Time For Girl Talk!

Women, it’s time to put ourselves first.

In line with National Women’s Health Week, we are excited to join in this week of empowerment to encourage women in prioritizing our health. We believe that every woman has her own set of beliefs and direction towards her physical and mental health. Therefore, we are here to guide them through some of the most important health concerns faced by women.

1. Do frequent breast self-examinations.



Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer that affects women in Malaysia. It is unfortunate that most of the time, breast cancer is only detected in its later stages, meaning patients could have already been having lumps in their breasts for a while now. Although doctor appointments can help in early detection, performing monthly self-examinations of your breasts can help you detect the signs faster.

The National Breast Cancer Foundation encourages women to perform these self-examinations at least once a month. Here’s how:

In front of a mirror
Rest your arms at your sides and visually examine your breasts. Then, raise your arms above your head and look for any changes in the contour of your breast shape, swelling around the skin or a change in colour of the nipples.

Then, rest your palms on your hips and press firmly to flex the muscles in your chest. Do take note that generally, your breasts will not match exactly though there are a small majority of women with breasts that do. Then, look for any visible changes in your breasts, especially if it is only on one side.

Lying down
While you’re lying down, place a pillow behind your head, and under your right shoulder and arm. Use your left hand and gently feel around your entire right breast and armpit area in small circular motions. Be sure to use light, medium and firm pressure to be familiar with and access the layers of tissue in your breasts. Squeeze your nipples gently and check for any discharge and lumps.

Then, repeat these steps for your left breast.

In the shower
Using your fingers, examine your entire breast and armpit area with a circular pattern, moving from the outside to the center. Check both of your breasts for any lumps or swelling. If you notice any changes, alert your doctor immediately.

2. Things you should know about your period.



This can be quite a tricky one because all bodies are different. However, there are certain things that remain the same for all women during their period. Learning about what is normal and common allows you to quickly distinguish abnormalities in your period, which is crucial because this can also provide clues towards your overall health.

You don’t lose as much as blood as you think
According to Health.com, it only feels like you’re losing a torrent of blood each month but in reality, you’re only losing about 3-6 tablespoons. If you feel like your flow is much heavier than that, it is suggested to keep track of the number of pads and tampons you’re changing in a day. On average, if you see yourself changing it once every few hours, then that may be slightly heavier so it’s best to consult your doctor. Losing too much blood can result in anemia, which can in turn cause dizziness and fatigue.

Cramps that are too painful can be a sign of underlying symptoms of something more serious
Cramps are caused by contractions in the uterus that help to shed the uterine lining. These are extremely normal in many women and the pain of these contractions can range from mild discomfort to serious agony. There are many ways of reducing the pain such as through over the counter painkillers or even old-school remedies such as placing a heating pad over your stomach.

However, if you’re one who typically does not get cramps and suddenly feels unimaginable pain every month, then go see your doctor. For cramps that are significantly disrupting your life and progressively getting to the point where it inhibits your daily activities, it could be a sign of something serious such as growths in the uterus, so be sure to schedule an appointment with your doctor.

Occasionally missing your period is normal
Missing your period does not always mean you’re pregnant. It’s completely normal, especially if you are currently dealing with something major such as stress and illness. Stress affects the part of the brain which is responsible for producing hormones which can result in changes in the frequency and duration of your period. Meanwhile, certain medications that you take to cure illnesses may also affect your period cycle.

If you miss more than one period and you’ve taken a pregnancy test to ensure that is not the reason, talk to your doctor about it.