Posts Tagged ‘Menstrual Cycle’

What Is Acne And Who Gets Acne?

Tuesday, August 31st, 2010

Acne primarily occurs when the pores of our face get clogged with whiteheads, blackheads or lumps like cysts or nodules. Acne appears on the face, neck, chest, shoulders, back and the upper arms. It is very common with teenagers but adults till the age of forty can be affected by acne. It is not at all hazardous to health but it creates blemishes on the body, which in turn is very irritating. Acne causes scarring which are often permanent.

Acne is not dependent upon race, ethnicity, color or sex. Nearly 100% of people belonging to the age group of twelve to seventeen suffer from the occasional blackhead, whitehead or pimple. Most of these young people are able to take care of this problem with some medications that can be had over the counter. For some the problem is serious and needs professional care. About 40% of adolescents and teenagers suffer from severe problems that require the assistance of a physician to be cured.

When does it start?

Acne hits between the ages of ten and thirteen. The condition persists for the next five to ten years. It normally disappears in the early twenties though it can stay till one is in their late twenties, thirties or even later than that. There have been cases when people start getting acne when they are well into adulthood.

Men or women?

There has been no concrete evidence to show whether men or women suffer more from acne. But young men are more prone to the different forms of acne than women. For men acne is far more severe and lasts really longer than women. Despite this men do not visit the dermatologist as often as they should.

Young women usually have acne that occurs intermittently. This is caused by hormonal changes that are associated with the menstrual cycle. Acne can also be caused by the use of cosmetics without understanding whether they are suitable to the particular skin type or not. These kinds of acne can happen to women who are well into their adulthood.

Where do they occur?

Acne can occur most commonly on the face but they also occur on the chest, back, shoulders, scalp, neck, upper arms and legs.

Impact

Acne may seem to be very trivial but you will be surprised to know that it does have an economic impact as well. Approximately a hundred million dollars a year are spent on non-prescriptive drugs that most teenagers buy to get rid of acne. This amount does not include the money spent on the cleansers and soaps that have been made for controlling acne. Besides this one needs to visit the dermatologist and buy the medicines that he has prescribed. This also needs money.

You have come to know that you are not the only one who is suffering from this problem. A careful skin-cleansing regimen needs to be followed to have a healthy skin.

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The Main Causes of Acne

Wednesday, July 21st, 2010

Medically speaking, an acne sufferer has a combination of elements working in unison, often causing inflammation to our skin otherwise known as acne.

These elements include:

Trapped bacteria under the skin
Increased oil
Keratosis retention

Increased oil within the skin can be caused by make-up, but is usually produced by the sebaceous glands. Sometimes these glands produce an increased amount of oil, resulting in acne and pimples. Retention of Keratosis can also cause excess oil and this happens when skin cells (that are not shed) block the sebaceous ducts. The role of the sebaceous ducts is to get rid of excess oil.

Commonly, outbreaks of acne occur during teenage years, but can occur with some people at any age. Acne is more common in teenagers, because of the marked increase in hormone activity processes within the skin. Whether it is a teen affected by acne, or an adult, it is a fact that hormones play major role in producing acne.

Male hormones are more likely to increase oil production than female hormones are. Although male hormones have a greater effect, some male and female hormones are very similar. Therefore, when hormones are released by women during a menstrual cycle, hormones like the male hormones cause increased oil gland activity. As a result, some women who are menstruating run a higher risk of getting pimples, spots, or acne during their menstrual cycle.

Although acne affects many people, certain acne treatments and acne cures have been proven to be very effective. And certain myths, such as sun-bathing helps to clear up acne, have been medically proven to be untrue. Many doctors now claim sunlight does could make acne worse, in that sunlight can actually boost production of your skins oils.

The very effective acne treatments include the following:

Over the counter methods
Prescription methods

Over the counter acne treatment and medications come in the form of facial cream and facial scrubs, and these not always very effective as treating acne, especially the more severe cases of acne. The best acne treatment for severe acne should come from a physician.

Acne is not a new medical condition, affecting a wide range of people. Acne has always been a problem for some, but can not only be treated, but cured as well.

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Postpartum Depression – Coping with the Baby Blues

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

Postpartum depression, or peripartum depresion occurs after a woman gives birth. Within a few hours of giving birth the amount of the two female hormones, estrogen and progesterone, return to their pre pregnancy levels. Many researchers feel that this drop in hormone levels, much like the smaller changes in hormone levels can affect a womans mood just before her menstrual cycle, is one of the causes of postpartum depression.

In some women the levels of thyroid hormones decrease as well. This decrease in these hormones can lead to symptoms of depression too. Some of these symptoms include a depressed mood, a loss of interest in daily things, problems sleeping and fatigue, irritability and weight gain.

Another factor that can lead to postpartum depression is genetics. This type of depression can be passed down from mother to daughter. There is also a correlation between postpartum depression and women who suffer from severe premenstrual syndrome.

Postpartum depsression is also known as the baby blues and one in ten new mothers suffer from this to one degree or another. In addition to the drastic changes in hormone levels, the presence of a new baby in the house is also a major factor in postpartum depression. A new baby can be a major stress on a new mom and this can factor into becoming depressed. Some of these factors include:

Having less free time then before the baby was born and an inability to control the time needed to get things done. The baby demands all the mothers attention, leaving little time for herself.

Going through labor is extremely stressful and tiring for a new mom. A new mom does not have time to regain her strength post delivery because of the demands and needs of the new baby. Just getting a good nights sleep is nearly impossible with late night feedings and diaper changes.

Many new mothers question their own ability to be a good mom. They become overwhelmed with the care the new baby needs and start to worry that they aren’t providing the care their baby needs.

For new moms, postpartum depression can occur with a feeling that they are no longer who they used to be. Their old schedule and ways of doing things have been replaced by the needs of their new baby. They can also feel like they have to do it all and try to take care of the new baby while doing all the things they used to do. This can be very overwhelming because chances are the care of the new baby will not allow them to accomplish all that they think they should.

New moms can also become disconnected from their partner and family. They find that their time is limited and they just don’t have time to spend with the rest of their family.

For most women the “baby blues” will usually go away as their hormone levels get back to normal. But for some women the depression associated with a new baby does not go away and can steadily get worse. It is very important that women who experince any kind of depression after child birth talk to their doctor right away. Most cases of postpartum depression can be dealt with with medication and some counseling.

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Mum – My Hair Is Falling Out

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

My nineteen year old daughter, Siobhan, has a beautiful head of thick copper colored hair. She was horrified this morning to find clumps of it coming out when she was washing it in the shower. I had noticed for a few weeks that the amount of red hair left in the shower was increasing, but just tried to make sure she was eating healthily.

Losing your hair is a natural part of the aging process, obviously for men, but also for women, after the menopause. My daughter and I sat down that evening, after work, to talk about her problem.

It turned out that she has been under a lot of stress at work recently, with extra responsibility being heaped on her because she is a willing worker. She has also had the usual share of boyfriend problems and a missed period. Combined with eating junk food five times a week and drinking half a bottle of vodka at a weekend this was playing havoc with her body chemistry.

Stress can have all kinds of unexpected effects. It can cause stomach upsets, wind and skin disorders as well as the more well known ailments like asthma and headaches.

I went to the chemist for a pregnancy test kit, attracting a few strange looks. Siobhan refused to go for one, so someone had to. She was not pregnant, so that was one big worry less. I explained to her that stress messes up a womans menstrual cycle and missed periods are commonly caused by stress.

I made her write out what she had eaten each day over the past week. It was a horrifying combination of salt, sugar, alcohol, fat and monosodium glutamate. When it was all set down on paper she could see why her body was not functioning normally. It would be a miracle if it had been!

We went to the fridge and freezer with a large black bag. Everything that was less than totally healthy went in the bag. This included oven chips, ready meals, pork chops, bacon, butter, full fat milk and cheese.

I rang my older daughter, Bernie, to come and take the bag away, that she could have it all because we no longer needed it. The grandchildren would love all the forbidden treats.

Siobhan and I made out a diet list for the week. This consisted of fruit, vegetables, salads, fish, chicken and vegetarian meals. We made a shopping list and went out there and then to buy everything we needed.

The next morning we both took the day off work, sick, and carried on our life-style change discussion. Exercise works well in reducing stress levels, so we rang a gym and agreed to go down that afternoon to look around.

Next we looked at our alcohol consumption. Bernie got a box of wine and vodka bottles, she could not believe her luck.

Siobhan and I have a way to go yet, but we have made a start on reducing her stress levels, and it is always easier to make lifestyle changes if you have company.

We still have to look at her relationship problems and work induced stress, but we have made a good start.

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How A Dermatologist Can Help With Acne Problems

Friday, May 21st, 2010

While a mild case of acne isn’t necessarily a serious problem, it’s still a good idea to see a dermatologist. They can give you helpful information about what could be causing your acne as well as the best treatments.

Plus, there is another skin condition called keratosis pilaris that is sometimes mistaken for acne and a dermatologist can tell you if that is what you’re dealing with, saving you the time and hassles of using the wrong treatment.

It’s a good idea to prepare for your visit with the dermatologist by making notes about your acne – as much as possible. They will ask you about your background – things like how long you’ve had acne, how you’ve treated it and what form it has taken (lesions, whiteheads, blackheads, etc.) They might also ask if there is a history of acne problems in your family.

Be sure to tell the doctor if you are allergic to any medications. Females might be asked about their menstrual cycle and males might need to tell the doctor how often they shave.

You might be given a choice of treatments so it helps to know a little about the options before you make your choice.

Antibiotics are one treatment – they’re used to kill the bacteria that leads to acne. They can be taken orally or as a lotion or ointment that gets applied directly to the skin. In severe cases, it may be necessary to use both forms.

Topical treatments include things like benzoyl peroxide and retinoic acid. They usually come in the form of a gel and can sometimes cause redness and dry skin.

In more severe cases of acne, the dermatologist may recommend a physical treatment. This could include removal of whiteheads and blackheads and possibly drainage of cysts.

Whatever type of treatment you end up choosing, it’s critical that you follow the doctor’s directions. Take the recommended dosage – no more or no less. And even if your acne clears up, you need to continue to take the medication for as long as the doctor tells you to or the acne may reappear.

Some of the questions you should keep in mind to ask the doctor include:

- What kind of treatment would work best for my acne?
- How long will it take before I see results?
- What is the best way to care for my skin?
- What can I do to prevent scarring?
- Is it okay for me to use makeup?
- Does this treatment have any side effects?
- How long will I need to take this medication?

As acne treatments can go on for some time, make sure you ask any questions you have each time to see your doctor. Being as informed as possible will make your treatment much easier to deal with.

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The Magical Qualities of Human Pheromones

Monday, April 5th, 2010

Pheromones work like magic. But why and how they work is explained by biochemical scientist.

Pheromones are natural biochemicals released by animals and insects that help to communicate sexual interest to members of the opposite sex. These biochemicals (pheromones) influence mating, fertility, and child rearing.

In humans, pheromones have been shown to affect women’s menstrual cycle and a mans and/or womans perceived attractiveness to the opposite sex. Pheromones are similar to hormones in our body that tell our cells and body what to do

How Are Pheromones Detected By Humans?

Scientists state that the organ responsible for detecting pheromones in mammals is the vomeronasal organ located in the nose. Synthesized human pheromones like androstenedione and estratetraenol, applied to the skin, have been studied and shown to dramatically increase the frequency of socio-sexual behavior in participants using the pheromones as opposed to the placebo.

These findings about pheromones are exciting news to the average guy or girl. Just wearing pheromone cologne or pheromone perfume will make you more attractive to members of the opposite sex.

What types of results can I expect from wearing pheromones?

While using human pheromones you may become more sexually attractive, get approached more often, improve business relationships, meet more people anytime and increase your self confidence.

Just like magic you can attract the man or woman of your dreams by simply wearing pheromones.

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ANDROPAUSE: FACT OR FICTION?

Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

Lucky women. They’ve always known that sometime in their mid-40s they will begin to experience changes in hormone levels that will lead to uncomfortable symptoms and culminate in the change of life: menopause. It may seem odd to consider the certainty of menopause a lucky thing, but being able to openly talk about a medically documented event is liberating. Women can commiserate with each other and consult with their doctors for help dealing with uncomfortable symptoms. Men, however, have not had the luxury of receiving help for their mid-life discomforts. In fact, andropause, or male menopause, is not even widely accepted as a legitimate medical phenomenon.

There are several reasons the idea of Male Menopause has been received with skepticism. First, it’s a much more gradual event than a woman’s menopause. While a woman will experience a measurable and obvious drop in her estrogen levels beginning in her forties, a man’s testosterone levels begin to drop very gradually as early as thirty years old. Since the shift in hormones occurs so differently in men, the accompanying symptoms are also more gradual. For example, a woman may suddenly find herself irritable or depressed, and recognize that a change has taken place. But a man’s onset of symptoms takes much longer, so he may not recognize that he is changing.

Second, Andropause is not as final as women’s Menopause. When a woman’s estrogen levels decline sufficiently, her menstrual cycle will cease. She will be unable to bear children. Her ovaries will not produce eggs, and her uterus will not be able to sustain a pregnancy. She truly experiences a change of life: she has changed from a fertile human to one unable to procreate. This doesn’t happen with a man. Men continue to produce enough testosterone into their 80s to be able to father children. Even if a man cannot have intercourse and ejaculate to impregnate his partner, semen with sperm in it can still be collected and used to fertilize an egg. Perhaps the biggest reason that scientists have discussed andropause with skepticism is that men do not experience the change of life to the extent that women do.

Three, men are expected to be stoic about symptoms. Women have support groups, literature, and medical experts lining up to assist with the change of life. Decades-long, nationwide studies are done about the benefits and risks of hormone replacement therapy to treat menopause. Women talk about, joke about, and complain about their symptoms and discomforts. Men, meanwhile, endure their discomforts in silence. It’s not manly to whine about problems such as weight gain, thinning hair, difficulty achieving or maintaining erections, sleeplessness, or depression. And what man would ever want to discuss his loss of libido? Women talk, men cope silently. The sad thing is, coping is often easier when professional intervention can be openly sought.

Acknowledging the truth of male menopause is definitely the first step in helping men cope with the changes taking place in their bodies.

Christopher Thomas is a journalist/photographer that has recently overcame Andropause (Male Menopause) symptoms by taking supplements and making dietary changes. For additional information about Male Menopause/Andropause and treatment options that can help, please visit www.Amidrenreview.com.

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