Listen to Mother Nature! 5 Signs a Healthy Woman Shouldn't Ignore

Mother Nature may not always be kind to women - pregnancy, periods, and menopause come to mind - but she should be listened to. Women often ignore symptoms designed by Mother Nature to warn us about potential health problems. Next time you see these symptoms, don't ignore them. We're here with the RepHreshing Truth on what these symptoms mean and how you can take control of your health if they should arise.

  1. Flu-like Symptoms
    Are you experiencing fatigue, lightheadedness, sweating, nausea, pressure or pain in the lower chest, abdomen or back? Too often women ignore these symptoms or dismiss them as the flu, when in fact they are common signs of a heart attack in women (WebMD). Actors in movies may clutch their chest and fall to the ground, but women may not experience the same chest pressure or tingling in the left arm as men do. Because of this, you should trust your gut next time something seems off, chew an aspirin, and get to the ER, stat.
  2. Vaginal Odour and Discomfort
    Did you know that 1 in 4 women experience vaginal odour each year? Though you may be inclined to feel embarrassed, you should understand that you are not alone and it is not your fault! The odour is coming from bacteria, and the cause is unbalanced vaginal pH. A balanced vaginal pH is between 3.5 and 4.5 but everyday occurrences like you period, intimacy, and douching can off-set this balance. Although vaginal odour is common, you don't have to live with it!

    Vaginal odour is Mother Nature's way of telling you that your pH "down there" is off balance. Over their lifetime, most women will experience feminine odour at some point. Luckily, you can maintain a healthy vaginal pH by using RepHresh Vaginal Gel once every 3 days or when imbalance is more likely to occur.

    If odour persists or is accompanied by a fever, pain or other symptoms that give you concern, you should visit your doctor.
  3. Tooth Aches
    Prolonged tooth sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures, swelling or tenderness of the gums, and severe pain when chewing or applying pressure to a tooth can all be signs of an infection. Women are busy and often work through aches and pains. But even if there isn't constant tooth pain, these symptoms are signs that you need to see a dentist as soon as possible. According to Mayo Clinic, toothaches and pains - especially when they become severe - need immediate attention. It could be an infection and if it's left untreated, it can spread to the jaw or beyond and require more extensive medical treatment. Only your dentist will be able to determine the best course of treatment. Luckily, modern dentistry means that the pain suffered before a filling or root canal surgery is typically much worse than the surgery itself. You'll be happy to fix the problem!
  4. Recently Developed Bloating or Gas
    Experiencing bloating, gas, abdominal discomfort, fatigue, back pain, and feeling full quickly while eating can all be common signs of menstruation or a change in diet. Thus, it would be easy to dismiss bloating or gas as a natural occurrence, because it often is! However, think twice if these symptoms are persistent or something new because they may suggest ovarian cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ovarian cancer has a high survival rate if caught early, so if you're worried, make an appointment with your ob-gyn to talk about your symptoms.
  5. Numbness in Wrists
    If you begin experiencing tingling, numbness or weakness in your wrists, you may be apt to brush it off as overworking yourself or just signs of getting older. But these symptoms can be signs of a more serious issue like carpal tunnel. According to Mayo Clinic, "carpal tunnel syndrome usually starts gradually with numbness or tingling in your thumb, index and middle fingers that comes and goes". If left untreated, permanent nerve or muscle damage can occur. Thus, it is important to see your Doctor if these symptoms start to arise. Additionally, there are braces you can wear to support your body and keep these symptoms from slowing you down. Wellgate for Women is made to fit women and helps to relieve pain associated with carpal tunnel.

Mother Nature can be a pain and sometimes we don't understand her reasoning but it's time that we as women start trusting her. Next time you feel like something is a little off, trust your gut! You shouldn't be embarrassed to bring symptoms to your doctor's attention and you certainly shouldn't be embarrassed about vaginal odour. Listen to Mother Nature and take control of your feminine health!