Adolescence

Preventive Powers of Ovulation and Progesterone

This series of articles, originally published in the CeMCOR newsletter, illustrate the importance of ovulation throughout women’s reproductive life. Scientific evidence shows that ovulation (and therefore an approporiate progesterone level) is necessary for the optimum development and functioning of several physiological systems in women’s bodies. The articles explain what ovulation is and address some of…
Very Heavy Menstrual Flow

When periods are very heavy or you are experiencing “flooding” or passing big clots you have what doctors call menorrhagia. The purpose of this article is to define normal and very heavy menstrual bleeding, to explain what causes heavy flow, and to show what you yourself can do in dealing with heavy flow. This, and…
Choices for Effective Contraception

We are in the process of updating this material with the latest available information. One of the remarkable advances for women in the last 50 years has been the development, scientific testing and availability of effective hormonal contraception methods such as oral contraceptives (the Pill). Given CeMCOR’s goal to see each woman attain healthy ovulation…
Help for Anovulatory Androgen Excess (AAE)—Challenge PCOS!

Dr. Jerilynn Prior is a Professor and physician at the University of British Columbia and Celeste Wincapaw is a Vancouver woman and member of the Community Advisory Council for the Centre for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research. Because Celeste is interested for personal reasons and has questions about “polycystic ovary syndrome” (also called PCOS but…
Painful Periods — also called “cramps” or “dysmenorrhea”

What are cramps? Painful periods are known as cramps (or in medical terms as “dysmenorrhea”). This section looks at what causes cramps, and how to control the pain yourself using inexpensive, over-the-counter medicines. They occur for almost all menstruating women at some point in their lives. For a few women, they interfere with work or…
Menstrual Cycle Diary©

CeMCOR’s Menstrual Cycle Diary© is meant for adolescents and premenopausal women. The Diary is available in both print and digital formats, with instructions provided. You will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to read and print the PDF of the Diary with instructions. We have also developed a version of this Diary with 2 blank…
Cyclic Progesterone Therapy

Why Might I Need To Take Cyclic Progesterone Therapy? Progesterone is one of two important women’s hormones; estrogen is the one we usually hear about. When menstrual cycle length is irregular or cycles are long or skipped, or when egg release (ovulation) is absent despite regular cycles, progesterone levels are low or missing. Your doctor…
For Healthcare Providers: Managing Menorrhagia Without Surgery

When a woman comes to you saying that her periods are “heavy” she’s “flooding” or she’s passing clots, what do you normally do to assess and treat her? The purpose of this paper is to define normal menstruation and how to clinically assess menstrual flow. In addition, you will learn how to make a diagnosis…
What Makes Teen Cramps Come and Go?

I am 15 years old and started my period three years ago. Until recently I never had cramps and I hardly knew I had a period. Now, all of a sudden I get a backache, a wicked headache and feel like my insides are being squeezed. How come?
Depo Provera and Osteoporosis

I’ve been using Depo Provera and am feeling fine. I started Depo in high school after a surprise pregnancy—I couldn’t remember to take my Pill. Should I be worried about osteoporosis? I still need protection. I am 23, active and healthy, a bit on the heavy side and have no family history of osteoporosis.