Women’s Health – Page 2

The challenge and hope for bearded women

August 16th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Meet Harnaam Kaur: a 26-year old body positivity campaigner and model, and Guinness World Record holder for being the youngest woman to have a full beard. After years of struggling to keep her facial hair under control, she has decided to grow them into a full beard, and now campaigns for women to be positive, and accept their bodies as they are.

The reason for her stubble? She has polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

What is PCOS?

PCOS is a hormonal disorder in which your sex hormones; oestrogen and progesterone are out of balance. This imbalance causes the growth of ovarian cysts (benign masses on the ovaries), which can affect your menstrual cycle, fertility and appearance.

Symptoms

PCOS symptoms usually start soon after your first menstrual period. They tend to be mild at first, and develop gradually. You may only have a few symptoms or a range of them.

The type and severity varies from woman to woman. Symptoms are typically more severe if you’re overweight or obese.

Watch for

Irregular periods or no periods.
Excessive hair growth (hirsutism) on the face, chest, back, belly, or buttocks.
Rapid weight gain and trouble losing weight.
Oily skin.
Acne.
Pelvic pain.
Hair loss on the scalp.
Difficulty getting pregnant. PCOS is a leading cause of infertility in women.
Mood swings.
Depression.

What is the cause?

The exact cause of PCOS is unknown, but research suggests that it runs in families. If your mother or sister has PCOS, you’re at a higher risk than normal.

Overproduction of the hormone, androgen may factor into PCOS. Androgen is a male sex hormone that women also produce. If you have PCOS, your body may produce abnormally high levels of androgen. This can affect the development and release of eggs during ovulation, and lead to hirsutism and acne.

Excess insulin is another contributing factor. Insulin is the hormone that helps convert sugars and starches into energy. If you have PCOS, your body is unresponsive to the action of insulin. When your body has a problem using insulin, your blood sugar levels go up, and you produce more insulin. High levels of insulin can cause your body to produce more androgen. This can lead to ovulation problems, weight gain, irregular periods, and infertility.

How it is diagnosed

There’s no definitive test to diagnose PCOS. To make a diagnosis, your doctor will review your medical history, symptoms and menstrual cycle.

He’ll then do a physical exam to look for signs of PCOS like extra body hair and acne. He’ll check your height and weight to see if you have a healthy body mass index (BMI).

Your doctor may perform:

A pelvic exam to inspect your reproductive organs for masses, growths or other abnormalities.
An ultrasound to check for cysts on your ovaries.
A blood test to measure your hormone levels, blood sugar, and cholesterol. This can help rule out other conditions that mimic the symptoms of PCOS.

Treating PCOS

PCOS can’t be cured, but the symptoms can be managed.

Your doctor may prescribe:

Birth control pills to decrease androgen production and regulate oestrogen. This can regulate your periods, treat acne, and reduce excess hair growth.
Fertility medication to help you ovulate.
Diabetes medication to lower your insulin levels, and improve the way your body uses insulin. These meds can also slow the progression of diabetes and boost weight loss.
Ovarian drilling to reduce androgen levels and help stimulate ovulation. Your doctor may puncture your ovary with a small needle that carries an electric current. The part of the ovary that’s producing androgens will then be destroyed.

In the long run, you will need to stick to a healthy diet, get lots of regular exercise, and lose the extra weight to manage the symptoms of PCOS and prevent long-term complications. Losing even a modest amount of weight can help balance your hormones, lower your blood sugar levels, and restore normal menstrual patterns and ovulation. It can also increase the effectiveness of your PCOS medications.

To get rid of excess hair, your doctor may recommend an eflornithine cream to slow hair growth. Electrolysis is another option. This method uses a needle to emit a pulse of electric current to damage and destroy each hair follicle. You can also get rid of unwanted hair with shaving, plucking, waxing or with depilatories (creams that dissolve hair).

Or, you can follow the brave footsteps of Harnaam Kaur, and rock a beard. Who says you can’t?!

References

What happens during a pap smear?

August 15th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

A pap smear, also known as a pap test, can save your life. Doctors use it detect STDs and screen for cervical cancer: the second most common type of cancer in women. A Pap smear can spot changes in the cervix, so you can get treated before it develops into cancer.

Risk factors for cervical cancer

One of the major risk factors for cervical cancer is contracting Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), a sexually transmitted disease through skin-to-skin contact. Other risk factors include:

smoking
a weakened immune system
long term use of contraceptives
being overweight

How often to get tested

If you are sexually active and over 21 years old, you should get a pap smear every three years until 30. After the age of 30, doctors recommend one every five years. If you’re 65 years and older, you may not need the tests any longer, but it’s best to get the final word from your doctor.

How it works

The exam can be done by a gynecologist, in a doctor’s office, clinic or hospital. Your cells are collected from the opening and visible part of the cervix with a cotton swab, brush or spatula. The cells are then smeared onto a slide or mixed with a liquid preservative and sent off to a lab to be examined under a microscope. You may have slight vaginal bleeding after the test, so keep a sanitary pad or panty liner with you to protect your clothes from spotting.

The smear tests for unhealthy (cancerous) cells in the cervix, and is a quick and simple way to test the overall health of your cervix. It’s also a chance to talk to your doctor about any discomfort or infection that you may have had. Remember: there’s little to no risk in getting the test done, and can help prevent cervical cancer!

Prep ahead

Try not schedule a test while you’re on your period as the blood may interfere with the results. You may also want to empty your bladder before the test (for your own comfort).

Avoid the following 24 hours before the test:

Intercourse
Douching
Tampons
Sprays
Powder
Vaginal medicine

If you don’t avoid these, the sample may be unclear to view, and you’d have to go back for another pap-smear.

After care

If your test shows abnormal cells you may need to take another test to determine whether a follow up is needed. This may sound frightening but it’s not a certain cancer diagnosis! It could simply mean an infection or abnormal cervical cells. Your doctor may then perform a colposcopy; where an instrument that looks like a microscope is used to closely examine the vagina and cervix. If the colposcopy shows abnormal tissues, a cervical biopsy will be performed to remove cells or tissues from the abnormal area of examination.

References:

“Make my period pains stop!”

August 12th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

It’s that time of the month when your PMS (premenstrual syndrome) symptoms descends in full and living colour. You’re in pain, cranky and irritable. You want to eat everything in sight and curl up into a warm bed.

Aches, pains, cramps, mood swings; why does it all hurt so bad?

Each month, your ovaries release one egg. The ovulation process happens before and during your menstrual cycle. The lining of your uterus thickens with blood, and your egg moves into one of the Fallopian tubes. Here, it waits to be fertilised, or is shed by your body through the vagina resulting in: periods. Before and during ovulation, your hormone function shifts and affects your entire body.

When this cycle begins, they bring along some visitors:

Sore breasts: Hormone changes in your body are the cause of tenderness and heaviness in your breasts. The oestrogen enlarges your breasts and the progesterone causes your milk glands to swell. The symptoms are part of your PMS-ing stage. It usually begins a week before your period and may disappear when menstrual bleeding starts.
Bloating: Your hormones go out of whack during your cycle and cause fluid retention.

Tip: Cut down on your salt, sugar, caffeine and alcohol for this time, as these are bloating triggers.

Cramps/back pain: Your muscles tighten and relax to get the blood out of your uterus. This causes the sharp feeling of pain in your stomach and back.
Pelvis pain: Irritable bowel syndrome is responsible for pelvis pain. This is that pain your stomach which causes diarrhoea, wind and constipation.

Why it hurts

Some lucky women have painless periods, while others struggle with painful cramps (dysmenorrhea)! Some even compare it to early labour contractions. The cramps can range from mild to throbbing. What happens, is the muscle of the walls of your uterus contract and a chemical called “prostaglandin” is released from the lining of the uterus. This substance increases the strength of the contractions. The pain can strike a day or two before your period and last for two to four days during your period. Some women have nausea, vomitting, diarrhoea and dizziness during their period.

Soothe the pain

Apply heat to your lower abdomen and back to relax your muscles. A hot shower or bath and a hot water bottle will help.
Over-the-counter medication can help. Stick to painkillers like ibuprofen, aspirin or paracetamol.
Yoga and other stretching exercises can ease the cramps.
According the University of Maryland Medical Center, Vitamin B1, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, magnesium, Omega-3 fatty acids and calcium citrate, can help with menstrual pain.
Birth control pills can balance your hormones and lessen heavy flow.

Foodie friends

Green tea is said to help soothe cramps.
Relieve the bloating and cramps by drinking two to three litres of water.
Potassium and Vitamin B6 can help with cramping and water retention. Get your fill from a banana.
Oats are filled with anti-cramping vitamins like zinc and magnesium. This will help with the painful menstrual cycle.
Pineapples contain an enzyme called bromelain, which has anti-inflammatory and anti-swelling properties to reduce the cramps.
Ginger tea has soothing properties to calm stomachache, relax muscles and prevent nausea and vomitting.
During your period you lose iron. Replace your stores with chicken, fish and green leafy vegetables.
Cinnamon tea with its natural healing ingredients can quell bloating, wind, and indigestion.

References

How to save money on feminine products

June 23rd, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

As the price of everything increases (thanks recession!), it’s always worth looking for cheap, but effective alternatives. New advances are being made in sanitary products, thanks to Eco-friendly menstrual cups.

A menstrual cup is a small flexible cup made of silicone or latex rubber. It’s reusable and can last up to five years. It collects and catches your secretions instead of absorbing them like a tampon or pad.

Worth a try:
Just before your cycle begins, tightly fold the cup and insert it like you would with a tampon. You shouldn’t feel it if it’s inserted properly.

Can be used for up to 12 hours.
Is said to be good for overnight protection.
Is considerably safe; it lowers the risk of bacterial infections, rash and chafing from a tampon and pad.
With its airtight seal, there’s less odour.
Can be cleaned with toilet paper until the end of each period.
Sterilise with boiling water.
Safe for swimming and water sports.
Is discreet, so no strings or bulges. You can wear what you like.
Made for medical purposes, it is hypoallergenic, free of toxins, bleach and has no dyes.

Insert the cup

Step 1: wash your hands.

Step 2: flatten the cup.

Step 3: fold it.

Step 4: prepare for insertion.

Step 5: insert.

Step 6: rotate your cup.
…and you’re good to go.

Where to buy
The cup is more expensive than a packet of tampons or pads, BUT, you will no longer need to buy tampons or pads every month, so you actually save money. Menstrual cups in South Africa can be found at online stores; a few local retail stores may have them too. They range from R200-R800 per cup.

Good to know

Women under 30 and those who have not given birth should wear a small-sized cup.
After each use wash, disinfect and store away.
Do not share your cup!
The cup is neither a contraceptive nor a preventative measure.
If you have any discomfort or an infection, see a doctor.

References

Pregnancy & Periods: Truth vs. Myth

May 24th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

You’re on your monthly period, so falling pregnant is highly unlikely right? Wrong. When it comes to menstruation and pregnancy, there are many misconceptions. And, if you follow them blindly, you may harm your health. We separate myth from fact.

Myth #1: Your period protects you from pregnancy

Ovulation is when you release an egg each month. During this process you may bleed and confuse it with your monthly period. You’re at your peak fertility in ovulation, so if you have unprotected sex during this time, you’re more likely to fall pregnant. A male’s sperm can live inside a woman for up to 72 hours after ejaculation. Towards the end of your period, your chances of falling pregnant may increase, so if you have sex during this period and sperm is still inside you, you could fall pregnant.

Myth #2: You shouldn’t have sex while you’re pregnant

Sex cannot physically harm your baby. The baby is fully protected by your strong uterine muscles and an amniotic sack. A thick mucus plug also seals your cervix. Contractions from an orgasm are completely different to the ones in labour and will not induce early birth. If you’re worried, check with your doctor. He will advise whether it is necessary for you to avoid sex while pregnant.

Myth #3: Your cycle is always supposed to be every 28 days

The average menstrual cycle is usually 28 days long, but can range from 21 to 35 days. To figure out the first day of your next period, start counting from the first day of your next period and end it on the first day of the following one. A regular cycle is a sign of good health, but often, stress can delay or bring on your period early. If you’re always irregular, speak to your doctor. You may have a hormonal imbalance or other health problem.

Myth #4: You get your period to cleanse your reproductive system

Your period marks the end of a process where your body grows a lining of uterine tissue to prepare your body in case you are impregnated. Once your body realises that your eggs haven’t been fertilised with sperm, the lining is unnecessary. Your hormone levels, which help grow the tissue, then drop and your body sheds the tissue as your period.

Good to know

Always use a condom to prevent unwanted pregnancy and STDs, whether you’re on your period or not.
If you have a short period cycle, you won’t have the same amount of time between having your period and ovulating.
If you’ve been trying to get pregnant and haven’t been successful after having unprotected sex for more than a year, speak to your doctor.

References

Why you should listen to your period

April 26th, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Your period may not always be the most welcome monthly visitor, but usually the baggage it arrives with is even more difficult to accommodate! Like a tenacious aunt who announces her visit by first sending her luggage, your period may be preceded by everything from mood swings and tiredness to the occasional acne breakout.

Your body needs to be quite a hospitable environment to make your period as comfortable as possible. But this isn’t always possible as pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) is a reality for one in three women.

World renowned anti-ageing expert Dr Daniel Sister says that PMS is generally caused by women having lower levels of progesterone a few days before they start menstruating.

According to the National Association for Pre-menstrual Syndrome, PMS can present as 150 common psychological and behavioural symptoms. Some symptoms include fluctuating moods and food cravings, which isn’t always the best thing when you’ve been trying hard to tame your sweet tooth and stay disciplined during the rest of the month!

But recent research suggests that your cravings can say much more about your health than what you may think. What your body wants may just be what your body needs.

Why do we get cravings before a period?
A study published in Annals of Endocrinology found that food cravings before your period are triggered by shifting levels of the hormones oestrogen and progesterone.

Fluctuations in oestrogen and progesterone levels affect serotonin activity and levels, which play a big role in mood swings and food cravings. When serotonin levels are low, usually before a period, women often crave high-energy food like sugar and carbs.

Something sweet, like chocolate, will lead to a spike in serotonin and dopamine levels. This in turn will boost your mood and make you feel better.

Your cravings can say a lot about your health:

Chocolate

A woman’s body usually uses a lot of magnesium between ovulation and menstruation. The body therefore naturally has a need to replace its magnesium supplies by craving foods that are rich in magnesium. What is high in magnesium you might wonder? Cocoa beans. This can explain why so many women swap their carrots for chocolate during that time of the month. Other foods that are high in magnesium are green vegetables and oats. Magnesium can help to ease common menstrual symptoms like cramping, constipation, insomnia, headaches and tender breasts.

Carbohydrates

Cutting out carbs is often not a choice for women who feel that they can devour a month’s supply of pasta during the few days before their period! There’s no need to feel guilty about your little pleasure, because carbs are another common craving during PMS. In a study, researchers found that women generally increase their caloric intake by more than 1 100 calories daily when they’re premenstrual. Carbohydrates are high in energy and therefore your body may crave food that will give you as much energy as possible. The craving for carbs is triggered by the brain. Carb cravings are a signal that you need to eat something starchy, because your brain needs to make more serotonin.

Iron

During your period, a heavy flow can cause an iron deficiency which may lead to your body craving meat. An iron deficiency can happen when you lose so much blood during menstruation that your body’s iron stores become depleted. Without proper iron levels, you can develop a condition called iron-deficiency anaemia which includes symptoms that may overlap with those of PMS. However, these symptoms are present all-month-long and include fatigue, depression and mood swings.

References:

Four unusual signs of menopause

February 23rd, 2017 by The Hello Doctor Team

Hot flushes, moods swings and a low sex drive are just some of the typical symptoms of menopause. But there are a few unusual signs of menopause you’re probably not aware of.

Joint and muscle pain
Is it painful to walk upright? Does getting out of bed or dressing seem like a nearly impossible task? Menopause could be the culprit. In the early stage of menopause, many women suffer from swollen, stiff and painful joints. This condition is also known as menopause arthritis. It affects the fingers, knees, ankles, hips and back, and is usually more painful in the morning.

Although oestrogen plays a key role in bone health, the exact mechanism behind the condition is unknown.

Ease the pain with stretching exercises every morning. Anti-inflammatories may also help. If the pain is severe and ongoing, hormone therapy may be your best bet to help preserve your joints.

Urinary incontinence
As you hit menopause, the levels of oestrogen in your body slowly takes a dip. This effect can weaken your pelvic muscles and cause bladder control problems, including urinary continence (a leaking bladder).

The tissue of your urinary tract becomes less elastic, and may cause painful urination, urination at night, and the need to urinate urgently.

Another symptom associated with these changes is stress incontinence, the involuntary leakage of urine. This happens when you cough, laugh, or sneeze.

Kegel exercises can help strengthen your pelvic muscle, improve bladder control, and even boost sexual pleasure.

For many women, finding the right muscles to use when doing Kegels can be confusing. To locate yours, try and stop yourself from urinating midstream. The muscles you use to do this are the same muscles you use when doing Kegels.

Squeeze your pelvic muscles as if you are trying to close the vaginal opening.
Hold the contraction for a few seconds and then relax.
Wait a few seconds and repeat. Try to do 50 per day.

Insomnia
During menopause, your ovaries produce less oestrogen and progesterone. A drop in these key hormones may cause sleep disturbances and insomnia (sleeplessness). This is partly because progesterone is a sleep-producing hormone. As your body tries to cope with these hormonal changes, you may find it more difficult to fall and stay asleep. Insomnia can also be caused by hot flushes and night sweats from fluctuating hormone levels.

Put insomnia to rest by avoiding heavy meals, caffeine and alcohol at least three hours before bedtime. At least half an hour of daily exercise will help regulate your sleep cycle and make you sleepier in the evenings. A cool, dark bedroom with breathable bedding also makes for a restful environment.

Excessive facial hair
“Peach fuzz” on your upper lip? Dark, wiry hairs sprouting from your chin? Menopause may be to blame. When you reach this stage of your life, your androgen and oestrogen levels go down. Oestrogen levels drop severely, while androgen levels drop more gradually over time. This hormone imbalance can result in unwanted and embarrassing hair overgrowth on your upper lip, chin and cheeks. Get rid of hair in unexpected places by tweezing or waxing it away. If it really bothers you, consider laser hair removal.

References:

How to treat yeast infection properly

December 20th, 2016 by The Hello Doctor Team

A yeast infection is a fungal infection that affects up to 75 percent of women at some point in their lifetime.

It is caused by a type of yeast called Candida albicans. This yeast lives naturally in the vagina in small numbers. Its growth is kept in check by Lactobacillus acidophilus – good bacteria that helps keep the vagina healthy and protects against disease. When there aren’t enough of these bacteria in your system, overgrowth of yeast can occur and cause symptoms of vaginal yeast infection.

Continue reading “How to treat yeast infection properly”

Ladies: What’s messing with your hormones?

July 26th, 2016 by The Hello Doctor Team

When you hear ‘hormones’, you probably think of PMS or bodybuilders, but every process in your body is driven by different hormones. Here are a few things that can make it all go wrong. Continue reading “Ladies: What’s messing with your hormones?”

What is PCOS?

July 13th, 2016 by The Hello Doctor Team

If you’re battling to get pregnant, struggling to manage your weight and living with irregular periods, there may be one reason for it all: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

Continue reading “What is PCOS?”

Breastfeeding and weight

July 7th, 2016 by The Hello Doctor Team

Want to get back into your skinny jeans after having a baby? The big questions new moms face, is: “Can breastfeeding really help me lose weight and get back in shape?” Well, here’s the truth.

Continue reading “Breastfeeding and weight”

How ovarian cysts affect (or don’t affect) your health

June 7th, 2016 by The Hello Doctor Team

Ovarian cysts are quite common. In fact, most women will experience a cyst on her ovaries at least once during her lifetime. You may have one right now, with no complications, or you could suffer from some uncomfortable symptoms.

What exactly is an ovarian cyst?

a woman has two ovaries, one on either side of the uterus, which allow for the development and maturation of eggs/ova
during a woman’s child-bearing years, ova are released every month, during the menstrual cycle
an ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac that can develop on a woman’s ovary
an ovarian cyst can form on one or both ovaries; they can be single or multiple
most are harmless and will disappear on their own over a few months

Are there different types of ovarian cysts?

Most ovarian cysts are non-cancerous (benign), with only a small number being cancerous (malignant).

a) Functional ovarian cysts:

these develop as part of the menstrual cycle
the most common type, often painless, are harmless and disappear on their own
most commonly seen in women during their child-bearing years (pre-menopausal)
they form due to a minor problem in the menstrual cycle
examples include: follicular cysts, corpus luteum cysts and haemorrhagic cysts

b) Pathological ovarian cysts:

these cysts occur due to abnormal cell growth and can lead to cancer (malignant)
these occur less commonly
some examples can include dermoid cysts, cystadenomas
Some cysts can be due to an underlying condition such as:
- Endometriosis (where tissue that usually occurs inside the uterus, develops on the surface of the ovaries, forming a cyst
- PCOS/Polycystic ovary syndrome (where the ovaries contain a large number of small cysts)

What are some of the symptoms of an ovarian cyst?

Remember that most ovarian cysts do not cause symptoms unless the cyst is large, tears or bursts (causing intense pain and internal bleeding), or undergoes torsion (twists and cuts off the ovary’s blood supply).

pain in the lower abdomen or pelvic area (ranging from sharp, severe pain to a dull, heavy ache)
pain felt in the lower back and/or thighs
a feeling of being bloated
nausea and vomiting
pain in association to sexual intercourse
pain before and during one’s menstrual cycle
difficulty falling pregnant
a feeling of needing to urinate frequently
periods that are either heavy, irregular or lighter in flow than normal
difficulty or pain whilst passing stool

How does a doctor diagnose an ovarian cyst?

most ovarian cysts are detected by an ultrasound/sonar (either performed on the abdomen, or with a probe placed inside the vaginal canal)
a doctor may also need to perform a pregnancy test to detect/exclude a pregnancy
in some cases, blood tests such as hormone levels and tumour marker levels may be requested
in certain cases, a CT or MRI scan may be performed

What can be done about an ovarian cyst?

The management of an ovarian cyst depends on:

the size of the cyst
whether the cyst is simple or complex in appearance
the type of symptoms the cyst is causing
if the cyst is complicated (i.e. if it has ruptured or has undergone torsion)
whether the woman is menopausal or not
if there is an underlying medical condition present (i.e. endometriosis or PCOS)
if the cyst may possibly be cancerous (malignant) or not

Small cysts in pre-menopausal women are often followed-up with ultrasound over a few months and many will regress without intervention.
Larger, complicated cysts, or those with a risk of cancer/malignancy may be surgically removed (either via laparoscopic surgery, or via a laparotomy).
Underlying medical conditions, such as PCOS or endometriosis, should be treated with the appropriate medication (and/or surgery).