Many new mothers are concerned about their breast milk supply and the impact on their baby’s growth and development. If your baby has been breastfed from birth, chances are that your breast milk will be sufficient and most of your concerns are totally unfounded. However, if you are hesitant about breastfeeding, limiting your baby’s suckling time or away from your baby for long hours, hormonal changes may affect your breast milk production and hamper your milk supply.
Missing a period is not as unusual as you may think and slight changes in your life can upset your cycle. In most cases, if you have missed a period and you are sexually active, you should immediately have a pregnancy test. However if the results are negative and you are still concerned about the absent menses, there may be other points to consider.
The menstrual cycle is approximately 28 days although in some women, it can be as short as 22 days or as long as 35 days. This is calculated from the first day of one period to the first day of the next period. Women with a cycle shorter or longer than these time may have issues with fertility. Refer to the causes of female infertility for more information.
The two most noticeable events during the menstrual cycle is ovulation and menstruation. Ovulation is the time when the ovary releases the egg cell (ovum). Menstruation is when you are having your period. Here the body ejects the inner lining of the uterus, known as the endometrium.
The entire menstrual cycle is coordinated by changing hormone levels.
Many women are naturally endowed with larger breasts or may undergo breast augmentation to increase their bust size and do not consider the impact of a bigger bust. It often leads to backache, affecting both the mid back and lower back and can cause long term back problems. The additional weight from larger breasts causes an abnormal curvature of the spine or straining of the back muscles when trying to maintain a good posture. In order to reduce back pain, it is important to wear a good supporting bra and correct the posture to distribute the weight evenly.
Continue reading
Vaginal discharge is a normal occurrence, and is more likely to occur around the time of ovulation. The lining of the cervix and vagina produces a thin clear discharge that maintains the moisture within the vagina and flushes out the area. This discharge may become a bit thick, and slightly white, during the times of ovulation, when pregnant, breast feeding or during sexual intercourse. In all these circumstances, the vaginal discharge is considered as a normal physiological process. However, any significant change in the quantity, colour and odour of the discharge may be a cause for concern and you will need to consult with a gynaecologist for further investigation.
Continue reading
What is Ovulation?
Ovulation is the stage in the female menstrual cycle when the ovary discharges an egg. The egg travels down the fallopian tube where it may be fertilized by a sperm. The process of ovulation is controlled by two important female sex hormones known as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). In most women, a health menstrual cycle is 28 to 32 days and ovulation occurs approximately 12 to 16 days before the period.
