Are You Pregnant? Pregnancy Signs & Symptoms

Are You Pregnant? Pregnancy Signs & Symptoms

Pregnancy comes with many signs and symptoms. For many women they will only experience a small proportion, while for others they won’t experience any at all. Although signs and symptoms can give you a good indication that you are pregnant, most women know deep down inside them that something has changed and this change can be enough for them to know. Of course though to be completely sure you should take a pregnancy test or see your Doctor.

For some mothers, pregnancy symptoms can begin immediately after conception. Usually signs will start popping up when your baby implants after ovulation. When your baby implants it causes an increase in progesterone levels. This can cause a temperature rise and if it remains high for 15 or more days after ovulation then it can be a very early sign of pregnancy. Some women may experience a temperature drop at implantation instead. Some women also experience implantation bleeding and this can be brown, red or pink in color. Further more some women experience slight cramping.

Using a pregnancy test will, in most cases, give you a strong indication of pregnancy. A pregnancy test measures the pregnancy hormone hCG in your urine. Some tests are super sensitive and can tell you if you are pregnant as little as four days after your period is due. Most tests you have to wait 10 days after your period is due. In some cases the test maybe negative but you are in fact pregnancy. If you have tested yourself early on, wait until 14 days after ovulation and test again and it is much more accurate. If you feel the test is wrong seeing your Doctor is a good idea. They can give you a blood serum test which is much more accurate and sensitive as they can detect very low levels of hCG.

Other symptoms of pregnancy include a missed period (which is the first symptom women notice), frequent urination, morning sickness, breast changes, cravings, body changes, and fatigue and smell/food aversions.

Despite a missed period, many women experience breast tenderness early on and this can be one of the first indications of pregnancy. Breast tenderness can also be a sign of an impending period, but breast tenderness in relation to pregnancy is more intense. You will find that your breasts are much more tender and there will be a clear indication compared to tenderness from an impending period.

Many women find that they frequently need to urinate. This symptom is very common and is also a problem for women in the third trimester when baby is pressing down on their bladder.

Morning sickness of course is another symptom – one many women dread! It can start as early as 2 to 4 weeks after conception but many women experience is around the 9th or 10th week. Despite being called morning sickness, many women experience sickness and various different times of the day and it can be different each day or every week. Typically it will be worse during the first trimester and ease off in the second and third, however for some sickness can be bad throughout.

Food and smell aversions can also be fairly common. Some women find that smells they were ok with can suddenly cause them to feel nauseous or even be sick. Cravings are also experienced in about 85% of women.

Fatigue can also be a symptom and many women feel completely wiped out from their normal routines. This usually is overcome after the first trimester, but rest is important.

Lastly it is worth acknowledging intuition. Many women just know that they are pregnant or that something is different. It is hard to explain exactly what this feels like but it is something that is very real and that can be experienced before or after symptoms are apparent.

Despite the symptoms described here there are many less common symptoms. If you feel you are pregnant take a test or go to the Doctors and get it confirmed.

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Pregnancy Symptoms and Pregnancy Care and Pregnancy Tips

Pregnancy Symptoms and Pregnancy Care and Pregnancy Tips

Pregnancy is a natural process. Naturally body changes will also be involved once a woman is pregnant. Most women don’t face much complication throughout their pregnancy period though some might have to face few difficulties. Most women experience mood swings, fear and anxiety throughout their pregnancy period. Pregnancy is the time filled with anticipation, happiness and excitement. Most women start experiencing symptoms within a week and some others might experience after few weeks of conception.

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Pregnancy lasts for 40 weeks or nine months which is divided into three trimesters. Pregnancy is counted from the first day of woman’s last period. The signs and symptoms of pregnancy vary in intensity, duration and frequency from woman to woman.
The early signs of pregnancy are as follows:

1. Missed period

2. Breast tenderness

3. Fatigue

4. Frequent urination

Get a physical.

Before spending a year trying to get pregnant, it’s a good idea to have a thorough physical examination, according to Sanford M. Markham, M.D., an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C. “Make sure that there aren’t any physical problems, such as masses or cysts in the pelvic area,” he says. “Your doctor should also treat any low-grade vaginal infections that you might have. He or she should also check for sexually transmitted diseases.” Other conditions that can interfere with pregnancy are ovarian cysts, fibroids, and endometriosis, an inflammation of the lining of the uterus, Markham says.

Have sex around the time of ovulation.

The woman’s egg is capable of being fertilized for only 24 hours after it is released from the ovary, according to Richard J. Paulson, M.D., an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology and director of the In Vitro Fertilization Program at the University of Southern California School of Medicine in Los Angeles. The man’s sperm can live for between 48 and 72 hours in the woman’s reproductive tract. Since sperm and egg must come together for an embryo to be created, a couple must try to have sex at least every 72 hours around the time of ovulation (see Extra! Extra! – “Methods of Ovulation Prediction”) in order to hit the mark, Paulson says. “Every 48 hours is even better,” he says. However, he adds, the man should not ejaculate more frequently than once in 48 hours, since that may bring his sperm count down too low for fertilization.

Men should ejaculate every two to three days.

Along with the advice to have sex no more often than once every 48 hours, men should also try to ejaculate at least once every two to three days throughout the month, says Bergh. Men need to keep ejaculating to keep up their sperm supply, he adds.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle.
The best way to enhance your chances of getting pregnant is to maintain an all-around healthy lifestyle. This goes for both men and women, says William C. Andrews, M.D., executive director of the American Fertility Society and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk. “A healthy lifestyle will also help ensure the quality of your offspring,” Andrews says.

Try to eliminate stress.

“There is little doubt that severe stress will interfere with reproductive function,” says Paulson. “At the simplest level, stress will take away your libido. At the extreme, the woman may stop menstruating. Although studies in men are lacking, it is quite likely that a similar effect may occur.”

Keep the testicles cool.

Exposure to extreme heat can be the death of sperm–literally. (That’s why the testicles are outside of the body–to keep them cool.) Bergh’s advice for maintaining the proper temperature is to wear boxer shorts (if you find them comfortable) and to avoid hot tubs and whirlpools. Taxicab and truck drivers will benefit from the use of a beaded seat mat that allows air to circulate. “There was an old Indian fertility ritual where the men used to dip their testicles in cold water,” says Bergh. “They had the right idea.” Varicose veins in the testicles can also interfere with temperature regulation. If you have these, see a urologist, Bergh suggests.

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How to Treat Female Infertility Symptoms

How to Treat Female Infertility Symptoms

There are many couples that are may looking healthy and perfectly well, and the thought of female or male infertility never crosses their minds.

What is actually infertility?

An infertility problem is defined clinically as the inability to have babies or carry a child to full term during the pregnancy period. If you have had a year of unprotected sexual intercourse or are over 35 years of age and can’t conceive, you may have this problem.

There are many women that after been diagnose of having infertility problem by their medical doctors, could not accept the fact as explained by their doctors. It is not the end of their planned chapter on parenthood; it was just the beginning of a different chapter.

Doctors will take a look at their medical and family history to uncover other symptoms of infertility. Symptoms found are:

1) Having irregular menstrual cycle. It is less likely for women to have a perfect 28 day cycle and there are many having their period only once a couple of months. Any cycle less than 24 days or more than 35 days is considered irregular and can lead to a meeting with a reproductive endocrinologist. By knowing this before hand, you can treat infertility problem

2) Are you having not constant ovulation?

There many women out there assumes that if they are have period regularly, they must be ovulating. In fact, not all women ovulate every cycle.

Since there is usually a 24 hour window where she is most fertile, calculating when she ovulates is crucial to eliminate female infertility. This method is one of the oldest method to curb this problem.

3) What about your family history?

You need to know if your mom had trouble conceiving you and your other family members having problem conceiving babies. This will give you an indication on how answer screening questions.

4) Does age also play a part in female infertility?

Women above the age of 35 may not automatically be infertile, in fact 40 something women also could get pregnant. The reason may due to the number of eggs a woman produces each cycle diminishes in her mid-thirties.

Therefore the chances of getting pregnant become less in comparison to someone in their early twenties with all other factors being constant. After knowing this, you should take having early medical checkup to undercover the symptoms before planning a baby.

5) Are you stress out?

There are lots of medical research that stress is one of the symptoms that causes female infertility. Stress management by controlling your emotional and mental pressures may able to prevent infertility issues.

Fear not medical science is so advanced and there lots of miracle babies being born everyday.

Once you are aware of the symptoms of infertility, and take some measures to prevent it, and at the same time having the faith of having a baby will overcome any fears of infertility.

Therefore, Eddy has started a information guide on how to help people to deal with infertility and offer good how to get pregnant solutions.

Eddy Kong is the author of this site. If you have already started on to get yourself pregnant, your search for solutions may end here. I recommend you visit his site, Signs of Pregnancy. It is one of his sites and he will be personally maintaining it for the latest findings and recommedations from doctors on increase pregnancy. Drop by at his site now for more information and updates.


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Before a Missed Period – Very Early Symptoms of Pregnancy

Before a Missed Period – Very Early Symptoms of Pregnancy

When most women think about very early symptoms of pregnancy, they automatically assume that a missed period is the top symptom.

Would you be surprised that a missed period isn’t even in the top 5 very early symptoms of pregnancy?

By the time a woman has noticed a missed period due to a pregnancy, at least 5 other symptoms may have made themselves known, possibly weeks before the scheduled period.

Here are five very early signs of pregnancy that can be noticed by a sensitive mother-to-be. And, all five can happen long before a period has been missed.

Elevated Basal Body Temperature
The body’s basal  temperature (the lowest body temperature that happens during rest) begins to elevate after ovulation, and stays  elevated beyond your next expected period. Ovulation is when a mature egg is released  from the ovary and pushed down the fallopian tube and is ready to be fertilized by a sperm. The implantation of a fertilized egg normally takes place 6 to 12 days after ovulation – that’s about two to three weeks before the next period is missed.

This one-half to one degree Fahrenheit increase in basal body temperature  is a subtle early warning sign of pregnancy. This change in basal body temperature, which is measured by a special, more accurate thermometer, can happen as early as two days after ovulation. And, that can be two weeks before you notice a missed period.

Breast Tenderness, Nipple Enlargement And Increased Breast Size
Changes and increased swelling and tenderness in the breast and nipples are one of the classic very early signs of pregnancy. Many times, a woman may notice these changes and blame them on a particularly ill-fitting or uncomfortable bra or other article of clothing. But, the sensitive woman will notice these changes for what they are – a new life is beginning to grow inside her with the new pregnancy.

Nipples, particularly the dark area around the nipple called the areola, enlarge and darken in anticipation of breastfeeding the infant. These changes are due almost entirely to hormone releases in the body, all in anticipation of sustaining the new life within. Some experts say the darkening of the areolas serves a purpose – helping the newly born child find the nipple easier for feeding. These changes to the breast and nipple areas should return to normal after birth.

Nausea And Vomiting
Also known as “morning sickness,” this early and uncomfortable sign of pregnancy usually targets women and begins around the sixth  week of pregnancy, but often occurs earlier. About half of all expecting mothers have morning sickness – which may or may not include vomiting. But, it usually always features nausea.

Often attributed to increased hormone levels in the body, some doctors feel that morning sickness is  a good sign that the baby is healthy and is developing normally, and the pregnancy is progressing well. If your morning sickness is accompanied with vomiting, be  sure to stay hydrated, keep your electrolyte levels within range. and get plenty of rest and nap throughout the day.

Constipation
Another subtle and often overlooked pregnancy clue is constipation – defined as less that three bowel movements per week. Who doesn’t get constipated at one time or another – without being pregnant?

The constantly changing level of the hormone progesterone, which slows down the movement of food through your digestive system, can wreak havoc with the frequency and timing of bowel movements.  Many women who are pregnant but don’t realize it may just write constipation off as an unrelated, and irritating issue. Like changes in the breasts, paying close attention here really can make tell a story.

Fatigue And Exhaustion
There is a big difference between fatigue and tiredness. Feeling tired and sleepy after a long day’s work is completely normal and expected. Sleep, which usually happens after tiredness, is the remedy for a body needing rest, as sleep allows the body to repair itself and ready itself for another hard day.

Fatigue, on the other hand, is not a normal bodily function and is usually a sign of some other condition. Technically speaking, fatigue really has nothing to do with a tired body, as sleep will not normally resolve fatigue. Fatigue can be a sign of disease   such as certain cancers, auto-immune disorders and a host of other conditionss – including pregnancy.

Fatigue can also be a sure sign of an early pregnancy, usually occurring during the first trimester and often partially blamed on a dramatic rise in the level of the hormone progesterone. Pregnancy also can put a huge strain on every bodily function – it’s no wonder that you may feel totally exhausted before the day is through.

Are you experiencing one or more of these very early symptoms of pregnancy? If you have even the slightest idea that you may be pregnant, get a home pregnancy test from your local drug store and test yourself. Then, you’ll know for sure and if positive, you can then notify your doctor and start taking care of your new baby.

If you or someone you love is struggling to get pregnant, then Read THIS Immediately - it could be the difference between failure and success – and a baby! !


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Female Infertility Causes and Symptoms and Tips to Increase Female Fertility or Female Libido

Infertility in females refers to the incapacity to conceive and give birth to a living baby. Infertility or failure to reproduce must be distinguished from frigidity which denotes failure to perform the sex act or performing it imperfectly.

Read more on Increase Female Libido and Irregular Menstruation Treatment and Women Sexual Health

Female Infertility Causes

1.    Weight – Staying fit and in a good shape directly related to your fertility. You may not believe, but in many cases overweight is found as the main cause behind infertility. The amount of fat stored in the body creates ovulation troubles. And, at the same time, lack of weight can also create amenorrhea (menstrual cycle problems). So, it is very important to keep the body weight in a correct proportion.

2.    Stress – This is an element that plays a major negative role here. Today, life demands a number of different kinds of tasks from everyone and that creates a big amount of stress that can hinder the ovulation in women.

3.    Smoking – A large number of women smoke and they do not know that how badly it affects their fertility. Use of Tobacco can develop cervical complication, irregular periods, and hormonal imbalance in women. It can reduce your fertility by 50%.

4.    Malnutrition – It is very vital to have a good amount of nutrition in your diet daily. But, unfortunately not every woman eats healthy diet as for them, even the basic food is a hard thing to get. In this condition, it becomes very hard for their reproduction organs to function properly and it can lead to infertility.

5.    Alcohol – Similar to tobacco, alcohol also affects your fertility adversely. It causes irregular periods that increase the rate of miscarriages and create other troubles.

Getting Pregnant Tips

1.    Predict ovulation. Learning how to predict your ovulation is key to improving fertility. This is because having sex near ovulation improves your chances of getting pregnant with each menstrual cycle. One way in which to determine when you’ll be ovulating is to use a basal body temperature (BBT) thermometer.

2.    Check for other signs of ovulation. Look for changes in your cervical fluid to help you predict when you’ll be ovulating. When cervical mucus is produced in greater quantities and when it is stretchy in texture, it means you are ovulating and therefore are most fertile. But if cervical mucus is dry and being produced in lesser amounts, you are less fertile. Some women also experience mittelschmertz (“middle pain”), a mild pain in the abdominal area that is indicative of ovulation.

3.    Wear boxers. Men should wear boxers instead of briefs. This is helpful in improving a couple’s chances of getting pregnant because wearing boxers reduces the risk of the testicles overheating, which can result in sperm damage.

4.    Getting pregnant sex. While timing sex around ovulation can help improve your odds of getting pregnant, another factor that can help in improving your infertility is getting pregnant sex”. This is because certain sexual positions can help to direct the sperm nearer to the cervix, which increases a woman’s chances of conceiving.

5.    Importance of female orgasm. While it is well-known that male orgasm is linked to getting pregnant, female orgasm is also relevant to a couple’s chances of successfully getting pregnant. When a woman experiences an orgasm during sex, it helps to draw the semen into the cervix, thereby resulting in a higher chance of pregnancy.

6.    Elevate your hips after sex. Following intercourse, elevating your hips and buttocks can help improve your chances of getting pregnant because it helps the semen stay close to the cervix and prevents leakage of the semen. Lying in bed for about 20 minutes with a pillow propped under your hips can help boost your odds of getting pregnant.

7.    Don’t douche. While this is a fairly common practice, douching can actually reduce your chances of getting pregnant. Douching affects female fertility because it disturbs the natural state of the vagina and can aggravate vaginal infections.

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Early Menopause Symptoms – How Early Symptoms of Menopause Can Occur

Early Menopause Symptoms – How Early Symptoms of Menopause Can Occur

For early menopause symptoms, are you wondering if early symptoms of menopause are what you are experiencing? Certain early menopause symptoms can be considered normal while others indicate underlying health problems.


First, keep in mind that menopause is a natural process for women and not some illness. Menopause is actually a specific date, the day that the end of menstrual cycles has occurred for twelve consecutive months. At some point in life as a woman ages, it is normal that the reproductive cycle slows and eventually ceases functioning.


However, the thirties and early forties are usually premature for early symptoms of menopause to be experienced unless there are health problems or unless there has been a hysterectomy. So what is going on?


Often, women are asking so much of their bodies. Today’s woman probably has a demanding career along with family responsibilities. A stressful lifestyle likely exists with little time to attend to her own needs. There is no time to exercise and unwind from the stress of the work day. Over the months and years, the result is a toll taken on the health and well-being of a woman and early menopause symptoms.


Along with the demands required of her body, she may not be providing her body with the support needed to perform as it was designed. For example, excess caffeine and/or alcohol consumption drain the body of valuable nutrients. With little time to exercise, she may have low energy and at the same time be putting on unwanted pounds which adds to the problem instead of helping. Her eating choices may not be the best, which further depletes her body of the nutrients it requires.


This demanding lifestyle along with inadequate support can lead to experiencing one or more of the early menopause symptoms.


Common early symptoms of menopause for women are:


* Endometriosis

* Hot flashes, night sweats

* Irregular menstrual cycles

* Light or heavy menstrual flow

* Mood swings

* PMS

* Problems with sleep

* Tender or lumpy breasts

* Uterine fibroid tumors

* Vaginal dryness

* Weight gain, especially around the waist and hips


One or more of these early menopause symptoms for women may begin as early as her late twenties or thirties. And a common cause of symptoms of early menopause is hormone imbalance or the incorrect levels of her two primary hormones, estrogen and progesterone.


In a healthy woman having normal menstrual cycles, estrogen is produced for the first ten to twelve days after the previous menstrual flow. If ovulation occurs, the female body then produces progesterone for the next twelve days or so. If pregnancy does not happen, levels of both progesterone and estrogen will drop at around day 28 and menstruation begins.


However, if there is no ovulation, there will be no progesterone production that cycle since ovulation is needed for progesterone to be made in the ovaries. The result is a deficiency of the hormone progesterone and an excess of estrogen, creating hormone imbalance and early menopause symptoms. And with menopause and no ovulation, progesterone levels are reduced to zero.


All the while, estrogen is still being produced, creating more hormone imbalance and early symptoms of menopause. Besides continued estrogen production, estrogen is usually obtained from other sources. Exposure to household chemicals and cleaners, birth control pills, foods sprayed with pesticides and new construction materials and furnishings in homes are examples of sources of estrogen that leads to excess estrogen accumulation in the body.


This condition of too much estrogen in the body is called estrogen dominance. If estrogen levels in the woman’s body increase beyond what is healthy, early menopause symptoms will be experienced.


How can a woman tell if she is experiencing hormone imbalance symptoms? Learn more about additional early signs of menopause and symptoms of hormone imbalance. Understand as much as you can about your health, your specific symptoms, what those symptoms may be telling you and physician-recommended natural treatments.


Copyright 2007 InfoSearch Publishing

Read more about hormone imbalance and natural treatment. David Lee Buster is VP of InfoSearch Publishing and a writer for http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com – visit the website and find information on a wide range of women’s health issues.


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Cramping during pregnancy is quite common and normal, but it should be observed closely to make sure there is no coinciding bleeding taking place. Discover healthy and worrisome cramping during pregnancy with helpful information from a certified nurse-midwife in this free video on pregnancy. Expert: Mavis Schorn Contact: www.vanderbiltnursemidwives.org Bio: Mavis N. Schorn, CNM, PhD, is a certified nurse-midwife and director of the Vanderbilt University School of Nursing Nurse-Midwifery educational program in Nashville, Tenn. Filmmaker: Dimitri LaBarge

Mittelschmerz – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Methods

Mittelschmerz – Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Methods

Mittelschmerz is one-sided lower-abdominal pain that occurs in women at or around the time of ovulation. The word mittelschmerz actually means “middle pain,” because this pain is felt during the middle of your menstrual cycle. Most of the time, mittelschmerz doesn’t require medical attention. About 20% of women experience mittelschmerz, some every cycle, some intermittently. This pain occurs during ovulation- the midpoint between menstrual periods, about 2 weeks before a period may begin. The location is determined by which ovary has produced the ovum that month. It can show up on one side of the abdomen one month and switch to the opposite side during the following cycle. Occasionally, in addition to midcycle pain and cramping, some women may experience nausea, and/or light menstrual spotting. It can cause pain and cramping; but it is not serious and usually goes away after about 6 to 8 hours. The pain is not harmful and does not signify the presence of disease. In fact, women who feel this pain may be at an advantage when planning or trying to avoid pregnancy.

Diagnosis of mittelschmerz is generally made if a woman is mid-cycle and a pelvic examination shows no abnormalities. Only 20% – 30% of of women will have mittelschmerz or ovulation pains – and please note that mittelschmerz may occur before, during, or even after ovulation. Women with mittelschmerz rarely need to go to a hospital’s Emergency Department, but some serious medical conditions such as appendicitis and ectopic pregnancy (pregnancy in the tubes) can mimic the pain of ovulation. In some women, the mittelschmerz is localized enough so that they can tell which of their two ovaries provided the egg in a given month. Because ovulation occurs on a random ovary each cycle, the pain may switch sides or stay on the same side from one cycle to another. Pain at any other point in your menstrual cycle isn’t mittelschmerz. It may be normal menstrual cramping. some cases, a small amount of bleeding or discharge may occur. Some women experience nausea, especially if the pain is severe.

Causes of Mittelschmerz

The common causes and risk factor’s of Mittelschmerz include the following:

The exact cause of Mittelschmerz is not known.

An egg being released from an ovary.

The swelling of follicles in the ovaries.

At the time of ovulation, blood or other fluid is released from the ruptured egg follicle. This fluid may cause irritation of the abdominal lining.

The growth of the ovarian follicle, which can stretch the surface of you ovary, causing pain.

The fluid or blood may irritate the lining of the abdominal cavity, causing pain.

Symptoms of Mittelschmerz

Some sign and symptoms related to Mittelschmerz are as follows:

Lower abdominal and pelvic pain.

Faintness or dizziness.

Light bleeding.

Mild nausea.

Pain occurs on one side of the lower abdomen (can be either side).

Vomiting blood.

Blood in stool.

Pain lasts anywhere from a few hours to 2-3 days.

Spotting of blood.

Treatment of Mittelschmerz

Here is list of the methods for treating Mittelschmerz:

No treatment is usually necessary.

Pain relievers (analgesics) may be needed in cases of prolonged or intense pain.

Hormonal forms of contraception can be taken to prevent ovulation- and therefore ovulatory pain- but otherwise there is no known prevention.

If pain is severe, birth control can be taken to prevent ovulation.

Applying a heating pad to the lower abdomen or taking a warm bath may also help with the discomfort.

If the over-the-counter medications do not control the pain, your doctor may give you prescription anti-inflammatory medication.

Try to drink between six and eight glasses of water every day. Water will help to keep you hydrated, which will alleviate those cramps.

Juliet Cohen writes articles for diseases treatment and online health tips. She also writes articles on rare skin disorders.


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Perimenopause Symptoms – 10 Common Symptoms Of Perimenopause

Perimenopause Symptoms – 10 Common Symptoms Of Perimenopause

Perimenopause symptoms are most often experienced by women in their late 30′s, 40′s or early 50′s. The perimenopause symptoms such as fluctuating menstrual cycles can signal the slowing down of reproductive capabilities.

Perimenopause (or peri menopause) can be defined as the time before menopause. Menopause is the cessation of menstrual periods for twelve months in a row. Having symptoms of perimenopause can mean that the woman is getting closer to the age of menopause and the ending of monthly menstrual periods.

Here are common symptoms of perimenopause:

• Changes in the Menstrual Cycle (menstrual flow can be heavier or lighter, longer or shorter time between periods, irregular flow)

• Lumpy or Tender Breasts

• Water Retention, Bloating

• Problems with Sleep

• “Foggy, Fuzzy” Thinking, Difficulty Concentrating

• Anxiety, Mood Swings, Depression

• PMS

• Hot Flashes, Night Sweats

• Vaginal Dryness

• Unexplained Weight Gain

Perimenopause and menopause will affect each woman differently. Your only one of the perimenopause symptoms may be that your period stops. However, you may have one or more of the other symptoms of perimenopause. Perimenopause symptoms can be experienced by a woman for a few months or they can last for years. Since the average age of menopause is 51, symptoms of perimenopause can appear in a woman’s late 30′s, any time in her 40′s or early 50′s.

During perimenopause, many women begin experiencing their first symptoms of hormone imbalance. How does hormone imbalance happen?

According to Harvard-trained physician Dr. John Lee, perimenopause symptoms appear because ovulation occurs less frequently or not at all in the years before menopause. When a woman is healthy and ovulating, estrogen is produced during the first part of the menstrual cycle and following ovulation, progesterone is produced during the latter part of the monthly cycle.

With ovulation required for the monthly production of progesterone, if there’s no ovulation, no progesterone will be produced. With declining progesterone production, perimenopause can be the time women experience the onset of hormone imbalance, causing symptoms of perimenopause.

How can a woman tell if the symptoms of perimenopause are related to hormone imbalance? One way is to take a leading womens clinic test for hormone health and related perimenopause symptoms. The health test is free and it takes just a few minutes.

Copyright 2006 InfoSearch Publishing

Take the womens hormone health test and learn more about additional menopause symptoms at http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com/menopausesymptoms.html – Olinda Rola is President of InfoSearch Publishing and the webmaster of http://www.safemenopausesolutions.com where you will find a variety of natural health articles for women.


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Endometriosis Part I – Definition, Stages, Symptoms, Causes and Affects of Endometriosis

I. Definition
During the last stage of the menstrual cycle, normally a layer of endometriosis lining on the inside of the uterus is expelled, known as menstruation blood which instead some of the endometriosis tissues grows somewhere in the body causing endometriosis. They also react to hormone signals of the monthly menstrual cycle, builds up tissue, breaks it and eliminates it through menstrual period.

II. Stages
Endometriosis is estimated to affect:
a) About 20% of reproductive age women with endometriosis present but without symptoms.
b) About 55% of women who have developed the new onset of severe menstrual cramps
c) About 25% of women with sub-fertility (less fertile than a normal couple)
Since they grow in somewhere other than in the uterus, when they break there is no way for the period blood to exit causing blood attaching to the organs or lining of the abdomen resulting in scars or adhesion as well as weakening the normal function of organs.
Most of the time, the endometriosis tissues do not travel far. It is commonly found within the pelvic region, on the lining of peritoneum, in the ovaries, and on the surface of the uterus’s outside wall, but they can be anywhere in the body such as well as fallopian tubes, the cervix, the vagina, and even the vulva.
Endometriosis can vary in appearance. It may be clear or white, reddish, brown or blue black, and cysts. They can be classified according to stage of severity:
a) Minimal stage:
Top surface, few in number. Commonly they are found in the inside wall of uterus, ligaments and ovary.
b) Mild stage:
Deeper implants, greater numbers are presented. Commonly found in the same area as minimal stage.
c) Moderate stage:
Many implants, endometrial cysts present, affecting ovary function, causing scar tissues and adhesion is also present.
d) Severe stage:
Intensive peritoneal implants, large endometromas present and dense adhesion.
Each women experiences differently to endometriosis. Some women may have extensive endometrial tissues in their body but feel little or no pain at all, while other women may only be in the early stage of endometriosis but have excessive pain.

III. Symptoms
1. Severe period pain
It normally happens with over-production of prostaglandins and leukotrient causing the cervix to contract resulting in no escape for the menstrual period.

2. Difficult to get pregnant
If the cyst is presented in the ovary, it will respond to hormone changes in the menstrual cycle causing the cysts to get large every month blocking the normal function of ovaries resulting in infertility

3. Pain during sex
If endometrosis occurs at the region that is stimulated during sex it may cause excessive pain such as uterosacral ligament and cervic region.

4. Pain elevate to ward the end of period.
Endometriosis located somewhere other than in the uterus rupturing during menstruation. Since the blood cannot escape, it retents in our body causing damage to the organs or any part of the body hosting the endometriosis resulting in severe pain toward the end of the period.

5. Constipation
Constipation is caused by endometrial implants or adhesion attaching to the organ of excretion. It makes it extremely painful to urinate and defecate.

6. Premenstrual symptoms
Premenstrual symptom is defined to have menstrual cramps before and during menstrual cycle. If the pain is more severe than before than it may be caused by endometrial implants or adhesion to more sensitive areas.

7. Heavy period
Heavy period is either caused by menorrhagia or endometriosis. Any women who has never experience heavy period before, the sudden change of heavy period may be caused by the rupturing of the endometrial lining embedded on the inner wall of the uterus.

8. Irritable bowel syndrome
Women with endometriosis in the bowel region frequently have abdominal and bowel symptoms, specially during the menstrual cycle. Bowel symptoms may be attributed to irritable bowel symptoms or caused by intestinal involvement from endometriosis.

9. Pain in one side of pelvic
Pain on one side of the pelvic during menstrual cycle may be caused by endometrial implants or adhesion to that side of the pelvic.

IV. Causes

1. Retrograde menstruation
The retrograde menstruation theory suggests that during menstruation the blood flows backward instead of outward causing menstrual blood to go through the fallopian tubes to the pelvic and abdominal cavity, resulting in blood embedding on the outside of the uterus into other tissues and organs causing endometriosis.

2. Weakening of immune system
Normally, the immune will destroy endometrial cells which are located outside the uterus. If the immune system is weakened and no longer functions normally, it will allow the endometrial cells that shed to attach and grow elsewhere in the body.

3. Stress and emotion
During stress and emotion, the adrenal glands produce cortisol which affects the function of the body to cleanse toxins resulting in stimulating the growth of endometriosis.

4. Embryonic theory
This theory suggests during the embryonic stage, some endometrial cells which normally grow in the womb instead develops in the abdomen.

5. Hormone imbalance
Endometriosis happens during reproductive years of women when estrogen and progesterone are most active. In each stage of the menstrual cycle, estrogen and progesterone must be balanced for women to conceive. Any imbalance of hormones during the menstrual cycle causes conversion of estrogen into bad estrogen and over-production of prostaglandin causing the cervix to contract resulting in no escaping of the menstrual period, causing menstrual cramps and endometriosis. Nutritional deficiency is also one of the causes of hormone imbalance.

6. Hereditary
Endometriosis may be genetics passing through from generation to generation or it may result from genetic errors, causing some women to become more likely than others to develop the condition. Study shows that women are 5 times more likely to develop endometriosis if her sister has it. It is wise for these women to have children in their early reproductive years.

7. Toxic environment
Study shows that exposing our body to toxins found in pesticides and some harmful waste products may have some hormonal and chemical influence causing activation of endometriosis at the time of menstrual cycle resulting in proliferating of endo-tissues to the abnormal area in our body.

8. Xenoestrogen
Interaction of our body with certain chemicals causes a disruption of the body’s hormones as resulting of over-production of estrogen converting to xenoestrogen to stimulate the growth of endometriosis.

9. Sex during menstruation.
Sexual intercourse during menstruation causes the endometriosis tissue to travel into the fallopian tubes then into the ovary resulting in developing ovarian endometriosis.

IV. Affects
A. Women’s life

1. Difficulties at work
Women with endometriosis in certain regions of the body suffer from pain at least several days in a month just before and during menstruation causing the loss of productive activity as well as reducing the chance of advancement. Co-workers who have to cover her work without understanding the symptoms of endometriosis will likely feel resentment resulting in emotional depression. Study shows that endometriosis causes 41% of women to give up or lose their jobs due to illness.

2. Difficulties in personal relationship
Women suffering from endometriosis may feel extensive pain during sexual intercourse. If the disease is not diagnosed, she may be accused of being frigid or neurotic causing difficulty in personal relationship leading to destruction of marriage as well as increasing the risk of depression and other diseases.

3. Infertility
In general, women with endometriosis find it harder to become pregnant than other women. Women with moderate to severe stage of endometriosis tend to have more difficulty conceiving than women with minimal to mild stage of endometriosis. If the woman is living in a culture where she is defined by her ability to produce children, it can lead to social stigma.

4. Interference in social life
Women with severe pain as a result of endometriosis may interference with social life, such as family events, social events, and traveling just before and during menstruation.

5. Emotional depression
Woman with endometriosis who cannot control her symptoms may cause misunderstanding in the family and work place leading to depression. With no support from family and friends she may experience feelings of isolation as well.

6. Frustration
Not understanding endometriosis may cause feelings of confusion and embarrassment about the condition leading to irritation.

B. Reproductive System
1. Infertility
Infertility is always difficult for women with endometriosis. In fact depending on the stage of endometroisis and where endometriosis implants in the body, some women may not even get pregnant at all if they are on the last stage of endometroisis and the cysts is located in the fallopian tubes, ovaries, and uterus because of the enlarged endometrosis cysts not only causing inflammation but also interfering with each stage of the menstrual cycle. In general, women with endometriosis find it harder to become pregnant than other women.

2. Miscarriage
Some physicians in the infertility field do feel there is an increase in the risk of miscarriage with endometriosis. Some feel there is no increase in the miscarriage rate. One of the studies looked at the miscarriage rates in patients prior to treatment of endometriosis and compared to the miscarriage rates in the same patients after treatment of endometriosis. In these studies patients had lower miscarriage rates after treatment. Women pregnant with endometriosis should be wise to seek help from specialists for treatment that not only nourishes the fetus but also controls the progression of endometriosis.

3. Ectopic pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy is a complication of pregnancy in which the fertilized ovum is implanted in any tissue other than the uterine wall, caused by blockage of endometroisis of the fallopian tubes leading to an ectopic pregnancy. In fact, the fetus produces enzymes that allow it to implant in varied types of tissues, and thus an embryo implanted elsewhere than the uterus can cause great tissue damage in its efforts to reach a sufficient supply of blood, sometime it is life threatening to the mother.

4. Dyspareunia
Dyspareunia is painful sexual intercourse. When pain occurs, the woman experiencing it may be distracted from feeling pleasure and excitement. Women with endometriosis suffer from dyspareunia if endometriosis is located in the major ligaments of the uterus. Endometriosis-related dyspareunia is usually positional and most intense upon deep penetration. It is most intense prior to menstruation.

C. Abdominal and Pelvic Pain
1. Chronic pelvic pain
Normal chronic pelvic pain refers to any pain in your pelvic region (the area below your bellybutton and between your hips) lasting more than six months. In case of endometriosis at the final stage of the menstrual cycle period, endometrial tissue swells and bleeds, just like the lining of your uterus causing pain and scar tissue, and adhesion forming in your pelvic area resulting in the tissue and organ near the endometrosis being covered. Any movement of these constricted organs can cause severe pain.

2. Locally pelvic pain
Some women experience locally pelvic pain beginning or/and during menstrual cycle caused by pre-menstrual syndrome as a result of over-production of prostaglandins increasing the contraction within the uterus lining. In case of endometriosis, the pain continues throughout menstruation, caused by inflammation of rupturing of endometrial cysts that attach to some pelvic regions as a result of over-production of certain hormones elevating the pain in that area.

3. Lower pelvic pain
Normally lower pelvic pain is caused by infection of the bladder or inflammation of the collecting system of one or both kidneys, or dysmenorrhea. In case of endometrosis, the pain continues and becomes severe just before and during menstruation caused by scars and adhesion attached to the organs in the lower pelvic regions, such as the kidneys, bladder, and/or ovary.

4. Severe abdominal cramps
Severe abdominal cramps before or during the menstrual cycle is likely caused by dysmenorrhea or premenstrual syndrome, if the pain is prolonged or just before, or during menstruation, then it may be caused by endometrial cells and rupturing of endometrial cysts resulting in over-production of prostaglandins in one area of the back, or travelling down the legs. If you experience back pain with continual dull abdominal pain just before and during menstruation it may caused by scar tissue or adhesion attached to the vertebra area.

Remember any severe pain JUST BEFORE AND DURING menstruation in any region may be a good indication of endometriosis.

D. Irregular menstruation
1. Variable amounts of bleeding either heavy or scanty
Variable amounts of bleeding either heavy or scanty is normal for menarche and perimenopause as the menstrual cycle is initiated and during a woman ‘s forties until menopause accordingly because of imbalance of estrogen and progesterone. In endometriosis, heavy and scanty bleeding are caused by over-production of certain hormones in the prostaglandins hormonal family that controls the aggregation or disaggregation of platelets.

2. Menstrual spotting
Menstrual spotting in the middle of the menstrual cycle may be caused by polyp growth in the uterus. Polyps within the uterus may prevent pregnancy or interfere with implantation of embryo as well as miscarriage. Polyps also cause heavy bleeding as a resulting of rupture of polyps in the uterus during menstruation. Luckily most polyps exit in uterus tend to be benign growth.

3. Prolong bleeding
Prolong bleeding may be caused by endometriosis cysts or fibroid located in the uterus wall as a result of imbalanced hormones of the prostaglandins family caused by excessive estrogen in the body if one type of prostaglandins hormone that helps to stop platelets from clumping together.

4. Long menstrual cycle
An irregular menstrual pattern of long menstrual cycles may be an indication of ovulation problems and can be a major factor in infertility caused by endometriosis ovulation problems resulting in ovulation delay or immature eggs in the follicular phase. Sometimes, the follicle develops but the egg is not expelled from the ovary, caused by low levels of progesterone.

5. Blood clots
Because of irregular menstruation causing imbalance hormone, blood clots usually happen during menstruation if one of the hormones of the prostaglandins family that helps to regulate blood clots is over-produced. In this case over-production of such hormones cause more platelets clumping together and fails to dilate blood vessels resulting in blood clots.

E. Digestive System
1. Constipation or difficult defecation
Defecation is the final act of digestion by which organisms eliminate waste material from the digestive tract via the anus. Constipation is caused by endometriosis implants or adhesion thst are attached to organs of excretion resulting in painful urination, as well as defecation.

2. Bloating
Bloating may have several causes, the most common being accumulation of liquids and intestinal gas. In endometriosis, bloating is caused by ovarian cysts, endometrial implants, or adhesion in the intestines that promote collection of fluid within an ovary causing swelling in the abdominal region and swelling in the digestive system as resulting of lack of regular ovulation and excessive amounts of androgenic hormones.

3. Rectal bleeding
Constipation normally is the main cause of rectal bleeding. In endometriosis, endometrial implants or adhesion in large intestine resulting in rectal bleeding as waste passing through. It also causes rectal bleeding just before and during menstruation as endometrial bleeding.

4. Diarrhea
Sudden bouts of diarrhea may be caused by bacterial infection. In woman with endometriosis, deficiency of vitamin A and B are common, causing low level of enzymes that allow food to pass through the intestine undigested.

5. Fluid retention
Fluid retention may be caused by endometrial cysts located other than in the reproductive system. Endometrial lining bleeding during menstruation causes blood to have nowhere to escape causing fluid retention in some parts of the body.

6. Sugar craving
Sugar craving is the symptom of premenstrual syndrome. Women with endometriosis also have premenstrual syndrome. Unlike other woman, they also have a high level of abnormal tolerance curves because of low levels of progesterone resulting in an over-production of adrenaline causing sugar craving.

7. Loss of appetite
Woman with intestinal endometriosis may have loss of appetite present only at the time of the menstrual period or they may be present all month long and worsen at the time of the period.

F. Urination

1. Irregular urination
Normally irregular urination in adults is caused by pressure of a fetus on the bladder of a pregnant woman or losing muscle of the badder causing the feeling to use the bathroom. In woman with endometriosis, it is caused by endometrial implants or adhesion in the badder region, which increases the pressure to the urinary system resulting in irregular urination.

2. Lower abdominal pain on urination
Lower abdominal pain may be caused by endometrial implants, adhesion or cysts in the pelvic region or by over-production of prostaglandins which increases the tension of muscle spam in the bowel and the uterus. Lower abdominal pain on urination is caused by over-production of prostaglandins which stimulate the contraction of the ovaries and uterus muscles or endometrial implants and adhesion in the lower abdominal area causing pressure and pain on urination.

3. Blood in urine
Blood in urine is a common cause of women with endometrial implants or cysts attached to the bladder area as resulting of bleeding of the endometriosis. It worsens just before and during menstruation.

4. Kidney tenderness
Kidney tenderness may be caused by the weakened immune system of woman with endometrial adhesion attached to the kidney causing abnormal function of the kidney and kidney fluid retention. It may be caused by cysts in the pelvic region which increases pressure of the bladder and urinary tract resulting in mounting pressure to the kidney, causing kidney tenderness. It worsens at the beginning and during period.

G. Emotional state
1. Depression
Depression is a illness that not only affects woman with endometriosis but also their family, work or school life, sleeping and eating habits, and general health. It is caused by lower levels of good estrogen and high levels of progesterone, and the symptom get worse before and during menstruation. Being misunderstood by co-workers, family, and friends may trigger the feeling of worthlessness and loss of interest in daily activity such as hobbies and sex.

2. Apathy and fatigue
Apathy and fatigue may be caused by thyroid problem or hormone imbalance. Apathy and fatigue in endometriosis is caused by the pressure of coping with any sort of pain that returns relentlessly every month, affecting her physical and emotional state.

3. Loss of concentration and memory
Many women with endometrosis also suffer from anemia caused by heavy blood flow leading to deficiency of iron, folate aid, and vitamin B12 which are necessary for reproduction of red blood cells and to increase transportation of oxygen to brain cells, causing loss of concentration and memory.

4. Irritability
Irritation besides being caused by hormonal imbalance in the women with endometriosis during the menstrual cycle. Stress and confusion for woman with endometriosis is understandable. It is best to cope with the stress and try understand the disease and how to treat it. Denial of any of this not only causes more emotional pressure but also irritates any suggestion and help.

5. Loss of self confidence
It is hard for woman to perform daily activities with menstrual cramps on her back. It not only affects her work but also causes absence due to sickness every month in the work place. Without understanding by her boss and family, women with endometriosis may lose self confidence in her job as well as at home.

6. Insomnia
Insomnia is common among women with endometriosis because it is caused by the pain keeping them awake during the night.

H. Hormonal symptoms
1. Hot flashes
Hot flashes also known as hot flushes, is a feeling of intense heat with sweating and rapid heartbeat, and may typically last from two to thirty minutes for each occurrence, normally happening only to women in the menopause stage. Woman with endometriosis may also experience some sources of hot flashes caused by hormone imbalance and tends to occur only during times of menstruation as resulting of more progesterone produced by the purity gland and low levels of good estrogen in the body. Intake of soy rich foods will help to reduce symptoms of hot flashes.

2. Tender breast
Tender breast normally happens to women during the 7th to 14th days prior to their period such as discomfort, tenderness and swelling of the breasts. It also happens to women 1-2 weeks after conception. In case of endometriosis, it causes interfere of endometriosis implants or adhesion against normal ovarian functions of the menstrual cycle as resulting of over-production of estrogen or progesterone. These symptoms may worsen due to a decline in your normal ovarian function. It is said that intake of vitamin B6 and primrose oil will help. Be sure to talk to your doctor before taking any supplements or over-the-counter medication.

3. Premenstrual syndrome
Premenstrual syndrome is a condition that happens between ovulation and the start of the period. Women who have endometriosis also have PMS mostly caused by hormone imbalance such as imbalance of estrogen and progesterone, serotonin or excessive androgen. In case of endometriosis pre-menstrual symptom is caused by imbalance of prostaglandins and leucotrienes produced by endometrium that interferes with normal muscle contraction and the local blood flow resulting in abdominal pain.

4. Prolong and heavy bleeding
Normally abnormal uterine bleeding happens to women in menarche or perimenopause stages. It may also happen to women with hypothyroidism or polycystic ovarian syndrome. If the bleeding is heavy and over six months, then it is caused by endometrial implants or adhesion that interferes with the ability of the blood vessels to contract to stop bleeding after the normal menstrual sloughing.

I. Cardiovascular Symptoms
1. Breathlessness
Women with endometriosis may experience breathlessness caused by heavy blood flow that depletes the storage of iron and other necessary substances, resulting in less oxygen and nutrition needed to re-nourish the body’s cells as the heart has to work harder to pump blood. Intake of food with rich sources of iron such as spinach and broccoli during menstrual cycle is said to help, reduce, or get rid of this symptom.

2. Palpitation
Endometrial implants or adhesion on the liver caused by malfunction of the liver as it no longer secretes enough bile to the intestine as a result of high levels of bad cholesterol in the blood stream. As this problem progresses, cholesterol builds up on the arterial wall causing the heart to over-work, resulting in heart palpitations. Intake of flax seed oil is said to restore balance of omega 3 and 6 fatty acids and reduce cholesterol as well as helping restore the normal function of the liver.

3. Giddiness and confusion
Giddiness is defined to have a reeling, lightheaded sensation, or dizziness. Women with endometriosis may experience dizziness due to insufficiency of oxygen levels in the blood stream that are vital for brain cells. Without enough oxygen to nourish its cells, the brain cannot function causing confusion as well as giddiness. It also caused by endometriosis that attach to the lung which interferes with lung function to absorb oxygen.

4. Hypertension
High blood pressure is always associated with heart disease. In case of women with endometriosis, it is caused by abnormal function of the liver which has been damaged by endometrial implants or adhesion. The damaged liver now cannot produce enough bile to help the digestive system to get rid of bad cholesterol from our body resulting in cholesterol building up as well as high blood pressure.

For How To Choose The Best Endometriosis Self Help Program, Visit
http://theendometroisisguide.blogspot.com/
For series of Infertility Articles, please visit
http://fertility-infertility.blogspot.com/

“Let Take Care Your Health, Your Health Will Take Care You” Kyle J. Norton
I have been studying natural remedies for disease prevention for over 20 years and working as a financial consultant since 1990. Master degree in Mathematics, teaching and tutoring math at colleges and universities before joining insurance industries.


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What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)? Understanding Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Polycystic ovarian syndrome, or PCOS, is an endocrine disorder and a common cause of infertility in women. In PCOS, hormones that affect the reproductive system are abnormal, leading to irregular or absent ovulation. PCOS is a common disorder, affecting up to 8% of women.

Women with PCOS often have polycystic ovaries. This means that the ovaries have many tiny, benign and painless cysts. During an ultrasound exam, the tiny cysts may resemble a string of pearls. However, polycystic ovaries do not always point to PCOS. Studies have found that some women have polycystic ovaries, normal ovulation, and no other signs of an endocrine disorder like PCOS.

A common finding with PCOS is abnormally high levels of androgen hormones. While androgens are found in both men and women, they are considered to be primarily male hormones. High androgen levels are associated with some of the more visibly distressing symptoms of PCOS, including acne and abnormal hair growth.

What Are the Symptoms of Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?

Symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome may include:

infertility
irregular or absent ovulation (anovulation)
amenorrhea (absence of monthly menstrual cycles) or oligomenorhhea (irregular monthly menstrual cycles)
recurrent miscarriage
abnormal hair growth, also known as hirsutism, found on the upper lip, chin, around the nipples, or on the abdomen
acne
especially oily skin and hair
male pattern balding
obesity
the presence of polycystic ovaries during ultrasound examination
insulin resistance
high levels of androgens, also known as hyperandrogenism
elevated levels of the hormone LH (making at-home ovulation tests difficult to use)

You do not need to have every symptom above to be diagnosed with PCOS, and PCOS does not present itself the same way for every woman. For example, many women with PCOS do not have abnormal hair growth and are at a healthy weight. Some women with PCOS may not have a menstrual cycle for months at a time, while other women with PCOS may only have slightly irregular cycles.

Because PCOS is diagnosed by looking at the greater picture, and by excluding other potential diseases that can cause similar symptoms, it’s important to see your doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

How Does Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Cause Infertility?

The abnormal hormone levels associated with PCOS lead to problems with ovulation. These irregularities in ovulation are the main cause of infertility.

PCOS is also associated with a higher risk of early miscarriage. Research on PCOS has shown that the miscarriage rate may be as high as 20% to 40%, which is twice as high as in the general population.

It’s not exactly clear why miscarriage is more common in women with PCOS, but some theories include the following:

poor egg quality, related to premature or late ovulation
insulin resistance
a less-than-favorable environment for an embryo to implant in the uterine lining (due to abnormal hormone levels associated with PCOS)
How Is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome Diagnosed?

Not everyone agrees on the criteria for diagnosing PCOS, and its definition has been changed over the years.

That said, the most commonly used diagnostic criteria currently being used requires two out of three of the following to apply:

irregular or absent menstrual cycles, caused by chronic anovulation
either blood test confirmation or outward signs of high levels of androgens (abnormal hair growth, acne)
the presence of polycystic ovaries, as seen by ultrasound examination

In addition, other potential causes of anovulation or high androgen levels must be eliminated. This usually includes testing for congenital adrenal hyperplasia, androgen-secreting tumors, and hyperprolactinemia.

What Kind of Testing Is Involved for Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome?

Blood work will be ordered to check hormone levels, blood sugar levels (for insulin resistance), and lipid levels. Transvaginal ultrasound may be ordered, in order to see if the ovaries appear polycystic.

Taking a detailed history is also an important part of PCOS diagnosis. Your doctor will want to know about how regular your menstrual cycles are, and ask about unwanted hair growth. You may be tempted not to mention unwanted hair growth because of embarrassment, but it’s important that you tell your doctor about this problem if you have it.

What Are the Potential Treatments for PCOS?

Treatment for PCOS will depend on whether or not you’re trying to get pregnant. If pregnancy is not a priority, birth control pills may be ordered to help regulate your cycles and help reduce acne and unwanted hair growth.

Some acne treatments are not safe to be used when you’re trying to get pregnant, so be sure to tell your doctor if you are.

For those trying to get pregnant, the treatment for PCOS is similar to the treatments used for treating anovulation. The first line of treatment is usually Clomid, which is used to help stimulate ovulation.

Metformin (also known as Glucophage), a drug usually used to treat insulin resistance, is sometimes used for treatment, even if you do not have insulin resistance.

If these medications do not help, then gonadotropins (fertility drugs that are taken by injection) may be tried. If drugs alone do not work, or if there are multiple factors leading to infertility, IVF treatment may be recommended.

Some studies have shown that women who are overweight with PCOS may be able to restart ovulation naturally by losing just 10% of their current weight. A healthy diet and regular exercise may also help bring back regular ovulation in some, but not all, women with PCOS.

For infertility Patients:

There are several methods of reversing infertility in couples. The first resort I always give to my patients and has worked wonderfully for nearly 80% of them is the Pregnancy Miracle System. Pregnancy Miracle is an all natural holistic solution for infertility patients. Read more about it here.

Mark Pelore is a doctor specialized in Infertility and Pregnancy, and is based in Beverly Hills, Carlifornia


Article from articlesbase.com