Natural Approaches to Common Women’s Health Issues

Women’s health topics are often sensitive issues that many women are too embarrassed to talk about. An annual checkup goes a long way in detecting problems early on, and there are lots of things women can do to prevent conditions from forming and spreading in their bodies. These are some of our favorite natural approaches to common women’s health issues.

Menstrual Irregularities

Menstrual cycle irregularities don’t just affect pre-teen and teenage girls who are new to their periods. Hormonal imbalances often cause missed periods, too-frequent periods, spotting, and clotting in pre-menopausal women of all ages. Other causes include weight gain or loss, over-exercising, smoking, drug use, caffeine, alcohol, stress, and medications. Irregularities aren’t just inconvenient, but they can also cause anxiety and physical pain.

These are some of the best home remedies for irregular periods:

• Cinnamon
• Sesame seeds
• Ginger
• Grapes
• Green papaya
• Banyan tree roots
• Carrots
• Turmeric

Infections

There are many types of infections that women are faced with, including yeast infections, bladder infections, and urinary tract infections.

Bladder infections occur when urine has a less-than-normal acid level, which allows harmful bacteria to grow at a faster rate. To prevent bladder infections, drink eight glasses of water per day and incorporate these foods into your diet to maintain your urine’s natural acidity:

• Lentils
• Olive oil 
• Whole grain cereal
• Prunes
• Plums

Yeast infections occur because of an imbalance on the bacteria/yeast normal flora of the vagina. Birth control pills can increase your chances of developing yeast infections and result in intense itching, thick discharge, and odor. One home remedy involves inserting plain yogurt into the vagina using a speculum or plastic insertion device. Douching with yogurt can also be helpful for women suffering from yeast infections.

Urinary tract infections affect women, men, and children of all ages and the symptoms are frequency, urgency, incomplete urination, blood in urine, and painful urination. Doctors diagnose UTIs by conducting a urinalysis, urine culture, or pelvic exam. Pyridium is a commonly prescribed urinary tract analgesic, and these are some home remedies you can try to reduce the symptoms:

• Cranberry juice
• Barley water
• Tea
• Heating pad on the abdomen
• Avoid intercourse
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, soda, and citrus juice

Vaginal Odor and Discharge

Odors and discharge and happen because of many factors – not just yeast infections. Hormonal changes, your menstrual cycle, poor hygiene, and STDs could be to blame. According to the McKinley Health Center at the University of Illinois, these are the symptoms of abnormal discharge that should concern you:

• Discharge accompanied by itching, rash or soreness
• Persistent, increased discharge
• Burning on skin during urination
• White, clumpy discharge (somewhat like cottage cheese)
• Grey/white or yellow/green discharge with a foul odor

Whatever the reason for odor and discharge, it’s embarrassing and uncomfortable. We recommend using Seagate’s homeopathic Olive Vaginal Spray for abnormal discharge, odor, redness, swelling, itching, and soreness. Unlike other over-the-counter yeast medications, our formula is gentle and all-natural with no chemical ingredients to irritate this sensitive area.

Here are some other natural ways to fight odor and discharge:

• Yogurt
• Tea tree oil
• Garlic
• Fenugreek
• Citrus fruits
• Pomegranates
• Bananas

Breast Health

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer that affects women and a leading cause of death. However, there are many treatments for breast cancer today with advances in modern medicine. Breast health can be affected by genetics, age, race, having children, alcohol consumption, smoking, obesity, and menstruation cycles.

Here is a helpful diagram that outlines the steps of a breast self-exam:

In addition to mammograms, which use radiation to detect breast lumps, these are some natural ways to maintain breast health:

• Increase vitamin D intake
• Reduce intake of sugar and process foods
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Increase omega-3 fatty acid intake
• Consume curcumin, an extract from turmeric
• Reduce the amount of time you wear a bra each day