Dr Anwesha Sen
MENSTRUAL DISORDER MANAGEMENT
Menstrual disorder includes a lot of troublesome symptoms both physical and mental or only emotional, just before and/or during menstruation including heavy bleeding, irregular periods, missed periods and uncontrollable mood swings.
Some women achieve their monthly period at a regular interval with few or no concerns. Their periods follow a particular routine, starting and stopping at a same time every month, causing a minor inconvenience. However other women experience a number of physical and/or emotional symptoms just before and during menstruation. From heavy bleeding to irregular and missed periods to unmanageable mood swings, these symptoms may disturb a women’s normal activities of daily life in a broad way.
If you experience any one of the following symptoms before or during your period, causing complication, you may have a Menstrual Disorder.
These include:
* Abnormal uterine bleeding i.e. heavy menstrual bleeding (Menorrhagia), no menstrual bleeding (Amenorrhea), Bleeding between periods (Irregular Menstrual Bleeding)
* Dysmenorrhea i.e. painful menstrual periods/severe menstrual cramps.
*Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) the term commonly used to describe a bunch of physical and physiological symptoms associated with menstrual cycle, Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) symptoms are more severe and undisciplined than the typical mild premenstrual symptoms. The most common of Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is depression which typically develop about 5 to 7 days before period and disappear once it begins.
*PMDD: More severe than Premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Most common symptoms include: Heightened irritability, Anxiety and mood swing. The symptoms are cyclical. When a women starts her period the symptoms automatically subside within a few days.
MENOPAUSE DISORDER MANAGEMENT
Menopause is permanent cessation of menstrual cycles, generally seen among women, age group of 45-50 years. It is a natural biological process. During this period, you might experience following signs and symptoms.
- Irregular periods
- Vaginal dryness
- Hot Flashes
- Chills
- Night sweats
- Sleep problems
- Mood changes
- Weight gain & slowed metabolism
- Thinning of hair
- Dry Skin
- Loss of breast fullness
Most likely you may experience irregularity in your period before they end permanently. Shipping periods during perimenopause is common and expected. You may also experience shorter cycles.
Keep up with regular visits with your doctor for preventive health care and any medical concerns.
Continue getting these appointments during and after menopause.
As a measure of preventive health care your doctor may recommend some screening tests, such as – Lipid profile, Thyroid profile, Mammography, Colonoscopy and other screenings according to your previous health issues or history given by you and breast and pelvic exams.
Always go for a medical advice in an emergency even after basis if you have vaginal bleeding even after menopause.
ADELOSCENT HEALTH CARE
Adolescence is the phase of life between childhood and adulthood. The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines adolescence as the period between 10 and 19 years of age.
Adolescence health or youth health is the range of approaches to preventing, detecting or treating young people’s health and well being
Most common gynaecological problems in adolescence are.
- Vulvovaginitis
- Amenorrhoea
- Dysmenorrhoea
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Anaemia
- Contraception
- Delayed Puberty
- Precocious Puberty
- Chronic Fatigue etc.
If you observe any of these problems don’t hesitate to consult your nearest gynaecologist and discuss your problem vividly with your doctor for further management.
WHITE DISCHARGE
OR
LEUCORRHOEA
Leucorrhoea is a medical terminology which commonly known as white discharge.
Leucorrhoea is defined as a flow of a whitish, yellowish or greenish discharge from vagina. If it is then, odourless and watery, then considered as normal. If the discharge has foul smell, irritates the vaginal area, causes itching then it is clearly a sign of infection. Such discharge may originate from vagina, ovaries, fallopian tubes, or most commonly the cervix.
Leucorrhoea may occur during pregnancy and is considered normal when the discharge is thin, white and relatively odourless. Physiologic leucorrhoea is quite normal in adolescence.
Abnormal leucorrhoea may be caused by infections with bacteria, yeast or other microorganisms. These lead to infection of cervix which is indeed one of the most common gynaecological disorders. The infection has a tendency to irritate mucus glands of cervix them to secret an excess of mucous mixed with pus.
A tampon, diaphragm or other foreign objects like, menstrual devices, fancy scented vaginal cosmetics etc. left too long in the vagina can also resulting in Leucorrhoea / White discharge.
Though it is normal, but if you are pregnant / sexually active / in adolescence / in perimenopausal state and experiencing some discharge which is unusual or not facing before then it’s the high time for you to call for a doctor and take necessaries as recommended by your doctor.
RECURENT URINARY TRACT INFECTION [UTI]
UTI (Urinary tract Infection) is an infection in any part of the urinary system of a healthy host.
Urinary Tract Infections (UTI) one more common in women. They usually occur in bladder / urethra.
Now. Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections. (UTI’s) presenting as dysurea or irritative voiding symptoms, are most commonly caused by reinfection with the original bacterial isolate in young. Otherwise, healthy woman with no anatomic or functional abnormalities of the urinary tract.
Recurrent UTI (uncomplicated) may be defined as3 or more uncomplicated UTI’s in 12 months.
Recurrent UTI occurs due to reinfection or bacterial persistence.
Dysuria, Frequency, Urgency, Haematuria, Backpain, Self-diagnosed UTI, Nacturia, Costovertebral tenderness and the absence of vaginal discharge or irritation are the symptoms supporting the diagnosis of each UTI episode.
A doctor referral is recommended for investigation of women with risk factors for uncomplicated recurrent UTI.
POLYCISTIC OVARIAN SYNDROME [PCOS]
PCOS or Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a common health problem caused by an imbalance of reproductive hormones.
PCOS is very common among women of reproductive age. It effects 1 in 10 women of child bearing age.
Women with PCOS have a hormonal imbalance and metabolism problems that may affect their overall health and appearance.
PCOS is also common and treatable cause of infertility. Most women find out they have PCOS in their 20s and 30s, when they have problems getting pregnant and see their doctor. But PCOS can happen at any age after puberty.
you may have at higher risk of PCOS if you have obesity, or you have family history (mother sister or aunt with PCOS).
Some of the symptoms of PCOS includes-
- Irregular menstrual cycle.
- Too much hair on the face, chin or other part of body where men have hair usually. This is called Hirsutism. Hirsutism affects 70% of women with PCOS.
- Acne on face, chest and upper back.
- Thinning of hair or male pattern baldness.
- Weight gain.
- Darkening of skin particularly along week creases, in the groin and underneath breasts.
- Skin tags in the armpits or neck area.
See your doctor if you have concerns about your menstrual periods, if you are experiencing infertility or if you have signs of excess androgens such as worsening acne, hirsutism and male pattern baldness.
BENIGN BREAST DISORDER MANAGEMENT
Benign breast disorders are unusual growths or other changes in the breast tissue that are not cancer.
Benign breast lumps in women are common. Up to half of all women may experience fibrocystic changes that cause non-cancerous breast lumps at some point in their lives. Fluctuating hormone levels often cause these breast tissue changes.
Your risk for benign breast disease increases if you have a family history of breast cancer or benign breast disease.
- If you are using HRT (Hormone replacement therapy)
- If you have a hormonal imbalance.
Common Symptoms of Benign Breast conditions-
- In case of Fibrocystic breast changes your breast will feel lumpy.
- The Cysts are fluid-filled tumps in breasts that may be tender when you touch. You may notice they appears and disappear each time you have your period.
- Fibroadenomas will feel like a small, round, moving marbles in breast.
- Mastitis you may feel red and warm lump with fever.
- Fat Necrosis lump that may feel round and hard.
- Calcification you may or may not feel this tiny, hard spot due to calcium deposition in your breasts.
- Nipple Discharge the fluid coming out from your nipple may be different in colour. A clear or milky colour represents problem with hormone levels. Green-black colour represents a blocked milky duct. If the discharge becomes bloody it may relate to an infection, injury or benign tumour.
- Male Gynaecomastia A man’s breast may feel swollen and tender when diagnosed with this condition. Often, they may have no symptoms.
Benign Breast conditions / disorders are generally caused by a number of factors including
- The make-up of your breast (Fatty tissue vs. thick issue)
- Your age
- Hormonal Problems.
- Hormonal therapies you have under gone
- Birth control pills
- Pregnancy
- Menopause
- Over weight
- Breast feeding
- Infection etc.
Male Benign Breast Disorder Gynaecomastia caused bey-
- Hormonal imbalance
- Undergone some Hormonal therapy
- Some Diseases
- Severely over weight
The pain and tenderness of benign breast condition can be uncomfortable. Your sleep position may affect your pain level. Living with benign with breast disorders can be emotionally hard as well. If you feel a lump or notice breast changes as see your health care provider / Doctor immediately. Sometimes your doctor first detects the change and recommend you mammogram or other imaging studies. Lab test to diagnose the disorder.
BENIGN REPRODUCTIVE TRACT DISORDER MANAGEMENT i.e. Fibroids, Ovarian Cyst, Vulvar and Vaginal Conditions
Benign Reproductive tract disorders represents unusual growth /bleeding at any level of female reproductive system which is not cancerous.
Benign reproductive tract disorder includes abnormal uterine bleeding, Uterine Fibroids, Endometriosis, Ovarian cysts.
Most commonly Uterine Fibroids are called by the shorter name ‘Fibroids’. The medical term fibroids referees Leiomyoma. That is abnormal growth of smooth muscle tissue.
Uterine Fibroids causes heavy bleeding that leads to anaemia.
Endometriosis is another benign reproductive tract disorder in which tissues that normally grows outside the uterus.
You may experience painful periods, pain during or after intercourse, pain with bowel movement or urination, you may also have experience excessive bleeding or bleeding between periods, you may experience fatigue, diarrhoea, constipation, bloating or nausea especially during menstrual periods.
See your doctor if you have signs and symptoms that may indicate above mentioned diseases.
FAMILY PLANNING INCLUDING CONTRACEPTION
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MANAGEMENT OF MEDICAL DISORDER DURING PRAGNANCY
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OTHER GENERAL HEALTH CONDITIONS
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