A breast self-exam is when you check your breasts, by sight and by touch, for any changes, like a new lump. And many professionals will agree that becoming familiar with what your breasts normally look and feel like is a great way in which to become aware of any changes for early concerns or cancer detection. Today, we’re going to be looking at breast lumps, what it feels like, the different types, and how to check for breast lumps aka do a breast self-exam. What Is a Breast Lump? A breast lump is a localised swelling, bump, or mass in the breast that feels different from the surrounding breast tissue, and it can vary in size, texture, and tenderness.  And while it can be completely daunting, it’s important to remember that the majority of breast lumps are not breast cancer. In fact, there are many conditions that may cause benign (non-cancerous) breast lumps. On the other hand, the absence of a noticeable breast lump doesn’t mean that breast cancer cannot or hasn’t developed.  This is why it’s important for women to do self-exams monthly from the age of 18, and for women over the age of 40 to go for an annual mammogram. What Does a Breast Lump Feel Like? A breast lump can feel different depending on its cause. It can be found in or around the breast tissue, or in the underarm area, and its size can vary from a pea to larger than a golf ball. Some common sensations and textures include: Firm or Hard This may feel like a solid mass within the breast Cancerous lumps are often hard and irregular Benign lumps can also feel firm Smooth and Moveable Often round or oval Can move slightly under your fingers Is often common with fibroadenomas (non-cancerous growths) Soft or Fluid-Filled May feel squishy or like a small water balloon Often tender before a menstrual period Common with breast cysts Tender or Painful Fixed in Place A lump that doesn’t move easily The Different Types of Breast Lumps For clarity, we’ll divide this up into two sections; benign and malignant. Benign means non-cancerous, and malignant means cancerous.  Benign Breast Lumps Fibroadenoma: occurs primarily in women in their 20s and 30s, the lump may feel rubbery and move around freely, it’s often painless, varying in size, and can form anywhere in the breast tissue. Fibrocystic breasts: may come about in women with dense breasts, occurs naturally due to hormonal fluctuations during menstruation, may feel lumpy, swollen, and sore before a period. Breast cyst: a fluid-filled sac inside the breast that’s round or oval and may feel soft or firm. They’re smooth, moveable, can be tender, and may change in size during menstruation. Fat necrosis: scar tissue from injured breast fat that may occur after trauma, surgery, or radiation. They’re a firm, round lump, sometimes causing skim dimpling, and may mimic cancer on imaging. Lipoma: a slow-growing, fatty lump mass made of fat cells that are soft, painless, and move easily under the skin. Breast abscess: an infection (pocket of pus due to a bacterial infection) that causes a painful lump, and is often associated with breastfeeding. Symptoms include redness, swelling, and a fever. Intraductal papilloma: a small wart-like growth inside a breast, near the nipple, that can lead to nipple discharge. Malignant Breast Lumps Cancerous breast lumps are caused by abnormal, uncontrolled cell growth in breast tissue. Unlike benign lumps, they can invade surrounding tissue and spread (metastasise) to other parts of the body. Invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC): the most common type of breast cancer that begins in the milk ducts and spreads into surrounding breast tissue. Symptoms may include a hard, irregular lump, skin dimpling, and nipple inversion. Invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC): the second most common type of breast cancer that starts in the milk-producing lobules and spreads into nearby tissue. Symptoms may include thickening instead of a distinct lump, fullness or swelling, and subtle breast shape changes. Ductal Carcinoma in situ (DCIS): stage 0 breast cancer that’s abnormal cells confined to the milk ducts that haven’t invaded the surrounding tissue. Symptoms may include nipple discharge, but there is often no lump. Inflammatory breast cancer: a rare but aggressive form of breast cancer of which the cancer cells block the lymph vessels in the skin of the breast. Symptoms may include a red, swollen breast, warmth, skin that looks like an orange peel, and often without the presence of a distinct lump. Triple-negative breast cancer: hormone receptor-negative cancer, which is when there is a lack of estrogen receptors, progesterone receptors, and HER2 protein. HER2-positive breast cancer: when there are high HER2 protein levels, promoting rapid growth.  Paget disease of the breast: a rare form of breast cancer affecting the nipple and often the areola. Symptoms may include red, flaky nipple skin, burning or itching, and a possible underlying lump. How To Check for Breast Lumps At-Home  A simple, step-by-step guide on how to do a breast self-exam (BSE)…  1. Get in Front of a Mirror Stand undressed from the waist up in front of a mirror with your arms relaxed. Take a look at your breasts for changes in size or shape, swelling, skin dimpling (like an orange peel), redness or a rash, nipple inversion, or unusual discharge. Then, raise your arms overhead and repeat. After, place your hands on your hips pressing firmly and repeat again. 2. Lie Down Lie down and place a pillow under your right shoulder. Put your right arm behind your head. Use the pads of your three middle fingers on your left hand and choose one pattern: Circular: small circles from outer breast towards the nipple Vertical lines: up and down strips Wedge pattern: from outer breast toward the nipple and back out Use three types of pressure: light for just beneath the skin, medium for the middle tissue, and firm for the deep tissue near the ribs. Cover the entire breast, armpit area, area to the collarbone, and down

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers among women, and knowing the facts can make a huge difference. In this post, we’ll explore the early signs, the importance of mammograms, advances in treatment, lifestyle changes that can reduce your risk, emotional support options, and how you can get involved during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. What Are the Early Signs and Symptoms of Breast Cancer? Catching breast cancer early is key to successful treatment. Some of the most common early signs include finding a lump in the breast or underarm. While not all lumps are cancerous, it’s crucial to have any unusual lump checked by a healthcare professional. Another sign is noticeable changes in breast size or shape. If one breast suddenly feels or looks different from the other, it’s important to take note. Nipple changes, such as inversion (where the nipple turns inward), unexpected discharge, or discomfort in the nipple area, may also signal an issue. Additionally, keep an eye out for changes in the skin on your breasts, such as dimpling, redness, or peeling. While breast cancer typically isn’t painful in the early stages, any persistent pain should also be brought to your doctor’s attention. Getting familiar with how your breasts usually look and feel and performing regular self-exams can help you notice any unusual changes early on. How Often Should Women Get Mammograms, and Why Are They Important? Mammograms are a critical tool for detecting breast cancer in its early stages, often before any symptoms arise. Most women should start getting annual mammograms at age 40. After age 55, women may choose to switch to mammograms every two years, depending on personal risk factors and discussions with their doctor. The reason mammograms are so important is that they can detect cancer when it’s most treatable, giving women more options and a better chance at recovery. Scheduling a mammogram is simple at our practice, and you can learn more about the process here: https://adriaticawomenshealth.com/services/mammography/.   What’s New in Breast Cancer Treatment? Breast cancer treatments have come a long way, with new advancements making treatments more effective and personalized. One of the most exciting developments is targeted therapy, which focuses on attacking cancer cells while leaving healthy cells alone. Immunotherapy is another promising area, as it helps boost the immune system’s ability to recognize and fight cancer cells, especially in more aggressive forms of breast cancer like triple-negative breast cancer. Personalized medicine is also making a huge impact, as doctors can now tailor treatments to the specific makeup of an individual’s cancer, improving outcomes. Proton therapy, a newer form of radiation therapy, allows for more precise targeting of cancerous tissue, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy areas. These advancements are helping patients receive more effective treatments while reducing side effects. What Lifestyle Changes Can Lower the Risk of Developing Breast Cancer? While genetic factors are important, lifestyle choices also play a significant role in reducing breast cancer risk. Staying active is one of the best ways to lower your risk. Experts recommend aiming for at least 150 minutes of exercise each week. Maintaining a healthy weight is also crucial, particularly after menopause, as excess body fat can increase the risk of breast cancer. Limiting alcohol intake is another smart move, as even moderate drinking has been linked to a higher risk of breast cancer. Quitting smoking can reduce the risk of various cancers, including breast cancer, and is always a good health choice. For those who can, breastfeeding has been shown to lower the risk of breast cancer as well. Finally, if you’re considering hormone replacement therapy (HRT), discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor, as long-term use has been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. By adopting these healthy lifestyle changes, women can take proactive steps toward lowering their breast cancer risk. What Emotional and Psychological Support Is Available for Breast Cancer Patients? Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis can be emotionally overwhelming, but there are many resources available to help. Counseling with a mental health professional can be incredibly beneficial, offering patients a safe space to talk about their feelings and learn coping strategies. Support groups, whether in person or online, allow patients to connect with others going through similar experiences, providing a sense of community and understanding. Additionally, mind-body practices like yoga, meditation, and mindfulness can help manage the stress and anxiety that often accompany a cancer diagnosis. Many cancer centers also offer patient navigators who can guide patients through treatment, helping to connect them with emotional and psychological support services. Emotional care is a vital part of the overall treatment process, and seeking help can improve both mental and physical well-being. How Can We Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the Women Impacted by This Disease? October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and there are plenty of ways to get involved and support those affected by breast cancer. One of the simplest ways to participate is by spreading awareness. Share information about the importance of early detection, mammograms, and healthy lifestyle choices with your friends, family, and social media networks. Participating in or donating to fundraising events, like charity walks or runs, is another great way to help raise money for breast cancer research and patient support services. Wearing pink during October is a small but meaningful gesture to show solidarity with those affected by breast cancer and to raise awareness in your community. On a more personal level, if you know someone going through breast cancer treatment, offering practical help, like running errands, cooking meals, or just being there to listen, can make a big difference in their day-to-day life. Finally, encourage the women in your life to schedule regular mammograms and stay informed about breast cancer prevention. By staying informed and taking action, we can all make a difference in the fight against breast cancer. Let’s work together to raise awareness, support those going through treatment, and push toward a future where breast cancer is a thing of the past.

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes Did you practice yoga for pelvic floor relaxation? If you’re struggling with a hypertonic pelvic floor, relaxing yoga can help a lot. On our Pelvic Floor Dysfunction page, we the difference between a hypertonic (tight) and a hypotonic (lax) pelvic floor. Regardless of whether you have hypertonicity, hypotonicity or just a normally functioning pelvic floor, you can benefit from doing yoga for pelvic floor relaxation. Today, we have released a simple 10-minute yoga sequence for relaxing your pelvic floor. This video has music only, no talking, and it uses timers to let you know when you need to change position. There are no props needed to do this sequence, although as always, you can adapt your practice to suit your body and use props if you require them. Yoga for Pelvic Floor Relaxation Practicing yoga has many benefits, especially when it comes to your pelvic floor. One study1 concluded that “The practice of yoga causes a reduction in the pain intensity and improves the quality of life in patients with chronic pelvic pain”. The benefits are not just with pelvic pain. Studies into Bladder Pain Syndrome have shown improvements in bothersome symptoms form practicing yoga2. It’s not just pain conditions that benefit from yoga. Another study3 found improvements in Urinary Incontinence in women who practiced yoga. How Yoga Creates Balance In the Body Your connective tissue and muscles work together to help manage your movement. Every muscle has a job in the business of your body’s movement, and if you have muscles that are hypotonic or hypotonic, that can interrupt this business. Yoga allows you to gently stretch and strengthen muscles throughout your body without overloading your tissues. It allows muscles to come back to a balanced resting length, which has a very positive effect on the pelvic floor. Yoga also helps you to find some stillness and release the stresses of the day. If you do practice yoga, it is important to practice with compassion while listening to your body. Aggressively pushing yourself into a yoga pose can cause injury, so take it easy, move slowly and met your body where you find it. Props are always welcome in your practice, even if the teacher isn’t using them. Practice with some blankets, pillows or a bolster and yoga blocks, using them for support when you feel your body needs it. Speak with your doctor or pelvic floor physiotherapist before adding any exercise into your schedule and they can add some additional guidance based on your specific body and symptoms. Would You Like to Follow a Structured Program? If you are struggling with pelvic floor dysfunction, we have lots of options to help you as you work to come back into balance. From our YouTube videos to our 30-Day Challenge, there are lots of free options. If you would prefer a more comprehensive structured program to help you to overcome pelvic floor dysfunction, you can follow our Eight-Phase training which is detailed in full in the book Empower Your Flower. We also have the Eight Phase training available as an online course, which gives you access to premium areas in our community including weekly Zoom calls with Denise. The online training also gives you access to our new training courses (Overcoming Vaginismus launches March 18th 2022). If you could prefer 1:1 coaching, you can book a call with Denise from our teachable school. Above all, make sure that you take steps to deal with your pelvic floor dysfunction. Seek help rather than suffering in silence, and remember that if we all talk about pelvic floor dysfunction, we can break the taboo. References Saxena R, Gupta M, Shankar N, Jain S, Saxena A. Effects of yogic intervention on pain scores and quality of life in females with chronic pelvic pain. Int J Yoga. 2017 Jan-Apr;10(1):9-15. doi: 10.4103/0973-6131.186155. PMID: 28149062; PMCID: PMC5225749. Khandwala S, Cruff J. The Role of Yoga in the Management of Bladder Pain Syndrome: A Single-Arm Pilot Study. Adv Mind Body Med. 2020 Fall;34(4):4-9. PMID: 33186125. Huang AJ, Jenny HE, Chesney MA, Schembri M, Subak LL. A group-based yoga therapy intervention for urinary incontinence in women: a pilot randomized trial. Female Pelvic Med Reconstr Surg. 2014 May-Jun;20(3):147-54. doi: 10.1097/SPV.0000000000000072. PMID: 24763156; PMCID: PMC4310548. Source link

For women, having a healthy reproductive system is not merely important for childbearing. It’s also imperative for overall health, including emotional wellbeing, bone strength, cardiovascular health, immune system, pelvic health, and aging. Your reproductive system is strongly connected to your hormones, which essentially control a lot of your bodily functions.  Bottom line? Having a healthy reproductive system is crucial for many different parts of the body. Today, we’re going to look at the various ways that a healthy reproductive system contributes to an overall healthier you, as well as ways in which to keep your reproductive system healthy. Here are 8 different ways your reproductive system works to keep your body healthy. 1. Hormonal Health Firstly, as mentioned, your reproductive system is a major hormone producer… and hormonal balance affects your whole body. For example, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone, all produced in the female reproductive system, influence your energy levels and fatigue, mood, anxiety and depression risk, sleep quality, metabolism and weight regulation, sex life, skin, hair, and bone health. When your reproductive system is unhealthy, these hormones can be imbalanced, having a negative effect on all of these things, all the while rippling through every organ system. 2. Fertility & Childbearing Reproductive health is essential before conception as it promotes healthy eggs, regular ovulation, balanced hormones for conception, and a lower risk of miscarriage. During pregnancy, it’s important for proper implantation, placenta development, and reduced risk of pre-eclampsia, preterm birth, gestational diabetes, and low birth weight. 3. Bone Strength & Mobility A woman’s reproductive system, and the hormones it makes, plays an important part in maintaining bone density. For example, if estrogen and testosterone are low, it can increase the risk of osteoporosis, fractures, and chronic joint and back pain. And these ailments can persist for longer than reproductive years. 4. Heart Health When your reproductive hormones are healthy, you should be able to benefit from a more regulated cholesterol, protected blood vessels, and reduced inflammation. When there is a disruption in hormone production, the opposite may occur, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and stroke. 5. Emotional Wellbeing Our hormones are strongly linked to our emotional and mental health. When your reproductive hormones aren’t functioning at their best, it may disrupt your brain chemistry. For example, when serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin aren’t in balance, you may experience mood swings, brain fog, anxiety and low levels of motivation, and reduced resilience because of stress. 6. Sexual Health Your reproductive system, when in balance, supports a healthy libido and arousal, allows for comfortable and pain-free penetration, enhances orgasm quality, promotes natural lubrication, and the strengthening of emotional bonding between partners. If you have an unhealthy reproductive system, these factors may suffer, creating issues in your sex life, solo or with a partner. 7. Immune System & Inflammation Your reproductive system regulates your immune system by deciding when it should react strongly or calm down to infections, injuries, and more, and how much inflammation is appropriate. If this is out of balance, and there is chronic inflammation in reproductive organs, it could cause increased fatigue, affect gut health, and raise the risk for an autoimmune issue. 8. Pelvic Health A healthy reproductive system supports pelvic floor strength, bladder and bowel control, and posture and spinal stability. With an unhealthy reproductive system, you could face pain, incontinence, or discomfort in everyday life. Different Ways to Keep Your Reproductive System Healthy We’ve established that having a healthy reproductive system is important for almost all bodily functions. So, here are some ways you can help keep it healthy and functioning optimally.  Lifestyle Choices To support your reproductive system, and keep hormones balanced, you could: get 7-9 hours of sleep every night manage stress eat enough calories avoid excess alcohol and caffeine maintain a healthy body fat range enjoy balanced exercise In terms of nutrition, you can focus on nutrient-dense foods that support hormones, eggs, and tissue. For example: Healthy fats: olive oil, avocado, nuts, seeds, fatty fish Protein: eggs, fish, legumes, lean meat, tofu Micronutrients: zinc, iron, folate, selenium, omega-3s. In terms of exercise, moderate, regular activity is best. Chronic overtraining isn’t a good idea, as it can actually hinder your health. You could engage in: Strength training to support testosterone and bone health Cardio for improved blood flow to reproductive organs At the same time, you could experience negative effects when it comes to arousal, orgasm, tissue health, and fertility if you aren’t active, sit for prolonged periods of time, or don’t manage your blood pressure and cholesterol. As per weight management, maintaining a healthy weight, without extremes, is the best way to keep your reproductive system healthy. With severe dieting or obesity, ovulation, menstrual regulation, and libido may be affected. Some other lifestyle choices can disrupt your endocrine hormones. For example, smoking can damage your levels of fertility and cause hormonal damage, and using plastic, pesticides and harsh chemicals are toxins that can be harmful. Additionally, avoid taking unnecessary hormone supplements. Manage Health Conditions If you have any current health conditions, make sure to manage them correctly in hopes of keeping them in control. For example, if you have any infections, make sure to treat them immediately. And for chronic conditions, like diabetes or thyroid issues, regular check ups and medication (if prescribed by your healthcare professional) are essential. Health Screenings For preventative care, routine health screenings are a great idea… even if you don’t have any symptoms. Visiting a gynecologist/healthcare professional for a pap smear, pelvic exam, and hormone testing regularly can help you maintain good reproductive health, and any early detection means that treatment could be more effective with possibly better outcomes. Mental Health Because your hormones play a big part in how you feel mentally, you may be experiencing an unhealthy reproductive system that gives off mental side effects. After all, your mental health directly affects your reproductive health. For example: Listen To Your Body Your body is very intuitive, and it’ll give you signals. It’s important

Farewell and Best Wishes for Our Midwife, Josie Roberts, CNM It is with both excitement and sadness that we share that our beloved midwife, Josie Roberts, CNM, will be relocating to the Pacific Northwest this September to follow her family’s dreams. Over the years, she has cherished walking alongside our patients through pregnancies, celebrating births, and catching up on life’s milestones. Her words capture it best: “Your strength and endurance are awe inspiring!” While she will be deeply missed, rest assured your care at Adriatica Women’s Health will continue without interruption. Our midwife team, or any Adriatica Women’s Health provider of your choice, will be happy to continue caring for you. If you wish to transfer your care outside our practice, you may request a medical records release form at www.adriaticawomenshealth.com or through our office. For any questions, please contact us at 972-542-8884. From all of us at Adriatica, we thank her for her years of dedication and wish her and her family the very best in this exciting new chapter. Click here to read Josie’s letter to her patients. Source link

Estimated reading time: 8 minutes In this article, we will as the question Are hypopressives beneficial for pelvic floor dysfunction? If you are suffering from pelvic floor dysfunction, you may well have heard of Hypopressives; a breathing technique that uses a stomach vacuum to tap into the relationship between the pelvic floor, core and breathing diaphragm. These stomach vacuums are the same as those practiced by yogis for millennia and utilized by bodybuilders since the seventies to enhance breathing, reduce waist size and improve aesthetics. The idea that these stomach vacuums could be beneficial for treating pelvic floor dysfunctions was first suggested in the eighties when Belgian physiotherapist Marcel Caufriez began using hypopressive exercises to improve pelvic floor control in patients. With 1 in 3 women1 suffering pelvic floor dysfunction during her lifetime, finding conservative and easy to follow exercises to improve symptoms and quality of life is critical. So, let’s first explore the exercise before delving into its perceived benefits for those with pelvic floor dysfunction. How to Perform a Hypopressive Exercise (Stomach Vacuum) The hypopressive manoeuvre (also known as an apnea) involves emptying the lungs completely and immediately closing the airways to prevent air reentering the lungs. Following this, the abdominals are relaxed and the ribcage is expanded which creates a stomach vacuum causing the abdominals the be drawn upwards and inwards. The vacuum can also be seen on the back of the body and around the shoulder blades. Follow the steps below to perform the hypopressive manoeuvre which is shown in the animation. Steps to Perform a Hypopressive Apnea Perform three breath cycles where you inhale and exhale. On the third exhalation, empty the lungs fully, this will include contraction of the abs to empty the reserve volume from the lungs. Close your airways to prevent air from reentering the lungs. Take your apnea. To do so, relax the abdominals and expand the ribcage out to the sides in the same motion used when breathing but without taking air in. Hold for a count of 4. Relax the ribcage and abdominals before taking your next inhalation. Animation of a Hyperpressives stomach vacuum Should You Replace Kegels With Hypopressives? For those suffering from a Pelvic Organ Prolapse, the uplifting motion produced when performing an apnea can feel quite relieving on the prolapse, as is my experience with my own rectocele. Of course, feeling some immediate relief doesn’t necessarily mean that there are proven benefits. Marketing of hypopressive training is strong, and some campaigns even suggest using hypopressives as an alternative to Kegel exercises (Traditional Pelvic floor muscle training). In keeping with the usual approach on this website, we will explore the research to see if this makes sense, and to discover the proven benefits of practicing hypopressives. Traditional pelvic floor muscle training (Kegels) as a treatment for incontinence and prolapse is backed by decades of research confirming the benefits. Hypopressives, on the other hand, have only been studied during the last decade. The first study2 into hypopressives compared a group performing Kegels with another performing hypopressives. The conclusion was that hypopressives were less effective than Kegels alone. A subsequent study3 in 2012 had three groups; one performing hypopressives plus Kegels, a second performing Kegels alone and a control group. That study found that both groups performing exercises did better than controls, however; adding hypopressives to Kegels didn’t improve pelvic floor function and those who practiced only Kegels had superior pelvic floor endurance. Another 2012 study4 directly compared a group performing Kegels with another performing hypopressives and found that both groups showed similar improvements. Since those early studies, there have been numerous other studies, none of which have confirmed that you should ditch your pelvic floor exercises in favour of a hypopressive practice, however; through the course of these studies, the true benefit of hypopressives has been revealed. Seated Hypopressive Pose showing the apnea. A Program of Hypopressive Exercises Showed Positive Results in Post-partum Abdominal Diastasis5 The Real Benefits of Hypopressive Exercise If you are suffering from pelvic floor dysfunction, it is very likely that you also have some core weakness. This is where hypopressives can provide benefits. Whereas the early studies into hypopressives did not substantiate the suggestion that they should be used as an alternative to Kegels, they did reveal improvements in the strength of the transverse abdominis (TrA), one of the key core muscles. A 2021 study6 exploring how the abdominal muscles change during hypopressives found that hypopresives significantly increase the thickness of the TrA and internal oblique during the exercise in comparison with the muscles at rest. With that said, you should’t rush to swap your core exercises with hypopressives. A 2020 study7 that looked at the pelvic floor and abdominal muscle response during hypopressives did note that the muscles showed increased activation during the exercises, but not sufficiently to create strength gains. They did, however, suggest it could have an endurance effect. Further studies would be needed to substantiate that hypothesis. Why Practice Hypopressives? So why bother practicing hypopressives if they aren’t going to heal your prolapse or cure your incontinence? I have three reasons why I personally practice hypopressives, and why I included them in some of the breathing modules of my Eight-phase training course. Reason 1 One of the main reasons I like to practice hypopressives is because it relieves the symptoms of my rectocele. I generally only feel symptomatic if I allow myself to get constipated and have to strain to poop. When I get the heavy dragging feeling of the prolapse, I practice my hypopressives and it helps to reduce the symptoms. I also find inversions to be helpful with symptom relief. Reason 2 One of the triggers for the symptoms of prolapse, which is also a cause of leakage during stress incontinence, is increased intraabdominal pressure. When you practice hypopressives, you tap into the relationship between the breathing diaphragm, the core and the pelvic floor. I find that my hypopressive practice helps me to feel and manage this

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, SheKnows may receive an affiliate commission. Scroll through TikTok right now, and you’ll find women claiming that an unlikely over-the-counter combo—Pepcid AC and Allegra—has dramatically improved everything from PMDD symptoms to anxiety and depression. In videos racking up hundreds of thousands of views, users say the pairing helps take “the edge off,” quiet intrusive thoughts, reduce irritability, or ease the emotional volatility that can come with hormonal shifts and perimenopause. The trend is taking off in part because it taps into something very real: many women struggling with PMS, PMDD, anxiety, and hormonal mood changes feel underserved by the healthcare system and are desperate for relief. Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), a severe form of PMS that can cause debilitating emotional symptoms, affects an estimated 3 to 8 percent of women of reproductive age, though experts believe it’s significantly underdiagnosed. Many women spend years being told their symptoms are “just stress,” regular PMS, or generalized anxiety before finally getting answers. Related story A New Old Navy x Disney Americana Collection Has Arrived & It’s Filled With Cute Matching Family Moments for Summer Pepcid AC Maximum Strength Heartburn Relief Tablets Allegra Adult 24-Hour Allergy Relief Tablets At the same time, women are nearly twice as likely as men to be diagnosed with depression, with recent CDC data finding depression prevalence rates of 16% in women compared to 10.1% in men. And hormonal fluctuations—from the menstrual cycle to postpartum changes to perimenopause—can play a major role in mood symptoms for many patients. So it’s perhaps not surprising that a TikTok trend promising relief from anxiety, mood swings, rage, or emotional overwhelm would quickly gain traction online. But can an allergy medication and an acid reducer actually help with mental health symptoms? According to experts, the answer is nuanced.  “There’s an interesting theory behind this trend, but no real proof it works for mood,” says Pallavi Khanna, MD, an OB/GYN who works in Regional One Health’s Menopause Care Clinic in Memphis, Tennessee. The theory centers around histamine, the same chemical involved in allergic reactions. Estrogen can stimulate immune cells called mast cells, which release histamine throughout the body. Histamine doesn’t just cause sneezing, itching, or hives—it also acts as a neurotransmitter in the brain and may influence anxiety, inflammation, sleep, and stress responses. “So, if you block histamine on two fronts — Allegra blocks one type of receptor (H1), Pepcid blocks another (H2) — the thinking is that you might quiet the whole system down,” explains Dr. Khanna. Still, she cautions against confusing a plausible biological theory with proven treatment. “As I tell my patients, ‘biologically plausible’ is not the same as ‘actually works.’” What Pepcid AC and Allegra Actually Do As mentioned, Pepcid AC contains famotidine, an H2 blocker originally designed to reduce stomach acid production. Allegra, meanwhile, is an H1 antihistamine used to treat allergy symptoms like sneezing and itching. Together, some TikTok users believe the medications can “calm” the body’s histamine response and, in turn, improve mood symptoms tied to hormonal fluctuations. “Famotidine is a histamine-2 (H2) blocker that was designed to block acid production in the stomach,” says Karyn Eilber, MD, member of the plusOne Wellness Collective. “Other organs have H2 receptors, including the uterus and the brain, so Pepcid may help anxiety and menstrual cramps.” She adds that while the brain also contains H1 receptors, Allegra itself likely has less impact on anxiety because it doesn’t significantly cross the blood-brain barrier. “Fexofenadine is a larger molecule that is too big to cross the blood brain barrier (enter the brain) so it likely doesn’t have any effect on anxiety; however, smooth muscle like that found in the uterus also has H1 receptors so Allegra may help uterine cramps too.” Dr. Khanna agrees that histamine may play some role in the physical symptoms associated with hormonal shifts, especially in perimenopause, when fluctuating estrogen levels can intensify everything from bloating to sleep issues to skin reactions. But she says histamine likely isn’t the primary driver behind PMDD’s emotional symptoms. “When it comes to PMS and PMDD specifically, histamine isn’t the main character,” she says. “The leading explanation is that some women’s brains are unusually sensitive to a metabolite of progesterone called allopregnanolone.” She also notes that serotonin pathways are heavily involved, which is why SSRIs remain one of the most effective evidence-based treatments for PMDD. Unlike generalized depression, PMDD symptoms are cyclical and tied specifically to hormonal changes during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, which is why treatments often look different than standard anxiety or depression care. Why Some Women Say the Combo Helps Even without formal clinical studies, many TikTok users insist the medications are helping them feel calmer, less reactive, or more emotionally stable. According to experts, there are several possible explanations—and not all of them are necessarily “just placebo.” For one, improving physical symptoms can have a real downstream effect on mental health. PMS and perimenopause can cause bloating, GI issues, reflux, headaches, breast tenderness, flushing, poor sleep, and inflammation-like symptoms that make people feel physically miserable. Reducing those symptoms can indirectly help the nervous system feel calmer too. “When your body stops feeling inflamed, your nervous system calms down,” explains Dr. Khanna. Dr. Eilber echoes that idea, saying, “An indirect way that these medications can improve anxiety and emotional symptoms is that if you physically feel better then everything, including anxiety, is better.” There’s also the possibility that some women experiencing relief could have underlying mast cell activation issues, a condition involving overactive immune cells that can worsen with hormonal fluctuations. Dr. Khanna says she sees this more often than people realize in her perimenopause clinic. “Some women have mast cells that overreact, and estrogen makes those cells more reactive,” she says. “So as estrogen swings around the cycle or chaotically through perimenopause, they get flushing, hives, GI symptoms, weird sensitivities, and yes, anxiety that tracks [with] their hormones.” And then