Archive for May, 2012
OBGYNs & Religion
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NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – More than one-third of obstetrician-gynecologists at religiously-affiliated hospitals say they’ve had a conflict with their institution about patient care policies based on religious tenets — including over half of ob-gyns at Catholic hospitals, according to a new survey.
The researchers didn’t ask doctors exactly what those conflicts were about, but the lead author said in her experience disagreements typically come up over sterilization procedures for men, the use of contraception and the treatment of miscarriages.
“My advice to women is really to ask questions before you pick what hospital you’re going to go to for your reproductive health care and your pregnancy-related care,” said Dr. Debra Stulberg, from the University of Chicago. (more…)
Don’t Overestimate The Power of The Pill
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NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – Many women may think birth control pills and condoms are better at pregnancy prevention than they actually are, a new study suggests.
Researchers found that of more than 4,100 women who were seeking birth control, about 45 percent overestimated the effectiveness of the Pill and condoms.
They also had too much faith in hormonal birth control patches, vaginal rings and injections, according to findings reported in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
The findings point to a need for better education on how well different birth control methods work (more…)
There Will Be Blood
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Associate Editor, HuffPost Women
“I got my period on the car seat!”
“My mom talked about my period in front of a cute guy!”
These headlines from Seventeen Magazine’s “Embarrassing Moments” feature reveal the humiliation many women grow up associating with menstruation. From a very young age we’re taught that our periods should be covered, hidden and cleaned up. Now, a new VICE photo series by photographer Emma Arvida Bystrom, “There Will Be Blood,” is challenging the taboo. (Click over to VICE to see the complete series.)
The series depicts women going about various everyday activities, like jogging, reading, texting and waiting for the bus. The photographs aren’t sexual, they’re nearly mundane … except that each woman is bleeding through her clothing — something that has probably happened to most women — some more than once. Although I’d like to say that I was indifferent to these photos or immediately appreciated (more…)
Vaginal Bacteria…Too Much Or Not Enough!
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The bacteria that inhabit the vagina appear to vary greatly from woman to woman, researchers found.
While some women have a stable population of vaginal bacteria, others have more rapid turnover, Jacques Ravel, PhD, of the University of Idaho, and colleagues reported in Science Translational Medicine.
Changes tend to coincide with menstrual periods and sexual activity, but there were “plenty of exceptions,” Ravel told reporters during a telephone briefing.
“The type and abundance of bacteria found in the vagina vary over a short time interval in some, and in others it tends not to change,” he said. “When it comes to the vaginal microbiome, not all women are the same.” (more…)
Its A Survivor’s Birthday – Nakeissah Hammond
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Keissah,
My sister and my friend. Throughout the years, life has presented you with many obstacles and time after time, you have managed to land flat on your feet. Though we as a family have disagreed with each other and, at times, argued our way into quite the frenzy, we are still family. You are surrounded by unconditional love and constant prayers. You have allowed the experiences from your past to shape you into the strong and wise woman that you are today. I wish you all the desires of your heart. I wish you happiness beyond your wildest dreams. I wish you love that surpasses all that you imagine. And on this day, I wish you a happy birthday. I love you and keep surviving!
Black Women, Relaxers & Fibroids
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Until now, the debate between black women who chemically relax their hair and those who think doing so is problematic has been mostly social and emotional. But concerns about physical health might also come into play. A new study in the American Journal of Epidemiology has linked perms to early-onset puberty and worse — uterine fibroid tumors.
While a direct cause-and-effect (more…)
Why Sex Is Good For Your Skin!
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An apple a day keeps the doctor away, right? Wrong, says Dr. Gloria G. Bramer, a Georgia-based licensed clinical sexologist. According to her, an orgasm a day keeps the doctor away (we’re sure apples are fine too, but we prefer this prevention method)! “An orgasm is one of the healthiest things you can give yourself each day. From a sexologist’s point of view it should be included in your routine along with brushing your teeth and washing your hair.” Click ahead and find out how you can instantly improve your complexion (more…)
New Reproductive Supplement – Pregnitude
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WEST ORANGE, N.J., May 7, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ — A new non-prescription Reproductive Support Dietary Supplement, Pregnitude(TM), which contains myo-inositol (2 g), plus folic acid (200 mcg), is now available for women who are having difficulty conceiving, Everett Laboratories announced today. In clinical studies, Pregnitude has been shown to help support ovulation function and menstrual cycle regularity as well as support the quality of a woman’s eggs.
“Everett Labs is proud to make this new, important contribution to women’s health. With Pregnitude, we’re thrilled to provide a new option to support women who are having difficulty conceiving. We are confident that obstetricians and gynecologists around the country will find this a valuable alternative for women to support the ovulation (more…)
Understanding Cervical Cancer
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Cervical cancer begins in the cervix, the lower portion of the uterus that connects to the vagina, or birth canal. The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 12,170 new cases will be diagnosed, and 4,220 women will die from cervical cancer in 2012. These numbers demonstrate a declining death rate, due largely to screening.
Causes
Cells replicate themselves so new, healthy cells can replace old ones. However, if cancerous cells develop, they will multiply at an unbridled rate.
Almost all instances of cervical cancer are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), which is a sexually transmitted infection. However, the Mayo Clinic noted (more…)
Women’s Fertility 101
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Planning for a family is one of the most exciting times of a woman’s life. But according to Diana Thomas, the CEO and Founder of The World Egg Bank most young women don’t understand the basics of their own reproductive system. “Educating women to know what their bodies can and can’t do during the reproduction years can mean the difference of whether a woman will be able to have children later in life,” said Thomas.
A woman is born with all the eggs (oocytes) she will ever have. At birth, she has anywhere from one to two m (more…)