Myth Busted on Menstrual Cramps

Have you wondered why it can hurt sooooo much during a girls's menstruation?

Traditionally, you mum would tell you that its normal. But is it really that "normal"?

Let's look at it "scientifically", what happens during menstruation?

1. hormones changes blah blah
2. Blood that lines your womb (aka uterus) in preparation of a pregnancy is being discharged out of your body.
3. Muscles around your womb gotta contract to make the blood come out right?

So why does it hurt?
1. you muscles got sufficient exercise during the month or not?
if not, sure very "rusty" and will complain lor!
2. are you taking supplements to aid this muscular activity?
if not, sure complain lor!
3. are your blood vessels clogged up?
if YES, sure pain lor!

So in TCM view, its all about blood circulation. If you have poor blood circulation, you will have cramps. If your blood circulation really sucks, like in the case of endometriosis (where the blood flows back into the ovary or other organs, does not get discharged out normally) then it would hurt like hell lor!

So that's why endometriosis = painful periods! All because the blood is not being discharged out properly.

Steps that you can do to improve your blood circulation:
1. exercise MORE

2. if u r not the exercise type, go for massages! hee.. it helps! too! not as much... but the shiokness of getting someone to massage you plus the greatest excuse on earth to get it guilt-free...why not right?

3. take supplements to improve blood circulation

4. pilates! just do deep breathing enough liao! cos deep breathing involves heavily on the core muscles which is v closely related to the SAME set of muscles that you'll need for menstruation. (started exploring this option but its painfully EXPENSIVE here in SG *ouch to my wallet*)

5. take bai fong pills before, after menses & before ovulation its been taken by women for decades, cant go that wrong...

6. drink lots of warm and hot beverages during menses, it helps with keep the muscles warm warm for better contraction!

7. take food with alot of fibre so that your digestive tract (small & large intestines that surrounds your muscles needed for contracting to discharge your menstrual blood) works hard to absorb the nutrients from the fibre and give you good bowels!

8. put a hot water bottle or water bag around your waist or lower back to aid the muscle contraction and relief the backaches! It feels so comforting!

9. Rub your tummy regularly even on normal days to promote blood circulation, unblock those blood vessels!

See so many great ways to relieve both the symptoms as well as the cause of it...

Good luck!

Sadness overwhelms again.

I thought that I have gotten over the fact that the marriage of my close friends are on the rocks.

I have tried several ways and means to give as much help/guidance/assistance etc as far as I can stretch.

It hurts so much to see the crumpling of a marriage, especially with some one whom you are so close to, it felt you a part of you has also died along with the death of their marriage.

Am I being too busy body? hmmm....

Am I getting too emotionally attached to someone else's issues?

Well, there is also another little person whom I'm very attached to who is involved in the marriage, this person has no say to what he wants nor will be able to make a sound decision for himself (without being swayed by food or toys...).

So I'm mourning for the loss of the closeness with this family. The loss of more great moments with these folks. We've had so much fun together and its so hard to say goodbye to them.

7 straight days of Ko Song!

Ko Song is a malay word for zero.

When you use the digital ovulation test kit by ClearBlue, they show up a nice smiley face for POSITIVE, YES you are ovulating, please start crazy baby-making for the next two days and a giant big Ko Song for negative... try again another day...

What puzzled me was, why 7 straight days?? I kept trying thinking that my temp. is still pretty high, got chance... maybe lack of sleep etc

After 7 tiring, disappointing days... I gave up.

Checked with my TCM and she highlighted that it could be due to the fact that I'm left with only 1 ovary. :( False alarm! cheh!

Wasted my $ on the kit lor!!!