Our commentator noticed that she seemed to be putting on weight around the stomach and breast area a few days before her period and after her period she reverted to her normal slim self.

The fact is that bloating is a commonly experienced phenomenon, a few days prior to menstruation as well as during the menstrual period.

This is usually due to distension of the intestines from gas accumulation. It is also caused by the system retaining more water during this time.

The simple way to get rid of this feeling of bloating is to make a few simple changes in diet and increasing exercise. It is important to drink plenty of water, and to eat a high fiber diet which helps in easier and quicker digestion.

It can help to stay away from sweets and processed foods. It is also important to get substantial amounts of exercise, which will literally help you sweat it out!

There are one or two issues that could be behind her not getting pregnant at this time:

• The reader has not mentioned what is the age of her first child and if she breast fed her or if she is still breastfeeding her. If her baby is still of an age where she is being breastfed, then it is possible that she is not ovulating and therefore unable to get pregnant in spite of trying repeatedly to do so.
• It is also possible that she has what is known as secondary infertility, which is the inability to conceive a child or carry a child to term after having had one child already. Secondary infertility could be caused by a variety of reasons, such as excessive weight gain, an infection, advanced age of the woman (which may not be much of an issue with our reader since she says she is 30 years old) and even stress.

All women have duration of bleeding right after childbirth which could range from several days to weeks. This post partum bleeding, however, is not menstrual bleeding which may vary greatly from woman to woman, particularly those that are breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding has the effect of suppressing ovulation for some duration among some women. For them, breastfeeding may act as a sort of natural form of birth control. This, however, does not mean that appropriate birth control methods are to be eschewed just because a woman is breastfeeding.

Many women may go months and even years without any kind of menstrual period after childbirth. And then when menstruation returns it may be irregular and may take time to revert to the pre pregnancy pattern.

However for many women, the menstrual period will resume within a few weeks of the postpartum bleeding having stopped. This has no impact on breastfeeding and women can continue to breastfeed right through a period.

Though a slight decrease in milk supply is sometimes noted, (which, it is thought is due to hormonal changes in the body during the period) there is no change in taste of nutritional value of breast milk during this time. Some nipple tenderness may also be noticed but this will disappear at the end of the period.

Metrorrhagia

Not only is Metrorrhagia extremely inconvenient because the bleeding is irregular and unpredictable, it is also a potentially serious problem because of the underlying problems that could be causing it and the fact that chronic Metrorrhagia could also lead to anemia.

Any deviation of more than seven days from a woman’s monthly cycle can be termed as irregular bleeding which could mean Metrorrhagia and which would require investigation as to reasons why it is caused.

Metrorrhagia could have a number of causes including:

• Endometriosis, the condition where material of the endometrial lining of the uterus may be found elsewhere, outside or other than the uterus could be a cause for Metrorrhagia
• Adenomyosis, which is the condition where endometrial tissue is found in the thick muscular layer of the uterus.
• An ectopic pregnancy, which is the implantation and development of a embryo in an area other than the uterus could also be the underlying cause of Metrorrhagia
• A hormone imbalance where there is a preponderance of one hormone over another disturbing the monthly cycle which leads to Metrorrhagia
• Endometrial hyperplasia is where there is excess growth of the cells of the endometrium
• The presence of a polyp in the uterus, the vagina, or cervix could all cause intermittent bleeding which could result in Metrorrhagia
• Ketosis Diets, which concentrate on increasing protein and fat intake while reducing sugar
• Certain progestin-only contraceptives could cause this irregular bleeding as can several medications such as hypothalamic depressants, anticholinergics, anticoagulants
• Use of an IUD, particularly one that gotten lodged in an area other than where it is supposed to be
• Cervical cancer or carcinoma of the vaginal, cervix or other parts of the reproductive tract could be one of the reasons for irregular Metrorrhagia spotting as well
• Uterine leiomyomas or fibroids also could be a cause
• Enlarged uterus with dysmenorrhea, which is excessive pain during menstrual periods
• Occasionally ovulation which happens mid cycle between two menstrual periods, could cause spotting
• Pregnancy – there could be some small amount of bleeding when the embryo is implanted into the wall of the uterus which is called implantation bleeding
• Certain sexually Transmitted Diseases could cause irregular spotting or Metrorrhagia
• Von Willebrand Disease, which is a disease of abnormality of coagulation and may be obvious is several different kinds of bleeding problems
• Anabolic steroid use can also result in irregular bleeding
• Physical trauma could also be the underlying reason for Metrorrhagia

Menorrhagia, which by definition is excessive menstrual bleeding, may be identified if a woman requires to change sanitary protection hourly, has to use extra or double protection, has the kind of heavy flow that impedes normal day to day activities and even requires sanitary changes in the middle of the night, has periods that extend longer than the normal 5 days, and frequently passes large blood clots.

Though causes of Menorrhagia are not fully clear, they are generally understood to be as follows:

Menorrhagia due to Estrogen Dominance: When there is an excess amount of the hormone estrogen found, this may well be the reason that causes Menorrhagia.

Estrogen is responsible for building of the uterine lining that is shed every month and an excess of estrogen may mean that excess endometrial tissue is formed.

Here it becomes important to reduce exposure of Xenoestrogens which are chemicals not naturally occurring within the body or in nature; but are manmade and are found in things ranging from plastics, to pesticides to shampoo!

The intake of plants rich in phytoestrogens may or may not be indicated since opinion is divided on this issue: whereas many say that symptoms worsen others claim that phytoestrogens can have a beneficial effect on estrogen dominance.

Excessive Bleeding Caused by Vitamin K: Vitamin K is what is responsible for blood clotting and when deficiency of this vitamin is responsible for Menorrhagia, the menstrual blood will seem thinner and not prone to clotting.

You can gauge is it is this deficiency that is causing the bleeding, if you also have the tendency to bleed more than normal from common cuts and wounds. Certain vegetables, probiotic bacteria such as those found in yoghurt can help with this.

A vitamin K supplement however should always be taken under medical supervision. Sometimes blood thinning medications that you are taking could be the cause of Menorrhagia.

Thyroid Problems: Thyroid gland malfunctioning may also be the cause of excessive menstrual bleeding and if the root cause of the thyroid problem is solved, then the excessive bleeding may well take care of itself.

Sanitary Protection: Sometimes it could be the kind of sanitary towels of tampons you use that could be causing an allergic reaction or act as an irritant and changing to use of cloth or menstrual cups may ease the problem.

Sometimes, missing a cycle completely, or bleeding between periods is normal and, to some extent, expected.

If a woman’s period is either absent or occurs for long intervals, then it’s time to speak with a health care provider.

If the doctor determines that Oligomenorrhea is the cause, the woman’s chance of becoming pregnant is significantly reduced.

What Is Oligomenorrhea?

This condition is a complication of the normal menstruation cycle. The term Oligomenorrhea is described as a light or infrequent menstruation.

If a woman does not get her period on a regular basis or if her period is much lighter than normal, she is said to be suffering from Oligomenorrhea.

Normally, this condition occurs after a woman has had a regular period of some time. For example, a young woman starts her period at the age of 16. After two years of regular periods, she suddenly experiences light flows that only last a couple of days or missed periods all together.

Oligomenorrhea Symptoms

There are several symptoms that may occur with Oligomenorrhea. These can include having less than nine periods in a year, unpredictable periods, difficulty conceiving, periods that are more than 35 days apart, and easily broken bones. If you have these symptoms, it’s time to speak with your gynecologist.

Oligomenorrhea Causes

Usually, there are environmental factors that can be changed that could help a woman’s period return to normal. These factors include physical illness, emotional stress, poor nutrition, over exercise, and frequent travel.

These can all disrupt a woman’s monthly cycle. Female athletes often suffer from Oligomenorrhea.

However, sometimes Oligomenorrhea can be caused by physiological problems. These issues must be addressed in order for the body to restore the menstruation cycle.

One of these problems is a lack of synchronization between the pituitary gland, the hypothalamus, and the ovaries.

If these three parts of the body do not send messages to each other in the right order, then a missed period can be the result.  In most cases, this will correct itself, but sometimes a little help may be needed.

Other causes of Oligomenorrhea include hormonal imbalances and polycystic ovarian syndrome. Hormonal imbalances occur when the body produces too many male hormones and not enough female hormones. This causes menstrual irregularity.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome occurs when cysts form inside the ovaries as a result of the body producing too many male hormones. Both of these problems can be treated and may help to regulate the menstrual cycle.

Oligomenorrhea Treatment

Treatment options for Oligomenorrhea will depend upon the cause of the condition. These treatments can range from reducing environmental factors, such as stress, to medications, such as hormones like birth control pills. These hormone medications help stabilize hormone levels in the body, which will help to regulate menstruation.

Treating Oligomenorrhea is Imperative

Since Oligomenorrhea can cause serious issues with fertility, it does require the right treatment. While it may sound like a light or infrequent period would be a good thing, it’s not.

It’s best to get any problem with your menstrual cycle diagnosed and treated immediately. This can prevent more problems later on. If you have the above symptoms, schedule an appointment with your gynecologist.

Trying your hardest not to lose control of your feelings may not be working for you during your menstruation cycle.

This is usually the time every month that every women dreads. Your menstrual cycle not only makes you feel really emotional but it also affects you physically which in turn affects your mood.

You are not alone in the way you are feeling. Many women feel overwhelmed during their menstrual cycle and are looking for answers on what to do about it. There are things that you can do to help.

Medications and Your Physician

Mood swings will usually start about five days before your menstrual cycle begins. One minute you may feel like crying and then the next minute you will feel like laughing.

Your emotions seem to be running wild during this time. These mood swings are known in the medical world as Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder or PMDD for short.

Physicians have been having a hard time dealing with this type of disorder. There are several medications that your physician may prescribe that will help you to deal with your PMS. They may want you to try a medication that is designed for depression such as Prozac.

However, there are also several over the counter medications for those who are not ready to try prescription drugs.

Natural Relief for PMS

If you do not want to take medications that have chemicals in them you may want to try St. John’s wort, which is a natural supplement to help with mood swings and depression. There are also vitamins and minerals that may help you with your condition such as B-6, magnesium, and vitamin E.

Herbal remedies can also be very helpful. You may want to try flaxseed capsules which will provide your body with fatty acids that will help your mood swings and also your physical problems.

Aerobic Exercise and Your Diet

Exercising may be the last thing you feel like doing during your menstruation cycle but it can be a big relief when it comes to your mood swings. If you will do aerobic exercise during this time it will help to relieve your menstrual depression.

Also you should make sure that you eat a well balanced diet during your menstrual cycle. You will want to eat carbohydrates that are good for you. Whole grains and also vegetables are a good source of these carbohydrates.

Calcium

You may not know this but drinking your milk will actually help to relieve your mood swings. Bones are not the only thing that needs milk to be healthy. Your nerve cells also need milk to be able to work right. Make sure you get your daily quota of dairy items. Try eating yogurt or a piece of cheese.

You will be amazed at the difference in your mood when you try these ideas to fight mood swings. Hopefully you will feel a lot better.

As the latter increases in size, estrogen is produced from cells around the egg.

Every month this estrogen makes the uterus lining increase ready for the receipt of the fertilized egg.

If after a series of days nothing is implanted, the lining of the womb starts to disintegrate. The result is what is commonly known as menstruation or a period. What this actually is it includes the unfertilized egg and the now unwanted uterus lining.

Hormonally the menstrual cycle is a process utilizing not only the sex organs but also the brain. The pituitary gland, which is the gland at the very base of the brain, controls the sexual organs, both their function and development. FSH and a luteinizing hormone referred to as LH are the most vital hormones in the pituitary gland.

It is the pituitary gland that knows when the estrogen levels in the blood has reached the correct level and that the ovary is ready to release the egg.

Next comes a surge of LH commanding the ovary to release the egg, commonly known as ovulation. On leaving the ovary, it travels along a fallopian tube, of which there are two until it reaches the uterus.

The corpus luteum which is the cluster of cells that made up the follicle stays in the ovary. It is at this point that if sexual intercourse takes place a pregnancy will result.

You are not only struggling to get into your clothes from being bloated but now you have to walk around with ugly bumps on your face.

Acne is usually caused by hormonal changes that happen during your menstrual cycle.

You are not alone in your acne problem. A lot of women and girls feel just like you during this time of the month.

Why Hormones Cause Acne?

Your hormones are the culprit that helps your oil glands mature. The androgens are hormones that can interrupt your glands from doing their job. These glands called sebaceous are supposed to keep the moisture in your skin.

During your menstrual cycle these glands may expand. Hormones can change the lining of your sebaceous gland plus your hair follicles will also be changed. These changes lead to the production of dead skin cells and oily skin which will block your pores so that acne will begin.

Types of Acne

Whiteheads and blackheads are two types of acne that can appear on your face. A whitehead is a pore that is plugged up and does not reach the surface of the skin. It is called a whitehead because the bump under your skin will be white.

On the other hand blackheads do open up and as their name states they are a black looking bump on top of your skin. You may also have bumps that are known as a pustule. Pustules will have pus in them and will have a reddish color at the base of them. [remove blackheads]

Cysts are lesions that embed themselves within your skin that can be large. They contain fluid and are very soft and tender to the touch. These cysts can cause scarring to your skin.

Cysts are the worst form of acne that you can have. It is good to know what type of acne that you have so that you and your physician will be able to figure out what treatment will work best for you.

Acne Treatment

There are several treatments for acne. Some can be found over-the -counter while you will have to get a prescription for others. You may want to try a treatment that has a renewing cleanser, offers you oil control, will heal your blemishes, and also prevent other blemishes from forming.

Acne is an infection that is bacterial, so your physician may want to prescribe something that is an antibiotic to help you with your condition such as Clindamycin solution or Erythromycin.

If you have a severe case of acne your physician may give you a prescription for Isotretinoin.

Something else that your physician may suggest is steroid injections that will help to reduce the inflammation and also to help reduce any scarring.

Your dermatologist will be able to assist you with acne treatment for your hormonal acne. With time your face will be clear once again.

Unless you have gone through menopause or have had a hysterectomy, there is no way of stopping your time of month from coming to visit. Sleeplessness can be a big concern during this time.

There are several reasons why you cannot seem to rest. You will probably be able to blame your hormones for a great deal of your discomfort.  During your menstrual cycle, your hormone levels are fluctuating and will cause the reasons you cannot sleep.

Bloating

Bloating during your menstrual cycle is very uncomfortable, and can sometimes give you the blues. Being bloated will not help when you are trying to sleep. You may be tossing from side to side trying to get comfortable.

It also will not help you to get into those skinny jeans you want to wear but the zipper will not go all the way up. The water that you are retaining in your body, during your menstrual cycle, is the culprit here. You can do some things for relief.

Your physician will be able to prescribe water pills that will get rid of the water retention in your body. If you do not want to take a water pill for this, then you have the option of getting rid of the water the natural way. You will need to get some exercise, eat less salt, and eat small meals that contain fruits and vegetables.

Cramps

Another reason that you may be having trouble sleeping is the cramping that you are experiencing during your menstrual cycle. These menstrual cramps will make for a restless night of sleep. Cramping will happen in your lower abdomen, and even sometimes in your back.

You may experience a very sharp pain, or just a dull ache that will not seem to subside. These cramps usually happen days before you even start your menstrual cycle, but they will eventually stop as your bleeding begins to slow down.

Try using a heating pad on your abdomen, where the pain is, to get some relief. If you drink warm chocolate, or another warm drink, this may also help. Another solution is to take ibuprofen to help reduce the pain.

Heavy Bleeding

You may be feeling like you cannot sleep, because your menstrual cycle is heavier than usual. This will cause you to be uncomfortable, and this feeling alone is enough to keep you awake at times.

Heavy bleeding could wake you up at night because you will feel like you are overflowing onto your pajamas, or nightgown, and even on your bedding. Getting up at night to change your pad or tampon is never fun, but may be necessary if your flow is very heavy.

Most women dread this time of month, but if you keep in mind that this process is actually a healthy thing for your body, then it may help you to sleep a little easier.

The usual menstrual cycle lasts between 25 to 30 days, the average being 28 days, hence the term monthly period.

Ovulation only occurs once during the cycle, about twelve to sixteen days before the next period.

It is the process of an egg being released from the ovary; woman can only actually get pregnant during the few days around this time.

Many women experience varying degrees of pain in the abdomen, during ovulation, also vaginal discharge can be heavier and the temperature of the body can increase slightly.

There are two ovaries in a women’s body and each one contains many thousands of follicles, which in turn store the immature eggs. Usually only one follicle will fully develop in a month, however more than one can grow at a given time.

Surprisingly many women may have a basic understanding of what ovulation is but only a tiny minority can relate it all to their own fertility.

Differentiating between the various types of hormones and what their function is, the body is usually something left for the medical profession to worry about.

The only time that a woman would read up her reproductive cycle is most likely during pregnancy, and education in this respect at school is usually very limited. In fact, in a lot of incidences it is the partner who becomes very interested in the science part of reproduction.