A woman’s gynecological health is important, both for her ability to have children as well as for her own physical wellbeing. Here, we take a brief look at why gynecological health matters, and then discuss five of the best supplements to support aspects of gynecological health.
A Look at Gynecological Health
Gynecological health is the realm of healthcare regarding women’s reproductive health. Specifically, gynecology encompasses the prevention, development, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of a woman’s reproductive organs. Some of the predominant topics in gynecology include menarche, menstruation, and menopause. Gynecology is related to, but distinctly different from, the field of health surrounding pregnancy and child delivery, known as obstetrics.
Circumstances which warrant attention and treatment by a gynecologist can include matters involved with fertility and pregnancy planning, infections (e.g., vaginal yeast infection), and issues of sexual health (e.g., sexually transmitted diseases, sexual dysfunction, menopause).
Gynecological health can be maintained through sound lifestyle choices, and intermittent health tests. Worthwhile period tests for a woman include pap smears and testing for sexually transmitted diseases. Sound nutrition is important, because the foods a woman eats can affect hormones, inflammation, and metabolism. A well-rounded diet supports healthy menstruation, reduces hormonal imbalance, and can help address gynecological disorders such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
5 Natural Remedies for Gynecological Health
Some supplements have properties that can support specific aspects of a woman’s gynecological health and wellbeing. Here are five of the most applicable supplements for gynecological health:
Magnesium helps the body produce energy from consumed food, synthesize proteins, and it supports muscle function. Furthermore, research shows that magnesium supplementation can reduce the severity of menstruation cramps. It’s ideal to take magnesium every day beginning about 1 week before menstruation, and to do this monthly. Magnesium glycinate is a recommended form of magnesium for this purpose.
Probiotics are healthy bacteria which are known to support the body’s gut microbiome. Probiotic supplementation can also benefit the vaginal microbiome. Increasing your intake of these positive bacteria with a probiotic supplement can support the body’s immune defenses against vaginal infection, such as bacterial vaginosis.
Omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil can benefit the vaginal microbiome. This supports reproductive health. Research suggests omega-3s could potentially help alleviate vaginal dryness. Omega-3 fatty acids taken in tandem with probiotics are a good supplement combination for gynecological wellbeing.
Zinc contributes to multiple aspects of reproductive health. This mineral contributes to cell growth and hormone regulation. Furthermore, zinc supports reproductive health in women in general by working as an antioxidant.
Evening primrose oil is an herbal remedy which can help relieve symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, including premenstrual cramps. Evening primrose oil is available in oral capsules.
All five of these basic supplements can support gynecological comfort and health of you or another woman in your family. Consider how these can be of help. It is recommended that you talk to your healthcare provider before taking any supplement for the first time.