Endometriosis is an incurable condition that can seriously impact quality of life for sufferers. Although it’s estimated that about 10% of women will experience the disorder, many people remain unaware of what it actually entails and how to deal with it. In this blog post, we will look at some of the most important things to do and not do in order to live well with endometriosis. 1) I can still do what I love Endometriosis can be a crippling disease, but it’s important to recognize that you are not your disease. Understandably, having endo can make you think that things will never be how they were before, but although it’s a reality for many women with endo, don’t let it get in your way of doing what you love! 2) Change my diet Endometriosis can be quite a debilitating disorder, so it is important to make sure you are eating foods that will aid in your recovery. Here are some suggestions for eating well when suffering from endometriosis. 3) Talk to a doctor Because endometriosis can often be a little tricky to diagnose, it’s important to talk to your doctor about any unusual symptoms. If you suspect that you might have endo (as many women do), start by educating yourself on what it is. It’s a good idea to get familiar with what symptoms are normal versus abnormal for you as well as any telltale warning signs of endo. In fact, research has shown that women who learn more about their condition experience less pain . Talk with your doctor about diet changes, medication options or alternative remedies that might help. What works for one woman may not work for another—it’s best to go into treatment informed so you can advocate for yourself. 4) Find support groups Endometriosis is a mysterious, often misunderstood disorder that can cause a lot of anxiety in women who are dealing with it. Although there’s no cure, there are many things you can do to minimize its effects—but first, it’s important to identify where you can find support groups. One great place to start is Facebook; join your local Endo group or check out national organizations like Endo Warriors or Endo Sisters. 5) Try alternative therapies Many studies show alternative therapies as a viable alternative to drug-based treatments for endometriosis. Alternative therapies include acupuncture, physical therapy, massage therapy, relaxation techniques, herbal remedies, and others. Consider trying alternative therapies alongside traditional treatments to see if one is right for you. Remember that if an alternative treatment doesn’t work for you or makes symptoms worse or causes new side effects, stop using it. 6) Put it in writing Keeping a personal journal can help identify possible triggers for your endometriosis. Keep a record of what you were doing before any pain or flare-ups start—foods you ate, stress levels, menstrual cycles—and see if there are patterns. This will help you gain insight into how to better manage your condition and prevent flares in future. 7) Exercise Exercise is one of best-kept secrets to dealing with endometriosis. Because it has been linked to helping improve pain symptoms, it should be a part of everyone’s treatment plan. However, exercise alone may not help. If you have endometriosis that isn’t severe, try doing just 30 minutes of moderate activity at least 5 days a week. If your symptoms are more severe, discuss with your doctor about undergoing pelvic physical therapy or other rehabilitation programs designed for women with endo. 8) Listen to my body Learn to understand what it’s telling you. Your body is an incredible instrument that gives off subtle signs when something isn’t right. If you’re tired, nauseous, in pain—anything at all that makes you uncomfortable—take a step back and realize that not everything has to be done right now. Relax a little, take care of yourself, listen to your body –and if you don’t know how to do that… well… ask someone who does! 9) Get enough sleep One study showed that women with endometriosis were 20% less likely to experience symptoms when they got at least seven hours of sleep each night. That’s a lot of shut-eye, but it just might be worth it! Make time for extra sleep if you struggle with getting enough—you may find you have fewer flare-ups. 10) Let go of the rules about how I should be as a woman I don’t mean to get too philosophical here, but one of my best friends from college had endo. She told me that part of healing for her was getting over all of these rules about how she should be as a woman—never complain about cramps, wear makeup even if it makes you feel like throwing up because your period is supposed to make you feel pretty (more on that in a second), go to work when really you just want to curl up under a blanket.

Talking about facts, an average of 10% of pregnant women experience a mental disorder. Women with pre-existing mental health concerns need to be careful as severe mental illness can turn out to be a big threat during pregnancy. Some women emerge as the winners in coping well with stress and anxiety during pregnancy and motherhood while some lose the battle and even surrender to committing suicide. Anybody can have a mental disorder, there’s nothing to be ashamed of. Pregnant mothers are advised to monitor their mental health and wellbeing. Being mentally fit helps new mothers to face the challenges of pregnancy. Anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder are the most common forms of mental illness during pregnancy. Here’s a list of factors that need to be avoided during pregnancy in order to maintain your mental health. Avoid abuse of any sort Avoid thinkings about the past problems Evade the feeling of not being supported Avoid consumption of alcohol or drugs Avoid obsessive and compulsive behaviors If the mental illness persists after trying every possible way, women are highly recommended to talk to their partners or someone they trust. Consulting a good gynecologist or midwife is advised. Let’s have a glance at the tips to take care of your mental health. Socialize and spend more time with people you feel good with. Avoid expecting too much from yourself. Stay physically active. Interact more with other expectant parents and share experiences. It is extremely important for patients to be well informed about the risks involved in pregnancy due to mental illness.

The famous proverb, “Too many cooks spoil the broth” holds true when it comes to listening to people’s advice about pregnancy. Are you also perplexed and not able to decide who to listen to? This confusion is reasonable. After all, you are a new mother or going to become one. To bring a solution to this concern, a movement called ‘The Pregactive Movement’ started to empower women and make them aware of all the necessary information required to lead a healthy and safe life during and after pregnancy. Let us discuss some important prenatal and postpartum health care tips to stay fit. Prenatal Period It is seen very often that women wish to start or resume their exercise regime after conceiving and post-delivery. Here are some guidelines for prenatal exercises. Exercise regime: Women are advised to continue to exercise with required modifications as per the need if they had been exercising previously. Pregnant women who were inactive earlier need to start with easy exercises (at a low rate). Warning signals: Pregnant women should immediately stop exercising if they experience any of the following signs. Dizziness, vomiting  or headaches Vaginal bleeding or leaking of amniotic fluid Contractions, abdominal cramps or pain Body ache and numbness  Intensity: Moderate workout is advisable during pregnancy. Postpartum Period New mothers need to take care of their exercise routine till at least 16 weeks of delivery. They are advised to walk and do pelvic floor exercises in the initial three weeks post-delivery. The recommended exercises for  3-8 weeks postnatal period are swimming, light weight lifting and aerobics. From 12-16 weeks, the new mothers can return to higher impact exercises. After 16 weeks, mothers can get back to their normal lives only if they do not experience any pain or vaginal heaviness.

Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD), also known as Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), is a widespread problem affecting 5% to 10% of women aged 12–45 years. The disease contains the problem of hormonal imbalance among women. The main problem may include no ovulation, irregular periods, acne, and hirsutism. If the issue is not considered, it may cause insulin-resistant diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol that may cause heart disease. What causes Polycystic Ovarian Disease? Typically, ovaries produce female sex hormones with some amount of male sex hormones (androgens). The production of balanced hormones helps in the development of eggs during each menstrual cycle. PCOSPolycystic ovary syndrome is related to an imbalance in these sex hormones. This causes patients to stop ovulating, get pimples, and grow extra facial and body hair. Usually, one or more eggs are released during each menstrual cycle. It is called ovulation. In polycystic ovary syndrome, the eggs in these follicles do not mature and are not released from the ovaries. Instead, they can form tiny cysts in the ovary, hence the name polycystic ovaries. PCOS seems to run in families, so the chance of having it is higher if other women in the family have PCOS, irregular periods, or diabetes. Common symptoms of PCOD/PCOS include: Acne Weight gain and trouble losing weight Extra hair on the face and body. Women’s bodies get thicker, with dark hair on the face, and hairs may increase on the chest, belly, and back. Thin hair of the scalp Irregular periods.   Fertility problems. Women with PCOS have trouble getting pregnant. Depression The medical treatment of PCOD/PCOS focuses on managing your concerns, such as infertility, hirsutism, acne, or obesity. Treatment  Lowering of blood glucose levels Restoration of fertility Treatment of hirsutism or acne Restoration of regular menstruation and prevention of endometrial hyperplasia and endometrial cancer Losing weight (which can be tricky) has been shown to help with diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Even a weight loss of 5% of total body weight has been shown to help with the imbalance of hormones and infertility. PCOD/PCOS Complications Increased risk of endometrial cancer Infertility (early treatment of polycystic ovary disease can help prevent infertility or increase the chance of having a healthy pregnancy) Obesity-related (BMI over 30 and waist circumference greater than 35) conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart problems, and diabetes Possible increased risk of breast cancer. These are some widespread complications that PCOD/PCOS symptoms affect women’s bodies.