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    <title>Only My Health - Sex &amp; Relationships</title>
    <link>http://www.onlymyhealth.com</link>
    <description>Latest Articles</description>
    <copyright>Copyright (c) 2013 onlymyhealth.com! Inc. All rights reserved.</copyright>
    <pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2020 14:29:02 GMT</pubDate>
    <dc:date>2020-04-09T14:29:02Z</dc:date>
    <dc:rights>Copyright (c) 2013 onlymyhealth.com! Inc. All rights reserved.</dc:rights>
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      <title>Are you at Risk of Hepatitis C</title>
      <link>http://www.onlymyhealth.com/are-you-at-risk-of-hepatitis-c-1420023787</link>
      <description>Hepatitis C is a liver disease that is caused by the hepatitis C virus. There are several ways a person can get infected with Hepatitis C. Understand your risk of getting the virus.</description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 30 Dec 2014 19:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">&lt;img src="http://www.onlymyhealth.com/imported/images/2014/December/31_Dec_2014/hepatitis-C-virus-thumbnail.jpg"&gt;Hepatitis C is a liver disease caused by the hepatitis C virus. The hepatitis C infection can range from mild illness lasting a few weeks to a lifetime. The hepatitis C virus is a blood borne virus that gets most commonly transmitted to others through unsafe practices.&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
Several people with chronic hepatitis C infection later develop liver cirrhosis or liver cancer. Although antiviral medicines help people with hepatitis C, there is still no vaccine available for the condition.&#xD;
Symptoms&#xD;
Most people infected with hepatitis C virus don't show any signigicant signs or symptoms for several years. But, even when there are no significant symptoms, a person with hepatitis C virus may develop liver damage and pass the virus to others. Around one in four people who get infected with hepatitis C usually get rid of the virus naturally. However, others may carry the infection for a long time. After some years they may even develop severe liver damage, cirrhosis. In some cases, cirrhosis can lead to liver cancer or liver failure.&#xD;
How am I at risk for hepatitis C?&#xD;
Since hepatitis C is a blood borne virus, it is mainly spread through contact with the blood of a person who has hepatitis C. On the other hand you can&amp;rsquo;t catch it through everyday contact such as touching or kissing, or through sharing plates, cups or kitchen utensils. Hepatitis C can be passed on by sharing equipment for injecting drugs. Even blood transfusion done several years ago could spread hepatitis C however now all blood is screened for hepatitis C. In rare cases, hepatitis C can also be passed from a mother with hepatitis C to her baby, before or during the birth, through unprotected sex with someone who has the virus, by having a tattoo or piercing or acupuncture with equipment that is not sterile. Even medical or dental procedures can spread hepatitis C if the equipments are not sterilized properly. Sharing razors or toothbrushes which have been contaminated with blood can also put you at risk for hepatitis C. Contact your doctor if you think you could have been in contact with the virus.&#xD;
What to do?&#xD;
Get yourself tested and treated. More than half of the people infected with hepatitis C are treated through medication courses. If you have the virus, stop drinking alcohol to reduce the damage to your liver. Don&amp;rsquo;t inject drugs and ensure the equipments have been sterilized before getting a tattoo or piercing. If you, or your sexual partner, have hepatitis C, always use confoms during sex. Don&amp;rsquo;t share razors or tooth brushes as they could have blood on them.&#xD;
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Image Courtesy : Getty &#xD;
Read more articles on Hepatitis C</guid>
      <dc:date>2014-12-30T19:30:00Z</dc:date>
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      <title>What is Hepatitis C</title>
      <link>http://www.onlymyhealth.com/what-hepatitis-c-12977616989</link>
      <description>Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a common cause of liver infection. It can cause both acute and chronic infection of the liver.</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 17 Jan 2013 04:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">&lt;img src="http://www.onlymyhealth.com/imported/images/H/story source/Harvard.jpg"&gt;Hepatitis is a term used to indicate inflammation of the liver. It may be caused by certain viruses and other factors, such as alcohol abuse, some medications and trauma. Hepatitis A, B and C are the most common type of viruses that cause hepatitis. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) can cause acute or chronic infection of the liver.Hepatitis C infection in most cases is a mild infection. Many people may never realise that they have been infected. Although it is usually a mild condition, hepatitis C is much more likely to lead to chronic liver disease as compared to hepatitis B infection. A person infected with HCV can become chronic carrier of the virus, even though he or she may have no symptoms. According to research about 75--85 per cemt of HCV-infected persons will progress to chronic HCV infection and 15 to percent of all chronically infected people develop chronic liver disease, regardless of whether they have or don&amp;rsquo;t have symptoms.What causes hepatitis CHepatitis C infection is caused because of infection with a virus. The virus is known as Hepatitis C virus (HCV). It can be transmitted from one person to another. The major route of spread of hepatitis C infection is by exposure to human blood. Other modes of transmission include sharing needles to inject drugs, mother to child, sexually (between sex partners). About 80 per cent of people who share needles to inject drugs are infected with HCV. HCV is not transmitted because of food or water or casual contact, such as shaking hands or working in same work space or bathroom facility.Symptoms of Hepatitis CMany people with Hepatitis C infection do not develop any symptoms.Symptoms of acute hepatitis C infection&#xD;
&#xD;
Fever&#xD;
Feeling tiredness (fatigue) or exhaustion&#xD;
Nausea and vomiting&#xD;
Loss of appetite&#xD;
Pain in abdomen&#xD;
Jaundice (yellowish discoloration of skin and the whites of the eyes). About 1 in 5 people who do experience symptoms of acute hepatitis C develop jaundice.&#xD;
Dark coloured urine (the colour of cola or tea)&#xD;
Pale stools (greyish or clay coloured).&#xD;
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Common symptoms of chronic hepatitis C infection&#xD;
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feeling tired and exhausted most of the time&#xD;
frequent headaches&#xD;
indigestion and /or sensation of bloating&#xD;
flu-like symptoms (similar to ones that occur in the acute phase of the infection)&#xD;
abdominal pain and pain in the liver area (located on the right side of the abdomen, under the lower rib cage).&#xD;
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Treatment of Hepatitis C infectionTreatment during acute phase of illness is supportive. It may include fluid replacement to correct dehydration, medications to control fever, vomiting. Antiviral medications are not needed in cases with acute hepatitis C infection. Every one with chronic hepatitis C infection doesn't need treatment. Medications are given to clear the virus from the body. The usual combination used for treatment for chronic hepatitis C includes pegylated interferon and ribavirin.&#xD;
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      <dc:date>2013-01-17T04:30:00Z</dc:date>
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      <title>Breakthrough in Hepatitis C Treatment</title>
      <link>http://www.onlymyhealth.com/breakthrough-in-hepatitis-c-treatment-1303982985</link>
      <description>Hepatitis C Treatment &amp;ndash; Research have developed a new drug which reduces the time by half in hepatitis C treatment. The drug is called Boceprevir and is developed by Merck and Vertex. It blocks hepatitis virus producing enzyme rotease, hence treating hepatitis C disease.</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 25 Jul 2018 03:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">Highlight of this article: Researchers have claimed that boceprevir a drug to treat hepatitis C takes less time in the viral disease treatment. The drug is produced by New Jersey-based Merck || Chr (38) || Co blocks rotease enzyme, which reproduces hepatitis virus. According to a study done by FDA scientists it cuts the time by 50% in treating the disease. The agency will take final decision on the drug on May.&#xD;
London, Apr 26 (PTI) a new drug that cures hepatitis C in less time could bring in a revolution in the treatment of the viral disease which affects millions of people worldwide, researchers claim.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; The drug, called boceprevir, has received favourable reviews and is expected to be recommended by an independent panel to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;&#xD;
If the drug gets the go-ahead, it will be the culmination of more than 15 years of research to find a better therapy for a virus that infects nearly 300 three million people in the world.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Produced by New Jersey-based Merck || Chr (38) || Co, boceprevir works by blocking a key enzyme, called rotease, which allows the hepatitis virus to reproduce, the Daily Mail reported.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Vertex Pharmaceuticals in the US is also going to present a similar drug, called telaprevir, before the FDA's panel.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Both the tablets, experts believe, have the potential to rack up over a billion dollars in annual sales.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; They differ from the older medications -- ribavirin pills and interferon-alpha injections -- that are designed to boost the immune system.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Like HIV drugs, the new pills from Merck and Vertex will be prescribed as part of a cocktail with the two older drugs to help lower viral levels.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; The current two-drug treatment for the virus cures only about 40 per cent of people and causes side effects like nausea, fatigue and vomiting.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; But boceprevir has been shown to boost cure rates to between approximately 60 and 65 per cent when combined with the older drugs, the report said.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; According to FDA scientists, two studies submitted by Merck showed patients had undetectable virus levels six months, cutting the standard treatment time in half.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; But in their review, they said that some late-responding patients may need to take the drugs for eight months to eliminate the virus.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; The FDA also said the primary side effect with Merck's drug was anaemia, or weakness and fatigue caused by a lack of oxygen-carrying red blood cells.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; The FDA often follows the guidance of its panels, though it is not required to do so. The agency is scheduled to make a final decision on the drug in May.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Hepatitis C is a major cause of liver transplants and it kills about 12,000 patients a year in the US alone. It is often associated with users of illegal injectable drugs like heroin. Most patients don't even know that they have the virus until years later when liver damage has occurred.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; "The liver has a huge capacity of going about its business until it fails," said Dr Eliav Barr, Merck's vice president for infectious diseases.&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; "So you have chronic damage that gets worse and worse but you yourself can't tell until a fair bit of damage is done.</guid>
      <dc:date>2018-07-25T03:30:00Z</dc:date>
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      <title>Effect of Exercise on Sex Drive</title>
      <link>http://www.onlymyhealth.com/effect-exercise-sex-drive-1338312963</link>
      <description>Exercise has several positive effects on the body including your sex drive. Read about the ways it can have a positive effect on your sexual stamina and drive.</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 05 Jul 2018 08:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">&lt;img src="http://www.onlymyhealth.com/imported/images/2013/April/27_Apr_2013/Effect of Exercise on Sex Drive-th.jpg"&gt;&#xD;
Exercising on a regular basis ensures that one&amp;rsquo;s bodily functions are working properly. It is a powerful tool that helps in the development of muscular strength, mind-body coordination and relief of stress. It&amp;nbsp; is known to have positive effects on sex drive, which is usually increased after regular exercising.&#xD;
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Exercise, Sex Drive and Men&#xD;
Exercise, as mentioned earlier, has positive effects on the sex drive of a man. A study published in 1990 in the Archives of Sexual Behaviour revealed that men, who participated in exercising for 60 minutes per day for at least three to five days a week, developed greater sexual enhancements that includes the percentage of satisfying orgasms, reliability of adequate functioning at the time of sex and frequency of intimacy.&#xD;
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Exercise, Sex Drive and Women&#xD;
Similar to the positive effects of exercise on men, women experience positivity in their sexual desire post moving in to a regular exercise regime. A study published in 2008 in the Journal of Sexual Medicine revealed that women, who indulged in intense short-duration exercises for 20 minutes with a target heart rate of 70 percent, experienced an enhanced physiological sexual arousal. Another study that was published in 2007 in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found a link between the body&amp;rsquo;s awareness and increased level of perceptions of arousal. The researchers of the study published in 2007 found that exercise could increase the sexual desire in women by increasing the heartbeat and muscle tension.&#xD;
&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
Significance of Exercise for Sex&#xD;
It is a widely prevalent fact that sex leads to an increase in energy levels, reduced stress, weight loss, improvement in performance and prevention of injury, but the best part of these is the impact exercises have on sex. The aesthetic gains from exercise help a person feel better about himself/herself at the time of sex, thereby improving sexual performance.&#xD;
&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
Few Considerations&#xD;
Increasing one&amp;rsquo;s sex drive can be one goal, but it is important for a person to incorporate other goals such as that of stamina, balance, stress relief, strength etc. Incorporating additional goals helps in keeping the program timely and relevant. The goal of enhancing sex drive of a person may not turn appropriate for all the individuals given their emotional maturity, relationship status and age.&#xD;
A couple can motivate each other to make use of exercises as a tool to enhance their sex life, which can serve as a cardiovascular activity.</guid>
      <dc:date>2018-07-05T08:30:00Z</dc:date>
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      <title>Common sex mistakes women make</title>
      <link>http://www.onlymyhealth.com/common-sex-mistakes-women-make-1273473452</link>
      <description>Girls, here are some things you may want to watch out for while having sex. And boys, send your women the link. Top of the charts of women's common mistakes is the obsession they have with themselves.</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 05 Jul 2018 09:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">&lt;img src="http://www.onlymyhealth.com/imported/images/H/Thbnl articl/Hindi/health (4).jpg"&gt;Yes. We all know what brick-heads men can be when it comes to understanding what their women want in bed. Reams have been written about their insensitivity to the needs of their partners, their inability to take hints, and their undying love for the TV remote. But does that mean that women make no mistakes?
&amp;nbsp;
Much as we would like to say yes, the answer is &amp;lsquo;no&amp;rsquo;. Women make their share of sex mistakes too. So girls, here are some things you may want to watch out for. And boys, send your women the link. &amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp;&amp;nbsp; Top of the charts of women's common mistakes is the obsession women have with themselves. Always worrying about what you look like can be a big turn off for men. Psychosexual therapists say that several women spend a lot of time worrying about whether their partners like the way they looked and in this obsession forgot to have fun. &amp;ldquo;It is very likely to ruin your chances of orgasm,&amp;rdquo; said Dr Raman, a relationship counsellor in Delhi talking of women paying more attention to what they look like than to actually enjoying themselves.
&amp;nbsp;
As Helen Fisher writes in her book Why Him Why Her, most of the things that women obsess about go unnoticed by their men. This is one of those things. Men love a woman who is enthusiastic and confident. So, be confident about your body and give yourself the permission to enjoy yourself with abandon. It really doesn&amp;rsquo;t matter that you think that you don&amp;rsquo;t like a supermodel. You are beautiful anyway!Another mistake that women make is expecting a guy to know what to do. Years of articles in women&amp;rsquo;s magazines are a proof that men don&amp;rsquo;t know what a woman wants. But they&amp;rsquo;re forthright enough to admit that they don&amp;rsquo;t and are willing to learn. Men do want to please you. So, give them a heads up.
&amp;nbsp;
Many women feel uncomfortable talking about sex and what they want. But it can be a great way to increase the intimacy quotient and get him to really give you the goods. Take responsibility for your own sexual fulfilment. Even the best partners cannot possibly fathom what you want if you won&amp;rsquo;t tell him. So, set aside your inhibitions and get vocal...although the men do assure us that not all guidance need be vocal.Be open to new ideas. That&amp;rsquo;s not just board room talk. It&amp;rsquo;s a very effective bedroom policy as well. Many men feel that women are not ready to experiment. Mixing things up in the sack can really take things to a whole new level.
&amp;nbsp;
Many women are insecure about trying new things in bed. Just because your partner wants to spice it up by trying something new does not mean that he&amp;rsquo;s either unhappy with you or the sex you share. He&amp;rsquo;s probably just trying to take it to the next level, and that could be great for you too. If it feels like you may be transgressing on moral lines, tell him and explain to him why you can&amp;rsquo;t do what he wants you to, but otherwise, too much straightjacket can get boring.

Image Source: http://bit.ly/cMgY2v</guid>
      <dc:date>2018-07-05T09:30:00Z</dc:date>
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      <title>The Benefits of Birth Control Pills Other than Contraception</title>
      <link>http://www.onlymyhealth.com/the-benefits-of-birth-control-pills-other-than-contraception-1424346208</link>
      <description>Sure it is your &amp;ldquo;magic pill&amp;rdquo; but oral contraceptives have more benefits than just providing safety against unwanted pregnancy and STDs. Here are six other reasons why you should take take the pill.</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 19 Feb 2018 14:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">&lt;img src="http://www.onlymyhealth.com/imported/images/2015/February/19_Feb_2015/oral-contraceptive-1-320x240.jpg"&gt;You may call them &amp;ldquo;magical pills,&amp;rdquo; because birth control pills offer protection against unplanned pregnancies. However, it is still an unknown fact that birth control pills are in reality used to treat a wide range of health problems in women because they contain oestrogen and progesterone hormones. Here&amp;rsquo;s what you should know about oral contraceptives, other than contraception.Most oral contraceptives are available in a pack containing 28 pills &amp;ndash; 21 active pills (contain hormones) and 7 inactive pills (do not contain hormones). Your period usually occur during the week when you are on inactive pills. So, by taking more active pills you can actually postpone your menstrual cycle and regulate it, by maintaining the hormonal levels in the body. Here are top 8 home remedies to pre-pone periods.&#xD;
Relieve Painful Periods&#xD;
The high levels of prostaglandin, a hormone produced by the uterus, in the body is one of the reasons for painful periods. This hormone causes uterine contractions, which in turn cause menstrual cramps. Hence, high levels of prostaglandin in the body cause heavy uterine contractions and severe cramps. Taking oral contraceptives prevent ovulation, thereby lowering the production of prostaglandins, eventually relieving menstrual pain.&#xD;
Treat Endometriosis&#xD;
In endometriosis, the tissue lining the inner wall of the uterus grows outside it (such as on the ovaries, behind the uterus, on the fallopian tubes and the bowels or bladder). This causes heavy bleeding and pain during menstruation, and problems getting pregnant and having sex. The presence of progesterone-like hormones in oral contraceptives not only helps in reducing the symptoms of endometriosis but also inhibits the growth of the uterine lining.&#xD;
Improve Hormonal Balance in Women with PCOS&#xD;
PCOS is the most commonly seen hormonal disorder in females, which is characterized by multiple cysts (fluid filled sacs) in the ovaries. Because they are caused due to abnormal hormonal levels, using&amp;nbsp; oral contraceptives help in maintaining the levels of hormones in the body. This in turn, causes your menstrual flow to regularise, subsiding symptoms and improving sexual health. Read about yoga asanas that help to treat PCOS problem.Combat Acne and Other Skin Problems&#xD;
One of the most common causes of frequent acne break-outs is hormonal imbalance in the body. However, oral contraceptives that contain oestrogen and progesterone hormones play a key role in maintaining the balance of both hormones. Apart from this, they also help in lowering the production of androgens (male hormones, which are produced in high quantities due to hormonal imbalance).&#xD;
Lower Risk of Various Types of Cancer&#xD;
Oral contraceptives can cut your risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer by 70 percent. These pills limit the number of ovulation cycles a woman is supposed to experience in her lifetime. During the process of ovulation, there are certain changes that take place in the ovaries, including hormonal imbalance which might lead to cancer in women. Hence, oral contraceptives that contain hormones (in chemical form) aid in maintaining hormonal levels, thereby protecting against various cancers.&#xD;
Protect against Pelvic Inflammatory Disease&#xD;
One of the lesser-known causes of infertility in women is pelvic inflammatory disease, which can be prevented by taking oral contraceptives. The presence of progestin (chemical form of progesterone) thickens cervical mucus, making it tough for the PID-microbes to enter the cervix.In postmenopausal women, bone loss is majorly caused to lack of oestrogen hormone in the body. As oral contraceptives contain a fixed dose of oestrogen, taking these pills offer protection and improve bone mineral density. Images: GettyRead more articles on Contraception.</guid>
      <dc:date>2018-02-19T14:30:00Z</dc:date>
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      <title>Tips for eating healthy during menopause</title>
      <link>http://www.onlymyhealth.com/tips-for-eating-healthy-during-menopause-1438603682</link>
      <description>Menopause is a reality check about changes in the body. This is a time to take care of yourself by making healthy lifestyle choices. Eating well will make this transition easier. Here are important tips for eating healthy during menopause.</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jul 2018 14:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">&lt;img src="http://www.onlymyhealth.com/imported/images/2015/August/03_Aug_2015/menopausal-woman-eating-320x240.jpg"&gt;Proper nutrition is important for all women, especially around the time of menopause. Although, menopausal women do not have to follow any special diet, it&amp;rsquo;s essential to eat healthy, balanced diet with regular meals. A balanced diet means that you should add a variety of foods in the right proportions, and consume the right amount of food and drinks to achieve a healthy body weight.Good nutrition can help ease certain symptoms of menopause developed during or after it. Follow the basic dietary guidelines listed here.&#xD;
Get enough calcium&#xD;
Consume two to four servings of calcium-rich foods a day. Some examples of such food are dairy products, fish with bones (such as sardines and canned salmon), broccoli and legumes. The recommended daily allowance of calcium for a woman is 1,200 milligrams per day.&#xD;
Pump up your iron&#xD;
Incorporate at least three servings of iron-rich foods in your meal plan every day. Iron is found in lean red meat, poultry, fish, eggs, leafy green vegetables, nuts and enriched grain products. Older women should aim for 8 milligrams of iron a day.&#xD;
Get enough fibre&#xD;
Help yourself to foods high in fibre, such as whole-grain breads, cereals, pasta, rice, fresh fruits, and vegetables. The RDA for fibre in adult women is about 21 grams a day.&#xD;
Eat fruits and vegetables and drink water&#xD;
Aim for at least 1 1/2 cups of fruit and 2 cups of vegetables each day. Also, drink eight glasses of water every day, as a general rule. This must take care of the daily requirement for most healthy adults.&#xD;
Avoid high-fat foods&#xD;
Your total daily caloric count should contain 25 to 35 percent or less of fat. Also, let only 7 percent of saturated fat be a part of your daily calorie consumption because it raises cholesterol and risk of heart diseases. Saturated fat is found in fatty meats, whole milk, ice cream and cheese. Also, watch out for trans fats found in vegetable oils, baked foods and some margarines. &#xD;
Use sugar and salt in moderation&#xD;
Too much salt can give you high blood pressure. Steer clear of foods that are smoked, salt-cured, and charbroiled- they have high levels of nitrates, which have been linked to cancer.Eating sugar in excess can cause a lot of trouble for your weight and skin. While you don&amp;rsquo;t have to cut down on foods with natural sugar, such as fruit and milk, you should avoid having fizzy drinks, cakes, biscuits, chocolate, pastries, ice cream and jam because they contain added sugar.Plant-based foods that have isoflavones help relieve menopause symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats. They also help lower cholesterol levels. Foods such as tofu and soy milk are rich sources of isoflavones. On the other hand, there are certain foods that may trigger hot flashes, such as spicy food, caffeine and alcohol. So, proscribe them from your diet as much as possible.Due to lowering hormone levels and the natural aging process, many women find it hard to keep extra pounds off during menopause. These dietary tips along with physical exercise can help you do just that.Image Source: GettyRead more articles on Menopause.</guid>
      <dc:date>2018-07-04T14:30:00Z</dc:date>
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      <title>Dangers of late menopause</title>
      <link>http://www.onlymyhealth.com/dangers-of-late-menopause-1438933008</link>
      <description>While for most women a delayed menopause will have its , advantages, for some women, it can mean a lot of trouble. Know more here.</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 04 Jul 2018 09:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">&lt;img src="http://www.onlymyhealth.com/imported/images/2015/August/07_Aug_2015/menopause-delay-effect320x2.jpg"&gt;Menopause is a term often used to define a period of 12 months after a woman&amp;rsquo;s last menstrual cycle. It is during this time that the production of oestrogen slows down. And, the earlier it happens, the higher is her risk of heart and bone problems. However, a prolonged exposure carries potential threat by causing higher breast and ovarian cancer rates, says the North American Menopause Society.&#xD;
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Risk of ovarian cancer&#xD;
Delayed menopause has its advantages. For instance, women who experience menopause after the age of 52 years usually have a longer life expectancy, says a study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. This happens because one of the most common causes of death in women i.e. cardiovascular disease is prevented by oestrogen.&#xD;
However, despite the general positive perception about delayed menopause, there are also certain risks associated with it. The primary risk is the likelihood of ovarian cancer because of a prolonged exposure to oestrogen, and the chances of the risk can be particularly high if menarche, the onset of menstruation, was early and if at any point of time the body received no break from oestrogen exposure such as through pregnancy and breastfeeding, claims May 2010 National Cancer Institute's Guidelines for Risk Evaluation.&#xD;
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Breast density&#xD;
Prolonged exposure to high oestrogen levels is also associated with development of breast tissue density. A research by Celia Byrne, Ph.D., of Georgetown University showed that women with very dense breasts who experienced prolonged menstrual history or with either late natural menopause or had delayed premenopausal years with hormone replacement therapy are at the risk.&#xD;
Mammograms from Women&amp;rsquo;s Health Initiative were examined and women with high breast density were found to be at higher risk of developing breast cancer. There is a dramatic reduction in breast density at menopause, which implies that women with high density and late menopause have compound factors that increase their risk.&#xD;
Image source: Getty Images&#xD;
Read more on Menopause.</guid>
      <dc:date>2018-07-04T09:30:00Z</dc:date>
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      <title>Why HIV/AIDS Education is Important?</title>
      <link>http://www.onlymyhealth.com/why-hiv-aids-education-important-1303817948</link>
      <description>HIV/AIDS Education is important for spreading awareness about the disease. With the availability of right information AIDS/HIV can be stopped from spreading.</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 18 Feb 2013 06:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">&lt;img src="http://www.onlymyhealth.com/http://images.onlymyhealth.com/imported/images/2017/December/01_Dec_2017/aidsday12.jpg"&gt;HIV/AIDS is a disease whose prevalence shows no signs of abating. According to some estimates, about 40,000 new cases of HIV are reported every year. And the most potent form of prevention (for there really is no cure) is awareness. In such a scenario, it becomes imperative to focus on education as a tool to spread awareness. The importance of such education to teenagers and other vulnerable groups has been highlighted by many organisations including the World Health Organisation.According to a UNAIDS/UNICEF report, in the year 2009 alone, there were 890,000 new HIV infections amongst young people aged between 15 and 24. This proves that this age group is very vulnerable and needs to be educated about the causes, the implications, and the ways of contracting this very dangerous of diseases. Sex education and awareness programmes about HIV/AIDS go a long way in prevention. It is for this reason that several schools in India are now waking up to this fact and are beginning to openly talk to the children about these things.&#xD;
&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
According to Dr.S.P.Sharma, Delhi-based Life Coach and Counsellor, &amp;ldquo;More and more teenagers these days are experimenting with sexuality and sexual practices. It is vital that they be educated about the risks associated with such behaviour. It is only through awareness and education that we can curb the menace of HIV/AIDS in our society. One cannot stress the importance of such education enough.&amp;rdquo; It is not just teenagers who are sexually active that are the problem. Other aspects such as the use of sterilised needles, safe blood transfusions, etc are all topics that need to be taught.The biggest hurdle in the spread of awareness is the availability of correct information. Several myths about the spread and containment of the disease exist. It is important to impart the kind of education that teaches non-discriminatory practices towards people suffering from HIV while simultaneously explaining how one can contract the disease and how to guard against it. Indeed, it is only when each member of society is educated about the disease will we be able to fight diseases like HIV/AIDS in a comprehensive manner.&#xD;
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Read nore articles on&amp;nbsp;Sex Education&#xD;
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      <dc:date>2013-02-18T06:30:00Z</dc:date>
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      <title>Why you should take relationship advices from your friend. Know why!</title>
      <link>http://www.onlymyhealth.com/why-you-should-take-relationship-advices-from-your-friend-know-why-1490598902</link>
      <description>Whenever there's trouble in your love life, your friends can definitely help you out. A best friend is equivalent to a love guru.</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 27 Mar 2017 01:16:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">&lt;img src="http://www.onlymyhealth.com/imported/images/2017/March/27_Mar_2017/frndadvice2thumb.jpg"&gt;&amp;ldquo;Love don&amp;rsquo;t come easy"
&amp;nbsp;
So, true are these words. If you love, you cry, fall, get hurt and many more other hardships that you go through and the worst part is no one and nothing seem to be of any help. Indeed when you are in love and get into &amp;lsquo;love problems&amp;rsquo;, you do clueless on what to do and what not to. Love is not easy and neither is getting the right help when you are lost.
&amp;nbsp;

&amp;nbsp;
&amp;nbsp;
Right relationship advices and correct love tips are rare gems to find. Moreover, when there is trouble in your love life, your brain automatically shuts down and you are not able to comprehend to understand the situation. Those are the times when you need an advice and your friends are the people you need to go to.
&amp;nbsp;
Yes, whenever you are in trouble, your friends can definitely help you out. A best friend is equivalent to a love guru. Why? Here are some reasons why your friends are the best people to seek help from when there is trouble in your love life.
&amp;nbsp;
They know you too well
&amp;nbsp;
If you are in love someone, your friends know you all too well to help you in a better. They know what you might be going through, they will come up with a relief plan first. They will make sure that you are in the right condition. And then they will weave a rescue plan. Their ideas, tips and advices will revolve around your well-being and your mental peace, so whatever they come up with, will at least grant you peace.
&amp;nbsp;
They will do everything
&amp;nbsp;
They will do everything to help you out. Your friends will literally go any distance to get you out of your trouble. They won&amp;rsquo;t just give you advice; they will make sure that your relationship is back to the normal track.
&amp;nbsp;
They are rational
&amp;nbsp;
Friends have this habit of not getting emotional. Their advice will always be rational and based on logic. They will give you a piece of reality instead being an emotional cushion for you. If you and your boyfriend are in a fight, your friends would never try to patch things up, instead they will advise you to be true to yourself.
&amp;nbsp;
They don&amp;rsquo;t want to see you sad
&amp;nbsp;
You can always count on your friends because they are the ones, always wanting to see you happy. They will help you out when no one else will.
&amp;nbsp;
&amp;nbsp;
Image: Getty
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For more such stories, Download Onlymyhealth App.</guid>
      <dc:date>2017-03-27T01:16:00Z</dc:date>
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      <title>Things that your partner must know about your past relationships</title>
      <link>http://www.onlymyhealth.com/things-that-your-partner-must-know-about-your-past-relationships-1489732865</link>
      <description>If there are things that your partner or boyfriend should not know from your past relationships, there are things that your boyfriend should be aware about from your past relationships.</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Mar 2017 06:41:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">&lt;img src="http://www.onlymyhealth.com/imported/images/2017/March/17_Mar_2017/happylovethumb.jpg"&gt;Just a few days back we talked about the things that your partner  must never know about your past relationships. If there are things that  your partner or boyfriend should not know from your past relationships,  there are things that your boyfriend should be aware about from your  past relationships.
&amp;nbsp;

&amp;nbsp;
Indeed there are some things that you must keep secret from your past but then there things that you should tell your boyfriend for your own good. Yes, it is a bit confusing as what to hide and what to disclose. See, the idea is to keep your relationship harmonious and not let your past ruin things.
&amp;nbsp;
Sometimes being honest do you a lot of favour and then sometimes when being mute does you good. Sometimes you must let your partner know things about your past and then there are times when you are not supposed to tell him a few things. You need to strike the balance.
&amp;nbsp;
So, what are the things that you&amp;rsquo;re your partner must know about your past relationship?
&amp;nbsp;
&amp;nbsp;
Who did you date?
&amp;nbsp;
It&amp;rsquo;s a no brainer. Your partner must know who you dated in past because you don&amp;rsquo;t want someone else to break it to your boyfriend, making you look a liar for hiding stuff. To avoid misunderstandings, do tell him about the people you have dated. Tell him about all the guys you dated casually, tell him about your first love, tell him about the guys you ever came in contact with. He needs to know because you don&amp;rsquo;t want to come out as a liar if later on he comes to know about a guy that you dated or was in a relationship with.
&amp;nbsp;
&amp;nbsp;
The kind of equation you shared with your past lovers
&amp;nbsp;
He must know about the kind of equation you shared with your past lovers. Usually people do share story from their past relationships but they only share their side of the story, where they portray themselves as the victims and skip the parts where they were wrong. Do tell your partner the true story, don&amp;rsquo;t seek sympathy. Let him know the real you and your equation with your past lover will tell him a lot about you. This will improve your understanding and bonding.
&amp;nbsp;
&amp;nbsp;
Why you broke up
&amp;nbsp;
How exactly you two separated, why you left him or he left you, was it a mutual breakup and so on, you partner must know about how your past relationships ended.
&amp;nbsp;
&amp;nbsp;
Image: Getty
Read more articles in Sex and Relationships. 
For more such stories, Download Onlymyhealth App.
&amp;nbsp;</guid>
      <dc:date>2017-03-16T06:41:00Z</dc:date>
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    <item>
      <title>Things that your partner must never know about your past relationships</title>
      <link>http://www.onlymyhealth.com/things-that-your-partner-must-never-know-about-your-past-relationships-1489484064</link>
      <description>We all want to be truthful and righteous to the people we love but our righteousness is not always right if it hurts the other person. We can end up losing the one we love.</description>
      <pubDate>Tue, 14 Mar 2017 06:12:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">&lt;img src="http://www.onlymyhealth.com/imported/images/2017/March/17_Mar_2017/lovers1thumb.jpg"&gt;Honesty is the best policy they say but no one talked about the consequences. We all want to be truthful and righteous to the people we love but our righteousness is not always right if it hurts the other person. Indeed being truthful in a relationship is important but is it really important to be truthful when we are aware of the consequences?
&amp;nbsp;

&amp;nbsp;
When we finally find someone worthy, someone with whom we can share everything with, we decide to share all our secrets and some of the secrets often contain memoirs from our past that should never be shared with anyone at any cost. We all need to understand that being honest, being truthful is alright but then there are times when you don&amp;rsquo;t have to be honest like when you are in a new relationship and there are things that your lover wishes to know about your past lovers.
&amp;nbsp;
Yes, there are certain things that your partner must never know about your past relationship. If you don&amp;rsquo;t wish to lie, just dodge the question but do not spill the bean.
&amp;nbsp;
Here are the things that you do not need to tell your boyfriend.
&amp;nbsp;
&amp;nbsp;
 
How many guys did you make love to?
 
Not just this question will make you feel bad about yourself but will also put cracks in your current relationship. Know one thing, if a guy is asking this question; be very alert of his intentions. A genuine person has nothing to do with your past; it&amp;rsquo;s your present and future that he must focus on. So, now you know that you are not supposed to let this sort of questions easily and you are not supposed to be your honest self when such questions arise.
&amp;nbsp;
&amp;nbsp;
 
If you still miss one of your ex. 
 
Well, it&amp;rsquo;s quite alright to miss someone but not want them back. Yes, there will be a millions of times when you will miss a past lover but just missing someone does not mean that you want them back in your life. There might be some of the best moments you spent with them but you just miss the time and moment but not exactly the person. So, your boyfriend does not need to know that you are missing anyone other than him.
&amp;nbsp;
&amp;nbsp;
 
If any of your ex has put their hands on you
 
There&amp;rsquo;s absolutely no need to tell your boyfriend about any instance, where your ex-lover has hit you because this way your boyfriend will hate your ex and there&amp;rsquo;s no need of hatred. If you have let go of that past, you have to also let go of each and every memory.
&amp;nbsp;
&amp;nbsp;
 
The plans that you had with your past lover
 
You must have had some future plans with your past lover but your boyfriend does not need to know about it. Make new future plans and never say, &amp;ldquo;I wanted to do this with him too&amp;hellip;&amp;rdquo;, you need not to create an uncalled misunderstanding.
&amp;nbsp;
&amp;nbsp;
Image: Getty
Read more articles in Relationship. 
 
For more such stories, Download Onlymyhealth App.
 
&amp;nbsp;</guid>
      <dc:date>2017-03-14T06:12:00Z</dc:date>
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    <item>
      <title>6 Times she proves that she is a keeper</title>
      <link>http://www.onlymyhealth.com/six-times-she-proves-that-she-is-a-keeper-1489038125</link>
      <description>Well,  the fact is that when you are dating a girl, every fibre of her being  will tell you that she is a keeper. Yes, some traits of girls are  undeniable signs of her being a keeper.</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 09 Mar 2017 10:12:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">&lt;img src="http://www.onlymyhealth.com/imported/images/2017/March/09_Mar_2017/keeperbigthumb320X240.jpg"&gt;How do you know if the girl you are dating is a keeper or a player? Anyone can cheat, anyone can fall out of love, people walk out of relationship all the time but how would you know? How can you tell if the one you are dating is a keeper? There should be some way to find out whether the girl you are dating is keeper.
&amp;nbsp;

&amp;nbsp;
Well, the fact is that when you are dating a girl, every fibre of her being will tell you that she is a keeper. Yes, some traits of girls are undeniable signs of her being a keeper.
&amp;nbsp;
Here are the ten things she will be doing when she is with you to stay.
&amp;nbsp;

She always there for your support whether you ask for it or not. If you are going through a problem, or facing some issues in any front of your life, you will find her doing her every bit to help you. She is your biggest support and will do anything to help you out. 


She takes care of you, just like your mother. She will take care of your meals, your medications. She will keep checking up on you if you are out with your friends. She won&amp;rsquo;t bug you but will surely drop one or two texts, asking about your whereabouts and well-being. She will sound and look concerned about all your problems because she actually is concerned about all your problems.


You know you can trust her blindly. You know all her friends, she tells you everything; there is nothing that you don&amp;rsquo;t know about her life. She has kept everything so crystal clear that you don&amp;rsquo;t ever have to worry about infidelity. For you, she is an epitome of loyalty.


She is always honest. You are wearing something ugly, you don&amp;rsquo;t look good on a particular day, and she will tell you right away. She won&amp;rsquo;t ever lie to you, she is painfully honest. She honest with you always because as per her, she can lie to you once, maybe twice but that lying cannot stay for long, when she is with you forever. 


You have an undeniable magical connection. There is chemistry between you two. You like her company a lot, you seem to never get bored of her company, and she is not just fun but a great companion too. You two gel really well.&amp;nbsp; 


She gives you space. You have your freedom, she is not needy, she does not cling, she does not call you 10 times in a row when you are out with your friends because she knows that you have a life too. 

&amp;nbsp;
&amp;nbsp;
Image: Shutterstock
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      <dc:date>2017-03-09T10:12:00Z</dc:date>
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    <item>
      <title>Sexual Abuse Symptoms in Adults</title>
      <link>http://www.onlymyhealth.com/sexual-abuse-symptoms-in-adults-1300948991</link>
      <description>Sexual abuse symptoms in adults can be either physiological or psychological. Sexual abuse symptoms must be recognised early in adults as it may scar the individual for life otherwise.</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 27 Feb 2013 23:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">&lt;img src="http://www.onlymyhealth.com/imported/images/2013/April/25_Apr_2013/Sexual-Abuse-Symptoms-in-Adults-th.jpg"&gt;&#xD;
An adult may never recover from the trauma associated with the child sexual abuse they suffered as a child. There are multiple signs and symptoms in adults who have experienced this abuse and they will be outlined in this article. If you are worried about a friend or a family member&amp;rsquo;s behaviour and you&amp;rsquo;d like to know more, then hopefully this piece can help.&#xD;
&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
[Read: Signs of a Sexually Abusive Relationship]&#xD;
There are two distinct types of symptoms of child sexual abuse in adults, namely physical and psychological/behavioural.&#xD;
&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
Physical Symptoms:&#xD;
&#xD;
Pelvic pain.&#xD;
Gastro-intestinal problems or issues.&#xD;
Obesity and other eating disorders.&#xD;
Insomnia and other sleeping disorders.&#xD;
Pseudocyesis or a false pregnancy; where a woman seems to think she is pregnant.&#xD;
Sexual dysfunction.&#xD;
Asthma or other respiratory conditions.&#xD;
Chronic back aches or headaches.&#xD;
&#xD;
[Read: How to get relief from Back Ache]&#xD;
&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
Psychological Symptoms:&#xD;
&#xD;
Clinical depression&#xD;
Post-traumatic stress disorder&#xD;
Self harm&#xD;
Suicidal tendencies&#xD;
Chronic lying and stealing&#xD;
Compulsive sexual practices and desires&#xD;
Somatizing, where the patient often complains about illnesses without any physical symptoms to back up their claims.&#xD;
Sexual dysfunction&#xD;
Eating and sleeping disorders [Read: How to Prevent Insomnia]&#xD;
Unwilling to adhere to medical advice&#xD;
An intolerance for sexual intimacy&#xD;
&#xD;
There obviously isn&amp;rsquo;t any single, independent symptom which stands out and points at child sexual abuse, but a victim should show signs of some or most of these symptoms, nonetheless.&#xD;
It is a very difficult topic to discuss with someone. Maybe you are the victim yourself and you see some of these symptoms in your own life. If they are adversely affecting your life, then it is best to talk to a psychologist or a medical doctor about it and maybe they can give you some help in overcoming the trauma, once and for all. Study these sexual abuse symptoms in adults first and if you feel you need help, then by all means consult a professional counselor.&#xD;
Read more articles on&amp;nbsp;Sex Education&#xD;
&amp;nbsp;</guid>
      <dc:date>2013-02-27T23:30:00Z</dc:date>
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    <item>
      <title>How to Get Pregnant with a Boy</title>
      <link>http://www.onlymyhealth.com/ways-get-pregnant-boy-1308803206</link>
      <description>How to Get Pregnant With a Boy: Are you hoping to get pregnant with a boy? This article will tell you the ways to get pregnant with a boy. Try these&amp;nbsp;tips.</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 24 Apr 2013 00:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">&lt;img src="http://www.onlymyhealth.com/imported/images/H/Thinkstock/modified/Art/2011/June/27/A couple.jpg"&gt;Are you wanting to get pregnant&amp;nbsp;with a&amp;nbsp;baby boy?&amp;nbsp;In earlier days, you would just have to wait with keeping your fingers crossed, but, not anymore! There&amp;nbsp;are some safe methods&amp;nbsp;that would help you to&amp;nbsp;make better chances of&amp;nbsp;conceiving with&amp;nbsp;a baby boy. Some of the ways may&amp;nbsp;be just wives&amp;rsquo; tales, but what have you got to lose? Getting pregnant with a boy is easy, if you exactly know what you are doing.Here are some of the easy ways:&#xD;
[Read: Symptoms of having a Baby Boy]&#xD;
&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
pH level&#xD;
The pH level of women&amp;rsquo;s vagina can greatly influence the gender of your baby. Low PH level i.e. an alkaline environment, favors the baby boy.&amp;nbsp; This is because, &amp;lsquo;male&amp;rsquo; sperms are speedy but not strong enough to survive in acidic environment. Alkaline environment is friendly for these sperms as they begin to die quickly, when they reach vaginal track. Alkaline pH level also promotes a thin line around the cervix that help the male sperm to quickly get to egg and fertilize them. Lemon and watermelon are the best food to promote and maintain alkaline level in your body.Orgasm&#xD;
Having an orgasm makes the vagina more alkaline, which favors 'male' sperm, and causes contractions to speed up the movement of the sperm to the awaiting egg. These factors favor the faster male sperm reaching the egg before the 'female' sperm. So,&amp;nbsp;good foreplay and love-making goes a long way to help you get pregnant with a boy.&#xD;
[Read: Things to know before Pregnancy]&#xD;
OvulationAnother method to increase your chances to conceive a boy, is to have sex just before you ovulate. &amp;lsquo;Male&amp;rsquo; sperm can only survive for 2 to 3 days, while the &amp;lsquo;female&amp;rsquo; sperm can live for 5 to 6 days. According to a study, prior are speedy but weak and the later are slow but strong. So now that we know that &amp;lsquo;male&amp;rsquo; sperm don&amp;rsquo;t last longer, you must make sure to have sex as close to your ovulation as possible. &amp;lsquo;Female&amp;rsquo; sperms are stronger and slower sperms and&amp;nbsp;they&amp;nbsp;just hang on and wait for egg. Refrain from sex 4 to 5 days before your ovulation.&#xD;
So, keep track of your menstrual cycle and be attentive to the signals of ovulation.&amp;nbsp; Women, who have menstrual cycle of 28 days mostly ovulate on the 14 day. If your menstrual cycle is not regular then other cues can be used to know your ovulation date for instance, basal body temperature and cervical mucus.Sexual Position&#xD;
Sexual positions that entail deep penetration optimize the chance of conceiving a baby boy. The closer you can drop sperms to cervix, easier it gets for male sperm to reach the egg first.&#xD;
&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
Read more articles on Pregnancy.&#xD;
&amp;nbsp;</guid>
      <dc:date>2013-04-24T00:30:00Z</dc:date>
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      <title>Causes of Blood after Sex during Pregnancy</title>
      <link>http://www.onlymyhealth.com/causes-blood-after-sex-in-pregnancy-1340350310</link>
      <description>One of the common causes of blood after sex in pregnancy is the rupturing of the blood vessels due to the rubbing of the penis against the new blood vessels in the cervix.</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 25 Feb 2013 19:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">&lt;img src="http://www.onlymyhealth.com/imported/images/2012/November/30_Nov_2012/Causes-of-Blood-after-Sex-during-Pregnancy-th.jpg"&gt;&#xD;
When a woman becomes pregnant, she is overwhelmed by several things, such as sufficient amount of exercise, avoiding different kinds of foods that are potentially dangerous for pregnancy and proper nutrition. This is, for first time mothers, an even more overwhelming experience for they tend to worry about whether the baby is developing as it should; if they are at a risk of miscarriage, etc. For all these reasons, seeing blood after having sex during pregnancy is likely to induce panic, but that really shouldn&amp;rsquo;t be a reason for worry because blood after sex is harmless and normal.&#xD;
&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
[Read: Advice for Sex during Pregnancy]&#xD;
&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
Causes&#xD;
When a woman is pregnant, the cervix become vascular causing the blood supply in it to increase tremendously. Several times, the new blood vessels come close to the surface of the cervix, causing the penis to bump into it and generate friction during sexual intercourse. Having been bumped into, the fragile blood vessels may bleed a little, thereby resulting in spotting soon after sex, which may last for several hours.&#xD;
&#xD;
Effects&#xD;
Post-sexual intercourse bleeding does not imply danger. The kind of bleeding i.e. vaginal or cervical, however, may be difficult to find out. Therefore, it is important for a pregnant woman to consult a doctor as soon as she spots bleeding after sex. While it is okay to ignore spots of blood, it is mandatory to consult a doctor if there is large amount of blood.&#xD;
&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
[Read: Facts on Sex during Pregnancy]&#xD;
&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
Considerations&#xD;
&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
After noticing blood after sex, a woman must check with the doctor to confirm if the bleeding is cervical. Cervical bleeding at the time of pregnancy is normal. Even though it may be okay to assume that sexual intercourse causes some amount of spotting, one must not disregard consulting a doctor completely as that is likely to put the woman at a risk of complications. &amp;nbsp;&#xD;
&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
[Read: Spotting during Pregnancy]&#xD;
&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
According to MayoClinic, a woman must avoid having sexual intercourse if she has experienced bleeding even before having sex. Some conditions during pregnancy may be exacerbated by sexual intercourse. Bleeding post sexual intercourse is only harmful if the woman was bleeding even before having sex. If there was bleeding before sex, which worsened after the intercourse, there is something more serious that the woman may be suffering from.&#xD;
A lot of pregnant women wonder if intercourse can make the cervix to open and cause premature labour and delivery. This, experts suggest, is a misconception as the uterine contractions that are caused due to orgasm during sex is different from the urine contractions when the baby is about to deliver.&#xD;
&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
Read more articles on During Pregnancy.&#xD;
&amp;nbsp;</guid>
      <dc:date>2013-02-25T19:30:00Z</dc:date>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>What is Safe Sex?</title>
      <link>http://www.onlymyhealth.com/what-safe-sex-1310534902</link>
      <description>Safe sex refers to sexual activities between two people who have taken all the necessary precautions. It is popularly known as protected sex.</description>
      <pubDate>Thu, 14 Jul 2011 23:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">&lt;img src="http://www.onlymyhealth.com/imported/images/2013/April/27_Apr_2013/What-is-Safe-Sex-th.jpg"&gt;&#xD;
Safe sex is also known as protected sex. It refers to sexual activity wherein, the engaged people have taken the necessary precautions. These precautions are against unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Owing to the fact that by taking precaution one can reduce the risk of disease transmission, some people prefer to call it &amp;lsquo;safer sex&amp;rsquo;.&#xD;
&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are now addressed as sexually transmitted infections (STIs). This is because an infected person can pass the infection to the other person without showing signs of the disease.&#xD;
&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
Safe sex is about protecting yourself and your partner from unwanted pregnancy and STIs. Here it is important to know that STIs not only spread from unprotected sexual intercourse but oral sex can equally contribute to its spread. People with oral herpes (a type of blister on the face and mouth) can spread STIs even by kissing.&#xD;
&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
There are various forms of protection available for safe sex. The best sex tip for safer sex is to use reliable protection.&#xD;
&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
&#xD;
Condom is a type of birth control that is used during sexual intercourse. It covers the penis during sexual activity and is made up of either polyurethane or latex.&#xD;
Another sought after method for safe sex is the oral contraceptive pill. They contain synthetic female hormones (estrogen and progesterone) that prevent the release of the egg from ovaries. You can consult your gynaecologist about the oral contraceptive that would best suit you.&#xD;
Many other contraceptive methods can be used for safer sex. For instance, injectable contraceptives, birth control skin patches, diaphragm, contraceptive sponge, spermicides, female condoms and vaginal rings are the other contraceptives for safe sex.&#xD;
&#xD;
&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
Experts suggest the use of double protection for increasing the chances of staying away from STIs and unwanted pregnancy. You can use birth control pills along with another contraceptive to double your protection. It is a sex fact that unprotected intercourse can be a dangerous game. So it is wise to play it smart and understand the importance of minimising risk.&#xD;
&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
The only way to get 100% protection from pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases is abstinence. Precautions can only minimise the risk. Therefore, you can adopt some other methods to keep STIs and unwanted pregnancy at bay.&#xD;
&amp;nbsp;&#xD;
&#xD;
Get immunization against viral infections that can be transmitted sexually. HVP vaccine is an important vaccine for this purpose.&#xD;
According to the World Health Organization, male circumcision can reduce the risk of HIV transmission.&#xD;
Get tested for STIs.&#xD;
Communicating with your partner before sexual intercourse can also help to minimise the risk of both unwanted pregnancy and STIs.&amp;nbsp;</guid>
      <dc:date>2011-07-14T23:30:00Z</dc:date>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Study Proves that Men Secretly want their Female Partner to Fail</title>
      <link>http://www.onlymyhealth.com/men-secretly-want-their-female-partner-to-fail-1377929101</link>
      <description>Study in the APA Journal of Personality and Social Psychology asserts that men feel less of themselves when their partner outperforms.</description>
      <pubDate>Sat, 31 Aug 2013 05:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">&lt;img src="http://www.onlymyhealth.com/imported/images/2013/August/31_Aug_2013/Guy-with-low-self-esteem-150x100.jpg"&gt;A study of 896 heterosexuals that was published in the APA Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, found that when females succeeded in the field that their male partner had failed in, the latter subconsciously had the lowest levels of self-esteem.&#xD;
On the contrary, a woman&amp;rsquo;s self-esteem was not affected when her partner did well in his field and in fact, they were more satisfied with their relationship at such a time. The lead author of University of Florida, Kate Ratliff, said that a man feels threatened when his girlfriend tends to outperform him in something that they are doing together such as losing weight. The study now has evidence to prove that men tend to take their partner&amp;rsquo;s success as their own failure even when they are not directly in competition. To extract similar results, an experiment was carried out in The Netherlands as well as in the University of Virginia where couples were given a particular problem solving test and told that their partner were either in the top or bottom 12 per cent of all the University students. It was found that though the participants did not admit to their fluctuating self-esteem, when a test of their subconscious reaction was done, it was found that men were more likely to link themselves to the words dreadful or bad after finding out that their partner had scored in the top 12 per cent. In the last two experiments that was conducted online, 657 American participants were told to recall a time when their partner had succeeded or failed. The results revealed that it did not matter if the achievements or failures were intellectual or social, men did subconsciously feel worse about themselves when their partner had succeeded in something that they had failed.Read more Health News.</guid>
      <dc:date>2013-08-31T05:30:00Z</dc:date>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>An Overview of Infertility</title>
      <link>http://www.onlymyhealth.com/an-overview-infertility-1298540318</link>
      <description>Inability to conceive is termed as infertility. Both men and women can face the problems of infertility, if you are facing such problem then the best way is to take experts advice.</description>
      <pubDate>Wed, 06 Feb 2013 01:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">&lt;img src="http://www.onlymyhealth.com/imported/images/H/story source/logo118.jpg"&gt;The reasons for having a child in one&amp;rsquo;s life can be many. A women right from her toddler years starts showing motherly instincts to her younger siblings which then graduates in later years to an innate desire to be a mother. Fatherly instincts are less heard of but men too, experience a natural craving to expand a family in order to keep up with evolution.&#xD;
The problem of infertility is of a couple and not of the woman alone as both men and women can have infertility problems. However, experts say that it is a general notion that only a woman is responsible for the infertility complications in about 40 percent of the cases. On the other hand, the truth is that a man is equally responsible in such cases. It is only for the remaining 20 percent of times that both are responsible for the problem of infertility.&#xD;
Infertility can be described as the inability to conceive after almost a year of trying or indulging in unprotected sex with your partner. You may be trying to achieve pregnancy for a year or more without any success which amounts to a reproductive issue. As a couple you would need to get yourselves medically evaluated to pinpoint the problem and find a solution. Couples who are in their thirties or older need to seek timely medical intervention to increase their chances of becoming parents.&#xD;
The desire to have a child is mutual which every couple experiences as life seems to come full circle after a baby is born. Having a child is also seen as a sign of representing their masculinity and femininity. However, when a couple are unable to have a baby many psychological and emotional issues start cropping up. Emotions such as anger, frustration and hopelessness are commonly felt which can ruin relationships and change family dynamics.&#xD;
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Maximizing the chances of getting pregnant &#xD;
You can up your chances of conceiving by being aware of your biological clock and reading the early signs.&#xD;
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The right time must be known in order to seek medical help as waiting and trying for too long can decrease chances of a treatment&amp;rsquo;s efficacy.&#xD;
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Experts advice that a couple must get investigated for any infertility problems after a year of unprotected sexual intercourse.&#xD;
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A couple, who have got married quite late in life, must initiate getting investigated much earlier to improve their chances of conception incase a treatment is recommended.&#xD;
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      <dc:date>2013-02-06T01:30:00Z</dc:date>
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      <title>Advantages and Disadvantages of Cervical Cap</title>
      <link>http://www.onlymyhealth.com/advantages-disadvantages-cervical-cap-1332924438</link>
      <description>Cervical cap has numerous advantages and as many disadvantages. Despite all these positive and negative effects, it is an appealing way of contraception for women.</description>
      <pubDate>Mon, 04 Mar 2013 20:30:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid isPermaLink="false">&lt;img src="http://www.onlymyhealth.com/imported/images/2013/May/09_May_2013/Advantages-and-Disadvantages-of-Cervical-Cap-th.jpg"&gt;&#xD;
Modern medicine and researches have contributed much to the methods of contraception, and cervical cap is one of them. This is a type of contraceptive specially made for women.The effectiveness of a cervical cap can be increased by using it along with other contraceptives such as condom and spermicide. It acts as a barrier between the male sperm and female ova by inhibiting the sperm from crossing the female cervix.&#xD;
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[Read: How Effective and Safe is Cervical Cap]&#xD;
About Cervical Cap&#xD;
The book Women&amp;rsquo;s Gynecologic Health defines cervical caps as cuplike devices that cover the cervix. &amp;ldquo;Smaller than diaphragms or vaginal barriers, they maintain their position over the cervix by suction, adhering to the cervix, or via a design that uses vaginal walls for support.&amp;rdquo;&#xD;
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[Read: What is Birth Cervical Cap?]&#xD;
This alternative contraceptive is a convenient, inexpensive, non-hormonal and non-invasive method and much of its popularity in the modern times can be attributed retrospectively. The cervical cap has the potential for better effectiveness if it is custom made in order for it to have a better fitting. The awareness needs to spread regarding the effectiveness of the cervical cap with the help of medical practitioners so that more women turn to this contraceptive method as an alternative to oral contraceptives and intrauterine devices. It is important for medical researchers to document the most accurate method of cervical cap fitting and their rate of effectiveness. The cervical cap has been found to eliminate many of the previously cited disadvantages of barrier contraception. It is good news for people as this cap does not interfere with intercourse and also does not require daily client involvement.Advantages of Cervical Cap&#xD;
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Cervical caps are safe and easy to use.&#xD;
They do not cause urinary tract infections.&#xD;
They are relatively cheaper than other contraceptives.&#xD;
Since a cervical cap is designed exclusively for women, its usage is totally under the control of the woman using it and therefore, does not have to take permission from her partner for it.&#xD;
A cervical cap if used once can protect the woman against pregnancy for 48 hours and for multiple acts of intercourse performed during this time.&#xD;
Cervical cap if placed properly does not cause any discomfort to either of the partners while they are having sex.&#xD;
It does not involve any hormone and therefore, does not cause any major side-effects.&#xD;
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Disadvantages of cervical cap&#xD;
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The biggest disadvantage of a cervical cap is that it doesn&amp;rsquo;t provide any protection against sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV, syphilis and gonorrhoea.&#xD;
A woman may find it slightly difficult to insert the cap properly. To evade this problem, women are recommended to purchase one that is custom made or ask their physician to insert it for the first time. Kerri Durnell Schuiling and Frances&amp;nbsp; E., Women&amp;rsquo;s Gynecologic Health suggest that women who have difficulty in inserting or removing the cervical cap will need additional teaching and counseling to use this contraceptive method consistently and correctly.&#xD;
If used for more than 48 hours, it can increase the risk of developing toxic shock syndrome and various vaginal and urinary tract infections.&#xD;
Cervical caps contain spermicides that kill sperms during intercourse. Some women may be sensitive to these spermicides, which can thereby cause rashes, pain, swelling and redness of the vagina.&#xD;
As the cervical caps remains tightly fixed on cervix for long durations, it may cause the cervix to swell. &amp;nbsp;&#xD;
Cervical cap is not suitable for women who have had a normal delivery.&#xD;
Use of cervical cap produces unpleasant vaginal odour.&#xD;
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The success rate of cervical cap can be increased if the instructions for use are followed strictly. If used properly, cervical cap can prove to be the safest way of contraception. Always consult a doctor before using one as this will remove all doubts.&#xD;
Read more articles on Contraception.&#xD;
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      <dc:date>2013-03-04T20:30:00Z</dc:date>
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