Is your menstrual cycle late or erratic? Do not worry; this symptom is frequently caused by a medical condition or a change in lifestyle. A delayed period can have several typical causes, including hormonal abnormalities and serious medical conditions. Most women who have not yet entered menopause have cycles that last 28 days. The menstrual cycle of a healthy woman might last anywhere between 21 and 40 days. You can track your menstrual cycle at period calculator, and check here a few reasons for a late period.

Reasons for late period

1. Stress

Stress causes the hormone cortisol to become active, sending your body into survival mode. If you are under a lot of stress for a long time, your body may produce amenorrhea and prevent menstruation.

2. Weight loss and gain

Another frequent cause of a late or missed period is a change in weight. A person’s period may also be delayed if they are underweight or overweight. The body’s hormones can be impacted by rapid weight reduction brought on by dieting or extreme exercise. After losing or gaining weight quickly, the body needs time to recuperate. Menstrual periods can return to being regular by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and being physically active.

3. Birth control

Estrogen and progestin are hormones found in birth control tablets. The likelihood of getting pregnant is considerably decreased by these hormones, which stop the ovaries from releasing eggs. Additionally, they can lessen the frequency of periods. After discontinuing hormonal birth control, it may take some people up to three months before their cycle returns to normal.

4. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

Period irregularities are a symptom of PCOS. The body produces more androgen as a result of this disease. When follicles don’t burst to release eggs, it also results in tiny cysts developing on the ovaries. (1)

Common signs of polycystic ovarian syndrome include irregular periods in addition to:

• Excess facial hair growth (hirsutism)
• Infertility
• Weight gain
• Acne and oily skin
• Male pattern baldness

5. Thyroid disease

Your menstrual cycle may be affected by thyroid issues like hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism. You might not have periods if your thyroid isn’t functioning properly because it produces hormones that help regulate the body’s activity. If you think you might have a thyroid problem, make an appointment with an endocrinologist for a blood test.

When should you see a doctor?

Missing a period now and then is usually not cause for concern. Consult a doctor if you miss more than one period or if your missed period is accompanied by new or unexpected symptoms. Make sure to visit your healthcare provider if you are experiencing any of the following symptoms:

• Unexpected heavy bleeding
• Severe pain
• Vomiting and nausea
• Dizziness
• High fever
• Pressure in the lower abdomen

Every woman will have a different period cycle, which can vary in length from month to month. If you have any concerns about your symptoms or do not continue having delayed periods, a health care provider can answer your questions, offer advice, and diagnose and treat any underlying issues. Kotex is also an excellent tool for period tracking, symptom logging, and cycle prediction. (2)

June marked Loneliness Awareness Week in the UK, an annual week that aims to bring about awareness regarding the significant impact that loneliness can have on emotional and mental health. Our understanding of mental health in general has expanded significantly over the years. We now recognise that conditions like depression are complex and tend to have a variety of underlying root causes. Loneliness can certainly contribute to this.

Treating depression is a very difficult task. The strategies that work for one patient may not work for another and over time, how an individual responds to therapeutic intervention may change. Learning how to live with depression is an ongoing battle.

Your doctor or psychologist will be able to recommend a number of strategies to help manage symptoms associated with depression, from lifestyle changes to pharmaceutical products, including medical marijuana.

Continue reading to learn more about what causes depression and how a patient can learn to live with this condition.

What is depression?

The World Health Organisation defines depression as being “characterised by persistent sadness and a lack of interest in previously rewarding or enjoyable activities.” The WHO notes that depression can also cause a patient to struggle with sleep and appetite and that tiredness and loss of concentration are common symptoms.

The causes of depression tend to be very complex and differ from patient to patient. It is often a combination of physical, psychological, and social factors that cause an individual to be diagnosed with depression.

Specific circumstances — like being diagnosed with a serious physical illness — can trigger depression. Some people are also at added risk of developing the condition due to family history or their personality.

Drug and alcohol misuse is also closely linked to depression. Statistics from the Mental Health Foundation suggest that adults with drug dependence are twice as likely as the general population to be using psychological therapy. (1)

Depression and loneliness

While loneliness does not necessarily cause depression, it can be a contributing factor. The Marmalade Trust, the only charity in the world specifically dedicated to raising awareness of loneliness, suggests that loneliness is a very complex state of mind that can have an array of physical and emotional side-effects. Our cognitive and immune functioning may be affected by a prolonged experience of loneliness.

There are known key points in your life that are associated with loneliness. Transitioning from high school to university, for example, often results in isolation and decreased social interaction. Starting a new job or moving to a new town is another. As we age, we naturally lose touch with friends and family, meaning the elderly are often most affected by feelings of loneliness.

These experiences may trigger depression. Alternatively, many people diagnosed with depression have an excellent support network around them but are still affected by this mental disorder. While being lonely certainly won’t help manage symptoms associated with depression, it doesn’t always lead to this diagnosis.

Strategies for managing depression

If you have received an official diagnosis of depression, your doctor or psychologist has no doubt provided you with an array of strategies to help manage your condition. The fact that we don’t fully understand the root cause of this condition means there is no strict cure. Instead, a combination of lifestyle changes, therapeutic interventions, and pharmaceutical products may be recommended. 

These can include:

Lifestyle changes: For mild cases of depression, focusing on making positive changes to your lifestyle can have a significant impact on mood and symptoms. Enjoying a healthy diet, getting an appropriate amount of exercise, reducing your screen time, and prioritising sleep are all simple steps you can take to improve your symptoms.

Talking therapies: Talking to a trained therapist, counsellor, or psychologist is often recommended as a strategy to help manage depression. Cognitive behavioural therapy, or CBT, is a popular approach that is designed to identify practical ways you can address the root cause of your issues.

Prescription medication: A range of prescription medications are available to help manage symptoms associated with depression. In the United Kingdom (and an increasing number of countries throughout the world) this list of medications includes medical marijuana.

Medical cannabis may be offered to patients who have been diagnosed with depression and struggle to manage their symptoms for a prolonged period of time. Such patients have likely tried multiple strategies, including making lifestyle changes and speaking to a qualified professional.

Medical marijuana contains a number of active ingredients, including cannabinoids known as CBT and THC, which interact with our endocannabinoid system. This system has a regulatory effect on several body functions, such as mood and appetite.

Feelings of loneliness and depression are common and can be difficult to manage. If you have been living with depression for a prolonged period of time, consider speaking to a medical cannabis clinic in the UK. They may identify you being eligible for a medical marijuana prescription and recommend it as a strategy to help manage symptoms associated with depression. (2)

Author Bio:

Bridget is a writer and editor, currently living in Melbourne. She is a copywriter for Newpath Web and loves working with words of all shapes and sizes. When not playing around with punctuation and grammar, she enjoys travelling and curating her Spotify playlists.

In many parts of the world, citizens’ attitudes towards health are distressing, because people are reactive to health problems instead of being proactive. They look for help when health problems occur, but oftentimes, some damage has already been done by then. Fortunately, leading a healthy lifestyle does not require crazy sacrifices, and making even a few small changes in your routine can go a long way towards ensuring health for years to come. Let’s look at some changes for the better that anyone can make.

1. Analyze and improve your diet

If you feel like you aren’t eating as healthy as you should be or just want an accurate reading of your state of diet, an analysis would be beneficial. You can leave it to the professionals and sign up for something like macro nutrition coaching or get a notepad and track/analyze what you are eating yourself. Once you have the data, you can easily compare it to health experts’ recommendations and come up with a plan for what you want to change and how.

2. Pick up a new sport

Everyone knows how important it is to stay physically active, yet many people still fail to do it. Perhaps one of the biggest reasons is a lack of motivation and interest, which might be solved by trying a new sport. For example, many people with a low level of physical fitness find a new passion in powerlifting, because the sport makes them feel strong and capable, and supplies them with plenty of endorphins after a workout. But it can really be any sport that you’ve always been curious about. (1)

3. Make time for in-person interactions

Human beings are not meant to live in isolation, and spending very little time in physical contact with friends and colleagues can be very detrimental to mental health. Thus, if for example, your work is done remotely or involves very little in-person contact, you can seek more interactions through study groups, clubs, competitions, and other mediums where you can share your thoughts and feelings.

4. Say no to salt and yes to spices

Salt is an invaluable part of our daily nutrition, but we tend to have a very poor feel for how much of it we really need in our food. And so, when we add too much salt, it has an immediate negative effect on our blood pressure in the short term and our heart in the long term. So the healthy change here is to cut back on salt and embrace more spices (such as cumin and ginger) which not only make food more delicious, but have a modulating effect on mood, digestion, and even cognition.

5. Improve sleeping conditions

With millions of people all over the world consistently experiencing low quality of sleep, decisions about this process have never been more important. What we know is that the sleep environment should be as dark and disturbance-free as possible, and the sleeper himself should tone down their electronic use before bed and abstain from drinks high in caffeine or alcohol. (2)

If you’re a man and suffer from acne, you’re not alone. Acne is a common problem for men of all ages. In this post, Dr. Ryan Shelton of Zenith Labs will discuss seven supplements that can help improve acne in men. These supplements are all-natural and are effective in treating acne. So if you’re looking for a way to clear up your skin, consider trying out some of these supplements!

What Causes Acne In Men?

Acne is a common skin condition that affects both men and women. However, there are some critical differences between the two. For instance, acne in men is often caused by an increase in testosterone levels. This hormone stimulates the production of sebum, which can then clog pores and lead to breakouts.

In addition, men tend to have larger pores than women, which can also contribute to the development of acne. While many different factors can cause acne, these are some of the most common culprits in men. However, with proper treatment and care, it is possible to control this condition and keep breakouts under control.

Supplements That Help Acne In Men

Dr. Ryan Shelton of Zenith Labs says there are many different supplements can help improve acne in men.

Zinc

This mineral is essential for healthy skin. It helps to regulate the production of oil and can also reduce inflammation. Zinc can be found in foods like oysters, pumpkin seeds, and beef. You can also take zinc supplements if you feel you are not getting enough from your diet.

Selenium

Selenium is another mineral that is important for healthy skin. It helps to protect the skin from damage and can also reduce inflammation. You can find selenium in Brazil nuts, tuna, and eggs.

Probiotics

Probiotics are live bacteria that are good for your health. They help keep the digestive system healthy and improve the skin. Probiotics can be found in yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut.

Omega-Three Fatty Acids

Omega-three fatty acids are essential for many things, including the skin’s health. These fats help to reduce inflammation and can also improve acne. Omega-three fatty acids can be found in salmon, flaxseed oil, and chia seeds. You can also take omega-three supplements if you feel you are not getting enough from your diet.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is essential for many things, including the skin’s health. This vitamin helps to reduce inflammation and can also improve acne. Vitamin A can be found in carrots, sweet potatoes, and spinach.

Green Tea Extract

Green tea extract is rich in antioxidants and has many benefits for the skin. It helps to reduce inflammation and can also improve acne. Green tea extract can be found in green tea, supplements, and topical products.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is another vitamin that is important for the skin. It helps to reduce inflammation and can also improve acne. Vitamin C can be found in oranges, grapefruits, and kale.

Daily Skin Care Routine To Help Reduce Acne

To have healthy and beautiful skin, following a daily skincare routine that includes supplements is essential. The most crucial step is to cleanse the skin, which can be done with a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water. Next, exfoliate the skin to remove dead skin cells and promote cell turnover. This can be done with a physical or chemical exfoliator.

Finally, moisturize the skin to hydrate and protect it from environmental damage. In addition to these steps, it is also essential to take supplements that support healthy skin. These include vitamins C and E, as well as omega-3 fatty acids. By following this daily skincare routine and taking supplements, you can achieve and maintain healthy and beautiful skin.

FAQS About Acne In Men

Q: Can men get acne?

A: Yes, men can get acne. It is a common problem for men of all ages.

Q: What causes acne in men?

A: Acne in men is often caused by increased testosterone levels. This hormone stimulates the production of sebum, which can then clog pores and lead to breakouts.

In addition, men tend to have larger pores than women, which can also contribute to the development of acne. While many different factors can cause acne, these are some of the most common culprits in men.

Q: Can supplements help improve acne in men?

A: Yes, many different supplements can help improve acne in men. These include zinc, selenium, probiotics, omega-three fatty acids, and vitamin A.

Q: What is the best skincare routine for men?

A: The best skincare routine for men includes cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing. In addition, taking supplements that support healthy skin can also be beneficial.

Final Thoughts

Acne is a common problem for men of all ages. Many different factors can contribute to the development of acne, including hormones, genetics, and skincare habits. Fortunately, some other supplements can help improve acne. These include zinc, selenium, probiotics, omega-three fatty acids, and vitamin A. By incorporating these supplements into your daily routine, you can help improve your skin health and reduce the appearance of acne.

There are many cases when adults are not diagnosed with autism when adults because they have chosen not to have an assessment or they are not aware that they are autistic and they haven’t been accessed as children.

Their symptoms may be mild, difficult to be recognized, and may not impact their everyday life significantly. There is a possibility that they received another diagnosis for their symptoms, or they just simply do not want to get tested because it may cost them and for some other reasons.

Some adults may find their life difficult, while those with mild autism ( high functioning ) autism may just sometimes notice that they act differently from others or their families may notice that they behave differently.

Signs Of Autism In Adults

Symptoms in adults are different than those in children and are often related to social and communication difficulties and repetitive behaviors.

The most common symptoms of autism in adults include :

• They always speak just about one or two topics of interests
• They feel discomfort during eye contact
• They tend to take things literally, which can cause difficulties in communication
• They tend to engage in repetitive or routine behaviors
• They have difficulty interpreting what others are thinking or feeling
• They have unusual emotional expressions and reactions
• They have problems with making new friends and keeping them
• They have trouble reading social cues
• Their speaking is robotic, monotonous and they use a flat voice that doesn’t reflect their emotions and feelings
• They use their own unique phrases and descriptive words
• They may find small talk such as talking about the weather and what others are doing difficult
• They have difficulties doing multi-tasking activities 
• They have a strong reaction to some sounds, textures, smells, and tastes 
• They like to work alone at home and at work 
• They have superior ability in just one subject, for example, mathematics or some other discipline

What Are The 3 Main Symptoms Of Autism In Adults?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by some brain differences. Every person who is diagnosed with ASD is a unique case and doesn’t resemble another ASD case in terms of symptoms and severity. 

However, the 3 most common autism symptoms in adults are: 

1. Problems with social communication
2. Repetitive and restrictive behavior 
3. Restricted interests

Repetitive behaviors mean intense interests and obsessions, strict layouts, and restricted schedules.

Problems with social communication mean problems when communicating and understanding what other people think or say.

Restricted interests mean interest that can be sometimes unusual or interest in just one topic of interest and speaking about it constantly.

How To Get Yourself Tested For Autism As An Adult?

If you are interested in getting tested for ASD as an adult, you can consult your family doctor, who may check your symptoms and see whether they are related to autism, or maybe they refer to some other health condition and may refer you to visit a psychologist or a psychiatrist to make an in-depth assessment.

There are some medical diagnostic tests that clinicians have already developed and you should visit a doctor in person to ask you some questions. They will also take your symptoms into consideration when making the evaluation. They will make some additional observations and ask questions about your childhood and your lifelong patterns as the earliest symptoms of autism appear in childhood when they are most severe and apparent.

Most autism centers are child-focused and sometimes, child psychiatrists can help you with the autism diagnosis. There are also psychologists and psychiatrists that are specialists in diagnosing ASD and you can consider finding them in some big universities and medical centers where you can get tested for autism as an adult.

 The most common diagnostic autism tests are:

1. Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised (ADI-R): This test contains 93 questions that focus mainly on the 3 main characteristics of autism such as social interaction, repetitive behavior, and language and communication for an autism assessment in adults. 

2. Developmental, Dimensional, and Diagnostic Interview-Adult Version (3Di-Adult): This test looks for any not typical and obsessive behaviors such as obsession with certain objects and focuses mainly on problems with social communication.

3. Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2) Module 4: This test is the gold standard for people of all ages. 

If you want to know how much autism tests cost, you may check the prices of the clinic you will visit as they may range. Sometimes they can be rather costly and if you are not paying with insurance, you need to pay all the costs out of your pockets. The average cost for full screenings in private companies can be as high as $2000.

Self – Administrated Online Tests For Testing Autism In Adults 

Self – administrated tests for autism in adults are available online and they are a very good starting point if you want self-assessment and are free tests for autism spectrum for adults. (2) (3) (4)

These tests are for personal use only and are not real diagnostic tools, and the real diagnosis can be made only with a clinical evaluation.

What Do Autistic Adults Struggle With?

Some autistic adults may struggle with many issues when they are diagnosed with ASD such as:

• Fixation on routines
• Sensitivity to sound and light
• Difficulty in social interaction

Adults who experience these symptoms may find it difficult to live independent lives and some of them can have difficulty finding a proper job. One study with autistic participants showed that 27% of them were unemployed. (1) 

Some autistic people do not require any support and autism becomes part of their own identity and may even have very high intelligence, unique sense of humor, and strong memory.

People who struggle with their condition may seek help in the following:

1. Education

People living with autism can learn more about it to understand it better, find some solutions, and feel validated.

2. Therapy

They may experience stress, anxiety, and feeling of isolation, and visiting a therapist may be the right choice for them. The most common therapy is cognitive-behavioral therapy which can be taken either individually or in a group setting.

3. Vocational rehabilitation

Some autistic people may find their workplace uncomfortable to work at as being too noisy, too light, or they need to travel a long way to get there. Vocational rehabilitation may help them to cope with their career challenges. Some employers may also make appropriate accommodations for neurodivergent individuals such as people with autism. (2)

4. Connection with other autistic people 

Some adults with autism may find it useful to connect with other autistic people and take part in some online groups or in-person meetings.

These meetings may give them additional ideas and information on how to face their problems in life. One program showed that peer support could influence an autistic person’s life in a very positive manner. (3)  

5. Medication for anxiety and depression

There is no medication for ASD, but some medications can be used to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression that can co-occur with ASD.

Can Anxiety Be Mistaken For Autism?

Autistic people may be prone to anxiety and to someone who is not very familiar with ASD, autism, and anxiety may look similar. 

But, in fact, many of the symptoms of both conditions may overlap and appear at the same time, such as: 

• difficulty adapting to changing plans
• lack of eye contact
• nervousness
• limited social communication

How are they different?

Social anxiety is a mental health condition, while autism is a neurodevelopmental condition.

They have different diagnostic criteria and it is very important to get a diagnosis from a licensed professional. 

People with social anxiety may avoid conversations and eye contact because of fear, while autistic people may sometimes not speak at all, or engage in one – side conversation. 

Social anxiety can be a result of a trauma, while autism is not triggered by any traumatic event. 

The brain functioning is also different for both health conditions, and adults with autism have a weaker connection between the temporal lobe and the amygdala. 

Other Mental Conditions Mistaken For Autism

Some autism symptoms are similar to symptoms of other conditions and they can be mistaken for autism and can cause a problem.

Conditions that can be mistaken for autism are: 

1. Problems with hearing and speech or other developmental delays

 some children may have development delays in hearing in speech which can be caused by other causes and can be development delays, but this doesn’t mean that they have autism.

2. Reading early or high intelligence

Hyperlexia is a syndrome when a child is obsessed with learning letters and numbers and starts reading very early, beyond expected ability. In some cases can be part of ASD, but this is not always the case.

3. Sensory or sensory processing issues

Some children may be sensitive to loud music, light, or textures, which are signs of autism, but not necessarily in all cases.

4. Other psychological disorders 

Psychological disorders like schizophrenia, Reactive attachment disorder, Obsessive-compulsive disorder, and Avoidant personality disorder may have similar symptoms to autism, but they aren’t.

5. Lead poisoning 

Lead poisoning may lead to development delays and sometimes to autism, according to some scientists, but this is not yet proven scientifically. That is why it is very important to diagnose a child or an adult if there are any chances they are lead poisoned to get the needed treatment.

6. Narrowed interests

Some children or adults may get obsessed with some objects or people and do not have many interests, but this doesn’t mean that they are autistic.