What Is Premature Ovarian Failure?

By: James Pendergraft

Premature ovarian failure is a condition affecting the reproductive system of women before they reach the age of 40. This means that both ovaries lose their function. Premature ovarian failure is known by various names such as premature menopause, primary ovarian failure, or primary ovarian insufficiency. In terms of percentage, the number of women affected by the disorder is small, although if translated to actual figures, the number exceeds hundreds of thousands.

Causes of Premature Ovarian Failure

Premature ovarian failure arises suddenly in women. In some cases, the cause is believed to be attributed to autoimmune disorders while others are attributed to genetic disorders like Turner Syndrome. On the other hand, chemotherapy and similar radiation treatment can also cause premature ovarian failure. The presence of chemotherapy is decidedly a factor that contributes to the development of premature ovarian failure. Even though the ovaries can still function after menopause, hormonal production is at very low levels so as to render child bearing impossible. On the other hand, radiation therapy makes the ovary stop functioning and the resulting hormonal production is comparable only to that of a woman whose ovaries have been removed. In most cases of premature ovarian failure, family history seems to play a prominent role, insinuating the possibility that the disease may run in some families.

Recommended Treatments for Premature Ovarian Failure

Treatment of premature ovarian failure will depend heavily on the kind of case experienced by a woman. Premature ovarian failure is classified into two types:

* When there is few to a total absence of follicles. In this type, the most common culprit are genetic disorders, radiation therapy, surgery, and infection. As such, when one activity has been positively identified as the cause of the disorder, prompt action should be made to stop the factors causing the disorder, with the exception of genetic disorders.

* A situation where there is premature ovarian failure despite an abundance of follicles. In this case, the most common cause is an autoimmune ovarian disease that damages mature follicles.

Because the disease is known to show up shortly before or during the onset of menopause, the condition itself may bring other disorders that can only complicate the picture. For one, body cramps and bone weakening are almost always sure to occur, although these can be treated easily. The problem here lies when the symptoms of one disease is confused with that of another and may cause the medication to be mixed up. As such, proper identification of the symptoms of the presence of premature ovarian failure should be made to ensure that the correct steps are taken.

One treatment method that should be employed cautiously is hormonal replacement. With it, bodily hormones are infused into the woman’s body. This method is so complicated that a lot of factors have to be considered first before deciding to use the method. One such factor is the state of health of the woman and the benefits that could be derived from the application.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/women/article_3131.shtml

Stay Fit While Pregnant With These Top 5 Exercise Routines

By: Kim Proulx

Staying in shape while you’re pregnant is great for you and for your baby. It’s important to enhance your endurance and muscle tone to make labor and delivery much easier. This will also help you recover faster after the baby is born. Staying fit will also help you get back to your original weight after pregnancy. Remember to always ask your physician before starting any type of exercise program.

Here are the top five favorites of pregnant women:

Walking tops the list of exercise favorites of pregnant women. Not only is it beneficial for your body (and your baby), it’s the kind of exercise that can be done anytime, anywhere. And, it’s much easier on your knees – not to mention your breasts – than running. Before you begin, be sure to invest in a good pair of walking shoes that are supportive and comfortable. If you are just starting out, take it slow and set realistic goals. It’s a good idea to warm up for at least 10 minutes prior to walking. A few simple leg stretches, arm swings, and neck rolls should suffice. While walking, keep your posture straight and swing your arms in unison with your legs. During the last 10 minutes, start cooling down by slowing your pace and relaxing your arms. Once stopped, perform a few stretches to prevent muscle cramps.

Swimming is a great option for pregnant women. This low-impact form of exercise works the large muscle groups while improving your circulation, helping you build endurance, and increasing muscle tone. As with all exercise, you’ll burn calories, feel more energized, and sleep better after a workout. As for the best type of stroke? The breaststroke is probably best suited to pregnant women as it doesn’t require any rotation of the torso, and you’ll exert less energy than let’s say, the crawl or the butterfly. Swimming poses a very low risk of injury, so you’ll be able to swim throughout your entire pregnancy. Best of all, as your belly gets bigger, you’ll appreciate the feeling of weightlessness in the water.

Yoga soothes the mind and body – and who better to reap the benefits of a calming workout than a pregnant woman? It’s important to find a program (DVD or class) that’s specifically designed for pregnancy as these routines focus on strengthening and stretching the muscles that will be used during pregnancy and labor. Yoga calms both body and mind, providing a much-needed physical and emotional outlet. Breathing exercises will teach you how to cope with the pain of contractions, as rhythmic breathing during labor maximizes the amount of oxygen available to you and your baby. If you opt to take a class, you’ll have the opportunity to meet other pregnant women who can offer support and advice.

Stationary Cycling is the perfect choice for those who enjoyed biking before pregnancy because you can continue doing what you loved without having to worry about falling and harming your baby. Your breasts and belly will thank you, too, as stationary cycling will prevent your body from bouncing around as you won’t be traversing any tough terrain. Even better, you can read or watch television while exercising, something you may not have time to do once the baby arrives! To avoid back strain, opt for a stationary cycle that allows you to sit upright or reclined.

Light Weight Training is very beneficial during pregnancy. Not only will it strengthen your muscles (which will help tremendously during labor and delivery) it will also speed weight loss after pregnancy. You’ll feel more energized and sleep better, too. Keep in mind that if you’ve never used weights before pregnancy, it’s probably not a good idea to start now. And, machine weights are definitely safer than using free weights. It’s a good idea to check with a trainer about the types of exercises best suited for pregnant women. You should increase your caloric intake by 300-500 calories (yeah!) to keep up with the additional demands of weight training and your pregnancy. Be sure to give your muscles a rest by training no more than 3 times a week, and perform all exercises in a sitting position to prevent your blood from pooling.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/women/article_3151.shtml

A Woman’s Guide to Vaginitis

By: James Pendergraft

Vaginitis is a condition in which there is an inflammation of the vagina. It is also characterized by discharge, odor, irritation, and itching. There are many agents that can cause vaginitis. These are bacteria, yeast, chemicals, and even clothing. Vaginitis can also be a sexually transmitted disease and it is influenced by many factors like health, personal hygiene, medications, hormones, health of the sexual partner, and disturbance of the genitalia.

The Many Types of Vaginitis and Their Treatments

It is important to know the different types of vaginitis so that you can understand the right treatment. They come from different causes and they often have different symptoms. More than one type of vaginitis can occur at the same time with or without the presence of the symptoms and you must take note to identify them correctly.

* Candida or yeast infection. Caused by the fungus Candida, they normally live in the vagina but only in small numbers. The most common symptom is the thick, white vaginal discharge that is usually odorless and watery, and causes redness and itchiness in the vulva and vagina over time. The treatment will be determined by the physician based on the woman’s overall health and medical history. It may include antifungal vaginal creams, vaginal tablets, and antibiotics.

* Bacterial vaginosis. This is the most common type of vaginitis, and it is caused by a bacteria. Symptoms may include a milky thin discharge and a fishy odor that may become noticeable during intercourse. Treating it will be as simple as taking in oral antibiotics.

* Trichomoniasis vaginitis. This is caused by a parasite and it can be easily transmitted through sexual intercourse. Symptoms include a greenish yellow discharge with a musty smell and itching around the vagina. It also causes discomfort on the lower abdomen and there is a burning sensation when a woman urinates. Also, women with this infection experience pain during sexual intercourse. Treatment requires only oral antibiotics but both partners need to take medication in order to avoid recurring infection.

* Chlamydia vaginitis. This is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States and it often goes undiagnosed. If this infection is left untreated, it will result in pelvic inflammatory disease. This is caused by a bacterium and different strains of it exist. Symptoms include a light bleeding with pain in the lower abdomen. Women with this infection often have pus in their urine and there is a redness and swelling in the urethra and labia. Antibiotics are used to treat this infection.

* Viral vaginitis. This is often the most common cause of vaginitis. One type that causes this and other sexually related diseases is the human papillomavirus or HPV. Symptoms include the presence of warts in the genitalia and this is simply detected by a Pap test. There is a vaccine widely used in treating and preventing this infection.

* Noninfectious vaginitis. This refers to vaginal irritation without an infection. It is usually caused by an allergic reaction from any chemical that is applied to the genitals. Symptoms include itching, burning, and even pelvic pain. Treating this vaginal infection includes applying estrogen creams and oral tablets. This restores lubrication and decrease the soreness and irritation of the genitals.

Article Source:
http://www.articlecity.com/articles/women/article_3088.shtml