What is amenorrhea?

Amenorrhea is the medical term for absent menses (no period). Missing a single period is not considered as amenorrhea although this should not occur in a healthy female unless there are short term disturbances. Amenorrhea is a total lack of menstruation that occurs for 6 months or more. There are two types of amenorrhea – primary and secondary amenorrhea.

Types of Amenorrhea

Primary amenorrhea is the lack of menstruation in a girl who is 16 years or older or if there are signs of puberty present for more than 2 years with no menses. This means that menarche (the onset of menstruation) has not occurred as yet under the the abovementioned conditions.

Secondary amenorrhea is when menses is absent for 6 consecutive months or more in a girl or woman who was previously menstruating. Pregnancy and menopause are two common causes that are not pathological but there are other causes that may be a result of minor or serious medical conditions.

continue reading Amenorrhea and Causes of Primary and Secondary Types

What Are Adhesions?

This article describes abdominal adhesions, bowel (intestinal) adhesions and pelvic adhesions.

Adhesions (Latin adhere= to stick, to hold tight) are abnormal bands of scar tissue that form between internal organs and glue them together. Normally, scar tissue is formed only within an injured area, as part of a healing process, but in case of adhesions, it also appears on adjacent surfaces and can connect them.

Abdominal adhesions mostly appear after abdominal surgery or inflammation, and pelvic adhesions after gynecological operations or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), mostly resulting from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Abdominal or pelvic adhesions may develop inside the intestine and uterus, or between surfaces of organs and abdominal membrane (peritoneum), thus pulling organs from their original positions, obstructing passage of food and blood supply, causing abdominal or pelvic pain, bloating, constipation, urinary retention, irregular menstrual bleeding or infertility.

Pictures of abdominal adhesions

continue reading Adhesions: Abdominal, Bowel, Pelvic – Symptoms, Treatment, Pictures

In breast augmentation surgery, silicone gel or saline-filled implants are used either to produce fuller breasts (breast enlargement) or restore breast volume after pregnancy or weight loss (breast enhancement). The decision to have breast augmentation surgery should be taken only after careful consideration of the risks and dangers associated with the surgery and the potential complications.

continue reading Complications of Breast Augmentation – Implants, Enhancement

What is Ovulation?

Ovulation is the release of a mature egg cell from the ovaries, marking the onset of the most fertile period in a woman’s cycle. The egg (also referred to as an oocyte or ovum) travels down the fallopian tube where it may be fertilized by a sperm. Identifying the most fertile period is important when planning conception.

Ovulation is controlled by two female hormones, known as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) which may be monitored in cases of infertility or difficulty in conceiving. A regular menstrual cycle lasts between 28 to 32 days although a cycle as short as 26 days or as long as 35 days is considered within the norm. Ovulation usually occurs approximately 14 to 16 days before the next period but this may vary depending on the length of the individual menstrual cycle. The most fertile period is considered to last approximately 3 to 4 days within the cycle starting a day or two before ovulation. If the egg cell is not fertilized within this time period, it is ‘discarded’.

continue reading Ovulation Schedule – Test, Calendar & Due Date Calculator

What is Hirsutism?

Hirsutism is the excessive growth of thick hair, particularly on areas of the body not commonly seen in women. The hair growth in hirsutism is typical of male hair growth patterns, affecting the face (moustache/mustache or beard), chest, abdomen or back. While most women may have fine hair on these parts of the body, in hirsutism, the type of hair growth is usually associated with androgenic hair growth (hair as a result of high levels of male hormones, androgens).

Excessive Body Hair in Women & Men

Hair growth and distribution may vary among different ethnic groups but thick female facial hair, the presence of a visible mustache or beard in women, are considered to be uncharacteristic of the female gender. Hair growth is primarily dependent on the sex hormones, androgens and estrogen. Androgens, like testosterone are usually responsible for thicker hair while the female sex hormones like estrogen are responsible for fine hair.

continue reading Causes of Female Facial Hair, Beard – Hirsutism in Women