Uterine growth:

One of the most common causes of bleeding between periods is uterine growths like uterine polyps and uterine fibroids. Occurrence of uterine fibroids is usually indicated with many other symptoms along with bleeding between periods; they are: frequent urination, backache, arm ache, heavy and prolonged bleeding during menstruation and constipation. Uterine polyps on the other hands can cause bleeding between periods in conjunction with other signs like heavy menstrual bleeding and pelvic pain. These uterine growths are common in women above 40 years of age. In rare cases, younger women can also develop fibroids or polyps in their uterus.

Ovarian growth:

Cysts in the ovaries often act as the cause of bleeding between periods. Ovarian cysts can be of two types, corpus luteum and follicular. Follicular cysts generally don’t cause bleeding between periods. This symptom is more common in women with corpus luteum cysts. The other signs of corpus luteum are: irregular menstruation, pelvic pain, a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen, problems with bowel movement, nausea etc.

Reproductive diseases:

PCOS is a reproductive disease triggering bleeding between periods. Women with PCOS or polycystic ovarian syndrome have several cysts in their ovaries. The main symptom of this health problem is irregular menstruation; however, the patient might also experience bleeding between periods. The other signs of the disease are: facial hair, type 2 diabetes, enlarged ovaries, bloating etc. Bleeding between periods might also be caused in patients with another reproductive disorder called endometriosis.

Intake of birth control pills:

Taking hormonal pills for fertility treatment or for the purpose of birth control can cause bleeding between periods.

Caffeinated drinks:

Caffeine is found in soft drinks, coffee and tea, all of which should be avoided when you are menstruating. Caffeine is known for increasing tension and constricting the blood vessels; both these features of caffeine might result in worsening of the menstrual cramps. Oils present in coffee, on the other hand, might irritate our intestines creating further discomfort for menstruating women.

Alcohol:

Alcohol possesses diuretic properties, which can cause water retention in the menstruating women. Retention of water aggravates the menstrual cramps and might also trigger bloating in some. If you cannot stop drinking completely during menstruation, you must make sure that you are not consuming more than 1 or 2 servings of wine or beer in a day.

Chocolates:

Medical experts will never ask anyone to stop consuming chocolates during periods; however, one should consume only a small quantity of chocolates when she is menstruating. Chocolate is a rich source of caffeine, which can aggravate the pain and cramps associated with menstruation.

Red meat:

According to expert nutritionists, arachadonic acids found in red meat increase the production of prostaglandins, which is the chemical responsible for occurrence of menstrual cramps.

Salty foods:

Consuming foods containing high amount of salt results in water retention. As water retention is a risk factor for worsening of menstrual cramps, experts suggest avoidance of salty foods during periods. Examples of these foods include: certain Chinese dishes, processed meals, fast foods, table salt and chips. Replace the salt used in home cooked food items with pepper and other fresh herbs when you are menstruating.

Whenever you experience cramps during menstruation, try to stay in a place that is quiet and comfortable; it should be a place where you will be able to relax both your body and mind. Any such place is also ideal for undergoing massage therapy for menstrual cramps.

Before starting the massage; place the hands on the abdomen and breathe deeply for a few seconds. Now, locate the belly button and move the hands around an over it forming small circles and applying gentle pressure. Remember, you must move the hands in the clockwise direction. Continue doing this for around 1 minute. As you proceed, keep on increasing the size of circles; continue until the entire abdominal region is travelled by the hands. This will relieve the cramps significantly.

In the next massage, put the hands on the sides of your belly button; the thumbs will touch the belly button and the other fingers will remain pointed downwards. Next, with the index fingers create a structure resembling the shape of heart; the drawing must involve pulling the hand up and down across your belly button. Once this action is complete, come back to your original position.  This massage should also be done continuously for 1 minute.

Massaging the back also helps in reducing the cramps during menstruation. First, take the hands towards the back; place them exactly below your ribs. Now, slide the hands downwards applying a gentle and steady pressure. Continue the slide until your hands reach the point just before the hips. Then, start massaging the area creating small circles with your fingers; the fingertips must exert gentle pressure on your back. The circling must start from the back’s center and slowly reach outwards.

Turmeric:

Turmeric is a culinary herb used primarily in the Indian subcontinent. However, its use in medicinal purposes has become common in all corners of the world. Turmeric can stimulate the uterus and in the process result in menstrual flow. However, small doses of Turmeric will have no such effect. Consult an experienced herbalist, or your physician to know the exact dosage of turmeric required for regularizing your menstrual cycle.

Calendula flower:

Calendula is known for offering antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects. These features of the herb have made it an extremely popular agent for topical treatments. According to experts, calendula flower can treat muscle spasms occurring during periods and control menstrual cramps. This herb is also known for regularizing the menstrual cycle and increasing the menstrual blood flow in women experiencing delayed menstruation and scanty bleeding respectively. However, you must consult the doctor before using this herb to combat menstrual problems.

Chastetree:

This flowering shrub is mainly grown in the river banks of the southern part of Europe and in Mediterranean regions. Chastetree produces berries, which are used for preparing capsules, tinctures, medicinal powders etc. The herb is absolutely devoid of any hormonal compound; however, the flavonoids present in extracts of chastetree have similar properties to that of the hormone called progesterone. This feature of the herb makes it an effective remedy for irregular periods. As chastetree might result in certain side effects like hair loss, headache, itching, rashes, fatigue and gastrointestinal reactions, you must use this remedy only after consulting your doctor.

Bow Pose

Also termed as ‘Dhanurasana’, it is remedial for menses related discomforts alongside mild-ranging backaches & exhaustion oftentimes felt in conjunction with cramps.

• Lying faced down on a carpet & outstretching leg & arm areas.
• Knees are to be bended up towards your butts & clasping one’s ankle areas with one’s hands.
• Now the feet are to be pressed away from the butts & thighs raised off the carpet.
• The drawing force that such pose creates on the arm areas would assist one in raising one’s torso higher.
• This hoisted position is to be held for half a minute whilst one does deep breathing.

Seated-Forwards Bend Pose

This Ashtanga Yoga pose is also dubbed ‘Paschimottanasana’, it is a relaxing pose that helps in stretching & increasing blood circulation to the pelvis region.

• For practicing such pose one has to be seated on a carpet with legs straightened ahead of oneself.
• Lifting one’s trunk to the roof as one tightens one’s core muscles.
• Bending forwards from the hips, keep back erect to as much extent doable & aligning neck with the spine.
• Reaching arms down the legs & holding onto one’s lower legs, ankle or feet areas based on one’s present level of suppleness.
• As one breathes, attempt lowering one’s back to a slight extent on every instant one exhales.

Camel Pose

Also termed as ‘Ustrasana’ pose, it assists in reducing discomforting signs & symptoms of menses like cramping.

• Kneel with your lower legs & top parts of your feet thrusting into the carpet.
• Tightening one’s core muscles & keeping back erect as one gradually leans one’s torso backwards.
• Moving one’s arms behind oneself & reaching one’s hands towards one’s heel areas.
• Placing one’s hands down on the backside of the lower legs as near to one’s heels as doable sans losing the span of one’s lower back.
• Stretching one’s head, neck as well as back upwards as one pushes one’s hips forwards.

Downwards-Facing Dog Pose

Also known as Adho Mukha Svanasana, it is among the most well-known of Ashtanga Yoga postures performed during classes in the West & performing this pose aids in allaying menstruation-related cramps.

• Start off by coming on all your fours on a carpet.
• Hands are to be grounded into the carpet as one pushes back into one’s feet that are placed hip width away.
• Legs are to be straightened & torso inverted so that one’s eyes gaze in-between one’s thighs.
• Arms are to be straightened & stretching one’s coccyx to the roof as one turns one’s attention towards one’s breathing.

Fundamentally, growing fibroids lead to uterine size getting bigger hence once a woman menstruates there would be more lining that would have to be discarded which are causal to heavy & painful periods.

Though the reason for fibroids developing is nebulous, however hormonal variations during gestational period also facilitate fibroid growth and halt once a woman is in her menopausal phase.

Fibroids also have a tendency of being troublesome for females in their thirties & forties & Negro females having an especially higher occurrence.

Alongside being causal to excessive & painful periods, fibroids could even exert pressure on the urinary bladder/ bowel and cause bloated, constipated feeling & the urgency for urinating on a frequent basis.

Fibroids are even capable of interfering with a female’s chances of conceiving & obstructing the womb which translates to increased likelihood of preterm labor.

In case of smaller-sized fibroids wherein the key symptom is heavy menstruation, the use of Mirena coil could helps to thin the uterine lining hence there’s lesser left for shedding when menstruating or a medicine known as tranexamic acid that could lessen blood lost by obstructing blood clots in breaking down.

For females in their forties and sixties that aren’t intent on bearing children any more, the use of medication Zoladex helps in shutting down the ovaries or surgical removal of uterus (hysterectomy) might be opted for.

Doctors even deploy fibroid embolisation wherein administration of infinitesimal particles is done via jab form into artery which supplies the fibroid. Thus, the blood flow is clamped down upon causing fibroid shrinkage & death.

There is a risk that doing so would cause partial blockage of blood flow to the uterus and hence impact fertility, however when performed by experts there are no such risks.

Surgical procedure for fibroid removal called myomectomy is another choice for resolving painful periods arising due to this condition. It additionally has a risk of the female becoming infertile since it could be causal to adhesion formations – wherein slits on the uterus scar & could adhere to organ types or fallopian tube.

Till lately, this translated to the option of open surgery or minimally invasive surgery (MIS) or bandaid surgery, however currently it could even be performed by robot-assisted keyhole surgery. It was initiated for fibroid treatment in the United States during 2000. In this procedure, surgeon whilst seated at consoles with move duo manual controls that would be manipulating the robotic arms for performing surgery & observe it on-screen. Doing so helps in elimination of any tremors hence one could deploy finer operative instrument types that would translate to lesser likelihood of errors.

Viewing of the surgery area is additionally in three-dimensional, instead of two-dimensional thus allowing greater accuracy.

As is the case with all surgeries, the danger of adhesion formations is present. But the recuperation period is quicker as compared to open surgery & also lesser scar formations.

After anesthetizing the woman, 5 mini slits are made in the stomach – a twelve millimetre one for placing a mini-camera inside, trio eight millimetres slits for robotic arms & one done for the doctor operating. In all incisions, ports are placed which are basically hollow tubes via which the surgical instruments are slipped in.

With the use of robotic arms & electrosurgical scissor types, tissues about the basal part of the fibroids are incised after which the wounds in the uterus are tied together in a tight manner to avert any danger of adhesion & blood loss.

The removed fibroid is then incised to smallish portions as they are taken out via the ports. The abdominal area is then flushed with salt water mix & then sprayed with a gel forming a tough, glistening blockade which makes it tougher for tissues in gluing to.

A solo suture that is absorbable in nature is then used for closing the 5 apertures made and the woman would have catheter insertion in her urinary bladder for a night-long stay at the hospital and then generally taken out after which she is discharged.

• While exercising our bodies release mood-bolstering b-endorphins to assist in steadying mood vacillations & soothing sore feelings that arise from cramping & headache.
• While one is perspiring during workouts, one might be shedding some surfeit fluids that accrue which makes a woman feel bloated during this phase.
• Also when blood circulation is boosted, it helps in easing some extent of heaviness, cramps felt in the pelvic area.

In case you are one of those women who opt for going with the ‘Flow’, then here are some prudent tips.

Shielding your short pants

One could have free movement minus the worries regarding leakages in case one opts for the appropriate type of personal shield. Tampon is ideal for active females & liners could provide additional reassurance & keeping one fresh in the panty area.

Giving the girlies a boost

Pains & tender feeling in the breasts are pervasive complaints among menstruating women. The jostle, jumps & twists while working out could worsen these symptoms. Hence, opt for supporting sport brassiere for offering a lift to the bosoms. The flattened, compression styled sports brassiere might be more pervasive, however a mould-type, dual-cup design might have greater efficacy in reducing movements among those who wear them.

Taking the dive

In case wearing swimsuits when menstruating tends to make you recoil then re-mull. Dipping in the swimming pool would be making one feel light & with greater buoyancy, irrespective of whether it is revitalizing swimming or unwinding floating. Tampons would be offering plentiful shielding, however ensure changing your shield prior to & post swimming.

Being Alert to your Body’s Needs

Your menses can be major energy-zapper & stifling stamina, hence ensure being heedful about your bodily signs that resting is the need of the hour. Reducing your normal regime, slowing down on cardio routines for focusing on stretches or keep workout brief while one is not feeling up to the mark.

Best Exercises During On-going Menstrual Period

According to the ACOG recommendation, taking walks & doing aerobics exercise forms like cycling or swim can help in reducing menses cramping. Additionally, stretching exercises are an effectual means to cope with period pains. For instance, lying down on the back with bended knees and then gradually pulling knees towards the trunk & holding till a count of 5, gradually lowering feet back to the ground. The use of fitness balls could even help with the stretching moves.

Yoga Poses

Yoga positions can offer notable reprieve from bothersome menstrual period symptoms. For instance, Cobra Pose might even aid in allaying back rigidity, be a stress-buster & fight menstrual abnormalities. This could be carried out by:

• Lying flat on the ground on the stomach whilst resting head on the lower arm areas.
• Raising the temples & looking upwards while pulling your arms backwards.
• The elbow areas must point direct to the back of yourself with hands placed on the ground next to the body & weight rested on the trunk.
• Torso is to be raised with backwards motion that should proceed from chin & neck.
• The tummy is to be moved further backwards as though some person is lugging the arms, allowing the lower back to do majority of the job.
• Placing hand, arm areas next to the trunk on the floor sans affecting the curve of the back.
• Arms are to be stretched so that they form a ninety degree angle to the ground.
• Relaxing the lower back, butts & scapulas low.

Meditating

Meditating could even be effectual as it helps to relax the body.

• To start meditation, put a stop to any form of distraction & opt for a special, silent location for this purpose & finding a seated pose one is most comfortable with.
• Keeping the eyes opened however not focused & mouth kept opened to a slight extent.
• Attempt finding a state of tranquil attentiveness. Begin doing meditation for 4-5 minutes at an instant, however aiming for meditating around twenty minutes, two times everyday, in case doable.

Pelvic Rocking Exercises

These could also offer reprieve and can be performed by:

• Getting on the ground on your fours with complete extension & straightening of arms.
• Ensure back is straightened & parallel-wise to the ground with tummy drawn inwards.
• Gradually relaxing low back & allowing pelvic area in tilting forwards in a comfortable manner.
• Holding the pose for some seconds & then moving back to the initial, lesser comfortable positioning.
• Repeating cycle gradually, use merely the lower section of the body and then working upwards from twenty-five to seventy-five reps.

Here are various ways of protecting oneself and generating lesser wastes every month.

Evade Chlorinated Bleach

Conceivably, the matter of highest concern about conventional tampons is their manufacture from pulpwood &/or cotton which are then treated with chlorinated bleaches for whitening them leading to the creation of carcinogenic dioxins. Hence there are rising worries about traditionally used tampons being contributory to greater than usual cervical cancer cases among females since the cotton is coming in direct-contact with tissues of our bodies having max absorbency.

Steer Clear from Farming Toxins

Not simply this, however cotton cultivated in the conventional manner are sprinkled with multi-billion dollars of agricultural chemical substances – several of these have proven links to an array of health issues among humans.

Now, one certainly doesn’t want these malevolent substances near your privates, would you?

Going Chlorine or Chemical Free

Keeping chlorine bleach from the highly-sensitive parts of your body by opting for female sanitary products manufactured with non-bleached constituents or non-chlorine bleaching techniques. Although these products might not be snow-whitish that one is accustomed to seeing and using yet one needs to understand that these are more innate & hence proffering greater safety to our bodies & our environment.

Opting for Organic products with USDA certification

For shielding from chemical substances used in agriculture, always select pad, tampon varieties from brands manufactured by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) certification organic constituents.

Your best bets are any of the following:

• Organic Essentials.
• Seventh Generation.
• Natracare.

Put a halt to Month-by-Month Waste produced

Health is not the sole aspect one would be considering when on the lookout for improved female sanitary products but also the waste aspect.

A startling reminder – People in the U.S. are throwing away seven lakh panty liners, 2 ½ million tampons and over a million napkins on a daily basis. What an incredible amount of wastage of pulpwood, plastic and cotton.

Using Re-usable Cloth Menses Pads

Re-usable cloth menses pads are ideal – simply using, washing and then starting off again for the subsequent menstrual cycle. These are available in an array of amazing designs and shades. Since they could be lasting for half a decade or even further, one would be saving over 250 dollars over the span of the re-usable pads.

Great value for money buys:

• Glad Rags
• Etsy (an entire segment holding all sizes and shapes).
• Lunapads
• WeMoon
• Sckoon

How about Re-usable Menstrual Cups

Women monthly cycle includes several plus points that come to light like:

• Lasting for nearly twelve hours sans the need for removal hence great for working women.
• With regular cleaning and maintenance (just rinsing and re-using in the next periods, washing with soapy water and storing for subsequent usage) these could last for twelve months or even more.
• One could end up saving from eight hundred dollars onwards over their life spans.

Great Buys:

• The Keeper.
• Mpowercup.
• The Keeper.
• Green Donna.
• Femmecup.
• Yuuki.
• LadyCup.

In several brands like Diva Cup – it is available in duo sizes – depending on how old the female is and if or not she has experienced childbirth.

Experimenting with Innate Sea Sponge

These feel quite comfy on use however the sole drawback is that there is no means of assuring that the sponges one is using are the outcomes of sustainable harvesting. Hence for those women with concerns regarding marine health, it might not be the finest option for them.

Good Buys:

• Sea Pearls
• Jade & Pearl.