Go away CRAMPS and Don't cha come back NO MOH!

What are cramps and who gets them -- and why am I writing about this during the biggest party time of the year.  To begin, your period doesn't know you are planning on celebrating holidays with friends and family and may be traveling, skiing or swimming.  For some, painful periods are a nonissue and I say good for you - really and not sarcastically.  Those of you who do get cramps are nodding your heads when I say -- YUCHH, OUCH, LEAVE ME ALONE and BRING ME THE HEATING PAD. 

There is some really helpful information on tampax.com about causes of cramps and what you can do for yourself to help feel better.  Take a read and let me know if there is some bit of something that is new, of interest, and importantly, helps you manage the problem so you can get on with it.  Also, feel free to ask away if you have any further questions.  

http://www.tampax.com/en-US/forYourInfo/forYourInfoArticle.aspx?ID=the-not-so-nice-stuff#pms&utm_source=cafemom&utm_medium=NurseElaine&utm_content=link20101218&utm_campaign=comm_mgr
 

 

What She Says and What She Really Means!

Hate to hear about relationship breakups, especially during the holiday season.  Must be tough.  After reading about today’s latest celebrity marriage that went kaput, I began thinking about the relationships that are so important to me.  

One of my most important relationships is the one I have with my daughter – and we will never “break-up”.   I strongly believe that healthy communication is key to a strong relationship.  Fortunately, my daughter and I established the type of relationship we both wanted early on by being open, understanding and, importantly, talking often.  

While we can talk many times a day and, for the most part, truly understand each others intent, it wasn't always that way.  As much as you love them, communication with your teen girl can be challenging.  A way to help facilitate understanding, is to know what each other is really saying.  YES, sometimes we (and your teen) can say one thing, yet mean something different.  Go figure!! 

On the Always.com site, there is a timely article called:  What She Really Means.   Take a read.  It may be especially helpful during the holiday season when she is around more than usual with school out (or around for breakfast, at least, before she begins hanging with her friends) and you have more opportunity to chat. 
Take a read:
http://www.always.com/mom/what_she_really_means.jsp?utm_source=247moms.blogspot&utm_medium=NurseElaineblog&utm_content=link20101215&utm_campaign=comm_mgr

Let me know what you think.

PMS and Food!

I was at the Always.com website and found this content that may be of interest:  The food you put into your body can affect everything that you do. It can define your energy levels, can make your hair shiny or dull, influences your weight, and it has a lot to do with your overall health in general. It can even affect the severity of your PMS symptoms. When you eat a lot of food that isn't good for you, it takes its toll on your body over time. You may feel sluggish and lazy, get sick a lot or just simply not feel good most of the time. Eating healthy is vital to leading a long, healthy life and it's even important to having a happy period.

On the site, Always has a section  full of info on how food can affect your body, particularly during your period, and recipes to help you eat healthier.  While I know of no better place to get great diet information and healthy recipes than from Weight Watchers, I thought that WW members may appreciate knowing more about recipes that can impact your body during your period.  Let me know if this is helpful.


http://www.always.com/lifestyle/foodforthought.jsp

Moms, what worked in your puberty talk with your daughters?

It’s normal to be nervous when approaching the subject of puberty with your daughter. But rest assured, she’s just as uncomfortable as you are!  Just posted some tips on WebMd to help with the talk.  Would love to hear how that went for you and your daughter. 

http://forums.webmd.com/3/gynecology-exchange/forum/19813

HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH!

A mom asks:   With girls maturing at a much younger age than ever before, just how much detail/terminology should I offer a nine or ten year old girl? It seems like they could be easily overwhelmed, yet if they are on the verge of puberty, they do need to be informed.   http://forums.webmd.com/3/gynecology-exchange/forum/19746?@guest@

What is the terminology to use when talking puberty?

Providing accurate information to your daughter when talking about puberty is important.  Also, she will love that you are open to hearing what she has to say about this --- and other sensitive topics!  Go to WebMD and let me know what your experience was when you spoke with your daughter. 

http://forums.webmd.com/3/gynecology-exchange/forum/19746

What is the terminology to use when talking to your daughter about puberty?

Providing accurate information to your daughter when talking about puberty is important.  Also, she will love that your are open to hearing what she has to say about this --- and other sensitive topics!  Go to WebMD and let me know what your experience was when you spoke with your daughter. 

http://forums.webmd.com/3/gynecology-exchange/forum/19746

Teens, Puberty and Menstruation

Check out the content on WebMD about talking to your teen about her first period.  Let me know what you think.

http://forums.webmd.com/3/gynecology-exchange/forum/19677

Periods, Puberty, Teens and Products

Hello.  I am not a teenager, nor do I think like one.  What I am is a registered nurse who enjoys speaking with teens, their moms, their friends and sometimes, their dads about topics related to puberty, their periods, products and health.  Actually, I am a women’s health care expert who spends a lot of professional time answering health related questions from a variety of professionals and product users – consumers.  Also, I am the one everyone in my realm contacts when they have health questions.  Even when I don’t know the facts, I can research them and then relate them in a way that is more understandable than just reading the medical literature.  Love being helpful in that way!  That is one of the reasons that Tampax, Always and beinggirl.com have asked me to be part of its expert team.

It isn’t a matter of telling anyone what to do – far from it.  It is about providing factual information about health so decisions about how to manage it for one’s self, is made using the best information possible.  Now that I have said that, it brings to mind the one thing that really sets me off and that is the scary, mythical health stuff that circulates on the Internet.  I just shake my head when I read that junk, as I know that it will sent around and sent around and get everyone’s unders in a twirl.   Not that I fault the reader, as those “watch out or you will die” emails often-sound true and worthy of consideration.  Hard to combat that, but I try using facts and sound science.

So, here we meet for the first time. I will be there for your questions and just to listen to your concerns – and, hopefully your celebrations.  I decided to post a blog on blogger.com, because it is a place where women go to research health information and to talk to each other about their questions and concerns.  If anyone has any questions, I will respond, when appropriate, and listen and learn from others.  Recently, I have posted on other blog sites so I can communicate with women and teens that may have different interests, but still want to have access to factual information about their health.  So, you may see me around at other places too.

Looking forward to hearing what you have to say and to sharing information. 
Have a good day and I am looking forward to blogging!
Nurse Elaine