Stopped or Missing Periods ?

It is not uncommon to occasionally miss a period, or for periods to become irregular from time to time. Under some circumstances, periods can even stop altogether. Sometimes these irregularities are due to normal changes, and are not cause for concern. There are many reasons why women may miss her period.

Most women have a period every 28 days or so, but it’s common to have a slightly shorter or longer cycle than this (from 21 to 40 days). Some women do not always have a regular menstrual cycle. Their period may be earlier or late, and how long it lasts and how heavy it is may vary each time. There are a number of changes that happen in the female life cycle that can result in a skipped period. All of these are normal reasons to miss a period and are not cause for concern. The most common reasons are:

• Pregnancy and Breast feeding
• Hormonal changes
• Stress
• Being overweight
• Sudden weight loss
• Doing too much exercise
• Taking the contraceptive pill
• The menopause
• Poly cystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Some underlying medical conditions.

In this blog, I’m mentioning mainly about relation between obesity and missed periods.

Obese women often have abnormal menstrual cycles. Sometimes periods can be very heavy and painful – causing frequent trips to the restroom, embarrassing leaks, and missed work and recreational activities. Obesity can cause irregular periods that are unpredictable, catching women unprepared at inopportune times.

Being overweight can also affect your menstrual cycle. If you're overweight, your body may produce an excess amount of estrogen, one of the hormones that regulate the reproductive system in women.

Excess estrogen can affect how often you have periods, and can also cause your periods to stop.

Also if you are overweight, you are more prone to get PCOD/PCOS which in turn can lead to menstrual problems.

Please note that stress is also one of the major causes for missed periods. Do not panic. Wait for another month or two. Sometimes it happens and resolved on its own.

Make sure you get into your healthy weight even before starting with any menstrual complaints. One more important thing is make sure you follow healthy diet because; here you are already suffering enough. This is not the time to go for crash diets as it can lead to further health conditions.

While the impact that obesity has on your menstrual health is undeniable, it is important to understand that it is also well within your control and you can reverse it.

If you've skipped a period, try to relax. Restoring your life to emotional and physical balance can help. Many women miss periods now and then. Unless you are pregnant, chances are your cycle will return to normal next month.

Topic suggestions for next blogs are welcome in the comment section. Stay tuned to my blog.

Vegan Diet For Healthier Life Style !

If you invite a dinner guest who's a vegan, you'll want to check your menu carefully to make sure it follows two basic rules. Foods from plants are OK, but foods from animals are off limits, including common ingredients like eggs, cheese, milk, and honey.

Many Indians follow a vegan diet. Their reasons for eating this way vary. Some vegans do it to improve their health. A plant-based diet could lower the risk for certain diseases. Others stay away from meat because they don't want to harm animals or because they want to protect the environment.

If you've thought about trying a vegan diet, you might wonder if this way of eating is right for you. Although you can get some real benefits from going meatless, there are a few challenges, too.

What You Can Eat

On a vegan diet, you can eat foods made from plants, including:

• Fruits and vegetables
• Legumes such as peas, beans, and lentils
• Nuts and seeds
• Breads, rice, and pasta
• Dairy alternatives such as soy milk, coconut milk, and almond milk
• Vegetable oils

What You Can't Eat

• Beef, pork, lamb, and other red meat
• Chicken, duck, and other poultry
• Fish or shellfish such as crabs, clams, and mussels
•  Eggs
• Cheese, butter
• Milk, cream, ice cream, and other dairy products
• Mayonnaise (because it includes egg yolks)
• Honey
  

Health Benefits:

Vegans have better heart health and lower odds of having certain diseases. Those who skip meat have less of a chance of becoming obese or getting heart disease, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. Vegans are also less likely to get diabetes and some kinds of cancer, especially cancers of the GI tract and the breast, ovaries, and uterus in women.

Going vegan might even help you live longer, especially if you also cut down on your daily calories.

Better weight control may be one reason for all of these health benefits. Vegans have a lower body mass index (BMI) than people who eat animal-based products.

Good nutrition is another perk. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts are staples of the vegan diet. These foods are rich in fiber, antioxidants, and compounds that help protect against diseases like diabetes and cancer.

Risks

A vegan diet is healthy overall, but avoiding animal protein can shortchange you on a few nutrients, like protein, calcium, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, and vitamin B12. You need protein to power all the chemical reactions in your body. Calcium strengthens your bones and teeth. Omega-3 fatty acids keep your cells healthy and protect your heart by shielding against heart disease and stroke. These nutrients are especially important for children's growing bodies and for pregnant women.

You can find substitutes for most of these essential nutrients in plant-based foods like:

• Protein: nuts, soy, beans, quinoa
• Calcium: soy milk, fortified orange juice, tofu with calcium, broccoli, kale, almonds
• Omega-3 fatty acids: flax seeds, vegetable oils, plant-based supplements
• Iron: tofu, soy nuts, spinach, peanut butter, fortified cereals

One nutrient that's impossible to get from plant sources alone is vitamin B12, which your body uses to make red blood cells and DNA. You'll only find B12 in animal products. If you go vegan, you may need a supplement to make up for what you don't get from your diet.

Keep in mind that a vegan diet is only as healthy as you make it. Products like "vegan" ice cream, cookies, and candy are tempting, but you don't want to overdo. If you eat high-fat and processed foods and supersize your portions, you'll gain weight and might end up with many of the same health problems.

Your doctor or a dietitian can help you choose the right foods as you start a vegan diet. It's very important to get help from an expert if you have a long-term condition or you're pregnant, to make sure you get the right mix of nutrients in your new eating plan.