During your fertility window, the cervix shows and is soft. One can easily use a finger to check the position of the cervix and interpret the changes in cervical position. Charting basal body temperature, tracking ovulation and looking for changes in the cervix helps you get pregnant fast.

Changes in cervix position or cervical mucus depend on the stage of menstrual cycle you are currently at. The uterus undergoes a transformation during labor which divides the latter into three stages. When the cervix dilates and effaces, it is the start of active labor.

Why check your cervix position? You can track ovulation by looking for the subtle changes in the cervix. Couples trying to conceive must know the four positions of the cervix.

Cervix Position And Cervical Mucus Changes

The mucus and position changes have a pattern. For the same reasons, cervical position also changes during menstrual cycle and pregnancy.

Method of checking cervix position is similar to checking cervical mucus.

After checking the position, you can draw out the mucus and examine it between your fingers. Mucus may not be enough during quite a few cervical checks. Just note whatever you observe in your log.

If the mucus is thick and gooey then ovulation is not near and baby making is futile. When the mucus stretches between fingers and forms a string, the egg white cervical mucus, chances of getting pregnant rise.

While checking the cervix before getting pregnant, note:

1. Position

• High – means you’re fertile and ovulation is just about to occur
• Medium – doesn’t show much, just that chances for getting pregnant are not high
• Low – means you’re about to get your period or just finished it

2. Opening

• Thin slit – implies you’re in your fertility window and the cervix is firm and only slightly open
• Shut lips – either your period got over or ovulation ended and you’re approaching due date
• Wider opening – shows that your period is just about to start

3. Feel

• Firm rubber-like – feel is a sign of fertility, firmness for favoring climax and reaching deep for sperms
• Limp Loose – says that the cervix isn’t active and about to bleed
• Hard thorny – period flow is going to stop or already has and the soft cervix is tilted back giving a hard feel

4. Wetness

• Moist – approaching ovulation and the non-fertile period has ended
• Dripping with Mucus – ovulation occurred and you can get pregnant
• Few blobs of gooey mucus – fertility window has ended and progesterone from the cyst is rising
• Dry – period is over and the new cycle will begin shortly

During pregnancy, the two things you observe while checking cervical position are height and wetness. The height shows that period is not near and that’s because you’ve conceived. While the wetness is from the mucus plug that forms by the 7th week. Renewal of mucus continues to take place throughout the entire 40 weeks.

Why is your cervix hard or soft?

A soft high cervix is a sign of fertility while a low lying and hard cervix show that ovulation is not near. Your cervix could be permanently open if you had a vaginal delivery or miscarriage. Estrogen is responsible for softening of tissues. The levels of estrogen are high during fertile days. Cervical mucus also softens the area. The hormone takes a dip if you don’t conceive.

Gradually, the other hormone progesterone secreted from corpus luteum (remaining part of ovum) is maintained. It makes the mucus dense and gooey. This makes the cervix sticky and hard. Soft tissues don’t have the moistening and feel rough.

Later progesterone secretion stops and period flow rushes through the cervix.

Cervix Position High, Medium Or Low 

You need to have an idea of how the cervix changes during phases of the menstrual cycle. The height of cervical opening and the position are two ways to figure out the stage of the cycle you’re in.

High Cervix – Fertile Or Not?

A high cervix in menstrual cycle means that you are about to ovulate. The reason why the cervix shifts high up is to reduce the distance between the uterus and os.

Reducing the time and difficulty for sperms to reach the tubes a high cervix becomes firm. Lodging in the upper part your cervix is most difficult to reach near ovulation.

Don’t confuse firm rubber-like cervix with a hard cervix. A hard cervix feels parched and dry near period. A firm cervix, on the contrary, is nicely packed and has a tiny opening.

Near ovulation, the cervix is soft, high, open and wet. Some people say that having a high cervix near period means you’re pregnant. The height of cervix along with mucus changes can be a sign, alone the position is not enough.

Point to note here, high cervix and high cervix position are different! A permanently high cervix doesn’t mean you are more fertile or can’t get pregnant.

Your doctor may tell you about high cervix after a PAP test. Depending on how high and whether covered by other tissue, your OB will guide you about getting pregnant with the high cervix.

Cervix Medium

When you check the cervical position mid cycle you may feel the cervix neither high nor low.

The cervix remains closed or wide open for nonfertile days. Medium cervix won’t tell you much about the stage of the menstrual cycle.

The mucus at this stage starts transitioning from clumpy to stringy wet or vice versa. Whether you’re going from period to ovulation or coming back to the period, cervix medium depth occurs.

Cervix Low – Period or Pregnancy?

A low lying cervix indicates that ovulation happened long ago. The Estrogen level drops and the cervix returns to the lower end.

What does a low cervix mean? It means that you are not in your most fertile period. When the cervix is limp you are just about to get your aunt flow. Descending of the cervix and dropping hormone levels onset menstrual flow.

Once the period ends, your cervix remains low and tilts towards the rectum. The external os will feel tight and dry. After delivery or miscarriage, your cervix may never close completely. Nothing to worry about!

You cannot detect pregnancy based merely on cervical position. A low lying cervix does not indicate pregnancy at all. Neither does it mean the opposite when you consider it isolated. During labor lowered and effaced cervix is not enough indication.

The cervix can shorten and open anything less than 4 cm and stay like that for weeks. You can try to predict your labor within a day or three from the due date, but not before that.

How to check cervical position?

Your hands must be clean when you insert your finger inside your vagina. Do not use any tool or pointed object. Avoid checking your cervix when you have a yeast infection or first day of the period. Any contamination can spread in your reproductive system and cause infection.

Your doctor will check your cervix when labor is about to begin. If you do that yourself, then be careful that you don’t break your water. And if pregnant water leaks spontaneously, then repeated checks can cause bacterial infection.

Two Ways For Checking Cervix Position

You can either squat and check your cervix or stand with legs apart. Putting a mirror underneath will get you some visual cues. That will guide you better where you are putting your finger.

Whatever you choose, you will have to continue with it for at least one cycle. Try checking at the same time. Checking after emptying your bowels will be ideal.

What is the knuckle rule for cervix position?

Your finger has three knuckle folds. When you insert your finger the depth of the finger going inside will tell you the height of cervix. There is no other way to feel the height of cervix.

Some women find it difficult to reach the cervix. It’s possible that you’re still to understand how does the cervix feel.

You can follow the knuckle rule to decide whether you’ve cervix high, medium or low.

1. If your finger goes entirely inside the vagina without pain, then cervix is high. All the three knuckles going inside and yet not reaching the cervix shows ovulation.
2. Anywhere between the entire finger and more than a knuckle is medium cervix. Two knuckles inside the cervix don’t mean much. You could be going to have your period or moving to fertile days. Undoubtedly you will be able to recall if you had your period two weeks ago or long back.
3. The lesser the finger goes inside, the lower is the cervix. One knuckle depth means that cervix is low. Nearing the due date, you can reach cervix easily by inserting the finger just one knuckle deep.

Step By Step Guide For Checking Cervical Positions:

Steps to check cervix position:

1. Wash your hands with soap and pat dry. The caution about getting an infection is not something that you can let go.
2. Stand with legs apart or squat so that your vagina opens and is accessible. You can even sit on the toilet seat or keep one leg on a stool or chair.
3. Now gently insert your middle finger inside the opening as deep you can without hurting.
4. Feel the cervix and the opening of the uterus, check whether the cervix is soft or hard
5. Your cervix can be at an angle if you are near menstruation. The cervix is like a protruding structure at the end of the vagina and will have an opening in the centre. Walls of the vagina are like soft cushions to the opening of the cervix. This opening leads to the uterus. If you are performing the check near period day, then you will reach your cervix easily.

Look For 4 Signs When You Check Cervix Position

• Is your cervix high or low down?
• Does it feel firm or limp?
• Amount of cervical mucus you feel.
• Does the internal os (uterus opening) feels opened or like squished lips?

Never try to check by forcibly poking finger. Even when you are pregnant don’t cross that mark. The cervix is a pathway from the vagina to the uterus but remains closed.

Also, make sure of the following:

1. Empty your bladder before checking. You might feel the urge to pee after poking your fingers inside. Make sure you don’t do this away from the loo.
2. Don’t check after having inter course because it forces the cervix to close after climax. Checking after your gut is empty is the best time.
3. Use the same position for checking the cervix throughout. Checking once a day is enough. Don’t keep poking!
4. During menses, there is no need to check. The changes during those days are quick and short-lived. Pushing blood back into the uterus can cause infections.
5. Relax your muscles and don’t let arousal affect you. The more you are relaxed and focused the faster you will be able to learn to do the two fingers vaginal test (on yourself).

What does an open cervix feel like? How to check the cervix is open?

The open cervix is considered a sign of fertility as the uterus opens the gateway for sperms. After a certain stage, a woman’s cervix is always slightly open. It doesn’t mean she is fertile 365 days.

Every woman can herself check the position of her cervix. Nevertheless, it will take, time to be able to understand the changes in cervical position.

You need to first make out the kind of changes your cervix goes through during your menstrual cycle. Every vagina, cervix, uterus, and woman is different.

After you keep checking your cervix for three-four cycles you will be able to get what cervix positions mean.

Cervix Position at Different Stages Of Menstrual Cycle And What Do They Mean?

Cervix Position During Ovulation

At the time of ovulation, the estrogen levels are high and cause stretching of the ligaments. The cervix rises up and is tight. The is is very slightly open and the position of cervix favors pleasurable mating. Cervical mucus is stringy and like egg white. The consistency of cervical mucus allows smooth copulation.

A woman is most fertile near ovulation and has higher chances of getting pregnant. The cervix is deep in the vagina during ovulation and the opening feels like pursed lips.

Cervix Position Before Period 

After ovulation, the levels of estrogen drop and progesterone picks up until menses start. The cervix gradually moves down and feels hard. During the period your cervix is low to allow the os to release blood. High cervix before period can be at an angle. As the period is near the cervix shifts down and is open. Cervix opening doesn’t open much until the period start.

Cervix Position After Period

After period flow ends your cervix tilts back. You will feel a dryness during the last day of the menstrual period. Soon the glands lubricating the cervix will exude mucus. This mucus is not the fertility sign.

Instead, it’s just for moistening the internal os and walls before next lining forms. Your cervix os will feel sealed. Seeing weird vaginal discharges during this stage is common. Old blood, mucus from different glands and some other sheddings.

Cervical Position Before Period vs Early Pregnancy

After conception, the cervix rises up and stays there instead of lowering down for the period. Every pregnancy is different and so the time for rising up of cervix differs in women. The unpredictable timing makes cervical position to be an unreliable indicator of pregnancy.

Cervix before the period is the low and hard state that doesn’t happen in case of a pregnant woman. But some women have a period for the first three months and the position of the cervix will be relative to it. When a woman undergoes a vaginal birth her cervix undergoes massive dilation. The ligaments stretch open and she can have soft cervix here on. A titled uterus may not show cyclic changes of position.

Women who have such angled uterus can reach their cervix even during ovulation days. You will have to figure out the pattern of changes in your cervix position. The parallel events of change in cervical position, basal body temperature and cervical mucus time your fertility window. Just like charting basal body temperature you must check cervix position every day.

Changes In Cervical Position During Pregnancy

Even after getting pregnant there are changes in cervix you can record. This time the hygiene will matter more.

Unless you need to check for some reason don’t insert your finger or anything in the vagina during pregnancy. Tracking every day is absolutely not needed.

Changes in the cervix during labor, are checked by trained doula or OB.

Here is the chronological order of changes in the cervix during pregnancy:

Cervical Position After Implantation

Implantation is the attachment of blastocyst to the wall of the uterus. It must happen within 7 to 10 days after conception. There are not many evident signs of implantation and implantation bleeding is not universal. Cervix position during implantation bleeding can help detect it. During implantation the cervix opening allows blood to flow through. Implantation spotting is brief and involves a very little amount of blood.

Cervix Position Early Pregnancy

How does your cervix feel in early pregnancy? Early pregnancy is nearly the same time as ovulation. The cervix is high up and soft with a slight opening. The cervix position after implantation is the same, but the opening is closed.

Just like ovulation cervix during early pregnancy is high up and soft. The male fluid first condenses and then travels up the cervix. You will feel a tightening sensation near external os. The opening to the uterus will close if conception occurs.

How soon will the cervix close after ovulation? This is the tricky part because there is no standard. Conception occurs within 24 hours after ovulation. Your cervix can close by 12 hours after it or take days to completely close.

Cervix Position During Pregnancy 

Your cervix undergoes dilation and effaces or thins out during childbirth. By the third trimester, your cervix shortens and opens up. Your doula will check how wide your os is. When the cervix is effaced and opens about 10 cm active labor pushes out your baby.

During pregnancy, the cervix is spongy because the blood circulation is increased multiple folds. Your cervix will remain high up but not as much as it used to before getting pregnant. After delivery, the opening may not close entirely and stay separated.

Cervix Position Changes Before Labor

As labor approaches your mucus plug will come off the cervix. The cervix will thin out and open wide lying low.

You must note that cervical position for labor is less important than dilation and thickness. You feel the cervix opening up wide.

Cervical Position After Delivery

When a woman undergoes a vaginal birth her cervix undergoes massive dilation. The ligaments stretch open and she can have soft cervix here on.

Especially in cases, where there is a husband’s stitch or after healing from a third-degree tear, cervical changes are intense. Infections or surgery in the area equally affects it.

VBAC success is greatly hampered because of these changes. Even the muscles and ligaments are not able to get to the prior state easily.

That doesn’t mean that you can never have the agile cervix. Exercises and ointments can significantly improve your cervix health.

Tracking Cervix Position But Can’t Get Pregnant

A titled uterus may not show cyclic changes of position. High cervix or low cervix can pose pregnancy complications.

Women who have such angled uterus can reach their cervix even during ovulation days. You will have to figure out the pattern of changes in your cervix position.

The parallel events of change in cervical position, basal body temperature and cervical mucus time your fertility window.

Just like charting basal body temperature you must check cervix position every day. And remember that cervix position is a secondary fertility sign. Consider it among other factors not alone.

The post Cervix Position: What Cervical Position Tells You About Your Fertility appeared first on Pregnancy.

Causes of low levels of progesterone serve as signs of disorders. Whenever a woman complains of a gynecological problem, her estrogen-progesterone assay is the first step.

Other than reproductive role progesterone also affects the thyroid, blood sugar, and inflammatory response. Surprisingly progesterone prescription is for both those who want or avoid pregnancy.

With having a diverse role in almost every function and age group, it’s not surprising that low levels of progesterone need treatment. You cannot see that progesterone is reducing below the basal level in your blood. What are the symptoms of Progesterone deficiency? Following sections discuss each of the causes, symptoms, and treatment for low levels of Progesterone.

What does progesterone do?

Progesterone is the hormone that favors gestation by preparing the uterus. Secondary sexual characters in women are because of progesterone. Breasts development also begins when the body starts cyclically producing progesterone – puberty.

Progesterone and Ovulation

During the early stage of the menstrual cycle, progesterone doesn’t pick up much. Even on ovulation day, it is estrogen and LH that are on the higher side. After ovulation progesterone prepares the uterus lining and prevents period. Soon the cyst collapses completely, and progesterone drops. PMS and period pain is because of a change in levels of progesterone.

Progesterone And Pregnancy

Pregnancy depends on the increasing level of progesterone that maintains the lining from coming off ‘periods’. Cervical mucus starts thickening by the time because ovulation long got over. The hCG hormone rises later when the placenta formation occurs. Its progesterone that keeps scaling up until then.

Progesterone Contraception

Contraceptive pills have a combination of progestin and estradiol. A progestogen is a synthetic form of natural progesterone body synthesizes. Minipill with an only progestin has fewer side effects and can even stop ovulation.

Progesterone Effects on Menopause

Menopausal women take progesterone for reducing the symptoms. Progesterone balances the adverse effects of changes in the body due to the cessation of the menstrual cycle.

Progesterone Effects

At the stage when your body has enough progesterone, you can notice a glow on the skin. Feminine sex hormone takes care of all reproductive functions after ovulation. You will feel happier about your body. The wet feeling near cervix will gradually leave as the mucus becomes thicker and reduces in amount. Progesterone doesn’t enhance sexual activity. Serotonin levels increase, and calmness replaces anxiety and stress. You will feel sleepy due to the relaxation and its all an adaptation for storing energy for pregnancy or coming period.

Uses of Progesterone Shots, Creams, and Pills

Invariably doctors recommend progesterone pills for contraception. Minipills only progestin cab suppresses ovulation and change cervical mucus preventing contraception.

Mixing oil with progesterone for intramuscular injections is quick treatment. Low levels of progesterone on pregnancy can cause miscarriage.

Prescription of progesterone cream is for infections and treatment of the irregular period. Some women have a short menstrual cycle and get frequent menstrual periods. Low levels of progesterone can also potentially cause a short luteal phase. More menstrual cycles per year tax the body and also increases the risk of precocious menopause. Progesterone can help them lengthen the luteal period.

Symptoms of Low level Of Progesterone

If the progesterone levels are low, then all the changes that occur under the influence of progesterone secretion either don’t happen or are erratic. You can predict them after knowing the functions of progesterone. Luteal phase shortens, severe PMS, irregular menstrual period, and infertility issues arise.

Signs of a low level of progesterone in non-pregnant women

1. Loss of tuning in the menstrual cycle

Progesterone is the primary hormone in the second half of the period. Estrogen-progesterone balance serves as a marker for the brain to release reproductive hormones. When progesterone is low, the lining doesn’t form and keeps coming off in bits. Irregular periods make timing ovulation extremely difficult.

2. Short luteal phase

There are two types of menstrual cycles short and long other than regular. Whether the cycle is short depends on the length of the second half. Most women ovulate near the 14th day, but luteal phase length varies. Lack of Progesterone causes a short menstrual cycle as well as hasten cessation of the reproductive phase. Women whose ovaries get overworked have experience earlier perimenopause.

3. Random spotting or Premenstrual spotting

When progesterone drops before the actual due date, women have premenstrual spotting. Most women who are TTC  assume it to be implantation bleeding. Others feel that they’re getting an early period. However, neither of them is right, and the condition requires treatment.

4. Deficient thickness of the uterine lining

A short luteal phase doesn’t permit the proliferation of uterine lining. Declining levels of progesterone cause random spotting. Further reducing the lining, light spotting occurs throughout the month. Over some time the patient will have amenorrhea. The term is for the condition when the woman stops getting period.

5. Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder

PMSing has a lot of memes and exaggerated stuff over media. The stark reality is that some women experience anxiety, fear, and depression before the onset of the period. The idea of getting their period is so strenuous to the body that the balance starts shaking. The term for the mental and physical aggravation of PMS is a disorder. PDD is a real phenomenon and needs both psychiatric and gynecological treatment.

6. Estrogen Dominance

Progesterone deficiency leads to overpowering effects of estrogen. Weight gain, heavy bleeding, decreased libido, fibroids and endometriosis are side effects of high estrogen. Breast maturation is mainly under progesterone. Estrogen excess causes tenderness in the breast. Sagging and pain are signs of fibrocystic breasts.

7. Headache, migraine, and depression

Progesterone also affects the secretion of serotonin in the blood. Headache and migraine incidences increase in women with a low level of progesterone. Depression is directly related to serotonin levels. The fall in the pregnancy hormone also brings depression associated with the menstrual irregularities.

Low Progesterone Early Pregnancy Symptoms

1. Difficult to get pregnant

Progesterone is the pregnancy hormone. Without enough of it, getting pregnant can become a daunting task. The lining has to thicken more than non-pregnant women. It keeps enriching itself with more blood supply. Lack of progesterone forces the lining to stop proliferation and start disintegrating. Getting pregnant is difficult as the menstrual cycle goes off track. Detection of ovulation is not easy and women who TTC and have low levels of progesterone, fall into a whirlwind of doubts.

2. Pregnancy Loss

Even if pregnancy and implantation occur, it terminates. Fertility depends a lot on the rise in progesterone. If the hormone suddenly falls the lining disintegrates and aborts the embryo. Doctors give supplements of progesterone patches, cremes, and shots to such pregnant women. Until the risk of miscarriage reduces to normal level women take artificial progesterone.

3. Abnormal implantation such as ectopic pregnancy

At times the lack of progesterone leads to implantation at the wrong site. Eventually, this too leads to spontaneous loss of pregnancy. Other than that it poses a risk of bursting tubes requiring organ removal.

What Causes Low Progesterone?

1. Xenoestrogens

High estrogen can be the primary cause rather than a consequence of progesterone deficiency. There are other chemicals in your food, products and the environment. Avoiding them is possible, but often you don’t even realise that you’re taking them. Estrogen and progesterone affect each other’s blood serum levels. Thus the presence of artificial estrogen sends feedback to the brain that progesterone needs to halt.

2. Insulin resistance

The condition doesn’t let cells utilise the blood sugar. Progesterone too has similar ways to enter the cell and insulin resistance affects it equally. Other metabolic difficulties arise, and there is a loss of hormonal tuning.

3. Physical activity level at extremes

Athletes or people with excessive sedentary lifestyle affects the production of progesterone. It’s essential to have a healthy physical workout routine. When the body is active brain functions at an optimum pace. The hormones that control progesterone comes from the brain. Extreme physical activity shifts the focus of the body to the locomotive organs.

4. Nutritional deficiency

Zinc and Vitamin B6 are superfoods for women suffering from low levels of progesterone. After all, hormones are chemicals that form using essential biomolecules. Cholesterol is also an essential component of progesterone. Dieting or eating disorders also have low progesterone symptoms.

5. Stress

Mental stress is the biggest enemy of the menstrual cycle. Stress hormones affect sex hormones and health. Make sure you check your stress levels and mitigate the cause.

Normal Progesterone Levels

Progesterone levels vary during the menstrual cycle. There is no single normal value of progesterone level in a non-pregnant female. In the proliferative phase or before ovulation progesterone in blood test falls in the normal range of 0.2-1 ng/mL. Luteal phase progesterone is highest in non-pregnant women going up to 5 ng/mL.

The progesterone test is scheduled a week before the menstrual period date. That’s because the progesterone level doesn’t dip suddenly and is a gradual process. The peak of progesterone is a few days before the due date. Chance of false results is less when the levels are higher. Also, progesterone has to be in sufficient quantity in the luteal phase. Usually, after menopause, progesterone levels come down in a woman.

Pregnant mothers will have 40 times higher progesterone than usual. The levels can reach up to 200 ng/mL of blood serum.

Tests that Confirm Low Progesterone

A routine blood test performed on a woman suspect of a low level of progesterone detects the blood levels of it. The name of the test is the progesterone test abbreviated PGSN.

Ideally, your progesterone should be above 1 ng/mL through most of the month. Men and kids also have progesterone but lower than women. When you time the test right before a week from the correct period due date, your tests will give the exact picture.

During pregnancy higher levels of progesterone hint at having twins. But since even singleton can raise the levels, a progesterone test isn’t used for the detection of pregnancy.

Low Progesterone Treatments and Remedies

Natural ways of treating progesterone insufficiency include exercising, taking supplements and cutting down stress. Supplements for increasing progesterone levels contain Vitamin B, Vitamin C, and zinc. Often the three take long to cure the condition. One cannot afford to wait for the results in a situation such as pregnancy or PPD.

There are quick ways to treat low progesterone levels using hormonal therapy. You can take topical cremes or patches to place near the vagina. Suppositories are put inside and have a quicker action.

Prescription of Depo-Provera is also effective. One shot is given at intervals of 3 months. Oral contraceptive pills containing only progesterone are also one of the options.

Hormonal therapies have their set of side effects. Overdose poses a risk of high blood pressure, stroke, and cancer of the reproductive tract. Other common side effects include acne and weight gain.

Can You Naturally Increase Progesterone Levels? 

Many women near menopause or not being able to conceive are recommended progesterone creams and pills. Menopausal women have to take both estrogen and progesterone in combination. While you may be doubtful about taking progesterone pills there are many natural remedies to try.

Increasing the intake of magnesium and zinc rich foods can help you regain your progesterone levels. The condition of estrogen dominance for long is harmful and causes obesity, heavy menses, irregular periods, low libido and premenstrual traumatic stress disorder.

Here are 10 things you must try to naturally increase your progesterone levels back to normal:

Lifestyle Changes For Low Progesterone

1. Reduce body fat and maintain a healthy body

Maintaining your weight has more to do than simply make you look good. Progesterone has the functions of using body fat and helping regulate fat metabolism. When the levels are low it gets burdened or vice versa when too much of fat burden it and decreases the levels overusing it.

The conclusion is weight and Progesterone levels in your body are in balance. Relaxing exercises like yoga, pilates, and swimming will calm your body and help maintain your weight. 

2. Cut drinking

Alcohol is known to increase estrogen levels. The action of alcohol on the brain numbs it towards the natural balance of hormones in the body. Thus progesterone levels are lowered and estrogen rises up several folds. You must try to quit drinking totally in your reproductive switch age periods such as menopause and pregnancy. Alcohol during pregnancy is harmful to the fetus too.

3. Rethink your contraception choice

Contraceptives are nothing but artificial hormones that alter the body’s receptivity towards sperms and pregnancy. Barrier methods such as condoms and valves are best in every aspect. They do not interfere with natural hormonal balance and are more effective. Condoms are most effective after sterilisation in preventing pregnancy. Shots and implants are the most tricky forms of contraceptives that have side effects leading to hormonal imbalance.

Dietary Changes for Low Progesterone

4. Eat a magnesium rich diet

Magnesium has a massive role in regulating the production and circulation of progesterone. It affects brain glands and other menstrual cycle processes like ovulation. The daily requirement of magnesium for an adult is 320 mg per day. Taking in less than that can cause deficiencies symptoms of reduced progesterone levels. Foods that are rich in magnesium include legumes, Tofu, spinach, quinoa, almonds, avocado and dark chocolate.

Food Magnesium obtained

Dark chocolate – 64mg per 1oz serving

Tofu – 53mg per 3-4 ounce

Lentils – 120 mg per 1 serving

5. Include vitamin B6 supplements

The daily  requirement of vitamin B 6 is 1.3-1.5 mg for women above 19 years of age. Vitamin B 6 is known for its uses in PMS, postpartum recovery and menopause and contraception side effects. All of these uses point to its ability to boost the progesterone levels. Taking in 200 mg or more of vitamin B 6 rich food can boost progesterone and suppress estrogen.

Foods that are rich in vitamin B 6 include cereals, liver, meat, banana leaves, poultry, and fish. For a vegan lifestyle, these may not sound interesting and so you’ve carrots. Take them as snack, soup or salads.

6. Stop using plastic containers

Endless studies and warnings have been published and yet people fail to grasp the hazards of plastic products. To the extent now people don’t hesitate using any random plastic case for heating their food in microwave appliances. Plastic packaging interferes with the food contents and robs them of their nutritive value. That’s the crudest and basic explanation of the danger posed by plastic containers.

Remove all plastic food containers from your fridge and kitchen. Plastics also are a big source of xenoestrogens – artificial estrogen, that exert a pseudo estrogen dominance on progesterone.

7. Cut sugar, and processed food products

Processed food for the same reason of xenoestrogens is a habit you must quit earliest. The byproducts of packaged food with preservatives and hormones are xenoestrogens. Not only that, but the enormous amount of free radicals generated also harms the body’s defence system. Processed meat and ready to eat food products have a large number of sugars added. These can knock out your insulin activity and pose threats of other metabolic disorders.

8. Take in the right amount of zinc

Zinc in your blood is essential for progesterone. The reason why zinc levels drop soon is that it cannot be stored for long in the body. Your daily requirement is just 8 mg per day. But this amount of zinc is crucial for all hormones. It is an important cofactor for many enzymes in your body with different functions. Foods that are rich in zinc include ricotta cheese, lamb, cocoa, mushroom, kefir, seeds, and shellfish. You can select any of these for a day or based on your dietary preferences. Most people take a combination of iron, magnesium and zinc supplements.

9. Start taking herbal tea

Caffeine has adverse effects on fertility and is known for increasing estrogen levels. Switching to herbal tea not only alleviates side effects of caffeine but has other mind boosting effects. Along with caffeine your favorite Starbucks or some other café takeaway coffee has lots of sugar as lactose and other additives. Herbal tea of chasteberry has many other benefits along with enhancing natural progesterone.

10. Omega 3 fatty acids

These fats are your skin’s, immune system’s, reproductive organ’s best friends. Salmons are loaded with omega fatty acids. And if you’re looking for a vegan food rich in omega fatty acids then evening primrose oil is an alternative. Most reproductive hormones are steroids in compositions. Thus taking the right omega 3 fatty acids or omega 6 fatty acids helps to increase the levels of raw materials for their production. Other foods that are rich in omega fatty acids include flaxseed, margarine, canola oil, tofu, and eggs.

The post Low Progesterone: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment appeared first on Pregnancy.

Ask couples trying to conceive, and they’d tell you ways to get pregnant you’ve never heard. Concoctions, supplements and crazy sex positions you are ready to try all. Forgetting the basic requirement and that’s a healthy nourished body for welcoming a baby we blindly follow stuff. Geritol and the hyperbole ‘There’s a baby inside every bottle’ are examples of how maddening things get.

We don’t deny that Geritol is an excellent supplement with a lot of multivitamins. However, alone Geritol can’t do anything! Ideas like twice iron than eating liver are vague. You need the right dose else excess can cause toxicosis. For instance, toxicosis of vitamin A leads to brittle skin and subcutaneous hemorrhage along with brittle bones and vision impairment. 

What is Geritol?

Geritol is a mix of vitamins and irons sold as over the counter drug available without a prescription. The syrup or capsule form both have vitamin B complex. All different categories of vitamins B such as vitamin B6 pyridoxine, vitamin B5 pantothenic acid, vitamin B3 Niacin, vitamin B2 riboflavin, and B1 thiamine are present along iron. Geritol complete has vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin H, and vitamin K. Along with these two, there are minerals too. TTC women face adverse effects when they have deficiencies of water-soluble vitamins.

You just need a few milligrams of these. But those tiny amounts make a big difference. From the production of serotonin, neurotransmitters to the formation of spinal cord everything depends on the mother’s nutritional status. Folic acid is the most essential form that is responsible for developing the brain and nervous system.

The other content of Geritol is iron that is primarily used for hemoglobin and blood synthesis. It’s the one for which the drug gets hyped as being the infertility cure.

Geritol is nothing but a supplement source of prenatal vitamins that keep you healthy. Reproductive fitness is a component of overall health.

Why do I need Geritol?

Skin rashes, scales of skin, diarrhea, anemia, nausea, and cramps are signs of vitamin B deficiency. Women who have deficiencies will transfer them to their baby due to lack of vitamin. The deficiency of vitamin B poses a risk of neuropathy. Babies would have birth defects if their mother had vitamin B deficiency during pregnancy.

Milk, cheese, liver avocados, beetroots, and grains have vitamin B in natural form. Tuna and molasses are rich sources of vitamin B. Read more about pregnancy diet here.

Vegan pregnancy makes it extremely necessary for the mother to take such supplements. Before you even have the baby, preparing your baby’s nine-month vacation place is mandatory. Taking Geritol will help you be more alert and energetic providing the iron and vitamins. GSK manufactures Geritol and is a reliable source.

Skin flush, dizzy vision, and thirst are symptoms when you take too much of vitamin B.

Similarly taking excess iron can cause fluid loss, nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea. There is no need to take any nutrient in excess because the body will not take more than required. Putting in extra will lead to burdening for the removal of them as wastes.

Iron Requirement for Pregnant Women

World Health Organisation has recommended a daily requirement of 30-60 mg iron and 400 micrograms Folic Acid for pregnant ladies. 

For the diagnosis of anemia, the first and third trimester have higher values of 110 g/L. However, in the second trimester, the value is lowered to 105 g/L considering the demand of fetus.

Vitamin B Requirement For Pregnant Women

Pregnant women need about 1.4 mg riboflavin and thiamine daily. Similarly, the daily requirements of other vitamin B forms are:

• Niacin 18mg
• Pantothenic Acid 6mg
• Pyridoxine 25-50mg a day thrice for nausea and pregnancy morning sickness 
• Biotin 30 micrograms – deficiency is common
• Vitamin B12 2.6 micrograms

How to take Geritol?

There’s nothing other than popping the pill or gulping the liquid Geritol. Albeit it’s an over the counter dosage matters. Gynecologists don’t recommend taking more than one dose a day.

You don’t need any preparation. Just take the capsules and don’t eat for 1-2 hours. This allows the body enough time to absorb nutrients. Drinking water after taking Geritol helps wash off into the gut enhancing rate of absorption. You can consider taking it as the first thing after you get up while trying to get pregnant.

Just don’t believe and go with their claim of having the potential of making a baby inside every bottle. Vitamin B and iron can only supplement the lost vitamins due to multiple reasons. Getting you pregnant is more to do with your ovulation and sexual activity. One can read the WHO recommended guidelines for a positive pregnancy experience. 

Side Effects of Geritol

There are no severe side effects of Geritol other than nausea and vomiting. At times, some women might have a hypersensitivity reaction to the drug. The high sugar content of the syrup can cause some displeasure. Taking too much of Geritol will lead to constipation as there is a lot of iron. There are no stool softeners to counter the side effect of constipation.

How does Geritol work?

Geritol claims in their website that, “there is, unfortunately, no evidence that specifically taking Geritol® can increase your fertility or your chances of getting pregnant. We don’t make any fertility claims, and we’re not quite sure how the rumor got started.”

The only explanation that seems logical is that abundance of the vitamins and iron cancels the chance of deficiency. Thus, any fertility issues due to insufficient vitamin don’t crop up to hinder conception.

Every woman in early pregnancy has to take folic acid. Deficiency of folic acid damages the baby’s brain brutally. Taking Geritol every day for weeks would never let your serum levels of folic acid to drop.

What are the risks of taking Geritol?

There are rarely observed side effects like constipation, nausea, and vomiting. You can take Geritol after asking your doctor. Make sure you are not taking any other contraindicatory supplement. Taking two types of supplements will overdose your body. Geritol is safe for you unless you have diabetes. Sugar based syrup contents are not ideal for diabetic patients. 

Similarly, know about the alcohol content of the syrup. The alcohol is not like the glass of wine and will not intoxicate you. Instead, it’s for the preparation of the syrup. You can consider these ingredients of Geritol that may conflict with your interests.

Does Geritol work to treat infertility?

There is nothing in Geritol that can treat infertility or lead to conception. It’s a possibility that by coincidence, you got pregnant around the time you started taking Geritol. Whether Geritol got your pregnant is an impossible thing to answer. One thing is for Geritol has officially claimed that there is no evidence linking to Geritol and getting pregnant.

Other supplements have more iron such as Fertility Aid. If iron helps in getting you pregnant, you could take them too.

Geritol only treats the deficiency of essential water-soluble vitamins which are also needed for conceiving.

Which is better Geritol or prenatal vitamins?

You’d be surprised to know that Geritol is not a prenatal vitamin technically. Prenatal vitamins have a lot of folic acids. They also have stool softener to prevent constipation due to iron intake.

Your OB will not ask you to take Geritol. Instead, you will get another iron-rich prenatal vitamin. The daily requirement of a pregnant woman or trying to get a pregnant woman is 400 micrograms.

Taking Geritol alone is not enough, tracking cervical mucus, cutting down smoking,  caffeine and alcohol are equally important.

Will Geritol help you get pregnant?

Geritol itself mentions that all claims regarding the effectiveness of the multivitamin leafing to pregnancy are false. There is no way any nutrient could get you pregnant. Lack of a nutrient can prevent pregnancy and make you less receptive. Mere presence of vitamins in the blood is not enough for getting pregnant.

Geritol is a supportive therapy for alongside other cautions. Infertility therapies require your body to be healthy. That’s all Geritol does. Even after that there are chances that Geritol alone cannot even cure the deficiency. If your body has developed resistance against a particular chemical then Geritol can do nothing.

Implantation failure causing very early miscarriage is an example. In such a situation only proper treatment is likely to get you pregnant soon. Getting pregnant fast is indeed not any drug’s or treatment outcome.

How much your body is receptive and suitable for pregnancy will determine how soon you’ll conceive.

The post Will Geritol Help You Get Pregnant? appeared first on Pregnancy.

Period pain and heavy bleeding is a traumatic experience for women every month. Heavy bleeding during period restricts your movements and confines you. The unexpected arrival of the period can disrupt your scheduled plans. Due to reason, we always get questions like, “how to make your period lighter?”

One can avoid problems related to menstruation by using methods to make period lighter. The blood loss during a heavy period is painful to manage and weakness sets in. Some women have shorter menses span and bleed only for 3-4 days. Others having a more prolonged period can have bleeding for about seven days or longer. In either case, the heavy bleeding days are only the first two or three days.

Heavy bleeding during a period generally affects the women who are in perimenopause stage. Age group of 40-50 years old women suffers this when they are most likely to not get pregnant in life. Other age groups can also use these ways to make your period lighter.

Some women resort to continuous birth control to avoid getting a heavy monthly period. Intra-Uterine contraceptive implants release hormones that prevent periods.

What causes heavy bleeding during a period?

At some stages such as puberty heavy blood flow is normal. Your body is adjusting to the new hormones, and it will take time to have an average period. Similarly, someone who was taking birth control pills and stopped will have a heavy period. Relatively heavy but this will again be normal as pills make period lighter.

When you get a hormonal implant, heavy period occurs before having light periods.

Other causes of heavy period bleeding:

• PCOS or cysts in the ovary
• Consuming a lot of carbohydrates and spice
• Blood thinking prescriptions

How to make your period lighter?

1) Endometrial Ablation

Once you’ve decided that you don’t want to bear children ahead in your life, you can get an endometrial ablation. It is a medical procedure, in which the doctor will reduce the endometrial lining. The fluctuations of hormones lead to the formation of the thicker endometrium. Heavy bleeding during the period is because of the development of thicker lining. You can get it permanently reduced to avoid having a heavy period.

2) Consuming birth control pills

When you are on a monthly pill your period gets regular. The hormonal content of the pill that prevents pregnancy also aligns your period. You get menstrual flow only when you stop the pill for 7 days. Can you make your period end faster? One can make the menstrual period end sooner by consuming the pill continuously or with a shorter gap. If you continue to take the pill, the constituents don’t allow menstrual flow to begin. Even if you allow it and then take a pill, you can make the period lighter.

3) Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication

If you still want to get pregnant in life or birth control pills are not enough. In that case, you can take Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory  drugs (NSAIDs) such as Aspirin, Ibuprofen, and naproxen to make period light. How to make lighter for a day? Take any of these prescriptions! These drugs will prevent heavy bleeding as they are anti-inflammatory. Being non-steroidal these pills will have fewer side effects. They lower blood flow because they reduce prostaglandins, which are responsible for heavy bleeding. You need to take a higher dose of the medication to avoid heavy period.

4) Avoid spicy food

Eating spicy food can cause a rise in blood pressure and thus lead to heavy bleeding during period. Spicy food and too much of carbohydrates consumption have many harms. They elevate the basal body processes and produce a lot of body heat.

How to get rid of a heavy flow period? You can at least stop eating such food when your period is near. The body will get time to reduce and calm down the aggravated processes.

5) Depo Provera shot

Most effective ways to lighten up a heavy period, including taking shots of hormones. Depo Provera shot is a way to end period for a year. After taking the shots, you’ll first have some bleeding. Later on, your period will be light and eventually, you’ll not get a period for some time.

6) Have sex

Best way to make your period lighter is to have sex. When you have sex, the uterine muscles undergo contractions. They expel out blood faster. How to make period lighter overnight? Have sex with your partner! The release of endorphins, natural pain relievers during sex also reduces cramps and pain.

7) Avoid wearing tampons

Every woman detests the jumbo tampons for the period. Wearing tampons sometimes restricts the flow of blood. It is not safe to wear a tampon for long during the period. Remember that blocking blood flow once the period has started won’t help. You need to allow the blood flow out and so get a light period soon. How to make your period go away faster? Just remove the tampon and switch to the sanitary napkin.

8) Vitamin A and Vitamin C supplements

Essential nutrients are needed to have a regular period. Naturally, the period is not supposed to be heavy. Some women cannot use birth control pills because of their side effects. Other methods also don’t work for them, because they may want to have kids. How to make your period lighter naturally? Vitamin supplements will shorten the period length

9) Exercise and diet change

Ways to naturally shorten period length include changing your diet. Reducing the amount of junk and other intoxicating drugs and replacing with nutrients can shorten the period. Those who have healthy food and eat well tend to have a more regular light period. Generally, women who have a Mediterranean diet including a lot of seafood have more stable cycles.

10) Intra-Uterine contraceptive device

A hormonal IUD can regulate and lighten your period. Hormonal IUD implant is a method of making period light for the long term. Other than making period light, it can even stop period. But in some cases, there can be breakthrough bleeding. These devices may fall out of the vagina even without your knowledge. Thus, you need to be cautious of IUDs and lead to a sudden heavy period.

11) Eat foods rich in potassium

Potassium and vitamin K have an essential role in regulating bleeding. Potassium and electrolyte balance governs the flow of blood. Eating food rich in potassium will help make period lighter. Sometimes prescriptions of blood thinners cause heavy period. It is because the volume of blood increases and elevates blood pressure. In such a case, you need to take supplements of potassium to make period light naturally.

12) Place an ice pack on the lower abdomen

A cold bath though not very safe can hasten period. You can even try a cold compress. But, this can aggravate the cramps because of the lowering of temperature. Many women take a cold bath to get a light period. The application of an ice pack is not a very effective natural remedy for a light period.

13) Uterine artery embolism

A quick surgical procedure by a medical expert involves the blocking of the artery to the uterine lining. Uterine artery embolism is blocking the path of blood coming to the walls of the uterus. This procedure will prevent heavy period flow.

The post How To Make Your Period Lighter? appeared first on Pregnancy.

Infections and even sudden change from an emergency birth control can lead to spotting before period. Serious reasons for spotting before period include polyps and other cancerous growths. Women with irregular period cycle also spot before period. There is no myth in that eating very spicy food, intoxicating drinks, and other junk can also cause irregular spotting.

Spotting makes you worry before wearing your favorite white outfit and going to the loo to check your panties is an unnerving experience. It is a norm every month few days before period, but it must give either conclusion of being on period or not having it.

When you have spotting before period, it is perplexing and is nerve-racking thinking about pregnancy or health concerns.

Spotting Between Periods

A normal menstrual cycle must be of 28 days. When girls have their first period or menarche, they may have longer cycles. Menstrual flow lasts for 4-5 days or longer. Beyond five days, the flow reduces, and you reach a point where you experience spotting. Similarly, when your period starts, you experience a slower flow for a few hours and then it increases. This is generally accompanied by the first day period cramps and pain and suffering.

What is spotting before a period?

Bleeding and spotting vary in color, quantity, and timing.

Bleeding during period occurs after two weeks from ovulation when the lining along with egg comes off.

Spotting, on the other hand, can occur at any time. It is pink, orange or dark like brown discharge. Bleeding before period can either be an early period or spotting before your period.

Unless there are chances of probable pregnancy, spotting a week before period is not normal. Spotting before your period can be a side effect of contraceptives.

Different colored such as orange spotting before period is mostly because of some infection such as candidiasis.

Your doctor may use any tests such as PAP, blood test or ultrasound to find out the cause of early spotting.

Brown spotting before period

For women who are expecting to get pregnant brown discharge is the most likely symptom. Brown spotting four days before period is what implantation bleeding looks like. The blood is so less in the amount that it takes longer to travel out and becomes brown.

Brown spotting a week before period is also implantation spotting. Sexually transmitted diseases or other infections can also lead to bleeding that appears like brown spotting day before period.

Major 35 reasons for spotting before period

1) Menarche

When you have your period for the first time, the hormones tune to the new cycle. As the body incorporates this new monthly incident, it needs time to adjust the clock. Most teenage girls take months to get regular cycles. If you are in the sexually active phase, then this takes longer because the contraceptives interfere with it. It is natural and will get normal soon within few period cycles. You don’t need any special prescription unless you’re having frequent spotting. After menarche, you must get a doctor’s appointment and get a regular gynecological checkup.

2) Perimenopause

Just like the girls on the threshold of the beginning of the reproductive phase, women taking an exit also experience the same. During perimenopause and menopausal stages, the levels of hormones such as estrogen dramatically reduce. The sudden drop causes spotting. You can continue to have spotting even after menopause. Sex after menopause also leads to spotting because the walls of the vagina become thin.

3) Operation of the reproductive tract

Any operation of the reproductive tract such as tying of tubes or getting a polyp removed can cause spotting before period. Factually, this spotting or bleeding has no relation with a period. But even if one gets blood suddenly after months from surgery, it could be because of it. There is no reason for panic if it is mild spotting. Symptoms such as cramps and pain signal the need of getting medical assistance.

4) Endometriosis

The ingrown tissues of the uterus invade the other regions. It leads to a reduction in the space between and for other organs. It is a cause of spotting before period. The growing tissue irritates the lining of other surrounding regions. If it continues to rub against vagina, then it can cause a release of blood from the small capillaries present in the wall.

5) Ovarian cysts

Cysts present in the ovaries obstruct the path of ovulation. They can twist and even pinch off from the ovary wall. It causes excruciating pain and bleeding. As the cysts in ovaries are not very big and so you only see spotting. If you have spotting before period along with unbearable pain, then you must immediately consult your doctor.

6) Atrophic vaginitis

It is the condition of thinning of the wall of the vagina due to the decline in the levels of estrogen. It generally happens to women who are in the menopause or perimenopause stage. The wall becomes sensitive and can bleed upon the slightest rubbing. Sex while having Atrophic Vaginitis can cause bleeding.

7) Reduced estrogen

Estrogen and progesterone levels are responsible for maintaining the thickness of the wall of vagina and pregnancy if it occurs. The levels of estrogen fall during ovulation days as the luteinizing hormone shoots a peak. During this phase, there can be spotting. Estrogen also falls in case women are undergoing menopause or taking any drugs that interfere with its production. Artificial supplements of hormones also cause fluctuations such as those present in contraceptives.

8) Pregnancy Spotting

During pregnancy, there are many stages where spotting may occur. There is no need to panic, but it is best to consult a doctor. Pregnancy breakout bleeding is the spotting that occurs at the time of the expected period. All this occurs in the first trimester of pregnancy which is the most fragile period. A mother to be may yet be unaware of her pregnancy and can consider such spotting as a sign of the arrival of her period.

9) Implantation

After the zygote begins developing it takes nutrition from the yolk sac. Beyond a developmental milestone, it needs to switch to placental nutrition transport. The blastocyst attaches to the wall of the uterus during the process of implantation. The protrusion of the bunch of cells cause bleeding from the wall of the uterus and this comes out as implantation spotting. It is not necessary that every woman who is pregnant experiences implantation bleeding. As also implantation occurs a week before period but the blood can take longer to come out of the vagina.

10) Ovulation

Ovulation spotting is less common but may happen to some women. During ovulation hormone levels interchange. The fertility period lasts from 3 days before ovulation to a day after it. During this phase, there can be bleeding. The vagina becomes softer and there is a lot of cervical mucus production. Rough sex during this time when the vagina is soft can also lead to spotting.

11) Delayed ovulation

When you are sick all your secondary survival processes take a back seat. Reproduction is not essential for survival so the processes slow down to divert energy. Even long-term flu is enough to delay your ovulation. If ovulation occurs very close to your period date, naturally you’ll not have menstrual flow at that time. But you may have spotting which appears before period spotting.

12) Early period

Just like delayed ovulation, you can get your period early. In fact, the menstrual cycle cannot start exactly on the same date every month, because it is of 28 days. We follow a calendar that has months of 30 days, so getting period earlier is normal. Again, in that case, you can have spotting at the start. If your diet lacks certain elements then also you can get late or early period spotting.

13) Period getting over

After period gets over it is not a cork that closes the vagina. You have gradually reduced blood flow. The first few days the blood flow is heavy and later on, you can have spotting. It may happen that you have spotting too late that you don’t associate it with your last period.

14) Fertility Drugs

Any prescription such as fertility drugs that interferes with normal hormone balance can cause bleeding. Undoubtedly if the drug is successful then it can lead to implantation spotting.

15) Contraceptives

When you start taking pills or stop them the body takes time to adjust. For women who take continuous birth control where they don’t allow to menstrual flow for three months, spotting is common. Even if you miss a contraceptive unintentionally your period spotting will start. That is the general working of monthly pills, which have to be stopped for 7 days for allowing periods to occur.

16) Emergency contraceptive

Just like regular birth control pills, emergency contraceptives can cause bleeding. They have a higher dose of hormones. When you take emergency contraceptives there is a sudden peak of those hormones that have adverse side effects. Acne, body heat and spotting are common consequences of consumption of birth control pills.

17) End of contraceptive implant lifetime

For women who want long-term contraception, they can get implants under the skin. These implants have hormones and ions that keep realizing in equal doses. They have a lifespan of about 3-5 years. When the implant expiry arrives, the function reduces to some extent and can cause withdrawal effects like spotting. Even during its lifetime there can be spotting.

18) Stress

The most underrated and hidden cause of infinite diseases stress can cause spotting before period. In fact, while the physiological factors have an evident effect, this often goes unnoticed. When you are under stress your fertility is greatly compromised. It is of utmost importance that you keep a check on the unnecessary mental strain you put yourself in.

19) Thyroid imbalance

Low levels of thyroid hormones can also lead to spotting before period. It slows down metabolism, changes body temperature regulation and affects fertility. You must get yourself checked for thyroid if you experience fatigue often, hair loss, and weight gain. These are the most common symptoms of hypothyroidism.

20) Sex

First coitus leads to bleeding and rough sex without enough lubrication can cause bleeding at any time. If you or your partner has a history of infections such as yeast infection, then the chances increase. Even if you experience bleeding after sex or spotting after sex before period it is not necessary that you are pregnant. Dry vagina and low cervical mucus can cause spotting after sex.

21) Change in sleep pattern

Just like stress, sleep deficiency affects fertility. It is important to get the minimum hours of sleep every day. Compromising on your sleep or food not only affects the primary functions if body but affect fertility. Erratic spotting and irregular period are two consequences of sleep deficiency. Untreated insomnia can also cause such incidents.

22) Chronic illness

Any chronic illness such as diabetes, hypertension or even obesity that runs in family can affect reproductive health. Mental depression or anxiety disorders also interfere with normal physiological processes. Spotting erratically or bleeding before the due period is a consequence of such long-term disease. Even after treatment of the primary cause, it takes longer for the alignment of normal functions.

23) Vaginal shock or trauma

Masturbation using sharp objects, or inserting anything roughly inside your vagina can cause spotting. Even a sudden jolt can cause spotting before period. Even a tampon, when forced into a dry vagina, can cause spotting. This is mostly true for women who have sex as feast or famine. A vagina can stretch and retrace back. So you need to use lubrication when it has long been in the same position.

24) Miscarriage

An impending miscarriage or early stage of actual miscarriage causes spotting. When your pregnancy aborts then blood doesn’t gush out immediately. At early stages, you have spotting especially in case of very early miscarriage. Even if a miscarriage is yet to occur, spotting is a sign of impending miscarriage. Other symptoms you’ll experience along spotting are chest burn, vaginal discomfort, cramps, and pain.

25) Ectopic Pregnancy

When the blastocyst doesn’t implant in the uterus and instead sits in the wall of tubes it is Ectopic pregnancy. The tubes are not the normal site of pregnancy growth. They cannot hold the baby cells and eventually there is a miscarriage. Before pregnancy terminates there are adverse symptoms of bleeding, cramping and bursting of tubes in extreme cases. These consequences can start before period as you’ll have a missed period symptom.

26) Post Partum spotting

Your vagina during childbirth undergoes a massive expansion and perineal tear that takes longer to heal. Also, you’ll not have a period after childbirth for about 6 months if you are breastfeeding. Even in that case, you will have bleeding and spotting at random stages. It’s normal and your doctor must have already informed you about it.

27) Dietary loopholes and eating disorders

Spotting is common in case of women suffering from deficiencies. Eating disorders such as Bulimia and Anorexia also have this as a consequence.

28) Urinary tract injury

Invasion of the uterus by urinary tract organs such as prolapse of the urethra can lead to spotting. A small amount of blood oozes out due to the injury from the vagina. This comes out as spotting. You’ll have pain and burning during urination.

29) Urinary tract infection

Any infection or inflammation of the urinary tract can lead to internal bleeding. The organs are in close proximity and it can happen that you confuse the two. A urinary tract infection can also spread to other regions depending on the severity.

30) Prescriptions or blood thinners

Blood thinners given during dialysis or drugs for obstructive disorders such as clots in veins or arteries can cause spotting. Other prescriptions such as Heparin or Warfarin or Aspirin have side effects of spotting. Antidepressants and anti-inflammatory drugs also have spotting as a side effect for women.

31) Sexually transmitted diseases

Venereal diseases have symptoms of spotting and foul smelling discharge. Red blisters can rupture leading to spotting that doesn’t need a panty liner. Chlamydia, Trichomoniasis, and Gonorrhea are the most common STDs that have such symptoms. If you see such spotting along with itching after having unprotected sex you must visit your doctor without further delay.

32) Cervical inflammatory disease or PID

Cervicitis or vulvovaginitis or any other inflammation, the pelvic inflammatory disease makes the skin of the area sensitive. The vaginal wall bleeds during such infections. Even after the infection subsides, the symptom of spotting can reoccur at different times.

33) Anal bleeding or rectum bleeding

Before testing for spotting before the period you must be sure that it is from the vagina. Anal bleeding or blood coming from the rectum can look like it is coming from the vagina.

34) PCOS

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) or ovarian cancer or other tumors can lead to spotting. These diseases affect the menstrual cycle and can even lead to complete absence of period, Amenorrhoea.

35) Adenomyosis

The wall of the uterus becomes thick and bleeds like normal endometrial lining. However, the size of uterus increases and it is painful to have an enlarged uterus. It is non-cancerous and mostly happens to postmenopausal women.

When to see a doctor for spotting before period?

Mostly you don’t need to see the doctor if you had spotting without any accompanying symptoms. Even if the color of spotting is brown or pink and it does not continue you don’t need to panic.

However, if it happens for more than three cycles and has other symptoms such as pain and cramps along then you need to see your doctor. Any unexpected incident of heavy bleeding other than normal period requires you to get a doctor’s appointment.

The post Spotting Before Period appeared first on Pregnancy.

Tampons have been the most mystical period products. From questions about losing virginity while inserting a tampon, can you pee with a tampon in,  to losing the tampon itself, all of it is the biggest dilemma for a young woman. Most of the teenagers start off by using the sanitary napkins, staining through their panties running through corridors and all high-school memories.

Once you are into the next phase, you try the tampon for the first time! How far should I put it? Won’t it be gross to take out in front of bae? All hail the tampon for the madness that comes along.

And then comes peeing with the tampon. Hold the bag, push the door, lift the skirt, pull the panty, bend down while sitting and manage the string, hoping not to push out the tampon.

Can you pee with a tampon in?

For those who didn’t know, YOU CAN PEE WITH A TAMPON IN!

You are blessed with the presence of a separate opening of vagina and urethra, unlike your male counterparts. The urinary opening is a smaller hole near the anterior tip of the vagina. 

If you are careful enough and move the string to the side before you pee, you won’t get toxic shock syndrome by peeing with a tampon. If you miss a single step, your pee will use the capillary action of the tampon to trickle down and wet the string. And then you have to roam around with a wet string in your knickers.
Period struggles 101!

How to avoid peeing on the string of tampon?

To understand the way to pee with tampon without letting the string get wet, you must know how things are down there. You have three holes nearly in a line. The posterior is the anus, next in your vagina and then at the top of it, there’s your urinary opening.

What you have to do is to move away the string from in front of the urinary orifice. Warning: Urine doesn’t always come out straight and nice. It’s possible that the side you shift the tampon string to save it will be the side where urine comes off.

Still, you must try once, if it gets wet then change. Do not go about with the wet string and don’t try to use a tissue to soak back. You won’t be able to soak urine from tampon string.

Step by step guide on how to pee with a tampon

Frankly, you won’t be able to do much when you’re badly in need of emptying your bladder. You can still try these steps, and if successful you won’t need to change tampon after peeing.

1. Take off everything from your hand and remove the lower clothing away from thighs. Unless you’re ready to have a blob of wetness on your jeggings or skirt, take it off.
2. Using your one hand hold the string of the tampon from the tip.
3. Now carefully move it at sideways over your bum. Hold it using a finger over there. Make sure you don’t cross it laterally. Don’t let it move ahead your vag.
4. Avoid sitting at all and instead bend forward and pee.
5. Wipe like you usually do with one hand. No, don’t leave the string. Drops of water or pee on the seat can make it wet. Leave the string after you’re dry.

How often should you change your tampon?

Thankfully for the frequent bathroom goers, you don’t have to change every time you pee. That’s the advantage of using a tampon, unlike pads. They stay in place when you pee and you can continue using one for long.

You must still change the tampon every 4 hours on heavy flow days. If the flow is light, change tampon after 8 hours. One can sleep with the tampon provided you change before hitting the bed.

In cases of urinary tract infections (UTI), change the tampon every time you pee. Due to bacteria your pee isn’t sterile and can aggravate or relapse the UTI.

Same goes for changing the tampon after pooping. Another situation where changing your tampon is must is when you’re out of public swimming pools. Your tampon has soaked everyone’s bacteria, sweat, body dirt and at times pee. Along with it chlorine and other cleaning chemicals have also come inside your vagina.

After a bikini wax, if you are daring enough to get it on your chums, change the tampon.

You can feel horny during your periods. So, if you do indulge in anal sex do change tampon afterward. There are fewer chances of not having it halfway out already.

Can you poop with a tampon in?

Worse is when you have to poop with a tampon. Good luck trying not to deliver the tampon. Considering hygiene standards, one must not poop with a tampon in. Even if a little contamination comes, you can get urinary tract infection. Also, those who have UTI must not continue with the same tampon once the string is wet.

Caught in a situation where you don’t have a second tampon, and peeing with the one inside can be much of a task. But there is no option of pooping with a tampon in and not changing it.

Other Tampon FAQs

How to correctly insert the tampon?

Nowadays you get reusable tampon applicators. There is not much to do with them. All you have to do is clean your hands and take the flexible applicator inside your vagina. Make sure it’s not going straight up. Tilt it to 45° and insert it gently. Press the lower portion of the applicator, and the tampon will be high up in place.

You don’t have to throw away the reusable applicator and can keep it on the go. There are other types of tampon applicators that are for single use. Using them is similar to the reusable one.

Earlier or even now for those who don’t want to use applicators, one has to push up the tampon. Make sure your fingers are extremely clean when you do this. You can’t leave the tampon on the external os as it will hurt. If tampon doesn’t feel comfortable, then you may not have put it deep enough.

Make sure you keep the string out. It will hang out all the time, to make it easy to take the tampon out.

Can tampon get lost inside the vagina?

You can’t insert the tampon deep in the cervix that it passes to the uterus. Unless you use some object to push it, the tampon will remain outside. The string has to be out to avoid losing it inside.

There are shrieking and screaming incidents when a woman isn’t able to take out her tampon. That’s mostly when you don’t change the tampon at the right time. Super absorbent type can soak the moisture and get stuck inside.

You might need surgery if such a dreadful thing happens. Keep changing every 4-8 hours.

Is it safe to use a tampon for vaginal discharge?

No. Cervical mucus has many roles to play other than making you feel wet down there. Using tampon for cervical mucus isn’t a healthy practice.

Even if you’re using a small tampon with the low absorbent action, it will dry up vagina. You’ll have pain while having sex. Drying up the area unnaturally will also fluctuate the balance of bacteria and yeast.

Can I use a tampon when I’m not on period?

There is no need for any product for vaginal discharge. If you don’t want to feel wet, use some soft cotton pads. Just a reminder that white discharge is never enough to leak across your panty. So, allow your vagina skin to breathe fresh air.

The post Can You Pee With A Tampon In? appeared first on Pregnancy.

Feeling wet or dry is mainly because of the mucus glands present in the walls of the vagina. During various stages of the menstrual cycle, the glands secrete different types of cervical mucus.

After a woman reaches her mid-40s, she is now in the perimenopause stage. The hormones regulating the menstrual cycle take a toll on the body.

Decreased levels of estrogen are the cause of postmenopausal atrophic vaginitis. Hot flashes, spotting after sex, dryness of vagina are consequences of vaginal atrophy.

Other consequences of atrophic vaginitis include pain during urination, infections, and painful sex.

What is atrophic vaginitis?

Postmenopausal atrophic vaginitis is the thinning of the walls of the vagina. The cause of vaginal atrophy is the falling levels of estrogen during menopause.

Once a woman attains menopause, she ceases to ovulate and does not get a period. The reason for no period is the lack of enough endometrial lining which sheds off during menstruation.

About 4 in every ten women in the menopause stags suffer from atrophic vaginitis. They have a higher chance of getting infections and bleeding during sexual intercourse.

When the levels of prolactin elevate during breastfeeding, lactational atrophic vaginitis may occur. The increase in prolactin suppresses other hormones.

Atrophic vaginitis symptoms

Symptoms of vaginal atrophy mainly include dryness of vagina and spotting. Itching and infections may occur due to rubbing while having sex or any other physical strain. 

The feeling of dryness in the vagina makes one feel uncomfortable.

1) Dry vagina

Due to less mucus production vagina becomes dry. The vaginal wall is so thin that the glands don’t function properly. 

As there is less lubrication sex becomes painful. Even when you insert tampon roughly or quickly, you may experience bleeding. The walls of the vagina become fickle and easily bleed.

2) Thinning of the vaginal wall

One may not be able to feel the thinning but observations like bleeding after sex or irregular period indicate insufficient lining. 

The thinning of two walls of vagina leads to constricted vagina passage and can affect sex. The thickening or formation of endometrial lining depends on the circulating levels of estrogen. 

The cause of atrophic vaginitis is low estrogen, and so thinning of the vaginal walls is foreseeable.

3) Painful sex

The vagina walls are so delicate in women having atrophic vaginitis that they may suffer from pain during sex. 

Even the slightest force can cause the walls to bleed. The lack of sufficient lubrication further increases the friction during intercourse causing the walls of the vagina to bleed. 

There is a loss of elasticity in the walls of the vagina and the external genitalia also become thin. 

The uterine support tissue is no longer able to withstand the pressure and leads to loss of strength. All this hampers smooth, painless sex.

4) Urinary tract infections

Due to the dryness, the yeast-bacteria balance of vagina changes. The natural balance of the two maintains a pH healthy for vagina. 

The increase of either bacteria or yeast causes bacterial vaginosis or candidiasis. 

The infection can spread to surrounding regions and can cause infections in the urinary tract. 

Burning and bleeding during urination is a sign of vaginal atrophy.

5) Inflammation of vagina

The walls of the vagina have inflammation and swelling in vaginal atrophy. 

Urine incontinence occurs as a result because the urinary opening closes. Vaginal atrophy discharge is gooey, unlike the stringy cervical mucus during ovulation. 

Any infections of the vagina or urinary tract can aggravate the inflammatory response.

6) Pain during urination

As the walls of the vagina have inflammation, they push the surrounding regions and lead to pain during urination.

7) Involuntary urination

Incontinence or involuntary leakage of urine is a complication of atrophic vaginitis. The constant wetness in the area is another reason for infections of UTI due to vaginal atrophy.

8) Spotting after sex or randomly

The walls of the vagina do not form properly and can bleed at any time. If a pre-menopausal woman gets atrophic vaginitis, then she may have an irregular period or spotting. 

After sex or even pushing a dome or tampon inside there can be spotting.

9) Constriction of the vaginal passage

The walls of the vagina become thin and lead to shortening of the vaginal passage. The women suffering, who intend on getting pregnant, have to get a treatment of vaginal atrophy before conceiving.

10) Miscarriage, fertility issues

The declined levels of estrogen don’t allow pregnancy and even affect the regular menstrual cycle. 

Even if due to some artificial supplements the lack of estrogen fulfills, atrophic vaginitis will still inhibit fertility.

Causes of atrophic vaginitis

There are many causes for atrophic vaginitis other than menopause. Anything that leads to the reduction in the level of estrogen comes under risk factors for vaginal atrophy.

1) Breastfeeding

During breastfeeding, the levels of prolactin suppress the ovulation hormones. Thus a breastfeeding mother can experience atrophic vaginitis for the time being.

2) Chemotherapeutic treatments

Chemotherapy for any cancer can affect the synthesis of estrogen. Out of the many side effects of chemotherapy atrophic vaginitis is the one that affects fertility.

3) Menopause

During menopause, most women have atrophic vaginitis due to a decline in estrogen. After 12 months of absence of menstruation, a woman is in the postmenopausal stage. By that time estrogen levels fall far below average.

4) Removal of ovaries

The removal of ovaries exerts negative feedback for hormones regulating the menstrual cycle. As ovulation hormones get affected the vaginal wall becomes thin.

Apart from the endometrial lining, the wall of the vagina becomes extremely thin.

5) Hormonal therapies

During breast cancer and birth control procedures, the artificial hormonal supplements affect the natural circulation in the body.

6) Feast or famine sex pattern

Not having sex is not a cause of atrophic vaginitis but regular sex or uniform pattern of having sex are less prone to it.

Atrophic vaginitis risk factors

Women who undergo c section delivery or have never delivered from vagina are at higher risk of having atrophic vaginitis.

Drugs that limit blood flow and smoking leads to hypoxia. When there is insufficient oxygen reaching a tissue, it leads to loss of function or necrosis.

The walls of the vagina receiving a low amount of blood or deprivation of oxygen become thin as blood is the medium to bring estrogen.

Atrophic vaginitis complications include UTI and pain during sex. Fertility issues may also arise if it is left untreated in premenopausal women.

Atrophic vaginitis diagnosis: How is Vaginal atrophy tested?

When should you see a doctor for atrophic vaginitis?

When you have pain during intercourse or are in the age group of women having menopause, you should see a doctor for vaginal atrophy.

Test for atrophic vaginitis includes a physical examination and smear tests. Your doctor will discuss your reproductive health history.

The doctor will question about your period and sexual intercourse patterns. You must tell him everything in detail such as the kind of pain during intercourse that you experience.

A woman who has not had a period for more than a year without the use of any pills is postmenopausal. So you must be aware of the last period you had and when.

The medical history discussion will also include talking about any incident of having cysts or tumors and undergoing any radiation therapy for it. 

The doctor will also want to know about your menstrual and vaginal hygiene habits such as kind of products you use.

Some products interfere with and hamper estrogen production, and others may be the actual cause of inflammation.

You must clean your female parts to avoid feeling awkward which hampers diagnosis of atrophic vaginitis.

The doctor will see your external genitalia and look for symptoms such as

• Sparse pubic hair
• Shiny skin 
• The skin inside the vagina is not smooth and instead has pleats and creases
• A constricted opening of the vagina
• Thin genitalia, and loose tissues

The doctor will also look for any bulges in the walls of the vagina which happens during a prolapse. While physical examination your doctor will touch and feel the elasticity of support tissues and walls.

If these physical signs are present, tests for atrophic vaginitis will be ordered.

Your doctor will ask you to get:

• Pelvic examination
• Pap smear test
• Vagina acidity test
• Blood test & Urine test to check for hormone levels and any UTI.

During the smear test, your doctor can either take the scrapping from the wall of the vagina or the cervical mucus for testing.

The doctor will observe it under a microscope for the presence of any pathogenic bacteria. The pH if the vagina is alps responsible for regulating the yeast bacteria balance of the area. 

The doctor can record the pH of cervical mucus and secretions or pH paper reading from the vagina.

The estrogen levels will be confirmatory tests for detecting low estrogen which causes atrophic vaginitis.

Atrophic vaginitis treatment

Treatment of atrophic vaginitis involves restoring estrogen levels to normal through supplements. Gels and estrogen creams are also a part of treatment. 

Moisturisers and pH neutral washes help make the vagina moist and cure the dryness.

As the levels of estrogen rise back to normal using replacement therapy the thinning of the wall reverses. The treatment does not take long, and you see results within a fortnight. The elasticity of the vagina comes back, and the support tissues are again agile.

Gradually cervical mucus secretion is back to normal and the condition cured.

Topical estrogen helps in targeted action, and there is less alteration in blood composition.

When you use estrogen patches or rings the estrogen moving into the blood to circulate is less. It mostly acts superficially, and there is less risk of having cancer of the endometrial lining.

However, when you are taking topical estrogen treatment, there can be bleeding. You must consult your doctor immediately. Estrogen-progesterone balance is vital for a woman’s reproductive tract.

Following are the treatments for atrophic vaginitis:

1. Estrogen patches and rings: Estrogen rings placed in vagina release doses of estrogen for long periods. They any fall off, so you need to be careful. In some cases, you’ll have to take progestin too.
2. Oral estrogen: Tablets of estrogen increase the level of the hormone more rapidly. They can allow you to take a higher dose of estrogen. Women who take oral estrogen are also prescribed progesterone. There is a higher risk of cancer and bleeding. You need to be alert and seek medical care if any such thing happens. Oral estrogen supplements will cure hot flashes and vaginal dryness.
3. Moisturizers: Gels and mild, safe moisturizers will reverse the dryness and reduce inflammation. You will have to apply them frequently until the lining is moist. Later lifestyle changes will reduce your dependence on them.
4. pH neutral washes: Prevention of atrophic vaginitis includes the use of medicinal products instead of scented washes. The perfumed soaps and washes are responsible for altering the pH of the vagina.
5. Estrogen suppositories: An estrogen tablet inserted into the vagina every day helps overcome the lack of estrogen. When the condition is severe, then the dose is high, and later the frequency reduces.
6. Estrogen creams: Just like patches one can apply estrogen creams to affected areas. You can use them in combinations with the above options for treatment. They are generally meant for night time application. When your condition is severe, and there is a need for a higher dose of estrogen, then combination therapy helps. Other than that, women who have a history of cancer or risk of cancer of endometrium need to resort to topical estrogen treatment.

Home remedies for atrophic vaginitis

While the above cure for vaginal dryness, heals atrophic vaginitis rapidly, atrophic vaginitis natural treatment has a long-term effect.

How to treat atrophic vaginitis?

Prevention and lifestyle changes for atrophic natural vaginitis treatment involve the use of vitamin supplements.

Vitamin E oil helps to bring back the elasticity of skin and reduce dryness. Wearing loose cotton clothes minimizes the irritation of the vagina lining.

Regular sex increases the circulation of blood to the vagina. Foreplay and allowing time for having sex helps to alleviate the symptoms of atrophic vaginitis naturally.

Quit smoking and exposure to any laser treatment is also a step to prevent atrophic vaginitis.

Black Cohosh and Aloe Vera detoxify and improve the section of hormones.

The post Atrophic Vaginitis appeared first on Pregnancy.

Pregnancy cramps don’t occur so early. Menstrual cramps if they happen after mating have nothing to do with it because mating cannot hasten pregnancy or menses.

Copulation during pregnancy cannot cause miscarriage and cramps a day after mating during pregnancy are not normal.

Cramps a day after love making may be because of underlying causes like cysts or due to developing infections.

STDs have specific incubation period which is the time taken for developing infection symptoms.

So let’s explore this issue in detail.

Cramps a day after Copulation

One may have mild cramps after mating because of climax or dissatisfaction. You may also have some burning during urination.

It is possible that your partner wasn’t aware of the right path and hit the wrong place, thus causing you pain.

For a few hours after mating cramps are normal and acceptable. But cramps a day after copulation are unusual and not a part of any normal physiology.

The movements during copulation  don’t cause so much change in the body that it needs a day to still not completely recover.

During  arousal the blood vessels of the vagina have more blood coming to facilitate the act of mating and climax. 

The vaginal muscles undergo contraction, and when the circulation slows down, they return to normal.

Reasons for cramping after copulation

There are many reasons for cramping after copulation . Implantation cramps after copulation  are not possible until 1 week passes.

If there was fertilization followed by implantation, then early pregnancy cramps after 2 weeks from copulation are normal.

Similarly cramps after copulation because of onset of the period is normal.

1) Vaginismus

The muscles of vagina contract whenever something is about to enter the vagina, in a Vaginismus patient. 

It may be because of psychological causes or problems. Vaginismus causes pain during and after intercourse because the muscles have a lot of pressure. 

During mating, it is essential to mentally accept it and be willing to do it. Otherwise, mating won’t be useful and pleasurable. 

Some past trauma can create such an impact on the vagina that it contracts whenever something enters.

Cramps a day after are symptoms of Vaginismus.

2) Cervical stenosis

The contraction of the path of the cervix is cervical stenosis. It reduces the way for the movement of the male organ and hitting at this point causes pain. 

After-mating cramps can continue till the next day because of cervical stenosis.

3) Cysts torsion

A serious cause of cramps a day after mating is the torsion of cysts. 

These are mass of undifferentiated cells or abnormal growth inside the ovaries which can twist and even cut off from the wall. 

It causes immense pain and cramps. Intensifying cramps a day after copulation is a sign that you could be having some serious problem. 

You need to tell your doctor because there is no way to treat cyst twisting other than medical attention.

4) Endometriosis

The tissue of uterus can grow outside the uterus to invade other organs causing pain due to their compression. 

There can be blockages because of this new abnormal tissue developing outside the womb. 

Cramping a day after copulation is a sign that you could have Endometriosis. 

At an early stage, it will not pain so much but later on, it will. 

The movements during copulation can cause cramping a day after.

5) Tilted uterus

Mostly uterus is straight up the vaginal path. In some women, the uterus inclines towards the rectum. In this situation, during intercourse, the wall of the uterus will be hit. It is another cause of cramps a day after. 

A tilted uterus is not common and is a rare disorder. 

Penetrative inter course roughly done can cause the same problem even when the woman is healthy. The organ can move in and hit hard. 

Trauma during mating such as rape cases causes cramping for days after.

6) Atrophy

As a woman approaches menopause, her hormone production reduces. The wall of uterus needs estrogen for the proliferation of the cells. 

During Perimenopause the levels of estrogen are so low that the walls become thin. 

Inter course causes bleeding and cramps a day after. Taking estrogen supplements or creams can help alleviate the symptoms.

7) Allergy

Any allergic response to sperm jellies or a partner’s love fluid can cause cramps a day after mating. 

You must not use any random stuff to lubricate your vagina. The alteration of pH can after fertility and cause allergy. 

Male sperm is slightly alkaline 7.2-7.8, and that is the opposite of your vaginal pH. 

You can have an allergic reaction due to prostaglandin in the fluid. An acidic pH of seminal fluid indicates that he has a blocked duct and highly basic pH is a sign of infection.

8) Infections or STDs

Some infections may cause cramps during the incubation period. 

Cramping a day after mating with cheesy yellow discharge is a sign or STDs. 

Greenish discharge with bad smell also signifies disease.

9) Oncological growth

If there are any cancerous growths inside your vagina like polyps, then you will have after cramps. 

The tumor cannot bear the movements during mating. Even the slightest physical exertion makes them pain excruciatingly. 

Ovarian cancer and other cancers have cramps after mating as a symptom.

10) Insufficient lubrication

If you did not have sufficient lubrication during inter course, then you can have cramping depending on the damage. 

The walls of the vagina or tissues can cut and bleed. Inserting any toy can also cause cramps.

Pain during and after coitus

Pain during or after, beyond the normal threshold, is not healthy. 

When a woman gives birth to a baby during labor, the entire head comes out of the vagina. Even if we take into account dilation during delivery, the size of the male organ is nothing compared to the head of the baby. 

So pain during coitus is not healthy. Pain also tells you about underlying medical complications. 

You must consult a doctor if there are changes in the color of cervical mucus and bleeding. 

Other symptoms such as rashes and burning while urination confirms that something serious needs medical attention.

The post Cramps A Day After Sex appeared first on Pregnancy.

What Are Period Cramps?

Period pain and cramps are of two types – primary and secondary. Women who have severe pain during menstruation are said to have dysmenorrhoea.

Primary dysmenorrhea is because of period flow. The uterus wall contractions and pelvic pain in those days comes under it.

Secondary dysmenorrhoea can occur at anytime in the month. Cramps continuing after period is the result of secondary dysmenorrhoea. Lifestyle changes and prescription of NSAIDs can solve the underlying problem.

Unless you have some major gynecoloical disorder secondary dysmenorrhoea is mild. In patients with polyps or initial stages of cancer the pelvic pain after period gets unbearable.

How do period cramps feel like?

With cramps after a week from period, you want to find out if they’re period cramps at all. Period cramps have certain characteristics that differ them from implantation cramps and gas distress.

Pregnant women can also have period like cramps at different stages. Surely some symptoms will still allow their distinction from PMS cramps.

Here are the 5 typical signs of cramps due to period:

1. Pulsating pain – The pain keeps going low and then rises. There is no rhythm but as toh feel it’s going, there is a sudden wave of stronger pain. This happens on the first day.

2. Lower abdominal location – Every woman knows her period pain location. Some have vaginal pain and others have localised pain on the sides. Cramps after period won’t be in the same location.

3. Weird pain in near-by areas – Some women have discomfort in the surrounding region like the anal region. Cramps feel like acute gas distress.

4. Sharp and piercing sensation – Implantation cramps and period cramps differ mainly in the intensity. Early pregnancy cramps are mild. Period cramps after a week or two weeks should still be sharp.

5. Vaginal numbness – The pain numbs the vagina and all you feel is the area above. Blood coming out from vagina just feels like a warm flow from a barrel. You won’t feel it spreading on your vagina.

6. Tenderness – Cramping area looses the agile feel. Inflammation and swelling make it limp.

What causes menstrual cramps?

Cramps during a period are because of prostaglandin and uterine contractions. Prostaglandins are chemicals that send the pain signal to the brain.

They are also responsible for inducing labor.

Another class of chemical that releases during a period is leukotrienes. They are responsible for inflammatory response. The inflammation of the uterine lining causes pain.

The cervical path is not very wide before pregnancy, and so clots can clog the path and cause pain.

Another reason for cramping during a period is the presence of fibroids or scars that trap blood inside.

The oxygen supply to uterine lining cuts off during menses causing the death of cells.

It leads to the disintegration of the lining and bleeding. It is like wringing blood from the uterus.

Cramps after period

Cramping after a period for a day is attributed to the final loss of blood. The sloughing of the last layer of the endometrium causes cramps after the period ended.

But some conditions can cause prolonged cramping after the period ended. European Journal Of Obstetrics Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, published the mechanism of endometriosis pain.

Talking about how does endometriosis pain develop and feel, Matteo Morotti, affiliated to University Of Oxford, mentioned pain after period has ended.

What causes abdominal pain after menstruation?

There are many reasons for cramps after a period and many kinds of cramps. Restricting ourselves to abdominal cramping after the period, we will discuss the causes.

What causes cramps after period?

Cramps after period or secondary dysmenorrhea is a common event in adult women. Post-period cramps may be because of cysts or any medication.

Birth control methods can cause cramps randomly at any time of the month. Uterine fibroids and polyps can also cause a lot of pain.

Cysts torsion is another reason for cramps after a period. Cancers of the reproductive tract also cause painful spasms. Dysmenorrhoea is the painful menses.

This cramping lasts after a period because of certain complications in the reproductive organs.

Dyspareunia is the pelvic pain felt after the period is over. It is a painful condition that aggravates after intercourse.

Following are the reasons for cramps after a period:

1) Uterine fibroids

Any structure inside the uterus that blocks or bifurcates the uterus can cause cramps because the uterus cannot contract due to the fibers stretching in it. Uterine fibrous tissues are abnormal septum.

2) Endometriosis

When the tissue of uterus invades other organs, it is called as Endometriosis.

Is a sharp pain in the ovary after period Endometriosis?

Pricking pain and cramps after a period can be due to Endometriosis. It is possible that the uterine tissue is invading other parts.

3) Endometrial polyps

Polyps are a sessile tumor in the uterus. These cause blockage of menstrual blood. They cause painful spasms during and after the period.

Polyps require surgical procedures for treatment. They can even lead to infertility in women.

4) Cysts

Any cysts in ovaries or uterus can cause pain after the period ended. A cyst is an undifferentiated mass of cells that reduces the space in the womb.

Cysts cause pain during menstruation and cramping after a period.

5) Uterine incapacity

Uterine incapacity is the inability of the uterus to throw out blood during menstrual flow. The remaining blood requires more and more of contractions for expulsion.

But the contractions are not enough for throwing it out. Uterine incapacity is the reason for spotting and cramping after a period.

6) Cervical stenosis

When the cervix becomes narrow, it clogs any uterine debris. It causes immense pain as long as the clot of blood doesn’t move out. Cramps week after a period can be because of cervical stenosis.

7) Hormonal fluctuations

Hormonal imbalance can cause cramping and disturb the menstrual cycle. If your hormonal cycle is not regular, then the phase of the menstrual cycle will overlap and cause cramps and pain.

The developing oocyte will also not compete, and early ovulation cramps can happen.

8) Birth control

All birth control methods except condoms have some side effects. After the period when you begin a new course of birth control, then you can experience cramping.

9) Pelvic inflammatory disease

Any inflammatory disease causes sensitivity of the area. If you have any condition such as PID, then you can have cramps after the period. Other reproductive tract infections or STDs can cause cramping and bleeding after the period.

10) Adenomyosis

The opposite of Endometriosis is the growth of uterine tissue inside it. The tissue spreads inside the uterus and suffocates it.

It causes pain, bleeding, and cramps. Eventually, it can lead to infertility. Surgical procedures can treat this condition.

11) Ovulation

Every month ovulation occurs on the 14th day of the cycle. Some women have mild cramps during ovulation. It is the reason for cramps two weeks after the period ended.

It is normal and is, in fact, a healthy sign of fertility. A woman is most fertile during this time.

12) Implantation cramps

In rare cases or due to miscalculation implantation cramps can occur after the period. If a woman is confused between implantation bleeding and period, then she may have implantation cramps after a period.

Implantation and period have nearly the same timing. Ideally, implantation should occur before period date.

But it has a normal time span to occur between 7-12 days after ovulation. A period occurs about 14 days after ovulation.

13) Tubal Pregnancy

A tubal pregnancy is when the implantation occurs in the tubes. It leads to bleeding after period along with cramps.

Bleeding a week after a period with cramps can be because of ectopic pregnancy.

It is the extrauterine pregnancy that causes painful spasmodic cramps. It may appear like cramps after a period but, it is bleeding due to abnormal pregnancy.

14) Early pregnancy cramps

At times a woman can have a period during pregnancy. Some women even continue to ovulate.

In case a woman has both implantation bleeding and period then she will have early pregnancy cramps.

Cramps 2 weeks after the period ended can be because of early pregnancy. It is when you mistake implantation bleeding for a period.

Cramps after a period and pregnant are not possible immediately. There has to be a proliferation phase for the formation of uterine lining before ovulation.

Conception happens within 24 hours after ovulation. But if it is cramping two weeks after the period ended, then it may be because of early pregnancy.

Can cramps be felt during and after implantation?

The start of pregnancy is not smooth, and every woman has to adjust to a long trail of changes. During early pregnancy, two reasons can lead to cramps and discomfort.

1. Implantation cramps: When the egg embeds itself in the wall of the uterus it secretes substances that can digest the wall. The blood released from capillaries lodges in the tissues and is the cause of spotting.
2. Early pregnancy cramps: Surging progesterone causes bloating and hampers digestion during pregnancy. Gastric distress and changing hormones lead to cramps. But when the cramps and spotting in early pregnancy are severe, you must consult a doctor.

If you have heavy bleeding and cramping after a period, then you may be having a pregnancy complication.

A chemical pregnancy first feels normal and then starts bleeding. If you have a late period and cramps after menstruation, then it may be a chemical pregnancy.

Molar pregnancy is another kind of pregnancy complication where an abnormal tissue develops in place of an embryo. Here also you can get heavy bleeding and have cramps.

Why am I still cramping after my period?

This may also be because you have already ovulated for the next menstrual cycle.

You can have early ovulation if another egg’s maturation begins simultaneously in the other ovary. It can cause cramping after your period.

Cramping 10 days after menstruation is mostly because of early ovulation.

Ovulation occurs in mid-cycle and thus cramps 2 weeks after the period ended are on their right time.

Can you be pregnant and have cramps like period?

Cramps after sex before the period is a more probable indicator of pregnancy.

But after period cramps can rarely be because of pregnancy because, after a period, the dry days phase starts.

The uterus doesn’t have any lining to hold the embryo. In such a situation, implantation is not possible.

Implantation leads to pregnancy. If it doesn’t occur then cramps after a period and pregnant are not possible.

But if in rare cases due to the simultaneous maturation of another egg conception occurs then you may be pregnant.

Nonetheless, you must wait for a week and see whether the symptoms continue. 

If you start seeing symptoms of early pregnancy in you, then you must take a pregnancy test.

Cramps after period have many possible reasons listed above. You need to observe every change in your body.

How to distinguish implantation cramps and post period cramps?

It is not uncommon for women to confuse between cramps after period and implantation.

Once you feel cramps after a period, you are pregnant is the first conclusion. However, the timing and nature of cramps differentiate post period and implantation cramping.

Implantation symptoms include radiating pain in lower back, vaginal irritation and spotting. But period pain is more persistent, and implantation pain fluctuates.

The timing of implantation cramps is before your due date. When you are experiencing cramps 4-5 days before the due date, it is more likely that you are pregnant.

Cramps after a period are not reliable indicators of pregnancy.

If you can calculate your chances of getting pregnant precisely, then you can infer from them. Otherwise, if the pain gets severe, you must consult your doctor.

How are cramps after period treated?

When it comes to period cramps we have an unending list of remedies. Treatment of cramps after a period is no different than them. Applying heat and taking painkillers is what you’re supposed to do.

Depending on the delay in cramps post period you need to decide when to call the doctor. If you’ve cramps two weeks after period pregnancy is a possibility.

Here are 12 ways to ease cramps after chums:

1. Hydrate yourself to reduce the stiffness of muscles
2. Don’t wear tight clothing and let your lower abdomen be relaxed. Skipping innerwear is the new fad!
3. Exercise and enhance the flexibility of your abdominal area
4. Cut down alcohol, drugs, caffeine, and smoking which affect the circulation
5. Take all nutrients and a complete balanced diet. Effect of low fat vegetarian diet on dysmenorrhoea was reported to be positive. The primary dysmenorrhea diet reduced the sex hormone binding factors in blood and alleviated the symptoms of pain.
6. Stay away from things that bring unnecessary anxiety and stress
7. Keep sex on hold for a day or two to allow your vagina some rest after the period flow. Get your birth control pills or contraceptive devices prescription reevaluated.
8. You can take OTC painkillers as they’re safe to use. If the pain occurs far ahead of the period then consult your doctor because painkillers can affect pregnancy.
9. Get regular gynecological checkups for diagnosis of PCOS or cysts. Various studies have reported that even after treatment such conditions lead to persisting pelvic pain.
10. Other natural ways include massage and using essential oils. Some oils are quick to absorb in the skin layers and are more effective than NSAIDs.
11. Warm your body by taking a hot shower or placing an electric heating pad on your abdomen. Go out in the morning sun to allow your body to make vitamin D that is a natural supplement for cramps.
12. Herbal tea and other home remedies for period pain work for cramps after it too. Jungtae Leem, Department of Internal Medicine of Korean Medicine, Dongshin Korean Medicine Hospital, has described a new herbal medicine – Hyeolbuchukeo-tang or Xuefu Zhuyu decoction, for treatment of period pain.

The post 14 Reasons You’re Having Cramps After Period appeared first on Pregnancy.

Until you see blood coming out of the vagina, you don’t feel the need for worrying. Despite this, it is a fact that cervical mucus tells a lot about your sexual well-being.

The changes of ovaries and uterus have parallels. They happen in a similar pattern every month until there is pregnancy.

Cervical mucus changes tell you a lot about the stage of the menstrual cycle.

Cervical mucus before the period is thick and gooey. This type of cervical mucus is not fertile and prevents sperms from entering the vagina.

The fluid that you often see in your knickers tells you a lot about your fertility. Sometimes it is better than the ovulation test kits available in the market.

Indeed, cervical mucus before the period is the method to help women with irregular period predict their ovulation date.

During the menses phase, one cannot distinguish between blood and cervical mucus.

Proliferative phase leads to the growth of the uterine lining and causes changes in the amount of cervical mucus. The discharge during this time is watery.

During ovulation stringy egg white cervical mucus indicates the fertility period.

How does cervical mucus change during menstrual cycle?

The changes in cervical mucus are reliable indicators of a particular stage of the menstrual cycle.

Every stage of the menstrual cycle has a specific kind of cervical mucus characteristic. You can use clean fingers or tissue paper to check the type of cervical mucus.

Take clean fingers inside your vagina and take a sample of fluid from there. Stretch it between your fingers and see if it forms a string or feels like crème.

You can even use a tissue paper during the days when the mucus is profuse watery discharge.

The cervical mucus changes due to fall and rise of estrogen and progesterone hormones during the cycle.

European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology, back in 2004 published a study putting light on cervical mucus and fertility. The article favors checking cervical mucus at every stage in cycle more effective way to get pregnant fast ¹

There are six stages of cervical mucus during the menstrual cycle:

1) Dry days cervical mucus

After the period the cervical mucus production goes down. There is almost no production of mucus because the hormone levels are basal. 

The estrogen-progesterone hormones are responsible for changes in cervical mucus. 

When the estrogen levels rise the discharge becomes watery, and progesterone makes it thick. 

During dry days either kind of hormone does not increase. The period of dry days lasts for three days or so and later the cervical mucus changes.

2) Thick sticky discharge

 When the estrogen levels gradually start rising, the discharge is still sticky. 

This process also lasts for another 4-5 days. After this, the fertility window begins. 

Cervical mucus before ovulation starts getting clear. 

Thick sticky discharge is a sign that estrogen levels are still not enough and so ovulation cannot be near. 

For women with a longer menstrual cycle, this helps determine ovulation. They cannot merely consider 14th day because their cycle is longer.

3) Profuse watery cervical mucus

As the estrogen levels pick and ovulation nears the amount of cervical mucus increases. 

The consistency is watery, and you feel like you are wetting your panties. 

Profuse watery mucus is because of estrogen peak before ovulation.

4) Egg white cervical mucus stage

The most reliable indicator of ovulation is the Egg White Cervical Mucus or the EWCM. 

It is stringy, white and semi-transparent vaginal discharge during ovulation. 

One can use fingers to withdraw some amount and stretch it between fingers. As it forms strings, it indicates that most fertile during this period.

5) Creamy cervical mucus

Creamy cervical mucus after ovulation is not stringy. It is a sign that your fertility window period is over. 

Creamy cervical mucus is because the egg cyst is releasing a lot of progesterone hormone. 

This hormone makes the discharge thick and creamy. The water content of cervical mucus goes on reducing as period approaches.

The amount of cervical discharge before period also dramatically reduces.

6) Cervical mucus before period

The cervical mucus immediately before the period is thick and gooey. 

It is like a cheesy mass. If it has a smell or color, then you need to consult a doctor.

If you see blood in your cervical mucus before period, then you may be having some internal problem. 

Taking birth control pills or getting an IUD changes the kind of discharge to prevent pregnancy.

Stages of cervical mucus between menses

1. The follicular stage of the ovary where the next egg begins maturation overlaps the period. During this stage, the cervical mucus is dense and doesn’t allow any sperm to pass through it. Though you may consider it unnecessary from the point of view of contraception, but this indicates your fertility stage. The cervical mucus helps in removing the exfoliated cells during menses. The other function during this time is to prevent any infections due to the bloody discharge. Blood invites many microbes, and the constant wetness is ideal for their growth. The cervical mucus regulates the good bacteria and prevents any harmful growth.
2. During ovulation, the cervical mucus glands increase their functioning. The main function of this stage is promoting fertilization. The increased cervical mucus is a sign of fertility. It allows penetrative sex for delivering the sperms inside. The mucus helps sperms travel up to the tubes.
3. Following this is the luteal phase that maintains the walls of the uterus. This is for the possibility of pregnancy that may happen if fertilization was successful. During this phase the cervical mucus becomes creamy.
4. Cervical mucus before the period is thick and can be a sign that pregnancy did not occur. The body prepares for shedding the lining of the uterus.

Serious causes of cervical mucus before period

Cervical mucus by itself can never be a problem. The absence of cervical mucus creates problems such as uncomfortable intercourse.

You need a lot of lubrication for smooth intercourse. Reduced amount of discharge prevents attainment of sexual pleasure.

If you have blood in cervical mucus, then you may be having some serious problems. Blood in cervical mucus, even when asymptomatic needs medical attention.

Serious causes of cervical mucus before a period may be when it has a bad odor.

The gooey or cheesy texture of discharge is not normal. 

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