There are two classifications of dysmenorrhea; the primary dysmenorrhea related to structural or functional disorder in the reproductive system. This type requires no management except pain management.

On the other hand, secondary dysmenorrhea is associated with underlying diseases like: endometriosis, leiomyoma, adenomyosis, ovarian cyst, pelvic inflammatory disease and presence of tumor or mass in the uterus.

The pain of dysmenorrhea is described as sharp throbbing pain that is located in the lower abdomen that may radiate to the sides of the pelvic area, the thighs and lower back. It may also be accompanied by nausea and vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, headache and dizziness, disorientation, hypersensitivity to noise, light, smell and touch, fainting spells, over fatigue and irregular menstruation.

The first thing to do is to make a record of your menstruation cycle for the next three months, if the pain persists during this period you have to visit your gynecologist for proper assessment and evaluation. Treatment management may require you to take hormonal pills and pain relievers.

To manage the pain at home, here are the things you can do to lessen if not totally relieve it:

1.  Have enough bed rest and sleep to decrease your stress level, your stress may aggravate the pain.

2.  You may take a warm bath to sooth and relax your muscles or simply apply warm compress for 10 to 15 minutes over the pelvic area.

3. Have a regular exercise program especially if you know your period is near. Exercise promotes blood circulation that can relieve pain.

4. A self massage in the area of the abdomen may also be done.

5. An aromatherapy may also be relaxing.

In some cases where severe bleeding is controlled, surgery may be the management option. A hysterectomy (removal of the uterus) may be performed to prevent severe blood loss that can lead to anemia.

So, it isn’t just drugs and treatments that could impact the cholesterol count of women, but even their own bio rhythms as manifested through the menstrual cycle, can cause cholesterol to go up or down. And this intra month variation could be as much as 19%.

In the study, women of child bearing age were checked to measure their cholesterol levels 14 times in two months. In one month, the average variation in measurement of cholesterol levels was 19 percent.

When estrogen levels rose, so did the levels of good cholesterol or HDL – HDL was highest during ovulation. Also a corresponding fall in LDL or bad cholesterol was seen with rising estrogen levels. So when a reading was taken two weeks later, or when estrogen levels were lowest, the cholesterol reading was very different.

So, hormone levels and time of month are aspects that are important to factor into a cholesterol reading, to get a more accurate idea of a woman’s actual cholesterol levels.

That’s too much trash added to our growing concern in saving mother earth. What if you are given a choice to help decrease that number by using the menstrual cup, will it work for you? Let us make a review.

The menstrual cup is a cup inserted into the vagina and is used to collect the menstrual flow instead of sanitary pads and tampons. Some women find its use acceptable and convenient, but some find it messy to manage.

There are two types of the menstrual cup; one is made of a silicon material that can be used and re-washed for a period of 5 to 10 years and the other one is disposable.

Menstrual cups are generally safe to use and so far have no health risks recorded, although a study is being conducted on the likelihood of the mooncup to increase the possibility of developing endometriosis, adenomyosis and toxic shock syndrome. The University of Columbia is also conducting a study comparing the satisfaction rate between tampons and the menstrual cup.

There are a number of health benefits in the use of the menstrual cup, which includes the following:

1. Economic reasons, the menstrual cup may be a little expensive compared to tampons but will last you for the next 5 to 10 years depending on the brand.

2. It is environmental friendly, it only disposes of blood unlike sanitary pads and tampons that make use of cotton and plastic materials that are very harmful to the environment.

3.  It is very portable and lightweight when traveling. Some women however may need to wear extra protection from sanitary pads especially during days of heavy flow.

4.  It gives more comfort compared to the bulky and damp feeling from pads and the strings from tampons. It may even be worn before menstruation flow begins especially for women who have irregular cycles.

5. There have been no reported cases of toxic shock syndrome making it low in terms of health risk.

6.  It is very convenient and makes visit to the restroom less often than with the use of sanitary napkins and pads.

Having learned the benefits of the mooncup, it is time to try one and see for yourself.

The menstrual cycle has 4 phases:

1. The menstrual phase begins with your day 1 of menstruation. This is when the hormones estrogen and progesterone temporarily stops production which signals the brain that there was no pregnancy.

Absence of pregnancy triggers the brain to begin production of the follicle stimulating hormone (FSH).

2. The proliferative phase also called Estrogen phase starts with the increase in FSH that help in the maturation of the ovum or egg cell and thickening of the endometrial layer of the uterus.

Once the ovum is mature it begins to secrete estrogen, then another signal is sent to the brain halting FSH production which therefore initiates the luteinizing hormone (LH).

3. The secretory phase also called progesterone phase begins with the increase in LH that aids in the release of the mature ovum, ready for fertilization. Once the ovum is released from the ovary it leaves a structure called corpus luteum that secretes progesterone which is as important as estrogen in the anticipated pregnancy.

The ovum will live for 24 to 36 hours to wait for possible sperm fertilization. If ovum and sperm union is successful the cycle will continue in this stage followed by the fetal development for a period of 9 months.

This phase marks the start of your pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) where you will feel nauseated, irritated, breast swelling and craving for foods.

4. If pregnancy however is not successful the ovum will die and the corpus luteum degenarates and marks the pre-menstrual phase. All the hormones will drop and temporarily stop production which is associated with the PMS manifestations of mood swing and minor depression.

The endometrial layer of your uterus will start to shed; this gives you the cramps and feelings of being bloated and abdominal pain. Once this phase is complete it will begin another cycle marked by another menstrual bleeding.

So if you want to know the safe period not to have a pregnancy, that is the pre-menstrual phase and if you and your partner are seriously considering having a baby the target phase is the secretory phase. This ruling however is assuming that you have a regular cycle meaning your menstrual flow begins after the same number of days.

When menstrual periods were regular before and stop currently, it is known as Secondary Amenorrhea and may be accompanied by excessive hair growth (particularly on the face and torso), milky discharge from breasts, headaches and reduced peripheral vision. There could be several causes for secondary amenorrhea and consequent other symptoms:

• Mental stress could sometimes be responsible for loss of periods.
• Certain medications and birth control (contraceptive) pills can sometimes interfere with the proper functioning of the reproductive organs resulting in amenorrhea.
• Excessive exercising, or malnutrition, or an eating disorder or very low body weight resulting from any other reason could also be responsible for an absence of periods.
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a common cause for Amenorrhea. The production of estrogen and androgen are disrupted, which can lead to other symptoms such as obesity and acne as well.
• Premature Ovarian insufficiency or early menopause could be caused by genetic factors or autoimmune disorders which may also cause irregular periods or amenorrhea.
• Sometimes it is glandular problems such as Thyroid (most commonly Hypothyroidism) that causes lack of periods.

You go through the same routine, month in and month out, of using disposable pads, tampons, panty liners, and the like. But did you know that you may be harming your health every time you use one of these products? Find out how to protect yourself and produce less waste each month now!

1. Avoid Chlorine Bleach

Perhaps the most concerning characteristic of traditional tampons is that they are made with cotton and/or wood pulp that’s whitened using chlorine bleach.

This chemical creates dioxins, which are known carcinogens, and so there is much concern that traditional tampons could be contributing to higher than normal levels of cervical cancer in women as the cotton comes in contact with the most absorbent tissue in your body.

2. Stay Away From Agricultural Toxins

Not only that, but conventionally-grown cotton is sprayed with billions of dollars worth of agricultural chemicals, many of which have been linked to human health problems.

You don’t want to have those nasties near your pretties, do you?

3. Go Chlorine-Free

Keep your sensitive parts free from chlorine bleach by choosing feminine hygiene products made either with unbleached ingredients, or with chlorine-free whitening methods.

Though your products may not be the white-as-snow you’re used to, know that they’re more natural, and therefore safer for your body and the environment.

4. Choose USDA Certified Organic

To protect against agricultural chemicals, choose tampons and pads that are made with USDA-Certified Organic materials.

Some options include Natracare, Organic Essentials, and Seventh Generation.

5. Stop Your Monthly Trash Production

But your health isn’t the only thing you’ll want to consider when looking for better feminine products for your monthly joy-ride. You’ll also want to consider the garbage factor!

Americans throw away 1.4 million pads, 700,000 pantyliners, and 2.5 million tampons every single day! That’s a lot of cotton, wood pulp, and plastic.

6. Use Cloth Menstrual Pads

You can do your party by choosing reusable cloth menstrual pads—use ‘em, wash’em, and start again the next month!

You can get them in a variety of fun patterns and colors, and since they’ll last you five years or more, you’re bound to save more than $250 over the life of your reusable pads. Try Sckoon,  WeMoon, Lunapads, or GladRags.

7. Try A Reusable Menstrual Cup

Though this is probably not something you’ve ever considered, the reusable menstrual cup is gaining popularity as both a healthier, greener way to catch your menstrual flow. These cups are made of either natural rubber or medical grade silicone, so they’re completely safe to use.

Simply rinse and reuse for your entire menstrual cycle, wash with soapy water, and store until next month. They last 7-10 years and can save you upwards of $800 over their lifetimes! There are several now available: mpowercup, yuuki, lunnette, Diva Cup, The Keeper, MeLuna, LadyCup, Green Donna, Fleur Cup, Femmecup.

8. Experiment With Natural Sea Sponges

If you really want to be adventurous with your period, try out a natural sea sponge. Harvested from the ocean, these sponges will absorb your flow and can be reused so they cut down on waste (though they won’t last as long as a reusable menstrual cup).

They are also very comfortable. The only hitch is that there is no way to assure that your sponges have been harvested sustainably, so if you’re concerned about ocean health, this may not be the best choice for you. Choose a Jade & Pearl or Sea Pearls.

The disposable menstrual cup is usually made of polythene and looks like a contraceptive diaphragm with a diameter of about 3 inches.

The reusable menstrual cup is in the shape of an inverted bell and is usually made from silicone, rubber or thermoplastic elastometer and is usually about two inches long. Though some brands advise yearly replacing, others may be used and reused for up to 10 years.

Some of the plusses of using menstrual cups are:

• They can collect up to three times the amount of blood and clots that a tampon would be able to. If a woman has endometriosis or heavy periods, this is more suitable than tampons.
• A lot of waste is created when women use tampons or sanitary towels. On the other hand when you use reusable menstrual cups, they do not create waste of an estimated 11,000 isposable pads or tampons that the average woman will use in the course of her reproductive life. Disposable pads and tampons may cause drain blockages and ecological problems for marine life and may also not be biodegradable.
• A reusable menstrual cup may be cost effective, since it does not require repeated purchase.
• Menstrual cups also do not rob the vaginal area of essential moisture the way tampons do.
• Many types can be worn even during intercourse
• Some types help to ease period pain since they sit lower in the vagina than tampons and collect rather than absorb the discharge.
• The stem at the bottom of the cup ensures that it can be accommodated to different lengths of vaginas.

Some of the minuses of using menstrual cups are:

• They could be difficult to insert and remove. Like tampons, they can take time for a woman to get used to, and before that it may be uncomfortable and strange.
• It may seem a rather large item to insert into the vagina and could appear intimidating to many women.
• They are also likely to be messier to remove than tampons. It may be necessary to squat to remove before reinserting.
• They could be embarrassing to use in public toilets because it needs to be rinsed before being inserted again.

Photo Credit: squiddles

Why it is important to track your periods?

• Predictability: Once you start to track your periods you can find out the length of your menstrual cycle and the duration of the actual bleeding. This way you know when your last period was and when your next one will be arriving. Also this will tell you if you are regular or irregular so that if you are irregular you know to carry out appropriate investigations to rule out possible problems.
• To identify health issues: Irregular or infrequent periods or those that are too frequent and heavy could be the sign of a problem. Tracking your period will help give you advanced warning of a problem. Particularly, if changes in regular cycles are noted, they could be the indication of something being amiss, so that one can take swift corrective action if required. If you miss a cycle or two but are not pregnant it is imperative to find out what is the cause of this.
• Marriage, a vacation: When you are planning any event of some importance you may want o be sure you are not menstruating at that time. You can plan around the event so that your period does not coincide. You can confirm or negate dates by looking at your record.
• If you are looking to get pregnant: If you are clear about your dates and cycles, you know when you are going to ovulate and what the best time for conception is. Conversely if you are looking not to get pregnant, then also you need to know your ovulation dates. Also you know about an unplanned pregnancy if your period is late.
• Your doctor needs to know: Even if you don’t find it useful to make and keep a detailed chart, your doctor may. There are several assumptions and diagnostic decisions he can make based on a period chart.

How to keep track of your periods?

• If you are a systematic and methodical person, it makes sense to have an excel sheet to track your periods over several years. Details such as date and time that a period started, its duration and the length of the cycles along with the number of days between periods should all be included. You can also keep track of a pregnancy: the day that you missed your period, the length of your post delivery period, and the date that you resumed having your normal periods.
• If you cannot go into all this trouble, just keep in your wallet a pocket calendar, and mark with an X the date that you get your period. File away the old ones so you have a complete record.

However, when you talk about soy as a way to combat menstrual pain and discomfort there happens to be conflicting views about this: while there is one view that swears by soy as a way to resolve the problem of painful periods, the contrary view states that soy may actually exacerbate the symptoms.

Soy contains Phytoestrogens, which occur naturally in several plants and which mimic estrogen in a woman’s body.

While there is one view that says the phytoestrogens are weak estrogens that do not contribute to menstrual cramps, there is another contrary view that says that phytoestrogens actually worsen cramps and contribute to hormone imbalances in women as well as men. To be sure, there have been studies to bear out both points of view.

Anecdotal evidence is also available, from women, some of whom report a relief in their symptoms of painful periods and others who experience a worsening.

The reasons offered from soy being able to aid in relieving period cramps is that it contains magnesium, which is known to be a muscle relaxant and an effective aid for blood circulation. Soy is also thought to be a good source of dietary fiber which helps in easing the digestive process and reduce bloating and constipation.

Consequently, the symptoms of painful periods may be soothed. Another reason why soy could be said to be good for menstrual pain is that it contains Omega 3 fatty acids, which are natural anti inflammatory agents for the body and which can therefore ease menstrual cramping.

Of course, soy is not the only significant source of magnesium, dietary fiber or Omega 3 and these nutrients can be derived from a lot of other produce.

A problem with soy and soy products according to the nay-sayers is that the soy beans that are used to make soy products such as soy milk and tofu are made from genetically modified produce, so that their much touted health benefits are questionable.

Further, the manufacturing processes used and the additives and preservatives added in that process do render some of those health benefits negligible.

So based on the evidence available, we can conclude that if we choose good quality soy products that are responsibly produced, then we can only benefit from them, and that they are not likely (except for a small minority) to actually cause any adverse effects.

This could be for a number of reasons; such as that you are planning to take a trip somewhere, there is an important occasion for which you want to be unencumbered by your period, or your wedding date was set months in advance but now it’s getting near it may clash with your period etc.

You may even have an important exam, athletic event or similar reason you may want some delay of your period.

In these or a number of other cases, you may be in a position of wanting to delay your period so it is important to understand how one can safely do so.

Firstly it is important to understand that delaying your period is not a recommended activity; this is not something you should do routinely or unless it is really important for you to do so. Also a regular and predictable cycle is something that has its own practical benefits, which one needs to remember.

There is one view that natural remedies will help you with delaying your period, but there is no conclusive evidence to support this claim that changes in diet can help with this. There is anecdotal evidence that parsley tea could help induce ones menstruation, or that eating certain spicy foods could do the same.

It is also suggested that one hold off eating these items to delay getting your period. Stress or starvation can also delay periods which are of course not at all recommended.

Also, these methods are highly unreliable; there is no way you can be certain that they will work, nor is it clear how effective they will be for how long.

The only really dependable way of delaying your period is through the use of birth control pills. This can be done by using the usual 28 day cycle birth control pills, by either starting them mid cycle or consuming the pills for longer than the 21 days. This however should always be done under medical supervision so if you are planning on delaying your period by this method, be sure to speak to a doctor about how to go about it.

There is also available a 91-day oral contraceptive regimen designed to give you only four periods a year wherein active pills are taken for 84 days followed by getting your period.

There is also available a low-dose extended-use combined oral contraceptive which will give you no period for a year. If you decide on any of these methods for delaying your period, be sure to speak to a medical practitioner for advice before starting.