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Menstruation comes as a sudden and stark change in every woman’s life, mostly during her early teens, when she is at a tender age and afraid to ask too much. Periods can be a confusing and unexpected battle to cruise across, especially when your little doll feels shy in seeking your guidance or is left unaware about what to expect during this time. Be your daughter’s friend and guide! It is very important that you must hold her hand and make her feel comfortable during this uneasy time, so that she does not feel intimidated about the whole process. Making her understand that this is nothing but a natural phase of her life, will help her understand and feel more open about her queasy doubts. You can do this by giving her some gifts on her first period, which will relax her and help in the transition to a new phase of her life. Here are some excellent gifting ideas for this purpose. Find them all at www.thesirona.com 1. Pain relief options: Many women tend to use aspirins or other form of medication to combat period pain. However, we all know that it is not the best cure to the pain. Why not gift items like pain relief patches, such as Sirona Period Pain Patches! These ergonomic patches give you the best pain relief in no time. They just need to be stuck on a dry patch of skin. Gift your daughter a variety of teabags. Hot Green Tea without milk can be calming. And yes, don’t miss the hot water bag. Her tummy would need that heat to beat the beast. 2. Intimate wipes: As a woman, it is easy to understand that periods are a messy affair. When you are about and moving, wipes can serve the great purpose of cleaning up in urgent situations. Besides, intimate wipes are a clean and easy way to feel fresh even during these painful times. As a first timer, your daughter will find immense use of these wipes. 3. Disposal bags: Again, a very handy and useful item, compact disposal bags are a need during the period time. They serve a huge purpose, especially during the time when your daughter is going to school or activities. She can easily discard her used pads, tampons or panty liners in a discrete manner, without making her feel embarrassed or queasy. 4. Underarm sweat pads: First period can bring a host of changes and developments in a girl’s body, which she might be unaware of. In most cases, menstruation brings a change in the rate of perspiration of the body as well. Your daughter might come to despise this time of the month because of sweaty armpits that leave stains. Why not get her some underarm sweat pads! This will give her more confidence to dress up the way she likes and move around happily. 5. Pads and tampons: As a mother, it is your job to introduce the variety of pads, period panties and tampons to your daughter. With experience and time, she will probably come to learn what suits her best on her own, but at least during her first period, you should make her feel more comfortable by giving her ample options. First periods are always uncomfortable and confusing. They make us feel and wish that we never had to go through that phase. However, if you stand by your daughter’s side and help her with her first period, she will find it easier to welcome this natural change in her life.

Here’s why your menstrual cup cannot get lost inside your body Many women who are considering a menstrual cup are often found wondering if placing the cup inside would lead to any difficulties. “Will it get stuck inside? Will it rise up and get lost? Will it climb up my abdomen and get absorbed?” The answer to all these is NO! A menstrual cup is perfectly safe to use and if thoughts like these are holding you back from giving the cup a try, read the following and put those thoughts to rest. The female anatomy won’t allow it!! The female body is designed to have the vaginal opening leading to the uterine opening “the cervix” through the small stretchable passage of the vaginal tract. Think of it as a tunnel with one end open and a small window on the other dead end. Anything that enters the vaginal tract will eventually either stay in the vaginal tract or along the sides of the cervical opening. The cervix in most women remains tightly closed and the only time it will open is to either pusha child out of the womb or will slightly loosen up to let go of menstrual blood. The odds of an article the size of a cup to pass through a hole as small as the size cervical opening during the period is infinitely low.   The physics behind vacuum won’t allow it!!When inserted correctly, the menstrual cup will reach a point in the vaginal tract and pop open. On opening, it creates a vacuum of sorts to stay in place and not fall back. The vacuum will be just enough to just hold the cup in place but not so strong as to suck the cup up.   Gravity won’t allow itIn fact, instead of vacuum pulling the cup up, it is much more likely that gravity will try to pull the cup down, especially considering the weight of menstrual blood adding to the force downwards. Thank God for the slanting vaginal tract that the cup doesn’t have a straight pathway to fall down. The curved shapeand direction of the vaginal tract actually support the cup to stay in place.   The worst-case scenarioThe worst situation that you may find yourself in is that you happen to be one of those women who have a high cervix (or a longer vaginal tract) and the average cup might not have a long enough stem for you to reach up to and you might find yourself in a tricky situation where the cup seems to be stuck. This may require you to do some bearing down to get the cup slightly down and pull on the stem to get it out. Worst case scenario you may need the help of another person (read gynaecologist) to pull the cup out of you.   To conclude, it is logically, anatomically, physically impossible for a cup to get lost inside you. Chances are that it’s still where it’s supposed to be, but your fingers are unable to reach for it. With a little practice and patience you can master it, just to make way for hassle-free and much more comfortableperiods!

Breastfeeding is essential and important. This is now an established fact with tons of scientific research and traditional practices to support it. While there are many benefits to breastfeeding, here we are listing a few facts about breastfeeding that might help you feel motivated to breastfeed exclusively and for as long as you want for. Fact 1: Human milk is ideal for the human baby. As nature would expect a mother from one species to be feeding the baby from the same species, the human milk has just the right composition for a human baby. The newborn baby has a delicate digestive system which might not do well with fats from say buffalo or cow milk. The breast milk has both the right amount and type of fats and protein that are easily digested and properly utilized by the baby.  Fact 2: The Intelligent fats! Have you ever observed that an infant’s head is bigger than her body? After birth, a newborn’s brain is ready to learn, develop and grow. Part of this development comes from myelin layer over the brain. Human milk has the right type of fats and proteins that help in myelin sheath development. A study by Harvard University has established that school performance and IQ at age 7 & 10 are directly associated with the exclusivity & duration of breastfeeding done for the child. In simple words, breastfed babies are likely to have higher IQ later in the life.  Fact 3: That Gut Feeling! Since a lot of bacteria enter our body through food & water (& toys, phones, pets or literally anything babies put in their mouths), our gut or intestine has a layer of barrier immunity that prevents these harmful bacteria from causing infection. Babies are not born with this gut immunity but develop this after birth. Breast milk has immunoglobulins (antibodies) that help in developing this type of local immunity post birth. This is one of the reasons that breastfed babies get less diarrhea and other infections as compared to bottle fed babies.   Fact 4: So many flavors Breast milk is made in breast tissue by taking essential compounds from blood of the mother and adding certain fats and other substances to it. This means that certain flavor producing compounds can also enter milk. This is why the taste of breast milk can vary with diet and drugs that a mom may take. Breastmilk is usually considered to be sweeter and thinner than cow’s milk. Fact 5: Keep Going! We have heard many moms ask “ she wants to feed more than 10 minutes, should I feed longer?” or “he wants to feed sooner than 2 hours, should I feed so quickly?” or that “she is 2 and half and not ready to wean, should I continue to feed?”. If you have asked any of these questions yourself, the answer is keep going!  Best way to breastfeed is on demand, only stop when baby wants to stop, repeat when baby demands and continue till you both want to. Yes, it’s normal to breastfeed as long as you want to!   Image Source Creator: AlekZotoff | Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Menstrual health & hygiene: 5Ps of the Puzzle Awareness about menstrual hygiene has increased. Most women and men are aware that not maintaining hygiene in periods can be dangerous for women’s health and wellbeing. However, most education and awareness campaigns focus on just half of the menstrual health picture. Here are all the missing pieces of the puzzle. Piece 1: The Palms: Wash those hands! Yes, it seems obvious! But very few campaigns talk about how important it is to wash your hands before (Yes, you read correctly!!) and after changing pads. This is even more important in cup and tampon users. Try to follow the six steps of handwashing BEFORE you insert your tampons or your cup. Our nails and finger webs contain both harmful and harmless bacteria. Both can cause damage to the reproductive tract if they are incidentally introduced to vagina by fingers (Ascending infection).  Therefore, the most important aspect of menstrual hygiene is hand washing before and after changing pads/ tampons/ cup Piece 2: The Product: Pads/ Tampons/ Cups The product that you choose should be a sterilized one. Pads and tampons are pre sterilized before packing. The cups need to be washed and sterilized in boiling water or in steam before reuse. The cup can be stored in a container or a cotton/jute bag when not being used. Piece 3: The Paper: Disposal of product Pads and tampons should be wrapped in paper and disposed of in bins and not flushed down the toilet. Remember that this is included in menstrual health as a reminder to wash hands after disposal. Also wash hands after cleaning the cup. Piece 4: The Pain Having a healthy period means you should have access to a pain free comfortable period. It means ruling out a medical cause of the pain by visiting the doctor. It also means having rest when required. There are multiple home remedies and over the counter products available to come to the rescue as well. Piece 5: Mental Peace The physical strain on the body and hormonal changes during periods can leave you feeling stressed, tired and low. Try taking time out of your daily routine to find your mental peace: meditate, do things that make you happy. Make yourself a cup of ginger tea, that eases pain, read a book and put on some zen music.  The Extra Piece: The Period in between Periods Don’t forget that menstrual health extends beyond the days of menstruation. It is significant to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle in between cycles to ensure a regular cycle length, duration and flow!   Image Source: Health Europa

Human life is complicated. Its inception from a single cell to a complex multi-cellular human being is indeed a phenomenal thing . A mother nurturing a life in her womb is often associated with a series of events, which affect the delivery. One of the most common types of pregnancy losses is Miscarriage. 1. What is a miscarriage? Defined as loss of pregnancy on its own within the first 20 weeks of gestation, this potential complication is often emotionally and physically draining for women. Pregnancy can be such an exciting time, but considering the great number of recognized instances of miscarriages, it helps to be well-informed about it. There are about 10 million cases of miscarriages per year in India. As with most pregnancy complications, remember that the best person to consult in this time is a professional healthcare provider. 2. Causes The reasons for miscarriage are varied, and most often the cause cannot be identified. During the first trimester, the most common cause of miscarriage is chromosomal or genetic abnormality. Other causes could be infection, hormonal problems, uterine abnormalities, mother's age and maternal trauma, or exposure to radiation or toxic substances. 3. Symptoms Some symptoms of miscarriage include mild to severe back pain, severe cramps, bleeding which progresses from light to heavy, abdominal pain, weakness, weight loss, white - pink mucus, tissue with clot-like material passing from vagina, fever can also be associated with these symptoms. It is important to consult a professional healthcare provider if one experiences any of these symptoms. 4. Treatment The main treatment option for miscarriage is to prevent hemorrhage and/or infection. During early pregnancy, the body expels all fetal tissue itself and does not need any further medical supervision. If the body does not expel all the tissue, the most common procedure performed to stop bleeding and prevent infection is a dilation and curettage, known as a D&C. Drugs may be prescribed to help control bleeding after the D&C is performed. Unfortunately, miscarriages can affect anyone. Women are often left with unanswered questions regarding their physical recovery, their emotional recovery and attempts to conceive again. It is very important that women try to keep the lines of communication open with family, friends and health care providers and vice versa during this time. 5. Prevention Since the cause of most miscarriages is chromosomal abnormalities, there is not much that can be done to prevent them. One vital step is to follow a healthy lifestyle before conceiving to aid it. ● Regularly exercise● Eat healthily● Manage stress● Keep weight within healthy limits● Take folic acid daily● Do not smoke or drink alcohol● Check with doctor before taking any over-the-counter medications● Limit or eliminate caffeine● Avoid environmental hazards such as radiation, infectious disease, and x-rays● Avoid contact sports or activities that have a risk of injury   (by Meghanshi 4 th sem, LHMC) Image Source: Medical Xpress

All If you thought period pain is normal, but you have unbearable cramps each month that make you fear the onset of this natural cycle, beware! Read about the exact syndrome that causes menstrual cramps, and prepare for the same. Menstruation is a special phase in every girl's life. It changes a girl into a young lady. Every cycle of menstruation is preparation for nurturing a life.The downside of this is the unbearable pain that comes with periods each month. But why is pain bundled with necessity? We try to understand the dynamics of the anatomy. 1. Uterus or womb is a pear shaped organ located in the pelvic cavity of females. It conceives and all the development of the fetus takes place here. So, to prepare itself for such a big responsibility, it starts increasing its blood supply and makes its walls thick to receive the expected fertilized egg. But when pregnancy does not occur, it results in breakdown of the placenta lining. Thick mucus and blood in the form of bloats comes out of the vagina, known as menstrual flow. It generally lasts for 3-5 days. 2. Due to increased prostaglandins level, females often feel cramps and discomfort. Menstrual cramps happen because of contractions in the uterus which is a muscle. Strong contractions create pressure against nearby blood vessels. This briefly cuts off the supply of oxygen to the uterus which causes pain and cramping. 3. The usual symptoms include mild or severe pain in the abdomen, hips, lower back, and inner thighs. When cramps are severe, symptoms may include upset stomach, vomiting, and loose stools. This is categorized as Primary Dysmenorrhea, or pain during periods. 4. You are fully capable of easing the pain to an extent. Here are some ways of doing so: ● Take rest, and take lots of it. ● Avoid caffeinated foods and lower your salt intake at this point, and generally as well. This may be difficult if you have savoury cravings, but eat water-rich fruits and have nuts. ● Avoid intoxicant intake, like tobacco, cigarettes or alcohol. ● Massage your lower back and abdomen ● Women who exercise regularly often have less menstrual pain. To help prevent cramps, make exercise a part of you weekly routine. ● Place a heating pad or hot water bottle on lower back or tummy. Taking a warm bath may also provide some relief. ● Avoid painkillers and rely on Sirona Pain Relief Patches to naturally relieve pain.● Have warm liquids, ginger and lemon concoctions with black pepper and jaggery, and don’t consume chilled drinks.5. While primary dysmenorrhea are cramps due to the menstrual cycle, secondary dysmenorrhea is caused due to problems in the reproductive organs that can cause severe cramping. There can be several conditions which can cause it, including endometriosis in which the tissue lining of the uterus is found outside it. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) can also cause severe pain in which there is an infection caused by bacteria that starts in the uterus and can spread to other reproductive organs.The pain in secondary dysmenorrhea is extreme and one must consult with aprofessional healthcare worker regarding the same.   (Meghanshi (4 th sem, LHMC) Image Source: Feminisim in India

First of all, let’s establish that sweating is a completely natural phenomenon. Sweating in underarms is normal, and is nothing that you should be ashamed of. That being said, underarm sweat can be a cause of hygiene problems. The odor can also lead to embarrassment. The worst part of it is that you cannot avoid it, and it is not your fault if you sweat too much. If you have a job that requires you to be on the field for long hours, it is no surprise that you would sweat. And, let’s be honest, deodorants or antiperspirants just do not keep you dry throughout the day. Underarm sweat can cause serious discomfort in public and also ruin your expensive clothes. No one wants that, right? There is hardly any way to get rid of underarm sweat completely. Cleaning your underarms regularly does not help. We have already discussed that deodorants do not help either. Underarm sweat though normal, can be a problem, especially when it comes to hygiene. Studies have shown that nearly 7 out of 10 individuals are tired of underarm sweat, and would not mind doing away with it completely. While that is not possible, there is a better solution that you can look at. Sirona says- No more sweat Sirona, the brand focused on personal wellness and hygiene, has come up with an answer to your queries. The Sirona anti-stain sweat pads give you the freedom to continue with your daily activities as you deem fit without worrying about underarm sweat. All you need to do is put them on the garment and go about doing your work. They are disposable and come with a self-adhesive glue, which helps you attach them to your garment. One sweat pad lasts an entire day and is way more effective than the regular deodorants and antiperspirants.  You would not need to think twice before stepping out in public. You can stretch your arms wherever and whenever without fearing to face any kind of embarrassment. Sirona, as a brand, has always been mindful of our hygiene, and these pads are no exception. Sirona says- No more sweat These sweat pads are a simple yet innovative solution to a problem that has bugged us for ages. People sweat differently and deodorants do not work for everyone. However, Sirona sweat pads can be used by anyone. These are ultra-thin pads that have been designed to be super-absorbent. The fiber used to make them is gentle on the skin, hence there shouldn’t be any itching or rashes. These sweat pads not only prevent sweat marks, stains, and rashes but also odor. You just have to put on your garment and forget about it. Let them take care of you.