UNPREDICTABLE PERIODS: BE YOUR OWN DOCTOR SOMETIMES
Sunday, February 6th, 2011
UNPREDICTABLE PERIODS: BE YOUR OWN DOCTOR SOMETIMESMenstrual irregularity causes so much silent concern—women worry that they are not in good health, that they are candidates for cancer, that they will never be able to bear children. Virtually all of these fears can be eliminated if women understand their finely-tuned bodies. As explained in Chapter Three, the feminine cycle has been portrayed as an almost supernatural occurrence, when in reality it is a beautifully organized ebb and flow of bodily hormones. Yet the intricacy involved in that ebb and flow is awesome. It is astounding that there are not more women suffering menstrual irregularities when you understand how many chances there are for things to go awry during the course of a monthly cycle. An ovulation can be interrupted by: stress, physical exercise, travel, weight fluctuation, a change in lifestyle, sexual patterns, eating habits— so many events can influence menstrual patterns.So, if a woman discovers that her period seems strange to her, that she flows differently, sporadically, or not at all, if she is not pregnant she should analyze the happenings in her life, take some time to be her own doctor. Everyone over twenty-five should maintain a steady weight. Has she gained or lost weight lately? Are there any changes in her daily routines? Has she recently suffered defeat or unexpectedly triumphed? Being promoted to president of the company can change a menstrual pattern as much as getting fired from a job. With all of these possibilities to consider, there is no reason to become immediately upset over an unpredictable period. If a woman is stressed, the B vitamins, deep breathing, stretching exercises, any chosen tension-reducing outlet might aid in keeping her hormones balanced and her cycle “normal.”On the other hand, a woman who has prolonged staining, abnormal pain, or bleeding after intercourse, should consult her doctor right away. These symptoms may signal serious problems, and a woman does not want to ignore them. This is her body and she alone is its protector.*54\333\2*
