Carolyn West Bio PictureA slap in the face.

When I think about a girl’s first period, that’s what comes to mind. A slap in the face.

When I was young and had recently started menstruating, I remember having a conversation with my cousin. She asked if my mother had slapped me in the face? WHAT? Slapped me? My mother had never touched me. She went on to explain that she had been visiting with our Grandmother when she first got hers. She got slapped.

I was horrified and thankful that I wasn’t staying with my Grandmother when it happened to me. Why the slap? Different sources say it is either a way of bringing blood to the face to celebrate fertility… or it’s to shame the girl. Either way, a slap is a slap and is not a great way to start off this period (no pun intended) in your life. It’s one of those Jewish traditions that have been passed down through the generations and nobody really has a clue where it originated or why.

Other countries and religions have traditions as well. In some countries menstruation is celebrated by building the woman a home, making an animal sacrifice, preparing a festive meal or hiding the woman away until she is “clean” again. READ MORE… »

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By Natracare

Toxic Shock Syndrome was back in the headlines recently following an investigation on US television about the tampon related death of Amy Elifritz.

Tampon TestIn response women around the world have been asking what is in their tampon and are there any potential health risks?

http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/news/local/marion_county/toxic-shock-i-team-8-investigation-attracts-attention

Natracare raised the issue of fibre loss in conventional tampons at least 15 years ago. The reaction from those conventional brands was that the body naturally dispels the fibres. We asked nurses doing smear tests and they said that they can always tell who uses tampons because they have to remove old tampon fibres before achieving a clear smear for sampling. Conventional tampons mostly use rayon to make their tampons. Rayon is a straight, smooth fibre made from wood pulp. These smooth fibres have little integrity so they slide apart more easily when wet. Eventually, these same manufacturers who claimed fibre loss was not an issue, decided to put a polypropylene (that’s plastic to you and me) non-woven wrapper around the rayon core to reduce the loss of fibres.

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By Samantha Gluck
PMS - AnxietyAs the name implies, women experience the symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) for one to two weeks before their monthly menstruation begins. For some women, these symptoms are very mild and barely noticeable, but for others the symptoms cause considerable emotional, physical, and psychological discomfort.

Don’t let PMS symptoms stop you from enjoying life.

Lifestyle Affects PMS Severity
Some research suggests that a woman’s lifestyle has a significant impact on the severity of PMS symptoms. Women, who smoke, drink excessive alcohol and caffeine, do not exercise, and get inadequate sleep experience more pronounced symptoms associated with PMS. Oral contraceptives may affect the severity of symptoms as well. Some women report that oral contraceptives make the symptoms worse, while others report relief from PMS as a result of the birth control pill. This difference is likely due to the type of pill taken and the individual body chemistry and metabolism of the woman taking them. Talk to your OB/GYN physician if you feel the birth control pill is making your PMS worse. READ MORE… »

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By Dr Easton Patrick

Among the menstruating women, a painful menstruation or menstrual cramps are quite common. Medically this problem is termed as Dysmenorrhea. Mainly younger women experience this painful menstrual cramp. Usually this symptom gradually subsides after pregnancy or with the older age. For some women these menstrual cramps may be severe, while many women may not even experience this pain at all throughout their fertility period. Usually this painful cramp starts before 2-3 days prior to menstruation and gradually subsides in 1-2 days after periods.

Some of the important symptoms of this painful menstruation are varying degrees of pain in the abdominal and pelvic area during the periods; other symptoms include vomiting, nausea, loose motion and also dizziness. These are the symptoms which accompany painful menstruation.

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By Samantha Gluck

PMDDWomen with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) experience a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).As with PMS, the physical and emotional symptoms occur about a week before menstruation starts and dissipate soon after. Unlike PMS, PMDD symptoms disrupt and interfere with social, work, and relationship activities. OB/GYN physicians can prescribe medication to women, who meet the criteria for PMDD, to reduce the symptoms as well as educate patients about lifestyle choices thought to help minimize the physical manifestations of the condition naturally.

PMDD Signs and Symptoms
While over 30 percent of women with regular menstrual cycles experience common PMS symptoms, only 3 % to 8 % of menstruating women meet the diagnostic criteria for PMDD. READ MORE… »

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By Natracare

If you have thrush, or even if you don’t, irritation from tampons and pads may be causing you discomfort. Gynecologists say that up to a third of women with symptoms of vaginal itching, soreness and/or discharge may be experiencing the symptoms of Vulval Dermatitis or Intimate Irritation.

Studies* carried out amongst 40 British gynecologists with further research conducted amongst their Canadian colleagues rev ealed that nearly 4 out of 5 gynecologists felt that their patients, suffering with intimate irritation, were experiencing sensitivity to synthetic fabrics, sanitary protection and toiletries. 50% of the gynecologists then go on to recommend the use of natural, chemical-free sanitary protection to help alleviate the symptoms.

Mr David Nunns, Consultant Gynecologist at Nottingham City Hospital, said “Irritancy is a very common issue amongst women in the UK, and is still frequently mistaken for thrush. This study has shown that expert gynecologists across the globe have recognized that sanitary protection may be a causative agent in triggering vulval irritancy and so switching to natural, chemical free protection may help alleviate troublesome symptoms for many women.”

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by www.womens-natural-health.com

Take it easy during your menstrual cycle and, according to ayurdeda, a lot of possible future health problems would be diverted.

Unfortunately however, not ‘being up to par’ once a month is often frowned upon and women tend to try even harder to be ‘superwoman’.

However, your monthly period is nature’s way of detoxing your body. If you go with it you’ll reap enormous health benefits. Fighting it, however, can exhaust you and possibly lead to future health problems.

In the East women are often encouraged to totally rest for a few days a month. This is obviously not practical for all. But at least do as little as possible and go to bed as early as you can.

Keep your diet light and healthy. If your body doesn’t have to put too much work into digestion it can get to work on that natural monthly detox much more efficiently!…

Eat plenty of well cooked vegetables. Munch on fresh fruit. Try soaked dried figs and/or dates as wonderful chocolate substitutes….

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As women and parents, we ALL have our own stories. One of our goals is to help beak the silence on the “taboo” topic of periods!

Sometimes the most helpful information comes from the friendly voice of someone that has experienced the same thing. We welcome all PG information on Periods & Puberty, anything from personal stories, first period experiences, tips, remedies, humor, healthy/safety, to the joys of embracing being a girl/woman. (Dads/Men, you are welcome to post your perspective as well!)

 

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