OVARIAN CANCER

The ovaries

The ovaries are part of a woman's reproductive system. They are in the pelvis. Each ovary is about the size of an almond.

The ovaries make the female hormones -- estrogen and progesterone. They also release eggs. An egg travels from an ovary through a fallopian tube to the womb (uterus).

When a woman goes through her "change of life" (menopause), her ovaries stop releasing eggs and make far lower levels of hormones.

Understanding ovarian cancer

Cancer begins in cells, the building blocks that make up tissues. Tissues make up the organs of the body.

Normally, cells grow and divide to form new cells as the body needs them. When cells grow old, they die, and new cells take their place.

Sometimes, this orderly process goes wrong. New cells form when the body does not need them, and old cells do not die when they should. These extra cells can form a mass of tissue called a growth or tumor.

Tumors can be benign or malignant:

Benign tumors are not cancer:

* Benign tumors are rarely life-threatening.

* Generally, benign tumors can be removed. They usually do not grow back.

* Benign tumors do not invade the tissues around them.

* Cells from benign tumors do not spread to other parts of the body.

Malignant tumors are cancer:
* Malignant tumors are generally more serious than benign tumors. They may be life-threatening.
* Malignant tumors often can be removed. But sometimes they grow back.
* Malignant tumors can invade and damage nearby tissues and organs.
* Cells from malignant tumors can spread to other parts of the body. Cancer cells spread by breaking away from the original (primary) tumor and entering the lymphatic system or bloodstream. The cells invade other organs and form new tumors that damage these organs. The spread of cancer is called metastasis.

Benign and malignant cysts

An ovarian cyst may be found on the surface of an ovary or inside it. A cyst contains fluid. Sometimes it contains solid tissue too. Most ovarian cysts are benign (not cancer).
Most ovarian cysts go away with time. Sometimes, a doctor will find a cyst that does not go away or that gets larger. The doctor may order tests to make sure that the cyst is not cancer.

Ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer can invade, shed, or spread to other organs:
* Invade: A malignant ovarian tumor can grow and invade organs next to the ovaries, such as the fallopian tubes and uterus.

* Shed: Cancer cells can shed (break off) from the main ovarian tumor. Shedding into the abdomen may lead to new tumors forming on the surface of nearby organs and tissues. The doctor may call these seeds or implants.

* Spread: Cancer cells can spread through the lymphatic system to lymph nodes in the pelvis, abdomen, and chest. Cancer cells may also spread through the bloodstream to organs such as the liver and lungs

Orgasmic Disorder

An orgasm in the human female is a variable, transient peak sensation of intense pleasure, creating an altered state of consciousness, usually with an initiation accompanied by involuntary, rhythmic contractions of the pelvic striated circumvaginal musculature, often with concomitant uterine and anal contractions, and myotonia (muscle relaxation) that resolves the sexually induced vasocongestion and myotonia, generally with an induction of well-being and contentment.

Anorgasmia (inability to experience orgasm) is more common among younger women, demonstrating that sexual response is a learned response. The problem of anorgasmia may be constant, or may occur only with a partner or with penetration.

Women's orgasms can be induced by erotic stimulation of a variety of genital and nongenital sites. As of yet, no definitive explanations for what triggers orgasm have emerged. Studies of brain imaging indicate increased activation at orgasm, compared to pre-orgasm, in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, periaqueductal gray of the midbrain, hippocampus, and the cerebellum. Psychosocial factors commonly discussed in relation to female orgasmic ability include age, education, social class, religion, personality, and relationship issues. Findings from surveys and clinical reports suggest that orgasm problems are the second most frequently reported sexual problems in women. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for anorgasmia focuses on promoting changes in attitudes and sexually relevant thoughts, decreasing anxiety, and increasing orgasmic ability and satisfaction. To date there are no pharmacological agents proven to be beneficial beyond placebo in enhancing orgasmic function in women.

Sex education, communication skills training and Kegel exercises are often included in cognitive behavioural treatment programmes for anorgasmia. To date there are no trials showing that any pharmacological agent is more efficacious than placebo in enhancing orgasmic function among these women.

Diet

At one time more than a million people in the UK were following low-carbohydrate diets particularly when this was popularised in the Atkins Diet but their popularity has waned.

Atkins Diet or just 'Atkins', is a well-known low-carbohydrate diet created by Dr.Robert Atkins from a diet he read in the Journal of the American Medical Association and utilized to resolve his own overweight condition. He later popularized the Atkins diet in a series of books, starting with Dr. Atkins' Diet Revolution in 1972.

Various factors, however, led to its dwindling success and the company founded by Dr. Atkins in 1989, Atkins Nutritionals bankruptcy in 2005, two years after the death of Dr. Atkins.

Dr. Atkins rejected the conventional advice instead asserting that the increase in refined carbohydrates is responsible for the rise in metabolic disorders of the 20th century, and that the focus on the detrimental effects of dietary fat has actually contributed to the obesity problem by increasing the proportion of insulin-inducing foods in the diet.

The Atkins diet involves the restriction of carbohydrates in order to switch the body's metabolism from burning glucose to burning stored body fat. Many incorrectly believed that the Atkins Diet promoted eating unlimited amounts of fatty meats and cheeses. This is a key point of clarification that Dr. Atkins addressed in the revisions of his book. Although the Atkins Diet does not impose limits on certain foods, or caloric restriction in general, Dr. Atkins pointed out that this plan is "not a license to gorge."

An attraction of these diets is that they offer an unlimited quantity of protein foods such as meat, fish and eggs together with unlimited fats including butter but virtually no carbohydrates such as cereals.

• Proponents of the Atkins diet believe that these diets reduce digestible energy.
• Opponents believe that the Atkins diet is self limiting because it is not palatable long-term.

The British Diabetic Association could not recommend this solution as it could have adverse effects on the kidneys and heart.

Research has confirmed quick short-term weight loss with the Atkins diet but the medium (six months) and long-term loss is no better than other diets.

MENSTRUAL PROBLEMS

Types of Menstrual Disorders

There is a number of different menstrual disorders, from the short minor menstrual problems to the more prolonged menstruation problems to serious illnesses. This list of menstrual disorders will help you identify different menstrual cycle disorders of varying degrees.

Dysmenorrhea

Dysmenorrhea is the name for painful menstrual cramps. There are two types of dysmenorrheal, primary dysmenorrheal and secondary dysmenorrheal. Primary dysmenorrheal is period pain that is not due to secondary dysmenorrhea. Secondary dysmenorrheal is pain that occurs as a result of excess prostaglandins, excessive uterine contractions or any other disease.

Amenorrhea

Amenorrhea is the absence of menstrual periods. There are two types of amenorrhea, primary amenorrhea and secondary amenorrhea. Primary amenorrhea is the condition where a woman has never had a period. Secondary amenorrhea is the absence of menstrual periods for at least six months. Secondary amenorrhea is often due to pregnancy.

Menorrhagia

Menorrhagia is excessive or prolonged menstrual bleeding. Menorrhagia is also known as hypermenorrhea. Menorrhagia does not refer to normal heavy menstrual bleeding. It only refers to very heavy bleeding or bleeding that lasts longer than seven days. Menorrhagia can also be accompanied by menstrual bleeding that includes large blood clots. It is most frequently caused by a hormonal imbalance or uterine fibroids.

Endometrial Cancer

Endometrial cancer is cancer of the lining of the uterus. Usually, endometrial cancer is accompanied by unusual bleeding from the vagina. It is a serious illness, but can usually be treated successfully if it is caught early enough. It is most common is women over 50 years old or in women who have had high levels of estrogen.

Fibroids

Fibroids are growths in the muscular wall of the uterus. They come in varying sizes and can be tiny or large. Some women do not have any symptoms with fibroids. Other women can experience heavy bleeding and longer periods than usual. Fibroids can also cause pain in the lower pelvic area, pain during sexual intercourse, a constant need to urinate, pressure in the bowel and constipation. Women who are aged over 35 or who have had multiple pregnancies are at a greater risk of fibroids.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease (or PID) is an infection that occurs in some part of the female reproductive organs. One of the symptoms of PID is a foul-smelling discharge from the vagina. It may also be accompanied by irregular menstrual periods or pain during sex. The most common cause for PID is by coming into contact with a sexually transmitted disease. PID is a serious illness that may damage the fallopian tubes and prevent future pregnancies.

Three easy ways to cook fresh asparagus

Now that this stalky vegetable is in season, here are three simple recipes for cooking fresh asparagus.

Cheesy Spears
Toss 1 bunch (1 lb) trimmed asparagus in 1 Tbsp olive oil with 1/4 tsp each salt and pepper. Spread in an even layer on a baking pan. Sprinkle with 1/3 cup grated Parmesan. Roast at 425°F for 10 minutes or until tender. Sprinkle with lemon zest.

Appetizer
Combine 3/4 lb trimmed asparagus, 1 cup grape tomatoes, 2 Tbsp olive oil, and 1/4 tsp each salt and pepper. Roast at 400°F for 15 minutes. Wrap bundles of 3 spears with a slice of prosciutto. Serve with tomatoes.

Creamy Soup
Sauté 1 diced small onion with 2 tsp butter in a saucepan until softened. Add 1 lb trimmed asparagus, cut into pieces; cook 4 minutes. Add 1 quart reduced-sodium chicken broth; bring to a boil. Cook until asparagus is tender, about 10 minutes. Cool slightly. Purée in blender. Stir in 1/2 cup fat-free half-and-half.