Category: Women’s General Healthcare

 

 

Childbirth is an unforgettable stage in a woman’s life. One will have to go through unbearable pain to ensure safe delivery. However, after the nine months of carrying the baby and the actual childbirth, the challenges that the mother face does not end there.  “The biggest myth is that this should be a time of idyllic happiness. It’s really a time of terrific challenge,” says Arthur Kovacs, PhD. The postpartum stage is the moment right after childbirth; it extends from weeks to more than a year for most mothers.

Recovering from childbirth also means that the mother should be aware of changes that will occur, both physical and psychological. Initially, new mothers will feel the effects of delivery such as the difficulty of movement. Left untreated, this may lead to complications.

While many mothers recognize the importance of postpartum healthcare, a number of them would still put off an appointment with the doctor to take care of the baby. However, given the drastic changes that new mothers have to go through, seeking health advice from medical professionals are just as urgent. “Being a new mom, there is so much insecurity about whether you’re going to be good at it. There’s so much fear, which feels out of control,” says Lesley Goth, PsyD. Seeing a doctor can help.

If you’re reading this because you have just given birth, congratulations! You’re on the right track to recovery. Know the reasons why postpartum care is essential and how it can help you become a better mother.

 

Your Needs Are Important Too

Bring to mind that caring for your body postpartum is as important as taking care of your precious newborn. If you were taking care of your body when you were single, you should be doubling the effort now that a baby is reliant on you for their life.

They say you cannot give what you don’t have. If you’re feeling weak or different after the delivery, you will be unable to directly address the needs of your child. You may have to anticipate more physical changes including regular cramping and breast engorgement. Mothers also experience postpartum depression (PPD) that is often associated with anxiety, sleep deprivation, and insecurities. “There’s so much stigma about postpartum depression,” says Susan Hatters Friedman, MD.

 

 

 

Your Healing Progress Gets Monitored Professionally

There is a proliferation of different beliefs when it comes to healing postpartum wounds. It greatly varies from even culture-to-culture. However, if you want to be assured that you’re doing the right thing, your best bet is to follow your doctor. An article published in Mother.ly also explains this.

If you would like to avoid any complications in the future, it’s better to stick to the check-up schedule provided. Given that there are a LOT of problems that may arise after giving birth, you may opt to heed our advice.

If money is an issue, you may just go to any government hospital or health center to be able to talk with a medical professional. There are a lot of options available nowadays if you remain vigilant.

In the end, remember that postpartum healthcare is crucial especially for first-time mothers since it is a period where mothers needs adapt to these changes while recovering from childbirth. Support from friends, family and especially her husband is needed to make she get through the challenges of motherhood. Counseling is also essential because healthcare professionals are there to help you get through the suffering.

 

 

While the topic of contraception and birth control can spark many heated debates, there’s no denying that a lot of women take up the pill for more reasons than one. These benefits are also backed up by science and medical experts.

Before you dismiss the prospect of taking birth control, here are some benefits many women enjoy thanks to a small pill they need only remember to take once everyday.

 

 

Preventing Pregnancy

This is pretty obvious. One of the many reasons women take birth control is straightforward family planning. Whether it’s to put off having children until they’re ready, or being happy with the number of children they already have, the pill remains one of the most reliable forms of contraception.

Birth control pills are said to be 91-99% effective, which isn’t bad at all. Those who may become pregnant while on the pill most often do not make use of it entirely. They may forget to take the pill now and then, take the wrong kind not suited for their system or not wait long enough for the pill to start working.

 

 

Manages Your Menstrual Cycle And Woes

Almost every woman will know how much of a pain it is to wake up to red stains in your underwear. This means you’ve got a heavy flow or Aunt Flo came early this month. There’s nothing like the anxiety you get from having to check your backside in the mirror several times to make sure you haven’t bled through your pants.

Enter the birth control pill. When used correctly, this helps regulate your period almost on the dot. No more surprises as you’ll be able to know the exact day that your period comes. This especially comes as an absolute savior to girls who have extremely irregular periods: bleeding for weeks at a time and then going months without a speck of blood.

Debra Rose Wilson, PhD, MSN, RN, IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT andAnnette McDermott say that “[birth control pills], in turn, is said to reduce blood flow and cramping. The pills also suppress ovulation, which prevents any related cramping.”

You’ll also be glad to know that the pill helps with menstrual cramps, the heaviness of flow and migraines. Because the pill basically tricks your body into thinking it’s pregnant, so it doesn’t release a new egg anymore, your uterus also doesn’t release the chemicals that trigger cramps.

 

Improves Your Skin and Body Hair Condition

Many women who turn to birth control might have actually done so to get rid of their acne problem. Because the pill is primarily made up of just hormones, it helps in regulating skin conditions and slowing the growth of body hair.

“Doctors often prescribe combination birth control pills because they can lower the body’s levels of androgen, a hormone that helps produce oils in the skin,” says Dr. Beatrice Chen, MD, an assistant professor of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive services at the University of Pittsburgh.

So if you’ve tried everything to manage those pesky pimples to no avail, visit your doctor and see if the pill is a viable option for you.

 

Helps Your Mental Health

For many mental disorders, there’s still a physical and chemical aspect that influences your mood and condition. Hormones are one of those factors. Since that’s basically what the pill is made up of, taking it can actually have some effect on your mental well-being as well.

Many users find that even other forms of birth control such as implants have helped with symptoms of depression and anxiety. After all, health is a holistic concept with all aspects affecting each other.

 

 

 

Manages PCOS

Those who wish to ban forms of contraception seem not to be aware of how some people heavily rely on pills for other reasons. For those suffering from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) find that taking this form of birth control helps them manage the symptoms of their condition.

While it isn’t a cure, it still dramatically helps those with PCOS. Deciding to take the pill can be the difference between a healthy life and a one filled way days of pain, weight gain, severe acne and highly irregular periods.

According to Richard Fogoros, MD and Nicole Galan, RN, “it’s important to note that even the lowest dose of estrogen is effective in preventing pregnancy and may be less likely to cause side effects such as bloating, weight gain, and mood swings. By contrast, high dosages may increase the risk of irregular periods rather than reduce it.”

 

 

 

There is a common practice wherein women only go to an obstetrician and gynecologist when they’re pregnant, or hoping to be so. However, some valid reasons exist why you should schedule an appointment to an OB/GYN, and make it an annual practice as well. Here are some of them.

 

General Health

Some may think that seeing a doctor is only necessary when they find something wrong or worrying. While check-ups may be expensive depending on your country’s or state’s health care system, your well-being is not something you want to skip, lest you risk regretting it later.

 

Your doctor should be your right-hand when it comes to issues of women’s wellness. They will serve as go-to experts for all aspects: providing preventive care, mental health advice, nutrition and diet information, vaccinations and much more. An annual check-up will help in making sure that your body is in tip-top shape.

Continue reading Reasons To Visit An OB/GYN If You Haven’t Before

 

 

 

For many women from adolescents to adults, the word “hormones” is considered a negative term. Why won’t it be? Those hormones are responsible for your mood swings and breakouts. Once in your life, you’ve blamed hormones because of its not-so-good physical manifestations.

Continue reading Top Five Signs Of Hormonal Imbalance You Shouldn’t Ignore

 

 

 

 

It has become a habit among women to check their breasts to spot lumps early on regularly. Essentially, every woman should know how to do self-check-ups just to ensure the regular monitoring of any lumps that may appear in the area.

 

However, there are many other things women must watch out for apart from lumps. It is always most beneficial to be safe and act swiftly when it comes to your health, so if you notice any of the following signs below, make sure that you see a specialist for further examination:

 

1. Nipple Discharge

There are many reasons why your breasts may be excreting discharge. Common causes may include hormonal changes that may occur during puberty or menopause and even pregnancy since you are breastfeeding.

 

More serious reasons may include a harmless growth known as duct ectasia, which may occur to your breasts due to age, or some more severe cases where blood comes from your nipples, which may be a sign of cancer.

 

Whether or not you are experiencing alerting breast discharge, it is still worth the trip to the doctor to ensure that you are safe and healthy.

 

2. Inverted Nipples

Inverted nipples may be a result of pregnancy, an age-related breast droop, or breastfeeding damage, reasons you need not worry too much about. Although this could be a typical change in breasts among women, it could also be a sign of an infection or even breast cancer.

 

It is best to seek a specialist once you notice that this does not change after some time to ensure that it is nothing serious.

 

3. Unusual Rashes Or Redness

Although this could be a result of a new bra or a new skin product you are using, if you notice that the rash persists for a more extended period, it may be a sign of something severe. Watch out for it especially if it surrounds your nipple.

 

4. Constant Pain

It is common for women to experience aches in the breast area. It could occur during the menstrual cycle, during a change in hormones or even as simple as wearing the wrong sized bra.

 

You may find it difficult to determine the cause of the pain, and usually, it just goes away within a short time frame. However, if the pain is consistent and does not go away after some time, do take a trip to the doctor to see if there is anything more serious is going on.

 

5. Armpit Or Collarbone Swelling

Lumps don’t always appear visible or identifiable in the breast area. There are tissues present in the armpit up to the collarbone area that is also a part of the breasts. For this reason, it is good to know how to thoroughly check yourself around this area, or better yet, seek a professional for a proper investigation.

 

 

 

Changes in your body, especially in your breasts, are entirely natural. But if you feel confident that you know your body from top to bottom, never ignore anything that seems unusual to you. It is good to be knowledgeable on how you can properly examine yourself but do regularly seek a physician to watch your health further.