The Period ‘P’eeve

If you miss your period or notice that there is any change in the flow pattern – its time you keep your hormones in check!

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS

is a condition that is caused by hormonal imbalance that could make losing weight troublesome, irritate your skin and scalp and sometimes leave you confused and anxious for no reason. If you notice unusual hair growth on the face or body – know that it can be taken care of.

WHAT CAUSES PCOS?

While there are no defined reasons for what causes PCOS, it is generally believed that lifestyle factors and genetics contribute to the development of PCOS. The majority of women and girls who have PCOS also havewhat is known as insulin resistance, which occurs when the body struggles to regulate the blood glucose levels. High levels of insulin can also increase the production of the male hormones including testosterone from the ovary. This, in turn, results in symptoms suchas excessive hair and acne.

Insulin resistance can be caused by either genetic factors or lifestyle factors (such as being overweight) or it can be due to a combination of both.

Bye Bye PCOS

A lot of girls face the PCOS effects and manage these by adopting healthy lifestyle changes like nutritional diet, maintaining healthy weight by limiting carbs and having an active daily regime.

You are what you believe – so believe in your inner strength and know that with the help and support of your loved ones and doctors, PCOS can be shooed away with ease.

Urinary Tract Infections (UTI)

The reason why doctors, professional experts and elders emphasize on the need to maintain complete hygiene and care while you are on your periods is to protect yourself from UTI. Here, the external bacteria enter the urinary tract which then grows and causes infections in kidneys, bladder and the urinary tract

Watch out for these signs

• Burning sensation while urinating

• Passing frequent, small amounts of urine, with a strong persistent urge to urinate all the time

• Pressure or pain in the lower back

• Cloudy urine or Urine that appears red or cola-colored

• Signs of blood in the urine

How can you prevent UTI?

• Urinate frequently

• Drink plenty of water and fluids

• Increase Vitamin C intake

• Avoid coffee and spicy foods

• Wear loose fitting clothes and underwear

Skin and hair – show them some love & care

With hundreds of brands advertising thousands of skin & hair care products and social influencers flooding our FB and insta feeds with these product reviews – it is certain that the demand for hair & skin care products, especially among the growing girls is rising by the day.

Ever wondered why?

While your hormones play flip flop games and your brain tricks you into thinking that cupcakes are a cure for all – your poor skin and hair cry silently for some care.

Periods could cause your scalp and skin to turn very oily due to the hormonal fluctuations resulting in dandruff, hair loss, skin sensitivity, acne, breakouts, dullness and …bleh! Yes – so take some time out for these friends of your’s.

Pamper your skin and hair

• You are what you eat – so eat right and feel right. Nutritious food & a well balanced diet helps in keeping your hormone levels in place and this results in healthy and glowing hair and skin.

• Consume sugar and carbs in appropriate amounts to avoid oily skin and scalp.

• Follow the right skin and hair care routine based on your skin type and never sleep with makeup on!

• Hydrate, hydrate and hydrate – water is your go-to glow tonic.

• Wash your face twice a day with a gel-based or foaming cleanser and Avoid harsh soaps and products containing alcohol to keep pimples at bay

WoMenstruate – know your period!

Menstruation, commonly referred to as periods is a part of normal physical development of a girl as she starts growing into a woman. The body undergoes a cycle of cleansing in the form of blood shedding, getting rid of tissue in the process.

How hormones start your period?

Hormones are chemical messengers that control your body functions. As you approach puberty, the brain’s pituitary glands produce hormones called estrogen and androgen that cause a lot of physical changes during puberty & monthly menstrual cycle.

What happens during your period phase?

The hormones cause the lining of the uterus (or womb) to build up. This gets the uterus ready for an egg (from the mom) and sperm (from the dad) to attach and grow into a baby. If the woman does not get pregnant, the lining breaks down and bleeds from the vagina.

How long does a period last for?

A period could last for anywhere from 2 to 10 days. The average is considered to be around 5 days. The menstrual cycle starts with the first day of the period and ends when the next period begins.

Track your menstrual cycle

To find out what's normal for you, keep a record of your menstrual cycle on a calendar. Begin by tracking your start date every month for several months in a row to identify the regularity of your periods.

Understanding the signs, understanding Pre- Menstrual Syndrome (PMS)

PMS is a combination of changes that many women get before or during their period and goes away after first few days of the period . Though the actual cause is unknown, researchers blame hormonal levels for PMS. Physicals signs like cramps, bloated tummy, hunger, headache, acne or emotional

changes like anxiety, depression, mood swings, change in sleep patterns, irritability, fatigue, emotional outbursts are hints that your period is on the way. Apart from these, forgetfulness and inability to concentrate are normal PMS indicators too.

Just like periods, PMS is natural. Balanced diet, exercise, adequate sleep, picking a hobby, managing stress better and keeping yourself positive can help you manage PMS effectively. Talking to your friends, family or consulting your gynae are the other ways to ensure that you don’t let PMS hinder your active and productive lifestyle.

Invest time for your hair, it’s the crown you never take off

Losing your hair due to aging is stressful enough, but for teenage girls, hair loss can be utterly devastating. There are several reasons for sudden increase in hair loss during your teenage years. One of the most common causes in young girls is due to their hormonal imbalance. Hair loss will continue until the hormone levels go back to normal. During this time the body needs extra support, good nutrition, vitamin supplementation, exercise, adequate sleep and ample relaxation. But nowadays, bad eating and sleeping habits wreak havoc on the hormonal system resulting in hormonal imbalances that can affect the entire system. These imbalances can disrupt the hair growth cycle, causing unhealthy hair growth, thinning and excessive shedding.

How can you manage hair loss

• Eat a well-balanced diet

• Eat more foods containing omega-3s.

• Wash and brush hair gently. Apply nourishing oils, such as argan or coconut oil.

• Limit heat styling and tight up-styles to certain days.

• Test for vitamin deficiencies, especially iron.

• Test for abnormal hormonal imbalances and work with a doctor to correct it..

• Reduce stress

• Stimulate the scalp with a massage.