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MENSTRUAL PROBLEMS |
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What
is a painful menstrual period?
Painful menstrual periods are marked by
crampy lower abdominal pain. A woman may
feel sharp pain that comes and goes, or
have dull, aching pain. Painful menstrual
periods may also cause back pain. The pain
may begin several days before or just at
the start of your period. It generally
subsides as menstrual bleeding tapers off.
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How
can painful menstrual periods be managed
at home?
The following steps may allow you to avoid
prescription medications: (i) Apply a
heating pad to your lower abdomen (below
the umbilicus). Be careful NOT to fall
asleep with it on. (ii) Take warm showers
or baths. (iii) Drink warm beverages. (iv)
Do light circular massage with your
fingertips around your lower abdomen. (v)
Walk or exercise regularly, including
pelvic rocking exercises. (vi) Follow a
diet rich in complex carbohydrates such
as whole grains, fruits, and vegetables,
but low in salt, sugar, alcohol, and
caffeine. (vii) Eat light but frequent
meals. (viii) Practice relaxation
techniques like meditation or yoga. (ix)
Keep your legs elevated while lying down.
Or lie on your side with knees bent.
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When
should a doctor be consulted for painful
menstrual periods?
A doctor may be consulted if self care
measures have not relieved the pain for 3
consecutive months or if there is a
history of passage of large blood clots.
Also occurrence of pain more than 5 days
prior to the period and continuation after
the period gets over warrants a doctor’s
consultation.
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What
is pre-menstrual syndrome?
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) involves
symptoms that occur in relation to the
menstrual cycle. The symptoms usually
begin 5 to 11 days before the start of
menstruation. Symptoms usually stop when
menstruation begins, or shortly
thereafter. These symptoms may include
headache, swelling of the feet, backache,
abdominal cramps, breast tenderness,
bloating sensation etc.
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What
are the causes of PMS?
An exact cause of PMS has not been
identified. It occurs more often in women
between their late 20s and early 40s,
those with at least one child, those with
a family history of depression, or women
with a past medical history of depression
after delivery of first child.
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How
can pre menstrual syndrome be managed at
home?
Self-care methods for managing PMS
include: (i) Regular Exercise – at least
twenty minutes to half an hour everyday,
which may include brisk walking or
cycling.(ii) Dietary measures: Increased
whole grains, vegetables, fruit, and
decreased or no salt, sugar and coffee may
prove beneficial. (iii) Maintain a daily
diary or log to record the type, severity,
and duration of symptoms. A "symptom
diary" should be kept for a minimum of 3
months. The diary will greatly assist the
doctor not only in the accurate diagnosis
of PMS, but also with the proposed
treatment methods. (iv) It is important to
get adequate rest.
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When
is a heavy menstrual period said to be
occurring?
If there is soakage through a sanitary pad
every hour for 6 consecutive hours, this
is considered a very heavy period.
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What
are the common causes of heavy menstrual
periods?
The common causes of heavy menstrual
periods include: (i)Growths on the uterine
lining (ii) Unexplained- referred to as
dysfunctional uterine bleeding (iii)
Thyroid gland problems (iii) Blood
clotting disorders. (iv)Intra uterine
device. (v) Stress.
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What
is a prolonged menstrual period?
A prolonged period is one that lasts
longer than 7 days.
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What
are the common causes of prolonged
menstrual periods?
Prolonged menstrual periods may result
from (i) Ovarian cysts (ii) Sometimes the
cause may not be found-referred to as
dysfunctional uterine bleeding. (iii)Bleeding
disorders and intake of anti clotting
medications. (iv) Stress
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What
is an irregular menstrual period?
An irregular menstrual period is one in
which the duration can vary excessively
from cycle to cycle, with the periods
occurring too frequently or being
separated by an unusually long duration.
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Is
it normal to have irregular periods during
the first few teenage years?
Yes. At first, the menstrual periods
typically are irregular. The girl may have
2 months between periods, or may have two
periods in 1 month. Over time, they become
more regular.
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What
are the causes of irregular menses?
Menstrual periods that are abnormally
frequent can be caused by (i)
Endometriosis is a condition of unknown
cause that can lead to pelvic pain and
frequent bleeding. (iii) Sometimes, the
cause of unclear, in which case the woman
is said to have dysfunctional uterine
bleeding. (iii)Ovarian cysts (iv) Stress.
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Is
there a cause for worry if bleeding during
menses lasts for only 2-4 days instead of
the usual 5 days?
No, there is no need to worry. Periods
change over time and from cycle to cycle
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What
needs to be done in case of Heavy,
Prolonged or Irregular Menstrual Periods?
(i) Keep a record of your menstrual
cycles, including when menstruation begins
and ends, how much flow you have (count
numbers of pads used, noting whether they
are soaked), and any other symptoms you
experience. (ii) Consult a doctor if the
problem persists beyond 3 months.
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What
is absent menstruation?
Absent menstruation refers to appearance
of no menstruation by age 16. The Causes
may include: (i) Birth defects of the
female reproductive system (ii) Lack of an
opening in the membrane at the entrance of
the vagina (hymen) (iii) Problem with
glands in the brain |
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ABNORMAL VAGINAL DISCHARGE |
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What
is vaginal discharge and when is it said
to be abnormal?
Vaginal discharge is composed of mucous
secretion produced by the cervix. Disease
may be indicated if vaginal discharge is
abnormal in color, odour, or consistency,
or significantly increased in amount.
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Which
are the conditions that lead to an
increase in the normal vaginal secretion?
The amount of normal vaginal discharge
may be increased in conditions such as
sexual excitement, emotional stress and
ovulation (when you produce and release an
egg from your ovary in the middle of your
menstrual cycle)
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What
are the causes of abnormal vaginal
discharge?
These conditions can lead to abnormal
vaginal discharge: (i) Sexually
transmitted infections. (ii) Fungal/yeast
infection of the vagina common in
diabetics and those with weak immune
system.
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How
can abnormal vaginal discharge be
prevented?
To help prevent vaginal discharge: (i)
Genital area must be kept clean and dry.
(ii) Douching (splashing water into the
genital area) should be avoided. While
many women feel cleaner if they douche
after menstruation or intercourse, it may
actually worsen vaginal discharge because
it removes healthy bacteria lining the
vagina that are there to protect you from
infection. (iii) Stress should be avoided.
(iv) Condoms must be used to avoid
catching or spreading sexually transmitted
diseases. (v) Blood sugars should be kept
under good control in case there is
presence of diabetes.
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