http://www.healthzine.org/feed/ http://www.healthzine.org/ Every day new articles and updated info on all your health, beauty and fitness concerns. Thu, 6 Aug 2009 09:29:51 +0200 Thu, 6 Aug 2009 09:29:51 +0200 http://www.healthzine.org/Womens-health/Strategies-in-Battling-Breast-Cancer http://www.healthzine.org/Womens-health/Strategies-in-Battling-Breast-Cancer A family background alone is a poor predictor of breast cancer. This is a common misconception that needs to be rectified, says researchers whose latest study argues against the use of family history when determining women’s risk for this serious disease. When researchers examined the predictive value of family history in assessing breast cancer risk, researchers have found little correlation between the said disease and family history. And because of this claim, researchers have developed a predictive model in order to discover if there really is a correlation on the said claim, and it was found that roughly 1 in 10 women with a strong family history of breast cancer, could be expected to develop breast cancer before the age of 50, and only 1 in 100 women is likely to develop this disease before they reach the age of 30. So how do we avoid this degenerating disease? The answer lies is in us, because breast cancer prevention starts with your health habits – such as alcohol limitation, being physically active and healthy eating. Evidences say that healthy eating combined with regular exercise contributes to the prevention of breast cancer. So to help you prevent this fatal disease, here are some health care strategies in battling this fatal disease. These will help you decrease your risk for breast cancer. Diet and exercise are amongst the easiest things to control. Remember to always stay fit as possible. Regular exercise is one of the many ways in maintaining a healthy weight. In the same vein physical activities can aid you in battling the said condition. Now, if you haven’t been physically active in the past, you can always start in a slow pace then later when you progress, you can go for a greater intensity. You can also try weight bearing exercises such as walking, jogging, or aerobics – these exercises are proven to make your bones strong. Thus you become healthy. When we talk about prevention, one should always consider limiting fat in his/her diet. According to research, the results from the most definitive study of dietary fat and breast cancer suggest that there is a slight decrease in the risk of invasive breast cancer who eat low fat diets. Though the effects are modest; reducing the amount of fat in the body may decrease the risk of other diseases, such as diabetes, stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. Another way to reduce the risk of this disease is to limit the use of alcohol. There is a link between alcohol consumption and the said condition, though for the time being nobody can certainly say of the greatness of this link, but it is always best to consider the limitation of alcohol. And lastly you should always maintain a healthy weight. Contrary to the use of alcohol and its link to the said fatal disease, the link between weight gain and breast cancer is definite. Experts have speculated that the production of estrogen in fatty tissues may be the link between the two. So in relation to these strategies, here are things that you can do. In addition to lifestyle changes, you should always be vigilant on the early signs of this degenerative condition. It is advised tat at age 40, women should start having mammograms. Be vigilant in looking for lumps or skin changes, and make sure that you make the necessary appointment to your doctor. It is also best to know basic information’s about this condition. Though there is no assurance that you will have a cancer free life; the practice of healthy habits, regular self checks, as well as regular consultations to the doctor will help you reduce the risk in this fatal disease. About the author. Dr. Rose Windale is a successful Health & Wellness Coach who has been advising and coaching individuals for many years. Rose now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become truly healthy and happy. Tue, 12 May 2009 06:10:20 +0200 http://www.healthzine.org/Womens-health/being-a-single-mother http://www.healthzine.org/Womens-health/being-a-single-mother Single motherhood. How does that sound to you? A strong, independent woman? A tough- nut of a missy, perhaps, having to tackle the monumental task of parenting on her own. Well, that’s one side of it. Beyond this scenario is also a person constantly stressed, or harassed, working her socks off to tend to her kids more than herself. And then there’s the burly pile of bills and expenses to pay. And the laundry, the groceries, housekeeping, and more chores. Not to mention matters having to do with her job and herself personally. It’s basically because her responsibility mostly lies on taking care of her “kids” or “children”- persons who have not attained maturity- and therefore dependent on her. It’s tough enough for a single woman to handle her own issues- career, relationships, finances- what more for the single mother. Single motherhood is basically a womanly lot exacting several times over. There goes the single mother- the matriarchal “do-it-all” of today’s age. By all means, the single mother is expected to earn more, or else she HAS to. There might be financial support from the so-called father of her children, but at times it might not be enough. Single motherhood can be overwhelming at many points. As a single mother, you might get frazzled from time to time, wondering how you can handle your day-to-day undertakings, “insurmountable” as they may seem. Because of the charge expected of you, you might have the tendency to do, and to give- your time, your resources, your affection, your energy- to your kids. To the point that you may have forgotten yourself. That’s very heroic of a single mother indeed, but you ought to remember that the source of your kid’s strength and existence is YOU. More than being a single mother extending so much for them, you first have to take care of yourself. Off we go then to Single Motherhood survival 101. Your health is vital towards your functioning as a single mother to the optimum. So by all means, take care of your health. Keep to a healthy diet. You could be hurrying and scurrying most of the time. Your common compulsion could be to frequent fast food restos and drive thru’s. You may be able to skimp on your time, but this habit would end up more costly in the long run. Plus, health-wise, it is literally “unwise”. The proper food choices- fruits and veggies, whole grains and lean proteins can do so much in giving you energy and better focus. Not to mention that you’re setting a good example to your kids about healthy eating. Try finding easy-to-prepare home recipes, too. Taking health supplements can go a long way in the same manner. For resistance against illnesses and fighting stress. Be particular about your vitamin D and calcium nourishment. Fish oil supplements can aid you in boosting your womanly health concerns. Exercise, be on the move. Take time for a regular exercise regime. Going to the gym cuts both ways in terms of exercising, increasing your energy levels and socializing. And of course, in promoting your health and your figure. Most of all, have time and give time to yourself each day. Single “mother” that you are, you feel obliged to be a parent and you might forget you as a woman, as a person- with your own needs and wants. With so many things demanded of you, don’t forget to be kind to yourself. Slow down when you have to, relax, unwind, read a good book or call a good friend. Visit the salon for a make-over, paint your toenails, pamper yourself. Go out and have fun from time to time. Take care of you as a person, and you become a better woman and a better parent. And single motherhood would not feel like a lone enterprise anymore. About the author. Dr. Rose Windale is a successful Health & Wellness Coach who has been advising and coaching individuals for many years. Rose now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become truly healthy and happy. Mon, 26 Jan 2009 10:14:09 +0100 http://www.healthzine.org/Womens-health/morning-sickness http://www.healthzine.org/Womens-health/morning-sickness And so it goes that they say the joy of anticipation comes with pregnancy. But that remains to be merely one part of the pregnancy journey. A woman should well expect that along with the delightful expectation of having a baby is the inconvenience of the significant change. Not only in terms of her status, but on her body’s physiological processes in the same manner. Major physical and hormonal alterations take place within a woman’s body during pregnancy. Being so, certain discomforts would arise, especially during the initial stages. During the first few weeks, a woman more often feels irregularities, physically and even emotionally. A common early symptom of pregnancy is morning sickness. Termed as a “sickness” in itself, an expectant mother normally feels the peculiar uneasiness of the condition. Morning sickness is otherwise known as NVP- nausea vomiting of pregnancy. Deriving from the terminology, NVP is all about nausea and vomiting, a certain queasiness which others would even find distressing. Morning sickness manifestation generally differs from one woman to another. For some, no symptoms arise, for others tolerable and still there are those who find it very inconvenient. An expectant mother’s body, state of health and particular condition often determines the extent of morning sickness symptoms. Morning sickness symptoms are actually similar to those of flu symptoms. Frequent vomiting and fatigue can be accompanying discomforts. “Morning” sickness, as it is called, but it does not necessarily mean that it strikes during mornings. Any time of the day, or even the nighttime can be auspicious moments for morning sickness symptoms to arise. More than half, or even 95% of pregnant women are apt to experience NVP at one time during the whole gestation process. Symptoms of queasiness and vomiting may be drastic for some, for others not evident. NVP manifestations could rarely beset some expecting women, some more often, others more frequently. As with most conditions and illnesses, it is best that a woman gains knowledge about morning sickness, understanding the how’s and why’s of it. Only then can she understand better and consequently calm whatever anxieties and learn how to cope. Morning sickness, being one of the early pregnancy symptoms can alert a woman’s suspicion that she might be expecting. In such cases, she is encouraged to take a pregnancy test- to be certain. Pregnancy tests can be carried out at home through kits available at drug stores, or else a woman can go to the doctor’s clinic. Varied emotions often go with anticipating. For those welcoming a baby in their life, it can be a moment of much excitement. For those hesitant, concern and distress could be the primary response. Nevertheless, pregnancy elicits anxiety to certain degrees to the mother and other relations concerned. A woman who chooses to take responsibility for herself and her baby should opt to take necessary measures to ensure both their health. A medical professional’s expertise and supervision are best resorted to in this regard. Support of immediate and intimate relations would be helpful as well. Only then can the joy of anticipation be what it is supposed to be. A time when a new life is welcomed with much delight and promise. About the author. Dr. Rose Windale is a successful Health & Wellness Coach who has been advising and coaching individuals for many years. Rose now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become truly healthy and happy. Fri, 2 Jan 2009 05:37:54 +0100 http://www.healthzine.org/Womens-health/fishy-vaginal-odor http://www.healthzine.org/Womens-health/fishy-vaginal-odor Fishy vaginal odor—do you have it? Maybe you don’t. Or maybe you do but you’re not just aware of it. Maybe you’re not just aware of it because you’re already immune to your own smell. And it’s very embarrassing that you can smell other people’s odor but you can’t smell your own. Men don’t have to worry about this precisely because only women can have this problem. But women don’t openly talk about it because it’s either they think they don’t have it, or they’re too shy to ask about it. Check yourself again. You might already have fishy vaginal odor. To be sure, ask someone close to you, your family or friend, to tell you honestly if they have smelled something from you. Having this kind of problem is no joke because aside from being embarrassing, it is also not healthy. It means that something is wrong within you. There might be something wrong inside your body causing this odor. But don’t be nervous because the most common cause of fishy vaginal odor is improper hygiene. So if you have this kind of problem, or if you simply want to prevent it, proper hygiene is the best remedy. Always keep your body clean, especially your genital organ. Wash it two to three times, everyday. In washing it, use only mild soap or feminine wash and warm water. Choose the soap or feminine wash that you’re going to use. Always check on the ingredients because there might be some substances in them that could harm you. Know what harmful substances are used as ingredients in manufacturing soaps or feminine washes. Some substances that are known to cause allergy are alcohol, fragrances, colorant and mineral oils. If you see some of these substances in their ingredients, do not use them. They will only cause skin dryness or allergies which will make your fishy vaginal odor worst. Be sure also to wipe your vagina with fresh and clean cloth. Also important is to wear clean and comfortable panty everyday. Change it at least twice a day. Wear panties made of cotton instead of polyester or silk. Cotton helps keep you cool, while polyester makes you perspire, especially when the weather is hot. There are circumstances however when you can’t change your panty at least twice a day, so wear disposable panty liners. When it’s time to change your underwear but you can’t do so, you may just peel it off and change it with a new one. It is also best to use panty liners during those days when your feminine discharge is heavy. However, it is not also advisable that you wear panty liners all the time because it may also cause fungal infections especially if you do not change it as often as twice a day. Make it a habit to wipe your vagina with tissue paper after urinating. In this way, you’ll keep it dry to prevent bacteria from multiplying. So be sure that you always keep it clean and dry. It will also keep you feel fresh and comfortable everyday. So if you want to eliminate fishy vaginal odor, or if you just simply want to prevent it, always remember that proper hygiene is the best remedy. Follow this simple advice and smell fresh everyday. About the author. Dr. Rose Windale is a successful Health & Wellness Coach who has been advising and coaching individuals for many years. Rose now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become truly healthy and happy. Mon, 10 Nov 2008 06:33:26 +0100 http://www.healthzine.org/Womens-health/child-care http://www.healthzine.org/Womens-health/child-care A couple grows fond and affectionate of one another. They go out from time to time to get to know each other. Until the relationship grows and they would perhaps live together and enter into matrimony. In such a setting- starting a family- a major consideration is that of having children. Upon the consummation of marriage, a couple looks forward to having a baby in the coming months. Taking the child into the picture of a couple’s relationship can be planned, or otherwise. There are pregnancies which are well-anticipated, and there are those which happen accidentally. But either way, this raises the issue of parenthood and the significant responsibility it entails. And how significant is this responsibility- parenthood? Responsible parenthood starts with proper child care and upbringing. Child care is when the parents’ and their child’s journey towards growth begins. When does child care begin? Right from the moment it has been conceived and throughout the gestation period, parents have to consider that this is child care and upbringing to begin with, not only when the baby is born. From the moment the baby has been conceived, both its mother and father take responsibility. Because the being which is soon to be their child already has life from that instance, and has already come to be. The food the mother takes in while pregnant, the medical care she has gone through, these affect her baby. So she must be keen and wary. She is not only taking care of herself, but her baby as well. And when she harms herself, she must know- she harms her baby, too. Where does the father’s responsibility come in in such a situation? The father takes care of the mother, and when he does, he takes care of both his partner and his baby. All throughout the gestation period when the fetus is being molded, imprints into how it will be as a youngster and perhaps an adult takes place. So when parents want to bring up a well adjusted child and adult in the future, they ought to be mindful of giving due care and attention right from the pregnancy process. Upbringing is taken into the next level when the baby is delivered. It is when the mother becomes attentive to the hygiene she makes available to herself and her baby. The cleanliness of the environment where the baby is reared, or the home in general. These need to be given proper consideration. Down to the baths it is subjected to, and more importantly the nourishment it is given. Other than sustaining its health, nourishment plays a crucial role in brain development. The parents’ behavior is also vital in upbringing the youngster in their home. Children learn from their parents’ example and from what they are as persons more than what they verbally impose. The parents’ values and beliefs, and even their habits can easily be emulated by their children. Caring for and upbringing a child is more than feeding it, teaching it how to speak or walk or even sending it to school. It is even more than pampering or doting it. It is taking into account that a child is a person in itself, and the person that will be in the future depends on the care and upbringing it has gone through. Whether it will be well-adjusted or not. Or when it is unyielding to the so called “storms of living”. Or if as an adult it will be productive as an individual, or otherwise. To care for and bring up a child is to bearm it with the tools of being a total person. Parents can at least provide the basics until time and experience do their part of creating the child into the person it is meant to be. About the author. Dr. Rose Windale is a successful Health & Wellness Coach who has been advising and coaching individuals for many years. Rose now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become truly healthy and happy. Fri, 10 Oct 2008 05:14:33 +0200 http://www.healthzine.org/Womens-health/natural-women http://www.healthzine.org/Womens-health/natural-women Natural is what it is- what you see is what you get. In the dating arena, women like to put on facades. They want to appear as beautiful as they can to the point of smothering themselves with make-up. “Sexy” for them is to bare too much of their skin. To give off an air of confidence, they might feign it. To some extent, these whims might garner attention. For women who are out to have “fun” and are not taking dating seriously, that is. But for women who prefer to be given genuine attention, they might as well exude the same- an aura of genuineness, of being natural. There are men who find “dolled up” women attractive. But for a man to grow really fond of a woman, she would much rather put her guard down. To show herself for what it really is, to be natural. For women who want to take the dating game seriously, the idea of being natural may be the vital factor. In the normal, natural scheme of things, women want a lifelong companion. To be able to find one, required is a serious relationship with a potential partner. In a serious relationship, a man will be seeing a woman everyday. Be it at her best, or during “bad hair days”. Or when she is ill, unkempt and might even look her worst. Before a woman steps in the mirror, her partner sees her. To prevent these scenarios from getting complicated, a woman might as well do away with the facade. For most of the cases, men are inclined to grow fond of natural women. Men are especially atttacted to women who are comfortable and confident with being natural. Even when it comes to making up and enhancing beauty, the natural “feel” seems more appealing. A woman should look her best, but she should not be ashamed if a man catches her off guard. A man can find it charming to see her with a towel on her head, for instance. The point is for her to be comfortble and confident regardless of whether she is at her best or at her worst. When a man and a woman are at ease in such settings, the relationship can be promising. In the morning when waking up, a man can think it alluring to see a woman in her freshness. This is the man a woman wants to be affectionate of her, one who will consider her a lifelong partner. There is no need for her to impress him with airs or sparkles. He is attracted to her for being “her”, not for what she puts on. This is not to say that a woman no longer keeps up with herself. By all means, she has to keep herself well-kept and beautiful. This remains to be the basic principle. But by being beautiful, she has to keep herself natural most of the time. How a woman looks is one matter, how she carries herself is another. There are attractive women, but they may no longer be so if they are loud and needy. Beauty is not the only aspect men look for. More than anything, they find a womans personality charming. A woman who can smile through pain can be endearing. When she has no qualms telling a man that she is hurting, or that she is uncertain. Women who are refined and confident and are natural and genuine about it are those which men often find captivating. Putting on a show to attract is rather blatant and unattractive. But natural women who respect themselves garner the same from others. This is what men look for in a partner. Natural women who are self-assured and capable of handling themselves, their relationship and other matters of significance. About the author. Dr. Rose Windale is a successful Health & Wellness Coach who has been advising and coaching individuals for many years. Rose now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become truly healthy and happy. Mon, 8 Sep 2008 05:06:06 +0200 http://www.healthzine.org/Womens-health/dyspereunia http://www.healthzine.org/Womens-health/dyspereunia Sexual intercourse is generally a pleasant experience, or at least it should be. But there are times when it is not, and in fact it can be painful. Pain may be experienced by some people during or after having sex. This can happen to both men and women, but it more likely besets women. There is such thing as painful sexual intercourse, which is termed as dyspareunia. There are several causes of dyspareunia. Physical factors may cause pain during or after intercourse. And there is yet another deeply rooted cause which is psychological in nature. Dyspareunia could be experienced during sex, while for some, the pain is felt afterwards. In some cases, painful sexual intercourse takes place on both instances. What are the physical factors which may lead to this condition? Conditions or infections of the ovaries might do so. Certain sexual positions can cause painful sex to arise. Pain could also take place because of past surgeries which left scar tissues within the area. The bladder and the intestines, being closer to the vagina, can also be sources of pain during or after sex. What causes dyspareunia in men? Disorders such as irritation of penis skin can. This can stem from allergic reactions or rash. Physical abnormalities of the penis can be a factor too. Examples are tight foreskin or a bowed erection. If the testes or prostate gland is infected, then pain may arise when a man has sex. What are the symptoms of dyspareunia, or painful sexual intercourse? During intercourse, a sensation of aching, burning, tearing or ripping may be felt. Such a sensation is associated during penetration. For women experiencing this condition, pain might be felt at the vaginal opening, or at times deep in the pelvis. In some cases, it could be anywhere in between. These are among the physical causes of pain during or after sex. Psychological causes on the other hand are more deep seated. A person having negative feelings about sex may find the experience painful or unpleasant rather than the enjoyable experience that it is, or should be. In such a case, counseling should be a recourse for treatment. A person ought to be taught how to reframe their negative perception about sex. Couples therapy is also an option wherein communication between partners is improved, and problems related to sexual relationship are resolved. With regards to enhancement and better understanding of sexual relationship, sex therapy for couples would also be a helpful measure. Women suffering from dysparenia can use vaginal lubricant. This can reduce anxiety about possible pain during intercourse. A change in coital position may be recommended as well, with one admitting to less penetration. For people suffering from dyspareunia, it is best that they are informed of the possible causes of the condition. That way, they can be aware that such a condition exists, and they can acknowledge it. Only then can they seek treatment and appreciate the pleasure of the sexual experience. Prior sexual trauma can make sex an unpleasant experience for some people. So is tension, guilt or anxiety about sex. Depression is also a factor leading to disinterest or dislike towards sexual intercourse. Prior physical trauma to the vagina area may do so as well. Infections, female genital mutilation, vasocongestion and interstitial cystitis are some of the other possible causes. Dyspareunia is pain in so many ways- not only in the physical sense, but more so, emotionally. Where one can be at a loss or frustrated why something so beautiful ends up to be painful. About the author. Dr. Rose Windale is a successful Health & Wellness Coach who has been advising and coaching individuals for many years. Rose now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become truly healthy and happy. Mon, 14 Jul 2008 16:18:30 +0200 http://www.healthzine.org/Womens-health/getting-pregnant1 http://www.healthzine.org/Womens-health/getting-pregnant1 There seems to be something ironic when it comes to getting pregnant. In many cases, women who intentionally want to conceive have difficulty doing so, while women who don’t like getting pregnant easily get caught in the “predicament”. You might be one of those who think that now is finally the time to have a baby. You and your partner envision yourselves to be parents, and your house having kids running around soon. So you try all sorts of means to conceive. You become particular of your peak ovulation days, or you and your partner might have tried “conducive” positions when having sex. There just seems to be pressure on you. And that’s basically the point- you are pressured, and therefore are stressed. This is one of your blunders. When you and/or your partner are stressed when having sex, you reduce your chances of getting pregnant. The point is to enjoy and relax. Enjoy the moment of making love with your partner and you are more likely to get pregnant. Avoid stressing on which days you are ovulating and more fertile, or which positions would be good. Enjoying the pleasure of sex and relaxing will more likely allow a more favorable condition for conceiving. You also have to make sure that you are healthy. Certain conditions can prevent you from getting pregnant, or otherwise lessen your chances for it. Have your health checked and evaluated by the doctor. See if you are in good condition and are not beset by any illness or disease. Your partner ought to have a check up as well. If there be any condition which bothers you or your partner, then it better be addressed. That way, it will be all systems go to successful baby making. You and your partner will find that you are less stressed and having sex will be more fun. Eating well will also help. Certain foods will help increase your chances for conception. And of course, there are also foods that you have to avoid. For instance, you can try using olive oil when cooking rather than cooking oil. This will boost your chances of getting pregnant. There are foods which are good for a healthy pregnancy diet, and you can research on those. Then make a habit of consuming those foods. Include a healthy pregnancy diet into your health program. It’s a health measure which would greatly be helpful. Then exercise, which is beneficial in so many ways. Through regular exercise, you will be boosting your overall health. It means you will be fit and healthy, and your body will be in good condition- including for getting pregnant. Being physically active will enhance your body as a system. Your body will then function efficiently and its processes will work properly. It will respond better when you and your partner have sex and fertilization and conception can easily take place. It all goes down to ensuring that you are totally healthy. That is the foundation for your body to function the way it should. So by all means, strive to be at the peak of health. Getting pregnant is only the beginning of a journey in which there are more demands and rigors to contend with. About the author. Dr. Rose Windale is a successful Health & Wellness Coach who has been advising and coaching individuals for many years. Rose now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become truly healthy and happy. Wed, 18 Jun 2008 06:00:00 +0200 http://www.healthzine.org/Womens-health/infertility-treatment http://www.healthzine.org/Womens-health/infertility-treatment Most couples would want having a baby. Doing so can take the relationship to the next level. But conceiving may not come so easy for a woman, especially if fertility issues get in the way. Infertility affects a large number of women and men as well. Infertility is treatable for many cases, and there are many infertility treatment options that a couple can resort to. Surgery and medications are two of them, but there are those who may find them risky. For one thing, they could have possible side effects. Many people opt for natural treatments, even when it comes to infertility treatment. But is there such thing as a natural infertility treatment? Others may think that this kind of remedy involves complex methods. Well in some cases, natural healing methods for infertility would take time and meticulous effort on the couple and the health care provider. And then there is also a form of natural infertility treatment which is straightforward and yet can be effective. This is through vitamin and mineral supplements. Medical experts say that when a man and a woman produce healthy sperm and egg cells, they have more chances of conceiving. When the couple is both healthy, then they have a better chance for setting the environment towards a healthy conception. So it would make sense that taking vitamin and mineral supplements could help boost fertility. Various and certain vitamins and minerals aid in promoting better fertility for men and women. When they are taken in increased levels, they could be an effective natural infertility treatment. A man may look healthy, but then, his reproductive processes might not be working properly. Or a woman may look like she’s not ill at all, but she could be lacking vitamins and minerals which would increases her odds of getting pregnant. If the bodily conditions of a man and a woman aren’t well, then fertility issues can become a problem. A healthy diet has its advantages, but it will not be able to provide all the needed nutrients for total health, or for boosting fertility. Supplements are made to augment the diet, and together they can be a more potent health measure. Women trying to conceive have to take additional nutrients so that they can succeed in the effort. There are certain kinds of vitamins and minerals for this purpose and they should be taken in suggested dosages to become effective. These vitamins and minerals can serve to be natural infertility treatments while promoting better health along the way. Some couples might be skeptical of conventional treatments and they believe in natural methods instead. It all goes down to choice and principle. Whatever options the couple wants to take, they have to ensure that the risks and success rates are discussed with their healthcare provider. Safety has to also be considered, and the possible long term effects, if any. For fertility treatments, there are conventional approaches as well as alternative options, or a combination of both can be used. A couple must gain thorough information about the possible options for them to be able to make their best personal choice. About the author. Dr. Rose Windale is a successful Health & Wellness Coach who has been advising and coaching individuals for many years. Rose now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become truly healthy and happy. Fri, 23 May 2008 15:07:59 +0200 http://www.healthzine.org/Womens-health/menstruation http://www.healthzine.org/Womens-health/menstruation During adolescence in a girl’s life, a natural phenomenon called “menstruation” happens. With such an occurrence, the onset of puberty takes place. In all physiological, physical and psychological aspects, females go through changes during this stage. Menstruation is generally a normal reproductive cycle for females. It lasts for approximately 3 to 5 days and occurs after a length of 28 days in the regular span. Unpleasant symptoms may go with the onset of menstruation. To others, these symptoms may be mild or moderate yet to some they can be rather troublesome. Among these symptoms are breast tenderness, abdominal pain, depression, migraine and cramps. These symptoms are common for most females and others may even experience more. These symptoms however last for only a few days after which they begin to subside. Menstruation is a natural process for the female reproductive and physiological make-up. It is a means of purifying and cleansing the body of excess wastes and toxins. The menstrual cycle often varies from woman to woman. For some women, normal menstrual cycles are experienced, while for others, there could be irregularities. The whole menstrual process depicts a reproductive capacity for females. This phenomenon, as said, starts during puberty and is a normal cycle and process until the period of menopause. And what is menopause, on the other hand? Menopause is that stage in a woman’s life when there is stoppage and cessation of menstruation. In the normal basis, the menopausal transition takes place in women by the age of 45. It is also the time when fertility period for females begins to cease. Menstruation causes a major course of change in a girl’s life. It’s that transition which turns a girl into a woman. A passage, so to speak, into another stage of feminine being and functioning. It enables a girl to develop her fertility prospect. The regular term for such an occurrence is actually the “menses”. It’s a Greek terminology referring to the cycle of the moon. This lunar cycle around the earth takes around 28 days, and on this basis, the term “menstruation” was derived. This reflects the periodic cycle occurring every 28 days in a woman’s life. This cycle is a regular bleeding process. Blood generally flows out of the uterus which is connected to the cervix. It then continues through certain small openings in the vagina. During this process, different parts of the body are involved. Among them are the brain, the pituitary glands, the fallopian tubes, cervix, uterus, ovaries and the vagina. There is a rise and fall in a womans hormones during her menstrual period. Thus, many aspects of her are affected. Physically, psychologically and emotionally, a woman may experience changes, or even irregularities. But nevertheless, menstruation is an anticipated event. It is the mark of a woman’s feminine and reproductive process and make-up. Whatever irregularities and abnormalities there are in this process should be rendered medical attention. After all, it has so much to do with a woman’s health, functioning and well-being. Being a woman entails effort and being conscientious about tending to her reproductive processes and health. About the author. Dr. Rose Windale is a successful Health & Wellness Coach who has been advising and coaching individuals for many years. Rose now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become truly healthy and happy. Mon, 5 May 2008 06:00:07 +0200 http://www.healthzine.org/Womens-health/hormone-replacement-therapy http://www.healthzine.org/Womens-health/hormone-replacement-therapy Menopause is a time of significant biological and physiological changes for a woman. In some cases, it can be in fact perplexing. Symptoms of menopause can range from being mildly bothersome to disturbing. Night sweats and anxiety for instance- they are rather uncomfortable. A woman may even suffer from panic attacks. These are only to mention a few of the discomforting menopause symptoms. To alleviate such symptoms, some women may consider hormone replacement therapy. Through hormone replacement therapy, menopause symptoms are treated through synthetic hormones. Such measure of treatment has advantages and disadvantages, both long term and short term. Vaginal gels, oral pills, patches and injections are some of the means in which hormone replacement therapy is employed. A few weeks or so after having HRT, some women reported having their menopausal symptoms occur less frequently. Some in fact claim that they are able to feel a sense of well-being. Vaginal dryness, panic attacks, night sweats, migraines and headaches due to menopause were reduced. The benefits of hormone replacement therapy can likewise be long term. Through the therapy, a woman may have decreased chances of developing osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease and age-related macular degeneration. Disadvantages of this treatment are short term and long term as well. Side effects may occur while undergoing hormone replacement therapy. Some of them are headaches, nausea, fluid retention and excessive vaginal discharge. Weight gain has also been reported, although it is not necessarily the hormones which cause this. But rather, the metabolism is slowed down resulting to this side effect. As for the long term effects, they can be risks to some forms of breast cancer and endometrial cancer. More studies are being yet conducted concerning this issue. In some cases, women are being talked out of going through HRT. Those who have unexplained vaginal bleeding are not advised on having hormone replacement therapy. The same can be said with women who have history of endometrial cancer. Women who are suspected to have breast cancer or have a history of it are also discouraged. Other cases where HRT are not advisable are for women with chronic liver disease. The same goes for those with history of blood clots of strokes. A medical expert is in the best position to assess and determine whether hormone replacement therapy is appropriate. Symptoms of menopause can indeed be bothersome, and so proper treatment is oftentimes entailed. A natural supplement can also be taken to deal with the discomforts of menopause. A proven product of this sort is available in the Healthzine.org store. The product is Menozac which is safe, natural and proven effective. As Menozac is made up of organic and herbal ingredients, there is less likely to have side effects while taking it. Dealing with the symptoms of menopause need not be costly or inconvenient. With Menozac, menopausal discomforts are addressed through natural means. Along with a healthy lifestyle and the doctor’s permission, a good quality of life can still be enjoyed with the right product and treatment. It takes making the right decision with the guidance of an expert and the initiative to comply and cope which can make menopause less troublesome. About the author. Dr. Rose Windale is a successful Health & Wellness Coach who has been advising and coaching individuals for many years. Rose now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become truly healthy and happy. Tue, 15 Apr 2008 09:31:22 +0200 http://www.healthzine.org/Womens-health/amenorrhea http://www.healthzine.org/Womens-health/amenorrhea Women have a distinctive reproductive process and feature, thus there a conditions and diseases which are limited to them alone. When a woman is of reproductive age, she ought to be mindful of living a healthy lifestyle. This is a crucial means for her to enjoy well-being and good health. It is then that health and pregnancy problems would be prevented later on when she wants to conceive. And when conditions related to her reproductive functioning would occur, medical attention has to be sought. Among such conditions may be amenorrhea. Simply put, amenorrhea is the absence of monthly periods, or the menstrual period. The menstrual period is a unique characteristic of women. It’s a sign of good reproductive health and general health all in all when menstrual periods are regular. But what if a woman misses her period, or when amenorrhea occurs. It could be an indication of pregnancy, or perhaps a certain health issue. Primarily, there are two kinds of amenorrhea- primary and secondary. The condition is said to be of the primary sort when a young girl has not yet have her period by the age of 16. As for secondary amenorrhea, it happens when a woman has regular monthly periods, and then it stopped for at least three months. Pregnancy is included in such cases. Having regular periods is an indication of overall good health. If a period is missed, then there might be underlying issues, or perhaps pregnancy. When a woman misses her monthly period, they ought to seek medical attention. She should inform her healthcare provider. That way, health assessments and evaluations would be made to determine the cause. Amenorrhea in itself is not a disease. Rather, it is a symptom of another underlying disease or condition. A healthcare professional’s attention is needed in this sense for a proper diagnosis and treatment. Other symptoms may occur with missed periods. They may be headaches, hair loss or excess facial hair and vision problems. What are the possible causes of primary amenorrhea? Some conditions and factors which may lead to the condition are moderate or excessive exercise, extreme physical or psychological stress and eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa. The same could be said with chromosomal and genetic abnormalities, and hypothalamic and pituitary diseases and physical problems. What about secondary amenorrhea- what are possible factors leading to it? Primarily, there is pregnancy. Certain contraceptives may cause it as well. Breastfeeding can also be a factor causing a missed period/periods. If a woman goes through mental stress, amenorrhea can manifest. The same can be said with low body weight, hormonal problems and certain medications. Premature ovarian failure can contribute to the condition as well. What of the effective treatments for amenorrhea? Applying an effective treatment would often entail having determined the underlying cause. Once the true, underlying cause has been ascertained, then an effective treatment could be applied. If the factors causing amenorrhea are physical activity, weight and stress issues, then lifestyle changes might be recommended. Certain medications and contraceptives can be used as well for treatment of amenorrhea. About the author. Dr. Rose Windale is a successful Health & Wellness Coach who has been advising and coaching individuals for many years. Rose now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become truly healthy and happy. Thu, 27 Mar 2008 05:34:52 +0100 http://www.healthzine.org/Womens-health/symptoms-of-menopause http://www.healthzine.org/Womens-health/symptoms-of-menopause During the menopausal transition, a woman generally experiences hormonal fluctuations. Such changes often cause the onset of symptoms of menopause. Symptoms of menopause often vary from woman to woman. For some, they could be mild, for others severe. And there are women who may not experience any symptoms at all. Factors contributing to these are often one’s state of health and differences in physical and physiological make up. And also individual differences. Due to this, some women might find menopause a difficult transition, while for others it’s smooth sailing. But what are the possible symptoms of menopause and what causes them? How can a woman learn to deal with them? Menopause is a normal physiological process- a woman’s transition from being reproductive to non-reproductive. As it is normal, it has to be anticipated- it’s bound to happen. One can then only be prepared for the symptoms of menopause. There are women who experience symptoms only during the menopausal transition. For others, the symptoms have to be dealt with for the rest of their lives. This period of transition entails some discomfort and difficulties to overcome. After all, it does not only have to do with the reproductive system, but to other body parts as well. Hormonal changes can affect the brain and the skin as well. Red hot flashes may appear on the skin, and at nighttime there are periods of night sweats. These can be attributed to decreased levels of estrogen in the body. Menstrual irregularities as well are among the manifestations. A menopausal woman might also begin to have diminished sex drive, or changes might occur in this aspect. Throughout the transition period, the entire body might be affected. As a consequence, one might sometimes or oftentimes feel exhaustion or fatigue. Again, this could be due to estrogen level fluctuations or sleep disturbances which are accompanying symptoms of menopause. Mental states might be affected by this transition as one may experience an inability to concentrate and loss of memory. Mental confusion might even occur. Experts say that again, these may be due to hormonal alterations, or perhaps medications given for treatment of the menopausal condition. Menopause and its symptoms affect every woman differently. A medical proffessional’s care may be best resorted to during this period. It is then that discomforts and difficulties may be alleviated or relieved, and whatever irregularities there are can be addressed. A woman ought to gain thorough information and knowledge on this anticipated event. That way, she can acknowledge that she needs to cope. Knowing the symptoms can make her aware that it’s a normal process, thus, there could be lesser anxiety. She should also gain awareness of how long menopause can possibly last and what the viable cures and treatments are. Being aware and informed can go a long way towards coping and addressing a condition, not only the menopausal period. It is then that one can look for measures and means for treatment, and the condition may become less disturbing. In most cases, a skilled medical professional’s guidance is essential in matters concerning health and conditions, one of which is menopause. Only then can well-being be ensured and a good quality of life can still be enjoyed. About the author. Dr. Rose Windale is a successful Health & Wellness Coach who has been advising and coaching individuals for many years. Rose now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become truly healthy and happy. Mon, 10 Mar 2008 05:31:29 +0100 http://www.healthzine.org/Womens-health/getting-pregnant http://www.healthzine.org/Womens-health/getting-pregnant In most cases, a couple would want to have a baby. Having a child can take the couple’s relationship to a next level. It can strengthen their bond and commitment with more responsibilities to focus on. And most of these couples think that this can come so easy- having a baby. Primarily, the woman has to get pregnant first. What can be a better way for getting pregnant than to have sex, right? And sexual intercourse is most often a pleasurable experience. For a woman to get pregnant, she needs to have sex with her partner. Plain and simple as it is. But this may not necessarily be the case for many. Getting pregnant can be tough in some cases. Most women think that they can conceive after a month of getting off the pill, but for some, this can take a year or so. Certain conditions can get in the way of the woman conceiving, so it could take time. For one thing, the couple may not be having sex at the right time. That is, the woman may not be at the peak of her ovulation cycle. When this happens, the man’s sperm will not be able to fertilize an egg cell from his partner. Therefore, a couple ought to have sex when the woman is at the peak of her ovulation cycle. For most women, menstrual cycle comes every 28 days. Peak ovulation cycle at this point is 14 days. How can the ovulation cycle be determined? A good suggestion would be through an ovulation cycle kit. This would help chart the woman’s body temperature and fertility. Charting such conditions is the key to getting pregnant. Others may think otherwise, but having sex all the time is not a good idea for getting pregnant. Doing so actually lessens a man’s sperm count, thus, this would lessen the chances of his sperm fertilizing an egg cell. A good idea is to rather have sex three times a week during the woman’s peak ovulation cycle. The best chance for conceiving is in fact to have intercourse a couple of days before, after and during this period. The key here is about spacing which increases the likelihood of pregnancy. But most couples don’t have a thorough understanding of ovulation cycles. Non-scientifically though, they can try having sex every other day of the month. This would increase the man’s sperm count. This way, a man and his partner have more odds to have their dream baby. When a woman is healthy, chances are she would conceive within a period of a year. But so many women actually have to deal with fertility issues. Other conditions may also get in the way of getting pregnant, such as stress. A woman being so stressed can affect how the release of her egg cell. It would be better for couples wanting to have a child to set aside a time for themselves in order for conception to take place. They should also make means to have themselves informed and educated about the matter. After all, having a baby is a major, life changing issue in a relationship. And when it is planned and anticipated, it is often for good. About the author. Dr. Rose Windale is a successful Health & Wellness Coach who has been advising and coaching individuals for many years. Rose now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become truly healthy and happy. Fri, 15 Feb 2008 09:26:51 +0100 http://www.healthzine.org/Womens-health/menopause-symptoms2 http://www.healthzine.org/Womens-health/menopause-symptoms2 Menopause and menopause symptoms are among the major issues concerning women’s health. But how much of menopause do women really know? The menopausal stage can quite be bothersome. To some women, it may even be distressing. It is only imperative then that women gain thorough information about menopause. And especially dealing with menopause symptoms. That way, they are able to cope with menopause and remedy the accompanying menopause symptoms. Menopause then would become less of a discomfort, and cause of distress can be addressed. But what really is this phase called “menopause” among women? Menopause by all means means “cessation of menstruation”. Menopause generally occurs among women by the age of 50 or so. When a woman ceases to have her menstruation for a year, then she is said to be going through menopause. She may also be experiencing menopause symptoms. When a woman has stopped having her periods, it indicates that she is no longer fertile. This is primary among the menopause symptoms. Cessation of menstruation generally occurs during menopause, or it can be years earlier. Early cessation of menstruation however may be due to other factors. They can be loss of a woman’s ovaries due to an illness or injury. Some women though are menopausal at the age of 40. As early as that age, they may go through significant menopause symptoms. When this occurs, it is called premature menopause, and it happens to around 1% of women. In general though, the term “menopause” is used to describe the period which leads to the actual menopause. And what of menopause symptoms? Women ought to gain comprehensive knowledge of them. More so in dealing with the discomfort of menopause symptoms. Menopause symptoms generally vary, and it may have different manifestations among different women. After all, each woman is basically unique. Some women may not experience any menopause symptoms other than irregular periods. Others may begin to suffer from hot flashes and night sweats. Still, onset of other menopause symptoms can occur such as vaginal dryness, mood swings and difficulty sleeping. Some women, they may experience bladder control problems. Furthermore, menopause symptoms such as irritability, fatigue, depression, headaches, muscle and joint pains and heart palpitations can be significantly bothersome. Menopause can also cause some women to have decreased sex drive. They may begin to feel less easily aroused or less sensitive. Sex may become less enjoyable for them, and it may even be painful. These can be due to vaginal dryness or because the vaginal wall is thinning. Still though, some women may enjoy sex more during menopause. This can be owing to the fact that there are no longer any pregnancy concerns. As it had been said, each woman is unique. And the experience of menopause and its symptoms do vary. What is it that causes the symptoms of menopause to manifest? Primarily it is because of decreased levels of the female hormone called estrogen. Each woman is born with a limited number of egg cells in her ovaries, and during menopause, this number is depleting. Consequently, estrogen and other hormones produced by the ovaries also diminish. It is then that menopause and its symptoms occur. Hormone replacement therapy is by far the most common recourse for menopause and its symptoms. Other alternative means are also available and they can be equally effective. About the author. Dr. Rose Windale is a successful Health & Wellness Coach who has been advising and coaching individuals for many years. Rose now decided to share her knowledge through this site, Healthzine.org. You can sign up for her free weekly newsletter and learn how to become truly healthy and happy.