Tag: Women’s Health

Why do I crave sugar before my period?

“It’s a few days before your period is supposed to start, and all you can think about is a giant slice of chocolate cake. Or maybe a donut, or milkshake, or the classic pint of ice cream. Or maybe all of the above?

If you’re like me, the time right before restarting your cycle is the most difficult time to resist all sorts of sugary treats, especially when you start thinking to yourself “well, I deserve this.” While it’s okay to indulge a craving from time to time, eating endless amounts of sugar (or other simple carbs) at any point in your cycle is not the best option in terms of your hormonal or physical health. So, why is it that we crave sugar so strongly before our periods, and (more importantly) what can we do about it?”

Read the rest of the article at Natural Womanhood.

Study suggests lower estrogen dose in birth control could still prevent pregnancy

“According to a study (hereafter referred to as Gavina et al.) from the University of the Philippines Diliman, the amount of estrogen currently in hormonal birth control pills is higher than it needs to be in order to effectively prevent ovulation (and, therefore, pregnancy) [1]. This is welcome news for millions of Pill users who are at risk of multiple side effects, some serious, because of the synthetic estrogen in their hormonal birth control. Although the amount of estrogen in the Pill has drastically decreased over time, many women still notice a plethora of estrogen-related side effects from their contraception [2]. Some effects, such as thrombosis (blood clots) or cancer, can even be life-threatening.”

Read the rest of the article at Natural Womanhood.

Can you ovulate on birth control?

“Ever wondered, ‘can you ovulate on birth control?’ Would you believe that anywhere from 10 to 85% of cycles could be ovulatory, depending on the type of birth control used? This does not mean that you are likely to get pregnant in all of those instances. But ovulating on birth control, also known as breakthrough ovulation, is more common and has greater implications than you might think. So how can you know if or when breakthrough ovulation happens to you while on birth control? Are there signs of ovulation while on birth control? I’ll cover the answer to that question and others here.”

Read the rest of the article at Natural Womanhood.

Positions to speed up labor, and can you really speed up labor?

“There comes a point in every woman’s pregnancy where she starts to really think about what labor will be like. That moment might come right after a positive pregnancy test or in the final days of her third trimester. Movies and TV shows may lead you to believe you’ll be rushing into the hospital after your water unexpectedly and dramatically breaks, screaming the whole way and barely making it in time to deliver your baby. But this is not the reality for most women, especially for first-timers. In fact, active labor can last between four to eight hours for first time moms! And this is after early labor, which can stretch well into the 24-hour range. Is there anything you can do to help speed up your labor? Here’s a guide on one of the best tools to help you meet your baby faster: maternal positioning and movement to facilitate the cardinal movements of labor. “

Read the rest of the article at Natural Womanhood.

What causes painful periods, aka dysmenorrhea?

“Have you ever missed school or work due to a heavy, painful period? Stayed home and canceled plans because of awful cramps, nausea, or headaches? Why does some period pain get worse with age? This is the reality many women (estimates range from 45% to 95%!) experience every month [1]. These symptoms may seem inevitable and difficult to understand, but there are a whole host of causes for period pain. By understanding your cycle and the reasons for painful menstruation, you can get to the bottom of why you’re experiencing these symptoms. Here I’ll share how heavy painful periods can be addressed in a way that hopefully heals them at their source. “

Read the rest of the article at Natural Womanhood.

Skin changes during pregnancy: What’s common and what merits a trip to your doctor?

“It’s no secret that pregnancy brings with it a whole host of physical changes—some of them unwelcome. During the nine months of pregnancy, a staggering 90% of women can expect to have “significant and complex” skin changes [1]. Some of these skin changes can be anticipated, like stretch marks and linea nigra, a dark line that runs from the belly button downward. However, there are some skin issues that go beyond the frustrating, like PUPPP, and can venture into being a health concern, like pemphigoid gestationis. Here’s a guide to skin changes during pregnancy—what’s common, what’s merely annoying, and what merits a trip to your doctor.”

Read the rest of the article at Natural Womanhood.

Coming to appreciate my fertility: from middle school days to now

“While the realities of female biology can still be quite burdensome (and my period pain had nothing on my first trimester morning sickness!), opportunities for beauty and benefit also abound and I’ve truly come to appreciate my fertility as a gift.”

Read the rest of the article at Natural Womanhood.