The month of October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. During this month, various organizations work to raise awareness about the disease, as well as funds for breast cancer research. One thing that is often stressed when raising awareness about the disease is that early detection is ideal for better treatment outcomes. For this reason, many women’s health doctors recommend having regular breast exams, as well as mammograms in some cases.
Besides having physical exams performed by your doctor, it is also encouraged to practice self-examination in order to notice any tiny changes in your breasts. Although self breast exams have not been shown to effectively detect breast cancer, they are still important because they help you to become familiar with what is normal for your breasts. Knowing what is normal or abnormal for your breasts is an important step in recognizing changes that could be potentially dangerous. However, it is important to note that there are many conditions that can cause changes in your breasts, not just breast cancer.
Ideally, self breast exams should be performed at least once a month. This allows you to get accustomed to the normal look and feel of your breasts. The best time to examine your breasts is several days after your period ends so they are no longer swollen or tender. There are five basic steps to performing a self breast exam, including:
Step #1:
While topless, place your hands on your hips and face the mirror with your shoulders straight. Looking into the mirror, you should see breasts that are their normal size, shape, and color, and that are evenly shaped. During a visual examination, if you notice any swelling, distortion, redness, or a rash, make sure to mention this to your doctor. You should also mention if your nipples have changed position or inverted. Finally, check for changes in your skin texture such as dimpling, puckering, or bulging. Make sure to write a note listing any changes you have noticed.
Step #2:
While looking for the same changes, raise your arms so that your hands meet above your head. Again, your breasts should be evenly distributed and you should see no signs of swelling or skin irritation.
Step #3:
Check your nipples for signs of fluid leakage. Fluid that comes out of one or more nipples can be watery, milky, bloody, or yellowish in color.
Step #4:
While lying down, use your right hand to feel your left breast and vice versa. You will want to keep your fingers flat and together while using small circular motions to firmly touch your breast. Starting at your collarbone, be sure to cover the entire surface of your breast all the way down to your abdomen, as well as across from armpit to cleavage. It may be helpful to use a specific pattern to make sure the entire breast gets examined. You will also want to vary the amount of pressure you use depending on the type of tissue. For example, you will want to use light pressure on the skin, medium pressure on the tissue in the middle of your breasts, and deep pressure for the tissue in the back of your breasts.
Step #5:
While standing or sitting, repeat the procedure listed above. Many women find that it is easiest to perform this part of the exam in the shower when their skin is wet and slippery. Just as it was mentioned above, be sure to thoroughly examine the entirety of both breasts.
During a pap smear, also known as a pap test, your gynecologist scrapes off some cervical cells as a way to screen for cervical cancer, as well as precancerous cells. While a normal result means that you have no evidence of abnormal cells, an abnormal test does not necessarily mean that you have cancer or that anything is actually wrong. In fact, an abnormal pap smear can mean a variety of things, including:
Human Papillomavirus
HPV is one of the most common causes of an abnormal pap test. HPV is a sexually transmitted infection that is usually symptomless and will eventually resolve itself. In some cases, however, HPV can lead to the development of cervical cancer. Just because you have HPV, does not necessarily mean you will get cancer, but it will likely mean that your gynecologist may recommend more frequent screenings.
Cervical Dysplasia
Cervical dysplasia is a term used to describe changes in the cells that make up the surface of the cervix. While cervical dysplasia itself is not considered to be cancer, it can develop into cancer if it is not properly treated. In most cases, mild cases of cervical dysplasia will continued to be monitored by your gynecologist, while more severe cases may need to be treated by removing the affected cells.
Cervical Cancer
Almost all cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed from an abnormal pap test. This is primarily because cervical cancer does not produce noticeable symptoms in the early stages, so the best way to catch it is by detecting cancerous cells. Luckily, annual pap smears help to detect slow-growing cervical cancer when it is in its early stages and is the most treatable.
STIs
Another cause of an abnormal pap smear is STIs. in women ages 16-35, one of the most common STIs that interferes with pap smear results is trichomoniasis, although any STI can potentially cause an abnormal result. Trichomoniasis produces symptoms such as vagical odor, itching, and discharge.
Vaginal Infections
In addition to STIs, vaginal infections can also cause abnormal pap smear results. Like trichomoniasis, vaginal infections can cause itching, discharge, and odor from the vagina. There are different types of vaginal infections that can occur, however they can all cause an abnormal pap result. After treating your infection, your gynecologist will usually recommend an additional pap smear to rule out problems.
Random Causes
In some cases, an abnormal pap smear can simply be the result of random causes. For example, lab error, recent menstruation or sex, being too close to menstrating or on your period, using tampons, or even taking a bath before your test, are all random things that can cause a pap test to come back abnormal. In these cases, additional testing is usually needed to rule out problems.
After receiving an abnormal pap smear, your gynecologist will set up an appointment to discuss why your test was abnormal and what it means. They may also make recommendations for further testing or treatment. In some cases, an inconclusive or abnormal result can also be caused by recent intercourse or use of menstrual products. In these cases, your gynecologist will likely recommend you have another pap test to obtain more accurate results. Overall, an abnormal pap result is not something that you should panic about.
Due to some anatomical differences, there are certain medical conditions that only affect men and others that only affect women. The majority of medical conditions, however, can affect both men and women. Among these overlapping conditions that affect men and women, there are still certain disorders that tend to affect women at higher rates than men. Here are the top 5 conditions that affect women at higher rates than men:
Heart Disease
Heart disease has been a main concern for both men and women. While men have a higher death rate tied to heart disease, women are often not diagnosed properly until it is too late. This is due to the fact that women exhibit different symptoms of heart disease than men such as shoulder pain, jaw pain, nausea, and shortness of breath. Oftentimes these symptoms are not tied to heart disease, meaning women can go many years without a diagnosis. Unfortunately, a lack of proper diagnosis can eventually lead to disability or even premature death. The American Heart Association notes that risk factors for heart disease can include: age, a family history of heart disease, smoking, high blood pressure and/or cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, and being physically inactive. Additionally, it has been found that African-Americans, Mexican-Americans, Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, and some Asian-Americans are at an increased risk. The best way to decrease your risk of heart disease is to eat a balanced diet and get plenty of exercise.
Breast Cancer
Although breast cancer can affect both men and women, it is the most common cancer in women and is the second leading cause of death. Despite this, there are several treatments available for breast cancer, especially when it is caught early. Therefore, it is strongly encouraged to keep up with your mammograms and to perform self-breast exams to detect possible breast cancer. Some common risk factors for breast cancer include: a family or personal history of the disease, age, having a mutation in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, not having children, excess alcohol consumption, and obesity. Additionally, white women have been found to be at a higher risk for breast cancer.
Osteoporosis
According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, out of the 44 million Americans affected by osteoporosis, 68% are women. Besides being female, some risk factors for osteoporosis include: family history, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, anorexia, diet lacking calcium and vitamin D, thin-boned build, and age. However, osteoporosis can be prevented by taking the proper precautions. After the age of 30 new bone stops forming, which means you can prevent osteoporosis by maintaining your bones through calcium intake and weight-bearing physical activity.
Depression
The National Institute of Mental Health notes that women are twice as likely to develop depression as men. Although the reason for this is not fully understood, some experts attribute increased depression rates in women to a lack of social connections or hormonal changes. Women who have a family history of depression or heart problems, serious chronic illness, marital problems, substance abuse, anxiety, illness, vitamin or thyroid deficiency, or an eating disorder are at an increased risk of developing depression. Experts note that building healthy social relationships can help women decrease the risk of developing depression.
Autoimmune Diseases
The American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association (AARDA) notes that 75% of autoimmune diseases affect women. In fact, these diseases are the fourth leading cause of disability in women. While the cause of autoimmune diseases are still being researched, some experts believe that genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors all play a role. Unfortunately, this makes it hard to determine accurate risk factors for autoimmune diseases. The best course of action is to get a second or even third medical opinion if you feel something is wrong and your doctor is not taking it seriously. Many women who have been diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder have, unfortunately, had to see multiple doctors before an accurate diagnosis was made.
The week before you start your period, you may experience bloating, tender breasts, fatigue, depression, or even irritability. In fact it is estimated that around 75% of women experience these symptoms the week before they start their period. When these symptoms consistently arise every month the week before your period, it is known as premenstrual syndrome or PMS. However, about 3-8% of women experience more severe symptoms a week before their period. This is known as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) and it can actually affect your daily routine. So, how do you know if you are affected by PMS or by PMDD? To answer that, let’s take a closer look at PMS and PMDD, as well as how they differ from one another.
What is PMS?
Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) generally starts about 7-10 days before your period and continues through the first few days of your period. The exact cause of PMS is not yet known, but research indicates that it can be related to changes in sex hormones and serotonin levels that occur at the beginning of the menstrual cycle. Specifically, estrogen and progesterone levels increase, which can cause mood swings, irritability, and anxiety. Additionally, it has been found that progesterone levels can affect serotonin levels. Serotonin is a chemical found in the brain and gut that affects your moods, thoughts, and emotions.
PMS produces both physical psychological symptoms, such as:
Anger
Anxiety
Depression
Irritability
Feeling overwhelmed
Sensitivity to rejection
Social withdrawal
Abdominal bloating
Increased appetite
Breast tenderness
Headaches
Fatigue
Muscle aches
Daytime sleepiness
Swelling of extremities
What is PMDD?
Premenstrual dysphoric disorder is a more severe form of PMS that can sometimes be disabling. Since PMS and PMDD have similar and overlapping symptoms, it can be hard to distinguish between the two. However, there is a key difference that sets PMS and PMDD apart from one another. While PMS and PMDD both cause psychological symptoms, the psychological symptoms caused by PMDD are more severe than those caused by PMS.
Specifically, PMDD can cause extreme sadness or hopelessness to the point of suicidal thoughts, anxiety or tension, mood swings that can lead to picking fights or crying for no reason, or irritability that quickly escalates into anger. These psychological symptoms are generally so severe that they can cause problems in interpersonal functioning, and can have a noticeable effect on one’s social and occupational life. In some cases, symptoms may even make you feel detached from your life or cause you to lose interest in friends, family, hobbies, or even your job.
Just like with PMS, PMDD is thought to be caused or affected by changes in hormone and serotonin levels that occur before menstruation. Research has also found that women affected by PMS and PMDD usually have mood disorders, anxiety, or depression. Therefore, one theory is that the symptoms of these disorders get worse as hormone and serotonin levels change.
How will my gynecologist diagnose and treat PMS or PMDD?
Unfortunately, there are no formal tests that can diagnose one from the other. In most cases, your gynecologist will ask you about your symptoms. They may even ask you to keep a journal or track your symptoms over the course of a few months to determine if there is a relationship between your cycle and symptoms.
For women with PMS, lifestyle changes like exercise, more sleep, healthy diet, and reducing stress can usually help to alleviate symptoms. For women with PMDD, these same lifestyle changes can be helpful, but your doctor may also recommend medications to help you manage your symptoms. Both SSRI antidepressants and birth control pills can be used to manage symptoms of PMDD.
Did you know that the American Sexual Health Association (ASHA) has declared September to be Sexual Health Month in honor of World Sexual Health Day on September 4th? The theme for this year is Sexual Pleasure in Times of COVID-19, which aims to promote sexual pleasure as a positive outcome from sexual activity. Sex itself has many health benefits including stress relief and increasing immune system function. However, sexual pleasure is another important benefit that should be experienced while partaking in sexual activities.
Although sex has the ability to be both healthy and pleasurable, it is important to remember that being sexual with another person also carries certain risks such as pregnancy or contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI). That’s why it is important to practice safe sex in order to reduce you and your partner’s risk. Nowadays, there are a variety of “tools” that are available to assist you and your partner in practicing safer sex. One of the most commonly used tools are condoms. There are two types of condoms including:
External Condoms
External condoms, also known as male condoms, are thin sleeves that slip over the penis and are made from latex, polyurthane, polyisoprene, and lambskin. They are popular because they can protect you and your partner from unwanted pregnancies and STIs. In fact, according to the ASHA, condoms are the only widely available and proven method for reducing the transmission of HIV and other STIs.
Internal Condoms
Although not as common as external condoms, internal condoms can also be used to protect against unwanted pregnancies and STIs. An internal condom, sometimes called a female condom, is a pouch that is inserted into the vagina or anus before sexual activity. It can be inserted up to eight hours before sex and allows the wearer to be in control. However, internal condoms can be hard to find and generally cost more than external condoms. In some cases, internal condoms may also irritate the clitoris and vulva.
Why Practice Safe Sex?
Every year, 20 million new cases of STIs are diagnosed and about 50% of these cases are diagnosed in people ages 15-24. They can be passed from person to person during vaginal, oral, or anal sex. In rare cases, they can also be passed during intimate physical contact. There are a variety of STIs, however here are some of the most commonly diagnosed:
Human Papillomavirus (HPV)
HPV is so common that almost every person who is sexually active will be affected at some point during their lifetime. In most cases, you may not even known you are affected since most types of HPV doen’t cause noticeable symptoms and are quickly resolved by the body. However, certain types of HPV can cause genital warts, as well as cervical cancer. To reduce the risk of developing cancer from HPV, it is recommended that women ages 11-26 get vaccinated for HPV. It is also recommended to have regular pap smears, which can detect early signs of cervical cancer.
Chlamydia
About 25% of women who are infected with chlamydia will experience symptoms, however chlamydia is still the most commonly reported STI. The most common symptoms of chlamydia are irregular vaginal discharge and a burning sensation during urination. Since it is a bacterial infection, chlamydia can easily be treated with antibiotics.
Gonorrhea
Another common type of bacterial STI is gonorrhea, which has similar symptoms to chlamydia. Although most men will have symptoms, only 20% of women with gonorrhea will display symptoms. Gonorrhea can also be treated with antibiotics.
Syphilis
This STI has four stages. During the first stage, a sore will form. The second stage is characterized by a rash on the body, as well as sores in the mouth, vagina, or anus. During the third stage, symptoms will usually disappear. The fourth stage of syphilis only affects about 15% of untreated cases and is characterized by damage to the organs, nerves, and possibly brain. Syphilis can be treated with antibiotics and it is recommended to seek treatment early on.
Herpes
There are two strains of herpes that can cause genital herpes, but most cases are caused by HSV-2. Herpes is characterized by painful blisters around the vagina or anus, as well as possible blisters inside both. This STI is highly contagious and can be passed through skin to skin contact. Since herpes is a virus, it cannot be cured but it can be managed.
At the end of last week’s article, we discussed some of the ways you can screen for ovarian cancer. These included regular pelvic exams, transvaginal sonography, and the CA-125 blood test. If any of these test results indicate the possible presence of ovarian cancer, then the next step is to speak with a gynecologic oncologist. Ultimately, the only way to accurately diagnose ovarian cancer is by taking a biopsy, or a sample of the tumor. This sample will then be examined under a microscope to determine if cancerous cells are present.
After a diagnosis of ovarian cancer has been made, the next step is to determine what stage the tumor is. Ovarian cancer has four stages that range from early disease to advanced disease. Stage I means that the cancer is confined to the ovary or fallopian tube, stage II means the cancer has grown into one or both of the ovaries with pelvic extension, stage III means that the cancer has spread beyond the pelvis, and stage IV means that the cancer has spread throughout the body.
It is also important to determine the tumor grade, which is how healthy the cancer cells are. Cancer that looks like healthy tissue with different cell groupings is known as differentiated or low-grade, while cancer that looks significantly different than healthy tissue is known as poorly differentiated or high-grade. The grade allows your gynecologic oncologist to estimate how quickly the cancer may spread.
Both the stage of the cancer and the grade of the tumor are important factors when determining the best treatment for ovarian cancer. This is because the stage essentially tells your oncologist where the cancer is, while the grade helps them to estimate how fast it is expected to spread. However, surgery is often required to accurately determine the stage of the cancer. There are three surgical techniques that are used:
Initial surgery is the first surgical technique performed using a laparotomy. During a laparotomy, a vertical incision is made in the abdomen so the surgeon can look inside and remove any cancerous tissue. In most cases, this also includes the removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes (salpingo-oopharectomy), as well as possibly the uterus (hysterectomy). The goal of this surgery is remove as much cancerous tissue as possible, obtain an accurrate surgical diagnosis, and determine how far the cancer has spread.
Second-look surgery is a follow-up procedure used after the cancer has responded to chemotherapy. This procedure is less invasive than the initial surgery and is generally performed using a laparoscopy. The main goal of this surgery is to determine whether any cancer remains in the abdominal cavity.
Additional debulking surgery may be performed for recurrent cancer. The goal of this surgery is to remove cancerous tissue after a disease-free interval, reduce cancer symptoms, increase the efficacy of chemotherapy, and to remove bowel or uretal obstruction.
Chemotherapy and radiation are also used to treat ovarian cancer. Chemotherapy is often used to shrink tumors before surgery or radiation, control tumor growth, or cure the cancer without removing the ovaries. Although radiation can be used to treat ovarian cancer, it is generally not used very often in the United States. Instead most gynecological oncologists recommend a combination of chemotherapy and surgery. Ultimately, when it comes to treating ovarian cancer, you will need to discuss your options with an experienced gynecological oncologist. This is because the best treatment for you can depend on a number of factors.
Did you know that September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month? Unfortunately, the American Cancer Society estimates that over 21,000 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2020 and that approximately 14,000 women will die from ovarian cancer. Therefore, the month of September has been dedicated to raise awareness, fund research, and provide support for the victims, family, and friends of those with ovarian cancer.
Like its name suggests, ovarian cancer is an abnormal and uncontrollable growth of cells that appear around, inside, or on the outer layer of the ovaries. Since cancer cells outlive normal cells and continue to create more abnormal cells, this eventurally results in the formation of a tumor. If the cancer cells migrate into the bloodstream or lymph system, then they can also travel to other parts of the body in a process called metastasis.
While there are over 30 million different types of ovarian cancer, all types of ovarian cancer are classified by the type of cell that they start as. There are three common types of cells associated with ovarian cancer, including:
Surface Epithelium are cells that cover the outer lining of the ovaries. Epithelial tumors are usually benign and include serous adenomas, mucinous adenomas, and Brenner tumors. On the other hand, carcinomas that begin in the tissue that lines the ovaries are cancerous and are the most common and dangerous type of ovarian cancer. 85-90% of ovarian cancers are carcinomas and around 70% of women with this type of cancer are not diagnosed until the later stages.
Germ cells are those that are destined to form eggs. Like epithelial tumors, most germ cell tumors are benign, but some can be cancerous. Germ cell malignancies like maturing teratomas, dysgerinomas, and endodermal sinus tumors are commonly found in younger women ranging from teenagers to those in their early 20s. Luckily, 90% of germ cell malignancies can be treated successfully while also preserving fertility.
Stromal cells are connective tissue cells that produce estrogen and progesterone. Stomal tumors such as granuosa-theca tumors and Serotli-Leydig cell tumors are rare, low-grade cancers. Generally, only 2% of ovarian tumors are granulosa cell tumors and around 70% of them are diagnosed in the first stage.
It is estimated by the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition that 1 in 78 women will be diagnosed with ovarian cancer at some point during their lifetime. For women ages 35-74, ovarian cancer represents the fifth leading cause of cancer-related deaths. However, when ovarian cancer is diagnosed in stages I or II, there is a 90% 5-year survival rate. One of the main problems that organizations such as the NOCC aim to highlight is that there is currently no early detection test for ovarian cancer. Because of this, only 20% of cases are diagnosed early and the remaining 80% can have a survival rate of 28% or lower.
All women are at risk for ovarian cancer, however there are a few risk factors that can increase the chances of developing the disease such as increasing age, infertility, or a personal/family history of breast, ovarian, or colon cancer. If you are at an increased risk for ovarian cancer, it is recommended that you undergo genetic counseling with possible genetic testing for the BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene, undergo screenings using transvaginal ultrasonography, or consider having your ovaries removed if you no longer wish to preserve fertility.
Additionally, it is important for all women to be aware of the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer. It is also important to note that many of these symptoms are vague, therefore persisting symptoms that do not respond to diet changes, exercised, laxitives, or rest indicate a need to see your gynecologist as soon as possible. Possible signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer include:
Bloating
Pelvic or abdominal pain
Trouble eating or feeling full quickly
Feeling the need to urinate urgently or often
Fatigue
Upset stomach or heartburn
Back pain
Pain during sex
Constipation or menstrual changes
As mentioned above, there is currently no reliable screening test for ovarian cancer. Although many women believe that a Pap test can detect ovarian cancer, a Pap test can only determine the presence of cervical cancer. Even though there are no specific screening tests for ovarian cancer, there are a few tests that may be able to detect abnormalities associated with ovarian cancer. These tests include: pelvic exams, transvaginal sonography, and a CA-125 blood test.
Did you know that you can evaluate your hormone levels by the color of your period blood? Although menstrual blood is a bit of a taboo, taking some time to evaluate the color, consistency, and texture of your flow can provide valuable information about your hormones and your overall health. In fact, the things that can be learned from your menstrual blood has convinced the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists that menstruation should be used as a vital sign in some cases. At this point you are probably wondering what your flow is trying to tell you. Let’s take a look at how to interpret your period blood:
Bright Red
Period bleeding that is bright red in color (think cranberry), medium in viscosity (like jello that hasn’t set), and that occurs every 28-30 days for about 5-7 days is considered to be a healthy, normal period. Bright red blood also indicates that there is a steady flow of fresh blood. During a normal period, you can expect that the color of your blood will darken slightly as you come to the end of your period. However, it is also normal if your blood maintains a bright red color throughout your entire period. Although bright red is considered to be a normal color for period blood, bright red bleeding between periods, during pregnancy, or that is exceptionally heavy should be evaluated by your gynecologist.
Brown
Period bleeding that is brown, thin or streaky, and that has a varying length and frequency can indicate low progesterone levels or possible issues with regular ovulation. This is because brown blood is old oxidized blood that is left over from your previous cycle. However, brown or dark red period blood can also occur at the beginning or end of a period, and may not necessarily be cause for concern. Brown period bleeding can also occur 4-6 weeks after delivering a baby and is known as lochia.
Dark Purple/Blue
Period bleeding that is dark purple or blue in color, thick with clots, and that lasts longer than a week indicates high estrogen levels. In fact, high estrogen levels often cause symptoms associated with endometriosis, cysts, or fibroids. Unfortunately, having high estrogen levels for a long time can cause these conditions, as well as other medical conditions that affect your overall health.
Pink
Period bleeding that is pink, too light to determine consistency, and that only lasts for 3 days or less can indicate low estrogen levels. Low estrogen can be the result of hormonal birth control, significant weight loss, a vitamin or mineral deficiency, or anemia. Pink spotting can also occur when blood mixes with cervical fluid during ovulation, during implantation, or when there are tiny tears in the vagina during sexual intercourse.
Orange
Period bleeding that is orange in color and accompanied by vaginal itching, discomfort, and foul-smelling, gray discharge can indicate an infection. In some cases, orange blood is also the result of blood mixing with cervical fluid or implantation spotting. To determine the exact cause of orange blood, a visit to the gynecologist is recommended, especially if gray discharge is present.
Stress is a part of our everyday life and we have all experienced stress at one time or another. It is also very likely that we’ve been told that stress can affect us in many different ways. While some of these effects can be beneficial, such as additional energy for completing tasks, other effects like stomachaches and headaches are not as desirable. Not only that, long term stress can cause more serious changes to the body that can have negative effects.
One negative change to the body that long term stress causes is a hormonal imbalance. When you experience stress, the adrenal glands above your kidneys produce the stress hormone known as cortisol. With short-term stress, the extra cortisol levels will give you the needed boost to address the situation. Afterwards, your body recovers and you continue on without permanent changes. However, in the case of ongoing stress, your adrenal glands will get tired and start producing less and less cortisol. The end result is usually fatigue.
Until your adrenal glands have tired out, however, there will be an increase in cortisol circulating around your body. High cortisol levels cause two main things to happen in the body. First, it initiates your body’s fight or flight response by increasing your heart rate and level of alertness. Second, it limits functions that are not essential for fight or flight.
Additionally, cortisol is also used by the body for several important functions such as:
Reducing inflammation
Boosts energy levels
Regulates blood pressure
Increases blood sugar
Manages how the body uses carbs, fats, and proteins
Controls the sleep/wake cycle
Unfortunately, these functions are also affected by higher levels of cortisone. In fact, high levels of cortisone can actually cause some of these functions to temporarily cease. This can cause a number of health issues such as anxiety, depression, headaches, heart disease, memory and concentration problems, digestion problems, trouble sleeping, and weight gain.
Not only that, but cortisol and estrogen have a complicated relationship. In some cases, high cortisol levels can lower estrogen levels. This causes a variety of female hormone imbalance symptoms such as hot flashes, weight gain, night sweats, sleep problems, and mood swings. At the same time, circulating estrogen may also increase the circulation of cortisol in your blood. Contraceptive medications, pregnancy, and estrogen therapy have all been associated with increasing both estrogen and cortisol levels.
Simply stated, too much or too little of any hormone will eventually lead to a hormone imbalance since the other hormones will adjust their levels accordingly. In women, hormonal imbalances have specific symptoms such as:
Heavy or frequent periods
Missed or stopped periods
Weight gain
Acne (specifically on the face, chest, or upper back)
Excessive hair growth on the face or chin
Skin tags
Hair loss or thinning
Darkening of the skin (specifically along neck creases, in the groin, or underneath the breasts)
Vaginal dryness or atrophy
Pain during sex
Night sweats
While stress is a common cause of hormonal balances, it is not the only cause. Unfortunately, there are many medical conditions that can cause a hormonal imbalance. In women specifically, there are also unique causes such as birth control pills, pregnancy, breastfeeding, ovarian insufficiency, polycystic ovarian syndrome, premature menopause, and menopause. Therefore, if you believe you may have a hormonal imbalance, it is important to schedule an appointment with your doctor. A blood test is usually obtained to measure the amount of certain hormones in the blood, however further testing may be used to determine the specific cause of any imbalances.
There are many different things that can affect your period and cause it to change such as diet, exercise, weight, age, and birth control just to name a few. Although some changes can indicate a possible issue, others changes are natural. In fact one natural occurrence that changes your period is known as perimenopause.
Perimenopause is a change in hormone levels that occurs just before menopause. Most women will undergo perimenopause in their mid to late 40s, however some women may experience it earlier. Generally speaking, you can expect perimenopause symptoms to last around 4 years, then your period will stop completely. After your period has stopped completely (no bleeding or spotting), your body will transition from perimenopause to menopause over the course of 12 months.
During the 4 years of perimenopause, hormonal changes can alter the frequency, symptoms, and regularity of your period. Here are some ways that you can expect perimenopause to affect your period and body:
Irregularity
Even if you have always had regular periods, perimenopause can suddenly cause this to change. This is because perimenopause interrupts the normal hormonal rhythm. Instead of progesterone and estrogen levels rising and falling in a consistent pattern, hormonal changes become erratic. The result is irregular periods that can occur more or less frequently than usual. This can mean that you may experience two periods back to back in one month or that you could completely skip a period one month.
Sleep Problems
Unfortunately, perimenopause can cause hot flashes that often occur at night. Both hot flashes and night sweats are the main causes of sleep problems during perimenopause, however some women also experience problems sleeping without hot flashes or night sweats. In some cases, sleep problems can cause mood swings and irritability, and can increase the risk of depression.
Bleeding Changes
Perimenopause also changes the amount you bleed during your period. Both an abnormally heavy or light flow are indicative of perimenopause. Some women will experience heavy bleeding that leaks through pads, while others may hardly experience any bleeding at all.
Sexual Changes
As a result of lower estrogen levels, sexual intercourse may become painful due to less elasticity and natural lubrication. You may also notice changes in your sexual desire and arousal.
Overall Health Changes
Decreasing estrogen levels can also cause changes elsewhere in the body that can affect your overall health. For starters, lower estrogen is associated with osteoporosis since your body loses bone faster than it can replace it. Lower estrogen levels can also alter your blood cholesterol levels. Specifically, your bad cholesterol (LDL) levels can rise, while your good cholesterol (HDL) levels can decrease.
Although perimenopause is a normal part of aging, if you are experiencing symptoms that are interfering with your life or well-being you should schedule an appointment to discuss this with your gynecologist. In some cases, symptoms of perimenopause may be due to another cause that only your gynecologist can diagnose. In other cases, there may be treatments your gynecologist can recommend to make perimenopause easier on you.
