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Acute menstrual headache occurs in a menstruation woman during the two days before her period and/or throughout the first three days…
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common treatable cause of infertility in women, estimated to account for about 80 per cent of anovulatory infertility cases. It is a common hormonal disorder among women, affecting around 5-10 per cent of women of reproductive age. The syndrome is characterized by irregular menstrual periods, excess hair growth, weight gain, and acne. Not just fertility problems, PCOS can also lead to insulin resistance, and diabetes. Although the exact cause of PCOS is not known, certain lifestyle habits can help reduce its incidence in women.
Here, Dr Shweta Wazir, Consultant Obstetrics and Gynecology, Motherhood Hospital, Gurugram, shares some of the habits that can help reduce the incidence of PCOS in women.
Regular exercise is crucial in managing PCOS symptoms and reducing its incidence. Exercise helps to improve insulin sensitivity, increase metabolism, and regulate menstrual cycles. It also aids in weight loss, which is beneficial in reducing the severity of PCOS symptoms. A combination of aerobic and resistance training can be beneficial for women with PCOS. A study found that 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise three times a week for 12 weeks significantly improved insulin sensitivity and menstrual regularity in women with PCOS.
A healthy diet is essential for women with PCOS. Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein can help improve insulin sensitivity, reduce inflammation, and regulate hormones. It is also recommended to avoid processed foods, sugary drinks, and high-fat foods. Low glycemic index (GI) foods are beneficial in reducing insulin resistance, which is common in women with PCOS. A study found that a low GI diet improved insulin sensitivity, menstrual regularity, and lipid profile in women with PCOS.
Stress can worsen PCOS symptoms and increase the incidence of PCOS in women. High levels of stress can lead to increased cortisol levels, which can disrupt hormone levels and menstrual cycles. Therefore, stress management techniques such as meditation, yoga, and deep breathing can help reduce stress and improve PCOS symptoms. A study found that yoga improved menstrual regularity, hormonal profiles, and quality of life in women with PCOS.
Good sleep is essential for overall health and well-being. Women with PCOS often have poor sleep quality and sleep apnea, which can worsen PCOS symptoms. Therefore, it is essential to practice good sleep hygiene by maintaining a regular sleep schedule, avoiding caffeine and alcohol before bedtime, and creating a comfortable sleep environment. A study found that improving sleep quality in women with PCOS reduced insulin resistance, inflammation, and androgen levels.
Vitamin D deficiency is common in women with PCOS and can worsen its symptoms. Vitamin D is essential for bone health, immune function, and hormonal regulation. Therefore, it is recommended to get adequate sunlight exposure or take vitamin D supplements to maintain optimal levels. A study found that vitamin D supplementation improved menstrual regularity, hormonal profiles, and glucose metabolism in women with PCOS.
Smoking can worsen PCOS symptoms and increase the risk of developing PCOS. Smoking increases oxidative stress, which can damage cells and disrupt hormone levels. Therefore, quitting smoking can help improve PCOS symptoms and reduce its incidence. A study found that smoking cessation improved menstrual regularity and hormone levels in women with PCOS.
Anita Baliga, a 34-year-old homemaker from Mangaluru, nostalgically remembers her childhood summer vacations in a joint family, where she never had to worry about finding something to do.
While Tina was “happy and cheerful” for most parts of the month, she dreaded the days before and during her periods. This, however, wasn’t because of the common stomach cramps most women experience during their menstrual cycles.
All women should be concerned about the health of their private parts. But what exactly does it entail? While it varies depending on a woman’s age, a woman’s private parts normally has an acidic pH, a high concentration of helpful bacteria that help fight infections and is naturally lubricated. A healthy vagina secretes tiny quantities of the discharge as well. While some women may be unaware of it, others may detect up to a teaspoon or tablespoon of discharge every day.
“Discharge is a natural physiological response; it is essentially the loss of cervical and vaginal cells. But, if women suffer changes invaginal odour, a change in the colour of their discharge that may be related to discomfort, whether it’s pelvic discomfort or vulvar discomfort, itching, or burning, any change must be investigated,” cautions Dr Padma Srivastava, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospitals, Lullanagar, Pune.
Talking to The HealthSite, Dr Srivastava mentions some of the issues women ought to be aware of and how they should take care of their vaginal health.
It’s all about balance, as with many things in life. Several different types of bacteria coexist in a healthy vagina. Indeed, a healthy vagina is teeming with germs. Certain bacteria are regarded as “healthy,” while others are deemed “bad.” Beneficial bacteria serve to keep the vagina somewhat acidic. This prevents harmful germs from multiplying too quickly. Yet, harmful bacteria can sometimes take control and cause difficulties.
Many things can affect this balance. Antibiotics, douching, tight trousers, vaginal goods (sprays, lubricants, birth control devices), and pregnancy are among them. Discharge is one indicator that things are out of equilibrium. A healthy vagina produces a discharge that is slick and transparent or white while moist, may become yellowish when dried, and has minimal odour. This healthy discharge may be thicker at times of the month. Unhealthy discharge is not the same. It has an unusual hue (yellow, greenish, grey, or thick white) with a strong, disagreeable odour.
Nevertheless, discharge isn’t the only indicator to be on the lookout for. An issue might also be indicated by swelling, itching, or burning in and around the vagina. These symptoms are known as vaginitis, a wide word used to describe several forms of vaginal infections. Vaginitis is quite common, and most women will have it at least once in their lifetimes.
It’s critical to know what you’re dealing with before considering therapy for any vaginal issues. A healthcare expert can correctly diagnose the cause of vaginitis and ensure that you receive the appropriate therapy. While it may be tempting to self-diagnose and self-treat with over-the-counter or natural medications, many women do so, it is critical to make an accurate diagnosis.
If left misdiagnosed and untreated, bacterial vaginosis (BV), resulting from an overgrowth of bacteria, can raise a woman’s risk of STIs, including HIV. Pregnant women may encounter extra complications since BV can cause infants to be delivered prematurely or with low birth weight.
Currently, not only adults but even children are down with fever, cold, cough, sore throat, diarrhoea, and body pain owing to H3N2 infection. It is the need of the hour for patients to take the utmost care of their children by following certain guidelines. Read on to know more about this, and seek timely medical intervention when it comes to your child’s health.
If you know someone who loves to take a break from social interaction and recharge, he/she is probably an introvert.
Preeclampsia means developing high blood pressure levels during pregnancy. It is seen after the 20th week of pregnancy and usually disappears within days to weeks after delivering the baby. It can affect both the mother and her baby. Pregnant women with pre-eclampsia are at higher risk of having high blood pressure (hypertension) and heart problems later in life, especially if the illness develops early in pregnancy. In the fetus, this condition can cause growth restriction as well as increase chances of stillbirth.
Dr. Priya Deshpande, Consultant Maternal Foetal Medicine, Motherhood Hospital, Kharghar, explains how preeclampsia impacts the baby, and how to keep it under control.
Preeclampsia can be caused owing to age, family history, previous preeclampsia, diabetes, high blood pressure or kidney disease, thrombophilia and an autoimmune condition such as lupus and even obesity before pregnancy. Moreover, having high blood pressure in the previous pregnancy can also lead to this issue in the second pregnancy. Preeclampsia can take a toll on the other organs of the body and harm the mother and her developing foetus (unborn baby). Hence, expecting mothers should be aware of the signs and symptoms of the condition.
Proteinuria (excess bloodborne proteins in urine), low platelet numbers in the blood (thrombocytopenia), headaches, weakness, dizziness, water retention, blurred vision, light sensitivity, shortness of breath due to pulmonary fluid, vomiting, nausea and abdominal pain are some of the signs and symptoms of Preeclampsiathat one shouldn’t ignore. Timely diagnosis and regular monitoring of blood pressure can help keep it under control.
High blood pressure during pregnancy can restrict the baby’s growth and raise the chances of stillbirth. Those babies who fail to grow properly are likely to develop hypertension, coronary artery disease, and diabetes in adult life. Moreover, it can also lead to under-developed organs, breathing difficulties, jaundice and low immunity in the baby. There can even be foetal death that can occur from a sudden detachment of the placenta from the uterus called as abruption placenta due to this condition.
Screening for development of pregnancy-induced hypertension can be done in the first trimester scans. High risk cases can be started on preventive medications till 9th month to delay the onset and reduce severity of this condition.
To manage this condition, the doctor will suggest appropriate medication and monitor the blood pressure from time to time. One will also be advised to eat a well-balanced diet inclusive of all the vital nutrients. One will be asked to reduce the salt intake and stick to healthy eating habits. It will be essential for pregnant women to take charge of their health and prevent this condition.
The Covid-19 pandemic in the last three years has sensitized people about the importance of getting vaccinated. While many of us are vaccinated, many others are still scared of taking vaccines due to different reasons.
Emergency contraceptive pills (ECPs) are a vital tool for preventing unintended pregnancies after unprotected sex or contraceptive failure. However, taking the wrong type or dose of ECP can have serious consequences.
