Women’s Health

Do you experience painful cramps during your monthly period? These menstrual cramps are medically known as dysmenorrhea.

What is dysmenorrhea?

Dysmenorrhea is what women experience immediately before or during their menstrual period. There are two types of dysmenorrhea: common and secondary.

• Common dysmenorrheais characterized by pain in the lower abdomen or back and can be mild to severe. These can start before or at the onset of the period and continue for 1 to 3 days.
• Secondary dysmenorrheais pain caused by a disorder in the female reproductive organs. These cramps usually begin early in the menstrual cycle and last longer than common dysmenorrhea.

How to treat dysmenorrhea

Not all women may experience menstrual cramps, but those who go through it monthly may not have it easy. For some, dysmenorrhea may cause them to miss school or work because of severe pain.

To relieve menstrual cramps, take note of these tips:

Use a hot compress.

Applying heat on the affected area can relieve pain. If you don’t have a hot compress, you can also use a hot water bottle. Make sure you don’t use boiling water so you don’t hurt your skin. A warm bath also reduces pain and helps you relax.

Exercise

Even though you may not feel like, staying physically active can actually relieve some of the pain. Try walking, jogging, or light stretching.

Try different relaxation techniques.

When you have cramps, make sure you get enough rest and relaxation. Take breaks when you need to. Practice relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga to help distract you from the discomfort.

Avoid caffeine and salty food.

Caffeine constricts your blood vessels, intensifying your cramps in effect. Salty food, on the other hand, can make you feel more bloated. Increase your intake of iron-rich foods (especially if you have heavy periods) and fresh fruits like banana, pineapple, and grapefruit.

If none of these tips help, talk to your doctor for medication to relieve pain.

The thyroid is a “butterfly-shaped” gland that can be found in your neck and is responsible for producing hormones needed for certain brain activities and healthy metabolism. About 9% of Filipinos have some form of thyroid disease and is more common in adult women. According to the American Thyroid Association thyroid diseases affect an estimated 20 million Americans and up to 20% of those with an existing condition are unaware of their condition. It is estimated that 1 in every 10 Canadiansare suffering form of thyroid function abnormality. The thyroid malfunction is more common in females than in males.

What does your thyroid do?

The thyroid is a “butterfly-shaped” gland that can be found in your neck and is responsible for producing hormones needed for certain brain activities and healthy metabolism. Your thyroid is also in charge of regulating your heartbeat and body temperature. An unhealthy thyroid can have a huge impact on other major body functions if left untreated.

Symptoms of an unhealthy thyroid

Initial signs of an abnormal thyroid may include sudden mood changes like consistently feeling tired despite having a full night’s rest. The same goes for abrupt feelings of anxiety which may indicate that your thyroid is producing too much thyroid hormone. Other symptoms may include:

• Changes in bowel movement
• Excessive hair loss
• Sudden weight gain
• Irregular periods
• Infertility
• Mental fatigue

What causes thyroid disease?

There are two major types of thyroid disease: hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. refer to the table below for common symptoms:

Hypothyroidism can be caused by an existing medical condition like thyroiditis, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, iodine deficiency, and postpartum thyroiditis. Meanwhile, hyperthyroidism can also be the result of other illnesses like Grave’s disease, thyroiditis, excessive iodine intake, and overactive nodules within the thyroid. Recommended diet If you are suffering from hypothyroidism, then it is probably because you lack iodine in your diet which is essential for the production of thyroid hormones. Fortify your diet by adding a mix of foods rich in iodine like seafood and seaweed. On the other hand, those with hyperthyroidism are recommended to eat more cruciferous foods like broccoli, kale, and cauliflower which help decrease the production of thyroid hormones.