Category Archives: Women’s Health

All, Common Myths, Women's Health

Can Cranberry Juice Stop a UTI?

1 Comment

Image result for cranberry juice

Photo from Organic Facts

Vandana Dubakula

Around 65% of women will experience a urinary tract infection (UTI) in their lifetime. There are many myths about what will alleviate UTI symptoms or get rid of the UTI all together. At the top of this list is cranberry juice, which many women claim cured their UTI. Clinical studies however,  offer conflicting results on the effectiveness of cranberry juice.

UTI’s are caused by bacteria such as E.coli. They can affect the urinary system including kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. The infection usually starts in the lower urinary tract (urethra and bladder) and causes symptoms such as a burning sensation during urination, frequent urge to urinate, and cloudy or strange-smelling urine. The real danger, however, is with untreated UTIs which can affect the kidneys and lead to kidney damage or–in very severe instances– infections spread through the blood. UTI’s tend to affect women more than men due to their anatomy.

Cranberries come into play through an active ingredient—A-type proanthocyanidins (PACs)—that can keep bacteria from sticking to the bladder wall. Since cranberry juice also increases urination, it might wash bacteria out of the bladder which might reduce the pain and burning associated with UTIs. However, the active ingredient usually does not stay long enough in the bladder to cure the infection. Thus, cranberries can help with the symptoms of a UTI but should not be depended upon to cure it.

Moreover, cranberry juice  has low concentrations of A-type proanthocyanidins (PACs), so it takes large amounts of juice to have an effect.  A major drawback is that cranberry juice contains substantial sugar. Even cranberry juice with no added sugar (such as Oceanspray 100% cranberry juice) has 28 grams of sugar in 8 fluid ounces of juice. Cranberry capsules are concentrated with the antioxidants and active ingredients and are thus a better alternative to cranberry juice.

However, don’t rely on cranberry juice/capsules to fully cure your UTI. It is important to consult with your doctor and you may need antibiotics.

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/can-cranberry-juice-stop-uti/

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/urinary-tract-infection/symptoms-causes/syc-20353447

https://www.webmd.com/women/news/20160225/cranberry-juice-for-urinary-tract-infection

All, Women's Health

Is it Possible for Your Period to Sync Up With Your Best Friends?

3 Comments

Image result for calendar

Photo from DRC_Calendar

Nicole Kell

Most women have experienced having the same period schedule as their friends. You have probably heard that all the hours you spend together caused your menstrual cycle to sync up. However, there is no scientific evidence based on chemicals or hormones to support this theory. Obstetrician-gynecologist Lynn Simpson explains that proximity cannot change cycle timing or frequency of periods because they simply do not work that way. There is however, a mathematical explanation to why your period might match up with a roommate or close friend. Dr. Simpson explains, “Over time, a woman who has a three-week cycle and another who has a five-week cycle will eventually see their periods coincide and diverge again.” Women who live together for at least a year, are bound to have overlapping cycles a few times. It’s just coincidence of our cycle lengths.

There are other factors that affect menstrual cycles such as birth control pills, stress, chronic illness, and eating disorders. Birth control pills alter the levels of progesterone and estrogen that control and manipulate when a women will have her period, if at all. Stress over life or work caused by constant anxiety and worry can cause a woman’s period to be earlier or later than normal. Living with a chronic illness, having constant health problems and/or taking certain medications can also cause irregular menstrual cycles. Lastly, eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia or highly restrictive control over caloric intake can impact menstrual cycles.

Even though many women may experience a connection with their close friends or roommates, it seems to be simply a coincidence when their periods happen to sync up.

https://health.clevelandclinic.org/myth-truth-period-really-sync-close-friends/

Do Women’s Periods Really Sync Up When They Spend Time Together?

https://verilymag.com/2017/11/do-womens-periods-sync-up-menstrual-synchronization

All, Women's Health

Is it okay to delay your period with birth control pills?

2 Comments

Image result for birth control pills

Image from Healthline

Isabel Draper

The first oral contraceptive pill was approved by the FDA in 1960. Packs of pills with equal amounts of estrogen and progesterone (combined birth control pills) have a week of sugar pills.  Taking the placebo pills induces a period. Health authorities and doctors have traditionally advised women that they should take this week of sugar pills and have normal periods for their reproductive and overall health. The thought was that having a period regularly would reassure women that everything was normal as well as imitate the rhythm method (thereby making birth control more acceptable to the pope).

Women that wanted to have fewer periods started skipping these placebo pills and taking  the active pills from the next pack of pills. This practice is a form of menstrual suppression which is the adjustment of the menstrual cycle using hormonal contraceptives. Skipping placebo pills or ‘stacking packs’ is one of several way that women can suppress their periods.  The uterine lining is maintained when periods are skipped and breakthrough bleeding may occur as some of the lining sheds. Other potential side effects of taking the combined pill continuously or ‘stacking packs’ may include nausea or diarrhea. The chances of successfully suppressing one’s period without breakthrough bleeding or other side effects depends on both the method used and the patient.

When attempting to decide between continuous cycle pills, 28-day birth control pills, or another form of birth control for menstrual suppression,  women should consult their physician or nurse practitioner in order to create a birth control plan tailored to their needs.

https://www.familyplanning.org.nz/news/2015/taking-your-pill-continuously

https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/travel-health/how-can-i-delay-my-period/

https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/body/health/news/a49222/effects-body-double-back-pill-skip-period/

https://www.cdc.gov/reproductivehealth/contraception/mmwr/spr/combined.html#missed

https://www.glamour.com/story/birth-control-pill-designed-to-please-the-pope

https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2016/05/23/478562615/do-women-need-periods