Menstrual Effects and Health Care

Question 1

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Answer 1

collection of physical, emotional and psychological symptoms that many women experience 7-14 days before their menstrual period; affects about 3-8% of women; seems to be linked in part to changes in hormone levels during the menstrual cycle; symptoms disappear soon after the start of menstrual bleeding; no way to prevent it; ways to treat and alleviate symptoms; symptoms begin to subside after the age of 35 and at menopause

Question 2

PMS- Physical Symptoms

Answer 2

Physical symptoms- bloating, breast tenderness, swelling and weight gain, headaches, cramping, food cravings, and “menstrual migraines” (women are 2.5 times ore likely to have a migraine during the first 3 days of menstruation

Question 3

PMS- Psychological and emotional symptoms

Answer 3

fatigue, depression, irritability, crying, changes in libido; no one finding that will confirm a diagnosis of PMS; a physical exam and a Pap smear can rule out medical problems

Question 4

Menorrhagia *

Answer 4

• heavy or prolonged bleeding during the menstrual cycle; heavy menstrual bleeding is common amongst most women; small % of women experience blood loss severe enough to be defined as this; heavy menstrual flow that interferes with regular lifestyle; the combined effort of hormonal imbalances and uterine fibroids accounts for 80% of all cases

Question 5

Menorrhagia- signs and symptoms

Answer 5

blood that soaks through one or more sanitary pads/tampons every hour for several consecutive hours; the need to use double sanitary protection; menstrual flow that includes large blood clots

Question 6

Menorrhagia- possible causes

Answer 6

hormonal imbalances; uterine fibroids; having an IUD; cancer

Question 7

Dysmenorrhea

Answer 7

a persistent, aching and serious pain experienced during the menstrual cycle that is sufficient enough to limit a women’s activities

Question 8

Primary Dysmenorrhea*

Answer 8

*no underlying cause; no detectable organic cause; pain that begins with uterine bleeding and by the absence of pain at other times in the cycle; may be accompanied by nausea and weakness; can incapacitate a woman for several hours or even days; may be caused by high levels of prostaglandins (hormones produced by smooth muscle and tissue); Ibuprofen relieves symptoms by inhibiting the production of prostaglandins; birth control pills may be prescribed

Question 9

Secondary Dysmenorrhea*

Answer 9

*underlying cause; an underlying disease or condition causing it; may be caused by ovarian cysts, PID, endometriosis, or endometrial cancer; symptoms may be the same as found in primary dysmenorrhea

Question 10

Amenorrhea*

Answer 10

• no menstruation, excluding the reasons of aging, pregnancy and breast-feeding

Question 11

Primary Amenorrhea

Answer 11

women who have passed the age of 16 and have never menstruated; Possible causes- not yet reached their critical weight, hereditarily late maturers, hormonal deficiencies, an intersex condition, other genital anomaly; most cases can be treated with hormone therapy

Question 12

Secondary Amenorrhea

Answer 12

a previously menstruating woman stops menstruating for several months (usually for at least 3 consecutive months); Possible causes- stress, lowered body fat, heavy physical training, hormonal irregularities, anorexia; lifestyle changes or treatment of the underlying condition can almost always correct amenorrhea

Question 13

Menstrual Synchrony

Answer 13

the menstrual cycles of females living or working in close proximity to one another begin to synchronize so that their cycles occur at the same time; due to the presence of pheromones

Question 14

Menstrual Health Care (relieving premenstrual and menstrual discomfort)

Answer 14

1. Eat moderate amounts of protein; 2. eat more complex carbs; 3. eat foods rich in Vitamin A and calcium (lowers chances of experiencing PMS); 4. reduce or avoid salt, sugar, and caffeine products; 5. avoid alcohol and tobacco; 6. get sufficient sleep; 7. Manage stress; 8. exercise (moderate exercise is recommended, aerobic exercise brings oxygen to the body tissues and stimulates the production of endorphins); 9. seek medical advice if symptoms are severe enough to impair one’s functioning

Question 15

Menstrual Health Care (relieving menstrual cramps)

Answer 15

1. Rest and relaxation; 2. apply heat to the abdominal area; 3. get a lower back massage; 4. try herbal remedies; 5. take ibuprofen (antiprostaglandin)–> take it at the first sign of discomfort