthy life and long life.

Anti Aging a Revolution:

In the past it was difficult to believe that attempts can be made to increase the life of a person in the light of our limited knowledge about and vague theories believed and practiced about life and death.

The fact that the standard of health has declined with degenerative diseases of the cardiovascular system, endocrine system are spreading in all age groups and genders alike.

Food is grown without any regard or regulatory measures, like mandatory test reports for the food being sold in the market, served in the hotels and restaurants which exist for all other fields.

The so called organic food produced without the use of insecticides, pesticides and synthetic fertilizers has high standards of nutrition and absence of toxins and help in reversing the aging process as well as increase the healthy life span of a person.

Looking young, which was science fiction has become a reality. There practical results supporting the claims.

Women are taking great interest on this topic and have found by little more care of simple measures skin and beauty prospects improve significantly and can be maintained for a longer period of time.

The cellular nutrition can keep the woman young and beautiful by truly practicing following guidelines:

1. A Life Style in Introspection:

Stop abusing your body by quitting of Tobacco smoking and alcohol intake. By improving high nourishment eating or avoiding overeating of unhealthy foods, restrict skin exposure to direct sunlight.

2. Good women’s health starts by eating healthy food from fresh green vegetables and fresh fruit. A balanced meal is a mix of higher quantity and variety of green vegetables and variety of fruits. Food should contain high protein from nuts or eggs helping the bones and joints remain healthy.

3. Losing Weight by eating Healthy food of utmost importance in women’s health promoting skin beauty. The natural functioning of anti-aging principles is restored by natural source minerals, vitamins and anti-oxidants found protecting cell damage and making them ready for optimum performance.

4. Drink Plenty of Water

Human body does not signal water need, rather in absence it shall start conserving by affecting kidney filtration and suck out all water present in the bowels affecting badly the excretion affecting health. Therefore plenty of pure water should be taken regularly. It increases hydration processes helping in excretion of toxins from body. The benefits of good water drinking results in optimum functioning of various organs:

• All Organs work optimally.

• Skin is highly moisture rich, and the complexion reflects a live glow.

• Activates all skin surface cells producing anti aging signs.

• It is a nature’s cool sense producing agent and cellular wear and tear gets minimized.

• Water a natural gift although most abundantly present, it needs to be de-ionized before drinking.

• Drink plenty of water in place of aerated drinks.

5. Attain Your Desired Shape:

Regular exercise is to be assigned in daily schedule, the duration and type of exercise can be adjusted according to your suitability. It is a must for fitness and shape. It side by side keeps bones and joints in perfect working order for a longer life you are aiming at.

6. Anti-aging Supplementation:

The advances in scientific knowledge many anti-aging organic manure produced food supplementation is present in the market to increase cellular nutrition and activation of cell functions helping in slow down effect on natural aging factors and repair of damage effected cells. Such anti-aging supplements are available in tablet form or local application creams prepared from plants containing high concentration of anti-oxidants.

Women are very creative and have very fine senses for Art & Culture. They are subdued because of an element of shyness present in them. They have very excellent capability of cooperation and mould them easily suiting the circumstances they are surrounded by. They display a very high level of efficiency. To the contrary there are some rare exceptions behaving stupidly ignoring their Gender and ethics required of them by the society.

Women by their different Nature, Anatomy and Physiology play procreative role, which is initiated on puberty onset and continues regularly during pre-menopause phases of their life, which has been inherited from human ancestors during the pre-historic period and shall be continued generation after generation. The basic plan remains the same only the scenes and performers change.

Made for Each Other Concept:

Both the sexes are basically same it is only the X and Y chromosomes which make such a vast difference of displaying same characteristics in different proportions among both the sexes so that one characteristic weak in woman meets the same strong characteristic of a male and vice versa to make an endurable bonding between each other.

Same is found in nations a weak nation comes under the fold of a strong nation to get support and protection, although there is an element of interference or revolt even, which is equally true in man woman relations. Most of the times, they differ in their ideologies, yet meet and cooperate at common platforms ignoring their desires and wishes.

The Woman Anatomy & Physiology:

Female anatomy, which has inspired many writers to describe exhibiting their fancy for the nature and it’s too generous work and devotion to make a female body and the complex Physiology of the organs to maintain and keep the natures creation in perfect working order for more than 30 years and after besides carrying on other attributes of service and sacrifice for the partner and the coming generations.

This is possible because of by a perfect coordination of Ovaries with the Pituitary as a result of which, different hormone secretions at different period of the cycle, promoting egg formation, creating favorable acceptable circumstances for it’s fertilization willfully or un-willfully and sustaining the pregnancy till full term, besides taking care of perfect nutrition, respiration and excretion of the fetus. Not only that after birth of the new born provision for round the clock breast milk supply to the infant, protection from disease and craving in the mother for infant care.

The Ovary & its Attachments:

Ovary is responsible to mature the ovum (female gamete) under influence of Estrogen a Hormone secreted by pituitary. The ovum released on 14^th day of the cycle into the peritoneal cavity is sucked into the fallopian tubes by the attached receptacles, which ciliated inner walls helping the ovum move forward towards the uterus finding it fertilized in the way by the presence of sperm cells or male gametes, which because of their motility reach the fallopian tubes before the release of ovum.

The Adipose Tissue:

Women are bestowed upon with more adipose tissues by nature to give effect of delicacy and lovely and attractive contours to the female body. Underneath the skin there is strong muscular structure helping her to perform many physical activities with ease as compared to men.

The Premenstrual Symptoms:

Premenstrual Symptoms of pain in the back and legs start appearing before the onset of menstruation because of sudden cessation of Progesterone secretion and Estrogen secretion has yet to pick up. One has to depend on regular use of analgesics during this period. Many doctors recommend that no drink containing caffeine should be taken, which can potentially increase the headaches, excessive anxiety pertaining to minor issues of daily life. In the event of Depression, depression the woman should take 8 to 10 glasses of water and salt intake be reduced.

It is also advised to take some biscuits, potato chips etc as snack in between the meals helps in relieving the symptoms of depression, fatigue. Snacks increase serotonin levels to uplift the mood and provide required energy. Snacks should be taken to replace protein rich meals, which need to be avoided. One should take a supplement providing about 1200 mg of Calcium, which also relieves pain in the legs.

Women & Incidence of Malignancy:

Women are more prone to suffer cancer of the reproductive organs, which includes the breast also. It is necessary that breast should be regularly self examined and if any irregularly observed it should be brought to the notice of the doctor for further investigation to rule out malignancy of the breasts and if confirmed the treatment my be started immediately with regular follow ups.

Self Examination of breasts:

Most probably malignancy of breasts are associated with presence of hard tissue. Tumors may not be exactly as described, there may be variations in description. Any variance felt by you, requires examination and investigation by a doctor. Although a normal mammogram is reported, if there is tissue hardness it needs to be further evaluated, to completely rule out a cancer possibility.

• Standing facing the mirror with arms at sides. Observe any change of size, breast contours, or color of skin of breasts, or any differentiating surface appearance. Look for any discharge taking place. A blood like discharge requires further investigation by the doctor immediately.

• Hold your hands firmly behind your head and observe the changes in the mirror in respect of size, shape of breasts. Now keep your hands on the hips and bend forward and observe any change in the breast structure.

• Lye down on your back on the bed, which provides an easy approach to examine undersides of breasts and the breasts are spread naturally support less now abnormalities can be felt more precisely with comfort.

• Keeping your left hand behind head, by using the three middle fingers of right hand experience presence of hard mass beneath skin of left breast. Make little circular movements and now begin below left collarbone, put pressure of fingers in a small area comprising a quarter of the area of breast and feel the underlying structures for any hard stuff superficially or deeper inside breast tissues to look for something differing in general consistency of the breast in any manner. Similar checks can be made in the rest of breast also

Presence of Hard Tissue in Breasts:

It is quite normal for breasts having some hard tissue in breasts, or for one to be slightly larger or lower than the other.

Make an appointment with your doctor if you do come across something that seems atypical. If what you’ve noticed is indeed suspect. A pathologist doctor shall help the lady by removing a small suspected tissue and have it analysed to rule out presence of cancer. There should be no delay and good news is that more than 80 % chances are there is no cancer involvement, it can be a harmless benign tumour. The surgeon can safely remove it by a small operation.

After the age of 40 women should have their breasts mammography investigations done every year. Women are having a high risk of breast cancer. Besides annual mammography, women likely to have a risk of breast cancer should get magnetic resonance imaging.

The Health Challenges:

Woman is subject to numerous health challenges due to a number of diverse roles she has to perform as a daughter, Individual Personality handling domestic and professional responsibilities in a balanced manner, a devoted wife, a mother caring for the children and in the late phase as a Grand mother caring for the grand children and always facing an element of dependency.

Phases in Life Cycle:

A woman’s life cycle divided into well demarcated phases requiring increased or changed nutritional needs. Any lapse on the part of the woman can have serious effects on her health making her incapable of coping with the demands on her paving way for departing from health to disease. The various phases in woman’s lifecycle are discussed as below:

After Puberty around the age of 13 years a playful girl experiences metamorphosis stepping into womanhood exhibiting peculiar characteristics in her appearance, behavior under the influence of endocrine Hormones secreted by the pituitary, which cause appearance of secondary sex characters like development of breasts, Axial Hair and hairs around the genitals. After the age of 45 a phase of Menopause sets, when there is drop in the secretions of these hormones causing withdrawal symptoms like mood swings, irritability.

Vexing & Waning Effect of Hormones:

Woman during her life continuously is under the influence of two hormones Estrogen and Progesterone. The first Phase, when the Progesterone Peak level of previous Phase is on the decline, with Estrogen gradually increasing, to attain its Peak Level. During this phase Ovum or egg in the ovary matures simultaneously growth of the endometrial wall also takes place.

The matured ovum is released in the peritoneal cavity. Fallopian tubes attached to the uterus catch the released egg by it’s cilia lined receptacle. Thus the Ovum travels from the ovary to the Uterus. If the ovum does not get fertilized in the absence of sperm a male gamete, this marks decline of Progesterone and simultaneous gradual increase in estrogen levels.

With the decline of Progesterone levels the endometrial wall growth cannot sustain itself and sheds off and all this mass is thrown out in the form of menstrual bleeding which lasts 4 to 5 days. Now under the influence of estrogen another ovum in the ovary matures in a cyclical manner. This regular cycle is completed in a cycle of 28 days and continues till a conception takes place or menopause sets in.

Fertilization of Ovum & Thereafter:

After release of Ovum the Estrogen levels in the blood decline making way for the Progesterone to gradually increase and reach its peak level. During the journey, if the ovum from the ovary and into the fallopian tubes if it meets the sperm the male gamete fertilization of the egg occurs called conception. Under the influence of Progestrone, there are increased chances of the fertilized egg getting implanted in the Uterus, which is followed by a gestation period. During gestation period the embryo receives it’s nutrition through a Placenta which takes over the function of Progesterone secretion. Thus the Woman plays a dual role Child bearing, Breast feeding of the child during infancy.

The fertilized egg grows and develops into multi-cellular embryo, which gets attached with the uterine wall through a placenta, which becomes highly active and prepared to receive the embryo under the influence of progesterone hormone.

Now ovary ceases to produce progesterone because after progesterone peak level it is not followed by its decline and this function is taken over by the Placenta till the fetus is fully formed to be delivered at full term. During this period cyclical activity of the ovary gets suspended and is resumed after the lactation period, which is usually 6 months after child birth.

Lactation Period:

Now a phase of Lactation starts to breastfeed the new born baby. Nature provides that during the lactation period the activity of the ovary remains suspended for some time so that the new born is in a position to receive breast milk devoid of the effect of hormones on the milk produced.