Traveling on your Knees!!

Last night I took a journey
To a land across the seas.
I didn't go by ship or plane
I traveled on my knees.

I saw so many people there
In bondage to their sin,
And Jesus told me I should go,
That there were souls to win.

But I said "Jesus, I can't go
To lands across the seas."
He answered quickly, "Yes, you can
By traveling on your knees."

He said, "You pray, I'll meet the need.
You call, and I will hear.
It's up to you to be concerned
For lost souls far and near."

And so I did; knelt in prayer,
Gave up some hours of ease,
And with the Savior by my side,
I traveled on my knees.

As I prayed on, I saw souls saved
And twisted persons healed,
I saw God's workers strength renewed
While laboring in the field.

I said, "Yes Lord, I'll take the job.
Your heart I want to please.
I'll heed Your call and swiftly go

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When Tomorrow Starts Without Me!!

When tomorrow starts without me,
and I'm not there to see;
If the sun should rise and find your eyes,
all filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn't cry,
the way you did today,
while thinking of the many things,
we didn't get to say.

I know how much you love me,
as much as I love you,
and each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too;

But when tomorrow starts without me,
please try to understand, that an angel came and called my name, and took me by the hand,
and said my place was ready, in heaven far above,
and that I'd have to leave behind, all those I dearly love.

But as I turned to walk away, a tear fell from my eye,
for all life, I'd always thought, I didn't want to die.
I had so much to live for, so much yet to do,
it seemed almost impossible, that I was leaving you.

I thought of all the yesterdays, the good ones and the bad,
I thought of all the love we shared, and all the fun we had.

If I could relive yesterday, just even for awhile,
I'd say good-bye and kiss you and maybe see you smile.

But then I fully realized, that this could never be,
for emptiness and memories, would take the place of me.

And when I thought of worldly things, I might miss come tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did, my heart was filled with sorrow.

But when I walked through heaven's gates, I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me, from His great golden throne,
He said, "This is eternity, and all I've promised you".

Today for life on earth is past, but here it starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last,
and since each day's the same day, there's no longing for the past.

But you have been so faithful, so trusting and so true.
Though there were times you did some things, you knew you shouldn't do.
But you have been forgiven and now at last you're free.
So won't you take my hand and share my life with me?

So when tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far apart,
for every time you think of me, I'm right here, in your heart.

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Language of the Heart

Soapy Smith is a twenty-four-pound calico rex rabbit. A rex rabbit's coat lacks the stiff guard hairs of other breeds, resulting in a fur texture that is as soft as a cloud. People look startled when they first touch him and remark how soft he is. I've noticed he seems to make everyone who meets him a little softer, too. One day, Soapy Smith and I visited a shelter for battered women located in a bedraggled section of the city. The women in the shelter looked at me through downcast eyes. No one smiled a greeting, and they appeared uninterested in Soapy's carrier. Everyone seemed tense and ready to flee. One little girl in particular moved like a wisp in the background. Never raising her eyes, never reaching out, she drifted in and out of the gathered group. The staff informed me that she had been there for over a month and had not spoken the entire time. Nothing they tried had any effect. Her mother said she had talked at one time but not in recent memory. I didn't want to imagine what could have happened to rob this little girl of the natural curiosity and enthusiasm so natural to childhood.

Spreading a blanket on the floor, I sat down and opened Soapy's carrier. As the silent child circled past me, I told the group that Soapy would come to talk to them if they sat on his blanket. Several children did this, including the silent girl. In a short time, Soapy emerged from his carrier and slowly hopped from one child to another. Unlike visits at schools where the first touches produced squeals of delight, this visit was unusually quiet. After touching Soapy, these children looked down and sighed softly or smiled into their hands. Soapy continued his rounds, and the children and their mothers gradually began to talk about Soapy and ask questions.

I chatted with the women and children as I kept one eye on the little girl. She sat rigidly at the edge of the blanket, legs held stiffly out straight in front of her. She was staring hard at Soapy. It appeared that he kept making eye contact with her. He would hop from child to child, each visit taking him a little closer to the girl. I began to wonder if he was pausing to give her time to watch him. During all other visits we had given together in schools, his usual behavior was to hop around the circle letting each person pet him. When he got back to me he would wash his face and then start the circle again.

That day, I watched as Soapy finally worked his way toward the girl. She didn't reach out to him or encourage him in any way. Rather she sat tensely, just staring.

Finally Soapy came to a stop about two inches from her thigh. He quietly reached out and laid his chin on her knee. I was astonished. While a common behavior for dogs, this is not a behavior exhibited by rabbits, especially not by this rabbit.

The child did not reach out to pet Soapy. Instead, she slowly leaned toward him. When her face was within inches of his, she carefully reached out and circled him with her arms. So softly that no one in the room could hear, she began to talk. Folded around the rabbit, she pillowed her head on his back and whispered to him. Soapy remained motionless.

I looked up and noticed that the shelter workers had stopped talking. Every adult in the room froze in place. Time seemed suspended. Then quietly the child unfolded and sat back up. Soapy sat up too, reached forward and briskly licked her knee. She did not smile. She did not reach out to him, but the rigidity of her back relaxed, and her shoulders rounded into a comfortable slope. The little girl stood up and walked over to her mother and began to suck her thumb.

The little girl reappeared when I was preparing to leave. She reached her hands out and looked me directly in the eye. I held Soapy out to her. She wrapped him in a big hug and pressed her face against him. Suspended from my hands as he was, I was concerned that he would begin to struggle. Instead he reached out his head again and laid it on the child's shoulder. His breathing slowed and he closed his eyes. As quickly as it happened, the little girl released her hug and stepped back. As she turned away, I thought I saw the beginnings of a faint smile.

The rabbit in his cloud of soft, warm fur had touched something deep in the child – something that had died from too much hard experience. Soapy's innocence and trust appeared to kindle those very same qualities in the little girl.

Numerous times, I've seen how the loving presence of an animal can heal where words have no effect. It seems the language of the heart is simple after all.

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A Mother's Secret

She was a beautiful young woman, just into her twenties. Happy, outgoing and extremely friendly, Kelly had no trouble making friends. She was little more than a year from completing college and her dream job would be awaiting when she finished. But now, for the first time in her life, things were in total disarray. Her boyfriend of several years had just broken off the relationship as he chose to take a job offer half way across the country. What he didn't know was that he would not only be leaving Kelly behind, but he would be leaving a daughter behind too.Weeks before her boyfriend moved away, Kelly suspected she was pregnant, but didn't want to further disrupt things by saying anything. She knew that while she had loved her boyfriend, they would both be able to move on to independently forge happy and successful lives. After having confirmed her suspicions about being pregnant she took some time to contemplate. She had met with several doctors and finally decided it would be best to quietly end the pregnancy. A few weeks later, after having researched her options, she went in for an abortion and came out assured that she had made the right choice.


Kelly eventually got married and did in fact build a happy family. No one ever knew her secret, but it was best that way. At times she did think about the past and the daughter she almost had, but for the most part, life was good to Kelly. This afternoon, things changed.

Kelly was on her way to pick up her two teenagers from school when her car was side-swiped by a semi-trailer. No seatbelt or airbag was a match for the blunt force that likely killed her instantly. Kelly's story doesn't end here.

You see, 7 years ago Kelly had told friends and family that she had experienced something different during another mundane Sunday church service. She said for the first time she accepted what the Christian religion calls the "Gospel of Truth". Her acceptance of Jesus as her Savior and following repentance assured her that she would find herself in heaven when death came to her.

Today, death found Kelly and she indeed stands before God in heaven. It is her judgment day - a day in which we all must face God and answer to Him for our life on earth. For the first time, Kelly will look up and see the face of God the Father, with Jesus Christ sitting at his right hand side. At that moment, she will notice the face of an innocent young child who is sitting on Christ's knee. Kelly's secret was never truly hidden, and now her own daughter asks - "Why did you kill me mommy? Why didn't you choose to love and accept me the way God loves and accepts you?"

I don't know how Kelly responded to that piercing question. I can only imagine the surprise that baby girls' father will have when he dies and meets the daughter he never knew he had.

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Left Eye Twitching

Do you know what left eye twitching indicates? This is a common phenomenon experienced by different people worldwide. There are enough superstitions surrounding left eye twitching. It is believed that eye twitching is an indication of either good or bad news. This depends on the culture; for instance, the Chinese believe that left eye twitching indicates the arrival of good fortune or news. In the Indian culture, left eye twitching indicated bad luck. In African culture, left eye twitching is a sign of crying. In Hawaiian culture, twitching of the left eye can indicate a stranger's arrival. The list goes on.... With all these superstitious beliefs, the best one to believe is the medical cause.

Eye twitching, spasms or eyelid tics are a common occurrence. In most cases, only one eyelid is involved, mostly the bottom one. Knowing the causes and treatments for this condition will help us better cope with the problem.

Causes of left eye twitching

These twitches are momentary while others may last for months. In order to determine the cause of a twitching eyelid, doctors need to determine the underlying issue. Twitches can be treated successfully with Botox as this inhibits muscle contraction. It is advisable to seek medical help if the twitching is persistent and affects your eye or face.

Twitches are medically referred to as myokymia and are triggered in various ways:

1. Stress

Different bodies react differently to stress. Left eye twitching is one way for the body to respond to stress. This is more common if the stress is related to eye strain. Reducing stress can relive the twitching.

2. Tiredness

Lack of adequate sleep triggers eyelid twitching. Getting enough sleep can help. Maintain at least 7-8 hours of sleep per day is optimal.

3. Caffeine and alcohol

Experts believe excessive caffeine and alcohol intake can trigger left eye twitching. The remedy is cutting on the amount of alcohol or caffeine consumed.

4. Dry eyes

Dry-eyes, is a condition common in elderly people. Using computers and prescribed medication like antidepressants or antihistamines can also cause dry eyes. Stress also causes dry eyes. Visiting the optician is advisable as treatment is prescribed.

5. Straining the eyes

Left eye twitching can be caused by eye strain. This happens when the eyes try too hard to read. Overuse of computers, tablets or smart-phones cause eye strain.

Remedies: changing the glasses of your spectacles and taking eye exams is advised. Consider minimizing the time spent working at the computer. Take occasional breaks.

6. Allergies

Those with various eye allergies can experience twitching. Rubbing of eyes produces histamine, and this is a known cause of left eye lid twitching.

Remedies: a visit to the doctor can help relief the twitching. The doctor prescribes antihistamine tablets or eye drops.

7. Vitamin D deficiency

Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium which in turn aids in muscle contraction and relaxation. Lack of vitamin D reduces the absorption of calcium leading to twitching.

Remedies: visiting a doctor is advised for the correct dosage of vitamin D supplements. Consume foods high in Vitamin D including clod oliver oil, fish, oysters and dairy products.

8. Vitamin B12 deficiency

Lack of vitamin B12 leads to shaky movements as well as spasticity hence eye twitching.

Remedies: patients are put under maintenance doses of vitamin B12. Consistent deficiency of vitamin B12 can be an indication of an underlying medical problem.

Consume foods high in Vitamin B12 including fish, lamb, crab, and beef.

9. Eyelids or cornea inflammation

This condition is referred to as blepharitis. It is caused by bacteria overgrowth, blockage of the eyelid's oil glands as well as allergies. It causes itching, scaling and swelling of the eyelashes base.

Remedies: this condition cannot be cured but can be controlled and treated through caring for the eyelid. One can wipe the infected area with warm water.

Prevention: avoid hand eye contact before washing the hands. One needs to avoid sleeping with eye makeup.

10. Neurological disorders such as basal ganglia

This is a dysfunction in the structure of the brain which is responsible for controlling movement. It is caused by injury to the brain through copper poisoning, carbon monoxide poisoning, head injury, drug overdose, infection, stroke, liver disease and tumors. Muscle spasms are some of the symptoms.

Treatments for left eye twitching

It is advisable to seek medical help from a qualified doctor when the twitching persists. This can be an indication of an underlying problem. The doctor can diagnose and treat the condition early enough.

It is important to see a doctor if:

Twitching persists beyond three days
Eyelid closes due to twitching
Spasms involve facial muscles
Discharge, redness or swelling occurs
Normally, twitching will stop by itself once the person gets adequate rest and sleep. Some common remedy options include:

Eliminating alcohol, caffeine or tobacco intake can also stop the twitching. Dry eyes can be treated with over the counter medication.
Doctors only prescribe drugs to reduce the severity of the left eye twitching. There is no known cure for blepharospasm. The most common treatment is Botox. Injections in the eye muscles stop the spasms for months. Repeat treatment is required.
Mild cases are often treated by medication like lorazepam, clonazepam or trihexyphenidyl.
Other treatment options include:

Acupuncture
Biofeedback
Hypnosis
Nutrition therapy
Chiropractic
However, the advantages of these treatments are inconclusive. Surgery is advised as a last result. Myectomy (the surgical procedure) has benefited at least 85% of the patients. It involves the removal of some eyelid nerves and muscles.

Neurological procedures have also proven to be effective. They relieve the artery pressure on the nerves of the face.

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How to Make Your Boobs Firmer

There are a variety of reasons such as pregnancy, rapid weight loss and aging that can lead to sagging or drooping of the breasts. Sagging and drooping breasts can make you self aware of your appearance and you may choose not to wear certain dresses. However, some therapies and exercises can be done to firm and lift your sagging breasts. Though you may not be able to reverse your age, still, you will see and feel a noticeable change in the appearance of your breasts.

How to Make Your Boobs Firmer

1. Breast Massage

Massaging your breasts is an excellent technique to firm, hydrate and soften your breasts.

Firm the breast skin
To make the skin of breasts firm, make an infusion of 30 g rosemary, 30 g wild thyme and 30 g thyme. Cool the mixture or lotion to room temperature, filter it and apply it to your breasts. Leave it on your breasts for 15-20 minutes and rinse off with cold water.

Hydrate and soften breasts
As already stated massaging your breasts keeps them hydrated and soft. You should always massage from the outside towards the inside, and go around the nipple. You can use argan oil, avocado oil or jojoba oil to massage your breasts. You can either use them individually or mix them in equal parts. Avocado oil is rich in vitamins and regenerates and protects the sensitive skin of the breasts. Argan oil is rich in vitamins A, B, C, D, E and PP and antioxidants which prevent aging of skin. Jojoba oil provides deep nourishment and hydration to restructure the skin of the breasts.

2. Breast-firming Exercises




With your hands placed under your shoulders, lie on the floor on your stomach. Hold your feet at the width of your shoulders, tuck your toes under such that your balance is on the balls of your feet. Your abdominals should remain contracted so as to make your back parallel to the floor. Your head and neck should lie at the level of your spine. Inhale while you lower your chest. Exhale while returning back to the starting position. If you do not have enough strength to perform a plank push-up, do pushups from your knees.

Chest press






Lie flat on the ground, bench or a balance ball on your back. With palms facing forwards, hold a dumbbell in both your hands. Hold your elbows out to the sides keeping them parallel to your shoulders and bend at an angle of 90 degrees. Exhale while stretching your arms towards the ceiling. You should take care to keep the weights separated and to not squeeze your chest at the top of the movement. Inhale and move back to the starting position.

Chest fly






Hold a dumbbell in both your hands and lie down on your back. Take care to keep your arms straight and in level to your shoulders. With palms facing each other, lift both the hands and bring them together above your chest.




Standing press





Stand in front of a wall, at a distance of one foot. Put your hands on the wall at the height of your shoulders about two feet apart. Your fingers should point upwards and your feet should be placed one meter apart. Simultaneously bend your elbows at 90 degrees and lift your heels while keeping the core area of the body rigid.



Resistance bands



By exercising with a resistance band, you can add variation to your chest exercises. Wrap the resistance band into something stable just behind you and hold one handle in each hand. With your elbows bent and palms facing downwards, take your arms to your side. Bring your arms back in front of you while squeezing your chest.

You can check out the following video of chest workout which helps to tone and firm your boobs:


Do these chest firming exercises three times in a week and take care to keep a difference of 48-72 hours between two sessions. Perform 1-3 sets comprising of 8-16 repetitions for each exercise. When you are able to do 3 sets of 12 repetitions of any particular exercise, then instead of increasing the repetitions, increase the resistance. The weight of the dumbbell should be increased for chest fly and chest presses, whereas for pushups you can put a bench to elevate your feet.

3. Hydrotherapy





You can use hydrotherapy to tone your breasts. Whenever you are taking a shower, first rinse your breasts with warm water for a duration of 30 seconds. Then rinse them with the coldest water you can tolerate for a duration of 10 seconds. Alternate rinsing between warm and cold water for a couple of minutes. Always finish your treatment with the application of cold water. Hydrotherapy helps in increasing the blood circulation, thereby stimulating the synthesis of elastin and collagen. Both of these substances are responsible for making your breasts firmer and perkier.

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Vagin..Mucus Discharge

Vaginal discharge has a function of removing dead cells and along with dead cells, bacteria, if any, is also removed. This is an important function of the vaginal discharge. A clean discharge is hardly noticed but if the discharge is smelly, differently colored, or is of different consistency, and vagina has itching and burning sensation, then there is cause for worry. What causes abnormal vaginal discharge?

Normal Vaginal Mucus Discharge

Normal vaginal discharge: Normal vaginal discharge appears as clear white, or cloudy white which may turn yellowish when dry. White flakes may also be sometimes present in the vaginal discharge. Emotional stress, use of medicines, and pregnancy related causes can change the appearance of discharge. Sexual stimulation, birth control pills, and changes in menstrual cycle can also cause change in vaginal discharge.

Effects of the menstrual cycle: The ph value (an indicator of acidity or alkalinity) of the discharge also may also vary during the menstrual cycle of a lady. The pH value is least acidic around the menstrual cycle and it is at this time, the infections are common since bacteria and virus can survive easily in this atmosphere. A woman may notice increased discharge during mid cycle with clear discharge and increased wetness.

Abnormal Vaginal Mucus Discharge

Signs of abnormal vaginal mucus discharge

Your discharge bloody when you are not having your periods.
The discharge has changed color from its normal
The vaginal discharge has clumps
There is noticeable smell from the discharge
There is a noticeable change in color of discharge. The yellow/green, gray/ white discharge, vaginal discharge with fishy odor, or accompanied by itching, burning sensation while urinating, are signs of abnormal vaginal discharge or infection.
Causes of abnormal vaginal mucus discharge

The common causes of the abnormal vagina discharge are the infection of vagina with bacteria or virus, tearing away of the lining, sexually transmitted diseases, extra discharge during pregnancy, shedding of lining after pregnancy. There are a number of causes and in each case the doctor will be able to know causative reasons and offer treatment.

Types of discharge
Causative conditions and treatment options
White or watery vaginal discharge with severe itchiness
The most common cause of watery or white discharge is fungal infection causing itchiness and soreness around vagina. The discharge is accompanied by yeasty smell. The smell is not very strong. The condition is called thrush. It is NOT a sexually transmitted disease.
The disease is easily treatable with OTC drugs from the pharmacist. Fungal infection medicines for local application are the best ones for these.
Grey or white fishy-smelling discharge
This condition is called bacterial vaginosis. It is caused by bacterial infection of vagina. The external indication is fishy smell and discharge immediately intercourse. The bacterial imbalance is usually the cause for this. There is no itching sensation.
The treating doctor may prescribe antibiotic and you will be treated quickly and easily. This is NOT a sexually transmitted disease. Even a visit to a GP will be enough.
Yellow Green or frothy discharge
It is a mild form of infection of vagina with bacteria and possible causes include yeast infection or infection with single cell parasite. The infection is transmitted sexually. The infection with single cells is called Trichomoniasis. Pain during sex is another indication of Trichomoniasis.
The treatment is through oral medicine. It cannot be cures by local application of medicine. Medicines like tinidazole or metronidazole taken in tablet form. Treating doctor may insist on treating your sex partners at the same time. Ensure that this is done. All sexual activities and contacts are to be stopped until the disease is cured.
Discharge with pain or bleeding
Pain while urinating, pain in the pelvic region, bleeding after sex, bleeding between periods, is indications of Gonorrhoea or Chlamydia. Both are caused by sexually transmitted infections. With Ghonorrhea, the discharge may turn green but the pain and/or bleeding may be the cause first noticed before the green discharge.
This is a serious condition and untreated Gonorrhoea or Chlamydia may spread inside your body and might cause more pain through inflammatory infection of the womb. overies or fallopian tubes. It is necessary that you see a GP or a sex specialist immediately
Discharge with blisters around the genitals
This is a serious case and perhaps an indication of genital herpes. The vagina and the portion around it get red blisters and sores also appear at the same time.
Instead of going to a GP the better way is to go to a genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic who can start you on an antiviral tablets. The tablet may stop viral infection from increasing, but will not completely go away quickly and the treatment might be long as the symptoms will return if not treated properly.
The additional causes for the discharge may be:

Steroid use. Steroid use has many bad side effects and cannot be controlled. Even long use of antibiotic and use of birth control pills may be the cause.
Cervical cancer may also the cause of such abnormal discharge.
Bubbly baths, scented soaps, lotions of various types, or douches can also cause change in the vaginal discharge.
Pelvic infection after surgery in the pelvic region.
Thinning of vaginal walls during menopause.
Remedies for abnormal vaginal mucus discharge

The remedies for changes in vaginal discharge are mostly preventive. A clean sex habit, clean and healthy living will reduce the incidences of infection.

Wear cotton undergarments only.
Maintain cleanliness in the vaginal region by mild soap and warm water.
Do not use the scented soaps and douches excessively. Avoid bubble baths if possible
Develop a habit of using the toilet tissues from front to back. This will ensure that the bacteria do not infect vaginal region.
Avoid tight clothing. This might cause excessive rubbing in the genital area.

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W. Normal Estrogen Levels

Estrogen has far-reaching effects on a variety of vital functions in the woman's body. Estrogen drives the developmental process and reproductive abilities of all women and has a profound impact on mood.

Estrogen levels fluctuate widely based on the age and current phase of the menstrual cycle. That being said, it is difficult to state exactly what level is normal. Pregnancy and menopause also influence estrogen and other hormone levels. For these reasons, a "normal" level can range from 50 to 400 pg/ml (picograms/milliliter).

You can take simple remedies to increase or decrease your estrogen level if you suffer abnormal estrogen levels.

Normal Estrogen Levels

Estrogen is a potent hormone and produced in the ovaries in females. A smaller amount is present in males as well.

1. Normal estrogen levels

The range of normal varies widely depending on a person's age. For those between 20-29, the average is 149 pg/ml and will increase to 210 pg/ml for females 30-39. The level falls back to 152 pg/ml for women over 40 who are not yet in menopause. These levels are generalizations as the exact level varies on a daily basis and is closely tied to the various phases of the menstrual cycle.

2. Low estrogen levels

Severe deficiency of estrogen can result in levels as low as 10-20 pg/ml and produce a variety of symptoms including fatigue, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and memory impairment. Some women will experience irritability, mood swings and feel drained and exhausted. Estrogen deficiency can result from eating disorders such as anorexia, menopause, surgical removal of the ovaries and congenital conditions. Turner syndrome and congenital adrenal hyperplasia are two such congenital disorders that result in profound hormonal abnormalities as well as unique physical characteristics.

3. High estrogen levels

Excess estrogen levels are typically noted when estrogen is in excess of 200 pg/ml. Causes include obesity, exogenous intake (medications), stress, cardiovascular disease and lifestyle. Excessive alcohol intake also influences estrogen levels. Common symptoms include mood swings, anxiety, depression and insomnia. Excess estrogen exposure is clearly linked to an increase in breast and uterine cancer.

How to Increase Estrogen Levels

If symptoms of estrogen deficiency are suspected, a visit to your doctor can confirm this by a simple blood test. After that, lifestyle and dietary modifications are an important first step to correcting an estrogen deficiency.

1. Lifestyle changes

This should be the first step in any plan to improve the quality of your life and health.

Quit smoking. Tobacco smoke inhibits the production of estrogen and those that do so will have abnormal estrogen levels circulating in the blood stream.
Exercise. Exercise is important for overall health, but also improves the level of estrogen. By maintaining a healthy body weight, the estrogen levels can remain within a more healthy range.
2. Herbal remedies

Herbs have been used for thousands of years to treat a variety of health issues. Some herbs are known to be phytoestrogenic and can act as substitutes for estrogen in the body. Herbs known to possess this property include: black cohosh, sage, licorice, Dong Quai and oregano. Soy also contains substances known as phytoestrogens and can stimulate or act like estrogen in the body.

3. Dietary changes

Dietary changes can stimulate the production of estrogen in the woman's body.

Fruits. Try eating dates, cherries, apples, plums, papaya and pomegranate.
Vegetables. Besides their potent antioxidant properties, vegetables can help regulate and increase hormone production. Choose a variety of options including: carrots, celery, eggplant, beans and lentils, peas, potatoes, tomatoes and yams.
Grains. Brown grains are the best and options such as barley, brown rice, oats and wheat are all suitable for improving the diet.
Seeds. Flax, pumpkin, sesame and sunflower seeds contain beneficial omega oils and also help improve estrogen levels.
4. Surgery

This is generally reserved for severe cases of hormonal imbalance. A through search may discover a tumor and require removal. The end result is usually life-long estrogen supplementation and is not without risks.

How to Decrease Estrogen Levels

1. Avoid alcohol

The liver is responsible for metabolizing estrogen and excess intake of alcohol will impair this process. The result is an accumulation of excess estrogen in the body. The maximum recommended number of alcoholic drinks for women is one drink per day. Higher intake is also linked to an increased risk of developing breast cancer.

2. Have more organic foods

Many pesticides and chemicals act like estrogen in the body and are readily absorbed. The best option is to choose organic food whenever possible. Cutting back on meat consumption can also help as many commercially raised animals are fed supplements containing a variety of chemicals, antibiotics and hormones.

3. Have fiber-rich foods

Estrogen is bound to bile salts produced by the liver. This bound form is then excreted in the stool and proper estrogen levels are maintained. Eating a high fiber diet stimulates the elimination of bile acids and hence estrogen as well. Regularly consume high fiber vegetables and grains to diminish the effects of excess estrogen.

4. Limit dairy products

Dairy milk accounts for up to 80% of dietary estrogen consumption. Milk is collected during pregnancy and the hormone levels are at their peak concentrations resulting in more collected in the milk. Choose non-dairy milk such as rice or almond milk. The taste is generally good and other health benefits are noted as well over dairy milk.

5. Exercise

Moderate to intense exercise has been shown to cut down excess estrogen by 7%. The calorie consumption and fat loss also contribute to an improved body habitus and further contribute to reducing the effects of excess estrogen.

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Womens Period Symptoms!

The menstrual cycle is punctuated by monthly bleeding culminating in the uterine lining being shed through the vagina. Period symptoms can range from mild to severe. Having a basic knowledge about what occurs during a period can help you deal with a multitude of unpleasant symptoms.

Common Period Symptoms

The period is a woman's monthly bleeding cycle and is the body's way of shedding the uterine lining if pregnancy doesn't occur. Normal menstruation occurs monthly and lasts on average 3-7 days. Unpleasant symptoms generally accompany the vaginal bleeding associated with a menstrual period. The following list explains common symptoms.

Abdominal Cramps. Lower abdominal cramps are common and can be intense. The uterus is a large muscular organ and the process of shedding the uterine lining can result in dull pain or more sharp, intense and cramping pain. Some women are debilitated during the menses due to the severity of symptoms.
Breast Tenderness. The hormonal fluctuations result in breast swelling and tenderness. The breast tissue is highly sensitive to hormone levels and soreness is not uncommon.
Mood Swings. As the hormone levels surge prior to the period, many women experience mood changes including irritability, anxiety, anger and even crying episodes.
Acne. Teens and young women are prone to acne breakouts due to the rise and fall of hormones during the menstrual cycle.
Pain. A variety of pain syndromes are related to the menstrual cycle. Muscle pain and backaches are common. Some experience more frequent migraine headaches during their period.
Food Cravings. Craving to a variety of foods can occur during the premenstrual and menstrual phase. Some crave sweets and high calorie foods, while others crave salty foods and snacks.
Other Period Symptoms include excessive fatigue and lack of drive to accomplish even normal daily tasks. Some women with underlying psychiatric disorders experience an increase in symptoms during their menses.
Pelvic Pressure. This occurs due to the fullness of the uterus and also engorgement of the pelvic veins is believed to contribute to this sensation.
Water Retention. Hormonal shifts results in bloating and water retention. It is common to note swelling of the fingers and ankles.
Backache. The low back can feel achy and tired during menses. Muscle aches in general are also reported.
Headache and Fatigue. Migraines and other headache types frequently flare during migraines. Fatigue and malaise accompany premenstrual and menstrual periods.
Difficulty Concentrating. Cognitive disruption is common. Mood swings and difficulty focusing on tasks is part of the symptom complex associate with the menstrual cycle.
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

PMS is a constellation of unpleasant symptoms and can vary in severity from person to person.

Causes

Hormonal fluctuations are the main force in causing PMS symptoms. Diet and lifestyle also play a role. Obese women may be prone to more hormonal issues than younger healthy counterparts.

Symptoms

Physical symptoms. The physical symptoms that occur in the premenstrual time just before the onset of the menses can be very similar to those that occur during actual menstruation. It is reported that 75% of women experience physical symptoms such as breast tenderness, fatigue, abdominal and pelvic cramping, back pain and muscle aches. These symptoms tend to reach their peak during the 20-30's and then taper off with age. The physical symptoms tend to be predicable from month-to-month.
Emotional and Behavioral Symptoms. Depression, irritability, fatigue and poor concentration are common symptoms. A more severe form called premenstrual dysphoric disorder causes debilitation symptoms every month. Anger, anxiety and feelings of hopelessness are notable with this disorder. Some women will have a coexisting psychiatric disorder and seeking professional help is warranted.
Remedies

A variety of options exist to treat the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. A combined approach of seeking medical advice, diet and lifestyle modifications can help manage symptoms effectively.

Medical Treatments

Medical treatments focus on addressing both physical and psychologic symptoms. Success varies from person to person and adjustment or trying a different class of medication can be beneficial.

Antidepressants are effective in improving mood, reducing fatigue and food cravings and restoring normal sleep. Medications such as fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft) and paroxetine (Paxil) are first line choices for treating premenstrual syndrome.

Oral contraceptives work by stopping ovulation and influencing hormone levels. This may help stabilize hormonal fluctuations and provide symptom relief. Depo-Provera is an injectable form of birth control and stops ovulation. Non-steroidal medications such as ibuprofen, Aleve and naproxen can provide effective pain relief. Most experts recommend starting NSAID therapy at the start of the period to ease cramping, back pain and breast pain.

Home Remedies


Lifestyle modifications are a beneficial component of management of PMS symptoms. Changing diet, sleep and exercise patterns can have a positive impact.

Try eating smaller more frequent meals to avoid bloating and don't overeat. High salt foods contribute to swelling and should be avoided. Add a daily multivitamin and eat a diet high in natural foods such as fruits and vegetables. Excessive caffeine and alcohol can also worsen premenstrual symptoms. Exercise is important for overall health and longevity, but also provides relief of stress. Aim for 30 minutes of aerobic exercise at least 5 days a week. Exercise releases natural endorphins and elevates your mood. Ensure proper sleep and take time to relax during the day. Yoga, massage and stretching exercises are beneficial for stress relief.

Supplements such as calcium, magnesium and vitamins B6 and E may ease PMS symptoms. Obtaining vitamins and minerals from natural foods are the best source, but consider adding supplements as an adjunct to ease PMS symptoms.

When to See a Doctor

Menstruation can start as early as 10 or 11 years of age. If menses start before that or have not occurred by age 16, a medical evaluation by a physician is required. Heavy and prolonged bleeding, severe pain, fever or bleeding between periods should prompt a medical evaluation. Tampons and feminine products can be associated with bacterial infections and if feeling sick after using these products, seek medical care immediately. Periods normally resume around 6 weeks after delivering a baby. If you have not had a period yet, seek evaluation. If no period for more than one month, seek evaluation from your doctor to assess if pregnant or experiencing other hormonal abnormality.

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