Ovulation does not happen right in the middle of the menstrual cycle for every woman. Especially those who have exceptionally short cycles have a realistic possibility of getting pregnant right after their period has ended. That is not because their partner’s sperm has some super hero-like ability to survive in the uterus and the fallopian tubes for weeks on end. It is because those women might experience ovulation very soon after their period.

For women who think their periods last for a long time, there is another alternative. It is possible that they continue bleeding after their menstruation has actually ended, and that their ovulation will actually begin in the middle of their cycle, but just after bleeding has finished.

The most reliable as well as the easiest way to figure out what is going on with your cycles is to do ovulation tests for a few cycles. If ovulation tests reveal that you ovulate soon after your period has ended, you have every chance of conceiving at that time. if you ovulate weeks after your period ended, those chances are reduced so significantly that there is virtually no chance.

Implantation bleeding occurs when a fertilized egg makes its way to the endometrium, the tissue that lines the uterus, and implants. It does not happen to every newly pregnant women – in fact, around one in three pregnant women have an implantation bleeding.

If you are experiencing bleeding, and are not sure whether it is a period or an implantation bleeding, the first thing to look at is the time in your cycle. Implantation bleeding or spotting happens before your period is due. A week to ten days after your ovulation is the most usual time for the implantation bleeding to happen.

For those with an irregular cycle or those who are simply not sure when their period is due, there is another key way of determining whether your bleeding is a period or an implantation bleeding. Menstrual bleeding tends to speed up soon after you first notice it. Unlike your period, an implantation bleeding literally consists of a few spots of blood. That is probably why it is also called spotting. If the bleeding is barely noticeable, the chances are that it was an implantation bleeding.

Most of the women who do get an implantation bleeding have no symptoms other than the bleeding itself, but if you do notice symptoms like cramping and tender breasts, that does not mean that your bleeding must be a period. Some women do have period-like symptoms with their implantation spotting. These are, in fact, very early pregnancy symptoms.

Ladies who are trying to conceive probably have a few pregnancy tests lying around the house. If you think you might have had an implantation bleeding, there is no harm in peeing on a stick and seeing whether your pregnancy test turns up positive. It does happen sometimes, even at this early stage.

What did women use for menstruation in 18th century for example? Have you ever thought of that?

Actually it is almost impossible or at least very hard to say for sure how women managed their periods not so long ago. Perhaps the reason men rule(d) the world is the fact very little is recorded about female issues such as menstruation.
Some women even used tampons, pads (“rags” and commercial ones), sponges, grass and other absorbent materials that were very probably popular for thousands of years. And very possible most American and European women used nothing: they were bleeding into their clothes or wore nothing!?

Sabine Hering and Gudrun Maierhof, in Die unpäßliche Frau (“The Indisposed Woman,” Pfaffenweiler, Germany, 1991) write that most women made their own pads. Besides, German women almost never used commercial menstrual pads in the late 19th century. Or in some cases, just like rural German women, urban women wore nothing at all – which means when they were menstruating, they were leaving a trail of blood behind them.

I would also like to bring out that we should keep in mind that prior 20th century due to life style women menstruated less frequently comparing today. To begin with, they started menstruating later – most often in late teens and they also stopped earlier, of course if they lived long enough to experience menopause.

Women married earlier, used less contraception and had more children, which reduced menstruation for longer periods of time. Additionally, they breastfeed their children for longer time which also contributed to the fact they weren’t menstruating every month.

I never thought the history of menstruation could be so… interesting? It is shocking to be remembered that what seems to be completely normal and necessity today, seemed a luxury and even non-existent century ago.

One of the most popular herbal remedies that relieve menstrual pain is evening primrose oil. There is no scientific data this herb is actually helpful, but many women swear by it.

Another step would be changing your nutrition. In order to cope with menstrual pain, avoid meat and dairy products, because they contain the hormone prostaglandin, which can make cramping worse. By avoiding dairy and meat products, this includes avoiding milk, yogurts, cheeses and other dairy products, and additionally avoiding meat by skipping hamburgers and other sources of meat. Try to follow this routine for few months and observe if there is any progress.

Instead meat, try to incorporate more omega-3 fatty acids. They are found in fish such as salmon, mackerel, sardines, and anchovies. If you don’t like fish (besides fish is also not good if you consume it on daily basis because of mercury) it is also possible to substitute omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil capsules. Some studies have showed that menstrual cramps are relieved by the effect of fish oil intake because two compounds are found in fish oil (eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA))and they both decrease prostaglandin levels.

Magnesium is a great mineral that can help you fight menstrual pain and period cramps, but also regulates blood sugar levels, blood pressure and heart rhythm, improves your immune function, and is also good for your bone health and rebuilding your muscles. However, be careful with magnesium since overdosing can cause nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, muscle weakness, difficulty breathing, low blood pressure, irregular heart rate, and confusion.

There are additional solutions that can help you relieve horrible menstrual cramps, and these remedies include: low fat diets, massages and chiropractic therapies, acupressure and/or acupuncture, vitamin E and B1, calcium, heat therapies, herbs like fennel etc.

Food cravings as a sign of premenstrual syndrome

If you want to overcome food cravings that are associated with PMS and most of all prevent overeating, you must make sure to keep you sugar levels in blood stable. This means you should stay away from sugary bombs such as chocolate and salty and fatty snacks such as chips. You will be able to control these cravings if you keep your sugar levels in blood under control. I know this might sound as a cliché, but this sugar control can be done by eating healthy which means eating carbs that are processed for a longer period of time and are full of fibers. For example, this includes whole grains, nuts, fruits and veggies and lean proteins such as skinless chicken and fish. Also, make sure to eat small meals, which is also one of the ways to avoid overeating.

Evening primrose oil to cope with breast tenderness

Some people swear by herbal remedy, called evening primrose oil: they say it immediately relieves PMS, including breast tenderness. However, there is not enough scientific data that could support these claims. However, if you use herbal remedies make sure you buy them from a reliable source, and most of all do not mix them with other prescription medications without the knowledge of your doctor.

“I am moody” … PMS?

Moodiness is a very common PMS syndrome and most women deal with it. If you want to overcome moodiness, try following herbal remedy:  5-HTP (5-hydroxytryptophan). 5-HTP is a natural mood enhancer – an extracts of the plan improves sleep, increases serotonin levels also known as happiness hormone and reduces anxiety.

Calcium is another supplement that could help you improve your mood. You will find it in yogurt or certain fruits, such as oranges.

Adopting healthy habits, such as proper diet and exercise, leaving cigarettes, alcohol and caffeinated beverage, is important step when trying to conceive, but even couples with the healthiest lifestyles have to understand and monitor fertility cycles, because they’re most important factors for pregnancy.

Women’s cycle lengths may vary from a 24-day cycle to a 34-day cycle. The following ovulation calendar is based on a 28-day cycle, which is average cycle length for most women. If your cycle is longer or shorter, you may adjust it accordingly). This article will lead you through your cycle day-by-day which may help you determine when you are fertile and ready for conception.

Cycle Day 1 – This is the start of your period (or menstruation). Your reproductive hormones are at low level. This is period when a menstrual bleeding starts.

Cycle Days 1-5 – Menstruation typically lasts about 5 days. Your body is in so called ‘cool phase’ with temperature low, since your progesterone hormone levels have dropped off from your last cycle and your estrogen levels may yet to rise.

Cycle Days 6-8 – Estrogen dominates the cool phase of your cycle, but before estrogen can be produced, the brain and body relay a set of hormonal messages to prepare your body for upcoming ovulation. Two hormones are being released – follicle stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone. Both are responsible for the maturation off eggs and follicle, producing estrogen as egg develops.

Cycle Days 8-11 – Eggs mature and the estrogen production is at full speed. Increase in estrogen should cause changes in the cervical mucus, supporting the build-up of the endometrium and preparing your uterus for pregnancy. Your body temperature will still remain low. The amount of cervical fluids increases, but they’re still sticky and translucent.

Cycle Days 11-13 – If you have a 28-day cycle, you’re getting close to ovulation, which means you’re entering your fertile window. Estrogen levels are high in this period and cervical mucus will start to become clear, slippery and stretchy. During these days, your fertility level is high, even though ovulation may be more than a few days off. The reason why you can get pregnant is because sperm can survive few days in a woman’s body.

Cycle Days 13-14 – The estrogen levels are at their highest during these days. This precipitates a boost in the hormone LH, which causes ovulation. The egg emerges from the ovarian follicle and you are at peak fertility. Since the egg can only survive just twelve to twenty four hours, these few days preceding ovulation are the best period for trying to conceive. Intercourse on the day after ovulation could be helpful as well.

Cycle Days 14-15 – Ovulation has taken place, as well as two-week-waiting period. Estrogen levels drop and your body moves from the cool phase to the hot phase, due to production of progesterone in corpus luteum. You can confirm that ovulation has taken place by seeing your basal body temperature rise. This rise should last through the rest of your cycle.

Cycle Days 16-22 – The corpus luteum continues to produce progesterone. Your basal body temperature remains high. A few days after ovulation, the amount of cervical mucus decreases and it becomes cloudier and stickier. Conception must take place within 24 hours of ovulation or the egg will die. If the egg is fertilized, it begins the trip to the womb.

Cycle Days 23-27 – Unless you become pregnant, the corpus luteum will begin to falter and you may see your basal body temperature temps drop right at the end of your cycle. If pregnant, your body will keep producing the progesterone, and your BBT temps will stay high.

Cycle Days 28 – If you have a 28 days cycle, this will be your last cycle day. Both estrogen and progesterone drop. If you are not pregnant, you can expect to have your period a day after. If you are pregnant, well done, and good luck with your pregnancy.

An ovarian cyst is a hormonal related disorder, caused by the overproduction of male hormones in the female body. Ovarian cyst may be single or multiple and it can occur in one or both ovaries. Most ovarian cysts are benign, but approximately 15 percent are cancerous. That is why examination is always necessary.

Types of Ovarian Cyst

There are five common types of ovarian cysts: functional cysts, endometrial cysts, cystadenomas, dermoid cysts and polycystic ovaries.

Functional cysts develop on follicle or corpus luteum as part of the natural function of the ovary. These cysts are not big and they usually dissolve after certain period of time.
Endometrial cysts, also known as “chocolate cysts”, because they’re filled with dark blood, form as a result of endometriosis. They continue to grow and could become as large as grapefruit. These cysts could cause an infertility.
Ovarian cystadenomas are new and abnormal formations that develop from the ovarian tissue. They could be filled with watery fluid or thick gelatinous material, growing up to 12 inches.
Dermoid cysts are also neoplasms similar to cystadenomas, with one difference. They consist of skin or related tissue such as hair, teeth or bone instead of fluid like the cystadenomas. Dermoid cysts grow between 2 and 4 inches.
Polycystic ovaries is a condition in which the follicles never erupt from the ovaries. This condition is also known as polycystic ovarian syndrome or disease (PCOS), and it’s directly linked with difficulty in conceiving.

How to Recognize Symptoms of Ovarian Cysts

Cysts may grow quietly and go unnoticed until they are found on routine examination. However, if they are ruptured or become large enough, the following symptoms may occur:

• Intense abdominal pain (symptom in all types of cysts)
• Late, bleeding between or irregular periods (symptom occurring in corpus luteum cysts and polycystic ovaries)
• Heavy menstrual flow (symptom occurring in polycystic ovaries)
• Infertility (symptom occurring in polycystic ovaries and endometrial cysts)
• Internal bleeding (symptom occurring in endometrial cysts)
• Severe menstrual cramps (symptom occurring in endometrial cysts)
• Pain with sexual intercourse (symptom occurring in endometrial cysts)
• Pain during a bowel movement (symptom occurring in endometrial cysts)
• Weight gain (symptom occurring in polycystic ovaries and endometrial cysts)

If any of symptoms is present you should visit your doctor for further tests and treatment immediately.

Treatment of Ovarian Cysts

Treatment of ovarian cysts depends on many factors, including the type of cyst, its size, location, the type of material it contains and the woman’s age.

Functional cysts usually require a “watch and wait” approach. These cysts tend to dissolve over time and treatment is not needed. The doctor may require pelvic exam and/or ultrasound after two menstrual cycles. If the cyst is still present and keeps growing (over 2 inches) the doctor may recommend a laparoscopy to remove the cyst. If functional cyst comes and goes, birth control pills may be prescribed, because they reduce the hormones that promote cysts’ growth and they also prevent formation of large cysts.

Endometrial cysts, cystadenomas and dermoid cysts should be removed surgically. If the cyst is small enough it could be removed via laparoscopy. But if the cyst is over 2 ½ inches in diameter, treatment varies from cysterectomy (removal of cyst only) to total abdominal hysterectomy, usually when cyst is cancerous.

Treatment for polycystic ovaries varies. The major symptom of polycystic ovaries is infertility, and whether the woman is trying to conceive or not determines the treatment for PCOS.
If the woman is trying to conceive, the doctor will prescribe Clomid which stimulates ovulation. If the woman is not trying to conceive, but has infrequent or no periods, the doctor will prescribe Provera, that restores normal menstrual flows.

The best advice for you is to visit your doctor regularly for routine examination, especially if you have one of the symptoms mentioned above. Ovarian cyst is not major reason for infertility, but if you’re trying to get pregnant having a cyst, you should determine the type and treatment that will help you conceiving.