Women's Health World

The Best of Everything After 50: The Experts' Guide to Style, Sex, Health, Money, and More

2013-04-21T05:38:00.000-07:00

The Best of Everything after 50 provides top-dollar advice in an affordable format. When Barbara Grufferman turned fifty, she wanted to know how to be—and stay—a vibrant woman after the half-century mark. She went in search of a “What to Expect” book, but couldn’t find one. So she consulted New York City’s leading doctors, personal trainers, hair stylists, fashion gurus, and financial planners including:• Diane Von Furstenberg on the right fashion choices
• Laura Geller and Carmindy on makeup tips
• Dr. Patricia Wexler on the best skin care regimen
• Frederic Fekkai on haircare
• Jane Bryant Quinn on financial concerns
• Julie Morgenstern on organizing your life

Biography

I wrote "The Best of Everything After 50: The Experts' Guide to Style, Sex, Health, Money and More" because I wanted to be the best I could be after 50. I've had the good fortune to become a weekly columnist for AARP, front-page contributor for Huffington Post, Chief Pundit for FOF (FabOverFifty), and advisor and on-air contributor to Growing Bolder Media.

7 WAYS TO KEEP WOMEN BREASTS HEALTHY

2013-04-21T05:28:00.001-07:00

When it comes to young women and breast cancer, there's good news and bad news. The good: Their chances of having the disease are much lower than an older woman's. The bad: If cancer does strike, it can be more aggressive, says Debra Mangino, M.D., of New York's Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

But a healthy lifestyle can help protect your breasts. These are the changes and early-detection methods experts say are key:

1. Stay at a healthy weight
Being heavy can increase your risk of developing the disease as well as reduce your risk of surviving it, says Harold Freeman, M.D., president and founder of the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer and Prevention in New York City.

2. Break a sweat
Aim to exercise for 45 minutes to an hour five days a week. Regular fitness workouts may help prevent the disease by boosting immune function, warding off obesity, and lowering levels of estrogen and insulin.

3. Drink less alcohol
Research has shown that two drinks a day could increase breast cancer risk by 21 percent. Instead, try swapping wine for fresh grapes. Resveratrol, found in the skin of grapes, may help reduce your estrogen levels, which in turn may reduce your risk.

4. Eat your veggies
A low-fat diet can do a lot to reduce your risk, but for even more protection, add some cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and kale, to your plate. They contain sulforaphane, which is believed to help prevent cancer cells from multiplying. For an extra dose of cancer-fighting power, eat them raw.

5. Know your family history
"In about 15 percent of breast cancer cases, there is a family history of the disease," Freeman says. If you have one first-degree relative who had breast cancer, your lifetime risk doubles, and if you have two your risk increases five-fold.

6. Get checked
All women should have a clinical breast exam at least every three years and annual exams and mammograms starting at age 40. Women with a family history should begin screening 10 years prior to the family member's age of diagnosis. Ask if the facility offers digital mammography--it allows for adjustments in contrast so the image can be easier to see. Young women at increased risk may also want to ask for either an MRI or a sonogram in addition to the mammogram.

7. Consider genetic testing
"When cancer strikes young women, it's more likely to be connected to a BRCA mutation," Mangino says. Two red flags for being a BRCA carrier: being of Ashkenazi (Eastern European) Jewish descent or having a family history of both breast and ovarian cancer. "If you have either of these factors, see a genetic counselor to talk about getting tested," she says.

6 Breast Cancer Symptoms that Most Women Don't Know About

2010-12-22T00:19:00.000-08:00

By Lisa Fayed

Breast that is warm to the touch:
A breast that always feel warm, sometimes hot to the touch is a symptom of inflammatory breast cancer, a dangerous and rare type od the disease.

Flat or inverted nipple:
A nipple that is flat or inverted is also a symptom of breast cancer. This does not include having an inverted nipple since birth.

A breast that is often itchy:
If you have itchy breasts or nipples, talk to your doctor. These are both symptoms of breast cancer.

The skin around the breast is dimpled or looks like an orange peel:
Breast and surrounding skin can take on a dimpled appearance, looking like an orange peel. Many women are too embarassed to show a doctor, thinking it is cellulite or from being overweight. This is not the case.
Swollen or breast that does not change with menstrual cycle or size increase:
It's normal for a woman's breast to become swollen and tender during a normal menstrual cycle, but when it's constant, it need to be evaluated by a doctor. Women also need to be aware of a sudden breast size increase.

Breast that is red or blotchy:
A breast that is red or blotchy, even having a rash-like appearance should be evaluated by a doctor. It is a symptom of inflammatory breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer is a type of cancer that is often undected by a mammogram and self breast exam.

What is Inflammatory Breast Cancer?

Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare type of invasive breast cancer that spreads very quickly to other parts of the body. It normally occurs in younger women when compared to other types of breast cancer. Inflammatory breast cancer is sometimes called IBC, for short.

Inflammatory breast cancer occurs when breast cancer cells block the lymph vessel in the breast.
Symptoms of Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Inflammatory breast cancer symptoms include:
a. a breast that feels warm to the touch
breast that looks red
b. swollen breast
c. dimpling of the skin on and/or around the breast

Causes of Inflammatory Breast Cancer
It was once believed that IBC was causes by an infection, however this theory has been dismissed. IBC forms when breast cancer cells invade and block the lymph vessel, not allowing fluid to flow. This is why women with IBC have such appearance altering symptoms.
Diagnosing Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Women usually see their doctor when they begin to experience symptoms of IBC. Unfortunately, it can be mistaken for mastitis, a breast infection, and proper diagnosis is delayed. It is recommended that if you are being treated for mastitis and the condition does not get better after a week of anti-biotic, then IBC screening should be considered.

A breast biopsy is usually the first step in diagnosing inflammatory breast cancer. If a biopsy confirms IBC, then additional tests will be ordered to determine if and how much the disease has spread.
Inflammatory Breast Cancer Treatment
Treatment of IBC includes surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Surgical treatment for IBC is a mastectomy of the affected breast. Chemotherapy is usually done prior to a mastectomy with IBC.

After surgery, radiation therapy is performed to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Source:

1. National Cancer Insitute. Inflammatory Breast Cancer Fact Sheet; May 6, 2003.
2. Mayo Clinic.com. Inflammatory Breast Cancer; February 3, 2006

Thriving With Heart Disease: The Leading Authority on the Emotional Effects of Heart Disease Tells You and Your Family How to Heal and Reclaim Your Li

2010-12-22T00:14:00.000-08:00

Dean Ornish, M.D. Author of Dr. Dean Ornish's Program for Reversing Heart Disease In Thriving with Heart Disease, Dr. Wayne Sotile has identified an important fact: for many heart patients, their coping attitudes, not the severity of the disease, may determine how long they will live and how happy they will be. Highly recommended.

Christiane Northrup, M.D. Author of Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom and The Wisdom of Menopause It's no secret that heart disease is the number-one cause of premature death in women as well as men in this country. Thankfully, Dr. Wayne Sotile has written the definitive guide for transforming heart disease and making sure you don't become a statistic. Here is a book that you, your heart, and your family will love.

View Products Details

Mehmet Oz, M.D., Cofounder of the Complementary Care Center at New York's Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital; author of Healing from the Heart Dr. Sotile reveals that we can gain insights while overcoming heart disease and achieve a wonderful growth experience. This book is for everyone with a heart.

Lee Lipsenthal, M.D., Medical Director of Lifestyle Advantage and the Dean Ornish Program for Reversing Heart Disease Your doctor gives you prescriptions to manage your blood pressure and cholesterol. In Thriving with Heart Disease Dr. Wayne Sotile gives you the prescription for managing your life. A must-read for the individual with heart disease and the people who love them.

Harry Croft, M.D. Medical Director and Founder, The San Antonio Psychiatric Research Center Dr. Sotile is, without question, this country's leading authority on the psychological, emotional, and relationship effects of making it through heart disease. His understanding and compassion will be invaluable for heart patients who are coping with and living through the initial diagnosis and treatment of the illness, and then living the rest of their lives with it. For patients with heart disease and those who care about and for them, this book is a must-read.

Barry A. Franklin, Ph.D. Director, Cardiac Rehabilitation and Exercise Laboratories, William Beaumont Hospital; coauthor of Take a Load Off Your Heart This wonderful book fills a critical void for patients by dealing with the day-to-day emotional and psychosocial challenges of heart disease -- managing stress, managing anger and hostility, dealing with depression, and resuming sexual activity. Peppered with inspirational real-life stories; anecdotal experiences; humor; self-assessment tests; and compassionate, practical, research-based advice, it answers many important questions that are seldom, if ever, addressed by physicians and health-care providers.
Product Description

Not only can you survive with heart disease, you can actually thrive with it -- for many, many years to come.

If you are one of the 61 million Americans diagnosed with heart disease -- whether you've had a heart attack or surgery, or you have high blood pressure or angina -- you can learn how to handle its psychological side effects with the lifesaving strategies in this book.

Acclaimed cardiac psychologist Wayne M. Sotile, Ph.D., reveals what every heart patient needs to know: how you feel about the illness and how you cope with it can determine how fully you recover. Dr. Sotile teaches you how to achieve emotional well-being over the four basic stages of recovery, during which you and your family learn to accept the disease, grasp what's involved in treatment and recovery, and learn to work together as a team. You will also learn to create and adapt to a "new normal" way of life and make a commitment to living with the illness, not in spite of it.

Written with reassuring warmth, sensitivity, and humor, Thriving with Heart Disease is your guide to creating the robust, healthy life you were meant to lead, surrounded by the people you love.

What is Breast Cancer?

2010-12-22T00:08:00.000-08:00

Definition, Types of Breast Cancer, Common Symptoms By Pam Stephan

Breast cancer is a malignant (cancerous) growth that begins in the tissues of the breast. Cancer is a disease in which abnormal cells grow in an uncontrolled way. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women, but it can also appear in men. In the U.S., it affects one in eight women.

Invasive (Infiltrating) Breast Cancer
Invasive, or infiltrating, breast cancer has the potential to spread out of the original tumor site and invade other parts of your breast and body. There are several types and subtypes of invasive breast cancer.

Less common are:

* inflammatory breast cancer (occurs in the skin)
* Paget's disease of the nipple

Symptoms of Breast Cancer:

* a lump or a thickening in the breast or in the armpit
* a change of size or shape of the mature breast
* nipple fluid (not milk) leaking
* a change of size or shape of the nipple
* a change of color or texture of the nipple or the areola, or of the skin of the breast itself (dimples, puckers, rash)

If You Have Breast Pain
Early stages of breast cancer may not cause any pain or discomfort. Having a regular mammogram and a clinical breast exam by your health professional can help you understand changes in your breasts. Doing your breast self-exam can help you keep track of regular monthly changes.

Remember, many lumps and rashes are benign (not cancerous) and can respond well to proper treatment. If you experience any symptoms that cause you concern, see your doctor.

Treatments for breast cancer, as well as survival rates, are improving. Early detection and medical help is critical to improving the chances of living beyond a diagnosis of breast cancer.

Read about breast cancer symptoms and their explanations.
Types of Breast Cancer

* Ductal Carcinoma In Situ DCIS
* Lobular Carcinoma In Situ LCIS
* Inflammatory Breast Cancer

The Women's Healthy Heart Program: Lifesaving Strategies for Preventing and Healing Heart Disease

2010-12-22T00:04:00.000-08:00

WINNER OF THE BOOKS FOR A BETTER LIFE AWARD

One out of every two women will die of heart disease. It is the single greatest health risk for women today–more than stroke and all cancers combined. In the course of her practice, and as chief of Women’s Cardiac Care at New York’s Lenox Hill Hospital, Dr. Nieca Goldberg has come to a startling realization: Women experience heart disease in a fundamentally different way than men do.

View Products Details

The physiology of a woman’s heart attack is not the same as a man’s, the symptoms of heart disease and signs of impending heart attack differ for women, and once heart disease has been recognized, women often do not get the treatment and medications they require. Now here are detailed, age-specific programs that give women the facts and the guidance they need to recognize, treat, and prevent heart disease, including

• how you can rate your risk of heart disease
• the effects of menopause on your heart
• risk factors you can change–starting today
• a heart-healthy exercise plan that works for you
• a complete guide to heart-healthy supplements
• the truth about hormone replacement therapy and the heart
• recovering from a heart attack or surgery

Review
“The bible for women and heart disease.”
–Christiane Northrup, M.D., bestselling author of Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom

“If you want just one book to use as a resource for female heart health, this is surely the most comprehensive.”
–Natural Health

“[A] revealing and helpful book.”
–The New York Times

FDA To Remove Avastin From Arsenal For Metastatic Breast Cancer

2010-12-21T23:59:00.000-08:00

Patients who have lung, brain, kidney and colon cancers can still get Avastin treatments, but the Food and Drug Administration has decided that they will revoke their approval of the drug for use in metastatic breast cancer. Oncologists would still be able to prescribe Avastin to treat metastatic breast cancer, but because the FDA may change its status, health insurance won't cover the cost. Patients would be facing the possibility of paying $8,000 a month out of their own pockets for Avastin - a real strain for any budget - but particularly hard on those who have already spent quite a bit on previous drugs, surgeries, and therapies to try to extend their lives. For some of these breast cancer patients, Avastin has been the last chance. The drug's maker - Genentech - will appeal the FDA's decision to practically deny treatment to some metastatic breast cancer patients. While the appeal is pending, and if a hearing takes place, Avastin's status remains unchanged. That means that patients who are currently taking Avastin should stay tuned and take note of updates on this issue.

The Food and Drug Administration had rushed Avastin through it's approval process two years ago, as the drug looked like the best new targeted biological therapy when used with Taxol (paclitaxel). In Europe, the combination of Avastin and Taxol is used for first-line treatment of metastatic breast cancer. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) stated that, "the benefits of this combination outweigh its risks and that this combination remains a valuable treatment option for patients suffering from metastatic breast cancer." But the U.S. FDA granted its initial approval on a condition which they say has not been met. The FDA required that Avastin be put through additional clinical trials to see if it would live up to initial results. Follow-up studies were done, but the FDA says that Avastin's somewhat limited benefits didn't outweigh its risks and side effects. According to the later studies, Avastin did not inhibit tumor growth enough to make it worthwhile for patients to endure the side effects, without reaping the benefit of greater life expectancy. In plain English, the FDA says that Avastin didn't slow down tumors and make patients live longer without also doing them harm from serious side effects - and we're talking about patients who have already survived a battery of previous chemotherapies, surgeries, and other treatments.

Not all cases of metastatic breast cancer are the same, so each patient may respond to a different treatment. While there are genetic tests that can help predict which cancers will respond to particular drugs, these tests do not yet cover all types of breast cancer. Some patients believe that Avastin is holding their breast cancer at bay, providing them more time with their families. Even some doctors, such as Eric P. Winer, director of the Breast Oncology Center at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, say, "This is not a worthless drug by any means. There is almost certainly a group of women who get a big benefit. " Fran Visco, of the National Breast Cancer Coalition disagrees, saying, "The FDA should never have approved Avastin for breast cancer to begin with. We don't see evidence of benefit, but we do see evidence of harm." Visco is alluding to the possible side effects of Avastin, which can include internal bleeding, colon perforation, blood clots, and heart failure.

But some suggest that the fight over Avastin is about money. Genentech makes $5.8 billion each year on the drug, $855 million of which comes from use in breast cancer treatment. If Genentech can't sell its blockbuster drug to breast cancer patients, that's a hefty slice of income it has to forfeit. No wonder they are appealing the FDA decision! It's not just about altruistic motives, even though Avastin's maker does offer patient assistance - which they cap at $57,000 per year for low-income women. That's roughly 7 treatments per patient, per year. Metastatic breast cancer patients may need more, to be properly treated with Avastin.

Others argue that the real controversy is actually about who gets to decide which drugs you can be treated with? Does the U.S. FDA - a government agency that is charged with protecting patients and regulating costs - get to decide? Do the drug companies who spend on research, development and marketing of their products get to offer their medicines to anybody who may be able to afford them? Or does your oncologist become the final arbitor of what you can and can't be treated with - depending on whether or not your insurance - if you have any - will help cover the cost?

The Komen Foundation has made a statement on the matter, saying that they hope any patients who are actually benefiting from Avastin will continue to be covered by their insurance for its use. This comes back to the critical question - who will benefit from Avastin, and how do we predict who those patients are? "We are also urging Genentech/Roche to continue research on a biomarker for Avastin to determine which women will benefit from the drug. We are supportive of the drug development process and hope that manufacturers will continue to develop medications for the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. We will only succeed in finding new treatments for cancer by bringing new drugs to the clinic," said Elizabeth Thompson, president of Komen for the Cure.

Dr. Nieca Goldberg's Complete Guide to Women's Health

2010-12-21T23:51:00.000-08:00

Dr. Goldberg is a true advocate for women. It is refreshing to hear from a doctor who is not tainted by her profession and truly cares about her patients and promoting a healthy lifestyle. Her anecdotes make this book so relatable to all women. The information is written in language that is easy to understand. She covers health issues that are important to women today. By covering what changes women can expect in their bodies, the prospect of aging becomes less frightening. Armed with knowledge, women have the power to be their own advocates in a health care system that is becoming more and more difficult to maneuver.
Thank you, Dr. Goldberg, for being the champion of all women.

View Products Details

Dr. Goldberg tells readers as she opens this user-friendly handbook to women's health. Goldberg, who runs NYU's Women's Heart Program and other cardiac projects, knows women's bodies aren't just small versions of men's. Women have different medical needs and different ways of relating to treatment, so they may not be getting the care they need. First, though, women have to get in the habit of telling their doctors everything—what symptoms they have, what medicines and supplements they're using—without deciding in advance what their doctors need to know. Goldberg explores the range of medical problems that might bring a middle-aged woman to the doctor's office, from hormonal imbalances to heart disease. She explains what the doctor may ask you and why, as well as the benefits and risks of various treatments. She wisely includes discussions of procedures like chemical peels, Botox and breast implants, since women often imagine they don't need to advise their regular doctors about such cosmetic interventions. Happily, the closing section on healthy lifestyles, mostly diet and exercise advice, is geared to realistic expectations. By offering solid, up-to-date medical information in a comforting, woman-to-woman tone of voice, Goldberg's got just what the patient ordered.

Birth Control - Male and Female Condoms

2010-12-21T23:39:00.000-08:00

What it does: Physically blocks contact between the vagina and the penis, essentially stopping sperm and disease-carrying liquids in their tracks. Along with IUDs, condoms are one of the oldest contraceptive devices known to man. Prior to the 20th century, they were often made from the intestines of sheep or lambs and could be washed and re-used. Today, most condoms are made from latex and need to be thrown out after a single use.

The female condom, on the other hand, is quite new and intimidating to some people. Instead of sliding over the man's penis, the female condom fits inside of you, almost like a pouch or a pocket. Made of polyurethane, it's stronger than latex condoms but also transfers heat better, meaning that both partners can often feel more sensation with the female condom than with the male. You can insert the female condom up to a couple of hours before sex as the two flexible rings, one in the closed end that is held against your cervix and one in the open end that covers part of your outer vaginal lips, keep it securely in place.

Both female condoms and male condoms made from latex or polyurethane protect against STDs, including the smallest viruses like hepatitis B that can sneak through some barriers. Male condoms made from natural lambskin, on the other hand, should only be used for preventing pregnancy. Their pores are too large to block out viruses.

What it doesn't do: It won’t work if you don't use it. Probably the most common reason for condom failure is couples opting to not use the barrier every time or waiting to put it on until after they've already come into contact with each other's fluids. With typical use, which includes occasional slip-ups like this, the failure rate for condoms alone is between 12 percent and 15 percent. If you follow the instructions to the letter and pair condoms with spermicide, however, that rate can be reduced to as little as 2 percent to 3 percent.

How to get it: Walk down to your local pharmacy, grocery, or big box store. It's that simple. Condoms are available over the counter, and in most places you can waltz right in and pick up a box from the shelf without needing a clerk’s assistance.

Is it reversible? Very much so. The second you take a condom off, you can get pregnant again.

Side effects: None, unless you happen to have a latex allergy. In addition, some people say they don't like the condom because it decreases sensation. If it's not lubricated well enough, the female condom can also make a lot of distracting noise during sex.

Who might benefit most: Anyone who wants to prevent the transmission of STDs. Remember, other birth control methods won't do this. So if you're not absolutely sure about your health and that of your partner (and by this we mean, if you've not both been tested for the full gamut of STDs), using a condom—even if you're already using a different method of birth control—is only common sense.

Who should consider a different method: People with latex allergies used to have few options when it came to condom use. Today, though, polyurethane condoms are widely available. They're every bit as effective as latex, though they are a bit more expensive.

Fertility Awareness

What it does: Turns out, the name is pretty descriptive of what's going on. Women who practice fertility awareness use one (or more) methods of tracking their menstrual cycles, in order to figure out which days they are most likely to be fertile. There are several ways to do this. One of the most famous is the calendar rhythm method: A woman tracks the beginning and end of her period for at least eight months and then uses that information (and a little math) to get an estimate of which days she's most likely ovulating. Other methods may track basal body temperature, which changes minutely in the days before and after ovulation, and cervical mucus, which changes type and thickness with the onset of fertility. Women who combine several of these methods are more likely to be successful at remaining childless.

Once you know which days you're likely to be infertile, you simply save vaginal sex for those days, substituting abstinence, sex with a condom, or your preferred non-vaginal sex act during the rest of the month.

What it doesn't do: Protect you against sexually transmitted diseases. If you decide to use the fertility awareness method it is incredibly important that you and your partner be monogamous. Besides the lack of protection against disease, it seems that committed, monogamous couples are most likely to practice fertility awareness accurately and consistently.

It's also important to note that, unlike most other contraception methods, fertility awareness is quite cheap and can be practiced without buying any specialized tools or paying a monthly fee.

How to get it: Unlike most methods of contraception, fertility awareness requires some serious training if you're going to do it right. You can get the information from a book, but it's often helpful to have a trained counselor who you can contact if you have questions or if you're confused about something that's going on with your body.

Ask your medical professional where you can go to get training in fertility awareness locally. One good source for this is the Roman Catholic Church. Officially, fertility awareness is the church's only approved form of birth control, so Catholic family counselors tend to be pretty well-versed in the methods and potential problems that may arise. They're also likely to offer classes, which you usually can take no matter what religion (or lack thereof) you happen to practice.

Getting training is extremely important as it can mean the difference between a perfect-use failure rate of about 8 percent and a typical or imperfect-use failure rate of anywhere from 20 percent to 40 percent. Bottom line, if you want fertility awareness to work, you'll need to know what you're doing.

Is it reversible? Very much so. In fact, it might even help you get pregnant as, by the time you're ready for that step, you'll have pretty much figured out what your fertile days are and can simply flip your unprotected sex days to fit your new goal.

Side effects: None

Who might benefit most: Couples who have ruled out hormonal and barrier methods for religious, health, or other personal reasons.

Who should consider a different method: Couples who don't want to follow a regimen that requires organizational skills, careful planning, reliable documentation of menstrual patterns, and adherence to strict rules about when sex is OK and when it must be avoided.

Diaphragm & Cervical Cap

What it does: Both diaphragms and cervical caps function as physical barriers, which block sperm from entering the uterus. They also serve as a handy way to hold spermicidal cream or foam against the cervix, providing further protection against sperm. Prior to the 1960s, diaphragms were one of the most popular of all contraceptive devices. Over the years, they've been eclipsed by oral contraceptives and, to a lesser extent, IUDs.

Although it's pretty simple to understand how diaphragms and cervical caps work, using them can be a bit more difficult. Diaphragms are held in place by springs and cervical caps by suction. To get them into position, you need to carefully maneuver them onto your own vagina and set them against your cervix. That takes training. And it takes a diaphragm or cervical cap that has been fitted to your biological proportions. Once you know how to use it, the barriers can be inserted several hours before sex and must be left in for at least six hours afterwards--but should be left in for no longer than 24 hours total.

What it doesn't do: Protect you against all STDs. There is, however, some evidence that it may protect you against some minor STDs, including bacterial vaginosis.

How to get it: You'll definitely need a medical practitioner for this one. Your provider will be able to help you pick the type of diaphragm or cervical cap that is right for you, aid you in finding a size that fits your unique cervical proportions, and show you how to find your cervix with your fingers and put the barrier in place and remove it properly. This training is vital. With perfect use (and particularly in conjunction with condoms) diaphragms and cervical caps have a failure rate of less than 9 percent. Without perfect use, though, that number climbs. Typical use failure rates can range as high as 30 percent.
Is it reversible? Yes, simply have sex without it and fertility returns.

Side effects: Very few. The most concerning issue is a small risk of toxic shock syndrome if the barrier is left in place for longer than 24 hours.

Who might benefit most: Women who aren't comfortable with hormonal methods and who don't mind using a birth control method that requires them to plan ahead each time they intend to have sex.

Who should consider a different method: Women who aren't comfortable being intimately familiar with their insides and with spermicide; one of the complaints about these methods is that they are messy. Another problem is that many women consider the process involved in using a diaphragm or cervical cap to be a huge inconvenience. That tends to lead to non-perfect use and higher failure rates.

Birth Control - IUD

2010-12-21T23:31:00.000-08:00

IUD

What it does: Intrauterine devices are very small objects, made today from plastic or plastic wrapped with copper wire, that are inserted into your uterus. Once there, they prevent pregnancy, most likely by changing the chemical makeup of the fluid in your uterus and fallopian tubes. Small changes in that fluid can severely impact sperm's fertility and its ability to swim. These changes can also make it difficult for eggs to properly move as well. It's also possible that IUDs prevent fertilized eggs from sticking to the uterine walls, but this hasn't been proven.

The basic concept of an IUD is probably one of the oldest forms of birth control in the world, dating back to ancient times in the Arabian Peninsula, where traders first discovered that they could keep camels from breeding on long trips by inserting small pebbles into the camel's uterus. Over the years, IUDs have come in a wide variety of shapes. Today, both kinds available in the U.S. are T-shaped. Of these, the Mirena IUD contains a progestin that releases slowly over time and can be kept in place for up to five years. The Paragard IUD, on the other hand, contains no hormones. Instead, it has thin copper wire wrapped around its ends; the metal has been shown to increase the effectiveness of the IUD by further changing the fluid chemistry. This IUD can be left in for up to 10 years.

What it doesn't do: Protect against STDs. In fact, if you do contract an STD, wearing an IUD can make it more likely that the infection will travel to your fallopian tubes and ovaries, resulting in pelvic inflammatory disease. PID can potentially make you infertile—and, until the later stages, it has no symptoms. It's incredibly important that IUD users either maintain a monogamous relationship or use condoms as backup.

How to get it: IUDs must be prescribed and inserted by a professional.

Is it reversible? Yes. As soon as an IUD is removed (or, occasionally, naturally expelled by your uterus) you can get pregnant at any time.

Side effects: Far fewer than hormonal birth control methods. Even the Mirena, which does release a progestin, has fewer complications because the dosage is much, much lower. During the first few months of use, some women experience heavier periods and cramping.

Who might benefit most: Women who want reliable, long-term protection against pregnancy. IUD is frequently used as a less-invasive substitute for sterilization. The risk of pregnancy is less than 1 percent. The Paragard can also be extremely useful for women who dislike the side effects of hormonal methods or who should not use those methods for health reasons.

Who should consider a different method: It's not an immediate reason to switch to a different method, but if you have an infection in your vagina or cervical canal, you will have to wait until that's healed before you can get an IUD put in. If an IUD is inserted while an infection is present, the infection can end up being introduced into the uterus and can cause pelvic inflammatory disease. Women who have incurable STDs are entirely ruled out as candidates for the same reason.

If you have more than one sexual partner or your partner sleeps with other people, IUDs may not be an ideal choice simply because of the increased risk of PID. In addition, women with copper allergies or a rare disorder called Wilson's disease shouldn't use the Paragard, as the copper can cause a negative reaction.

Patch and Ring

What it does: Both the ring and the patch function about the same as a regular combination pill form of birth control. They both carry synthetic estrogen and a progestin and keep you from getting pregnant by preventing ovulation and, to a lesser extent, thickening the mucus on you cervix to prevent sperm from getting to your uterus at all. The main difference in these two relatively recent options lies in the delivery system. Instead of a daily pill, patch and ring users have a weekly or monthly regimen. For the patch, a new one must be applied to one of several specific areas of the body once a week, for three weeks. In the case of the ring, one ring is inserted each month and left in for three weeks, then taken out. Both forms have a break week during which the user gets her period.

Researchers have been studying and testing patches and rings for many years. In the case of the ring, the studies date back as far as the 1970s. But these methods only became available to the public in the last seven years. Currently, only one brand of each is available. The patch is known as Ortho-Evra and the ring is called NuvaRing.

What it doesn't do: Protect against STDs. If you or your partner have multiple partners you'll need backup protection, like a condom.

How to get it: Both are available by prescription. You do not need a health professional to insert the ring or to fit it to your body. One size fits all, and it can be easily popped in and out at home.

Is it reversible? Yes, fertility begins to return at about the same speed as with the combination pill.

Side effects: Again, similar to combination pill. Some women experience breast tenderness, headaches, nausea, or mood swings. With the patch, it's possible that you may experience an itchy, red rash at the spot where you apply it. To avoid this, some users place their weekly patches in different spots over the course of a month.

Who might benefit most: Women who prefer a hormonal method or a method that can be easily and quickly stopped, but who don't want to deal with the daily regimen of the pill or mini-pill. The patch and the ring have not yet been extensively studied for effectiveness, but there is some evidence to suggest that they may have slightly lower failure rates than the pill—on the order of about 1 percent if used correctly.
Who should consider a different method: Smokers—as as with the pill, smoking can increase your risk of dangerous cardiovascular side effects, particularly if you're also over the age of 35—and women taking certain medications that can decrease the effectiveness of the hormones, particularly St. John's Wort, certain classes of antibiotics and antifungals, and anti-seizure drugs.

You might not know: You don't take the ring out during sex. For the most part, your pelvic muscles keep the ring in place and, usually, your partner can't feel it during vaginal intercourse. If the ring does happen to fall out during sex, you should wash it and re-insert it within three hours. If you leave the ring out longer than that, you run the risk of hormone levels reverting to normal enough that you can ovulate—and possibly become pregnant.

Birth Control - The Pill

2010-12-21T23:24:00.000-08:00

Imagine that you're standing all alone on a football field. You can choose to stand anywhere you want to, but once you pick your spot, you can't move again.

Now imagine that, somewhere over by the entrance, about a million people are massed and waiting, about to be released onto the field. They're participating in a contest and the first one to touch you wins a brand new HDTV, a trip to Tahiti, and their very own pony. Granted, they're all blindfolded. But once they're free to run around the stadium's enclosed space, how long do you really think it will take for one of them—or 20 of them—to slam right into you?

That, in a nutshell, is sex—from the perspective of an egg. When you think about it that way, it's almost tempting to reverse the old adage about conception. Having a baby isn't a miracle: Preventing one is.

Without any means of contraception, the average sexually active woman of childbearing age would have an 80-85 percent chance of getting pregnant within a year. In most cases, those odds are going to catch up to you eventually. Luckily, we live in a time where women who don't want to have a baby have access to reliable means of contraception, many of which can be more than 90 percent effective in preventing pregnancy.

On the other hand, we also live in a time where there are so many options that it's easy to end up overwhelmed. And that can lead to women making decisions that maybe aren't the best ones for them, simply because they don't have time to weed through all the information. If you've ever picked your contraceptive method because it was the only one you knew about or because that was what all your friends used, you may not be using the one that’s best for you. We're breaking down almost every form of birth control available, to help you understand what it does, how well it works, and who can benefit the most.

The Pill

What it does: The pill you're probably most familiar with is also called a “combination pill,” because it releases two different synthetic hormones into your body. Together, the artificial hormones work by preventing you from ovulating—releasing a mature egg cell from your ovaries. They have some other effects, as well, including thickening the mucus around your cervix, which makes it more difficult for sperm to actually get inside your uterus.
What it doesn't do: Protect you from sexually transmitted diseases. The pill also doesn't work 100 percent of the time. It's rare—the failure rate is lower than 2 percent if used correctly—but some women can and will get pregnant, even if they're following instructions to the letter. On the plus side, getting pregnant while on the pill isn't harmful to you or the fetus.

How to get it: You need a prescription. However, you don't need a parent's permission. Although most medical professionals encourage underage patients to talk to their parents about health choices, there are no state or federal laws requiring it. According to a 2005 article in the Journal of the American Medical Association, 60 percent of teenagers who visited a family planning clinic say their parents knew about the visit.
Is it reversible? Yes. Your body begins to return to normal hormone levels (and with that, normal ovulation) after a couple of days off the pill. Once you stop taking it, your chances of getting pregnant become about the same as a woman who's never used hormonal contraception.

Side effects: The most common are breast tenderness, nausea, weight gain, mild headaches, and changes to mood or sex drive. For most women, these disappear after the first three months. If they don't, you and your doctor may be able to manage them by switching to a pill with a different types or amounts of hormones.
Who can benefit the most: Women who tend to be detail-oriented. In order to use the pill correctly and keep your risk of pregnancy at a minimum, you need to know and follow its use instructions pretty closely. That usually means taking the pill at the same time every day, knowing exactly what you're supposed to do if you miss a pill or two, and following lifestyle recommendations like not smoking (mixing cigarettes and the pill greatly increases your risk of heart attack and stroke).

Who should consider a different method: Smokers, definitely. Also: women who have to use specific antibiotics or other prescriptions.

If you're over the age of 35, you should also check with your doctor to make sure that you don't have any of the health complications that can make the pill less effective and more dangerous. Most older women can continue using the pill without problems, but if you are diabetic or obese, for instance, the pill might not be for you.

You might not know: Combination pills can differ a lot from one brand to another. For instance, Yasmin—one of the newer pills on the market—is the only one that uses a specific type of progestin called drospirenone. This new progestin has been shown to work better for some women who have unacceptable side effects while using other pills. On the downside, though, drospirenone can also cause potassium to build up in your bloodstream, leading to possible complications. Women with a history of jaundice and kidney or liver diseases should not take this medication.

The Mini-Pill

What it does: The mini-pill is “mini” because it contains only progestins, as opposed to the combined pill that adds synthetic estrogen as well. Because of this, mini-pills work in a slightly different way. They put a damper on ovulation, but only in about half the women who take them. Instead, most mini-pill users stay childless because the pill builds up and thickens the mucus on their cervixes, making it difficult for sperm to get anywhere near the egg. In addition, mini-pills can also change the lining of the uterus so that eggs can't attach themselves. It might have an effect on the fallopian tubes as well, making eggs move slower on their way to the uterus.

What it doesn't do: STD prevention. Remember, we're talking about a hormonally based suppressant of the reproductive system functioning—not a physical barrier that prevents fluid and sperm from touching you. Without a barrier, you have no way to lower your risk of diseases like HIV, chlamydia or herpes.

How to get it: Prescription. Remember, as with most other prescribed contraception methods, your health care provider will probably require you to come in once a year for a routine pap smear and pelvic examination in order to get the prescription renewed.

Is it reversible? Very much so. Because it doesn't always affect the process of ovulation, the contraceptive effect of the mini-pill begins to wear off as soon as the hormone levels drop low enough for the cervical mucus to return to normal. This starts happening in as soon as 24 hours. If you stop taking mini-pills, you can be back into baby-making mode in a day or so.

Side effects: Mini-pill users often report problems with irregular periods or so-called “breakthrough bleeding” that happens when they shouldn't be on their period at all.
Who might benefit most: Women who can't handle the estrogen in the combination pill. This includes nursing mothers (estrogen can inhibit milk production; mini-pills don't), smokers (without estrogen, the risk of heart attack and stroke are much lower), and women who suffer from sickle-cell anemia (again, no estrogen means a lower risk of blood clots).

Who should consider a different method: Anyone who can't keep to an extremely tight schedule. Don't kid around with this one. If you aren't the well-organized type, mini-pills may not be for you. The effects of these pills wear off faster than those of combined pills, making it vitally important the mini-pill is taken same time, every day.

Injections & Implants

What it does: Like the mini-pill, both injections and implants contain only progestins—and no synthetic estrogen. Because of this, they have slightly different effects than the more common combination pill, which primarily works by stopping ovulation. Instead, injections and implants thicken the mucus that covers your cervix. This forms a protective barrier that sperm can't penetrate easily. At the same time, the progestins will also stop ovulation for some women. It can also change the makeup of the lining of your uterus, making it difficult for eggs cells to find a place to stick.

So why not just take the mini-pill? Frankly, injections and implants are less of a hassle to take correctly—and because of that, they have higher rates of effectiveness. Unlike the pill, where there is a possibility for human error every day, injections and implants only require you to show up at the right time at your doctor's office or clinic. Otherwise, what you do has no effect on how well they work. In most cases, both implants and injections are more than 99 percent effective.

What it doesn't do: As with all hormonal methods, there's no inherent protection against STDs. Implants and injections also can't be switched on and off easily. In the case of injections, you have to wait for the hormones to slowly leave your system before you become fertile again. If you change your mind on implants, you have to undergo a minor surgical procedure.

How to get it: Prescription only. In fact, these types of birth control can only be administered by a trained professional. The most common injection is called Depo-Provera, and must be taken every three months. An implant called Implanon, which was approved by the FDA in July 2006, can be used for up to three years at a time.

Is it reversible? Yes. But again, switching gears isn't as simple as stopping a pill. In the case of injections like Depo-Provera, it might take six months or more before you return to normal fertility. You can get pregnant very quickly after removing Implanon, but it must be removed by a medical professional. If you happen to get pregnant while on Depo-Provera, it's likely that your baby will experience low birth weight. However, there is no evidence of any long-term problems.

Side effects: Weight gain and acne are common, as are irregular periods—particularly during the first year of use. In addition, research has shown a link between Depo-Provera use and loss of bone mineral density. Research also suggests a possible increased risk of acquiring sexually transmitted infections. To see if you're comfortable with the side effects before you commit to the long haul, have your doctor, nurse practitioner, or physician's assistant prescribe a pill that uses the same type of progestin for a couple of months.

Who might benefit most: Women who don't want to bother with taking a pill every day, particularly if they know they don't want to become pregnant for a long time (if ever), but aren't interested in sterilization. The injection can also be extremely helpful for women who, for whatever reason, are concerned about their privacy. It’s the only type of birth control that exhibits no indication of use. There's nothing to feel under your skin and no external pills or devices to find.

Who should consider a different method: Women who aren't comfortable with irregular and/or nonexistent periods. If you have personal or cultural feelings favoring monthly, predictable periods, this may not be the method for you.

Safe Sex During Pregnancy: 10 Things You Need to Know

2010-12-21T23:15:00.000-08:00

Sex is a wonderful way for partners to remain intimate during pregnancy. It is usually safe, as long as some guidelines are followed:

-- Woman on top positions or side-lying may be more comfortable as pregnancy advances.

-- Deep penetration should be at the discretion and comfort of the mother.

-- Water or air (or any foreign objects) in the vagina should not be part of any sex play during pregnancy. Douching should never be done during pregnancy.

-- Understanding, empathy, creativity and humor will be good assets to love making during pregnancy.

-- A woman should always be able to say “no."

-- If a woman is at high risk for preterm labor, orgasm and intercourse should be avoided until the doctor or midwife has told you it is safe. Nipple stimulation should also be avoided in these circumstances.

-- Avoid intercourse (or sexual activity) if advised to do so by your care provider.

-- Intercourse should be avoided if the amniotic fluid is leaking, has ruptured, or if there is a suspicion that it may be leaking.

-- Any sexual contact should be avoided if the woman or her partner has been exposed to, or has confirmation of a sexually transmitted disease or HIV. Use of a condom and a spermicide is recommended if sexual activity cannot be avoided.

-- As term approaches, start to discuss postpartum contraception.

Sex during pregnancy: What's OK, what's not

If you want to get pregnant, you have sex. No surprises there. But what about sex while you're pregnant? The answers aren't always as clear. Here's what you need to know about sex during pregnancy.

Is it OK to have sex during pregnancy?

As long as your pregnancy is proceeding normally, you can have sex as often as you like — but you may not always want to. At first, hormonal fluctuations, fatigue and nausea may sap your sexual desire. During the second trimester, increased blood flow to your sexual organs and breasts may rekindle your desire for sex. But by the third trimester, weight gain, back pain and other symptoms may once again dampen your enthusiasm for sex.

Can sex during pregnancy cause a miscarriage?

Many couples worry that sex during pregnancy will cause a miscarriage, especially in the first trimester. But sex isn't a concern. Early miscarriages are usually related to chromosomal abnormalities or other problems in the developing baby — not to anything you do or don't do.

Does sex during pregnancy harm the baby?

Your developing baby is protected by the amniotic fluid in your uterus, as well as the mucous plug that blocks the cervix throughout most of your pregnancy. Sexual activity won't affect your baby.

What are the best sexual positions during pregnancy?

As long as you're comfortable, most sexual positions are OK during pregnancy. As your pregnancy progresses, experiment to find what works best. Rather than lying on your back, you might want to lie next to your partner sideways or position yourself on top of your partner or in front of your partner. Let your creativity take over, as long as you keep mutual pleasure and comfort in mind.

What about oral and anal sex?

Oral sex is safe during pregnancy. There's a caveat, however. If you receive oral sex, make sure your partner doesn't blow air into your vagina. Rarely, a burst of air may block a blood vessel (air embolism) — which could be a life-threatening condition for you and the baby.

Generally, anal sex isn't recommended during pregnancy. Anal sex may be uncomfortable if you have pregnancy-related hemorrhoids. More concerning, anal sex may allow infection-causing bacteria to spread from the rectum to the vagina.

Are condoms necessary?

Exposure to sexually transmitted infections during pregnancy increases the risk of infections that can affect your pregnancy and your baby's health. Use a condom if your partner has a sexually transmitted infection, you're not in a mutually monogamous relationship or you choose to have sex with a new partner during pregnancy.

Can orgasms trigger premature labor?

Orgasms can cause uterine contractions, but these contractions are different from the contractions you'll feel during labor. If you have a normal pregnancy, orgasms — with or without intercourse — don't seem to increase the risk of premature labor or premature birth. Likewise, sex isn't likely to trigger labor even as your due date approaches.

Are there times when sex should be avoided?

Although most women can safely have sex throughout pregnancy, sometimes it's best to be cautious. Your health care provider may recommend avoiding sex if:

* You're at risk of preterm labor
* You have unexplained vaginal bleeding
* You're leaking amniotic fluid
* Your cervix begins to open prematurely (cervical incompetence)
* Your placenta partly or completely covers your cervical opening (placenta previa)

What if I don't want to have sex?

That's OK. There's more to a sexual relationship than intercourse. Share your needs and concerns with your partner in an open and loving way. If sex is difficult, unappealing or off-limits, try cuddling, kissing or massage.

After the baby is born, how soon can I have sex?

Whether you give birth vaginally or by C-section, your body will need time to heal. Many health care providers recommend waiting four to six weeks before resuming intercourse. This allows time for your cervix to close and any tears or a repaired episiotomy to heal.

If you're too sore or exhausted to even think about sex, maintain intimacy in other ways. Stay connected during the day with short phone calls, email messages or text messages. Reserve a few quiet minutes for each other before the day begins or while you're winding down before bed. When you're ready to have sex, take it slow — and use a reliable method of contraception if you want to prevent a subsequent pregnancy.

Tips For Eating Healthfully While Pregnant

2010-12-21T22:27:00.000-08:00

Pregnancy is a time when you are not only taking care of your body, but also helping your baby to develop and grow.

But just as important as what you do eat, is what you skip. Also remember that certain "unhealthy" foods now can take on a new and sometimes more ominous meaning when you are pregnant.

"Foods that you might not be so worried about - like caffeine or alcohol - can become a worry once you are pregnant, simply because we don't have all the answers about what can and cannot affect a developing baby," cautions NYU Medical Center nutritionist Samantha Heller, MS, RD.

Diane Ashton, MD, assistant medical director of the March of Dimes agrees and adds: "I think most women are concerned about what they should and shouldn't eat, but I don't think we can repeat the information often enough - particularly when it comes to the items that should be avoided."

To help make sure you know what you need - and what you should avoid - Heller and Ashton helped put together the following guide.

The 5 Foods to Avoid During Pregnancy

No. 1: Alcohol

In the not-so-distant past some doctors suggested moderate drinking during pregnancy might be OK. Not anymore. In an advisory issued by the U.S. government in February 2005, U.S. Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona, MD, MPH, issued a warning that no amount of alcohol can be considered safe during pregnancy.

The reason, says Ashton is that "no one knows if there is a threshold for alcohol in pregnancy, and if there is, what it is, so it's better to just not drink any at all."

What doctors do know: Alcohol increases a baby's risk of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) - a series of developmental problems that can affect a child's ability to learn throughout their lifetime. In its most extreme form fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) can cause varying degrees of birth defects and mental retardation.

Ashton says a rarer set of problems - Fetal Alcohol Effects - is also a risk.

"There's a whole spectrum of ways alcohol can affect the fetus - it may not be a full-blown FAS but there may be low birth weight, small stature, a range of possible side effects," Ashton tells WebMD.

If your pregnancy was a surprise - and you unknowingly consumed alcohol during the first several weeks after conception - experts say don't panic. If you stop drinking the moment you discover you're pregnant, and meet your daily requirement of folic acid (400 micrograms) you can dramatically decrease your baby's risk of any serious consequences.

No. 2: Saccharin

While some doctors are leery about using any artificial sweetener during pregnancy, the one that is of most concern is saccharin. The reason: "It has been shown to cross the placenta and end up in your baby's bloodstream," says Heller.
This is of concern since some animal studies have shown that in high enough amounts saccharin may increase the risk of bladder cancer. Since research on monkeys has shown that a developing fetus is much less effective at clearing saccharin from the blood than an adult, at least theoretically, amounts of the artificial sweetener can build to a dangerous level.

"It's always best to err on the side of caution and avoid it," says Heller.

If you were consuming saccharin before you knew you were pregnant, don't panic. The risks are small during the early weeks of pregnancy. As long as you don't consume any more, your baby's health should not be affected.

As to other artificial sweeteners: There is no specific evidence to show harm to mother or baby.

No. 3: Seafood With High Mercury Level

Fish can be one of the healthiest foods you can eat - particularly during pregnancy. A diet that includes a variety of fish and shellfish helps a child's growth and development. Women of childbearing age, in particular, should include fish or shellfish in their diets because of the nutritional benefits.

However, Ashton reminds us that high levels of mercury contamination could turn eating some seafood into a serious risk with the potential to harm the nervous system of your developing baby.

As such, in 2004 the FDA and the Environmental Protection Agency warned pregnant women, those looking to get pregnant, nursing mothers, and children, to avoid all seafood high in mercury. This includes larger fish that live longer such as shark, swordfish, King mackerel, and tilefish.

According to the March of Dimes, you can safely consume up to 12 ounces (two average meals) per week of fish that is lower in mercury. This includes shrimp, canned light tuna, salmon, pollack, and catfish. The FDA, however, suggests limiting albacore (white) tuna, and tuna steak to 6 ounces per week. These two contain more mercury than canned light tuna.

In addition, Heller cautions against eating any kind of raw fish during pregnancy - regardless of the type, since it can "harbor bacteria and parasites that are very dangerous during pregnancy," she tells WebMD.

No. 4: Excessive Caffeine

In moderate amounts caffeine is not likely to be harmful. But experts say there is some concern that in greater amounts beverages or medicines containing high levels of caffeine could pose a problem.

"There isn't anything definitive on caffeine but there is some suggestion it may increase the risk of miscarriage and low birth weight - plus, it's a mild stimulant and a diuretic, both of which are not ideal during pregnancy," says Aston.

If you can avoid it, she says, that's good. If you can't Ashton says try to limit consumption to about 300 mg daily, the amount found in around 3 cups of coffee.

The March of Dimes also reminds us that sodas (such as Coke, Pepsi, and Mountain Dew) as well as certain medications (such as Anacin) also contain caffeine, so be sure to count them into your daily tally as well.

No. 5: Unpasteurized Cheeses and Lunch Meats

The problem here is a form of food poisoning known as listeriosis . Caused by a bacterium known as Listeria monocytogenes, it can increase the risk of miscarriage, premature birth, or stillbirth. A newborn baby exposed to Listeria can become seriously ill and die.

This bacteria lurks in foods that are unpasteurized - particularly soft cheeses such as feta, Brie, Camembert, Roquefort, blue-veined, queso blanco, queso fresco, or Panela. Listeria can also be found in unpasteurized fruit juices, as well as hot dogs or deli meats such as ham, turkey, salami, or bologna.

Heller says that because pasteurization kills this bacterium, any soft cheese made from pasteurized milk is fine to eat.

While most of the time the label will say if, in fact, the product is pasteurized, Heller tells WebMD that "If you're not sure, don't hesitate, just skip it."

To reduce risks from luncheon meat, hot dogs or deli meats, plunge it in boiling water, or heat until it's steamy hot. This will kill the bacteria.

5 Pregnancy Super Foods You Should Have

All Bran Cereal With Extra Fiber

In research conducted at the Swedish Medical Center in Seattle, doctors found that 24 grams of fiber daily reduced risks of preeclampsia (a dangerous form of high blood pressure) by a whopping 51 percent. Plus, the extra fiber can reduce constipation and help you avoid another common pregnancy problem: hemorrhoids . Most important, many high-fiber cereals are also rich in folic acid. This is important to reduce the risk of birth defects. Cereals containing high fiber and 100 percent of your daily folic acid need include: Kellogg's All Bran, Total Wheat Flakes, Total Corn Flakes, TotalRaisin Bran, Product 19, Multigrain Cheerios, and Smart Start.

Orange Juice.

Just 2 cups a day can reduce your blood pressure by up to 10 points, according to experts at The Cleveland Clinic. This could be critical if your pressure rises during pregnancy. The high vitamin C count may also help reduce your risk of preeclampsia (see Banana Strawberry Smoothie). If you choose a brand fortified with calcium, such as Minute Maid or Tropicana, you'll be adding an additional nutritional boost. Orange juice contains a good amount of folic acid - about 15% of the recommended amount of folate each day in an 8-ounce glass.

Banana Strawberry Smoothie.

This drink is so packed with baby-friendly nutrients it could help reduce pregnancy complications . In a study published in the journal Epidemiology doctors found pregnant women who consumed lots of C-rich foods - such as bananas and strawberries - had a lower risk of preeclampsia. Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill show women lacking vitamin C during pregnancy may have an increased risk of premature rupture of membranes - a leading cause of premature birth. Plus, experts say high-calcium foods like yogurt and milk may help control fluid retention which may further decrease your risk of high blood pressure. To make a smoothie: Combine strawberries and bananas with low-fat milk, or yogurt, plus some ice, in a high-speed blender. Blend until creamy and smooth - and drink up!

Salmon.

Although the FDA advises limiting salmon to 12 ounces per week, studies published in the BMJ showed just 6 ounces weekly reduces the risk of premature birth from 7.1 percent to just 1.9 percent.
To help your newborn sleep soundly, try eating more fish during pregnancy. Indeed, research published in the Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed babies of mothers who consumed fatty acids found in fish during their last trimester, had healthier sleep patterns. The key component here is a fatty acid known as DHA, which is abundant in cold-water fish such as salmon.

Low-Fat Yogurt.

The obvious pregnancy benefits here include high calcium and high protein - both important to your developing baby. But these same foods might also help reduce muscle cramping, a sometimes troubling problem during pregnancy. Calcium can also reduce uncomfortable bloating and water retention. In addition, medical literature indicates that, anecdotally, eating yogurt during pregnancy appears to reduce the risk of yeast infections - another common pregnancy problem.

Colette Bouchez is the author of Your Perfectly Pampered Pregnancy: Health, Beauty, and Lifestyle Advice for the Modern Mother-to-Be.

By Colette Bouchez
Reviewed by Louise Chang
©2005-2008 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

Women Don’t Need The Blue Pill, Just Simply Listen To Her

2010-12-21T13:35:00.000-08:00

Sexual dysfunction in women is often triggered by something that should be avoided as early as possible. One way to overcome the problem of sexual dysfunction in women is by listening to what to say or listen to what the problem.

Communication is important between couples. Listening can be the thing that makes a woman’s passion continued to burn.

According to research conducted in the United States, to increase libido in women with adequate or mediocre, they do not need to take the blue pill. Women just need to be heard.

ABC News in the United States reported, in studies involving about 200 women aged between 35 and 55 years who experience sexual dysfunction was found that they have a better sex drive low libido after speaking with doctors.

Physicians from Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States, Dr. Andrea Bradford, who is also leader of the research, said that he wanted to know the effectiveness of the drug to overcome the problem of male impotence, Cialis, for female sexual dysfunction.

All respondents were asked to write about their sexual relationship every day for 12 weeks and they were given the opportunity to talk to their doctors about their problems. Most of the women respondents were asked to take a pill that resembles the drug, when in fact sugar.

Interestingly, 35 percent of women given a fake pill satisfaction was reported to have better sex. The researchers conclude, this happens because they express their heart’s content and condition to others.

”All of the respondents in this study have the opportunity to speak with professionals who listen to their grievances. Above all, the listener should be able to listen carefully and respond in earnest,” says Dr. Bradford.

“In the search for medical solutions or” magic bullet “to solve women’s sexual problems, you may lose the basics,” said Dr. Bradford on research published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.

Natural Ingredients To Repel Body Odor

2010-12-21T13:14:00.000-08:00

A natural way to eliminate body odor without using chemicals is to use natural ingredients such as tomato juice, Citrus bystrix& Kencur, Ginger, Piper Betle & whiting, Lime & whiting, pluchea Indica (beluntas), basil leaves, Wild Ginger, Flower kecombrang, cucumbers, and Clove. In addition to safe use, traditional ingredients from natural materials are also believed to repel strong odors from the Agency. Consider the following ingredients:

Tomato Juice

A natural way to eliminate body odor without using chemicals is to use tomato juice. Tomatoes that have been juiced as much as two cups mixed into the bathtub, and soak your body for 15-20 minutes, after which the bath as usual. This method is believed to eliminate body odor.

Besides bathing, tomato juice can be drunk directly through normal as much as 1 cup per day. Tomato juice is believed to eliminate body odor because it contains salts that can balance the pH of our skin so it can reduce body odor.

b.Ginger

Many Indians believe that if taking ginger can make them smell as sweet. According to Chao Pen Cing of Emperor Shen Nong (3000 BC), fresh ginger can eliminate body odor and held it to the spiritual aura. If Hot ginger drinking is consumed regularly can be very helpful to overcome the problem of body odor.

c. Piper Betle & Whiting

It has long been known efficacious as an antiseptic also contain active substances that can repel body odor caused by bacteria or fungi. volatile oil fraction containing, among others, kadinen kavikol, substance seneol, eugeol, karvakol and tannic.
to use: piper betle soaked in hot water, after drinking cold water. Or mashed together with piper betle and whiting in the dabs in armpit.

c.
Citrus bystrix& Kencur
Its skin contains a fragrant essential oil. Citrus bystrix can be used to eliminate body odor by drinking lemon juice mixed with kencur skin mashed together with enough water.

d. Lime & whiting

Lime also contains essential oils. The way of life, a lime, squeezed, take the water, mix with 1 / 2 teaspoon of whiting, stir well. Rub into certain parts such as armpits after a bath. Let stand for a while to dry, then just use the clothes.

e. Pluchea Indica (Beluntas)
This plant odor and bitter taste. To eliminate body odor, usually eaten raw or steamed Pluchea Indica first. Leaves and flowers contain alkali which acts as an antiseptic. The level of chemicals such as acids (leucine, isoleucine, tryptophan, threonine), fat, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamins A and C.
Pluchea Indica that has been boiled too good to eat as an ointment (vegetables with spiced grated coconut). When eating pluchea Indica routine, surely body odor will disappear. Also, bad breath or less will be lost. For those who do not like, can drink water with their leaves every morning and evening. Pluchea Indica also beneficial because it will lower body temperature trigger sweating.
e. Basil Leave (Ocimun Balisicum)
Basil leaves contain essential oils that are believed to eliminate body odor. active substance contained in the basil leaves also serve as an antiseptic. To get advantage of this leaf is also used as a raw salad or as vegetable ointment. Alternatively, puree the leaves, seeds, and basil roots and brewed with hot water, strain, and palm sugar added. Drink 2 times a day, morning and night. For women who are menstruating, if you eat basil leaves roughly one cell in the morning and afternoon during the period which would avoid the unpleasant smell that often befall women’s menstruation.

f.Wild Ginger (Curcuma xanthorrhiza)

Substances contained in wild ginger are sapomin, flavoinoida and essential oils to eliminate body odor.
How: drinking boiled wild ginger rhizome that has been finely chopped. Which has been grated wild ginger juice with a little honey can also be taken to eliminate the odor that comes out of the body. In addition, grated wild ginger can also be massaged into the entire body, and allowed to dry before cleaning to get maximum results.

g. Kecombrang (Nicolaia speciosa)

Active substances contained therein which can eliminate body odor is sapomin, flavoinoida and polyphenols. Kecombrang can be used to cook the young leaves and flowers eaten as a friend to eat rice. In certain areas commonly cooked as a vegetable kecombrang ve.
f. Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)

Cucumber or cucumber water rich in calcium, iron, magnesium. Eating fruit is very refreshing cucumber. In addition to nutritious reduce fever, cucumber is also beneficial for skin health. How, washed young cucumber, thinly sliced, and then apply or rub on the body that smells. Or, grated cucumber, then compress the armpits with these scars. Let stand 10-15 minutes, then remove from heat. Do this after a bath.
g. Clove (Eugenia aromatica)

Soak some interest cloves in hot water so fluffy, then cool, and drinking water. Perform routine morning and evening, surely body odor will soon disappear. Also, some buds cloves boiled with sugar water, also can drink fresh and warm when it rains.