By Natracare

Toxic Shock Syndrome was back in the headlines recently following an investigation on US television about the tampon related death of Amy Elifritz.

Tampon TestIn response women around the world have been asking what is in their tampon and are there any potential health risks?

http://www.wishtv.com/dpp/news/local/marion_county/toxic-shock-i-team-8-investigation-attracts-attention

Natracare raised the issue of fibre loss in conventional tampons at least 15 years ago. The reaction from those conventional brands was that the body naturally dispels the fibres. We asked nurses doing smear tests and they said that they can always tell who uses tampons because they have to remove old tampon fibres before achieving a clear smear for sampling. Conventional tampons mostly use rayon to make their tampons. Rayon is a straight, smooth fibre made from wood pulp. These smooth fibres have little integrity so they slide apart more easily when wet. Eventually, these same manufacturers who claimed fibre loss was not an issue, decided to put a polypropylene (that’s plastic to you and me) non-woven wrapper around the rayon core to reduce the loss of fibres.

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Finding healthier products for one’s body and the environment is a growing trend. As more and more people better understand the effects that many traditional products have on their health and the environment better options are being sought after.

One specific type of product that has been increasingly popular is cloth menstrual pads, such as Lunapads. Lunapads and products alike are a great reusable menstrual option that allows women to save money (after the initial investment), be eco-friendly, all while choosing a healthy alMini Pantyliner Open & Snappedternative to disposable pads and tampons.

Choosing this reusable option (or considering the change) leaves many with questions like, “How do I go about cleaning reusable cloth pads?” We realize this can be a big change for those making the switch from disposable feminine hygiene products.

While we are not familiar with every brand of cloth pads, we can tell you that Lunapads can be washed by hand or machine in any temperature with regular detergent and can be air or machine dried. That said, we have a question for you. Picture this…you are excited to try out your cute, new, organic cloth pads, you’ve gone through your cycle and it is now time to wash them. You put them in the wash and now what do you do? Do you add a chemical detergent? Doesn’t that seem wrong? You’ve spent the extra money to put a healthier, organic fiber next to your skin and now you are going to wash them with what?? Detergent? Did you know that this once organic cloth pad will absorb the detergent and hold it next to your skin? If only there was a better option… (an option you AND your septic could LOVE)

Here’s the exciting news…there is one!!! READ MORE… »

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By Samantha Gluck
PMS - AnxietyAs the name implies, women experience the symptoms of pre-menstrual syndrome (PMS) for one to two weeks before their monthly menstruation begins. For some women, these symptoms are very mild and barely noticeable, but for others the symptoms cause considerable emotional, physical, and psychological discomfort.

Don’t let PMS symptoms stop you from enjoying life.

Lifestyle Affects PMS Severity
Some research suggests that a woman’s lifestyle has a significant impact on the severity of PMS symptoms. Women, who smoke, drink excessive alcohol and caffeine, do not exercise, and get inadequate sleep experience more pronounced symptoms associated with PMS. Oral contraceptives may affect the severity of symptoms as well. Some women report that oral contraceptives make the symptoms worse, while others report relief from PMS as a result of the birth control pill. This difference is likely due to the type of pill taken and the individual body chemistry and metabolism of the woman taking them. Talk to your OB/GYN physician if you feel the birth control pill is making your PMS worse. READ MORE… »

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By Dr Easton Patrick

Among the menstruating women, a painful menstruation or menstrual cramps are quite common. Medically this problem is termed as Dysmenorrhea. Mainly younger women experience this painful menstrual cramp. Usually this symptom gradually subsides after pregnancy or with the older age. For some women these menstrual cramps may be severe, while many women may not even experience this pain at all throughout their fertility period. Usually this painful cramp starts before 2-3 days prior to menstruation and gradually subsides in 1-2 days after periods.

Some of the important symptoms of this painful menstruation are varying degrees of pain in the abdominal and pelvic area during the periods; other symptoms include vomiting, nausea, loose motion and also dizziness. These are the symptoms which accompany painful menstruation.

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By Samantha Gluck

PMDDWomen with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) experience a severe form of premenstrual syndrome (PMS).As with PMS, the physical and emotional symptoms occur about a week before menstruation starts and dissipate soon after. Unlike PMS, PMDD symptoms disrupt and interfere with social, work, and relationship activities. OB/GYN physicians can prescribe medication to women, who meet the criteria for PMDD, to reduce the symptoms as well as educate patients about lifestyle choices thought to help minimize the physical manifestations of the condition naturally.

PMDD Signs and Symptoms
While over 30 percent of women with regular menstrual cycles experience common PMS symptoms, only 3 % to 8 % of menstruating women meet the diagnostic criteria for PMDD. READ MORE… »

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By Natracare

If you have thrush, or even if you don’t, irritation from tampons and pads may be causing you discomfort. Gynecologists say that up to a third of women with symptoms of vaginal itching, soreness and/or discharge may be experiencing the symptoms of Vulval Dermatitis or Intimate Irritation.

Studies* carried out amongst 40 British gynecologists with further research conducted amongst their Canadian colleagues rev ealed that nearly 4 out of 5 gynecologists felt that their patients, suffering with intimate irritation, were experiencing sensitivity to synthetic fabrics, sanitary protection and toiletries. 50% of the gynecologists then go on to recommend the use of natural, chemical-free sanitary protection to help alleviate the symptoms.

Mr David Nunns, Consultant Gynecologist at Nottingham City Hospital, said “Irritancy is a very common issue amongst women in the UK, and is still frequently mistaken for thrush. This study has shown that expert gynecologists across the globe have recognized that sanitary protection may be a causative agent in triggering vulval irritancy and so switching to natural, chemical free protection may help alleviate troublesome symptoms for many women.”

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Softcup ReusableThe moment we’ve all been waiting for is finally here!

Today, Softcup has officially announced the launch of their new REUSABLE Softcup. You may be wondering, “What is a reusable Softcup?”

Reusable Softcup is a durable, flexible, reusable cup that can be worn for up to 12 hours and reused throughout one menstrual cycle. Reusable Softcup has all the benefits of disposable Softcup—with the added advantage of just one cup per period.

“Why should you try it?”

Reusable Softcup is great for busy women, eco-minded women, or women who just don’t want to have to think about changing a pad or a tampon every few hours. Reusable Softcup helps you reduce menstrual waste, since you can use and discard just one Softcup per period.

1 Softcup per period = less waste.
Use a single Softcup for your entire cycle.
Wear up to 12 hours at a time.
Wear during any activity – sports, swimming, sleeping, sex.
Eliminate menstrual odor
Have mess-free sex on your period.
Be good to your body – no link to TSS.
At a low cost of just $2.50 per cycle, why not?

Be the first to try it! Now available on www.bepreparedperiod.com! READ MORE… »

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by www.womens-natural-health.com

Take it easy during your menstrual cycle and, according to ayurdeda, a lot of possible future health problems would be diverted.

Unfortunately however, not ‘being up to par’ once a month is often frowned upon and women tend to try even harder to be ‘superwoman’.

However, your monthly period is nature’s way of detoxing your body. If you go with it you’ll reap enormous health benefits. Fighting it, however, can exhaust you and possibly lead to future health problems.

In the East women are often encouraged to totally rest for a few days a month. This is obviously not practical for all. But at least do as little as possible and go to bed as early as you can.

Keep your diet light and healthy. If your body doesn’t have to put too much work into digestion it can get to work on that natural monthly detox much more efficiently!…

Eat plenty of well cooked vegetables. Munch on fresh fruit. Try soaked dried figs and/or dates as wonderful chocolate substitutes….

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