In 2009, a hospital in Guangdong welcomed a pregnant woman named Peng Ximei. Her abdomen was abnormally swollen, which immediately attracted the attention of the medical staff. Her family said she had been pregnant for 12 months without giving birth, prompting them to rush her to the hospital for examination. The doctors, drawing on their experience, hypothesized that Ms. Peng’s condition might not be pregnancy but a disease. Despite this, Ms. Peng’s husband insisted that the enlargement of her stomach was due to traditional birth-stimulating remedies provided by his mother.
The doctors had to conduct a thorough physical examination on Ms. Peng, and the diagnosis shocked everyone. Peng Ximei was not pregnant but had advanced ovarian cysts and would be unable to bear children in the future. Hearing this, Ms. Peng’s spouse immediately filed for divorce, carelessly disregarding his wife’s health, which was undeniably a severe injury to her soul.
After the divorce, Peng Ximei began to wander alone, relying on the aid of kind people in society to survive. A significant turning point occurred during her stay at the People’s Hospital of Zhanjiang, Guangdong. On December 19, 2009, when Ms. Peng was dozing off on a hospital chair, the dean of Fuda Hospital in Guangzhou, Dr. Xu Kecheng, happened to be there for voluntary medical services. Dr. Xu immediately noticed her abnormal symptoms and took initiative to examine her. Realizing the urgency of Ms. Peng’s condition, Dr. Xu decided to bring her back to his hospital for free treatment.
After several days of difficult surgery, Peng Ximei was finally pulled back from the brink of death. As a way to repay the hospital’s kindness, Ms. Peng chose to serve the hospital as a volunteer for more than ten years. This true story is not only deeply moving but also shows Ms. Peng’s kind-hearted and beautiful nature. Dr. Xu’s good deeds not only saved her life but also opened a new direction for her life.
Looking back at the condition of ovarian cysts, it indeed has its dangers. Ovarian cysts are a common gynecological condition, which can be broadly categorized into two types: functional cysts and non-functional cysts.
Functional cysts: These cysts fluctuate with the female menstrual cycle, especially during ovulation when the ovaries enlarge. Usually, they are not of great concern and do not require special treatment, and they will normally resolve on their own.
Non-functional cysts: These can be further subdivided into neoplastic cysts and non-neoplastic cysts. Among the non-neoplastic cysts, some are caused by endometriosis, leading to endometrial tissue attaching to the ovaries and adhering to surrounding tissues, but these are usually benign changes. Others may be due to inflammation, potentially affecting the fallopian tubes and forming cysts, which should be treated promptly.
Neoplastic cysts can be benign, borderline (low malignant potential), or malignant. Benign cysts typically have a very low risk of becoming malignant, but it is usually recommended to surgically remove them once they are found.
Ovarian cysts are not uncommon in women, especially among postmenopausal women. Although the incidence of malignant ovarian cysts is low, they require aggressive treatment once they occur. When the ovaries continue to enlarge, timely diagnosis is necessary to detect problems early and begin treatment.
There are many causes of ovarian cysts, including ovulation, pregnancy, Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and ovarian cancer, among others. For women, the ovaries are extremely important organs. Not only do they secrete sex hormones, but these hormones also play a key role in maintaining female physical characteristics such as smooth skin, firm muscles, a proportionate body shape, and inner confidence. If the hormone secretion from the ovaries becomes abnormal, a woman’s reproductive system might be impacted, leading to issues like menstrual irregularities or infertility; skin quality and body shape might deteriorate, weight might fluctuate, and psychological health could be affected, leading to conditions such as depression, anxiety, or mania.
Therefore, maintaining ovarian health is crucial. It is important to pay attention to mood and sleep quality to ensure adequate sleep and maintain a good emotional state. In terms of diet, it is recommended to increase the intake of high-quality proteins, such as meat, fish, beans, etc., and to supplement with B vitamins, vitamin C, and trace elements such as calcium and zinc. Additionally, persisting with moderate exercise is equally important for maintaining the health of the ovaries, particularly some specific physical activities tailored for ovarian health, such as yoga, which can achieve better results.
Here are a few yoga poses that are beneficial for ovarian health:
- Baddha Konasana (Bound Angle Pose): This yoga pose helps promote the health of the female reproductive system, improves blood circulation in the pelvic area, enhances vitality in the pelvic region, and nourishes the ovaries.
- Janu Sirsasana (Head-to-Knee Forward Bend): In this pose, one leg needs to be bent, causing external rotation of the thigh and slight twisting of the pelvis and torso, which helps restore vitality to the pelvis.
- Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward-Facing Dog Pose): In this pose, the body is inverted, reducing pressure on the ovaries, increasing abdominal space, allowing the organs to be fully stretched and repaired.
With this knowledge and advice, female friends are hoped to actively focus on ovarian health, and through the right lifestyle and suitable exercise methods, maintain their physiological and psychological well-being.
Stand on the mat with your hands forward on the ground; the distance between both feet and hands should be enough so that your torso and thighs can form a 90-degree angle. Stretch your arms and thighs to stretch your flanks while pushing your thighs back to provide more space for your abdomen. Hold this posture for about 30 seconds, then kneel on both knees.
Upavistha Konasana (Seated Angle Pose) requires the legs to be opened at an angle between 90 and 120 degrees, then the upper body is bent forward; this bending movement is very beneficial to the abdomen, can promote the health of abdominal organs and reproductive system, and can help improve reproductive capabilities and knee conditions. Sit on the mat with legs apart, maintained at more than 90 degrees but not exceeding 120 degrees, while making sure the little toes point upwards. While exhaling, bend the upper body forward, rotate the thighs slightly outward to resist, press down on the thighs as you bend forward, extending the chest forward. Decide the degree of forward bending based on your own body condition. Keep breathing naturally, maintain this posture for 1 minute, then you may rest.
The above four movements provide great assistance to the female reproductive system, and if practiced daily, they can have a significant effect on the maintenance of reproductive health. It is important to note that there are myriad yoga poses, but the key is to practice them according to individual needs, so as to maintain the ovaries more efficiently. After all, the health status of the ovaries affects our skin quality and body shape, which is why many people take an interest in this. Remember, if the ovaries age quickly, it will similarly make one appear older.
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