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What is menopause? Menopause is the time that marks the end of your menstrual cycles. It’s diagnosed after you’ve undergone 12 months without a menstrual period. It can happen in your 40s or 50s. Menopause is a natural biological process.Let’s talk about stages as it is not a sudden process. A female experience through series of hormonal, physical and emotional changes/ transition in body before landing up into actual menopause. STAGES OF MENOPAUSE: Perimenopause – TREATMENT  : Treatment depends on how severe your symptoms are and how much are they affecting your day to day life. It is just like any other phase of life. Don’t be shy to discuss your emotional or physical issues at this age. Help is always there to bring your inner happiness back in your life.

Infertility is defined as a couple’s inability to conceive even after one year of unprotected intercourse during ovulation days. Infertility is perceived as a social problem in our country. Newly wed couples are often forced by families to plan a baby early after marriage and in desperation of not being able to get pregnant after some months only the couple tend to seek medical help. This all definitely causes stress to the couple, adding upon their trouble. In our society females are often blamed for not being able to get pregnant but that is not true. Let’s see what are causes of infertility and how much these factors can be responsible.As seen in the chart male and females both are 30% responsible for the infertility. Mixed factors contribute 20% and 20% times the cause is not known to us. Let’s look upon the causes in detail: Age: As the age increases chances if infertility increases as number of viable eggs decreases.Tubal factors: it includes blockage of tube due to infection, endometriosis or adhesions. It may be totally or partially blocked.Uterine factors: it may include structural abnormality in uterus like septate uterus or bicornuate uterus, fibroids in uterus, thin endometrium.Ovarian factors: the may include some cyst in ovary, anovualtory ovaries due to hormonal problems in body.Hormonal factors: hormonal imbalance of thyroid, prolactin, LH, FSH and PCOS can cause infertility. Causes of male infertility is definitely due to poor semen quality which may be due to many factors starting from hormonal, structural defect, obstruction in semen pathway or psychological factors.DIAGNOSIS OF INFERTILITYFor diagnosing the cause of infertility both partners need to be examined physically and tests need to be done.Test include: To brief out, I would like to say that infertility should not be made a taboo. Patience and proper treatment with consultation with your doctor is the key to success.

Dyspareunia Dyspareunia is the medical term for painful intercourse, defined as persistent or recurrent genital pain that occurs just before, during or after intercourse.Types of Dyspareunia : How’s dyspareunia diagnosed?⦁ A ⦁ pelvic examination by a gynaecologist can be help you to diagnose dyspareunia. During this procedure, your doctor will look at the external and internal pelvic area for signs of:⦁ Dryness⦁ inflammation or infection⦁ anatomical problemsgenital warts⦁ scarring⦁ abnormal masses⦁ endometriosis⦁ tendernessHow’s dyspareunia treated?Medications – Dyspareunia treatments are based on the cause of the condition. If your pain is caused by an underlying infection or condition, your doctor may treat it with:⦁ Antibiotics.⦁ Antifungal medicines.⦁ Topical gel based painkillers or lubricants like Lox jelly or K-Y jelly.Low estrogen levels cause dyspareunia in some women. Estrogen replacement in body can help you decrease dyspareunia.⦁ An estrogen-free drug called ospemifene (Osphena) acts like estrogen on vaginal tissues. It’s effective in making the tissues thicker and less fragile. This can reduce the amount of pain women experience with sexual intercourse.Home careThese home remedies can also reduce dyspareunia symptoms:⦁ Have sex when you and your partner are relaxed.⦁ Be comfortable and happy with your partner.⦁ Communicate openly with your partner about your pain.⦁ Empty your bladder before sex.⦁ Take a warm bath before sex.⦁ Take an over-the-counter pain reliever before.⦁ Apply an ice pack to the vulva to calm burning after sex. ⦁ Keigles exercise and strengthen your muscles and tone them up and hence relieve pain.(PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTOR still remains the foremost factor in painful sex. Being comfortable with your partner and getting fear while doing sex is helpful 90% times in relieving pain. Medications are there to help but your mind is the best medicine you have in this case.)

DFKC (DAILY FETAL KICK COUNT) What is DFKC?It is a way to check the health of your unborn baby. It’s done by counting the number of kicks you feel of baby in the uterus in a certain time period.By 20 weeks gestation, most women are able to feel their baby’s movements. Initially it feels like a flicker, gas movement or bubbles in tummy and by 6 months you may actually start feeling kick of baby. Movements vary in strength and how often they occur. A baby may be more active about an hour after the mother eats. This is because of the increase in sugar (glucose) in the mother’s blood. Fetal movement normally increases during the day with peak activity late at night. Why might I need to do fetal movement counting?Fetal movement is an easy way to know your baby’s health in the womb. Each woman should know the normal pattern and number of movements for her own baby. A change in the normal pattern or number of fetal movements may mean the baby is under stress. How to do DFKC : Starting from 28 weeks or 6 months pregnancy pregnant woman should count the baby movements as explained so as to know baby well being.After any major meal (after breakfast, lunch and dinner) mother should sit or lie down in lateral position in relaxed state of mind and count baby movement for 2 hours. The minimum kick count should be 10. If it’s less than 10 after 2 hours on 2 or more occasions (12 hours apart), you need to consult your doctor for further evaluation.Reasons of decreased DFKC: What to do if DFKC is less than 10:Drink water or eat something or exercise and try to count again. If still it’s the same then consult your doctor. What are the risks of fetal movement counting?There are no risks to the mother or unborn baby during fetal movement counting. It can instead help to pick up on decreased fetal movement and help prevent problems for the baby by detecting them early.

Finding out right birth control option can be hard & confusing. A range of devices and treatments are available for both men and women that can help prevent pregnancy. Some methods are more effective with less failure rates than others.Before choosing a birth control method, couple should discuss with the doctor about:⦁ Whether you want to get pregnant soon or not??⦁ How well each method works to prevent pregnancy⦁ Possible side effects⦁ How often you have sex⦁ The number of sex partners you have⦁ Your overall health⦁ How comfortable you are with using the method. (For example, can you remember to take a pill every day? Will you have to ask your partner to put on a condom each time?)⦁ Keep in mind that even the most effective birth control methods can fail. But your chances of getting pregnant are lower if you use a more effective method. LET US SEE WHAT ALL OPTIONS OF BIRTH CONTROL ARE THERE:- Barrier Methods of Birth ControlAs the name suggests, these create a barrier to keep sperm from reaching an egg. You can get most of them at a pharmacy with no prescription. 1. CondomsA condom is a thin latex or polyurethane sheath available for both male and female. The male condom is placed around the erect penis. The female condom is placed inside the vagina before intercourse. It must be worn at all times during intercourse to prevent pregnancy. It can also help to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Failure rate of condom is approximately 15% 2. Diaphragm and Cervical CapA diaphragm is a rubber, dome-shaped device that is inserted into the vagina and placed over the cervix. While a cervical cap is a little cup made from soft silicone. You put it deep inside your vagina to cover your cervix. Used correctly with spermicide (essential) they are 92-96% effective at preventing pregnancy. 1. Birth Control PillsThese may contain both estrogen and progestin, or only progestin. It’s very effective if taken correctly.2. Implants:An implant is a rod with a core of progestin, which it releases slowly. It is inserted under the skin of a woman’s upper arm. The implant is effective for up to 4 years, but it can be removed at any time, and then pregnancy is possible.3. Projestin InjectionsA woman’s buttock or the upper arm is injected with this, and over the next 12 weeks the hormone is slowly released into your bloodstream.4. Skin PatchWomen wear this on the lower abdomen, buttocks, or upper body (but not on the breasts). This method is prescribed by a doctor. It releases hormones progestin and estrogen into the bloodstream.5. Vaginal RingIt is a small, soft plastic ring placed inside your vagina like a tampon. Used correctly, it is estimated to be over 99% effective. It works by releasing hormones (progestogen and estrogen) to stop the release of eggs.6. Emergency (or “morning after”) ContraceptionThe Emergency Contraception Pill can be used to prevent pregnancy after sex if contraception wasn’t used, a condom has broken during sex, or a woman has been sexually assaulted. While it is sometimes called the ‘Morning After’ pill, it can actually be effective for up to five days after having unprotected sex. If you consume it sooner, it is more effective.CAUTION: Regular use of emergency pills is not recommended. Use it less than 4 times a year.7. IUD (Intrauterine Device)The IUD is a small plastic or copper device placed inside the woman’s uterus. Some IUDs release small amounts of progestin. They can be left in place for 3 to 10 years, depending on the device used.Permanent Methods of Birth ControlIf you are a man, woman, or a couples who feel certain they do not want to have children in the future. It is very difficult to reverse.1. Male Sterilization (Vasectomy)It is an outpatient surgery that involves blocking or cutting the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the penis, which keeps sperm from being added to ejaculate.2. Female Sterilization (Tubal ligation or “tying tubes”) (CONSULT WITH YOUR GYNAECOLOGIST for best possible options)

COMMON PREGNANCY PROBLEMS & SOLUTIONS: b. MOOD SWINGS – It is very common in pregnancy. DO NOT hide your anxiety or depression. Talk to your near and dear ones and resolve your feelings. c. SLEEP ISSUES AT NIGHT – This is very common either due to EXCESS URINATION or DISCOMFORT. Prevent it by:AVOID coffee/ tea after 7 pm.AVOID water intake after 7 pm.Drink warm milk before bed to relax you and help you sleep.Warm salt bath before bed also relaxes you and help you sleep in night. d. SMOKING, TOBACCO & ALCOHOL – It is prohibited in pregnancy

What to expect in doctor’s visit after getting pregnancy test positive:-A pregnant female should have minimum of 3 visits with her doctor and maximum of 13 visits as follows (these are ideal visits which can increase as per your health and need as advised by doctor):Once a month for first 7 months of pregnancy.Twice a month in 8th month of pregnancy.Once a week Weekly in 9th month. BASIC TESTS NEEDED (AS PER DOCTOR ADVISE)CBC (complete blood count) – It should be done at first visit and then as per doctor’s advise.Blood group (of both partners if wife is RH negative)LFT,RFT – Liver and kidney function tests – to be done atleast once in pregnancyFBS, PPBS – blood sugar tests.TSH – Thyroid function tests.HIV, HBSAG, HCV, VDRL.URINER/M- urine tests as per needed.SONOGRAPHY (AS PER DOCTOR ADVISE)1ST- DATING SCAN – done as early as your home pregnancy test is positive or when you miss your periods (at 6-7 weeks to check for cardiac activity)2nd – NT SCAN – done at 12weeks with dual markers test if needed – to check for Trisomies and anomalies.3rd- ANOMALY SCAN – done at 18-20 weeks with quadruple marker if needed – to check fetal anomalies in detail4th – GROWTH SCAN- as and when required and advised by doctor (approximately at 32 weeks, 36weeks or early if needed) INJECTIONS NEEDED: 2 tetanus injection are must to be given after 6 month pregnancy – to be given 1 month apart.(to be taken after doctor advise)Injection Influenza vaccine to be given after 26 weeks completed.Injection anti D – if mother is RH negative blood group and father is positive , chances are there that baby is positive , so to prevent incompatibility injection anti D is given to mother at 28 weeks and then after delivery if baby tests RH positive blood group.

AFTER CHILD BIRTH:- QUESTIONS IN YOUR MIND AFTER DELIVERY AND THEIR SOLUTIONS