How to Battle the Impact of Hormones Through the Ages

Hormones play a big part in your wellness, doing everything from helping you conceive to ensuring you get a good night’s sleep. However, when these hormones fluctuate, as they inevitably will as you age, they can be more of a health concern than a helping hand. Hormones affect your wellbeing in different ways at different stages of your life, but there are things you can do to manage these hormonal changes and feel good every step of the way:

 

Your 20s and 30s: According to Mary Jane Minkin, a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynaecology at the Yale University School of Medicine, ‘Hormone levels go through dramatic changes during your menstrual cycle,’ which is at its peak during your 20s and 30. You get a surge in estradiol (a form of estrogen) about 10 days after the onset of your period, which boosts your mood, while you can become irritable in the second half of your cycle due to an influx of progesterone.

 

If you use a hormonal contraceptive, like the Pill or a vaginal ring, watch out for a dip in your sex drive. Bat Sheva Marcus, the clinical director of the Medical Centre for Female Sexuality, in New York City, explains, ‘These [contraceptives] contain synthetic oestrogen, which blocks testosterone.’ To feel better, Eva Cwynar, an endocrinologist in Beverly Hills recommends eating cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli and cauliflower, as studies have shown this can help keep your oestrogen and progesterone levels at the proper ratio. You can also try flaxseed oil, and Minkin recommends taking 1,200 milligrams of calcium a day, divided into three doses, for your severe PMS crankiness.

 

Your 40s: Even though your periods are still regular, your ovaries have begun to produce less oestrogen and progesterone, and your testosterone decreases. This is a period (pardon the pun) known as perimenopause (or pre-menopause), and can last up to five years. Minkin warns, ‘It isn’t a smooth process,’ and she’s right; perimenopause can cause hot flashes, a lag in your sex drive, and vaginal dryness. Kent Holtorf, an endocrinologist in Los Angeles, adds that you produce fewer thyroid hormones during this time, and ‘Thyroid hormones are the key determinants of your metabolism,’ so you might notice weight gain.

 

Erika Schwartz, an internist and a hormone specialist in New York City, comments, ‘You may start waking in the middle of the night or have difficulty falling asleep. Before turning to a sleep aid like Ambien, get your hormone levels checked. You may need hormone supplementation.’ To combat hot flashes, a study from Tarbiat Modarres University, in Iran, found that taking 400 ‘international units of vitamin E daily can help alleviate them.

 

Your 50s and Beyond: The average age for menopause is 51; it’s official when you haven’t had a period in over a year. This probably means you have erratic testosterone levels, frequent hot flashes and a zigzagging sex drive. Minkin says, ‘Oestrogen is involved with mechanisms that keep skin moist,’ so you might need a richer cream and conditioner to combat dry skin and brittle hair and nails. Holtorf notes, ‘Both oestrogen and thyroid hormones are needed for optimal brain function. When they drop in menopause, those low levels result in minor memory problems and cognitive dysfunction.’ Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is considered the gold standard for relieving all those irksome symptoms, including memory loss. Minkin notes, ‘It drives me crazy when women say, “I’ll just deal with my symptoms, and eventually it will be over.” Symptoms of menopause should be a wake-up call to see your doctor.’

Categories: hormone, hormone levels, hormones, hot flashes, levels, Menopause, oestrogen, Periods, Sex Drive, thyroid hormones, york city

Irregular Periods: What Causes Them And Are They Harmful?

While for every woman menstruation isn’t a fun time of the month, they realise that it is an important process. When, one month, it suddenly doesn’t show, it highlights the importance even further. What are the causes of irregular periods and do they signify a problem? In order to understand why this happens, we need to have a good understanding of the menstrual cycle as a whole. During a woman’s fertile life, the eggs that are released in a menstrual cycle mature within the ovaries in a cycle that typically lasts 28 days. This does vary between women though. On day five of the cycle, about twenty eggs begin to mature in the follicles of the ovaries. Each follicle is like a small fluid-filled sac, and as day fourteen approaches one follicle has generally matured earlier than the others and releases an egg to be fertilised. The other follicles shrivel up and absorbed by the body again. But the mature follicle transforms into a corpus luteum, which produces the hormone progesterone to prepare the uterus for a fertilised egg. If the egg isn’t fertilised, it disintegrates and dies. And the corpus luteum also withers away. This leads to the uterus shedding its lining, which is the bleeding we associate with menstruation and periods.

A regular menstrual cycle means that the interval between periods is consistent, which as previously stated lasts around 28 days. It can however range from every 20 days to 35 days. An irregular menstrual cycle means that those intervals between periods varies each month, so sometimes they may be 28 days and others may be 20 or 30. Irregular periods are very common and there are a number of causes for this to happen. For example, in teenagers, it is the imbalance of hormones – it is normal for girls to experience irregular periods because of this or for a period to not arrive for a month. However, it is important to remember that a period not arriving is usually a sign of pregnancy, so if you’re sexually active then you should check that you’re not pregnant. The most common causes of irregular periods are eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia; excessive weight gain or weight loss, which can both lead to an irregular menstrual cycle or for periods to disappear completely; stress or emotional problems; hormonal problems such as thyroid malfunctions; travel; over exercising; breastfeeding; drugs such as birth control pills, or problems with pelvic organs.

 

Irregular periods or the stop of your menstruation can also be due to a condition called premature ovarian failure, which can lead to women stopping their periods before the age of 40. This can be because of a number of problems, including radiation, surgery or chemotherapy in the case of a woman with cancer. But if you don’t want to get pregnant and are sexually active, you should use a birth control device  that you can trust so that you know  irregular periods aren’t to do with pregnancy. But if your periods do stop for whatever reason, don’t think that you can’t get pregnant – you will still be at risk! It’s important to still use a contraceptive if you don’t want to get pregnant, such as a condom or the birth control pill. If you’re worried about your periods for any reason, or think that there may be something wrong, you should speak to your GP as soon as possible for advice and testing, if need be.

Categories: Birth Control, corpus luteum, cycle means, irregular, irregular menstrual, Irregular Periods, menstrual cycle, Menstruation, Periods, sexually active, Women

Menstrual Periods: What Are The Facts You Should Know?

The most significant change for girls during puberty is the start of periods. Menstruation is the turning point in a woman’s life where she develops from a child into a teenager, and among other functions it also means that you can now get pregnant. For many girls, this is unexpected and beginning to bleed is a shock The thought of bleeding from the vagina may frighten some girls and can be a source of embarrassment for some. But it is a natural process that all women go through, and the process the body goes through each month in order to give women the capability to have a child is truly remarkable. Talking to your mum or another adult to get information before your periods start is the best way to be prepared for this change in your life – they will be able to advise you on anything you’re unsure about, and offer information on how to deal with things like menstrual cramps. If you don’t have an adult at home you feel you can talk to, your school teacher or GP can offer advice on the subject.

Your first period usually occurs between the ages of 9 and 16, and lasts for around three to seven days. It then stops until your next period begins, which can be anywhere from 21 to 28 days after your period started. This timeframe varies between women and will be a little irregular to begin with, but it will settle down eventually once your hormones settle. During your menstrual cycle, one of your two ovaries releases a microscopic egg which is known as an ovum. The ovaries are a reproductive organ which measure around one and a half inches long, situated in the lower abdomen with one on each side of your uterus. Ovaries release hormones which control your menstrual cycle. The process in which your ovaries release the egg is known as ovulation, and this invariably occurs in the middle of your cycle, around 12 to 14 days in a 28 day cycle. However, this isn’t a set date and it can be irregular, particularly in the early stages of you having your period.

 

After the egg has been released, it moves through one of the fallopian tubes which are attached to the top of the uterus and lead to the ovaries. At the same time as the egg making its journey through the tubes, the body tissues and blood cells begin to line the walls of the uterus. This material develops to a spongy lining that will eventually protect the egg if it is fertilised; it will shed as your period if you do not get pregnant. But what is amazing about the human body is that you won’t feel any of this happening; it occurs within the body. If you were to have sex during this time, and a sperm fertilised the egg on its way through the fallopian tubes, the egg would continue on its journey into the uterus and embed itself into the spongy lining. You would, at this stage, be pregnant. But if this doesn’t happen, as previously stated, a different set of hormones are released and the lining gently falls away.This is referred to as your menstrual flow or period, and is sometimes accompanied by slight cramping in the lower abdomen for some women. However, the severity of this and the length in which it lasts varies with each woman.

Categories: body, Fallopian Tubes, hormones, menstrual, menstrual cycle, ovaries, ovaries release, period, Periods, spongy lining, Women

Every Embarrassing Myth You’ve Ever Believed About Periods

Where did you learn what you know about sexual wellness? Was it from a well-informed, reputable source? Of course not. As girls, we often pick up everything we know about sex from whispers in corridors and, frankly, our wellbeing can suffer as a result. Therefore, we spoke to wellness writer and U by Kotex* Community Leader Jordan Miller, and got her to address a few sexual health myths that are in severe need of debunking!

 

1. Will swimming in the sea whilst on your period get you eaten by sharks? ‘I will totally admit that I’m scared to death of sharks,’ says Miller. ‘But that has nothing to do with my period and a lot more to do with the movie Jaws. There has never been a documented case of a shark attacking a swimmer because she was menstruating. So, go ahead, dive in and have fun.’

 

2. Are you not allowed to wash your hair during your period? Miller notes, ‘Thank goodness this is a myth, since I can’t imagine giving up my daily shower, especially during my period. There’s no reason for you to change any of your regular grooming and hygiene habits just because you’re having your period. In fact, a warm bath or shower will help you stay clean, and some girls say it helps with their cramps, too.’

 

3. Is bed rest a must during your period? According to Miller, ‘You should get plenty of sleep during your period, but you should always get plenty of exercise, too. You’ll feel better if you get up and get out there (especially since exercise has been shown to alleviate cramps and brighten your mood)!’

 

4. Does hot water increase your period flow? ‘The good news and the bad news: pretty much the only thing that will change your flow is your own body,’ Miller explains. ‘So you can’t make it lighter (sorry!), and you can’t make it heavier. And a nice warm bath or shower, or a hot water bottle wrapped in a towel can help with cramps.’

 

5. Is it impossible to get pregnant during your period? The commonly cited advice that you can’t get pregnant during your period ‘isn’t true, despite what a lot of people believe,’ Miller comments. ‘Tell your friends. Tell every female you know who’s sexually active or plans to be any time soon. You CAN get pregnant during your period. Once inside you, sperm can live for three to five days. Ovulation can occur during, or soon after, the bleeding phase. If you don’t want to get pregnant, either don’t have sex, or use birth control every single time you do.’

 

6. Are irregular periods bad for your reproductive health? Miller advises, ‘First, talk to your health care provider if you’ve missed your period. It can take anywhere from six months to a year to become regular after the first time you get it. And, for some girls, it never becomes completely regular. There are lots of things, including stress, illness and intense exercise, that can mess with your cycle. That’s why you should consult a heath professional first.’

 

7. Is there an age you have to be before you should use tampons? ‘If you’re old enough to have your period, you’re old enough to use a tampon.’ Miller asserts. ‘Just read the instructions and warnings and be sure to use it correctly. It helps to ask your mom or another trusted adult for guidance. Tampons shouldn’t cause pain or discomfort.’

 

8. Are all menstrual cycles are 28 days? Miller points out the 28-day cycle is ‘only an average. Days in the menstrual cycle vary from woman to woman. Your body will tell you what your cycle is, not other people.’

Categories: cycle, Hot Water, miller, Myths, nbsp, period, Periods, Pregnant, tampons, warm bath

How to Tell the Difference Between DUB and Heavy Periods

While irregularity is a perfectly normal thing to expect when you start your periods, sometimes changes in blood flow can be a sign that something might be going awry with your sexual health. If your periods last for a long time or bleed more than usual, your wellbeing may be affected by Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding (DUB). This isn’t usually a problem on its own, and most doctors don’t even bother treating mild cases. However, DUB can affect the wellness of some girls, causing you to develop conditions such as anaemia if you’re bleeding more than you should.

 

The most common cause of DUB is a change in your body’s hormone levels which, in turn, is frequently caused by anovulation. This is what happens when your body doesn’t release an egg from one of your ovaries, which is most likely to happen after you first have a period because your ovaries aren’t fully developed yet. Until your periods become regular, anovulation can last for several years. If your body doesn’t release an egg, it doesn’t make as much progesterone as it needs to. Progesterone is a hormone that stops too much extra blood and tissue from building up in your uterus. And so, when you shed this lining, you can have heavier bleeding than usual, either during or in between your periods.

 

You may also develop DUB if you have an underlying illness that disrupts hormones, such as thyroid disease or polycystic ovary syndrome. Other causes of DUB include bleeding disorders, such as von Willebrand disease, and problems like compulsive exercise, poor nutrition, or stress. These problems, again, interfere with your hormone production, meaning that you may stop ovulating. Regardless of the cause, it can be hard to determine whether or not you have DUB, as only a doctor can tell for sure. After all, every woman has a heavy period every now and then. Nonetheless, there are signs to watch out for that could indicate your bleeding isn’t normal:

 

1. Excessive use of sanitary pads: If you find you need to use more than one sanitary pad or tampon per hour, this may be an indication of DUB.

 

2. Long periods: Everyone has periods for different lengths of time. Some lucky ones can get away with two or three days of bleeding, while other women could have a period for up to 10 days. However, if your period lasts more than 10 days, you may have cause for concern.

 

3. Short menstrual cycle: A woman’s healthy menstrual cycle can last anywhere between 21 and 34 days, or up to 45 days if you’re just starting your periods. If you find that there have been fewer than 20 days between your periods, it may be a sign of DUB.

 

4. No periods: Although the above symptoms involve bleeding a lot, you may be in danger of DUB at the other end of the scale. If your period stops for more than three months, that doesn’t mean that the lining of your uterus is not building up. In fact, even if you’re not bleeding, the lining of the uterus can continue to build up and, eventually it will need to flow out.

 

If you notice any of the above signs, you should speak to your doctor. Hormones aren’t the only cause of abnormal bleeding. So a doctor will want to rule out other health problems – such as STIs, the above mentioned diseases and even pregnancy – before deciding on a diagnosis of DUB. Your doctor will ask you about your periods, including the date of your last period, as well as your sexual activity and any weight changes.

Categories: bleeding, body doesn, days, dub nbsp, Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding (DUB), menstrual cycle, nbsp, period, Periods, Symptoms

Period Drama: What To Expect from Menstruation

Of all the signs that you’re becoming a woman, getting your period is probably the biggest. Starting menstruation not only affects your sexual health – i.e. enabling you to get pregnant – but it can also be a confusing time, and have an impact on your mental wellness. While some of your friends may be excited to start their periods, others are probably feeling afraid or anxious about it. However, you’ll feel more positive about your wellbeing once you know more about your reproductive system and what actually happens during the menstrual cycle.

 

Girls can start having periods from the age of eight up to 17, but most girls tend to get them between 11 and 14. Generally, you can expect to get your first period about two to two-and-a-half years after your breasts have begun to develop. Also, roughly six months before your periods start, you might notice that you have an increased amount of clear vaginal discharge. This discharge is common, and you have no need to worry about it unless it has a strong odour or causes itchiness.

 

About once a month, a tiny egg leaves one of your ovaries (which sit on either side of your uterus, or womb, and contain thousands of eggs, or ova). This process is called ovulation, and lets one of your eggs travel down the fallopian tubes and on its way to your uterus. A few days before this, your body’s oestrogen levels will stimulate your uterus to get ready for a pregnancy. The uterus builds up its lining with extra blood and tissue, making then thick and cushioned. If a sperm then fertilises the egg, it travels to your uterus and attaches to these cushiony walls, so it can slowly develop into a baby.

 

However, as you ovulate every month, most of the time the egg will not be fertilised by a sperm (which happens during unprotected sex) and will not attach to the wall of your uterus. When this happens, your uterus needs to get rid of the extra tissue lining and will shed the blood, tissue and unfertilised egg. When this goes through the vagina and out of the body, it is a menstrual period. This will continue to happen almost every month unless you become pregnant, in which case you get nine months off! You continue to have periods until you reach menopause (which happens, on average, at the age of 52).

 

All girls are different, meaning their menstrual cycles will last for different lengths of time and the actual periods will vary. Your menstrual cycle starts on the first day you have a period, continues during the time you’re bleeding and lasts up until your next period. After your first period, you might find your menstrual cycle lasts anywhere between 21 and 45 days and, after a couple of years, cycles shorten to an adult length of 21-34 days. It’s common to have irregular cycles when you’re just beginning to menstruate, as your body is getting used to all the changes. Cycles usually become more regular after a year or two, but some women do have irregular periods into adulthood. It’s it’s a good idea to keep track of your menstrual cycle with a calendar.

 

In terms of how long your actual period will last, this also varies. For some girls it’s a case of two or three days, while others can last up to seven. Your menstrual cycle, or how how much blood comes out of your vagina, can vary widely from girl to girl, too. Most teens will change pads three to six times a day, with more frequent changes when their period is heaviest, usually at the start of the period. If you’re concerned about starting your period or that you’re losing too much blood, talk to a nurse or GP for more information.

Categories: cycle, menstrual, menstrual cycle, period, Periods, puberty, uterus

What Everyone Ought to Know About Sex During Periods

During menstruation, many people do not feel sexual at all and so refrain from having intercourse. Others may worry that their wellness and wellbeing may be compromised by having sex when they are on their periods. This feeling can come from folklore, tradition or religion, or simply a feeling that it is ‘not right’. In some traditional households, women are not allowed to pray, touch anything holy or go anywhere that is thought to be ‘near God’ when they are menstruating.

 

Nevertheless, many people do not fully understand about having sex during their period, and wonder if intercourse during their period means that they will not fall pregnant. In truth, the chances of falling pregnant during your period are minimal, because your body is shedding the lining of the uterus, and even if the unfertilized egg happened to be present, it would be unlikely to stick. The hormones are not generally conducive to pregnancy during your period, either. This does not mean that it is impossible, however, and you should still take every precaution to make sure that pregnancy does not occur. You are also even more susceptible to sexually transmitted diseases during your period, making condoms even more of a necessity.

 

Many women suffer from painful cramps and bloating during their periods, and may also suffer from mood swings. This may make sex the last thing that they feel like doing, and that is perfectly normal. It is interesting to note, however, that sex when you are on your period is actually more intense, as your sexual organs are engorged, leading to increased sensitivity and better orgasms.

 

IF you do have sex whilst on your period you may find that the contractions of the uterus and the hormones in the semen cause your period to ‘speed up’ and that the whole thing is over much quicker than you might expect.

Categories: Menstruation, nbsp, period, Periods, Sex, suffer, uterus

What Causes Heavy Periods And Can You Treat It?

While the amount of blood each women passes during a period varies significantly, some women experience extremely heavy periods – this is characterised by passing more than 80ml of blood each period. Naturally, the ability to measure how much blood each woman passes is not practical or realistic, but doctors can usually ascertain whether this is a possibility from the description the woman gives. A period is considered heavy if a woman bleeds for more than 8 to 10 days, particularly if this is repeated month after month; if she bleeds so much that it is difficult to attend her job, or make holiday plans; if she bleeds continuously and so heavily that she becomes anaemic; if she notices the presence of small clots for more than one or two days, or if ‘flooding’ is a problem she suffers with regularly. The causes for prolonged heavy periods are one of two problems, generally – in younger women, it is caused by the temporary hormone imbalance, which usually corrects itself. In the years close to the menopause, heavy periods are generally a sign of a hormone imbalance, or a sign of an underlying disease which increases with age. Heavy periods, or menorrhagia, could also be a symptom of fibroids, endometriosis, polyps in the lining of the womb, pelvic inflammatory disease, or dysfunctional uterine bleeding (DUB) which is the most common cause of heavy periods. If you believe that you may be suffering with heavy periods you should consult your GP who can advise if there is an underlying problem. They will do this with a pelvic examination which is usually necessary, and in women over 40 there will also be a pelvic ultrasound scan or a biopsy to rule out any problems with the lining of the womb. Most medical professionals also suggest an examination known as a hysteroscopy, which involves putting a fine telescope through the neck of the womb in order to examine the lining of the womb – these can usually be performed without the need for general anaesthesia.

 

If your examination results come back clear and there is no underlying abnormality, there is no need for treatment – however, most women prefer to have something to help them cope with the symptoms each month. You may be able to take a tablet in order to cope with your problem if your symptoms are severe, which may or may not be a hormonal form of treatment. Hormonal treatments include the contraceptive pill and danazol – progesterones are effective in making periods more regular, but they don’t help to combat heavy flow. Non-hormonal treatments include tranexamic acid, which reduces your blood loss by up to half. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can also achieve this by reducing your blood loss by about a third. If you’re anaemic due to heavy periods you will be prescribed iron or folic acid supplements, if necessary, or you will be given treatment if an underlying condition is discovered. You can also opt for other treatments, which include the contraceptive coil which is suitable for most women, or the surgical route, which means destroying the lining of the womb. This is either with a procedure which uses a laser or heat treatment with hot water in a balloon, or through a hysterectomy which is the removal of the uterus. The latter of these treatments are only suitable for women who don’t wish to have any more children. Your GP will be able to talk through your options with you to determine which route would be best for your circumstances.

Categories: menorrhagia, Periods, women's health

Long and Heavy Periods? You May Have Fibroids

When that time of the month comes around, it affects different women’s wellbeing in different ways. You may find yourself on the sofa with a hot water bottle for three days, throwing plates at the wall or, if you’re really lucky and annoying, with no symptoms at all. However, if you do have very long and heavy periods, it could be a symptom of something else that’s affecting your sexual health.

Fibroids are a condition which affects about one in four British women in a lifetime. In women of child bearing age, fibroids are the most common tumour, although it’s important to stress that they aren’t cancerous. Fibroids are fed by your oestrogen hormones, and so grow from the muscle wall of your womb. This condition is the single biggest reason for hysterectomy; and the reason why 75,000 women a year are admitted to English NHS hospitals.

When it comes to symptoms, about half of women who have fibroids don’t experience any from fibroids. The other half, on the other hand, commonly experience long and/or heavy periods, which, in turn, can lead to anaemia and the tiredness, breathlessness and dizziness this can bring. Sometimes your period can be so bad that, for several days a month, you have to completely put your life on hold. Other wellness symptoms of fibroids include stomach pain, bloating, painful periods, pain on making love and even recurrent miscarriage or infertility.

There are different treatments for fibroids but the severity of your symptoms and your priorities will determine which the best course of action for you is. Hormone treatments such as the combined oral contraceptive pill (‘the pill’) and a hormone coil called the Mirena are effective at reducing heavy bleeding, but if you want to get pregnant this is clearly not an option for you. You can take other tablets during your period to reduce heavy bleeding, but if you have large fibroids (more than 3cm in size) these may not work as well.

Surgically, NICE (the National Institute for Clinical Excellence) recommends several procedures for women with larger fibroids before you resort to a hysterectomy. You can have it removed (about 2-3% of them a year will grow back) or have the blood supply to the fibroid cut off so it ‘dies’ and shrinks. However, these are complex and risky procedures, which may still require your surgeon to perform a hysterectomy while you’re under the same anaesthetic. Consult your doctor for more information.

Long and Heavy Periods? You May Have Fibroids

Categories: Fibroids, heavy, heavy bleeding, heavy periods, Periods, Symptoms, Treatments, Women