Missing out on your periods or irregular periods once in a while is common. However, the problem arises when irregular periods become every month s story. The irregularity can be an amalgamation of a host of factors. Ignoring the same for long will only complicate things further. For women of reproductive age, the problem can give rise to deleterious consequences, including difficulties in conceiving. In this article, we will discuss some of the common triggers that result in irregular periods and when to seek medical help.

What causes Irregular Periods?
The hormonal balance plays a significant role in the proper functioning of the vital organs of the body. More than often, irregular periods are found to be a manifestation of hormonal imbalance. Some of the conditions that trigger the hormonal imbalance include

PCO is a common medical condition that affects women of reproductive age. PCOS is characterized by the formation of cysts in the ovary (one or both) that affects the ovulation process. In PCOS, there is an increased production of Androgen, especially Testosterone that can cause irregular periods, hair fall, facial hair, weight gain etc.

Time and again doctors and health professionals emphasize the importance of leading a stress-free life. Research suggests stress and anxiety often interfere with the functioning of the Hypothalamus. As a result, the pituitary glands that control and regulate the activities of the ovaries, adrenal glands, and thyroid glands may be affected. These can also trigger a hormonal imbalance giving rise to menstrual problems such as Irregular periods. In case of extreme stress, there may be a short-term cessation of periods (Secondary Amenorrhea).

The hormonal imbalance and irregular periods can also be an outcome of other medical conditions such as endometriosis, a cancer affecting the reproductive organs, fibroids, obesity, diabetes, hyperprolactinemia (characterized by elevated level of prolactin) or even thyroid disorders.

Women who indulge in strict dieting can also suffer from irregular periods. Strict dieting (especially the ones that are without a proper nutritional guidance) can rob the body of the essential nutrients disrupting the hormonal balance.

Irregular periods are normal in women who are nearing their menopause.

When to seek medical assistance?
Irregular periods can be indicative of a severe health problem. Consult a gynecologist

If your regular cycles get delayed by more than 7 days.

There is spotting or bleeding in between the periods.

Your periods last for more than ten days or less than two days.

There is excruciating pain during periods.

The gap between two successive menstrual cycles is more than 35 days or less than 21 days.

Your periods are heavy and unmanageable, affecting your daily routine.

Irregular Periods - When To See A Gynaecologist?

The most devastating period for any pregnant women is a miscarriage. This normally happens because of genetic abnormality noticed in the fetus caused due to tripling of a chromosome. This is also called  spontaneous abortion  because the body rejects the random genetic abnormality. Apart from this, there are many other reasons for miscarriage namely blood clotting, deshaped uterus, uterine fibroids, unhealthy cervix and so on. Now, this could lead you to the next question - What can we do to prevent miscarriage?

Time to meet the gynecologist:
When there is tripling of chromosomes or genetic mismatch, the body actually rejects the fetus, thereby preventing birth of an unhealthy baby. But, if the miscarriage repeats several times, then you have to meet your gynecologist for further tests and appropriate medical intervention.

Symptoms of miscarriage:
In the normal course, when miscarriage occurs, the women would experience back pain or vaginal bleeding or blood in the vaginal mucus or cramping or abdominal pain. Ironically, sometimes the miscarriage may happen without any of these symptoms. It would get noticed only during routine scanning. However, in the normal course, the chance of a miscarriage is highest before the 12th week. But if miscarriage happens after the 12th week and before the 24th week, then it is called spontaneous abortion. Thereafter, it is known as a  still born  baby.

However, there are some steps that can help women prevent a miscarriage. These steps are briefly explained here.

Nicotine retards growth of fetus and it is for this reason the couple should shun smoking, months before they plan pregnancy. This change in lifestyle has remarkable effects in preventing miscarriage. Similarly, caffeine can also be the cause of miscarriage. Therefore, women should regulate their intake of coffee as per the advice given by the gynaecologist.
Women suffering from chronic ailments like lupus, problems with thyroid, epilepsy and such other ailments are prone to a miscarriage. Similarly, it is also advisable that women should get tested for STD/HIV because these ailments can cause a miscarriage. Women suffering from such ailments should be under constant medical care.
In addition to these, the women should take food rich in vitamins, proteins, Omega-3 and fibres. Further, they should also do physical exercises as per the instructions given by the gynaecologist. One should drink enough water so as to keep oneself sufficiently hydrated. Women must practice meditation, which helps in reducing stress.
The causes of a miscarriage are many; women should discuss about the issues relating to a miscarriage with their gynaecologist. This helps them take appropriate preventive steps against this unwanted situation.

Miscarriage - Can You Prevent it?

Medical science constantly challenges the boundaries by finding not only the cures to the most dangerous diseases, but finds a way to prevent them even before they occur. With years of research, practice and data available for analysis, scientists are using advanced technology in combination with years of research to create a predicting mechanism for often fatal diseases like cancer.

Breast cancer screening has always been done with mammography. The fact is that this method is only 75% accurate, laden with false positives and misses a whole set of women totally- and that too when cancer has already developed. Part of the problem comes from the dense breast tissue which one in three women have. This tissue masks the lumps, which makes it difficult for mammograms to accurately screen cancer.

Some breakthrough scientific methods are changing this by drawing on years of research to predict this deadly disease, years before it can manifest itself.

A genetic test to predict cancer 10-11 years ahead of time
This test was performed to see how environmental factors could influence cancer, along with habits like smoking, abusing alcohol or hormones, genetic changes that occur and are put a large percentage of the women at a high risk of developing this disease.

A simple blood test is used for the genetic analysis of hereditary cancer. Researchers found a biological marker, methylation of the ATM gene, which has a very high ability to predict the risk of developing cancer, several years before diagnosis. 'Methylation' concluded that when one biological indicator is exposed to carcinogenic substances, or other abusive substances like tobacco and alcohol, it may trigger the development of cancer. On the flip side, this test will take time to reach the commercial market and even then cannot give an exact timeline as to when someone may develop the disease.

A simple blood test to predict breast cancer 5 years before it develops
This is the kind of medical miracle the world is looking for. Last year in April, researches in Denmark identified a simple blood test that can predict breast cancer five years before it actually develops with an accuracy of a whopping 80%.

It works by "measuring all of the compounds in the blood to build a 'metabolic profile' of an individual, in order to detect changes in the way chemicals are processed, during a pre-cancerous stage," says Laura Donnelly, health editor at The Telegraph, which covered this development. Danish researchers observed 57,000 participants over 20 years, gathering blood samples along the way, specifically comparing a set of 800 women who remained healthy or developed breast cancer within 7 years of their first blood sample. The researchers found they were able to predict, with 80 percent accuracy, which patients would be affected by the disease, just by looking at the metabolic profiles they built from the participants' blood samples. The results have been published in Metabolomics.


Are you living with the uncertainty of a lump in your breast? It's time you take the first step and consult a specialist here.

Can Breast Cancer Be Predicted Before It Develops?

Herpes is known as Visarpa in Ayurveda. It is an infectious disease caused by Nita group (Herpes group) of viruses. It is an extreme form of the viral disease, which, if left untreated, can lead to the death of a person. 

Types of Herpesviruses

Herpes simplex
Herpes zoster
Varicella zoster
Cytomegalovirus 
Mode of transmission

Herpes spreads through the following routes:  

Via blood (raktha)  
Via skin (twacha) 
Through muscles (snayu) 
Through vaccination (lasika)
According to ayurveda, these viruses can enter the body by following modes:

Suppression of natural urges (emotions and physical symptoms) 
Due to wounds fractures
Crush injuries
Cutting of immature part 
All these factors speedily give rise to a sort of swelling and inflammation. This swelling can extend all over the body. 

Clinical features

Vatika Visarpa Fever, inflammation, twitching, pins and needles, tearing pain, giddiness, pricking pain, malaise, cramps, tremors, fever, bone and joint pain and their dislocation, shivering, anorexia, and indigestion
Paittika Visarpa Fever, malaise, red pustules, which are rapidly spreading and suppurating 
Kaphaja VisarpaNumbness, stiffness, heaviness, pain in the body, pustules with exudates, deep-seated ulcers over the pustules with a surrounded capillary network and covered with many skin scabs.
Sannipatika Visarpa
Granthi vispara
Glandular involvement along with all the symptoms of herpes

Agni Visarpa: Fever, vomiting, diarrhea, thirst, dizziness, splitting pain in regional glands, anorexia, pain all over the body, loss of consciousness, sleeplessness, dyspnoea, hiccough, mental confusion, and finally death
Kardama Visarpa: Red, yellow and pale yellow color eruptions with dull pain, edema, deep-seated suppuration, and eruptions that are free from exudations
Scope of Ayurveda

It is based on dosha dominance. Herpes from a single dosha involvement is curable. Involvement of double doshas can be alleviated by the habitual use of general therapeutic measures and involvement of triple doshas is incurable because it pervades all the tissue elements.

Management in ayurveda It includes:

Langhana therapy for improving immunity and to fight against the virus 
Herbs are used due to their antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor activity, such as Musta, Bala, Guduchi, Yashti, Chandana, Usheera
Tikta dravya which pacifies the vitiation of rakta and pitta, which are the main causative factor for herpes 
An induction of controlled vomiting for infection arising due to pitta dosha
Compounds with a bitter taste (tikta rasa pradana) administration to increase the flow of gastric juice and for the virus destruction
Administration of herbs (Sneha pana) for purgation
Rakta mokshana should be administered if the route of transmission is blood
Kasisadi ghruta for external application

Role Of Ayurveda In The Management Of Genital Herpes!

Ectopic pregnancy: Causes and symptoms

Ectopic pregnancy happens if the egg implants itself in the fallopian tube in place of the uterus. That's why this form of pregnancy is called a tubal pregnancy as well. Many a time, it may also implant itself in the belly, ovary or the cervix. If the egg is allowed to develop in the fallopian tube, it brings about the bursting of the tube, leading to instances of heavy bleeding.

What really causes this condition?

In this type of pregnancy, the cause isn't always easy to arrive at. In many cases, certain conditions have been found to bring about this pregnancy and these are:

- Damages to the fallopian tubes in the form of scarring and inflammation due to a preceding medical infection, condition or surgery

- Imbalances in the body's hormone levels

- Abnormalities in the genes

- Birth defects

- Medical problems that have an effect on the shape and condition of the reproductive organs and fallopian tubes

- Though it's rare, ectopic pregnancy can occur while using an intrauterine device or system for birth control

- Inflammation of your reproductive system such as pelvic inflammatory disease

How do you know that you suffer from one?

In terms of signs that will help you to easily identify whether you're having an ectopic pregnancy, the initial signs are:

- Light bleeding from your vagina

- Pain in the abdomen or in the pelvic region, which tends to occur after 6-8 weeks of a missed period

The other symptoms of this condition reveal themselves as you progress through the pregnancy and include,

- Dizziness or fainting as a result of internal bleeding

- Shoulder pain brought on by bleeding in the abdominal region

- Signs of shock

- Worsening of pelvic or belly pain

- Heavy vaginal bleeding

Additionally, a person with ectopic pregnancy also experience signs associated with early pregnancy such as:

- Nausea

- Tender breasts

- Fatigue

- Missed period

- Increased in frequency of urination



What is Ectopic Pregnancy the Most Difficult Type of Pregnancy?

In medical terms, the pelvic floor refers to a group of muscles in the pelvic area. These muscles provide support to the organs in the pelvic region, including the bladder, uterus (women), prostate (men), and rectum.

What is pelvic floor dysfunction?
This is a medical condition that is used to refer to a situation when you are unable to control the functioning of the pelvic floor. It means you fail to control the bowel movement. People suffering from pelvic floor dysfunction use these muscles to contract rather than to relax. It is for this reason that they cannot have a bowel movement. They often have an incomplete one.

What causes pelvic floor dysfunction?
In most of the cases, the exact reason behind this dysfunction is unknown. It is often believed that this condition is caused due to traumatic injuries to the pelvic area. This can happen after an accident and due to complications aroused after vaginal childbirth.

What are the symptoms?
There are several symptoms that are linked to this medical condition. You must visit your doctor if you come across the following signs:

The feel of having several bowel movements within a short period of time.
If you feel that you cannot complete a bowel movement.
When there is constipation pain linked with bowel movements.
A frequent urge to urinate.
Painful urination.
Pain in lower back.
Continuous pain in pelvic region, genitals, or rectum.
Pain during intercourse in women
How is pelvic floor dysfunction diagnosed?
It may be diagnosed through a physical examination by the doctor. You will ask several questions to know the case history and find out the cause. You may also be asked to take pelvic muscle control test by placing surface electrodes on the perineum or sacrum. A small device called a perineometer is also used for the same.

What are the best ways for treating pelvic floor dysfunction?
It can be treated without surgery. There are several techniques. Some of these are as follows:

Biofeedback: It is done with the help of a physical therapist.He uses special sensors to watch and monitor the muscles.
Medication: A low-dose muscle relaxant is prescribed to treat the same.
Relaxation techniques: Your therapist may ask you to take up techniques for relaxation such as warm baths, yoga, and exercises.
Surgery: If your physician finds out that the dysfunction is caused by a rectal prolapse or rectocele, he or she will take up surgery.
Pelvic Floor Dysfunction results in Urinary Dysfunction. Urinary incontinence is the unintentional passing of urine. It's a common problem thought to affect millions of people. There are several types of urinary incontinence, including:

Stress Incontinence   when urine leaks out at times when your bladder is under pressure; for example, when you cough or laugh
Urge Incontinence   when urine leaks as you feel a sudden, intense urge to pass urine, or soon afterwards
Overflow Incontinence (chronic urinary retention)   when you're unable to fully empty your bladder, which causes frequent leaking
Total Incontinence   when your bladder can't store any urine at all, which causes you to pass urine constantly or have frequent leaking
It's also possible to have a mixture of both stress and urge urinary incontinence.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse is a condition in which structures such as the uterus, rectum, bladder, urethra, small bowel, or the vagina itself may begin to prolapse, or fall, out of their normal positions. Without medical treatment or surgery, these structures may eventually fall farther into the vagina or even through the vaginal opening if their supports weaken enough.


Pelvic Floor Dysfunction - What is the Best Way to Treat it?

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