THE MENSTRUAL CYCLE EXPLAINED.

Every month, your body goes through the same process over and over again starting from adolescence till menopause.

This process is totally out of your control, as nature bids it to be.

However, knowing about it is powerful and helps inform your decisions.

Are you curious yet? Let’s get into it As a woman, your body naturally primes you to get pregnant and that’s what the menstrual cycle is all about.

During the cycle, your ovaries and uterus go through changes simultaneously but we’re going to simplify that.

Your cycle is divided into four phases:

- Menstrual Phase
- Follicular phase
- Ovulation
- Luteal/secretory phase.

These phases translate into one another as the hormones in charge of them rises or falls.

WHAT’S NORMAL VS WHAT’S NOT

Every woman should know her discharge types like she knows her skincare routine.

If your discharge could speak, what do you think it’d be trying to tell you?

Let’s decipher that with this thread👇🏼 First off, it’s completely normal to have a vaginal discharge.

In fact, it points to a healthy vaginal microbiome.

Vaginal discharge, also known as leukorrhea, is a clear or whitish fluid that comes from the vagina.

It cleans out your vagina and keeps it infection free.

POWER OF THE GUT

Many people are not aware of just how powerful the gut is.

Your gut is the command center that affects almost everything from your skin, to your immune system and mood.

When the gut is out of whack, your whole existence feels out of whack

Let’s give context👇🏼 WHAT IS THE GUT?

The gut is simply your digestive system, particularly the gastrointestinal tract that runs from your mouth to your anus.

However when we talk about gut health, we’re referring to the stomach, small intestine and large intestine where trillions of microbes live.

This is called the “Gut microbiome”.

5 WAYS TO CARE FOR YOUR PROSTATE GLAND

As men age, they become more aware of the prostate.

This is because it doesn’t just grow larger, but poses a problem to their reproductive health.

If you’ve ever wondered what the prostate “fuss” is about, this thread is for you 🫵🏻 WHAT IS THE PROSTATE?

The prostate is a small walnut sized gland that’s part of the male reproductive system.

It is located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum, surrounding part of the urethra (that carries urine and semen out of the body)

UNDERSTANDING ENDOMETRIOSIS

A friend of mine has terrible period pain. When I asked if she’s seen a doctor, she said it’ll go away once she gives birth.

Many of us have been told the same myth—that pregnancy cures endometriosis.

But is that really true?
What exactly is endometriosis? WHAT IS ENDOMETRIOSIS?

Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the endometrial lining grows outside of the uterus.

This tissue still behaves like the normal lining, it thickens, breaks down and bleeds every month.

However, there’s no exit route. The blood gets trapped inside the body and it causes pain.

MANAGING ARTHRITIS

My daughter, can NSAIDs cure this pain?
No dad, they only help in management.

This was a real conversation
And it reflects what many of our parents face daily.

Arthritis is a chronic condition that can become a lifelong companion if not managed properly.

A thread WHAT IS ARTHRITIS?

Arthritis simply means inflammation of the joints. But it is not a single disease.

It’s an umbrella term for over 100 different joint related conditions.

How do they present?

They present with pain, swelling, stiffness and reduced mobility in affected joints.

HOW STOMACH ULCERS FORM AND WORSEN

Despite all we know about stomach ulcers, they still plague us,

Most people don’t know how they form, why they do, the habits that perpetuate them and ways of avoiding or healing them.

Here’s everything you need to know. WHAT ARE ULCER SORES?

A stomach ulcer is an open sore that develops on the lining of the stomach or upper small intestine.

These sores form when the protective mucus lining in the stomach is damaged or weak, allowing acid burn through the tissue.

10 REASONS YOU’RE AGING FASTER THAN YOUR FRIENDS

Why do some people age faster than others?

Aging is natural, but how fast it happens depends mostly on your lifestyle and environment.

What makes you age prematurely?
How can you prevent that?

Everything you need to know 👇🏼 1. Chronic stress

Long term chronic stress increases cortisol, a hormone that accelerates aging by:
- Breaking down collagen
- Weakening immunity
- Damaging heart and brain cells.

TOP 5 NUTRIENTS FOR MEN’S SEXUAL HEALTH

Men’s sexual health depends on a mix of hormones, blood flow, and energy levels.

Some particular nutrients are essential for maintaining these functions.

What are those nutrients? ZINC FOR SEXUAL HEALTH

Zinc is an essential nutrient for production of testosterone, the primary hormone responsible for male sexual health.

It also supports production and quality of sperm.

Low levels of zinc can lead to infertility, decreased libido and erectile dysfunction.

CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE

Mama says her legs are swelling again.

She barely eats, always tired and keeps going to pee at night— however you brush it off as old age.

But what if it’s not?
What if her kidneys are silently failing?

Here’s everything you need to know 👇🏼 WHAT IS CHRONIC KIDNEY DISEASE?

Chronic kidney disease is a condition where the kidneys are damaged and lose their ability to filter blood effectively.

This damage develops gradually, over months to years and is irreversible.

CKD also doesn’t show symptoms till significant damage has occurred.

COLLAGEN: HEALTH OR HYPE HERO?

Everyone’s adding collagen to their smoothies, skincare and even coffee.

But what exactly is collagen? And should you be taking it?

Let’s break it down 👇🏼 WHAT IS COLLAGEN?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the human body.

It forms the framework of your skin, bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, cartilage and even your blood vessels.

Think of it as the “Glue” that holds your body together.

Without it, everything loses structure - your skin, joints and organs.

THE AMAZING BENEFITS OF GREEN TEA

Green tea is not talked about enough.

It is not just a calming drink, it improves health tremendously.

Does it deserve a place in your routine?

Let’s talk about it 👇🏼 FIRST THINGS FIRST: What makes green tea so special?

Green tea is made from the Camellia sinensis plant - same as black tea, but less processed.

So it contains more antioxidants and nutrients.

They include:
- Catechins and Polyphenols which are natural antioxidants.

- L - theanine, which promotes relaxation.

- Caffeine, which enhances alertness and metabolism.

- Flavonoids, an anti-inflammatory compound.

- Vitamins and minerals: Small amounts of potassium, magnesium and B vitamins.

ZINC FOR SEXUAL HEALTH

When it comes to sexual health, zinc is a top mineral, and plays a crucial role for both men and women.

Why do you need zinc?

A comprehensive breakdown 👇🏼 WHAT IS ZINC?

Zinc is a trace mineral that is ESSENTIAL for human health.

It is essential because the body cannot produce or store it, and so it must be gotten from outside sources.

Zinc is so good, it plays a role in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the body, and helps the immune system function.

DIABETES AND BLINDNESS: What You Need To Know.

Did you know uncontrolled diabetes is one of the leading causes of blindness in adults?

The culprit is DIABETIC RETINOPATHY.

Let’s talk about it HOW DOES DIABETES AFFECT YOUR EYES?

The eyes contain tiny, delicate blood vessels that supply the retina (the part of your eye that senses light and lets you see).

Overtime, persistent high blood sugar levels damage these vessels causing them to:
- Leak fluid
- Swell
- Bleed or
- Close off completely.

This reaction is known as diabetic retinopathy, the most common diabetes-related eye disease and a leading cause of blindness in working-age adults.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE BODY AFTER 60, and ways to slow it down.

For both men and women, aging brings real and noticeable changes - from memory and muscle loss to hormonal changes.

Regardless of it being a natural process, there’re proven ways to slow it down.

Let’s get into it 👇🏼 1. Brain and Cognitive function

As people grow older, there is:

- Mild memory decline and slower processing speed.

- Short attention span and reduced ability to multitask

- Increased risk of dementia, especially Alzheimer’s disease.

- Mood changes like depression or anxiety.

How to slow it down:
- Stay mentally active by reading and learning new skills
- Engage in regular exercises and sleep mindfully
- Engage socially
- Invest in supplements like Omega 3 fatty acids, and B vitamins.

TOOTH DECAY: Everything you need to know.

Tooth decay is one of the most common chronic conditions worldwide.

It affects people of all ages, and when left untreated, severely decreases quality of life.

How does it start?
Can it be treated?
How is it prevented? WHAT IS TOOTH DECAY?

Tooth decay is the destruction of the tooth’s hard structure (enamel and dentin) caused by acids produced by bacteria.

How does it develop?

The process involves four key factors:
- Bacteria present in your mouth
- Simple sugars
- A susceptible tooth surface
- Time.

When sugars are consumed, the bacteria metabolizes them to produce acids.

These acids reduce the pH of the mouth leading to demineralization of the enamel.

With time, and if nothing is done, the teeth starts to break down.

WHAT DOES YOUR TONGUE SAY? 👅

Did you know the appearance, texture and color of your tongue says a lot about your health?

It literally doesn’t lie!

Open thread for all you need to know. 👇🏼 The tongue is a muscular organ that helps you chew, speak and breathe.

A healthy tongue should be pink in color, moist and with a slightly rough texture because of the small bumps on it.

Any significant change in color or texture points to an underlying issue.

HOW TO LOWER HIGH CHOLESTEROL AND PROTECT YOUR HEART

Hyperlipidemia means excess cholesterol in your blood, and it silently raises your risk for stroke, heart attack, and artery disease.

But can you reduce it?

The answer is YES!

Let’s break it down 👇🏼 WHAT IS CHOLESTEROL?

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in every cell of the body.

Your body needs it to:
- Produce bile for digestion
- Make sex hormones and Vitamin D
- Support structure of the cell membranes

But when the levels are too high, especially low density lipoprotein, it can start clogging your arteries.

12 WARNING SIGNS OF KIDNEY FAILURE

Kidney failure happens when the kidneys can no longer filter waste products and excess fluid from the body.

12 signs to watch out for 👇🏼 Your kidneys are responsible for;
- Filtering blood: It filters about 200 liters of blood daily
- Regulating blood pressure
- Maintaining calcium balance
- Producing red blood cells
- Balancing water and electrolytes
- Activating Vitamin D

They are essential for life.

7 CHOLESTEROL MYTHS PEOPLE BELIEVE (And the real truth)

If you still think eating eggs raises your cholesterol or that only overweight people need to worry about it, you couldn’t be more wrong.

Cholesterol is one of the most misunderstood health topics.

Let’s break it down 👇🏼 What is cholesterol, really?

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance found in every cell in your body.

It is not just something that clogs your arteries, it is actually essential for:
- Making hormones like estrogen, testosterone and cortisol
- Producing Vitamin D
- Building cell membranes
- Creating bile acids that digest fat.

So, no, cholesterol is not evil. It only becomes dangerous when it goes out of balance.

ACANTHOSIS NIGRICANS: Do you struggle with dark underarms?

Acanthosis Nigricans is not just a cosmetic concern, it is a sign of something deeper going on in your body.

It is a warning to pay attention to your metabolic health.

Confused or curious?
Let’s break it down👇🏼 WHAT IS ACANTHOSIS NIGRICANS?

Acanthosis Nigricans is a skin condition characterized by dark, thickened, and velvety patches that are seen in body folds like:

- Armpits
- Neck
- Groin
- Under the breasts
- Elbows or knees

This condition is not contagious or dangerous on its own, however it points to an underlying disease condition.