Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)

Term “blue waffle” has been crowding the Internet extensively for the last few weeks. In fact, blue waffle infection is a type of vaginal infection making the vagina look as an unusual blue, red or violet waffle. Although it’s not clear who exactly named this vaginal contagion as “blue waffle”, the most common explanation for the term may be that waffle is a vernacular term for vagina. Besides, the infection causes bruises at the abscessed sphere. Below you will know a bit more about blue waffle disease.

Despite the fact that the term “blue waffle” may not be known to any official medical professional, it still doesn’t mean that the disease doesn’t exist at all. Actually, blue waffle disease is considered as Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) affecting both men and women, but most commonly adult females. It is known that blue waffle is an infection developing in the urogenital tract. Similar to trichomoniasis, the infection affects the urethra and vagina in women.

As for the rest about blue waffle infection, we all lack to know it. Although most people fail to see real causes for the disease, a number of presumable causes for the infection are listed here. The first cause may be lowered immunity. Then, lack of nutrition or dieting is also considered to facilitate the development of the disease. Also, wearing tight underwear and using hygiene nebulizers are in the list. Of course, since “blue waffle” is sexually transmitted infection, you can get it from an infected partner. Even if your partner is not infected, the disease may start from using improper condoms, getting abrasions or irritations in the vagina, lack of lubrication, even use of tampons and so on – in other words, everything that irritates your genitals.

Symptoms of the blue waffle infection include itching and inflammation of the vagina. Meanwhile, normal vaginal discharge of the person affected by the disease may turn clumpy, yellowish and have a strong odour. In addition, a kind of discoloration of the infected area may reveal. Although the studies prove that in most cases the condition lessens on its own, it is still recommended that you see your doctor if you experience some of those symptoms. Meanwhile, the best way to protect yourself from the contamination is to maintain proper hygiene and keep your vagina dry. Of course, as blue waffle disease is transmitted sexually, it’s best to have safe sex.

Before, I thought that PMS is rather rare conditions for young woman, but having experienced on my sister, I understand that this is a real problem, painful and unpleasant time. In order to start treatment we have read a lot of information about menstrual cycle, PMS and its symptoms. So, here you are what I’ve find.

Most women experience some discomfort before menstruation. Some of them do not bring these feelings of anxiety, as not pronounced and prolonged. For others – on the contrary, strongly violate the overall health and deliver a lot of trouble. Uncomfortable phenomenon may last from several hours to several days, the nature and manifestations of these discomforts diverse and individualized for each woman.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) – it’s emotional and physical discomfort before menstruation. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) brings suffering to 80% of women of childbearing age (20-40 years). Approximately 30-40% experiencing so much suffering that disrupted their rhythm of life. And if it is left unattended and can not be cured, then over the years before menstruation discomfort will be felt stronger and stronger. And the most dangerous thing is that then premenstrual syndrome may gradually develop into menopause, and monthly pain will become daily.

The main symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) (they all don’t occur at once), which usually occur for 7-14 days before menstruation:

- Weakness, fatigue, absent-mindedness.

- Insomnia or drowsiness.

- The heightened perception of noise.

- Headache , dizziness, fainting.

- Retardation, speech difficulty, tingling, numbness or a feeling of “chills” in the hands.

- Painful breast engorgement.

- Irritability, resentment, moodiness, tearfulness, conflicts, sudden outbursts of anger.

- Edema, a small weight gain, oliguria.

- Swelling or soreness of the joints, cramps in the calf muscles, aching muscle pain, limitation of movement and discomfort in your neck.

-Skin rash accompanied by itching, acne.

- Seizures heart palpitations.

- Nausea, vomiting, flatulence (gas formation increased in intestines), and constipation.

- Fever, nasal bleeding.

- Increase in appetite, change in taste (taste for salty, sweet), poor tolerance of alcohol.

- Increased susceptibility to infections and disorders of the urinary tract, aggravation of hemorrhoids, the appearance of asthma attacks, allergies.

When you come to the gynecologist, he always asks you what your menstrual cycle is. Many patients believe that the menstrual cycle – these are the days when you have a bloody discharge from the genital tract. In fact it’s just a menses. A menstrual cycle – is a time period from one menstrual period to another and it is from the first day of the last menstrual period before the first day of the next (represents normal 23-35 days)

In addition to the cycle duration is very important it’s regularity. Ideally, from month to month duration of your individual cycle does not change. Fluctuations are allowed within 3 days. If more – this is pathological. There are also important blood amount and your subjective feelings in this period.
If you paid attention to the changing nature of menstruation, there is reason to see a doctor because this may be the first sign of some disease.

First menstruation (menses) is the most striking evidence of the ensuing sexual maturity. Most of the first menstruation (menses) begins at the age of 14-15 years. However, the full development of the girl’s body reaches an average of 18 years.

So, what is it menstrual cycle and how does it work? Consider the standard 28-day cycle, a healthy woman’s menstrual cycle has 2 phases: with 28-days cycle on the first phase 14 days on the second phase.

In the first 14 days, the women are preparing for a possible pregnancy. One part of the brain called the pituitary produces two main hormones that affect the menstrual cycle – follicle-stimulating (FSH) and luteinizing (LH).

Under the influence of FSH in a mature egg from the ovaries, the uterus is thickening of the inner shell in order to accept a fertilized egg. The main hormone secreted in the blood – estrogen. It contributes to the fact that a woman looks good, active, and cheerful. Body temperature – is normal.

Two weeks later there occurs ovulation – exit of mature egg from the ovary. This process occurs due to sharp increases in blood levels of luteinizing hormone, which reaches its peak. If the egg becomes fertilized by a sperm cell, it attaches to the uterine wall and a fetus will begin to develop. The ovulation phase typically occurs in 14 days before the start of the next period.

At this moment, some women experience slight pulling sensation in the abdomen. Very seldom, they may notice bloody discharge from the genital tract.

The fourth and final phase is the premenstrual phase. If the egg is not fertilized, the thickened lining of the uterus is shed and a new menstrual cycle starts all over again.

The body temperature may be somewhat higher (up to 37.0). At this time, on-site release eggs in the ovary under the influence of LH matures corpus luteum, which, in the case of pregnancy, will ensure its preservation.

As a rule, women stop having menses at 50, when they reached menopause (stage when a woman is no able to ovulate or produce eggs, due to this she can no longer become pregnant). Like any other health processes, menopause occurs differently in different woman, this all is rather individual, so, noticing any changes, please turn to doctor!

Read more about menstrual cycles – Menstrual cramps