Breast pain is common, and there can be many causes, but most cases are not a cause for concern. Cyclical breast pain can be a normal part of many women's menstrual cycles, especially in the weeks before a period starts. Other causes of breast pain are the contraceptive pill, pregnancy, menopause, an infection in the breast such as mastitis, a muscle strain in the chest wall, and injury to the area. Pain is not a common presentation of breast cancer; other signs that are more indicative of breast cancer include changes in your breast shape, nipple or skin changes, or a breast lump that doesn't go away with your next period.
Blood in the urine is also known as hematuria. Blood that can be seen by the naked eye is called macroscopic hematuria, whereas blood that can’t be seen but is only found through a urine test is called microscopic hematuria. Although there are many harmless causes for it, both of these can indicate a cause for concern and require discussion with a doctor and possibly more investigations. Blood in the urine can occur alone with no other symptoms, but it can also occur with pain on peeing or the passage of clots. You may get other urine symptoms such as passing urine very frequently, needing to rush to the bathroom or the urine having a bad smell. The color can vary from rose-colored to Coca-Cola colored.
Irregular periods describe when you can't predict when your period will come, and the length of time between periods changes every month. Most women have their own "normal" - for most, this is a period every 28 days, but some women bleed every 21 days, others every 35 days - this is the range of "normal." The number of days of bleeding may vary - most women bleed for 5 days, but between 3 and 8 days is considered normal. An app can help you keep track of your rhythm, so you can get to know what's normal for you. Oligomenorrhea is the medical term for infrequent periods and can cause a great deal of anxiety and disruption. It also has consequences if you're planning on getting pregnant. Irregular periods may coincide with heavy bleeding or painful bleeding.
Some women may experience a missed period, which can happen for many reasons, including a medical condition, medication or stress, and lifestyle factors. With an occasional missed period, we may not find out the cause, and hopefully, your cycle will return to normal. Persistent missed periods will need investigation by your doctor.
For those going through menopause, the change usually happens between the ages of 45 and 55, but can occur earlier or later too. It's a natural process that can lead to several physical and emotional changes, including hot flushes, anxiety, irregular periods and mood swings. But, one thing that is less commonly talked about is the effects that menopause can have on the joints - specifically, the feet and ankles. If you are wondering whether menopause can cause painful feet and ankles, you certainly aren't alone. It's actually something that some women going through menopause experience. Menopause occurs due to a reduction in key hormone levels like estrogen. While foot and ankle pain may not be caused entirely by reduced hormone levels, it can definitely play a part. Let's take a closer look at the link between joint pain and menopause.
Heavy menstrual bleeding is either when you lose a lot of blood or you bleed for a longer period of time than normal. This can be associated with the passage of blood clots and pain and is known medically as menorrhagia. All in all, it can cause considerable disruption to everyday life and a toll on your mental well-being. It’s hard to know what’s “normal,” so signs that you are bleeding more heavily than others may include that you soak through a sanitary napkin or tampon at least every hour, that you need double protection (tampon and pad), or that you need to change in the middle of the night. It may also include bleeding for more than 7 days, passing large blood clots, and generally disturbing your daily activities, work, studies, or relationships.
A breast lump is a growth or swelling that occurs on or around your breast tissue and can have a number of different causes. Most people worry about cancer when they find a breast lump, but most breast lumps are not cancerous. Nevertheless, it is always important to seek further advice from your doctor so that they can rule out anything concerning. Breast tissue is affected by hormones, and women are more likely to be affected by changes in their breast tissue than men. For this reason, it can be common to have breast changes during your monthly period or when breastfeeding.
Hair is a huge part of a woman’s identity and we are constantly bombarded with images of long sleek locks with plenty of volume. Understandably, loss of hair can cause women a great deal of anxiety. There can be telling signs that this is an inevitable part of the aging process, so let’s talk through what to look for, and consider any reversible causes.