Archive for January, 2012
Caffine & Estrogen – What Do They Share?
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Moderate caffeine consumption is associated with higher levels of estrogen in Asian women, but lower levels in white women, according to a study of reproductive-age women conducted by the National Institutes of Health and other institutions.
Over 250 women, ages 18 to 44 years old, participated in the study between 2005 and 2007. On average, they consumed 90 milligrams of caffeine a day, equivalent to approximately one cup of caffeinated coffee. (more…)
Painful Ovulation – Mittelschmerz
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While chatting with a friend of mine, I learned of a new condition suffered by approximately 20% of all women called Mittelschmerz. Mittelschmerz is a German word that means “middle pain.” It is a one-sided, lower abdominal pain that occurs in women at or around the time of an egg is released from the ovaries (ovulation). Mittelschmerz is usually not severe, and the pain typically goes away within a day or so.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
About 1 in 5 women have mittelschmerz, or pain associated with ovulation. The pain may occur just before, during, or after ovulation.
There are several explanations for the cause of this pain. Just prior to ovulation, follicle growth may stretch the surface of the ovary, causing pain. At the time of ovulation, fluid or blood is released from the ruptured egg follicle and may cause irritation of the abdominal lining.
Symptoms
Mittelschmerz may be felt on one side one month, then switch to the opposite side the next month, or it may be felt on the same side for several months in succession. (more…)
It’s Confirmed – Birth Control Pills Relieve Cramps
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Birth control pills always find a way to make an appearance in the news. Recently, a study was released from Spain that confirms the idea that birth control pills do indeed relieve pain associated with menstruation.
The research, published Tuesday in the journal Human Reproduction, studied women over a 30-year period to confirm whether combination oral contraception pills do indeed alleviate symptoms of painful menstrual periods, known as dysmenorrhea.
Researchers surveyed three groups of hundreds women who reached 19 years of age in 1981, 1991 and 2001. The women were then assessed again, five years later, at the age of 24. Birth control pills proved to reduce pain more than age. (more…)
Can You Get Pregnant During Menstruation?
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It is often believed that the best time to get pregnant is during the ovulation days. Women feel that they can’t get pregnant during periods or menstruation but the fact is that you can get pregnant even at this time. Depending on the hormonal changes and balances, a woman’s pregnancy differs.
Generally, chances of getting pregnant during the menstruation or menses is a little less but it depends on the release of the egg from the ovaries. During ovulation, the ovaries release an egg. A woman ovulates 14 days before her next periods and this is the time when she can easily conceive.
After ovulation, the egg moves toward the uterus through the fallopian tubes and if there is any sperm, the egg fertilizes with the sperm. It is not necessary that the sperm will not survive in the uterus. The average life span of a (more…)
“I Got Sick While Ovulating…Why?”
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Ever notice that when you catch a cold its likely to be around the time when you’re ovulating? A new study from Spain explains why.
The high levels of the hormone estrogen present during ovulation lower the activity of a key immune system molecule, according to the findings.
During ovulation, a woman’s body is primed to become pregnant: an egg is released from an ovary, the uterus is full of nutrients and levels (more…)
Here’s How You Can Help…
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700 000 American children go missing every year, 300 000 of which become victims of Human Trafficking. Here’s how you can help:
Fellow Advocates,
Consequently, I have delved into the field of human trafficking. Both a national and global issue, the Human Trafficking Awareness Council (HTA Council), the non-profit I have chosen to work, is dedicated to educating the public about the issue, while rescuing survivors. We currently have several upcoming projects, national and international, and are looking for support in order to embark and launch our National Campaign, educating students across the country about the issue and letting them know how they effect change within their communities.
With 700 000 American children going missing every year, 300 000 of which become (more…)
The Lady Problem
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AdWeek recently posted this article which cleverly depicts the history of advertising as it relates to tampons. I found it interesting and entertaining. What do you think?
For the sake of the 99.9 percent of the public not up on their menstruation-products marketing history, the first tampon ad appeared in the early 1930s. The brand’s name was Fax, and apart from featuring a drawing of a woman in a bathing suit, the 29-cent product’s ad copy proclaimed “A NEW freedom, comfort, convenience”—but dared go no further.
So imagine the handcuffs on Tampax’s creative team when the ad at right appeared in the June 18, 1963 issue of Look magazine. With frank talk about the mechanics of tampons off limits (“worn internally” is as far as the copywriter would go), Tampax (more…)
Ladies, Pick One!
0A survey lead by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention that spanned between 2006 and 2010 found that most teens,an amazing 8 in every 10, who are having sex for the first time are now more likely to use a condom then teens in 2002. While this increase is applauded, there are still a high amount of young people engaging in unprotected sex.
MIC Women’s Health Services, a program of Public Health Solutions, provides affordable sexual and reproductive healthcare services at centers throughout New York City –regardless of gender, age, income or immigration status. The below video was made for youth, by youth, by members of the MIC Social Media Team in an effort to promote safe sex!
Anytime I am exposed to a group of young people making a difference, especially regarding safe sex, I do what I can to support them. Check out the below video and be sure “like” them on Facebook.
Is This Tampon Ad “Transphobic?”
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According to a recent article on Huffington Post, a New Zealand tampon manufacturer is coming under fire for a new commercial that implies trans folks who dress as women are not “real women.”
The commercial for Libra tampons shows an ostensibly “real” woman standing next to a trans person in the bathroom, as they both put on their lip gloss and mascara and adjust their boobs in their tight party dress. Then the “real” woman pulls a tampon out of her purse. The drag queen makes a “hmmph!” face and walks away.
What do you think? Offensive…or not?
Got PCOS? Get A Massage.
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According to a recent article on integrative-healthcare.org, one out of every 10 American women has polycystic ovary syndrome and if all massage therapists knew how to recognize a potential case, what to suggest to affected clients and which modality to include in a session, the massage profession could make a big impact on this common condition.
The complex-sounding condition known as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) likely affects more of a bodyworker’s clientele than previously realized. Without attempts to control this syndrome, the continuation (more…)