Frequently Asked Questions

I am 41 years old. I am getting chest pain, leg and lower abdomen swelling before my periods? Why is it happening?

These are premenstrual symptoms or Premenstrual syndrome,. Syndrome means a group of symptoms. This problem is quiet common among women. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a group of symptoms linked to the menstrual cycle. PMS symptoms occur in the week or two weeks before your period (menstruation or monthly bleeding). The symptoms usually go away after your period starts. PMS can affect menstruating women of any age. It is also different for each woman. PMS may be just a monthly bother or it may be so severe that it makes it hard to even get through the day. Monthly periods stop during menopause bringing an end to PMS.

What causes PMS?

The causes of PMS are not clear. It is linked to the changing hormones during the menstrual cycle. Some women may be affected more than others by changing hormone levels during the menstrual cycle. Stress and emotional problems do not seem to cause PMS, but they may make it worse. Diagnosis of PMS is usually based on your symptoms, when they occur, and how much they affect your life.

What are the other symptoms of PMS?

PMS often includes both physical and emotional symptoms. Common symptoms are:

• breast swelling and tenderness
• feeling tired
• having trouble sleeping
• upset stomach, bloating constipation , or diarrhea
• headache or backache
• appetite changes or food cravings
• joint or muscle pain
• trouble concentrating or remembering
• tension, irritability, mood swings, or crying spells
• anxiety
• Depression

Symptoms vary from one woman to another. If you think you have PMS, keep track of which symptoms you have and how severe they are for a few months. This will help you address these symptoms systematically.

How common is PMS?

PMS is fairly common and occurs more often in women who:

• are between their late 20s and early 40s
• have at least one child
• have a family history of anxiety and depression
• have a past medical history of any mood disorder

What is the treatment for PMS?

Many things have been tried to ease the symptoms of PMS. No treatment works for every woman, so you may need to try different ones to see what works. If your PMS is not so bad that you need to see a doctor, some lifestyle changes may help you feel better. Below are some lifestyle changes that may help ease your symptoms.

• Take a multivitamin every day that includes 400 micrograms of folic acid. A calcium supplement with vitamin D can help keep bones strong and may help ease some PMS symptoms.

• Exercise regularly. Eat healthy foods, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
• Avoid salt, sugary foods, caffeine, and alcohol, especially when you are having PMS symptoms
• Get enough sleep. Try to get 8 hours of sleep each night.
• Find healthy ways to cope with stress.
• Talk to your friends, exercise, or write in a journal or magazine
• Don’t smoke.

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Which is the right age for a complete Well Women Check up? What are the major tests to be taken?

A well woman check is done to identify some illnesses or diseases that can occur in any woman with advancing age.If these diseases are discovered or diagnosed early they can be cured or controlled so that the person can lead a normal life. Some examples of such diseases among Indian women are Diabetes, cancer of cervix (mouth of the uterus), Breast cancer, Blood pressure, early heart disease, thyroid dysfunction etc. Anemia can occur at any age in women, but quite common after childbirth.

The appropriate age for the Well Woman Check up is 40 years. It should be done once every year and include tests like, Blood sugar, Thyroid function tests, pap smear, lipid ( fats)profile of the blood which includes cholesterol, ECG, Chest Xray, mammogram and a Stress ECG if there is family history of heart disease or blood pressure and diabetes. An ultrasound examination of the abdomen is also useful.

Along with the tests a physician should do a full body examination checking all the systems of the body. One should make sure that blood pressure is recorded, vision is tested and breasts are examined. One should not feel shy asking for HIV to be tested as it is possible that any one can get accidentally infected.

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What is arthritis? Will it affect all age group? What are the symptoms?

Arthritis is inflammation of the joints. The most common joint that is affected in women is the knee joint. A major cause for arthritis of the knee joint in women is excess weight or obesity. Arthritis usually starts in the mid forties. The symptoms are pain and sometimes swelling of the knee joints.

In order to avoid arthritis, one should do regular exercises to keep the body weight normal and leg muscles strong. Exercises are difficult to do after the arthritis start.

It is important to learn to do exercises in the correct way. Done the wrong way, like skipping on hard floor with bare feet, can damage knee joints and lead to arthritis.

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I am 31 years old and feel tired very often. What is it due to?

Tiredness can be simply a matter of an over-busy lifestyle, or it may be the symptom of a serious medical condition.

Some of the common causes of tiredness apart form lack of sleep, is anemia in women. Simple correctible causes of anemia are nutritional deficiencies ( due to a diet that is not balanced in multivitamins and minerals including iron, carbohydrates and proteins.

Being overweight can be a cause of tiredness. Regular exercise is important to feel good and be fit. During the premenstrual phase, at the time of menstruation and for a few days soon after menstruation women can feel tired. Note that for tired symptoms, it is important that you link tiredness with lack of sleep or whether they refer to physical or muscular tiredness after a some rigorous physical activity like a long walk or along days work. In some cases, these two categories may overlap or cause each other. If the tiredness if before, during or after your periods (menstruation) you can link to this.

Any symptoms of excessive or persistent tiredness need medical investigation.

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The discharges form vagina are sometimes disturbing as it keeps changing in thickness and quantity. When is it that I should worry about the vaginal discharge?

Small amounts of fluid are formed in the vagina by the glands present in the walls of vagina and cervix. These secretions along with old cells of the lining of the vagina and cervix come out of the vagina though out the day. This is a protective function and is the body's way of keeping your vagina healthy and clean. Normally discharge is clear or milky and doesn't smell bad.

The color and thickness of the discharge change, with your monthly cycle. The discharge is thicker when you ovulate (when one of your ovaries releases an egg), when you breastfeed and when you're sexually excited.
Changes that may signal a problem include an

• Increase in the amount of discharge, a
• Change in the color or smell of the discharge, and
• Irritation, itchiness or burning in or around your vagina. (vaginitis)
• Stained with blood when you're not having your period

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