Each month the uterus builds up a lining to prepare for the implantation of an embryo. If a woman is not pregnant, she sheds the lining in a process commonly referred to as a menstrual period. When a woman is pregnant, she stops having this...
Ginger root, obtained from the underground rhizome, or root, of the ginger plant has a long history of use in Asian, Indian and Middle Eastern cultures as a medicine. Ginger root has been used as an anti-inflammatory and an anti-emetic, which...
Progesterone, or "the pregnancy hormone," plays a key role in a woman's reproductive cycle. It causes ovulation, maintains pregnancy and keeps you from ovulating while you are pregnant. Progesterone levels rise and fall throughout the monthly...
In traditional Chinese medicine, or TCM, herbalists and midwives hail the medicinal herb dong quai as a panacea for women's health. Historically healers have believed that dong quai can ease women's complaints ranging from menstrual cramps and...
Blood clots are the way the body stops bleeding when an artery or vein is damaged within your body or on your skin. Sometimes, however, clots form when they aren't needed. These clots are considered abnormal, and blood clots during periods fall...
Heavy bleeding during menstruation is called menorrhagia. Most women at some point in their reproductive years have experienced heavy bleeding during their period, according to the Mayo Clinic. This can occur due to hormonal imbalances, uterine...
As a vitamin, B-12 is distinct from iron, a mineral, in both its composition and function as a nutrient. However, they are interrelated. On the other hand, their relationship with one another is not the extent of their significance. The body...
Bodybuilding is a sport that is done as either a profession or recreation. It takes long hours of pinpoint dedication and devotion to build your muscles. The components of bodybuilding involve working out at the gym or at home with the use of...
Endometriosis is a condition that occurs when the lining of your uterus grows in other parts of your body, which causes painful, heavy periods, irregular bleeding and difficulty conceiving. Endometriosis most commonly occurs around the bowel,...
Magnesium is an essential mineral that supports organ and bone health. Magnesium is classified as an electrolyte, a group of minerals that help with proper contraction of muscles. While true magnesium deficiencies are rare, adding avocados to your...
Menopause is defined as the absence of a menstrual period for one year. Menopause starts at around age 51, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Perimenopause refers to the years leading up to menopause when...
During the menstrual cycle, some women experience a set of symptoms called premenstrual syndrome. These symptoms include bloating, nausea, headache and mood swings. Medication may be prescribed to relieve these symptoms, but in some cases,...
Light bleeding that occurs between menstrual periods is called spotting. Spotting can be pink, red or brown and may last for a few days. Spotting has many causes and should never be self-diagnosed. Spotting can also occur during pregnancy and in...
The mineral iron plays an important role in oxygen transport and helps regulate cell growth and division. According to the Office of Dietary Supplements, approximately two-thirds of the iron in the body is found in red blood cells. Iron deficiency...
The foods you eat can't prevent or heal endometriosis. Yet some nutrients may provide some relief from cramping. Additionally, if you experience heavy blood loss during your periods, you may lose valuable nutrients. Kelp is rich in minerals lost...
Iron is an essential mineral involved in the transportation of oxygen in the blood and essential for the regulation of cell growth and health. People with an iron deficiency do not get enough oxygen. It can cause fatigue, inability to concentrate...
Iron is a nutrient necessary for the formation of hemoglobin, the protein component of red blood cells. If there is a low amount of iron in the blood, the body is unable to make hemoglobin, which results in a lower red blood cell count. Red blood...
Uterine fibroids, also called leiomyomata, are benign growths that begin in the smooth muscle (myometrium) of the uterus. Fibroids can grow into the inner cavity of the uterus (submucosal), into the muscular wall (intramural), or into the outside...
A uterine fibroid tumor is a noncancerous growth that develops in the uterus. It is also called a fibromyoma, myoma or leiomyoma and typically occurs during a woman's childbearing years. The Mayo Clinic website notes that three out of four women...
Caffeine can affect your circulatory system, but it doesn’t cause your period to become heavier. Caffeine actually restricts your blood flow by constricting blood vessels. There are a number of causes that can make your menstrual bleeding...
Uterine fibroids and polyps are both abnormal growths of uterine tissue and can cause similar symptoms. Polyps grow from endometrial tissue, the tissue that lines the uterus, and fibroids are growths of uterine muscle, according to the Advanced...
Chasteberry, a perennial shrub, is a member of the verbena family. It is also known by its botanical name Vitex agnus castus, as well as vitex, monk's pepper and chaste tree. Chasteberry is native to parts of Asia and the Mediterranean. The berry...
Prolonged bleeding during the menstrual cycle is called menorrhagia. Although heavy menstrual bleeding is a common concern among premenopausal women, effective treatments are available. The causes are varied and range from harmless to potentially...
Helicobacter pylori, also called H. pylori, are bacteria that cause irritation and ulcers in the stomach and the upper portion of the small intestine. The bacterium is widespread and up to 80 percent of adults have had an infection with or without...
Fibroid tumors, common growths in or attached to the uterus, affect more than 75 percent of women at some time in their lives, according to FibroidSecondOpinion.com. Fibroids, which are almost always benign, or non-cancerous, affect black women...
Many diseases and problems can cause uterine enlargement. Some are benign while some are serious and need medical attention. Women don't usually realize their uterus is enlarged, since it is difficult to feel the uterus unless you're pregnant. A...
Taking soy supplements isn't likely to cause heavier periods. Although soy does contain compounds that can mimic estrogen in the female body, it shouldn't change the volume of menstrual bleeding. That being said, the effects of soy on the body,...
Heavy alcohol consumption can raise levels of fats in the blood, leading to high blood pressure and heart failure. Alcohol has a high calorie content, and drinking a lot of it can contribute to obesity. This can cause a higher risk of diabetes and...
Iron deficiency and anemia are two pieces of a condition that often affects teenagers: fatigue. Teens may be tired for other reasons, such as staying up late to do homework or to study for tests, extracurricular activities or trying to manage a...
Cirrhosis is a condition that causes irreversible scarring of the liver. As scar tissue replaces normal tissue, blood flow through your liver is affected. Learn about the different causes, symptoms, and treatments for Cirrhosis in this video.
