Spotting Health Dictionary

Alcohol dependence, or alcoholism, is described under ALCOHOL but a summary of the symptoms may be helpful in spotting the disorder. Behavioural symptoms vary but include furtiveness; aggression; inappropriately generous gestures; personality changes (sel?shness, jealousy, irritability and outbursts of anger); empty promises to stop drinking; poor appetite; scru?y appearance; and long periods of drunkenness.... alcohol dependence

Conclusion of menstruation at the end of reproductive life – between the years 45-50 – and lasting about 4 years. Ovulation fails, hormonal activity wanes. Intervals between periods longer. Periods may stop gradually or suddenly and become scantier.

Symptoms. Not all present at once. Hot flushes, weight gain, depression, urinary frequency, headaches, backache, painful breasts, vaginal discomfort, cannot sleep or concentrate and gets irritable. Cries easily. Poor sexual response.

The hot sweats must not be misdiagnosed. They may be due to an over-worked thyroid gland which requires Kelp, Bugleweed. Palpitations may be due to tachycardia – see: CARDIO-VASCULAR AGENTS: Hawthorn, Lily of the Valley, Motherwort, etc. Tiredness often points to anaemia – see: ANAEMIA.

Oestrogen deficiency predisposes to osteoporosis (weakening and softening of the bones), height loss. Increased flow, or spotting, after an interval of 6 months should be investigated. Excessive blood loss may be due to fibroids.

Alternatives. Herbs to enable women to adjust naturally to the menopause are many and varied. In general use: Agnus Castus (ovarian hormone precurser), Black Haw (Uterine relaxant), Broom (gentle diuretic and heart restorative), Clivers, Goldenseal, Helonias (ovarian hormone precurser), Lady’s Mantle, Life root, Lime flowers, Marjoram, Motherwort, Nettles, Oats (nutrient), Parsley tea, Pennyroyal, Raspberry leaves, Skullcap (tension), St John’s Wort (anxiety), Valerian (nervous excitability).

For menopausal flooding, see: MENORRHAGIA.

Hot flushes: see entry.

With circulatory disorders, add Rosemary.

Alternative formulae. Teas. (1) Motherwort and Raspberry leaves. (2) Lady’s Mantle, Lime flowers, Yarrow. (3) Raspberry leaves, Broom, Clivers. Place 1 heaped teaspoon in each cup boiling water; infuse 15 minutes; 1 cup thrice daily. (4) Sage tea. (Chinese traditional)

Vitamin E. Hot flushes and circulatory distress.

Evening Primrose oil capsules.

Formula. Agnus Castus 2; Black Haw 1; Valerian half. Dose: Liquid Extracts: 1 teaspoon. Tinctures: 2 teaspoons. Powders: 500mg (two 00 capsules or one-third teaspoon). Thrice daily.

Diet. Infrequency of hot flushes and other menopausal symptoms in Japanese women are believed to be related to their Soya-rich diet, Soya containing isoflavonoids which are similar to human oestrogen. Avoid coffee. Reduce tea, Cola drinks, Alcohol.

Vitamins. The condition makes heavy demands upon the vitamin reserves. C, 1g morning and evening. E, 500iu morning and evening. B-complex, B6.

Minerals. Calcium helps reduce risk of fracture, particularly in menopausal women who may increase their intake to 800mg daily – calcium citrate malate being more effective than the carbonate. Dried milk powder contains high percentage of Calcium. ... menopause

Bleeding or staining (“spotting”) from the vagina between periods in women taking an oral contraceptive. The bleeding is most common during the first few months of taking the pill and is caused by incomplete suppression of the endometrium.

(See also vaginal bleeding.)... breakthrough bleeding

The muscular passage, forming part of the female reproductive system, between the cervix and the external genitalia. The vagina has muscular walls, which are highly elastic to allowsexual intercourse and childbirth and are richly supplied with blood vessels. vaginal bleeding Bleeding, via the vagina, that may come from the uterus, the cervix, or from the vagina itself.

The most common source of bleeding is the uterus and the most likely reason for it is menstruation. From puberty to the menopause, menstrual bleeding usually occurs at regular intervals. However, problems may occur with either the character or the timing of the bleeding (see menstruation, disorders of).

Nonmenstrual bleeding from the uterus may be due to a variety of causes. Hormonal drugs, such as oral contraceptives, can cause spotting. Other possible causes include endometritis, endometrial cancer (see uterus, cancer of), and fibroids. In early pregnancy, bleeding may be a sign of threatened miscarriage. Later in pregnancy, it may indicate placenta praevia or placental abruption (see antepartum haemorrhage).

Bleeding from the cervix may be due to cervical erosion, in which case it may occur after intercourse. Cervicitis and polyps may also cause bleeding. More seriously, bleeding may be a sign of cervical cancer (see cervix, cancer of).

A possible cause of bleeding from the vagina is injury during intercourse, especially following the menopause, when the walls of the vagina become thinner and more fragile. Occasionally, severe vaginitis causes bleeding. Rarely, vaginal bleeding is caused by cancer of the vagina.... vagina