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Planning is really important, especially when it relates to childbirth. It requires great and adequate preparation on the part of the parent. Thankfully, family planning provides a great means to plan and prepare for the coming of a new child and also to prevent unplanned pregnancy.

Family planning methods are of great health importance in every society. However, it is super important to have a solid understanding of the benefits and possible disadvantages of any family planning method.

This article will help you understand what family planning is; the types of family planning methods available, and the advantages or disadvantages of family planning.

What does family planning mean?

The primary goal of family planning is to prevent unplanned pregnancies. Family planning entails the different methods by which pregnancy is prevented. It can be through sexual practices, use of barriers, drugs, devices, or even surgical procedures.  In short, we can say that any act, practice, or device that prevents a woman from getting pregnant is a contraceptive.

Family planning does not just prevent a woman from getting pregnant, it also considers the health status of the woman and her readiness to start a family. Furthermore, family planning can be used to space pregnancies. that is you can space pregnancies A and B with effective family planning methods.

Types of family planning methods

There are different types of family planning methods. Thankfully, these methods can be placed into two broad groups:

• Natural or traditional methods: This includes knowing your calendar and having sex during your safe period. It also includes the withdrawal method. In the withdrawal method, the man pulls out his penis from the woman’s vagina before ejaculating. However, the withdrawal method is largely ineffective and isn’t one of the top contraceptive options for males.
• Artificial or modern methods: There are several modern methods of contraceptives. They include the barrier methods (use of male and female condoms, cervical cap, and diaphragm); contraceptive pills, implants, and surgical methods.

Advantages of family planning

Reduces unsafe abortions from unintended or unplanned pregnancy.

Pregnancy is a great delight when you and your partner are ready for it.

A larger percentage of women who become pregnant without planning for it end up aborting the pregnancy. This is because either or both parties involved may not be ready for it at the moment or may not have the capacity to shoulder the responsibility of a new child.

Thankfully, family planning helps to reduce this by ensuring that the woman tries to be pregnant when the family is ready for a new addition.

Reduces maternal morbidity and mortality.

Family planning prevents unintended pregnancies, thereby reducing maternal mortality and morbidity. It allows spacing of pregnancies and delaying of pregnancies in young girls who are at an increased risk of health problems that may arise from early childbearing. Furthermore, it protects older women from pregnancy-related health risks.

It helps to limit the size of the family.

Family planning helps couples who wish to limit the number of their family do so. It also helps them space the birthing period for as long as they want.

Reduces newborn and infant mortality.

Some of the world’s highest infant mortality rates are caused by closely spaced and ill-timed pregnancies and birth. With effective family planning, this issue can be controlled.

Reduces adolescent pregnancies.

Adolescents who become pregnant are at risk of preterm and low birth weight babies. They also have a higher rate of neonatal mortality. These and other adolescent pregnancy-related issues can be reduced with proper family planning. Also, preventing unintended pregnancy in adolescents helps to improve their sexual and reproductive health and also their social and economic wellbeing.

Disadvantages of family planning

Cost

The cost of family planning depends on which method you are going for. The cost of maintaining some family planning methods is high. The methods that are not permanent need to be replaced daily or monthly, e.g. contraceptive pills. The cost of getting the very effective ones like intrauterine devices (IUD) is very expensive. In fact, if you don’t have insurance, you may not be able to get one.

To solve this problem, certain contraceptive and family planning options have now become completely free in government hospitals in some countries like Nigeria.

Irreversibility

The surgical family planning methods (hysterectomy, tubal ligation, and vasectomy) are irreversible. This means that if you change your mind in the future about having babies, you may not be able to be pregnant again. There are no means of reversing the effect once you opt for them.

Side Effects

Many women who opt for contraceptive pills are at risk of many side effects including breast tenderness, depression, headache or migraine, irregular bleeding, nausea, change in appetite, weight gain, hair loss, or increased hair on the face or body, change in sexual desire and vaginal irritation.

Some of the pills can also put women at risk of certain cancers. A common side effect of most family planning procedures is pain. The convenience of consistently using birth control pills is also a problem.

Risk of failure

Some of the family planning methods are not a hundred percent effective. Certain studies show that a woman may still get pregnant after using a contraceptive or family planning method. In fact, women who use contraceptive pills can still become pregnant if they skip the pills for one day.

No protection against HIV and STDs.

Most family planning methods do not provide protection against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). As a result, people still require protection from sexually-related diseases in addition to protection from unwanted pregnancies.

Conclusion

The use of contraception is very important and useful in every society. Of course, your choice of a family planning option would go a long way in maintaining your sexual and reproductive health. Thankfully, your doctors and healthcare providers are always available to guide you to the right option for you and your partner. 

Menopause is a normal and natural stage in the life of a woman. It is the period during which menstruation stops. At this stage, there is also a slow decline in the body’s reproductive hormone levels, leading to an imbalance between these hormones. As a result, women at this stage experience the various symptoms of menopause. Thankfully, this article contains 12 of the best menopause tea options to deal with these symptoms.

Perimenopause is the period before menopause. It is accompanied by symptoms such as hot flashes, vaginal bleeding and dryness, mood changes, loss of hair, anxiety, difficulty in sleeping, weight gain, and some others. Eventually, most of these symptoms tend to subside during actual menopause.

There are natural ways to ease some of the menopause symptoms. One of such ways is making and taking the right tea. This article provides you with 12 of the best teas to relieve those stressful menopause symptoms.

Do Teas Relieve Menopause Symptoms?

The efficacy of teas in helping to relieve menopause symptoms has not been extensively studied. From the few studies available, experts agree that certain teas can relieve menopause symptoms while others are unable to.

As a result, it is very important to consult with your doctor before selecting a tea brand to treat your menopause symptoms.

12 Best menopause Teas For You

As we mentioned earlier, tea can be an effective natural remedy for various menopausal symptoms. In fact, tea is a relatively healthy and less expensive option for relieving those symptoms.

Some of the best tea options to choose from include:

1. Red clover tea

Red clover treats hot flashes and night sweats during menopause. In addition, studies show that it contains ingredients that manage postpartum hypertension, improve bone strength, and boost immunity.

Furthermore, Red Clover Tea contains isoflavones (particularly phytoestrogens), a compound that is structurally similar to estrogen, hence, its effectiveness in helping to relieve menopause symptoms. Nonetheless, experts are still waiting on the result of more scientific studies to properly identify the side effects of this seemingly important tea option.

2. Valerian Root Tea

Some studies have suggested that valerian root tea can be useful in helping to relieve menopausal symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, stress, headaches, and hot flashes.

However, pregnant women and breastfeeding moms should completely avoid the valerian root tea during this stage of their lives. It is also important to avoid combining this tea with alcohol or using it for a very long time.

3. Black Cohosh Root Tea

This is one of the most studied herbs. Research has found that black cohost root can help relieve hot flashes, insomnia, and vaginal dryness associated due to menopause. In addition, this article contains the best lubricants to use for menopause dryness.

However, there’s a need to conduct more research to ascertain the safety and efficacy of this tea option. Based on current studies, the side effects are mild and often related to the gastrointestinal system. As it is with the valerian root tea, pregnant women, hypertensive patients, and people with liver problems should completely avoid this tea option.

4. Ginseng tea

Ginseng also reduces various menopause symptoms. This tea can help reduce the occurrence and the severity of hot flashes and night sweats. Furthermore, it also increases sexual arousal and may improve the quality of sex in menopausal women.

Some of the side effects of ginseng tea include headaches, nervousness, and jitteriness.

5. Sage tea

Recent research shows that sage extract improves concentration, and reduces hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, and panic in menopausal women, although the focus was on a really small population.

6. Dong Quai Tea

Dong Quai tea helps balance and regulate estrogen levels in the body of women starting menopause. Furthermore, this tea option reduces cramps associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and also ease pelvic pain in menopausal women.

Furthermore, this tea is not suitable for women preparing for surgery.

7. Licorice Tea

Licorice tea also reduces the frequency and severity of hot flashes in menopausal women because it contains many active ingredients like isoflavonoids, steroids, and terpenes.

It also has some estrogen-like effects and may be effective in improving respiratory health and reducing overall stress. However, studies also shows that licorice tea may have some adverse effects when combined with other drugs. Therefore, it is important to consult with your doctor to get the right menopause tea option.

8. Ginkgo Biloba Tea

This tea contains phytoestrogens and increases estrogen levels and solves hormonal imbalances in menopausal women. It is also useful in cases of low libido in menopausal women. Furthermore, it can also improve PMS symptoms and ease mood swings.

On the other hand, Ginkgo biloba may interfere with blood clotting in certain people. Some other side effects include headaches, gastrointestinal problems and allergic reactions.

9. Chasteberry Tree Tea

Drinking chasteberry tree tea can reduce breast pain during menopause and hot flashes in menopausal women. It contains progesterone which helps to maintain a healthy balance between fluctuating levels of estrogen and progesterone in this period.

Women who are using hormones for birth control or hormone replacement should not take chasteberry. Also, patients with hormone-sensitive diseases such as breast cancer should avoid it. In addition, women on antipsychotic medications or medications for Parkinson’s disease should also not drink chasteberry tea.

10. St. John’s Wort Tea

St. John’s wort tea may be useful to treat menopause symptoms, however, there’s still a need for further research on its effectiveness. In addition, this tea may be useful in treating inflammation and certain nervous disorders.

11. Red raspberry Leaf Tea

This tea lessens the heavy menstrual flow that accompanies the onset of perimenopause. It is considered safe to drink during the transition from perimenopause to menopause.

12. Fennel tea

Fennel is a member of the carrot family and also has some anti-inflammatory properties. This tea can help menopausal women in managing problems with sleep, sex, depression, and anxiety.

A Final Note From Edie & Amy

Menopause is a natural and normal stage in every woman’s life, although it may come with some symptoms that may negatively affect an individual’s health. Most of the scientific research done on menopausal teas is inconsistent and incomplete. Therefore, you’ve got to be really careful with every decision regarding menopause tea.

Also, due to the way these menopause tea options interact with the body and with other drugs, you should not use them unless you have discussed them with your doctors. This helps to reduce side effects and prevent damage to the health.

Most women feel quite uncomfortable when their periods come visiting each month. They wait patiently for the last drop of blood each month and eagerly anticipate returning to their “normal” life. The uncomfortable feeling most women have is not just the blood flowing out of them, but the symptoms that accompany their menstrual cycle. Rather than tow the usual path, this article contains 10 unknown menopause symptoms to note.

Good enough, the menstrual cycle will not last for the entirety of a woman’s life. It gets to a stage where the blood stops flowing, and this is for good! You won’t get to menstruate every month again as you used to when you attained puberty. That stage is called menopause!

What is menopause? What causes menopause? How can you identify the common symptoms associated with menopause? Are there symptoms that are unknown? You’ll find answers to these questions as you read through this article.

Don’t stop reading.

What Is Menopause?

Menopause is that period of time when a woman comes to the end of her menstrual cycles. Medically, menopause is defined as when you go twelve months without seeing your period. It also refers to the series of changes a woman goes through just before or after she stops seeing her period. When a woman attains menopause, she has come to the end of her reproductive years.

What Causes Menopause?

When a woman is born, she is born with all of her eggs (ova) which are stored in her ovaries. The ovaries produce the hormones, estrogen, and progesterone. These hormones control the release of eggs, which results in ovulation and the period, known as menstruation. When a woman is no longer releasing eggs every month or has released all the eggs she has, she is said to have attained menopause.

Menopause happens as a normal aging process of a woman. Most women reach menopause after the age of 40, but some women reach menopause earlier than expected. This is called premature menopause and may be due to factors such as surgeries as in cases of hysterectomy or damage to the ovaries during other surgical procedures. The adverse effect of chemotherapy can also cause damage to the ovaries. Trauma to the ovaries is also a possible factor.

Furthermore, menopause can come with some really obvious signs like fibroids, breast pain, or even abdominal pain.

Common Menopause Symptoms

Some common symptoms of menopause include:

• Missed or uneven periods
• Hot flashes
• Sore breasts
• Dryness of the vagina
• Increased frequency of urination
• Emotional changes
• Depression
• Headaches
• Unending fatigue
• Change in libido
• Increase in body weight

10 Unknown Menopause Symptoms

Despite the common symptoms of menopause listed above, there are still some symptoms that are unknown – when you experienced them, you most likely didn’t know that it was menopause knocking.

Your body begins to undergo some changes in preparation for menopause years before you actually attain menopause. This period is known as perimenopause. At this time, periods become irregular and some other emotional and physical changes step in.

Some of the less-known symptoms of menopause include:

1. Vaginal pain

One of the common symptoms of menopause is vaginal dryness, but a less common or rather unknown one is vaginal pain. During menopause, the reduced level of estrogen can cause the vagina and tissue of the vulva to become thin and more susceptible to irritation and inflammation. This can lead to tearing and bleeding during sexual intercourse, causing pain and increasing the risk of infection.

2. Metallic taste in the mouth

This symptom is very rare, but some women still experience it. When this occurs, foods have different tastes in your mouth due to the varying level of estrogen in your body and this may leave a metallic taste in the mouth. Also, due to the hormone imbalance, your taste bud may become more sensitive to pain so a person may have burning or painful sensation in the tongue, lips, gums or other parts of the mouth.

3. Insomnia

This is one of the unknown symptoms of menopause. Many women who have reached menopause have trouble sleeping. It is caused as a result of low levels of estrogen, hence, the temperature control in the brain has problems functioning. This can lead to episodes of hot flashes and then being unable to go back to sleep again.

4. Memory and cognitive issues

Menopause has some effect on language skills and some other functions related to memory. As the level of estrogen in your body decreases due to menopause, you may have difficulty remembering new information or retrieving the old ones you already have.

This issue with memory may also be a result of insomnia that often accompanies menopause. It can be quite difficult to concentrate when you’re tired and stressed out. Some women may also find it difficult to perform some cognitive functions such as making decisions, paying attention, problem-solving and abstract thinking.

During pregnancy, this particular symptom is referred to as a pregnancy brain.

5. Body odor

When the level of estrogen in the body drops, the hypothalamus gets the information that you’re overheated and this causes you to sweat profusely. This can result in an unpleasant body odor. You can prevent this by following a healthy diet and using a stronger deodorant with an antiperspirant.

6. Loss of breast fullness

Due to the changing estrogen levels, you may notice that your breasts are no longer as full as they used to be or that your bras seem to be a bit looser.

Read this article to know all about breast tenderness during menopause

7. Dry and itchy skin

Estrogen is needed for skin elasticity. Now that your ovaries are not producing as much estrogen during menopause as before, what happens? Your skin begins to feel dry, tight, and itchy. This is more obvious at night when you’re sleeping. You can prevent this by using thicker and greasier moisturizer.

In addition, you can try out coconut oil and other great skin products.

8. Dry and brittle nails

Once you reach menopause, you may notice that your nails seem to be drier and more brittle than before. This is because the low level of estrogen in your body system makes it a little more difficult for your skin to retain moisture.

9. Feeling of light-headedness

This is not a popular symptom of menopause, however, it may occur when the hormone levels in the body drop. It can come and go at any time and may be associated with dizziness, nausea, spinning, or a woozy feeling.

10. Thin hair

As you go through menopause, it is possible that your hair gets thinner. This is also attributable to your estrogen level dropping. Also, since your skin becomes drier due to the same reason, your scalp may also be dry too.

Conclusion

Here’s the fact: It is not all bad news.

The truth is, many women around the world feel the same way you do right now. In fact, you won’t be wrong to blame most symptoms associated with menopause on the low level of estrogen in the body. These symptoms can be managed appropriately when you consult your health care provider.

Abdominal cramping is a thing that most women share a common disdain for. The pain and discomfort that follows abdominal pain is not pleasant for anybody to bear. Unfortunately for most women, abdominal cramping is something that is inevitable because it is normally associated with their periods. Sometimes, women may experience abdominal pain after menopause. In some cases, ovulation also comes with its own type of abdominal cramps.

Many women express relief when they approach menopause because they expect that the dreadful abdominal pain that accompanies periods will finally be gone. Imagine the disappointment when they discover that abdominal cramps may still occur even after they reach menopause.

Yes, abdominal pain may happen after menopause due to many reasons. Sometimes, it is a normal response of your body as it transitions into menopause. In some other cases, it might be due to something else entirely.

This post will let you know all you need to about post-menopausal abdominal cramping; when you should be concerned about it, and possible treatment options for it.

Before talking about abdominal pain after menopause, it is imperative that you understand what menopause is.

Let’s dive in!

What Exactly Is Menopause?

Menopause is a natural event that marks the end of a woman’s menstrual cycles. In short, it is the period when a woman stops having her periods. You should note that you can only be said to have reached menopause if you haven’t had your period in 12 consecutive months.

Menopause is not an event that happens abruptly. This means that you don’t just stop having your periods suddenly. There are progressive events that lead up to the onset of menopause. The period of time leading up to menopause is referred to as “perimenopause”.

Perimenopause is that period when your hormone levels start to fall with a significant decline in the production of estrogen and progesterone. It can also be characterized by fluctuating hormonal levels.

Abdominal and pelvic pain are some of the symptoms you experience due to falling and changing hormone levels. Normally, this type of abdominal pain resolves on its own over time, especially after menopause. However, if it does not, then you should consider other possibilities that might be responsible for your abdominal pain.

Possible Causes of Abdominal Pain After Menopause

If you are still experiencing abdominal cramping after menopause, then you should consider the following possibilities as the reason for abdominal pain. At this point, we really advise speaking with your doctor for proper guidance.

1. Gastro-intestinal diseases/infections

Problems with any part of your gastrointestinal tract can produce abdominal pain or cramping as symptoms. Usually, the pain comes in the lower abdomen. Examples of GI problems that may cause abdominal pain include: food poisoning, diarrhea, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and so on.

2. Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue that normally lines the inside of the uterus grows outside of it.

The tissue still thickens and bleeds as it would inside the uterus even though it is found outside of it.

Previously, endometriosis was thought to affect only women of childbearing age. However recent research has shown that about 2-5% of post-menopausal women experience endometriosis.

Endometriosis after menopause usually presents with lower abdominal pain, intestinal distress, and ovarian cysts.

3. Fibroids

Fibroids are small, benign(non-cancerous) growths that develop in or around the uterus. In addition, fibroids can cause abdominal or pelvic pressure/pain. Fibroids are more common before menopause, and they usually shrink or go away by the time a woman reaches menopause. They however persist after menopause in some cases.

Read this post to learn more about fibroids after menopause.

4. Ovarian cysts

Ovarian cysts are small fluid filled sacs that can develop on your ovaries.

In most cases, ovarian cysts don’t usually cause any symptoms and eventually go away on their own. However, they may sometimes bleed, twist or burst open. When this happens, it can cause serious abdominal pain. This may happen before, during, and after menopause.

5. Cancer

Cancer of the ovary and uterus, as well as bowel cancer can cause abdominal pain. If you have other symptoms, then you should see your doctor. If any of the following symptoms accompany abdominal pain, then it may be a sign of cancer.

1. Weight loss
2. Nausea or vomiting
3. Blood in faeces
4. Abdominal swelling or bloating
5. Vaginal bleeding
6. Fatigue
7. Painful sex

6. Pelvic floor prolapse

As you grow older, the muscles that make up your pelvic floor become weaker. Your pelvic floor is a collection of muscles that supports your pelvic organs and helps to control your bladder and bowels.

When the pelvic floor muscles become weak, it can cause one or more of your pelvic organs to drop down (prolapse). This will lead to pain or discomfort in the lower abdomen and pelvis.

7. Vaginal atrophy

Vaginal atrophy is a condition where the walls of the vagina become thinner, drier, itchy, and inflamed. This occurs due to the reduced estrogen levels during menopause. Estrogen is responsible for the maintenance of the vaginal walls.

Vaginal atrophy may cause the vaginal canal to become narrow and can cause sexual intercourse to be painful.

Also, lower estrogen levels may cause the lining of your bladder and urethra to become thinner. This increases your risk of having Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs).

All these may manifest as pelvic pain or discomfort.

Treatment of Abdominal Pain After Menopause

Your treatment options will be based on what is causing your abdominal pain. Talk to your doctor to ascertain the cause of your abdominal pain.

Abdominal pain diagnosis mostly involves a pelvic examination among other tests. Once your doctor has confirmed the cause of abdominal pain, you will be placed on a treatment plan suitable for you.

Conclusion

Abdominal cramps after menopause in some cases are nothing to worry about. You might still experience some menstrual symptoms after menopause. In some other cases, it could be an indication that something is wrong.

This is why you should contact your doctor if you have any concerns or if you develop other symptoms alongside abdominal pain.

For most women after menopause, the word “fibroid” comes with fear and a lot of questions. If you’re just as concerned, you’re at the right spot. Fibroids are small benign tumors that are commonly found in women of childbearing age. They develop in the wall of a woman’s uterus as small tumors or growth.

Most times, fibroids are also referred to as myomas or leiomyomas. While fibroids generally come with a level of discomfort and pain, they are usually non-cancerous or dangerous.
According to research, fibroids will affect up to 80% of women at some point in their lifetime, with black women being at higher risk.

This post will help you learn more about fibroids and their correlation to menopause.

Fibroids & Menopause

The development of fibroids is closely related to hormonal fluctuations in a woman of childbearing age. This explains why there is a significant decrease in the occurrence of fibroids after menopause. In fact, hormones like estrogen and progesterone contribute to the growth of fibroids.

During and after menopause (tender breasts or not), your body produces less estrogen and progesterone. As a result, the risk of developing new fibroids decreases. Also, preexisting fibroid tissues shrink and eventually die off due to a drop in hormone levels.

Typically, the risk for developing fibroids and the symptoms that accompany fibroids reduce after menopause. However, this is not always the case for all women. Some women have persisting fibroids that continue to grow even after menopause.

What Are The Risk Factors?

Certain factors increase a woman’s chances of developing fibroids. These include:

• High blood pressure
• Low vitamin levels
• Family history of fibroids
• No history of pregnancy
• High stress levels
• Obesity
• Age (30 years or older). Read our article on advanced maternal age.
• Race (black women are at higher risk of developing fibroids)
• There are also factors that may lower the risk of fibroids. They are:
• Pregnancy (the risk decreases as the number of pregnancies increases)
• Long term use of oral or injectable contraceptives

Symptoms of Fibroids

Fibroids can affect both premenopausal and postmenopausal women, although the symptoms are generally more severe in premenopausal women. Regardless of the age when they occur and the size of the fibroid, the symptoms of fibroids include:

• Enlarged abdomen
• Heavy bleeding between periods
• Increased menstrual cramping
• Pain during sex
• Increased urination
• Low back pain
• Feeling of pain in the pelvis
• Anemia from loss of blood
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Headaches
• Urine leakage

Nevertheless, it is important to note that in about 50% of women that have fibroids, there are no symptoms. The condition is only diagnosed during a routine visit to the gynecologist and a pelvic examination is carried out.

Treatment of Postmenopausal Fibroids

Before menopause, fibroids are not usually a cause for alarm. Many women choose not to undergo any treatment for fibroids because of their tendency to shrink and naturally disappear after menopause.
However, in women with severe symptoms, a range of treatment options might be necessary. A doctor will consider a number of factors before deciding on a suitable treatment plan.

Some of these factors are:
Size of the fibroid
Age of the woman
Degree of symptoms
Overall health status

Depending on these factors, the following are treatment options available for taking care of fibroids:

1. MEDICATIONS

Hormonal therapies

One possible way to manage symptoms such as pain and excessive bleeding is by the use of birth control pills. This is simply hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Other hormonal treatments include progestin injections and intrauterine devices (IUDs) that contain progestins.

You should note that these won’t shrink the fibroids or cause them to go away. However, they will reduce the pain and bleeding caused by fibroids.

Pain drugs

NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like ibuprofen and acetaminophen may help to relieve some of the pain associated with fibroids.

Iron supplements

The use of iron supplements or the consumption of food rich in iron can help prevent anemia due to excessive loss of blood in women with fibroids.

2. SURGERY

Sometimes, it’s best to surgically remove the fibroids. This may take different forms depending on how severe the case is. The following are the available surgery options available for the treatment of fibroids:

Myomectomy

This involves the surgical removal of fibroids without removing the uterus. It is usually considered before a hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus) is considered. A myectomy is the best option for women who plan to have children in the future.

However, if fibroids come back after a myomectomy, your doctor will recommend a hysterectomy given that you don’t plan on having children in the future.

Hysterectomy

If fibroids are recurring and present with severe symptoms, a hysterectomy may be considered the best option. It involves the surgical removal of parts or all of the uterus.
Hysterectomies may be recommended for women who:

• are close to menopause
• have very large fibroids
• have multiple fibroids
• are already past menopause
• want the most definitive treatments
• have no plans for childbearing in the future

3. Non/Minimally Invasive Procedures

Myolysis

This procedure involves the destruction of fibroids and their blood vessels with heat or an electric current. A doctor inserts a needle into the fibroid and destroys the fibroid tissue with an electric current or heat/freezing mechanism.

Endometrial ablation

This involves the removal or destruction of a woman’s endometrial lining in order to control the symptoms of fibroid. Methods like heat, hot water, electric current, or extreme cold can be used to destroy the lining of the uterus.

Uterine artery embolization (UAE)

This involves blockage of the blood vessels that supply the fibroids. A surgeon inserts sand-like particles into the artery that supplies the fibroid and this blocks blood supply to the artery. This will prevent nutrients from reaching the fibroid and eventually, the fibroid will shrink.

In Conclusion,

Fibroids are very common in premenopausal women, but can also be developed during or after menopause. Most times, fibroids will shrink and not cause symptoms after menopause. However, it is best to speak to your healthcare provider if you are worried about the possibility of developing fibroids or if your symptoms are severe. Furthermore, a doctor can officially diagnose a fibroid and offer treatment advice or options that are specific to your situation.

Did you notice that your toddler is having to go to the bathroom more often than usual? Is he/she passing out loose and watery stool? If the answer is yes, then your toddler might be suffering from toddlers’ diarrhea.

Don’t fret, diarrhea usually is not a cause for alarm. In fact, healthy children often have non-specific diarrhea at one point or another during childhood. Furthermore, clinical studies show that this common problem in toddlers is not due to any underlying health issues.

In most cases, toddlers’ diarrhea goes away after two days. However, in an instance that your toddler’s diarrhea lasts more than 2 days, it may be a sign of a more serious problem.

In this post, you’ll learn about diarrhea and how to take care of it when it happens.

Let’s get to it!

First, What Is Diarrhea?

Most times, diarrhea is the body’s way of getting rid of germs and unwanted substances. It is characterized by loose, watery stools that occur more frequently than normal.

Sometimes, diarrhea may even come with fever, nausea, vomiting, dehydration, or even rashes.

Toddler’s diarrhea is not a serious problem and it usually resolves on its own after a few days. In other severe cases, it doesn’t go away on its own and it could be a sign of an underlying disease.

Types of Diarrhea

Depending on the duration it takes for diarrhea to resolve, it can be primarily classified into two groups:

1. Acute diarrhea

This type lasts for about 2 days and goes away on its own. It is primarily caused by ingestion of food or water that has been contaminated by bacteria. However, acute diarrhea in toddlers may also result from a viral infection.

2. Chronic diarrhea

On the other hand, chronic diarrhea lasts for a few weeks and is usually a sign of another health problem or disease condition. A classic example of such a disease is irritable bowel syndrome.

What Are The Symptoms of Toddlers’ Diarrhea?

Children affected by toddlers’ diarrhea develop three or more watery stools per day. This is the most obvious symptom. In addition, diarrhea may be accompanied by a level of abdominal pain, pale stool, or watery stool.

Apart from the classic symptoms of diarrhea, a healthy child doesn’t require further tests or treatment as most symptoms resolve on their own.

Here are the most common symptoms of diarrhea in toddlers:

1. Nausea
2. Swelling
3. Bloody stools
4. Dehydration
5. Incontinence
6. Weight loss

As we mentioned earlier, severe diarrhea may be a sign of a serious health problem. As a result, if your child’s symptoms do not clear off within a few days, please contact your doctor for a proper diagnosis.

What Causes Diarrhea In Children?

There are many reasons why a child can get diarrhea although the exact cause is not always clear. The most probable reason is an imbalance in the fluid content of the digestive tract. Normally, the intestines act to regulate the amount of food absorbed and excreted.

A slight increase in fluid left in the intestine may cause stools to be more frequent or watery than normal. Here are a few factors that can contribute to the imbalance:

1. Bacterial infection
2. Viral infection
3. Food intolerance may lead to the inability to digest certain food properly
4. Food allergy
5. Intestinal bowel syndrome
6. Surgery on the stomach or gallbladder
7. Certain medications like laxatives or antibiotics
8. Food poisoning
9. Food that is high in sugar

What Are The Complications Of Diarrhea In Children

Acute diarrhea can be harmless. However, with chronic diarrhea, the greatest complication is dehydration. Dehydration is a situation where the body lacks enough water. Children with weakened immune systems are more prone to this.

Dehydration may be mild, moderate, or severe. Mild dehydration does not have life-threatening effects. On the other hand, moderate and severe dehydration may be life-threatening as it places stress on the lungs and heart.

Signs of dehydration include:

• Excessive thirst
• vomiting
• tiredness
• fever
• dark urine
• dizziness
• dry mouth

How To Treat Diarrhea In Children

If the child has acute diarrhea which is represented by mild symptoms, there is no particular treatment required. The disease will resolve on its own. However, treatment often depends on how severe the condition is or the cause of diarrhea.

In a lot of cases, treatment involves primarily replacing lost fluids. This can be done by giving glucose-electrolyte solutions to affected children. In other cases, such as when a bacterial infection is the cause of diarrhea, antibiotics may be prescribed.

How To Prevent Diarrhea

The following tips are helpful in preventing the spread of diarrhea.

1. Proper handwashing habits in other to reduce the spread of bacteria that may cause diarrhea.
2. Ensure that your child’s drinks and food are safe for consumption.
3. A rotavirus vaccine can prevent diarrhea caused by rotaviruses.
4. Avoid food with high sugar content.
5. Incorporate healthy fats such as nuts, nut butters, eggs, and dairy fat into your child’s diet.

Conclusion

Diarrhea is most times not a cause for alarm but you should inform your doctor if you suspect that your child has chronic diarrhea. Remember, chronic diarrhea may have life-threatening complications if not treated on time. Otherwise, the symptoms of diarrhea are usually clear on their own and are not life-threatening.

Your baby is going to be just fine.