Why There’s Never Been A Better Time To Be A ‘Middle Aged’ Woman.

Good Housekeeping readers may recall a fabulous article in last year’s September edition entitled “Why 60 is the new 40” and in it, Good Housekeeping Science Editor, Vivienne Parry listed a great number of ‘wins’ for women in that age bracket – whilst offering a great deal of optimism and cheer for those of us headed in that direction.

She pointed out that today’s 60 year olds:-

* are the first generation to have antibiotics as well as vaccines available to them their whole lives. 

* have been spared the long-term health complications of childhood infections or infectious diseases like rheumatic fever and TB

* have better health than their mothers did at the same age with many looking comparatively younger

* enjoy better dental health due to reduced tooth loss from tooth decay - largely thanks to fluoride toothpaste, which became available from the late 1950s.

* enjoy better heart health.  Heart attacks in women halved between 2002 and 2010 with the greatest decline seen in 65-74 year olds.

A reduction in smoking, improvements in air quality, better food and the use of statins are likely contributory factors to this.

*are living longer with diseases such as breast cancer. Nearly 8 out of 10 women survive 10 years or more compared with the 1970s. Stomach cancer cases have fallen 62% in the last 40 years and ovarian cancer in the over 60 age group has fallen by nearly 25% (use of the contraceptive pill has contributed to this).  Cervical screening has seen an 81% reduction in the incidence of cervical cancer in women aged 50-64.

*are included in clinical trials where as in years gone by, these trials only involved men.

Incredible isn’t it?  Despite the gloom that we may naturally feel as our birthdays start to stack up, there is so much to be positive and hopeful about.

None of this, however, is an excuse to rest on our laurels and in order to continue to enjoy vibrant health long term, there are some simple changes we can all make to our lifestyle.

Here’s your later life health primer.

Eat less

The popularity of the 5:2 Diet seems to back up American research that fasting on alternative days boosts the genes related to anti- ageing.  A two year study found that cutting calories to 75% of your normal intake lowered blood pressure cholesterol and insulin resistance.

Choose healthy fats

Eating monounsaturated fats (for example those found in avocado and olive oil), has been shown to raise levels of ‘good’ cholesterol – HDL whilst lowering levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol, LDL.  We know we should avoid saturated fats.

Eat less refined sugar

Did you know that if you eat too much refined sugar, it can attach itself to your skin’s collagen and elastin fibres.  This affects their ability to regenerate and can eventually cause deep wrinkles.

Drink more water

Our ageing bodies don’t retain water the way they should.  An easy way to up your water intake is to make sure you have a sports bottle of water with you at all times to keep you cool, mentally alert and, studies show, to prevent heart disease.

Cut back on alcohol

Some of the heaviest drinkers are, surprisingly, in my age group but we know that our health will improve if we don’t exceed the Government’s guidelines of 14 units a week on a regular basis. The current medical advice is that we should also make sure that we have two days off a week from alcohol.

Take a daily walk

Just a 30 minute walk a day will show benefits in blood flow strength, balance and stamina. Exercise will also help prevent diabetes and keep your bones strong, thus reducing your risk of a fall.

Get enough sleep

The growth hormones promoting cell repair peak at the deepest stage of the sleep cycle so you need to make sure you are getting your full 8 hours to give your skin’s repair systems a chance to recover.

Check your Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D levels

Did you know that low levels of vitamin B12 can cause hair to grey prematurely? Lack of B12 is also indicated in muscle weakness, fatigue and memory problems. Low Vitamin D levels have been linked to a range of health conditions such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis and lots of us are deficient in Vitamin D, especially during the winter.  Try to top up your levels daily by 15 minutes in the sun and when you can't do that, take a supplement instead.

Destress

It will come as no surprise to learn that chronic stress is incredibly ageing.  Research has discovered that a high stress lifestyle increases your risk of diseases such as Parkinsons, Type 2 Diabetes and heart disease so try to find something that calms and destresses.

I have written before about the benefits of meditation and mindfulness which have been shown to increase blood flow to the brain and those who practise these disciplines regularly have been found to have longer telomeres.  These are the protective caps on the end of chromosomes and having longer telomeres have been linked to longer life.

Have more sex

Studies into the sex lives of middle aged men and women have discovered that regular sex can make you look seven years younger.  That's better than any face cream!

I turned 53 at the end of May this year and I'm heartened that, with a bit of positivity, and positive action, there is no reason why the forthcoming decades need mean a decline or any kind of lessening of looks, strength and joie de vivre.

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Hello And Goodbye To The Feminax Years

The thing about being an 'older' mum is that just as you are coming to terms with the end of your fertility, your daughter is approaching the beginning of hers.

And while, in many ways, I am thinking "good riddance!" and looking forward to many Feminax-free years (other pain killers are available), Caitlin has all the fun of this to deal with.

Of course it's a natural part of being a woman, but the arrival of menstruation heralds a new phase of life in which nothing is ever quite the same again.

There may be some lucky souls who breeze through it and, as in the Bodyform adverts, find it no impediment to a combat-level workout, or a bar to water skiing across lakes with their long hair streaming like a glossy curtain behind them.

Frankly, I've never met one of these women.

'Monthlies' have always been more curse than blessing, despite the persistent attempts of sanitary protection companies to convince us that life can continue at an even higher octane pace than usual.

No.  Anyone who has had the misfortune to wrestle with a Tampax Super Plus in a dank public toilet in Inveraray on a family holiday in the 80s, will understand that, rather than being an affirmation of femininity, it's proof that our creator had a very dodgy sense of humour.

Of course, society in general tends to regard the ending of periods as proof of old age.  I believe the term 'dried up' is often applied.

Nobody, you'll notice talks about the withering shrinkage which affects older men.  I can't ever remember hearing the phrase 'withered old bachelor'.

But, because I have a 9 year old daughter, I have to put a brave face (or foof) on things and pretend it's all a glorious adventure.

In all seriousness though, our daughters are lucky to have access to sanitary protection and medical care which is severely lacking in poorer countries.  And I once read of a woman who used to buy old handbags and fill them with personal hygiene supplies such as toothbrushes, toothpaste and tampons to give out to the homeless women she found in her city centre. What a brilliant idea.

Menstruation is as much a political as a biological issue in some quarters but that is a topic for another post.

But I digress.  I have compiled a few snippets of advice which I will pass on when needed.

*Always carry sanitary protection with you

Because periods are often irregular and will catch you out.  The wrapping of many sanitary towels will rustle louder than a Roman legion marching up a gravel path so it's pointless to try to conceal the noise.

*Try to stop period pain as soon as you can

If you have period pain, try to stop it in its tracks before it gets worse.  Painkillers (Feminax was always my saviour), a hot water bottle and a nap work wonders.

*Tell your employer if it's becoming a problem

Should employers allow women with period pain sick leave? That's tricky but I've always felt that if you suffer from the kind of dragging period pain that floors you then you should be able to stay home.  Sometimes of course, you can't but if you genuinely can't perform then I think you should at least explain your predicament to HR.

*If your period pain is frequently bad, see your GP

If your period pain is that bad, you should see a doctor.  The most common treatment used to be the prescribing of the contraceptive pill but you should get yourself checked out for other causes of extreme pain such as cysts or endometriosis.

The contraceptive pill, of course, comes with its own set of risks so you will need to carefully weigh up the pros and cons.

Some mums might not be too happy about their young daughters taking the pill which is understandable but if it helps them to cope with extreme pain I think it is worth considering, on the basis that there are regular GP check-ups, particularly for blood pressure.

*Be aware of Toxic Shock Syndrome

I have never liked tampons and given the risks of Toxic Shock Syndrome, I am surprised more women don't avoid them.

Toxic shock syndrome is a rare but life-threatening condition caused by bacteria getting into the body and releasing harmful toxins. It's often associated with tampon use in young women and it can get worse very quickly and even be fatal if not treated promptly.

*Consider alternative forms of sanitary protection

These days there are other alternatives to traditional pads and tampons, such as moon cups , menstrual sponges and reusable sanitary towels.

*Listen to your body

The old joke is that a woman with PMS needs chocolate or carbs to help her feel better.  I've always found my appetite would increase significantly and, as long as you don't go mad, the odd chocolatey treat won't hurt.  By this I mean a Twix or two and not three pounds of Hotel Chocolat's finest.

*Expect some mood swings

Crying at random stuff is normal during your time of the month. Nature documentaries, sad words on Countdown, missing your bus, insufficient choice of sarnie for your Boots Meal Deal - there really is no telling what might set you off.  But it's all completely normal.

We become slaves to our Oestrogen, just one of our hormones that is capable of creating havoc.

*Take extra care of your skin

Spots and break-outs are common around the time of your period.  Much pocket money was spent on Clearasil and Neutrogena, both of which were great at dealing with oily, spotty skin.  Later came the Clinique 3 Step regime and their trusty concealer which I use to this day.

*Gentle exercise will help

Particularly to get things flowing and to help ease that horrid dragging feeling.  Just a gentle 30 minute walk will help.

*Try to stay regular

Make sure you are not constipated as this seems to make the pain worse.  Bran flakes or a high fibre cereal every day from the middle of your cycle onwards may help avoid this.

*Nappy sacks might be a life saver

Bear with me but since having kids I've realised that nappy sacks (plastic bags designed to help dispose of soiled nappies) are great to use a sanitary bags if you are out and about and there is no sanitary towel bin - and let's be honest, most of these are not emptied anywhere near as often as they should be.

*Brands DO make a difference

If there is one area where paying that little bit more makes a difference, it is with sanitary protection (as it also is with nappies!).

If you're not sure which absorbancy towel or tampon to buy, buy one level higher than you think you'll need.  It's always good to keep a stash of lighter absorbancy towels or panty liners for those days when you're just about to start or your flow is tailing off.

*Your cycle will vary

If you're stressed or lose a lot of weight for example, your cycle may vary dramatically.  A classic example of this is when you are studying for exams or an equally challenging life event.

You may also find that stressing about getting pregnant may not only prevent you conceiving but may affect your cycle so much you don't know where you are with it!

You should also see a GP if you suffer from a very heavy flow.

So there you have it.  While it would be great to pretend it's all hearts and butterflies, I think it's better to prepare our tween / teenage daughters for what is to come.

It's hard, isn't it to know exactly when to broach the subject of menstruation with your tweenage daughter - or sex come to that.  My parents bought me a book about fruit flies.  Truth.  It's OK though.  I think the fruit flies really loved each other.

Have you discussed menstruation with your daughters?  How did you approach it?  And for those of you with sons, did you explain it to them too?

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Review & Giveaway: It's Not You, It's Your Hormones By Nicki Williams

Having celebrated my 53rd birthday on Sunday, I can tell you that the last year has been somewhat of a rickety ride, healthwise.

Image credit: By Monik Markus (Flickr: Wet Hair Strands Face Turned) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)

Yet I couldn't tell you precisely what is wrong.  I am obviously in the 'menopausal ballpark' and a recent blood test indicated that I had arrived with all flags flying. I already have a dodgy thyroid which has given me all sorts of strange symptoms but recently I have found myself sporting a middle tyre which won't shift.  

My sleep pattern has also changed.  I regularly see 3 am, 4 am, 5 am and wake up fully alert whereas in the past I could just turn over and go back to sleep.  I find myself mulling over all sorts of oddities, making lists, worrying about minutiae and generally being neurotic.

And let's not talk about mood swings.  Up one minute, down the next and although I've never been a particularly patient person, nowadays I don't want to wait for anything.

It's timely then that I've come across a brilliant book by nutritional therapist Nicki Williams DipION, mBANT, CNHC, called "It's Not You, It's Your Hormones" which explains clearly and concisely what your hormones are, what they do and how to regain some sort of balance lest you think you are going to become a kind of mumbling wild woman beset with skin breakouts and a temperature that would warp metal. 

I'm exaggerating.  A little.

And lest you think Nicki's book is solely for those of us approaching or embracing menopause, it is targeted at women over 40 who may have peri-menopausal symptoms which make their life equally miserable.

What I particularly like about Nicki's book is that she makes you think about WHY you want to improve your hormonal balance and the cost of just putting up with it.

Nicki's own moment of clarity was when her daughter called her a grumpy mum (a daily occurence in this house) and she felt that that's not who she was.

This, I think, must resonate greatly with lots of us going through a state of hormonal chaos because we don't really understand what is happening to us, nor who we have become, or are becoming.

With total honesty I have to say that when I am under the cosh of the latest barrage or irrational, hormonally charged behaviour, I don't like myself very much - and that in itself is a source of great fatigue and not a great place to be when you already suffer from depression.

Says Nicki:  “As I researched more into this topic, I was shocked at just how many issues can be traced back to easily-fixable hormone imbalances. The truth is that for many women their hormones are in control of them after the age of 40, and the weight, mood and energy problems creep in. By regaining control through diet, lifestyle and natural supplements, women can get back to their best – slimmer, energised and in full control of their hormones as they go through menopause and beyond".

Nicki's goal was to write a book that every woman can understand and take positive action on, even if they’re in a time of crisis.

In the book, Nicki explains what our hormones are and what they do, then introduces us to the 'feisty four' - those particular hormones which can cause us so much trouble - Cortisol, Thyroid, Insulin and Oestrogen.

We are shown how these affect us and given useful tips to take immediate action to get them under control.

The book then offers a four step hormone balancing plan - Eat, Rest, Cleanse and Move.  Each step has its own chapter with practical solutions and advice.  

There is even an eating plan at the back of the book with some great recipes.  The basis of the diet is gluten free with a limit on the usual baddies, sugar and alcohol but Nicki recommends good fats and upping your protein intake.

This is a really comprehensive guide to taking back control over your hormones and I had several 'a-ha' moments - for example that spare tyre won't go if we are constantly secreting cortisol due to stress.

I plan to use Nicki's tips over the coming months to see if I can feel more like my old self again. The book also discusses the various options surrounding HRT and the importance of getting yourself tested to identify exactly which hormones are giving your problems.

I am already taking Thyroxine to balance my hypothyroidism but I know there is more I can do. Nicki also includes a guide to supplements which may help.

To find out more, go to Website; www.happyhormonesforlife.com or connect with Nicki on Facebook or Twitter.

The giveaway

You can find "It's Not You, It's Your Hormones" on Amazon but I also have 2 copies to give away. The giveaway is open to UK entrants only and ends at 11:59 pm on Friday 30th June.  Terms and conditions apply which you can find on my competitions page.


a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good luck!

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Things I Wish I'd Known About My Intimate Health When Young

Dear much, much younger self.

This is your 50-something self talking and I have some things I'd like to tell you about your intimate health, that intricate system of working parts that is capable of creating life and joy and wonder.

When you're young, with your biological clock ticking regularly and loudly, and with your fertility at its peak, it's easy to think that you will stay like this for ever.

Time stretches ahead of you like the horizon over a blue sea on a bright sunny day - never ending, full of hope and possibilities.

I'm here to gently remind you that there is a final destination to your journey.

I am now approaching the menopause - a time of reassessment and great change - the kind of hormonally charge experience you went through at puberty and which your daughter is about to experience.

I have to confess I am a little sad at this juncture because it means no more babies and I can see the creeping changes on my body - a little less collagen, a lot more grey hair.

But, like many strong positive women, I need to allow myself a momentary pause to bid my younger self farewell before I do what we women do - shoulders back, deep breath, head up, smile and FORWARDS!

And, in all honesty, nothing much else has changed.  I still need to keep caring for my body and taking care of my intimate health and hygiene, just as I always have.

Talking of which, here are a few things I've learned over the years that you would do well to remember.

Nobody knows your body like you do.

Not doctors, not gynaecologists, not consultants.  If you feel something is wrong, get it checked out.

The female body is still a mystery to many in the medical profession.

Painful as that is to write in the 21st century, you will find that doctors will generally diagnose any discomfort 'down there' as being Thrush or Bacterial Vaginosis.

Vulvodynia, Vaginitis, Bartholin's Cysts, Pudendal Neuralgia, you may come across all this things whilst consulting Doctor Google and you will find many women on internet forums who experience these things and who remain misdiagnosed for years.

Again, I say you have to take charge of your intimate health.

You need to treat your vagina with respect.

It does not need to be scrubbed and perfumed, just gently cleansed. Use a gentle wash such as Vagisil ProHydrate Intimate Wash (£5 for 250ml) especially designed for the unique needs of intimate skin, gynaecologist tested and gentle enough for daily use. 

The Vagisil ProHydrate range was developed after 5 years of research and clinical testing and has been specifically designed to relieve intimate dryness. 

The range includes Vagisil ProHydrate Internal Hydrating Gel, Vagisil ProHydrate External Hydrating Gel and Vagisil ProHydrate Intimate Wash and is available from leading supermarkets and chemists nationwide.

It's important to feel comfortable, confident and enjoy intimacy when you want to and 9 out of 10 women would recommend Vagisil ProHydrate to others suffering from intimate dryness. 

Cotton underwear is kindest!

Most of the sexy underwear you see is made of man-made fibres which don't allow the area to breathe. This can lead to irritations such as cystitis and thrush - not sexy!  Cotton underwear or at least panties with a cotton gusset are the way to go most of the time. As you get older, you'll definitely come to appreciate comfort more!

As your body changes towards menopause, there are some positives though:-

No more contraception

You can give up using contraception if you have not had a period for around two years if you are under the age of 50 and for around one year if you are over 50. 

But be careful.  Some contraceptive pills stop the mid cycle bleed (it's not a real period you know) making it well nigh impossible to work out what's going on.  See your GP and ask for a blood test but be prepared that you may have to come off the pill to work out if you are menopausal.

Having said that, STIs have risen in the older generation by over a third in the last decade so it makes sense to at least keep using a condom if you are not in a steady relationship.

No more accidental pregnancy

Need I say more?  No more worrying about accidental pregnancy or rushing to the chemist for the morning after pill.  Whilst you're in the tricky "has my menopause started" phase you might still find yourself buying pregnancy tests though!

No more period pain

Feminax tablets and a hot water bottle saw me through most months but oh, that aching, dragging feeling, not to mention the PMS symptoms.

No more stocking up on sanitary protection

It doesn't matter how many you buy, at some point you will find yourself without one just when you need it.  Or, you'll get your purse out at the checkout at the supermarket and a brightly wrapped towel will plop onto the conveyor belt.  

The truth is there are positives and negatives in every stage of your life and it is good to talk to other women and share your experiences and concerns.  There is no need to be shy.

Time passes in the blink of an eye and if there is one message that I would want you to take with you is that it's your life and your body - make sure you enjoy both.

Love,

*This is a collaborative post with Vagisil.

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Manage your sensitive bladder with Always Discreet

I am participating in a sponsored campaign hosted by Always Discreet®. I received free samples from P&G. All opinions stated are my own. 

If there’s one issue which unites many women and yet is rarely discussed, it’s having a sensitive bladder and coping with the occasional leaks that come with it.

There's nothing like letting your hair down and having a good laugh

It’s a problem which is very common after childbirth and as we enter our later years when our bodies naturally change as we get older. In fact more than 40 million women of all ages in America alone experience bladder leaks, ranging from those who are middle aged or menopausal, to those who have been pregnant, or are overweight or diabetic.

And in the hot summer weather, it’s even more of a challenge for us to stay dry and fresh at the times when it’s most important to us whether at work or on holiday, attending a summer wedding or graduation ceremony or even a hot date.

Having a sensitive bladder also affects your choice of wardrobe - one pieces, playsuits, jumpsuits - anything it takes an age to get out of are no-no's and you can hardly wear your sexiest underwear or anything in a light, bright colour.

My bladder has always been sensitive. It’s a family joke that I am unable to travel more than 20 miles without needing a toilet. And the Husband is now very familiar with most of the motorway service stations between Cardiff and Plymouth whilst he would think nothing of travelling the length of the country without stopping for more than 5 minutes and a quick coffee.

Having a love of tea and coffee (both diuretics) really hasn’t helped either but I have managed to kick my Diet Coke habit (which is another bladder irritant).

I was doing fine until I had kids. I had two caesarians 18 months apart and whilst I was blithely confident that, despite this procedure being a pretty hefty piece of surgery I would recover entirely, I suspect that the pregnancies themselves have left a legacy of a bladder which is prone to leak slightly when I cough, sneeze or if I go for too long without a loo break.

I know that some women experience a slight leakage when they laugh as well and I have occasionally had this problem. Mind you, the Husband says I have suffered a catastrophic sense of humour failure since having kids and it certainly feels like that some days!

Exercising is another activity which can trigger a leak, again, if I haven’t had a loo stop before starting the class.

Two of the products in the Always Discreet range - there's also Always Discreet Pants

Now it’s very difficult to predict when you are going to cough or sneeze, and you can’t always get to the toilet in time. Ordinary panty liners are just not up to the job but Always Discreet have a great range of products designed with women’s needs in mind – providing incredible comfort, protection, discretion and odour control, with a full line of pads, liners and underwear, specifically made for bladder leak protection. You really don’t want to go out feeling as if you’re wearing a nappy.

The Always Discreet Liners are incredibly thin yet very absorbant

Always Discreet absorbs leaks and odours in seconds – and the best part is that they’re so comfortable and surprisingly thin, you will barely feel like you’re wearing any protection at all.

Research shows than only 1 in 7 women are using the right protection, with lots of us relying on period protection which just won’t handle the job. Always Discreet on the other hand has a super absorbent core that turns liquid to gel in seconds, to help keep you dry and fresh.

The Always Discreet Pads are wrapped just like sanitary protection

The OdorLock™ Technology neutralizes urine odor instantly and continuously whilst the pads and underwear also have Soft Dual LeakGuard barriers™ which offer incredible comfort and protection to help stop leaks at the leg, where they happen most.

The Always Discreet Pads offer the extra reassurance of Soft Dual Leakguard barriers 

Using proper bladder protection means that rather than worrying about the odd leak, you can focus on enjoying yourself. It’s pretty miserable, isn’t it, having to plan days out (particularly with the kids in tow) to ensure the right number of toilet stops ‘just in case’ or carrying extra pairs of knickers stuffed in your handbag.

Always Discreet helps you to cope with the natural body changes that are part of being a woman, so that you are not held back from the activities you love.

Always Discreet products are available in all major supermarkets and pharmacies and larger department stores in the incontinence aisle (if only there were a nicer word for it!).

You can also find them on Facebook.

Do you suffer from a sensitive bladder?  Share your story below. The more of us who open up about this problem, the more women like us will have the confidence to address the problem.

And with Always Discreet, no matter what's happening, you'll be able to #LaughAllYouWant.

I am participating in a sponsored campaign hosted by Always Discreet®. I received I received free samples from P&G. All opinions stated are my own.

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Bartholin's Cysts - The Rarely Discussed Nightmare

Now ladies this may well put you off your cornflakes but I think it needs talking about.

If you have ever experienced the misery of a Bartholin's Cyst which then becomes a Bartholin's abscess, you will know exactly what I am talking about.

The misery of Bartholin's Cysts is seldom discussed

Yes - this is one of those delightful gynaecological problems that can appear out of the blue and cause recurrent misery for years.

The Bartholins Glands are two pea sized glands located slightly posterior and to the left and right of the opening of the vagina. Their function is to secrete mucus to lubricate the vagina. This lubrication may help make sex a little more comfortable for women.

Sometimes, however, these glands can become blocked which results in the formation of a Bartholin's Cyst.  These cysts can grow in size so that it is actually painful to sit or walk.

Believe it or not, many women don't even know that these glands exist.  And many cysts are not diagnosed until an examination such as a smear is carried out by a medical professional.  You can have a Bartholin's cyst for years without it causing you too many problems.

If, however, infection occurs, the result is an incredibly painful Bartholin's cyst which may require drainage or surgery to get rid of it.

Nobody seems to be entirely sure what causes these cysts - the usual suspects are all there, stress, poor hygiene, bad diet, STIs and, rarely vulval cancer.  For this reason, if you think you may have one you MUST go to your GP to get it checked out.

The peak age for getting these delightful swines is between 20-30 and in theory, once you reach menopause the Bartholin's Glands are supposed to shrink so that you no longer suffer this problem. Great in theory but since I'm 51, rubbish in practice.

I had an abscess about 10 years ago and have a small Bartholin's cyst at present so believe me I am speaking from experience here.

Usually, the first course of action to treat a possibly infected cyst is a course of antibiotics.  In my experience this is a rather hit and miss method of treatment and, if the antibiotics cure the problem, there is no guarantee that it will not reappear.

At this stage, the home treatment advice tends to be to take over-the-counter painkillers and to take a sitz bath 3-4 times a day.

A sitz bath is a warm, shallow bath that cleanses the vulval area and can be used for everyday personal hygiene. It can also provide relief from pain or itching in the genital area. You can give yourself a sitz bath in your bathtub or with a plastic kit that fits over your toilet.

If an abscess does develop, the methods of treatment are usually drainage by the insertion of a Word catheter or, as I had done, marsupialization.

Marsupialization is the surgical technique of cutting a slit into an abscess or cyst and suturing the edges of the slit to form a continuous surface from the exterior surface to the interior surface of the cyst or abscess - in other words, creating a pouch which allows drainage.

My marsupialization was done as a day surgery appointment and the recovery time was quoted as being 2 weeks.  At least 6 weeks was closer to the mark and, what I was not told at the time, some sensitivity remains due to the scar tissue left behind.

Fear of surgery, particularly 'down below' leads many women to seek home cures and there are many sites which discuss the methods which have worked for them.

These are some suggestions but please note that their success is anecdotal and reported on various forum boards.

The homeopathic remedy Silicea 30C

Dose - 5 pellets under the tongue 2 or 3 times a day.

Information on the Wisegeek.org website tells us that:-

"Silicea is derived from flint or quartz and is an abundant mineral naturally found in the Earth's crust. Part of the structural makeup of bone and cartilage, the remedy is present in humans as a trace element. It can be found in connective tissues as well as hair, skin, and nails.

People who use this mineral believe that its cleansing effects make it particularly useful in treating dry skin, nails, or hair. This mineral is sometimes used to improve acne, blemishes, ulcers, boils, inflammation, or generally sickly skin. Infections from abscesses, skin eruptions, glass shards, and splinters may also be treated with it. Some people also use it in hopes of preventing hair loss and dandruff, and to reduce scar tissue visibility." 

I am currently trying this cure at the moment which I found here.

Weleda Silicea 30c Tablets 

Silica Complex

Now there is a great deal of confusion on the boards about whether the best cure is Silicea 30c (the homeopathic remedy) or Silica Complex.  An example of what I mean is HERE and, confusingly, HERE.

Silica Complex is a dietary supplement which usually takes its Silica from Horsetail Extract and is combined with other vitamins and minerals.

These are the kind of tablets referred to.

Silica Complex Tablets From Holland  & Barrett - £12.35 for 120 

These are usually taken to help improve the quality of skin, hair and nails.  This particular tablet contains calcium, magnesium and zinc as well as the Horsetail extract.

Sitz Baths With Epsom Salts

As described above but with the addition of epsom salts, also recommended for post-partum pain and haemorrhoids.  You can find a recipe HERE

You can also buy a sitz bath which is simply placed over the bowl of the toilet and filled so that you don't have to undress to have a full bath each time.

Phoebe's Cure

Hands up, I don't know who Phoebe is but her 'cure' is much talked about on the health boards.  It is simply this:-

6oz calamine lotion
1 teaspoon Tea Tree oil
1 teaspoon Witch Hazel

Soak a gauze pad in the solution and press against the cyst for about 30 minutes.

Serrapeptase

Dose: 2 a day on an empty tummy. I found mine here.

Serrapeptase is derived from the Silk Worm and is claimed to help eliminate inflammatory oedema and swelling by breaking down abnormal fluids and protein and by promoting the absorption of these decomposed products through blood and lymphatic vessels. It could also break down and liquefy mucous secretions and fibrin clots and help antibiotics to focus on infection.

There seems, however, to be insufficient clinical evidence to prove its efficacy.

Finally, you might be interested in a book you can download for Kindle entitled "Bartholin Cyst Miracle Method" by Janet Freeland.

Available from Amazon.co.uk for Kindle 

The book promises to help us learn how many women have cured their bartholin cysts and exactly what they did to treat them in the privacy of their own homes with no doctors or painful surgery. It promises to "reveal the exact method now used by countless women to get rid of their bartholin cysts for good".

Obviously I am not a doctor and the first course of action if you suspect that you have a bartholin cyst is to see your GP.

It would be remiss of me to suggest that you go off gung-ho and try these without prior discussion with your healthcare provider.

But let's live in the real world, shall we?

If the provision of gynaecological services were better in the UK and if doctors were a little more sympathetic to problems like this, then the health boards of various forums would be a lot less busy.

The number one response of GPs to any gynae problem seems to be a combination of antibiotics and Canesten.

Women know their own bodies better than any GP but this knowledge does not help them to make themselves heard when it matters most. - tweet it.

I will continue with my antibiotics and Silicea 30c.  I will try sitz baths and add a silica complex supplement to my diet.

Since I had my marsupialization I have had no further problem on that side (right), other than frequent irritation from the scar tissue.  I hope that I don't have to go through the whole process agin on the left!

Bartholin's cysts and abscesses are incredibly frustrating because there is a reluctance to treat them until the level of discomfort and / or infection is intolerable to the sufferer.

Is it any wonder that many of us, at least those of us who are brave enough to talk about it, are desperately seeking our own cure and would prefer to trust the anecdotal evidence of other woman than our overstretched NHS.

Please see your GP before trying any of the supplements listed above.

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