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Migraines are chronic headaches that can cause significant pain for hours or even days. Women experience headaches much more often than men. This is because there is a close link between headaches and hormonal changes.

Headaches often begin around the time of a girl’s first period and accompany menstruation regularly throughout the reproductive years. Birth control pills and hormone therapy also can trigger headaches. During pregnancy, headaches often become less bothersome. The simple explanation? The hormones estrogen and progesterone — which play key roles in regulating the menstrual cycle and pregnancy — may affect headache-related chemicals in the brain as well. Higher estrogen levels may improve headaches, while lower estrogen levels can make headaches worse.

Headache is a common symptom of premenstrual syndrome, and up to 60% of women with migranes report headaches before or during menstruation.

What to do to relieve menstrual headaches:

• over-the-counter pain killers can relieve many menstrual headaches;
• eat healthy foods;
• exercise regularly;
• keep stress under control;
• practice relaxation techniques;
• get plenty of sleep.

The first period is an important event in a girl’s life and part of the normal process of becoming an adult. While some girls can’t wait for their first period to come, others may dread it, not knowing what to expect and feeling shy or embarrassed to ask questions.

As I have promised in my previous post, I will continue answering girls’ questions about the first period.

• Can I Play Sports or Be Involved in Other Activities During My Period?
  

Of course you can! Your period should not affect your daily activities. You can continue to exercise, swim, bike ride, and have fun. Some girls and women even find that exercising while they are having their menstrual period reduces or prevents stomach cramps and discomfort. During these activities, it is important to use high quality sanitary pads, like Love Moon Anion Sanitary Napkins, so as to prevent spotting and discomfort. You can also use tampons, which come handy especially when you are involved in activities like swimming.

• How do I know which feminine care products are best for me?

There are many products on the market and there is a variety of products to choose from, according to your needs. It is best to talk openly to your mother, school nurse or another adult you trust and who can help you make a good choice. To learn more detailed information about how to choose a sanitary napkins, here is a great page I recommend: FreeSanitaryNapkins.com

• How do I know if I need to see a doctor about my period?

You should consult your doctor:

• if you are bleeding for more than 7 days
• if you are bleeding excessively
• if you suddenly feel sick after using tampons
• if you have unbearable pain during your period
• if you bleed between periods (more than just a few drops)
• if your period has suddenly stopped
• if you have not started menstruating by the age of 16.

If you have any specific questions that have not been answered in this post, please feel free to write them in the comments section.

The first period (also referred to as menstruation) is an important event in a girl’s life and part of the normal process of becoming an adult. While some girls can’t wait for their first period to come, others may dread it, not knowing what to expect and feeling shy or embarrassed to ask questions.

We have put together some frequently asked questions and their answers, so as to help all girls understand this event better and be prepared and feel comfortable about it.

• When will I have my first period?

No one can tell you exactly when. Each person has their own biorhythm. Most girls start their periods between the ages of 9 and 16. There really isn’t any way you can tell the exact day you’ll get your first period, but there are some signs that can tell you are getting close.

• What are the signs before the first period?

About 1 year after their breasts have started to grow, most girls will go through a stage of rapid growth. Most girls get their first period in about 2 years after their breasts have started growing and very soon after hair starts growing underarms and in the pubic area. Vaginal discharge is also a clue that you are about to have your first period.

• What are menstrual cramps?

Menstrual cramps are caused by the normal contractions of the uterus and can be often experienced, especially by young women. To read some tips on how to relieve menstrual cramps, read this post: Tips on How to Relieve Menstrual Cramps.

• How often will I have my period?

You may have heard some women talking about their monthly cycle. This cycle begins on the first day of one period and ends on first day of the next period. While women’s periods do tend to come about once per month, there is a wide range in the length of menstrual cycle from woman to woman. Some women’s periods come as often as every 21 days, some as far apart as every 40 days. The most common range is 25-30 days. Especially during the first years, the length of your cycle may vary from month to month, but it tends to become regular in time. Some women have regular cycles and their periods start exactly the same number of days apart each time. It is a good idea to have a calender where you mark the first day of your period every time. This way, you will be able to observe your cycle, to notice if there is a pattern forming and you will be able to estimate better when to expect your next period.

There are still many questions to be answered about your first period and I will continue writing about that in my next post. Till then, if you have any questions, please feel free to write them in the comments section.

Ruth Taylor

Having someone examine your genitals is definitely not a pleasant idea, especially if you have never gone through this before. It is not hard to understand why most girls are scared of their first visit to a gynecologist. It is absolutely legitimate to ask questions like: “Do I really need to get an appointment?”, “Why?”, “What happens at a visit?” I will briefly try to answer these questions here.

Why do I need to see a gynecologist?

All women should tend to their reproductive health as part of their normal preventive healthcare, just like everyone should go to the dentist once a year and their general doctor for a yearly checkup. Think of this visit as a routine medical exam. This will help you feel better about it. If it makes you more comfortable, you can have your mom, sister, or a friend stay in the room with you during the exam.

A Pap test and pelvic exam are important parts of a woman’s routine health care because they can detect abnormalities that may lead to cervix cancer. These abnormalities can be treated before cancer develops.

Besides finding problems early so they can be treated or kept from getting worse, your doctor will also help you understand your body and how it works, how to take good care of it and protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections.

When do I need to see a gynecologist?

You should get an appointment if you:

• have ever had sex.
• are 21 or older.
• have abdominal pain, irregular or painful menstrual periods, or vaginal discharge.

What happens at a visit?

Part of your first visit will be just talk, so you can get to know each other. Your doctor may ask a lot of questions about you and your family. You can also ask the doctor any questions you have. It is a good idea to put down some questions before your visit, so that you don’t forget them because of being nervous. You can talk to your doctor about cramps and problem periods, acne, weight issues, sexually transmitted infections and any other concerns you have. Don’t feel embarrassed to ask. Take advantage of this time to get good answers to your questions.

Your doctor will check your height, weight and blood pressure. He or she may also do the following exams:

• Breast exam –your doctor will check your breasts to make sure you don’t have strange lumps or pain.
• Pelvic exam –The doctor will examine your pelvic area to make sure your reproductive organs are healthy.
• Pap test –This test is done to make sure the cells in your cervix are normal. If you are sexually active, it is especially important to have a Pap test. The Pap test helps the doctor know if more tests are needed to see if you are infected with the HP virus. Left untreated, this virus can lead to cervical cancer.

So, a visit to the gynecologist is a necessary part of keeping yourself healthy as a woman, and your gynecologist can turn out to be a great source of honest, accurate sexual information for you for years to come.

Most women have experienced some degree of menstrual cramps at some point. But while for the lucky ones the pain is mild and not very long lasting, others find themselves unable to perform their normal routine for one to three days each month because of the severe menstrual pain (also called dysmenorrheal) that they experience.

Dysmenorrhea (menstrual cramps) can be:

1. Primary – occurs most often in young women and often becomes less severe after a woman has given birth or when she reaches her mid-twenties.
2. Secondary –when menstrual cramps are caused by other conditions, such as endometriosis, fibroid tumors, pelvic adhesions, ovarian cysts or by the use of and IUD (intrauterine device) for birth control.

Menstrual cramps are caused by the normal contractions of the uterus, which are, in their turn, caused by prostaglandis, a hormone-like naturally occurring substance.

Tips on how to relieve menstrual cramps:

• Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or naproxen used at the first sign of your period help reduce the severity of the cramps by inhibiting the release of prostaglandis.
• Regular exercise helps prevent severe menstrual cramps.
• Zinc, calcium and B vitamins have been found to reduce cramps, bloating and other symptoms.
• Some herbal remedies that may reduce menstrual cramps due to their antispasmodic effect include Viburnum Prunifolium, Scutellaria Spp. And Cimicifuga Raemosa.
• Take a warm bath filled with aromatherapy or place a heating pad on your lower abdomen and back.

Everybody, men and women alike, would like mommy to get back to her good looking shape as soon as possible after giving birth. But is that realistic? And what are the steps to take to lose all the extra pounds? It is good to know what to expect, because otherwise you might grow very disappointed and frustrated. No, you won’t be back in your pre-natal shape when you step out of the hospital. The good news is that you can get back there in 6 to 8 months. Just be realistic, patient and perseverant.

First of all, consider that it took nine months to put on those pounds and it is unrealistic to expect to get rid of them overnight. You should give yourself just at least about the same time for the process to be reversed. Don’t pack clothes that you wore before being pregnant to wear when coming home from the hospital. Even after giving birth, there are still lots of extra fluids in your body and it will take about 2 or 3 weeks to eliminate them. Then, consider that it takes about 4 weeks for the uterus to contract back to its normal size.

There are three basic ways that will help you lose the extra pounds:

• Breastfeeding
• Healthy diet
• Exercise

Let’s briefly discuss about each one.

BREASTFEEDING is not only very healthy for the baby, but will also help the mother lose weight, since producing the milk requires about 500 calories every day. That can help reduce some of the fat that was gained during pregnancy. Actually one of the reasons your body put on weight during pregnancy was to store the energy it takes to breastfeed the baby. Therefore, losing calories through breastfeeding completes a natural program.

The other two methods –healthy diet and exercise are the basic weight loss methods in any situation. There are still a few specific details that should be applied in this particular case:

• Don’t diet for the first three months after birth. Start by just eating a well-balanced diet and moving your body.
• Wait 6 weeks after a vaginal birth and 8 weeks after a c-section before you start exercising.
• Low-impact exercises are recommended, such as walking or swimming.
• Focus on nutrition, not on weight-loss diets.
• Eat several, small, healthy meals a day.
• Be patient and perseverant.
• Ask your doctor before changing your diet or starting any new exercise program.                                                 Ruth Taylor

The birth of a child is definitely a very important and touching moment. Since you have looked this article up, this means you are interested in preparing this unique moment, which is very wise to do. When the time comes, you don’t want to be running around to get everything you need (and most probably forget things). That is why a checklist and its preparation in advance is a very useful and wise thing to do.

There are four different categories of things to pack, and it is probably a good idea to place them in different bags:

• For labor
• For your partner
• For your baby
• Postpartum

FOR LABOR:

• Documents – birth plan, insurance card;
• Toiletries –toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, brush, comb, lip balm, massage oil, hair band and barrettes. Hospitals will have soap, shampoo and lotion, but if you prefer your own brands you can pack that too.
• A T-shirt or nightgown for birth (one that you can throw away afterwards), a robe (for walking around) socks and slippers. Make sure the gown has either loose sleeves or short sleeves, so that your blood pressure can easily be checked.
• Music and something to read to pass the time, extra pillows if you think you might need them (if you do, use a colorful pillowcase so that you don’t lose your pillow among the hospital pillows.)

FOR YOUR PARTNER:

• Money for parking and change for vending machines;
• Some snacks and something to read during the early stages;
• A few basic toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant);
• A change of clothes;
• Camera(s), batteries, extra film or tape, extra memory card;
• Phone card for long distance calls (some hospitals don’t allow cell phones in) and address book.

FOR YOUR BABY:

• Newborn clothing (including cap and socks);
• Two receiving blankets;
• Extra newborn-sized diapers;
• Gentle baby wipes;
• Baby nail clippers (most babies are born with long fingernails and can scratch their face);
• Baby car seat.

POSTPARTUM

• A fresh nightgown;
• A nursing bra, breast pads, and maternity underwear;
• High absorbency sanitary pads (we recommend Anion Love Moon Sanitary Napkins) –the hospital provides some but you will need a lot of them;
• Some snacks;
• Clothing for the trip home (bring some comfortable clothes, such as some of your second trimester maternity clothes).

I hope you find this list useful. You can leave a comment if this has been of any help or if you have suggestions of things to add to the list.

Ruth Taylor

Once you’ve tried a tampon, you don’t want to use pads again. When wearing a tampon you can almost forget that it’s one of those days. Tampons are comfortable, discrete and much more practical than pads when you do sports. With tampons at hand, you won’t have to worry again about plans of doing some activities being ruined just because you are having your period. Another good thing about tampons is that they save you of the bad smell.

But is using tampons also healthy? The most serious risk about using tampons is toxic shock syndrome (TSS), a rare but very dangerous illness. While with your pad you can see when it is time to change it, it is not the same with a tampon. When using a tampon, you will have to remember to change it every four to six hours. Leaving one in too long, like all day or all night, can cause TSS.

Many women tend to use the most absorbent tampon thinking that this way they won’t have to change it as often. But when you keep a tampon in too long, bacteria can grow. If tampons are kept in for a long time, that gives the bacteria plenty of time to grow. These bacteria can grow within the tampon, enter the body from inside the vagina, then invade the bloodstream, releasing toxins that can cause a very severe, and occasionally life-threatening illness –TSS.

Symptoms of TSS include high fever, vomiting or diarrhea, severe muscle aches, a feeling of extreme weakness or dizziness, and a rash that looks like a sunburn. If you ever have these symptoms while wearing a tampon, remove it and go to the nearest emergency department as soon as possible.

So, while tampons can be most useful in some cases, doctors recommend that they be used alternatively with pads in order to prevent TSS. Or, even better, use high quality pads that can offer you high protection and comfort without putting your health at risk.

Anion Love Moon Sanitary Napkins produced by Winalite are made of best quality materials, they provide high absorbency and disease protection. They have a special unique layer of negative ions, which helps eliminate odor, diminish inflammation, relieve fatigue and improve immunity. Anion Sanitary Napkins allow air flow and they are very comfortable.

In conclusion, consider using Anion Sanitary Napkins for your best comfort and health.

Ruth Taylor

Image by Wendy * Darling via Flickr

After looking at some important qualities of Anion Love Moon Sanitary Pads, like the absorbency level and the breathability, today I am briefly going to write about a characteristic that some would not consider important, but for us every detail matters.

The bottom layer of the Anion Love Moon Sanitary Napkins consists of a food gum adhesive. While other brands have an adhesive base layer used for industry, the adhesive base layer the Anion pads come with is one used for food products. This makes it non-allergenic and safe for sensitive skin.

And there is another important consequence of this characteristic: this adhesive peels off easily. You might not consider this important, and I could understand that. Sometimes we don’t realise how good something is until something bad happens or we no longer have it. I don’t know if this happened to you, but it happened to me to ruin some of my favourite pieces of underwear because of a pad (I think it was an Always) that stuck so well that it was very hard to peel all the adhesive part off.

As I have aleady said, this might not be considered important by some manufacturers or customers, but the Winalite team pursues high quality in the slightest details. That is why we are proud of our Winalite Love Moon Anion Sanitary Napkins.

As I have promissed, after seeing how important it is for sanitary pads to allow air flow, I am going to briefly present a test we did to check the breathability of an Anion sanitary pad and an Always sanitary pad.

We poured warm water in two glasses (just from the tap):

Then we covered the glasses with an Anion and an Always sanitary pad making sure the pads stick well all around the glass, for the steam not to flow out on the sides.

Then we placed two glasses up side down over the first ones.

As you can see, both upper glasses were clear at first…

…but after a couple of minutes we could see steam being formed in the glass covering the Anion sanitary napkin, which means that the vapors could flow through the napkin.

The glass covering the Always sanitary pad remained clear, which means that the pad did not allow air flow, so it is not breathable.

In conclusion, Anion Sanitary Napkins have this most important quality of allowing air flow, which makes them very comfortable and healthy.