Women's Health and Pregnancy

What causes menopause Menopause is a natural change that occurs in women during their 40s or early 50s. In Asian women, menopause usually occurs between the ages of 49-53. It happens when the ovaries stop functioning. The primary function of the ovaries is: To release the ova (egg) monthly To release hormones like oestrogen and progesterone that make preparatory changes in the uterine wall if the woman conceives For subsequent shedding of theuterine wall or lining if she does not conceive. As…

Since there is no known cause of uterine fibroids, there are no clear strategies to prevent fibroids. However, it is good to know if have a high risk as per the risk factors highlighted - if you are Asian, if have a hereditary risk or if you have had early onset of menstrual cycles. Keep your weight under control.  Avoid a red meat diet Limit alcohol consumption Its also important to do regular tests especially if you are in the high risk category so you can catch them early or before…

Apart from the medication mentioned in the treatment section, the following may help manage the symptoms: Diet Eat beans and legumes as these reduce oestrogen levels Grape seed extract, red raspberry, fish, like salmon, tuna, mackerel rich in omega-3 shrink fibroids Fibre rich foods promote oestrogen excretion, eg: Dark leafy greens Broccoli Ground flaxseed Whole grains like brown rice, millet, rye and oats. These regulate good oestrogen metabolism Avoid eating soya beans, other fermented…

The doctor may suggest some of the following: Medication: to reduce symptoms Tranexamic acid: Tranexamic acid helps in clotting of blood in the uterus, thus reducing bleeding.  Anti-inflammatory drugs : These drugs reduce the production of progesterone. Progestrone contributes to the heavy and abnormal menstrual bleeding. They don’t shrink the fibroids but they reduce the symptoms of fibroids.  LNG-IUS (Levonorgestrel intrauterine system): A plastic device is placed in the uterus…

Your doctor may suggest one or more ofthe following diagnostic tests: Blood test: Complete blood picture to check for anaemia Ultrasound: This is done when the patient has heavy bleeding or any of the other symptoms associated with fibroids.  Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Helps in identifying the location and size of fibroids.  Trans vaginal scan: A small scanner is inserted into the patient’s vagina to view the uterus. Hysteroscopy: A small telescope is introduced into the…

Depending on the location and type of fibroids, the sympoms may vary. Submucosal: cause heavfibroiy bleeding, long periods and irregular bleeding between the cycles. Subserosal: cause bulk symptoms, such as pain and pressure in the pelvis, abnormal and excessive menstrual bleeding, pressure on spinal cord.  Intramural: put pressure on the spinal cord, rectum and pelvis, but are asymptomatic unless they grow in size.  Pedunculated: puts pressure on the spinal cord, thus causing lower…

Types of Uterine Fibroids: Submucosal: These fibroids are located just underneath the lining of uterus, protruding into the uterus. They cause heavy bleeding, long periods and irregular bleeding between the cycles. Subserosal: These fibroids are located outside the uterus either in the muscle or hanging outside the uterine wall. They cause bulk symptoms, such as pain and pressure in the pelvis, abnormal and excessive menstrual bleeding, pressure on spinal cord. Intramural: These fibroids are…

The exact cause of fibroids is not known.  Our body is made-up of cells that regularly undergo turnover i.e production of new cells and removal of old and damaged cells. Sometimes, this regular process is disturbed causing more cells to be produced than destroyed. This results in the formation of abnormal mass of tissue, which is called tumour. The tumour can be benign or malignant. Fibroids are a kind of benign tumour. Normal cell production and destruction may be disturbed by genetic,…

Fibroids are non-cancerous, i.e. harmless or benign tumours that grow in the smooth muscle layers of the wall of uterus (womb).  Synonyms: Uterine fibroids, Myomas, Fibromyomas Fibroids grow singly or appear in clusters. They are slow growing and may be as small as a peanut to as large as a melon. They are most common among women in their 30s or 40s, with four out of every five women developing fibroids.  About 70% of Asian women develop fibroids at some point in their lives…

Prevention Researchers are trying to develop a vaccine to prevent recurrent UTIs. In the meantime, there are simple steps you can take to help prevent UTIs. Health departments recommend: Wiping from front to back after urinating or having a bowel movement. Drinking six to eight glasses of water daily. Drinking water after having sex. Not holding urine for long periods of time. Cleaning your vaginal and rectal areas daily. Taking showers instead of baths. Wearing comfortable underwear, tight…