Showing posts with label midlife women. Show all posts
Showing posts with label midlife women. Show all posts

The Danger When An Ovarian Cyst Ruptures

For women who are menstruating, it is very common to experience ovarian cysts that rupture. The cysts may often be symptom-less and disappear by themselves. Nonetheless, in other instances the development of ovarian cysts may be a much greater source of worry.

Ovarian Cyst Ruptures

The danger of rupture exists especially when identification during the early period of an ovarian cyst is not made. Intense pain is the result of an ovarian cyst that ruptures and this can lead to grave medical complications. Both infection and hemorrhage can be the result of a ruptured ovarian cyst. If the cyst does not heal alone, a doctor may recommend its removal surgically. The doctor would take a sample of the ovarian cyst in order to examine it for potential malignancy. But ovarian cysts can be responsible for grave and complex difficulties that might not arise if you were examined quickly enough after even the slightest warning of an ovarian cyst. If you are worried that you might have an ovarian cyst, then you should consult a specialized physician for confirmation of your symptoms as rapidly as possible in order to avoid any medical deterioration.

Indications Concerning Ovarian Cysts

It is the pelvic examination routine that generally allows the discovery of ovarian cysts. In this case a physician would typically examine a cyst over about one month using ultrasounds to see if the cyst will clear up by itself. If this is not the case or if further symptoms or pain were involved then a physician would test to find out whether the system is dangerous. Symptoms linking ovarian cysts with danger might include painful or perturbed periods, pain during bowel movements or sexual intercourse, and pain at the abdomen, which might also spread to the buttocks and thighs.

Ovarian Cysts - Recognizing Symptoms


Severe pain can be caused by a cyst that ruptures, but this can also lead to grave medical complications. A cyst that has broken open will show symptoms very similar to that of a normal ovarian cyst. In both cases, severe pain is the common element. Because ovarian cysts often arise without symptoms for many women and may even go away by themselves without medical intervention, the downside is that grave complications may also come about. These could include the cyst rupturing or organs being subjected to pressure or torsion. However women with ruptured ovarian cysts often experience symptoms such as pain not only during menstruation, but in particular just before or after. This pain is described by sufferers as sharp and piercing especially in the lower part of the abdomen when such a cyst breaks open. The other consequence of an ovarian cyst rupturing is the abdomen becoming distended or sensitive.

Ovarian Cysts - Getting a Diagnosis

For sufferers in a critical condition arriving at the emergency department, the stabilization of their condition is first done by the medical team while diagnosis of the ovarian cyst rupture is accomplished. An emergency gynecologist or physician can use a variety of diagnostic tests to find out about the ovarian cysts rupture. The doctor will do a test on your blood to find out from a number of variables about your condition. Your hematocrit level will also be checked to see how many red blood cells you have. A hematocrit level that is lessened may suggest that significant internal bleeding has caused anemia. A urine test is also done to see if any pus or blood has been generated from the ovaries that might be due to a ruptured ovarian cyst causing infection or information. Also important is a pregnancy test. The explanation for this is that indications of pregnancy in the fallopian tubes are also very frequent when ovarian cysts rupture: this is known as ectopic pregnancy.

Treating Ovarian Cysts

In the first instance, women should be educated about the ovarian cysts that might rupture in either a malignant or asymptomatic fashion. Because ovarian cysts are common, a number of online resources exist with relevant information about ovarian cysts and their treatment. Nevertheless, as several techniques exist to treat ovarian cysts, you should understand that some might be very expensive and others might only provide relief from a symptom rather than treatment of the problem. If you require a real solution to an ovarian cyst that is ruptured, then a holistic program is the right choice. The treatment is made according to the real cause of the problem with a cyst to ensure that a permanent solution is found.
Ovarian Cyst

What is Fibrocystic Breast Disease?

Fibrocystic breast disease is common and usually benign condition. Symptoms include swollen, tender breasts, and/or one or more lumps. Frequently, symptoms worsen just before a woman's menstrual cycle, subsiding near the end. For the majority of women these symptoms are a temporary discomfort; however some women experience severe pain.

Fibrocystic breast disease, for many women, is very treatable and preventable. For years, doctors have recommended that women avoid caffeine, high fat diets and so on, and even to take drugs with strong side effects. In some cases this helps, in others it doesn't. However, recent research has offered new hope because it has shown a strong connection between the wearing of bras and benign fibrocystic lumps, cysts and pain. For example, Dr. Gregory Heigh of Florida has found that over 90% of women with fibrocystic changes find improvement when they stop wearing their brassieres.

The addition of B vitamin supplementation to the diet of women suffering from PMS, heavy menstrual bleeding, and fibrocystic breast disease helped to decrease the severity of their symptoms. Studies conducted at UCLA Medical School during the 1980s found that taking a specific B vitamin, pyridoxine B6, helped to relieve symptoms of menstrual cramps and PMS.

The cause of fibrocystic breast change is not known, but the symptoms and signs are linked to a woman's hormone patterns. Each month, the breasts respond to the cyclic peaks and troughs of estrogen and progesterone. As hormone levels rise just before and during menstruation, mammary blood vessels swell, ducts and alveoli expand, and cell growth proliferates. Breast tissue retains fluid and grows larger. After menstruation, these processes reverse.

Fibrocystic breasts are characterized by lumpiness and usually discomfort in one or both breasts. The condition is very common and benign, meaning that fibrocystic breasts are not malignant (cancerous). Fibrocystic breast disease (FBD), now referred to as fibrocystic changes or fibrocystic breast condition, is the most common cause of "lumpy breasts" in women and affects more than 60% of women. The condition primarily affects women between the ages of 30 and 50 and tends to become less of a problem after menopause.

The cause is not completely understood, but the changes are believed to be associated with ovarian hormones since the condition usually subsides with menopause , and may vary in consistency during the menstrual cycle. The incidence of it is estimated to be over 60% of all women. It is common in women between the ages of 30 and 50, and rare in postmenopausal women. The incidence is lower in women taking birth control pills. The risk factors may include family history and diet (such as excessive dietary fat , and caffeine intake), although these are controversial.

The effectiveness of Vitamin E, Vitamin B-6, and herbal preparations, such as evening primrose oil are somewhat controversial. Discuss their use with your health care provider. Oral contraceptives may be prescribed because they often decrease the symptoms. A synthetic androgen may be prescribed by a doctor in severe cases, when the potential benefit is thought to outweigh the potential adverse effects.

During each menstrual cycle, normal hormonal stimulation causes the breasts' milk glands and ducts to enlarge, and in turn, the breasts may retain water. Before or during menstruation, the breasts may feel swollen, painful, tender, or lumpy. The severity of these symptoms varies significantly from woman to woman. Some women only experience mild breast swelling during menstruation, while others experience constant breast tenderness.
Corwin Brown
Fibrocystic Breast Disease

Facial Hair in Women - What Can You Do About It?

Facial hair growth in women is something that many of us find concerning. Assuming that you are not genetically inclined to facial air (Mediterranean, Jewish and Eastern European ancestry) or have a family history of facial hair growth in women), it could be a number of things.
One of the most common is hormonal imbalance. Women have both estrogens and androgens (male hormones). As we age, the levels of both hormones naturally decline. However, the ratio between the differences declines and it can look as if we suddenly have more of the male hormones, and therefore stray hairs. In addition, there are some medications that can stimulate the growth of stray, darker, coarser hair such as phenytoin, cyclosporine, anabolic steroids, combination medications with testosterone such as estratest, and minoxidil (used for high blood pressure as well as baldness in men).
Facial Hair in Women -  What Can You Do About It?
Sometimes though, excessive facial/body hair can be a result of physical and medical issues. For example, polycystic ovarian syndrome and obesity (adipose tissue can produce androgens). Occasionally it can be related to adrenal tumors. In these cases one will see more than just the occasional stray hair on the face. If this is happening to you, see your health care provider.
So what can do you about it? Women have been looking for ways to permanently remove hair for years. There does not seem to be an easy fool-proof permanent way to deal with facial hair.
Treatments include:
  • Makeup Radio frequency
  • Hormones (estrogen and progesterone)
  • Shaving
  • Waxing
  • Laser
  • Electrolysis
  • Medications - Vaniqua - a prescription cream
According to many dermatologists, electrolysis seems to be the only method for permanent removal. Vaniqua, which is relatively new in the past few years does not seem to work for all women. The long term effectiveness is unknown at this time.
As with most things, there does not seem to be a one-size-fits-all solution to the problem of the stray facial hair. You will most likely need to try various treatments and see what works for you. However, keep in mind if the hair seems excessive or you have concerns, please speak with your health care provider for further evaluation.
By Barbara C. Phillips
Facial Hair in Women