Vitamin Supplements

Calcium is an essential ingredient in your bones. By getting plenty of calcium while your bones are still growing, you help maximize your bone mass. Your body also requires calcium for many other vital functions and if you don't give it enough calcium for these other purposes it has to take it out of the bones.
The best source is the food we eat. But, if you can't get enough from your diet, supplementation is acceptable. Taking more calcium than you need does no good and more than twice could be harmful.

Are you getting enough Calcium?

To determine whether your diet has enough calcium, look at the chart below to find your daily calcium needs. If this figures is less than or equal to your daily calcium intake, you are getting enough. If your needs are greater than your intake, subtract to determine the amount of your deficiency.

How much Calcium is in your diet?

Dairy products are the main source of dietary calcium for most people. For a quick estimate of the amount of calcium you are getting each day, use the chart below to total up your dairy sources and then add another 350 mg., which is what most women get from the nondairy part of their diet. If you are on a low-fat diet, you can still get your calcium from nonfat and low-fat dairy products.

Taking Calcium Supplements

Many types of calcium supplements are available, including calcium carbonate and calcium citrate. Some tablets may need to be taken more than once a day or with meals. Multi-mineral supplements are another way to get calcium. Check with your doctor to find the most effective supplement for you.

1. Protect and prevent bones from osteoporosis
2. Long term protection cardiovascular disease - both heart attacks and strokes
3. Relief of hot flashes and night sweats
4. Relief of vaginal symptoms of irritation and dryness that can cause pain and dryness during intercourse.
5. Ease emotional and nervous symptoms (depression, irritability, insomnia)
6. Keep a woman feeling young.
7. Promotes soft and unwrinkled skin and decreses the thinning of skin
8. Protection against Alzheimer's disease
9. Reported protection from colon cancer
10. Protection against endometrial cancer

PMS

Term used to describe a group of physical or behavioral changes some women go through 7-10 days before their menstrual period. The qualifying factor of PMS is these unpleasant symptoms disappear after the cycle and reappear about the same time each month. PMS symptoms and the degree varies with each woman, but can cause problems in all aspects of our life, home, work, socially, etc.

Physical symptoms include: bloating, weight gain, breast soreness, abdominal swelling, clumsiness, constipation, swollen hands and feet, fatigue, and acne outbreaks.

 

Behavioral symptoms include: depression, irritability, anxiety, mood swings, inability to concentrate and decrease in sexual desire.

 

The cause of PMS is unknown, but probably related to a decrease in hormone levels affecting women from puberty to menopause( but usually age 25-40). Research is pointing to the combination of estrogen and progesterone with other chemicals in the brain. Also, fluctuating hormones cause the retention of Sodium in the bloodstream causing swelling and bloating.

1. Physical exam to rule out other disorders. Keeping a menstrual diary is the most helpful to monitor symptoms and their severity on a scale of 1-10.
2. Exercise
3. Learning relaxation techniques.
4. Stop smoking
5. Support groups and/or individual counseling
6. Additional info: PMS Access, P.O. Box 9326, Madison, Wi. 53715, 1-800-222-4767.
7. Regular sleep

Dietary Treatment of PMS

Primary Care Physician

Your overall guide to medical care - he/she needs to maintain up-to-date lab tests, general physical exams and be your source of referral for specialists.

BCP

Used by millions of women to prevent pregnancy. "The Pill" contains synthetic (man-made) hormones that are like the ones made by your body. The pill prevents an egg from being released from the ovary. Without an egg, pregnancy cannot occur. It is one of the most popular and effective birth control methods, but, to be effective, it must be taken as prescribed

Advantages

1. effective 99.99% if taken correctly
2. convenient-no preparation before sex
3. reversible. When you stop taking the pill, ovulation begins again and pregnancy may occur.
4. Regulation and less painful menstrual cycles, as well as decrease in amount of bleeding.
5. Less likely to be anemic.
6. Protection against some cancers and no increase in the risk of breast cancer.

Reasons why a woman could not take BCP's include:

1. history of blood clots
2. history of stroke and/or disease of blood vessels
3. active liver disease
4. unexplained vaginal bleeding
5. breast cancer
6. smoking past the age of 35

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The Women's Clinic
9000 Airline Highway, Suite 620
Baton Rouge, La. 70815
(225) 927-5480
email: info@thewomensclinic.com
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