My Experience With Hematocolpos: How I Got My First Period

Finally, A Diagnosis!

Hematocolpos is ‘an accumulation of blood within the vagina’. It is often caused by the combination of menstruation with an imperforate hymen. An imperforate hymen is a medical condition where the girls are born with a hymen which covers the whole opening of the vagina. An imperforate hymen may be diagnosed at any age. However, when a girl hits puberty, this type of hymen blocks the blood from flowing out and the blood pools in the vagina. This condition is called Hematocolpos. The blood which had backed up in the vagina had caused the pain and put pressure on the bowels causing constipation. Any further delay would have caused the blood to become toxic in my body causing further complications. A small surgery she said, would correct the hematocolpos. Was I relieved?! While my parents worried about the word surgery, the inner me was just relieved and happy to have got a diagnosis finally. No more excruciating pain.

A hymenotomy was performed under general anesthesia and an incision was made in the hymen and the accumulated blood was drained, all of which was explained to me and my parents. After two days of hospitalization, I was discharged. It’s been 24 years since then. While every girl has an unforgettable story about the day they got their periods, mine probably tops them all.

The author, Tasneem is a writer at Infano. This is her true life experience.

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Collagen is a protein that promotes active joints and younger-looking skin and may help in improving women’s health. Collagens are the most abundant proteins found in connective tissues of human and animal species. Collagen is the most predominant protein in the body. A number of different types of collagen have been discovered among which type I/III and type II are the major types for the skin dermis and for the articular cartilage, respectively.

Collagen is the most abundant protein found in joint cartilage and the dermis of the skin. It provides the structural framework of your connective tissues to keep your skin firm and resilient and your joints active and fluid. Chondroitin sulfate is a naturally occurring element of joint cartilage that gives cartilage its incredible shock-absorbing properties. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a molecule that helps provide hydration for your skin, lubrication for your joints, and is the gel-like substance that holds your cells together.

Natural food sources of collagen are meat, fish, and eggs, but the best sources of collagen are found in tendons and cartilage, so bone broth is a good option. Eating foods rich in vitamin C and amino acids can increase the collagen in the body. Fruits and vegetables like oranges, red peppers, kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and strawberries are all rich in vitamin C.

Facts that prove collagen can help with women’s health:

1) Collagen protein helps with weight loss and is more filling than other types of protein.

The intake of hydrolyzed collagen stimulates the release of satiating hormones into the bloodstream.

2) Speeds up recovery time for torn muscles, joints, and ligaments.

Collagen synthesis rates in connective tissue and muscles during the healing of an injury have been shown to be significantly higher during the first three weeks immediately following injury. It also helps increase muscle mass, prevents bone loss, and relieves joint pain associated with exercise and rheumatoid arthritis,

3) Prevents Heartburn and Ulcers.

Collagen peptides in the GI tract pull in water and attract acid molecules, which aids in the breakdown of food particles and help move food through the GI tract.

4) Repairs the intestinal lining to heal IBS & Leaky Gut.

Proper intestinal healing requires an increased collagen supply, and studies have found decreased collagen levels in those with digestive imbalances. Also, glutamine, one of the amino acids in collagen, is a key amino acid in preventing inflammation in the gut lining and healing leaky gut syndrome.

Collagen intake may help in improving women’s health on the whole. Collagen supplements may help in aiding the body to fill up on its missing levels and push its production. Studies also indicate that collagen supplements may reduce wrinkles and alleviate joint pain.

Choose collagen supplement wisely for women’s health

All collagen is not the same. Many collagen supplements on the market lack human clinical studies, do not contain efficacious ingredient quantities or make misleading claims. A patented, clinically proven formulation would work best.

“Powdered Collagen is only absorbed about 30% on average”, says Durga Eswar, a dietitian. “I use a liquid Collagen that is 93% bioavailable which means 93% is getting absorbed in the body. Type II Collagen helps to promote healthy hair growth.”

Not all collagen is the same or equivalent. The collagen type, source, molecular size, composition, and manufacturing process differentiate the various dietary supplement collagen products in their indications and efficacy.

“Liquid Collagen is not just an ordinary collagen ingredient is a clinically studied dietary ingredient composed of naturally-occurring hydrolyzed collagen type II peptides, chondroitin sulfate, hyaluronic acid. This unique matrix is not a blend of individual ingredients. 2 grams daily is effective for joint health, while 1 gram daily is effective for skin benefits. The outcome of these studies was presented in scientific conferences and also published in scientific journals. Collagen should be non-GMO and free of gluten, soy, shellfish, fish, egg, milk, peanuts, and sugar,” says Durga who also promotes a liquid collagen brand.

Who can take Collagen supplements?

Everyone can benefit from taking collagen supplements. Diet, age, stress, digestive system, and physical activity (sports which impact joints), all affect our ability to provide the body with the nutritional raw materials it requires to properly support joint and connective tissue health. Collagen should be an essential nutritional component for those wanting to remain healthy and active throughout their life.

Research shows that hydrolyzed collagen type II increased the collagen content in the facial skin. This suggests that collagen supplements can increase all of the major types of collagen (I, II, and III) found in the joints, skin, and other connective tissues.

Though collagen supplements are generally safe for women’s health, it is always better to check with your healthcare provider before starting any supplements.

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