High progesterone levels may be determined for several reasons. These tests may be ordered to assess infertility. The test can determine if the woman is ovulating normally. If the ovulation is not normal, the test can tell what type of drug therapy may be helpful. If a woman has symptoms such as abdominal pain or spotting, the doctor may suspect an ectopic pregnancy or a possible miscarriage. For some women, injections of the hormone may help maintain a threatened pregnancy, so the test will show how much hormone she may need. When a doctor monitors a high-risk pregnancy, he may order one of these tests. And if a woman is experience progesterone side effects such as abnormal uterine bleeding, the test will confirm the diagnosis.
No one test result can determine is a woman has unhealthy amounts of progesterin. The hormone increases and decreases through numerous factors, such as age, test method, and the procedures of different labs. Also important is to know where the woman is in her menstrual cycle since the amount of the horome will change with the time of the month. There is more of the chemical when the egg is released from the ovary. The amount continues to rise if a pregnancy occurs or falls if menstruation begins. That's why serial measurements will be taken. Therefore, a woman will undergo numerous tests to determine what her cycle is doing.
PMS characterized by depression
Depression is a symptom that many women experience during their menstruating years. The key element that sets apart premenstrual syndrome (PMS)-related depression from other forms of depression is the timing of symptoms. More than 150 different symptoms have been ascribed to PMS, but the hallmark of PMS-related problems is their occurrence during the two weeks prior to the onset of menstruation (around the time of ovulation). Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a more severe subtype of PMS that involves more types of emotional symptoms (such as sadness, anxiety, mood swings, irritability, and loss of interest in things). Women suffering from PMS-related depression and PMDD report dramatic relief from their symptoms once their menstrual flow is underway.
On the other hand, clinical depression -- known medically as major depression -- lasts more than two weeks and is associated with feelings of helplessness and hopelessness. Major depression is often associated with an inability to perform daily tasks at work and to interact socially, as well as a loss of interest in previously enjoyed activities.
Despite the frequent occurrence of depression among women, many sufferers feel too isolated and embarrassed to discuss their symptoms with their doctor. It is extremely important to share your symptoms with your doctor, especially if you are experiencing loss of appetite, insomnia, extreme nervousness, or disinterest in or inability to complete daily activities. Treatments are available for all forms of depression, as well as for PMS. and PMDD.
Infertility
Infertility means you cannot get pregnant (conceive)
There are two types of infertility:
Primary infertility refers to couples who have not become pregnant after at least 1 year having sex without using birth control methods.
Secondary infertility refers to couples who have been able to get pregnant at least once, but now are unable.
Causes
Many physical and emotional factors can cause infertility. It may be due to problems in the woman, man, or both.
FEMALE INFERTILITY
Female infertility may occur when:
A fertilized egg or embryo does not survive once it attaches to the lining of the womb (uterus).
The fertilized egg does not attach to the lining of the uterus.
The eggs cannot move from the ovaries to the womb.
The ovaries have problems producing eggs.
Female infertility may be caused by:
Autoimmune disorders, such as antiphospholipid syndrome (APS)
Birth defects that affect the reproductive tract
Cancer or tumor
Clotting disorders
Diabetes
Drinking too much alcohol
Exercising too much
Eating disorders or poor nutrition
Growths (such as fibroids or polyps) in the uterus and cervix
Medicines such as chemotherapy drugs
Hormone imbalances
Obesity
Older age
Ovarian cysts and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Pelvic infection or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Scarring from sexually transmitted infection, abdominal surgery or endometriosis
Smoking
Surgery to prevent pregnancy (tubal ligation) or failure of tubal ligation reversal (reanastomosis)
Thyroid disease
MALE INFERTILITY
Male infertility may be due to:
Decreased number of sperm
Blockage that prevents the sperm from being released
Defects in the sperm
Male infertility can be caused by:
Birth defects
Cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation
Exposure to high heat for prolonged periods
Heavy use of alcohol, marijuana, or cocaine
Hormone imbalance
Impotence
Infection
Medicines such as cimetidine, spironolactone, and nitrofurantoin
Obesity
Older age
Retrograde ejaculation
Scarring from sexually transmitted infections, injury, or surgery
Smoking
Toxins in the environment
Vasectomy or failure of vasectomy reversal
Healthy couples under age 30 who have sex regularly will have a 25 to 30% per month chance of getting pregnant each month.
A woman is most fertile in her early 20s. The chance a woman can get pregnant drops greatly after age 35 (and especially after age 40). The age when fertility starts to decline varies from woman to woman.
Infertility problems and miscarriage rates increase significantly after 35 year of age. There are now options for early egg retrieval and storage for women in their 20's. This will help ensure a successful pregnancy if childbearing is delayed until after age 35. This is an expensive option, but for women who know they will need to delay childbearing, it may be worth considering.
Exams and Tests
Deciding when to get treated for infertility depends on your age. Health care providers often suggest that women under 30 try to get pregnant on their own for 1 year before getting tested.
Many experts recommend that women over 35 attempt conception for only 6 months. If a pregnancy does not occur within that time, they should talk to their provider.
Infertility testing involves a medical history and physical exam for both partners.
Blood and imaging tests are most often needed. In women, these may include:
Blood tests to check hormone levels, including progesterone and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)
Home urine ovulation detection kits
Measurement of body temperature every morning to see if the ovaries are releasing eggs
FSH and clomid challenge test
Antimullerian hormone testing (AMH)
Hysterosalpingography (HSG)
Pelvic ultrasound
Laparoscopy
Thyroid function tests
Tests in men may include:
Sperm testing
Exam of the testes and penis
Ultrasound of the male genitals (sometimes done)
Blood tests to check hormone levels
Testicular biopsy (rarely done)
Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause of infertility. It may involve:
Education and counseling about the condition
Fertility treatments such as intrauterine insemination (IUI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF)
Medicines to treat infections and clotting disorders
Medicines that help the growth and release of eggs from the ovaries
Couples can increase the chances of becoming pregnant each month by having sex at least every 3 days before and during ovulation.
Ovulation occurs about 2 weeks before the next menstrual cycle (period) starts. Therefore, if a woman gets her period every 28 days the couple should have sex at least every 3 days between the 10th and 18th day after her period starts.
Having sex before ovulation occurs is especially helpful.
Sperm can live inside a woman's body for at least 3 days.
However, a woman's egg can only be fertilized by the sperm for a few hours after it is released.
Women who are under or overweight, may increase their chances of becoming pregnant by getting to a healthier weight.
Water retention
Sluggish, stiff and bloated. These are some of the dreaded symptoms associated with water retention.
It can ruin your mood on a good day, making you feel uncomfortable and irritable, while swollen ankles or fingers mean you may not be able to accessorise with your favourite shoes or rings.
Here’s what causes water retention and, more importantly, how you can get rid of it.
Water retention (Oedema) – occurs when fluid isn’t removed from the body tissues, including the skin – can either have generalised oedema (all over the body) or localised oedema (in particular parts of the body)
Symptoms
Swelling of body parts (ankles, feet and hands) - Are your rings feeling tight on your fingers? Shoes rubbing or pinching for no reason?
Bloated tummy - Finding it hard to fit into your favourite pair of jeans?
Feeling stiffness or aching
Weight fluctuations
Joints may feel stiff
When pressed the skin may hold the indent for a few seconds
Causes
Body's reaction to hot weather- body tends to be less efficient at removing fluid from tissues in the summer months
Gravity – standing for long periods of time
Burns – including sunburn – skin retains fluid and swells in response to burn injuries
Pregnancy – hormones encourage the body to hold onto excess fluid
The pill – can trigger fluid retention
Hormones associated with menstrual cycle
Dietary deficiencies – such as insufficient protein or vitamin B1
Medications – certain drugs including high blood pressure medication, corticosteroids and non-steriodal anti-inflammatory drugs
Chronic venous insufficiency – weakened valves in the veins of the legs
High salt intake
Treatments
Go to doctors – water retention could be a sign of a serious medical condition such as heart, kidney or liver disease so you will need to get treatment for the underlying medical condition
Step up protein intake – eating more protein encourages your body to shed excess fluid
Changes to medication or dosage of that is the cause
Aids such as support stockings
Eat more bananas – they are rich in potassium which is helps to eliminate fluid retention
Add more cabbage, cucumber, parsley and salad leaves to your diet as they are natural diuretecs
Acupuncture has helped some people
Calcium, magnesium, manganese, evening primrose oil and chaste tree
Cut back on dehydrating drinks such as coffee, tea and alcohol
Cranberry juice has a mild diuretic actionrink more water…water retention comes from lack of water because your body doesn’t know when it will get more water so it retains the water that it does get – help kidneys to flush out excess fluid
Drink more water...water retention come from a lack of water because you're body doesn't know when it will get more water so it retains the water that it doesn't get- help kidneys to flush out excess fluid
For girls – check your menstrual cycle – plenty of girls retain water for a period of time during their monthly cycle
Write a food diary and make connections between certain foods and periods of bloating/swelling
Cut high sodium foods out of your diet – salt absorbs water and causes water retention
Eat a healthy, balanced diet that contains a lot of vegetables, grains and other high-fiber foods
Deficiencies in protein, calcium, magnesium and vitamins B1, B5 and B6 may lead to problems with water retention
Exercise has been known to help control water retention – at least 20 minutes a day
Lie down and sit with your feet elevated when resting and taking breaks – standing or sitting all day can cause fluids to drain into your feet and legs
Try a natural duiuretic (water pill) – some herbal remedies are known to increase the kidney's fluid output which helps to control water retention – try dandelion dong quai ot essential oils used in vaporizers, gargles, baths and massages – lavender, rosemary, geranum and cypress
Take a chemical diuretic sold over the counter or one your doctors prescribe – they drain the body's store of potassium and could contribute to osteoporosis.
Depression
Depression is more than simply feeling unhappy or fed up for a few days.
We all go through spells of feeling down, but when you're depressed you feel persistently sad for weeks or months, rather than just a few days.
Some people still think that depression is trivial and not a genuine health condition. They're wrong. Depression is a real illness with real symptoms, and it's not a sign of weakness or something you can "snap out of" by "pulling yourself together".
The good news is that with the right treatment and support, most people can make a full recovery.
Depression affects people in different ways and can cause a wide variety of symptoms.
They range from lasting feelings of sadness and hopelessness, to losing interest in the things you used to enjoy and feeling very tearful. Many people with depression also have symptoms of anxiety.
There can be physical symptoms too, such as feeling constantly tired, sleeping badly, having no appetite or sex drive, and complaining of various aches and pains.
The severity of the symptoms can vary. At its mildest, you may simply feel persistently low in spirit (read about low mood), while at its most severe depression can make you feel suicidal and that life is no longer worth living.
For a more detailed list, read more about the symptoms of depression.
Most people experience feelings of stress, sadness or anxiety during difficult times. A low mood may improve after a short time, rather than being a sign of depression. Read more information about low mood and depression.
If you've been feeling low for more than a few days, take this short test to find out if you're depressed.
When to see a doctor
It's important to seek help from your GP if you think you may be depressed. Many people wait a long time before seeking help for depression, but it's best not to delay. The sooner you see a doctor, the sooner you can be on the way to recovery.
See your GP if you think you may be depressed
Sometimes there is a trigger for depression. Life-changing events, such as bereavement, losing your job or even having a baby, can bring it on.
People with a family history of depression are also more likely to experience it themselves.
But you can also become depressed for no obvious reason.
Find out more about the causes of depression.
Depression is quite common and affects about one in 10 of us at some point. It affects men and women, young and old.
Depression can also strike children. Studies have shown that about 4% of children aged five to 16 in the UK are anxious or depressed.
Treatment
Treatment for depression involves either medication or talking treatments, or usually a combination of the two. The kind of treatment that your doctor recommends will be based on the type of depression you have.
Read more about the treatment of depression.
Living with depression
Many people with depression benefit by making lifestyle changes such as getting more exercise, cutting down on alcohol, stopping smoking and eating more healthily.
Self-help measures such as reading a self-help book or joining a support group are also worthwhile.
Find out more about how self-help and improving your lifestyle can help you beat depression.
Read how stopping smoking can improve your mood.
You can read other people's experience of depression in our comments section below.
Frequent colds and flus
you are likely to confuse these two infections, and it is not by mistake; differentiating their symptoms is tricky. Both common colds and flu are virus infections that can affect you the moment you are exposed to a virus host body. Without a host body, the virus dies in between three to seven days. The common mode of colds virus infection is by hand; you touch a surface or object with the virus and extend the same hand to your eyes, nose or mouth. You can infect others even before you experience any colds and flu symptoms. Once you are infected with common cold, it incubates for about three days after which you will experience flu and symptoms. Cold symptoms include running and stuffy nose, lose of appetite, mild headache, general body weakness and at times a cough.
While you may consider colds and flu infections to be mild, note that they can lead to more serious secondary infections such as pneumonia. Like most people, you may try to use antibiotics as treatment for flu. Most people do this common mistake not knowing that antibiotics do not affect viruses in any way, not even colds and flu symptoms. Even the other appropriate allergies or cold medications do not offer treatment; they only mask cold or flu symptoms. Even after taking the appropriate medications, you remain infectious to others. The only effective treatment for common cold is your body’s immune system. While a strong immune system is a good prevention against colds, a weak system and flu are highly compatible. Note that you can aid or inhibit your body’s immunity by the things you eat, drink or do. Your overall environment can also affect your immunity.
While it is normal to occasionally have difference cold and flu, frequent cold is not normal and should alert you to take necessary measures to curb the routine. Frequent cold can be because of varied reasons:
Your environment – A polluted environment poses a big health challenge. A dirty environment increases the risk of allergies with airborne diseases, colds included. Living in a dirty environment requires that you keep your nasal passage clear or else you will have recurring cold. Your nose is designed in such a way that it is able to filter dust and germs, preventing the same from entering your body. You need to restrict breathing to your nose rather than your mouth.
Poor hygiene – You are likely to have recurring cold and flu if your hygiene is poor. In particular, you need to wash your hands to keep them clean at all times. In doing so, the use of soap is vital because soap is capable of killing most germs on your hands.
Diet – Your kind of diet plays an important role in determining the level of your body’s immune system. While regularly consuming a poor diet lowers your body’s immune system, a healthy diet with varied fruits and vegetables provides your body with necessary vitamins, minerals and amino acids that build your immune system, making it capable of naturally fighting disease-causing organisms.
Lacks of sleep – Some vital immune enhancing compounds are only released while you are asleep. Inadequate sleep therefore prevents the release of the compounds, meaning that you will have a weak immune system incapable of fighting any disease-causing organisms.
These are just some of the reasons why you may have recurring cold. While remedies for cold such as the use of lemon juice, drinking of red wine and eating raw garlic are available, the best way to handle cold or flu is through prevention. Preventing colds relies heavily on your immunity, which you should strive to improve.
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