透過生理期來了解你的健康

What Your Period Can Tell You About Your Health

透過生理期來了解你的健康

文章出處 http://www.womenshealthmag.com/health/period-health-clues
翻譯人員 http://myhealthbiosystems.blogspot.tw/

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你的生理週期除了透露懷孕的訊息外，還可以告訴更多健康訊息!
根據美國心臟協會的最新研究，第一次生理期在十歲之前就來時與十七歲後來時的女性，罹患心血管疾病，中風和高血壓相關疾病的風險較一般人高，相對地第一次生理期在十三歲來時的女性則罹患這類疾病的風險相對較低，但這並不表示你註定會受到第一次週期的影響，而是告訴你生理周期其實可以作為身體健康的指標之一。

婦產科醫師 Alyssa Dweck說"女性的生理週期經過數十年，頻率，天數，流量可能會慢慢的改變，了解這些細微的改變是非常重要的。"Alyssa Dweck醫師列舉了六項生理期改變可能的暗示:

1.多囊性卵巢症候群 (PCOS)
患有多囊性卵巢症候群的女性，因荷爾蒙失調而導致許多問題，其中包含不孕，幸運地是，PCOS可以靠荷爾蒙調節藥物來治療。

2.貧血
如果你的經期流量很大，就有可能會導致身體缺乏紅血球或血紅蛋白。當發生貧血的狀況時，你的身體可能因含氧量不足而感到疲弱，頭痛，頭暈等，補充一些鐵可以幫助改善你的狀況。

3.子宮癌
Dweck醫師說"子宮癌的一些早期徵狀包含“不規則出血，停經後出血，非經期間出血及性行為時感到痛苦"。當然，這些徵狀可能也是其它輕微疾病的徵狀之一，但當有這些徵狀發生時，最好盡速就醫以免錯過黃金治療時期。

4.甲狀腺疾病
甲狀腺於荷爾蒙的製造與調控中扮演著很重要的角色， 女性生理期的改變，如流量變少或增多，可透過甲狀腺檢查來了解是否甲狀腺為影響你生裡期的原因。

5.腦下垂體腫瘤
如果你的生理期沒有來，有可能是因為你懷孕了。但是，如果你還看到乳白色的乳房分泌物，這可能意味著腦下垂體有良性腫瘤或是癌腫塊生長，頭痛是常見的併發症狀。這種疾病常好發於老年人。

6.飲食失調
不正常的飲食也會影響你的生理期。節食或暴飲暴食，BMI過低，或運動過量使體重快速變化都可能會導致生理期沒有來。

原文:

You may think the only thing your period can tell you is whether or not you're pregnant—or if need to pop an ibuprofen because your cramps hurt like hell. But your menstrual cycle can actually clue you in to other health issues, too.

According to new research from the American Heart Association, women whose periods start at age 10 or younger—or 17 and older—have a higher risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and health complications related to high blood pressure. Women who experience their first menstrual cycle at 13, however, have the least risk of experiencing those conditions. Granted, that doesn't mean that your period causes any of these problems—or that you're doomed to experience them if you're an early or late bloomer. But it's still a good reminder that your flow can serve as an indication of other things going on in your bod.

"While menstrual habits may change a bit through the decades, it's important to consider changes in menses, such as change in frequency, length, and amount [of flow]," says ob-gyn Alyssa Dweck, M.D., co-author of V is for Vagina. Here, Dweck shares six conditions your period could tip you off to. Make an appointment with your gyno if you suspect any of them may be an issue for you.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
Women who have PCOS suffer from a hormone imbalance that leads to problems with their periods and their ability to get pregnant (it can also lead to excess facial hair, obesity, ovarian cysts, infertility troubles, and other side effects). Luckily, hormonal birth control can help treat the syndrome.

Anemia
If you have a super heavy flow, you may be anemic, says Dweck. Anemia is a condition in which your blood lacks red blood cells or hemoglobin (the main stuff red blood cells are made of). When this happens, your body doesn't absorb enough oxygen, making you sluggish and giving you other unpleasant symptoms, such as headaches and dizziness. Since this can also cause an iron deficiency, your doc may recommend supplements.

RELATED: Have Heavy Periods? You Need to Read This

Uterine Cancer
Some of the earliest noticeable signs of uterine cancer are "irregular bleeding, bleeding after menopause, and bleeding in between menses," says Dweck. Experiencing pain during sex can also be a tip-off. Of course, these can be signs of other, less serious conditions, too—but it's worth checking with a doctor if you notice these symptoms.

Thyroid Disease
Since your period is so driven by hormones and your thyroid plays such a large role in hormone production and regulation, noticeable changes to your period—like a lighter or heavier flow—could be an indication of thyroid issues, says Dweck. Thyroid tests can tell you if that may be behind your irregular flow.

Pituitary Tumor
If you miss a period, it could obviously be pregnancy. But if you also notice milky breast discharge, it might mean that you have a pituitary tumor, a benign or cancerous mass on your pituitary gland. Headaches are also a possible symptom, says Dweck. These are most often found in older adults (so don't go into instant freakout mode and self-diagnose), but they can occur at any age.

An Eating Disorder
When you're not eating right, it can affect your flow. "Absent menses in the presence of rapid or notable weight loss, with a low BMI, and/or excessive exercise," point doctors to eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia, says Dweck. If this is behind your period changes, you likely already suspect that you may be suffering from disordered eating. But if you haven't come to terms with it yet, hopefully this will be the nudge you need to seek help.