You might have experienced that when a pin pricks your skin suddenly, you get shocked and even ooze out blood; while the same pin can be pierced deep into the skin of a finger without any bleeding, when you know that it is about to occur. Sudden demises are always annoying. Similarly, the sudden demise of your menstrual periods, with the birth of menopause, is definitely going to cause more pain. If you are prepared to take what is going to come, and if in the first place you are aware of it, you can easily face the blow of signs of menopause starting.

Menopause is nothing but a second stage of the great change in the hormonal structure and functioning of the body of a female. The very first sign of menopause starting is an interruption in the menstruation. A prolonged cessation of monthly menstrual periods is the initial symptom of menopause. However, this symptom is shared by pregnancy and other hormonal abruptions in the body. Hence, just this symptom in not going to decide if you are nearing menopause.

Hot flashes is another sign of menopause starting; however, a female can find herself being agonized by the air of hot flashes even when her regular periods are about to begin or are going on. But, the severity of menopausal hot flashes is quite more than these. Hence, it is one of the typical symptoms of menopause. Hot flashes are when you get a flushing in your face; you feel hot and begin shedding beads of sweat as though having been in a steam room for long.

Insomnia hits everyone during various phases of life. For children it is when they have exams, for teenagers it’s when they fall in love, for mid- aged it’s when they go jobless and for aged females it’s when they are about to enter the menopausal phase of their life. It may arrive because of hot flashes or due to some other hormonal stress in the body related to menopause.

Mood swings are brought as signs of menopause starting due to the irritation caused by insomnia and hot flashes. A woman may be in a completely happy mood for a moment, but the hot flashes are so sudden and invigorating that her mood can change even in a few minutes.

Any of these symptoms call for contacting your doctor immediately. It is better than waiting to suffer more. They can prescribe you medications of other remedies to follow up regularly so as to get easy with these signs of menopause starting. As they say, it is only the matter of adjusting when it begins; then you’ll become accustomed.

There are certain medications and herbs for menopause which can prove beneficial for the women in getting rid of symptoms like hot flashes.

Black Cohosh:

The roots of this herb consists of compounds that possess powerful therapeutic properties. The effects of estrogen on a female body are mimicked by these compounds in the herb and they fight the symptoms of menopause like menstrual cramps, hot flashes, etc. It has been proven by studies as a powerful and effective alternative for the perilous hormone replacement therapies.

Wild Yam:

This herb is a plant looking like vine and is native to the eastern US. The contents of Wild Yam include isoflavones that are popular compounds for the relief of post menopausal symptoms and also aid the maintenance of bone levels along with reduction of blood clotting.

Dong Quai:

Flushing and sweats, dryness of the vagina, hot flashes, weakness of the bladder, and many more symptoms of menopause can be helped by Dong Quai. This is one of the herbs for menopause which is perennial and native to countries like Japan and China. The Phytoestrogens  present in this herb also cure irregularities associated to menstruation.

Red Clover:

Isoflavnes are also present in this one of the herbs for menopause, which aids the treatment of menopausal symptoms like loss of libido, mood swings, irritability and of course hot flashes. Even bone diseases like osteoporosis can be prevented with the use of this herb.

These were few herbs for menopause, with their potential explained in curing menopausal symptoms. They can be taken in raw form with water or tea or juices, or can be used in food while cooking. Medicines with essential extracts of these herbs are also available, and this is the simplest way of using them.

It all begins with irregular periods; and not just time based irregularity, but also intensity based. Even more frequent periods and those occurring with heavy falls contribute towards early menopause. Instead of 28 days, the menstrual cycle takes just 20-24 days and the occurrence of monthly periods seem as if they had never gone. Contradicting to this, in some cases there are major delays in menstrual periods. Gaps of 2 – 3 months are introduced between two menstruations. Also, shorter menstrual cycles are signs of early menopause. Extremely light or too heavy falls during menstruation are also contributors towards indicating early menopause. Sometimes, females skip periods more than 2 months. This symptom can indicate 2 things – pregnancy and menopause. One can get tested for pregnancy, and if the results are negative, then the conclusion can be drawn that the female is on the verge of menopause.

Few other physical symptoms that can aid the detection of menopausal approach by a female are listed below.

• Hot flashes
• Sweats at night
• Dryness of the vagina
• Insomnia or disturbed sleep
• Problems of bladder control
• Palpitations
• Unusual weight gain
• Unusual headaches
• Tenderness of the breasts
• Tingling or itchiness of the skin
• Bloating of the stomach
• Fatigue or lowered levels of energy
• Lightheadedness or dizziness
• Aches in the joints and bones
• Body odor changes
• Loss of hair and thinning of the thickness of the strands
• Dryness of the mouth, bad breath and oral ulcers

Apart from the physical symptoms, there are signs of early menopause that are seen to affect the emotional status of a person.

• Mood swings
• Anxiety
• Decreased libido
• Difficulty in concentrating and confusion in the brain
• Depression
• Lapses in the memory
• Emotional detachment from close ones
• Irritation

Besides, infertility can also be a warning sign of an early menopause. Females who are known to be infertile are more prone to have early menopause in their lifespan.

Well, women with menopause are also not at peace. Just that their bodies are following the nature’s rules, is a satisfactory fact. Else, there are many similar pitiful conditions for females who are undergoing, or have already passed, the menopausal phase in life. There are many bad things to suffer for a menopausal female, but the worst symptoms of menopause are the hot flashes, usually occurring at night, leaving you completely restless. And the rest of the problems like insomnia and fatigue follow. These menopause hot flashes occur due to the lowering, or almost exhausted, levels of estrogen hormone which diminishes with the loss of menstruation. There are medical solutions to this problem of menopause hot flashes, like hormone replacements and estrogen supplements. But then there are other perilous and unaffordable side effects, like breast cancer risk, of those options.

Some of the natural and homely methods for relieving yourself from menopause hot flashes are enlisted below. Take a look.

Transformations with the lifestyle

• You may like wearing rich, costly, branded and showy material, but if you are a victim of hot flashes, you need to switch to layered cotton clothing – the coolest ones.
• Avoid enemies like coffee, tea, spicy foods, alcohol, and stress. Instead, cooler drinks and ice creams help better.
• Relax as much as you can. Avoid over working, physically and mentally. Perform deep breathing exercises and concentrate on abdominal breathing. 6 – 8 breaths per minute, done daily for over a month or two, is known to lower hot flashes up to 40 %.
• Say no to hot baths, spring showers and steam baths, esp. before bedtime. Have cool showers, instead.

Dietary inclusions and exclusions

• Eliminate coffee, tea, alcohol, non- vegetarian foods, spicy cuisines, and high protein foods.
• Include foods with vitamin E in your diet, which can be best done by having loads of fruits and salads throughout the day.
• Have cool drinks like buttermilk, chilled milk (best for a perfect night’s sleep), etc.
• Soy is the ultimate remedy. But unfortunately it doesn’t work similar in all cases. Hence, some people are satisfied with the benefits soy provides, while some consider it as a trigger for hot flashes.

Cosmetic choices

• Not really cosmetic, but since the application is such, the Natural Progesterone Cream is considered under the best cosmetic choices for relieving menopause hot flashes. This cream is applied on the skin to keep hot flashes at bay and in numerous surveys, women have spoken out that it works wonders. 2 % of progesterone skin cream has healed more than 80 % of perimenopausal and post menopausal females. This kind of a cream can be obtained over the counter, without prescriptions.

Herbal healers

• There are numerous herbs out there that aid the reduction of hot flashes occurrence. Isoflavone Promensil is one such herb derived from red clover, popularly known as the plant estrogen due to similar characteristics and properties.
• Black cohosh is again a herbal healer for menopause hot flashes.

Yoga and acupuncture

• These techniques are known to be the best natural ways of curing any kind of health issue. The sad part is that the benefits of these methods in pertinence with menopause symptoms and hot flashes haven’t been well studied.

Exercise

• Undeniable way out for hot flashes. Exercise soothes your insides. It is a must to give a good time to exercise and workout to evade the austerities of hot flashes.
• Except an hour or two before bedtime, exercises can be performed any time during the day’s schedule, for excellent results in case of menopause symptoms.

Medications

• Finally, when nothing helps, there are placebos and milder estrogen supplements, just to trigger the healing process with hot flashes. Medications like Effexor and Paxil are seen to be tremendously effective in curing the problems of hot flashes and other menopause symptoms. But of course, there are side effects which may vary in case of different people.

So many of them listed above – try a few and let me know if you got help. Take care.

Menopause is the natural body process that is completely normal. It results in alterations and stoppage of a woman’s menstrual cycles which occur on a monthly basis. Menopause manifests with an increase in age. Menopause is sometimes regarded as ‘big change’ in the life of a woman.

Signs of menopause that are early in nature provide clues to the occurrence of symptoms. Menopause manifests in women who are in their late 40s and early 50s. If menopause occurs earlier than this age, it is considered to be a case of early menopause.

Mentioned below are some of the signs of menopause:

• Alteration in menstrual cycles
• Irritability and mood swings
• Headaches
• Hot flashes
• Depression
• Fatigue and tiredness that are chronic in nature
• Cramps, pains and aches
• Change in the texture of body hair
• Yeast infections
• Increase in symptoms of Premenstrual syndrome
• Alterations in sleep pattern
• Lack of interest in love life
• Retention of water
• Sweating during the nights
• Decreases vaginal lubrication
• Changes in blood glucose levels

Listed below are the major symptoms of menopause along with their biological reasons:

Alterations in Menstrual Cycle

Ovaries determine the monthly menstrual cycle. Hormones allow women to produce eggs via the process of ovulation. Menopause causes an imbalance in the production of hormones. This leads to alterations in the monthly cycles. The menstrual cycle may be delayed or may manifest early. These changes may manifest in women who have poor dietary habits and nutrition.

Premenstrual syndrome changes and cramps

Premenstrual syndrome or PMS manifests in every woman. It may occur prior to menopause. The symptoms may increase in intensity and frequency during menopause. PMS is a common cause of imbalance in the hormones. Menopause causes hormonal changes, which put an additional strain on women.

Depression and Mood Swings

Research has proven that hormonal changes alter moods. Some hormones make a woman more passive, whereas some contribute toward relaxation. Some hormones make a woman more energetic and active. Menopause may cause hormonal imbalance, which leads to altered emotional states, mood swings, depression, and behavior that is aggressive.

Hot Flashes

It is a common misconception to believe that decreased levels of estrogen cause hot flashes during menopause. There is no basis for this assumption. If this were true, hot flashes should manifest continuously. The real cause for hot flashes is hormonal imbalances, which boost the metabolism.

Vaginal cysts come in various types. Their size can range from pea-sized to that of an orange. The most common form of vaginal cyst includes vaginal inclusion cysts. A vaginal cyst may develop due to trauma experienced by the walls of the vagina. It may be the result of a gynecological or obstetric course of action. The vagina’s lining fails to retain its natural smoothness.

A vaginal cyst is also known as Inclusion cyst or Gartner’s duct cyst. A vaginal cyst tends to develop in the region of Gartner’s duct. The cyst usually lies on the vaginal side walls. Gartner’s duct plays an active role during development of the fetus. After birth, it disappears. In some rare scenarios, sections of the duct will retain fluid and may lead to the formation of a vaginal cyst.

Benign tumor is not very common and may comprise of vaginal cysts.

Vaginal cysts do not cause major symptoms. Women may feel a soft lump in the wall of the vagina. Alternatively, the cyst may protrude from the vagina. Women having vaginal cysts may find sexual intercourse to be a painful experience.

During examination of the pelvis, examiners may see or feel a mass or bulge in the wall of the vagina. A biopsy is generally needed to eliminate the risk of vaginal cancer. In these cases, the mass tends to be solid.

If the vaginal cyst is situated in the bladder or urethra, X-rays are needed to rule out the possibility of the cysts being involved with these structures.

You may need to follow routine examinations and tests. You may have to keep a watch for sudden growth of the cysts.

Surgical removal of the cyst is the most common procedure when symptoms persist. This procedure has several risks and is used as a last option.

In the majority of the cases, the cysts are tiny and require no surgery. When removed surgically, they are unlikely to return again.

A vaginal cyst does not complications by itself. The location of the cyst is important, when it comes to surgical excision.

Consult a doctor immediately if you feel a lump within the vagina. Sometimes, a cyst can protrude from the vagina itself.

While some cysts are so tiny that the naked eye cannot even see them, others might bloat up to the size of an orange.

Cysts can usually be found almost anywhere on the body; and this would even include the vagina. A vaginal cyst will usually be found under the lining of the vagina.

Types of the Vaginal Cyst:

Inclusion Cysts:
These cysts are said to be one of the most common types of all vaginal cyst. They will generally be very small in size and will be located at the back of the vaginal wall.

Gartner’s Duct Cysts:
This type of vaginal cyst will end up occurring when the ducts which are part of a developing embryo do not disappear after childbirth, like they’re supposed to. The ducts could lead onto the formation of cysts.

Bartholin’s Gland Cysts:
These sort of cysts will generally be fluid filled and will form on a gland called Bartholin’s gland. These glands are situated at the opening to the vagina and they are responsible for producing the liquid which is known to lubricate the vaginal lips.

Mullerian Cysts:
These are the cysts that are known to form from any structures that may be left behind when a baby develops. These cysts are likely to grow on any part of the vaginal wall, and they will often contain mucus.

Causes of a Vaginal Cyst:

Vaginal cysts are known to form when the duct or gland becomes clogged and this might cause for the material to collect inside it. The type of cyst will determine the cause of its formation.

Inclusion cysts will be caused by trauma inflicted upon the inner vagina walls. For instance, an episiotomy (surgical cut to enlarge vaginal opening during childbirth) might cause for an inclusion cyst.

Bartholin’s gland cysts will be caused due to the opening of the gland become blocked. This will cause for a growth that is fluid filled.

An afterthought to the matter; and I realized that there was more than one such question that may have been part of many a women’s question list; but they haven’t been answered adequately. I spoke to my gynecologist and tried to get them sorted out. Here is what she had to say –

Is it normal for me to have heavy bleeding during my menstrual period?

Normally, five days of heavy bleeding is considered alright. Anything above five days would mean that something’s amiss. Visit a gynecologist at the earliest; and try to determine what levels of hormones are there in your body.

Is there any way of preventing or relieving myself from the pain caused by cramps?

The condition of cramping during the menstrual period is called dysmenorrhoea. You could take painkillers to deal with the pain. If the condition seems to be persistent, try and get a sonography done at the earliest. It can help in ruling out endometriosis.

What causes the brown spotting that appears four days prior to my actual period?

This could be the result of a polyp or erosion. Try and consult a gynecologist at the earliest. You might also be suffering from a hormonal imbalance and maybe you do not know about it.

What could cause for irregular periods?

In some cases, irregular periods could be caused by stress. If you wait and the condition persists, it might be wise to get a hormonal profiling and a sonography done at the earliest.

Would it be considered normal to get your period twice in a month?

It isn’t generally considered normal to get your period twice in a month. A woman should, in an ideal situation, have a 28 day cycle. If this ‘two periods in a month’ phenomenon has happened only once, you needn’t worry; but if it happens regularly, you might want to get yourself checked soon.

How can I alleviate symptoms of PMS?

Avoid caffeine intake and try to give up on smoking during this time. Lifestyle changes like these are known to make a huge difference. Try and have Vitamin E tablets; they’re known to work beautifully in such cases. Yoga and meditation can also help in cases where PMS can cause for huge amounts of stress.

Is there a way of delaying my period?

You could start going onto a progesterone tablet about four to five days prior to the due date and you might have to keep it going until you want to actually delay your period. These pills could eventually have some side effects. It would be advisable to consult your gynecologist before taking any of them.

How safe is the use of a tampon?

Tampons are relatively safe to use. Just don’t use them while you’re swimming; or you could be at the risk of a serious infection of some sort or the other.

What is the treatment available for PCOD or PCOS?

Unfortunately, at this given moment, there is no known cure that can permanently correct the condition of PCOD. Weight loss is known to help in the case of PCOD. Try and consult a dietician who could make the necessary changes for you to eventually lose weight.

Would I know when I am nearing menopause?

Unfortunately, no human can actually tell when it is that they’re going to reach menopause. If you have reached your 40s or you’re reaching your 40s, chances are that you’ll start seeing signs of perimenopause; and this would include the likes of shorter or longer menstrual cycles, mood changes, night sweat and difficulties while sleeping. When such symptoms begin showing up, you could try and talk to a gynecologist.

The first ever organized effort that had been conducted to bring some amount of attention to the cause of breast cancer was conducted in the United States. This happened in the month of October in the year 1985. Ever since that first attempt, there have been repeated attempts made to increase the awareness about this disease and there have been workshops conducted to teach people the methods of prevention and the chances of early detection. These attempts have also aimed at raising money to support the research that is being conducted on this topic.

About Breast Cancer:

Breast cancer is a disease that is characterized by an abnormal growth of malignant cells that grow in the mammary glands. Breast cancer is known to strike both males and females, and most of the cases are known to be diagnosed after the age of 50.Breast cancer is said to be the most common form of cancer among women around the world. The women in North America and regions like Western Europe are said to be the worst hit.

The exact causes of breast cancer aren’t said to be known, but it is said to be linked to genetic and environmental factors. Some mutations that are present in the genetic structure could lead to breast cancer, and these mutations could be inherited or even be acquired.

The most common symptoms of breast cancer would include abnormal lumps that form in the region of the breast. Lumps that appear beside the breast or under the armpit region are also an indication of breast cancer. The other symptoms will include abnormal discharge from the nipples, unexplained pain in the breast region, changes in the skin around the breast, and changes in the texture of the breast.

The Global Standing Of Breast Cancer:

Breast cancer is said to be the worldwide killer when it comes to being a disease that can be deadly. About half a million deaths in the early 2000s can be accounted to breast cancer. It is said to be the most common in developing countries and not as many cases get reported in the impoverished and developing countries of the world.

Breast Cancer and Facebook:

If you have been noticing a lot of statuses that begin with ‘I like it on…”, then it means that the campaign has gone viral. A lot of women would now display status messages that read ‘I like it on the kitchen counter’ or ‘I like it on the floor’. These are not what you think they are. Skip the sexual innuendos and get to the real picture. This is a new internet meme that has been designed to raise awareness for breast cancer.

Let’s clear out the basic point. These women are not really referring to the places they like to make love. They are in fact talking about the places they’d like to place their handbag. The reason behind all these ‘I like it’ statuses is simple. This is the month of breast cancer awareness and there are hundreds of women who are using this meme to rally the need for awareness. The status updates are bound to get attention due to the sexual innuendos involved. When friends ask them about the status, they could pass on the ‘good news’ about getting regular checkups or conducting your own self checkup at home.

Early detection in the case of this form of cancer is bound to help.

Dear Diary…

The best method of diagnosing PMS would be to maintain a diary that helps you chart your symptoms for a good 3 – 4 months. This should be able to tell you what factors act as triggers to make you all jumpy or angry. It would be of utmost importance that you track which of the 3 areas when it comes to symptoms are the most disturbing and distressing for you – psychological, physical or behavioral.

Eating Right = Feeling Right

It is extremely important that you eat a diet that is healthy for your general health. This may also help you be relieved from your PMS symptoms and these would include the likes of breast tenderness, bloating, irritability, headaches and weight gain. It would be best to eliminate these items from your diet, starting a week to 10 days before your menstrual period date – caffeine, tobacco, chocolate, salt and alcohol.  Sugars and salt are known to be capable of aggravating fluid retention and caffeine could add to your irritability.

Timing It Right:

It is important to eat smaller meals on a frequent basis.  This would mean consuming a fair amount of complex carbohydrates in every meal – cereal foods, veggies and fruits which would include legumes as well. If you eat smaller meals, it would help in stabilizing your blood sugar level and this would help in reducing the food cravings and the subsequent mood swings.

Supplementing It:

If you supplement your meals with sufficient amounts of vitamins and minerals, you could make your body more capable of fighting off those bouts of cramps. It would be recommended that you stay hydrated all the time. Drink plenty of water. Women tend to lose fluid due to the menstrual bleeding.

Take Some Rest:

Pack in a good 6-7 hours of sleep every night. It will help your body in getting adequate rest and will help in relieving the stress experienced during the menstrual period.

Little Miss Sunshine:

Getting a little sun might do you good. Adequate amounts of sunlight should help you in elevating your mood, because it is said to ensure hormonal balance.

Distract Yourself:

Keep yourself busy with activities like reading books, meeting old friends or even watching a movie. Do not plan stressful activities on the days when you know that your symptoms are known to be the worst.