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    RickJ's Avatar
    RickJ Posts: 7,762, Reputation: 864
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    #1

    Jan 11, 2007, 07:29 AM
    Info and answers to frequently asked questions from our Health Expert
    Please see the below for information, and answers to Frequently Asked Questions, from our Health Expert.

    Of course you're also welcome to post on the board: Just click the "Ask About Women's Health" button at the top of the page - or post your question to one of the other Health & Wellness boards.
    J_9's Avatar
    J_9 Posts: 40,298, Reputation: 5646
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    #3

    Jan 11, 2007, 07:33 AM
    IMPLANTATION BLEEDING- Many women believe that when trying to concieve that they experience IMPLANTATION BLEEDING. It is important to understand that this is not as common as we all would like to believe. So, prior to asking “is this implantation bleeding” please read on.


    I know it would be nice for those of us who are trying to conceive to be able to have a little dark discharge or a little spotting to tell us that we are pregnant, unfortunately that is not always the case. As a woman who is trying to get pregnant you probably know your cycles. Well, I would like to go in depth a little about how this works so that you understand not only when you ovulate, the medical terms, as well as the function of each, and what is actually happening to your body during this time.

    Ovulation – Ovulation begins within the ovaries. The ovary is the organ that produces the egg cells as well as some of the female sex hormones.

    Conception – Conception occurs when the sperm and the egg meet in the fallopian tube. Approx 30 hours later the fertilized egg begins to divide. This process takes about 3 days. On about day 6 of conception the fertilized egg begins to attach to the uterus. This is the process called implantation. Implantation is complete during the 2nd week after fertilization. Once implantation is complete your body begins to release a hormome commonly called hCG.
    Occasionally, the developing mass of cells implants in tissues outside the uterus, for instance, an ovary, the cervix, or an organ in the abdominal cavity. This result is called an ectopic pregnancy. If a fertilized egg implants within the uterine tube, it is called a tubal pregnancy . A tubal pregnancy is dangerous to a pregnant woman and the developing offspring because the tube usually ruptures as the embryo (baby) enlarges and is accompanied by severe pain and heavy abdominal bleeding. Treatment for this is prompt surgical removal of the embryo and repair or removal of the damaged uterine tube.

    It is important to know that pregnancy is different for EVERY woman and EVERY pregnancy. No 2 women or no 2 pregnancies will be exactly alike.

    IMPLANTATION BLEEDING STUDY- According to a study done by the University of North Carolina, done in 2003 “Little is known about the occurrence and patterns of vaginal bleeding during the earliest stages of pregnancy. We explore this in a prospective study of early pregnancy.”


    A total of 221 women were studied and they kept a daily diary along with providing urine samples while trying to become pregnant. Out of these 221 women 151 became clinically pregnant. Clinically pregnant means that the pregnancy lasted 6 or more weeks past their last monthly period. A total of 14 women reported reported at least one day of bleeding during the first 8 weeks. Out of these 14 women, 12 women delivered babies.

    According to this study, the University found no supportive information that implantation causes bleeding. The conclusion to the study is that early bleeding in clinical pregnancies is NOT to be mistaken for LMP (last monthly period).

    The information I have given you comes from Medscape.com. Please feel free to research there, but you must have an account to view the entire article

    J_9's Avatar
    J_9 Posts: 40,298, Reputation: 5646
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    #4

    Jan 11, 2007, 07:33 AM
    Most women have between 11 and 13 menstrual periods each year. You may be different: You may have more or fewer. Missed or irregular periods must be looked at in terms of what is normal for you.
    Periods are often irregular during the first few years after menstruation starts. It may take several years for the hormones that control menstruation to reach a balance.
    Menstrual periods also may be very irregular at the other end of the menstrual years. Many women realize that they are approaching perimenopause and menopause when their otherwise regular periods become irregular. Menopause occurs when it has been 12 months since you have had a menstrual period.
    Pregnancy is the most common cause of a missed period. If you might be pregnant, treat yourself as though you are pregnant until you know for sure. Use a home pregnancy test as the first step to finding out whether you are pregnant.
    If you are not pregnant, other causes of missed or irregular periods include:
    • Excessive weight loss or gain. Although low body weight is a common cause of missed or irregular periods, obesity also can cause menstrual problems.
    • Eating disorders, such as anorexia or bulimia. For more information, see the topic Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia Nervosa.
    • Increased exercise. Missed periods are common in endurance athletes.
    • Extreme emotional stress.
    • Travel.
    • Medications, such as hormonal birth control methods, which may cause lighter, less frequent, more frequent, or skipped periods.
    • Hormonal abnormalities, which cause fluctuating levels of the hormones needed to support menstruation.
    • Illegal drug use.
    • Problems with the pelvic organs, such as imperforate hymen, polycystic ovary syndrome, or Asherman's syndrome.
    • Breastfeeding. Many women do not resume regular periods until they have completed breastfeeding
    Source: webmd.com

    J_9's Avatar
    J_9 Posts: 40,298, Reputation: 5646
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    #5

    Jan 11, 2007, 07:34 AM
    This site has many women asking if they are pregnant or not. Many women believe that since their man used the withdrawal method that they cannot get pregnant. While I understand the reasoning behind this belief, the withdrawal method is NOT a reliable form of birth control and can in fact result in pregnancy.

    Now as we all know, with a woman sexual arousal includes lubrication of the vagina. What many people do now know that men who are sexually aroused also become lubricated. The difference is that it is obvious with a woman, but virtually invisible with a man.

    The inside of the penis must be lubricated in order for ejaculation to occur. Within this lubrication there are millions of sperm. Some people call this pre-ejaculate. The man is not aware of this happening in 99% of the occasions. So the vagina is exposed to pre-ejaculate and sperm.

    THE PROS AND CONS OF WITHDRAWAL

    PROS

    Withdrawal can be used every time
    Withdrawal may be added to other forms of birth control to increase effectiveness
    Withdrawal is free
    Withdrawal does not require a prescription or manipulation of a mechanism

    CONS

    Withdrawal is not considered a reliable form of birth control
    The woman must have complete trust on the man's ability to withdraw
    Pre-ejaculation, which contains sperm, occurs without the knowledge of the man
    Some men have difficulty timing their ejaculation and/or withdrawal.


    So, if you ladies are experiencing any pregnancy symptoms and your man has been using the withdrawal method, please take a home pregnancy test or visit your doctor.

    Sources: Amercianpregnancy.org

    J_9's Avatar
    J_9 Posts: 40,298, Reputation: 5646
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    #6

    Jan 11, 2007, 07:34 AM
    Vaginal discharge is normal and varies during your menstrual cycle. Before ovulation (the release of the egg), there is A LOT of mucous produced, up to 30 times more than after ovulation. It is also more watery and elastic during that phase of your cycle. You may want to wear panty liners during that time.

    The things to be worried about include if the discharge has a yellow or green color, is clumpy like cottage cheese, or has a bad odor. If worried, see a doctor.


    Different Types of Discharge

    White: Thick, white discharge is common at the beginning and end of your cycle. Normal white discharge is not accompanied by itching. If itching is present, thick white discharge can indicate a yeast infection.

    Clear and stretchy: This is "fertile" mucous and means you are ovulating.

    Clear and watery: This occurs at different times of your cycle and can be particularly heavy after exercising.

    Yellow or Green: May indicate an infection, especially if thick or clumpy like cottage cheese or has a foul odor.

    Brown: May happen right after periods, and is just "cleaning out" your uterus. Old blood looks brown.

    Spotting Blood/Brown Discharge: This may occur when you are ovulating/mid-cycle. Sometimes early in pregnancy you may have spotting or a brownish discharge at the time your period would normally come. If you have spotting at the time of your normal period rather than your usual amount of flow, and you have had sex without using birth control, you should check a pregnancy test.

    Source: pamf.org


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