Let's get intimate! Sing a Rap, for your Pap!

Let's get intimate!

Today we will discuss the nooks & crevices that even your significant other may not have explored..
Yes, I am talking about Cervical Cancer & Pap Smear.

Cervix is the lower most part of the uterus. It is seen by your Gynecologist from below (unlike uterus, tubes & Ovaries, which are inside the abdomen & can be seen only on Ultrasound).

Cervical cancer is very common in India (risk is increased in sexually active women, multiple partners, early & multiple pregnancies, low immunity).
(There is a Vaccine available for the virus that causes Cervical Cancer, more on it in another post).
The good news is that is can be caught in the very early stage itself! And as you are aware, earlier the diagnosis, better the prognosis!

What is a Pap Smear?

It is a simple, 2-minute test performed in the OPD itself which picks up this deadly disease. Oh yeah!
First, your gyno puts in a duck-bill shaped device called a speculum in your vagina & looks at your Cervix.
Then, he/she rubs a small Brush over the cervix which picks up microscopic cells and spreads them over a small glass slide.
The slide is sent to the laboratory where a pathologist examines it under a microscope (device which magnifies minuscle things so that they can be studied) & comments whether "All is Well" or early cancer changes have set in.

Q. Who?
A. All women above the age of 25.
It's ok if you're above 25 & have never had a pap before. You can start today. "जब जागो तब सवेरा", you know!

Q. When?
A. Any day of the month when you not having your menses.

Q. Is once enough or is it to be done regularly..?
A. Women with normal test reports should repeat Pap smear every 3 years, till the age of 65 years.
If a blood test called HPV-DNA is also along with the Pap, testing interval can be extended to 5 years.

So, now that you are armed with all the information that you need to protect yourself from this cancer,

Call your Gynec, Schedule your Pap & Beat cancer!
TODAY!

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What doesn't Kill you makes you Stronger.. Or does it..?!

That time of the month again.. When you are already dealing with your body pouring blood, enter the Period Pains..!! When you tummy aches and your back hurts & legs pain and you wish you could just curl up in bed all day and die? Well, wish no more! Today, we talk about Menstrual cramps, the How, the Why and What can be done to relieve them so that you are back to your old kicking self, even when you bleed!


The 'Why...?'

First read up the Normal Menstrual Cycle that I've written about (if not read already).

Now, at the time of menses, the uterus sheds it's lining (bed-like thing that it had prepared in anticipation of pregnancy). Some blood also accompanies the lining. This is Period blood. Period.
Substances called Prostaglandins increase in the blood stream, act on the uterus & make it contract to fully expel it's lining (imagine wringing a soaked towel. Yeah, that's how painful it is!).
This Contraction of uterus is what causes Period Pains a.k.a Menstrual Cramps. Simple. Normal occurrence.

Though Period Pain IS Normal, it doesn't mean that you must Suffer!
Old-wives may say to grin & bear it, but frankly, who has the time to rest when you could be juggling school/college, work, home, gym & family?!
You NEED NOT take a few days off every month. It is a normal occurrence. Pain will accompany. Let's beat it, girl..!!


Some people breeze through their cycles without a blink, while others are debilated for days! If you belong to the former group, rejoice! However, if you are somewhere in between, you need to read further!

The 'What can be done..?'

Irrespective of which group you fall in, do continue the Lifestyle measures that I talk about in my previous post on Pre Menstrual Syndrome.

Fresh foods, Exercise, Less caffeine, More water & Sleep go a long way in making your periods comfortable. Yay..!


However, if you still continue to suffer from cramps:-

1. Hot compress using Hot water bags or Electric Heating Belts.
2. Over-The-Counter (OTC) Pain Killers (Paracetemol or Crocin, Combiflam etc). These drugs do not require a doctor's prescription (not in India, at least). Do try them & see if your pains are relieved. Usually, 1-2 tablets on days 1 & 2 maybe sufficient for majority of women who have mild cramps. There are NO long-term harmful effects of pain killers when taken for a few days every month. None. DO NOT FEAR pain killers. They're here to save you, not Kill you! 
3. Anti Spasmodics (meds which relieve the uterine contractions) - like Meftal spas or Cyclopam maybe helpful when Crocin or Combiflam fail or are less effective. These are also OTC.
4. Visit your Gynecologist! Very severe pains that do not go away with the above meds need to be checked. Your gyno will usually perform or prescribe an Ultrasound examination of the uterus & Ovaries for any abnormalities (like Fibroids, Endometriosis, Ovarian cysts etc) & suggest appropriate treatment for the same.
5. Birth Control Pills may need to be prescribed to make your period cycles Anovulatory (suspend the monthly Ovulation but still get periods).

PS - Feel free to Comment your experiences, 
Share among your friends & family so that they can also benefit 
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"Today is NOT the day you cross me..!" THAT time of the month...

"I am Hungry.. No, I am Sad.. Maybe I am Angry that I am sad & hungry.. Hangry? Chocolate? Movie? Wine?"

Sounds familiar, ladies? Even guys, when you have to deal with your bae's "THAT" time of the month.. When she goes from your sweet, cute, lovey-dovey pie to a hangry, raging monster who cries/screams at the drop of a pin? Eh? And you know that her period is coming soon & no one could be happier & more relieved than you? Imagine what she's going through! Today, we'll discuss the monster that is Pre Menstrual period.


Pre Menstrual period is roughly 7-10 days BEFORE your period & symptoms subside in a few days after periods begin. It consists mainly of 2 types of symptoms: -

1. Physical - 
1. Bloating - clothes / rings feel tighter
2. Heavy & painful breasts
3. Acne
4. Fatigue & tiredness
5. Sleep disturbances
6. Appetite changes & Cravings
7. Abdominal cramps
8. Constipation/Diarrhoea
9. Lower back pain
2. Psychological - 
1. Increased emotional sensitivity
2. Mood swings
3. Anger & Irritability
4. Anxiety
5. Depression
6. Crying

• 80-90% of menstruating females suffer from 1 or more symptoms at some point in their lifetime.
• 20-30% women suffer from symptoms that affect daily functioning - Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS).
• 3-8% women suffer from greater psychological symptoms - Pre-Menstrual Dysmorphic Disorder (PMDD)

Now, why are we women cursed with it❓❓ Well, it is a part-and-parcel of the reproductive cycle. Estrogen & Progesterone are out best friends during the reproductive years & they're partly responsible. Here's how: -

• Estrogen produced in the body during egg maturation causes the body to hold onto excess salt & water ➝ Physical symptoms of bloating, weight gain etc.
• Progesterone produced after egg has ruptured - binds to the GABA receptors in the brain. GABA is an inhibitory neurotransmitter (yeah, big word!) & helps one to tackle stressful situations. Low GABA = Anxiety & Irritability!
• Low levels of Serotonin (a feel-good hormone) are found in the premenstrual phase in some women which lead to depression & crying.

What can you do?
PMS & PMDD surely warrant a Gynec consult & treatment. There maybe some underlying illnesses that need to be looked for & treated if present.

But the rest of us can take care of few things to make our monthly cycles more comfortable at home itself!

1. Drink lots of water. And other fluids. Duh. You didn't see that one coming, did you? Water dilutes the excess salt (which causes the water retention). "लोह लोहे को काट ता है", you know! 
2. Put that salt-shaker down (your body is already holding onto salt!).
3. Ease up on the Caffeine (Coffee, Tea, Colas).
4. Move your body. Now..! Exercise releases feel-good hormones called Endorphins which lighten your mood. And relieves the cramps & body ache.
5. Eat whole, un-processed foods (Atta or whole flour instead of maida or refined flour, brown rice instead of white, fresh fruit instead of juices, etc).
6. Stock up on almonds, apples, pears, citrus fruits, tuna etc.
7. Let Go! Of all stress..! Try meditation, soothing music, a hot bath, a hot cup of green tea or hot chocolate (you know you are craving it!).

PS - If you still feel like a raging She-Hulk, maybe it's time to head to your Gyno who can prescribe some meds to turn you back into Bruce Banner 😉 Cheers!


Feel free to Comment your experiences, 
Share among your friends & family so that they can also benefit 
& Subscribe for more such interesting articles :-)
Follow me on Facebook as Dr Ankita Jain.