Gynecologist Examination

How to Create More Intimacy with Your Valentine

February is perfect for cuddling, with the cold weather and longer nights. No wonder it’s known as the month for romance. But, as a member of the Sandwich Generation, does caring for your growing children and aging parents make you too tired to bring Cupid back into your intimate relationship?

Lucy was on the fast track at work and active in her family life, having three teenagers and parents who were declining. Her interest in romance was waning and she was devastated by changes in her body and her psyche. “I have totally lost my libido and I feel as dry as the Sahara desert. In the past, I had been happily led around by my active sex drive – it has been my life force for so long. Now, I have lost my ballast and my identity. I want to have those feelings again.”

Difficulties with intimacy may be affecting your partnership and, more likely, difficulties in your marriage may be interfering with your sexual relationship. If there are situations in your life that preoccupy your thoughts and are stressful for you, these can also affect your desires for intimacy. Begin to deal with them directly so that they do not spill over into your sex life.

1. Examine your relationship with your significant other. Are you satisfied with the intimacy? How is your communication? How do you both manage anger? Discuss the issues that are causing problems rather than withdrawing from each other. Don’t use intimacy as a bargaining tool when there is unresolved resentment in your marriage.

2. Schedule a date night alone with your partner. Remember how your heart used to skip a beat when you happily thought about your next evening together? Recreate some of that excitement and mystery now. Take turns planning an activity that will remind you both of why you fell in love.

3. Focus on creating new kinds of intimacy. If your children now live away from home, you have more time and energy to devote to each other and to bring you closer together. Develop or rekindle affection, closeness and romance. Many women find that this can be enormously satisfying in a different way. Fay, an elementary school teacher, has grown to value the companionship in her relationship. “We enjoy rubbing each other’s back, reading together in front of the fire, sharing funny stories about our grandchildren. Who would have thought that would feel intimate.”

4. Work with your health professional to rule out physical conditions or the side effects of prescriptions that could be contributing to a decrease in your libido. Talk to your internist or gynecologist about remedies – lubricants as well as prescription medications or creams.

5. Explore techniques of expression that may be new to your relationship. Try different positions for your lovemaking. Studies have shown that an active sex life slows the aging process so your effort will be doubly rewarded. With their son away at college, Joy felt emotionally closer to her husband than ever before. “With the house to ourselves we feel less stressed, more carefree, less inhibited and make love more often.”

6. Enjoy your sensuality. Have fun with it. Learn about exercises in “sensate focus” as you discover new ways to explore your body. Energy level, body image, physical limitations and the quality of the relationship all play a part in feelings of sensuality and intimacy.

Be patient and take small steps toward feeling emotionally satisfied. Allow yourself the pleasure of slowly learning more and more about your partner, even now. For Lisa and her partner, buying a motorcycle and riding together on weekends was one way of rekindling the excitement in their marriage. “What a thrill! I love it all – the speed of the ride, the wind in my hair, the physical closeness, even being the chick on the back of the bike.”

(c) Her Mentor Center, 2007

7 Things You Should Know When You Are Considering Breast Augmentation

Many of the patients that I see in consultation have small breasts that they want enlarged. They also may have a problem with sagging of what little breast tissue they have. This is more common in women who have had children and in women who had had significant fluctuations in weight.

Evaluation of these patients includes looking at the texture of their skin, to see if there are stretch marks, noting significant underlying damage to the skin’s ability to tighten . In addition, it’s important to look at the shape of the breast, the areolar size, the asymmetry of the breasts, and the age of the patient.

1. The truth about implants. Contrary to what you may think, the majority of plastic surgeons would choose silicone over saline for patients. This prevailing opinion is agreed upon by 9 out of 10 plastic surgeons.

Currently, the implant manufacturers are using gel that is even thicker. They call it “cohesive gel” because it is designed not to leak out in case of a disruption in the outer shell.

As the size of the implant increases, it becomes more difficult to disguise it. Women are selecting larger implants than ever before and they need to know that their body can only camouflage a certain size implant before it becomes obviously “un-real”. My consultation with every patient includes a discussion that specifically compares their body and breast type with the implant size that they choose.

2. “What happens to my breasts with age?” Breast tissues age just like other tissues of the body. The skin stretches out, the fibers that hold the internal tissues together weaken, the milk-producing gland tissue enlarges and shrinks with each menstrual cycle and pregnancy, and the fatty tissue varies with weight changes.

Insertion of a small or moderate breast implant behind these tissues will be accommodated well and will improve the shape of the breast in most cases; however, larger implants are also heavier, and they will produce a greater degree of stretch to the tissue, thereby causing it to weaken over time.

Brassiere sizing is not constant. Although the brassiere manufacturers set up a standard sizing system, they do not adhere to it. A 34C bra bought from Victoria’s Secret is much smaller than a 34C bought from Target. We are, however, accustomed to describing breast size in terms of bra size.

It is better to discuss your desires with a surgeon based on the look that you want rather than the bra size. Bring in photographs of topless models, ask to place sample implants inside a bra that gives you the look that you are hoping for, or visit websites that show examples of patients that have undergone breast augmentation.

3. “Is the surgeon peer reviewed?” Peer reviewed means that the surgeon has privileges to do breast augmentation at a hospital or surgical center where other surgeons also operate at. To obtain those privileges, the surgeon must submit an application that is reviewed by other qualified surgeons. These other surgeons have been selected to give privileges only to new surgeons that perform skilled surgery.

A board certified plastic surgeon can only be certified in America by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Other boards exist that certify dermatologists, facial plastic surgeons, cosmetic surgeons, gynecologists etc. They are not truly plastic surgeons although they may perform plastic surgical procedures and may call themselves plastic surgeons.

“Should a non-plastic surgeon do my surgery?” If you decide to work with a non plastic surgeon, you should check up on the surgeon’s qualifications.

How many years has the surgeon been in practice? It is always reassuring to know that the surgeon has been practicing for some time, and that he performs a considerable amount of surgery. How many cases does the surgeon do per year? If the surgeon is using his own operating room, you must ask if it is certified by one of the accepted certifying agencies. These organizations maintain standards that ensure safety, quality and experience.

4. “Who puts me to sleep?” There are several methods used for administering anesthesia. If an anesthetist is supervised by an anesthesiologist (M.D.) on the premises, you have nothing to worry about. If the anesthetist is supervised by the surgeon or by an anesthesiologist that is not physically present, you should think twice about surgery performed in that location.

You want your surgeon to focus on your surgery and not to be distracted by the responsibility of the anesthesia. Some rural hospitals allow anesthetists to provide anesthesia without supervision. Personally, I would not allow an unsupervised anesthetist to give me anesthesia, unless it was a dire emergency.

Anesthesia is a drug induced mental state that allows surgeons to work without you experiencing pain. These drugs can and often have other effects. Some drugs may cause postoperative nausea and vomiting. Usually this will resolve in a day or two, although occasionally patients say that they remain mildly affected for up to two weeks after surgery.

Newer drugs and techniques are developed every year, usually because they do the job better and with fewer side effects. It is the sole job of the anesthesiologist to keep up with these drugs and techniques, so that your anesthesia goes as smoothly as possible.

5. “Why do prices vary?” The cost of the surgery is a combination of three charges. The first of the charges is the surgeon’s fee. The surgeon’s fee will include the operation and all of the office appointments. Do not underestimate the office appointments.

Most surgeons will allow you to return annually at no charge to check up on your implants and to examine your breast tissue. Take advantage of this benefit. If you go out of town for your surgery, you are giving up that benefit. The surgeon’s fee will also include the price of the implants. Some surgeons include medications while others ask you to fill a prescription. This can amount to $100-200.

The second charge is the operating room fee. Surgeons that use a surgical center or a hospital will tell you that fee, and you will usually pay it directly to the facility. Surgeons that use their office for the surgery will not usually describe this fee specifically; it will be part of the “inclusive fee”.

Food for thought: Surgeons that run their own operating room have been tempted to cut corners to save expenses. Again, be sure that the operating room has been certified.

The third charge is the anesthesia fee. Usually the same billing methods apply as for the operating room.

Why is the cheapest quote definitely not the best? There are some things that add cost to the surgery, which are well worth the extra expense. Yes, you can have a breast augmentation surgery without these things, but you will be sacrificing something. The sacrifice may be a safety feature or it may be a less optimal appearance of your breasts.

Allow me to give some examples. There are many types of implants. Silicone implants cost more than saline implants. Some implants have a separate saline and silicone compartment. Implants are shaped differently. These are for special situations. They are more expensive to produce and therefore they sell for a higher price.

Your surgeon should tell you about these special implants if he feels that they will be a better choice for your particular situation. Your surgeon should also tell you if your breasts will require additional work, such as a breast lift, to obtain the optimal result. This additional work will add more time to the surgical procedure and therefore the cost of the surgery will increase.

An anesthetist is not as costly as an anesthesiologist. Some surgeons cut costs in their own operating room by using anesthetists. Always consider the “what ifs”, because surgery is not without risk. Be comfortable that your surgeon is well trained and strives to have as few complications as possible. Complications do occur and will often lead to additional expenses.

If you go out of town for your surgery, you will have to travel again to treat a complication should it develop. Or you will have to go to another surgeon closer to home to treat the complication. It is the best policy to choose your surgeon wisely. Try to avoid shopping for the lowest price surgeon.

6. “Do I want to buy the extended warranty?” Did you know that all of the implant manufacturers have a warranty for their implants and that they sell an extended warranty for an additional fee? As I have said above, no medical devices including breast implants last forever. Breast implant manufacturers offer a very generous warranty.

They realize that their product is chosen as a lifestyle luxury. You will not see this type of warranty from any other type of medical device manufacturer. The breast implant manufacturers will replace the implants, if anything goes wrong with them, for your entire lifetime.

In addition, for several years after implantation they will also reimburse some of your expenses for the other costs of the second surgery. The extended warranty that can be purchased increases the amount of reimbursement and lengthens the period of time that the reimbursement is available to you. So how do you decide if it is worthwhile to buy the extended warranty?

Most consumer advocates will agree that extended warranties are generally not worth the expense, and merely serve to make greater profit for the seller. However, there are always certain situations that can make it worthwhile. I will tell you my personal opinion regarding the extended warranty for breast implants.

Most plastic surgeons want to have happy patients that will return to them in the future. If one of our patients has an implant problem, such as a leaky implant, also called a deflation, we will usually perform the second surgery, even if it is many years later, for a minimal fee. However, if another surgeon performed the first operation, the surgical fee for the second surgery can be higher than the original surgery.

Therefore, if you think that you may not be able to return to your original surgeon in the future, e.g. you have plans to move elsewhere, it may be prudent to purchase the extended warranty. Conversely, if you traveled a distance to an outside surgeon, you may want to consider purchasing the extended warranty.

Remember the warranty only applies if there is a problem with the implant. If in the future, you wish to change implants for a larger size, you will have to pay for the new implants.

7. “Do I like the surgeon?” Answer this question immediately after your consultation. You may have gone to the consultation because of a recommendation by a friend. Do not let that influence you. You should feel comfortable with the surgeon. You need to be able to openly discuss exactly what you want. You need to feel that you can ask as many questions as you desire. You should not feel as if you are on an assembly line or that the surgeon is too busy to give you adequate time and consideration.

Many surgeons are busy and often run late with their patient appointments. However, if the surgeon gives you all of the time that you want when you are in the initial consultation, you should be reassured that you will not be shortchanged at your following appointments.

If the surgeon treats all of the patients equally well, there will be other patients that need more time or have more questions for him than his schedule has allowed for. If he is running late because of spending extra time with another patient, you can be assured that he will give you extra time when you need it.

Do I like the surgeon’s staff? Many of your interactions will be with the other members of the staff. Be sure that they are friendly, knowledgeable and sincerely want to help you. The type of staff in a medical office also speaks volumes about the personality of the surgeon.

If you have made it this far, you must truly be interested in having a breast augmentation. Doing your homework will bring you to the day of surgery with a comforting feeling that the surgery will give you a new figure that will last you a lifetime.

Happiness Heroes: Jamie L. Saloff, Author, on the Air Equation

“Fear is a beast that feeds on the unknown. Define the unknown and fear will retreat.”

- Jamie L. Saloff

I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Jamie L. Saloff for about a year now. She’s a real dynamo and dedicated to helping others. If you meet her anytime soon, you’ll never guess the horrors she has survived. As Happiness Horror Stories go on the AIR Equation, they start horribly but always have a happy ending.

She is the author of the book “Transformational Healing: Five Surprisingly Simple Keys Designed to Redirect Your Life Toward Wellness, Purpose, and Happiness.” An internet guru even before the internet was popular, she is the site builder and owner of Polka Dot Banner–a website that promotes authors and their books and bring them together with those who love reading and writing (there she goes helping people again).

In all that she does, she looks for ways of motivating people to be the best they can be, always offering encouragement towards their dreams and higher pursuits. She feels that total wellness and inner happiness can come from fulfilling one’s higher calling and purpose. Jamie offers workshops and teleseminars on the principals of her book.

Welcome to the AIR Equation: The 3-Part Formula For Happiness.

AIR: TELL US A HORROR STORY YOU LIVED THROUGH THAT HAD A HAPPY ENDING.

SALOFF: It started when my doctor said, “It’s a malignancy.”

“Cancer?” I asked.

“A malignancy,” he corrected. He avoided looking me in the eyes. My 2 year old son explored the small examination room at will. No one stopped him. We were transfixed on every word the doctor said and tried to read in between the lines to find out what he was not saying. I refer to his words now as the “Don’t pass go, do not collect $200, halt all your plans, and go directly to the hospital” message.

Thus began what I call the “Merry-go-round of Cancer.” Note the capital “C” on cancer. A friend of mine once corrected me. “Cancer doesn’t have a capital ‘C’,” he said. “Have you ever had cancer,” I asked? “No,” he replied. “If you’d ever had cancer, you’d capitalize the ‘c’ too,” I said.

When you first learn you have cancer, life becomes a fast-turning merry-go-round. From this merry-go-round there is no escape. You are instantly required to show up for tests, many which you never even knew existed; respond to the beck-and-call of your doctors, of which you now learn you have many; accept the fact that you are now surrounded by well-wishing relatives, most of whom seem to not know what to say and often say the wrong thing. You suddenly find you have no friends except for the really faithful ones, because the others put a lot of distance between you and themselves-after all, it might be catching, or at the very least, uncomfortable for them to be around you. It makes them think too much about the impermanence of life. This is also where you are able to see the dividing line between “friend” and “forever faithful friend.” The distinction of who is who will surprise you. You find during this period of “Cancer” that you have little or no say in most of the decisions affecting your life. Someone else is always making them for you. You are in such turmoil inside that you aren’t really thinking all that clear, so it doesn’t seem to matter what they make you do.

My husband decided he did not want to put my name on the title of our new car. “It will make things easier,” he said, “…just in case.” My mother called up all her friends (and some of mine) and told them I was going to die. Each time I left the hospital, I found I felt worse than when I went in. My doctor continued to look at the floor or out the window each time he came in. He simply could not look me in the eye. I nicknamed my oncologist (one of the specialists on the case) “Mr. Car Salesman,” because he could talk circles around every question I asked (and there were many), while never giving a straight answer. He would tell me I was going to live, but I knew I was going to die.

AIR: SOUNDS LIKE YOU WERE REALLY AFRAID. WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?

SALOFF: One night in the hospital, I watched a documentary about a woman with “Cancer.” (It was definitely a capital “C” for her.) She had endured tremendous hardships through treatment. The documentary ended with one of those black screens saying she had died after the filming. I didn’t feel I had much to look forward to, and I greatly feared the chemotherapy I had been told I would soon have. As I lay there in my hospital bed, I pondered all of this and silently prayed that God would “make a way where there was no way,” one of my favorite prayerful sayings. At that moment, it was as if an elevator door opened up at the foot of my bed and a vision began.

In my vision, I saw Jesus standing in the elevator. He asked me if I wanted to live or die. I had never thought of life as being a choice before, or that I might have any say in the matter. Jesus brought to memory a faith healer I had known who had nearly died but who had also seen a vision. She had been told it was not yet her time to die and that God had work for her to do. Jesus told me he had work for me also, but he wouldn’t say what. (It was kind of like the game show, “Let’s Make a Deal,” and I wasn’t privy to what was behind each door.)

I thought about the chemotherapy and asked what I would have to endure. Jesus would not tell me what I would face since he knew that each choice we make, each step forward we take, can change the outcome of where we will be and what we will be doing tomorrow. He did, however, remind me of a vision I’d had some years earlier of a special baby that would come into my life. Although my doctors had already told me I was sterile and that further treatment would lower my ability to give birth even more, still I latched on to that single possibility and used it as my hope and sign that life could go on after “Cancer.” So I told Jesus, “I choose to live!”

Many things befell me after that. However, the most important change came when I decided that I was in charge of the decisions concerning my life. I insisted my family take me to a larger hospital where my course of treatment changed from extensive and evasive chemotherapy to only radiation therapy. Although I still clung to the hope of having another child, they too assured me that this was no longer a possibility.

Approximately 30 days after my last radiation treatment, I was found to be pregnant. At the time, only 500 cases were on record for my diagnoses and treatment. My doctors, asked me, “How did this happen?” I explained, “Well, when a man and woman come together…” But that was not the answer they wanted. My gynecologist was not really sure what to do with a heavily radiated, pregnant, cancer survivor, so he just did what he would do normally and let the pregnancy proceed normally. That was in 1985.

AIR: HOW DID THIS HORROR TURN INTO HAPPINESS?

SALOFF: Today, I have two fine sons, Matthew and Mark. Mark, though born more than 7 weeks early and weighing a mere 3 pounds, 15 ounces, today stands nearly six feet, five inches tall and weighs around 225 pounds. Both are among the greatest gifts God has ever given to me, that and the gift of life.

From this experience I learned that illness is a catalyst for change and for finding purpose. I learned that even though illness can be the worst period of your life, it can lead to the best of your life and transform you into a better you. I learned that I have choices and that I can create my destiny. These are among the things I teach others.

AIR: ANOTHER HAPPY ENDING, COURTESY OF THE AIR EQUATION. INSPIRATION IS STRONG MEDICINE FOR UNHAPPINESS.

SALOFF: If you are facing an illness, decide that you can choose to live. Decide that you have the right to make choices in your treatment, in your doctors, in how you will live each day. Know that like wellness, illness has a purpose in your life too. Accept illness as a gift and catalyst for change. Find the good in these changes and embrace them. Seek out others who have overcome what you face and learn from their trials. Hang on to the inner most desires of your heart at all costs, and reach out for them.

AIR: JAMIE, WHERE CAN THE AUDIENCE GET MORE DETAILS ON YOUR INCREDIBLE PATH TO HAPPINESS?

SALOFF: For more information on finding wellness through illness, read my book “Transformational Healing: Five Surprisingly Simple Keys Designed to Redirect My Life Toward Wellness, Purpose, and Prosperity.” You can learn more about me and my offerings on my website http://www.PolkaDotBanner.com.

AIR: WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE PLANS? ANY UPCOMING EVENTS OR APPEARANCES THE AUDIENCE SHOULD KNOW ABOUT?

SALOFF: I will be offering a teleseminar on the evening of November 5th, 2007. To learn more, visit my website http://www.ICanTransform.com.

AIR: ANY LAST WORDS OF WISDOM YOU’D LIKE TO GIVE US, YOUR OWN PERSONAL QUOTE ON HAPPINESS?

SALOFF: “Do not hesitate to do that which you have been called to do for fear of being unworthy, for it is in doing the thing that you will be made so.”

AIR: THAT’S AN AIR EQUATION EXCLUSIVE, A QUOTE YOU HEARD HERE FIRST, DIRECT FROM THE AUTHOR (UNLESS YOU’VE ALREADY READ HER BOOK).

If you want to contact Jamie L. Saloff, even if you simply want to thank her for her work in spreading happiness, she can be reached at her website.

Do you have a Happiness Hero or Horror Story to share? Would you or someone you know like an interview On The AIR? Contact us at http://www.AIRequation.org.

Top Causes Of Yeast Infection And Three Easy Cures

Yeast, known as Candida albicans, can overgrow, causing aninfection, and it occurs when the acidic environment of the vagina or surrounding skin becomes less acidic, which allows a yeast infection to begin growing. This is the cause of yeast development.

Assuming that you have a yeast growth and treating it with over the counter medications may not be a good idea; it is best to allow a professional to diagnose the infection and determine the cause so he or she can offer treatment options.

If you have any of the following symptoms, you should see a gynecologist:

- itching,

- burning, and/or swelling of the vaginal area;

- thick and/or discolored discharge;

- pain during sexual intercourse.

But what is the actual cause of yeast development?

Most women develop at least one yeast infection at some point in life. In fact, any thing that causes the vaginal area to remain too moist is actually a cause for this medical condition. Also, some medications, especially antibiotics, can alter the acid levels of the vaginal area and aid in the growth of too much yeast, which is another cause of yeast growth.

Other factors that can change the level of acid and are considered a cause of yeast infection are pregnancy, birth control pills, steroids, diabetes, and even menstruation. Also, another cause of yeast growth is from wearing too-tight clothing.

If you work out often, you should change out of damp clothes as soon as possible. This means gym clothes, swimsuits, et cetera, as wet or damp environments are a well known cause of yeast growth and development. Wearing breathable cotton undergarments and natural fabric clothing allows the passage of air to help keep the yeast from overgrowing. Also, avoid pantyhose or tights as much as possible as these restrictive garments are a cause of yeast growth.

In addition, avoid introducing bacteria to the vagina, which can cause the acid levels to decrease and is a cause of yeast condition. Use proper hygienic rules, such as wiping from front to back when using the toilet, and drying properly after bathing. Keeping these tips in mind will help to eliminate the growth and development of yeast on the body.

If an infection does develop, you will probably be treated with a cream or suppository that is applied or inserted into the vagina. There are new pill form medications that are available by prescription.

In addition, in order to treat the symptoms of the yeast infection, anti-itch creams may be recommended for use. Again, it is very important that a doctor examine the possible cause of yeast growth to rule out other causes of the symptoms, since other conditions have similar symptoms.

Remember, too, that it is possibly to pass a yeast infection to a sexual partner. This is another possible cause of yeast development; if you passed it to a partner, he can pass it back to you. You may also be the cause of yeast growth in your partner, as men can and do develop infections as well.

What Every Woman Shoul Know About Vaginal Yeast Infection

The skin and vaginal areas contain small amounts of yeast that actually help to protect the areas. However, if the amounts become overgrown, a vaginal yeast infection can develop. A vaginal yeast infection is technically known as Candida albicans, and it occurs when the acidic environment of the vagina or surrounding skin becomes less acidic, which allows a Candida albicans to begin growing.

Vagina yeast disease should be diagnosed by a doctor; assuming that you have Candida albicans and treating it with over the counter medications may not be a good idea; it is best to allow a professional to diagnose the affected area and offer treatment options. If you have any of the following symptoms, you should probably make an appointment with a gynecologist:

a) itching, burning, and/or swelling of the vaginal area;

b) thick and/or discolored discharge;

c) pain during sexual intercourse.

Most women develop at least one vaginal yeast infection at some point in life. In fact, anything that causes the vaginal area to remain too moist is actually promoting the development of yeast development around the vagina. Also, some medications, especially antibiotics, can alter the acid levels of the vaginal area and aid in the growth of too much yeast, resulting in yeast infection of vagina.

Other things that can change the level of acid in this area are pregnancy, birth control pills, steroids, diabetes, and even menstruation. Also, vaginal yeast conditions can develop from wearing too-tight clothing. Ill-fitting undergarments or pants do not allow the vaginal area to breathe, which is necessary to prevent a vaginal yeast condition from developing.

Other preventative measures to ward off possible yeast growth surrounding women’s private parts include changing out of damp clothes as soon as possible. This means gym clothes, swimsuits, et cetera. Wearing breathable cotton undergarments and natural fabric clothing allows the passage of air to help keep the yeast from overgrowing. Also, avoid pantyhose or tights as much as possible-it is best to not wear them as part of the everyday wardrobe. In addition, avoid introducing bacteria to the vagina, which can cause the acid levels to decrease and therefore allow a yeast growth to develop. This means practicing proper hygienic rules, such as wiping from front to back when using the toilet, and drying properly with clean towels after bathing.

If, despite efforts to avoid it, yeast does develop at the vagina, you will probably be treated with a cream or suppository that is applied or inserted into the vagina. There are new pill form medications that are available by prescription. And to also treat the symptoms of the vaginal infecion, anti-itch creams may be recommended for use while the vaginal yeast infection is being treated as well. Again, it is very important that a doctor examine the possible vaginal affected area to rule out other causes of the symptoms, since other conditions have similar symptoms to those of vaginal yeast medical condition.

10 Tips To Help Women Stay Fit & Healthy in 2008

Here are 10 tips for women to stay fit and healthy:

1. Staying fit and healthy starts with a balanced diet. Know and monitor the right weight for your age. Consult your doctor to learn what food you should avoid and follow your eating discipline routines. If you are trying to lose some weight, foods with high calories should be omitted from your meals. Food with high fiber and low fat should be included a priority in your grocery list instead of red meat, sugars and fats.

2. Drink plenty of water. Drinking at least eight glasses of water everyday. This cleanses the body from impurities. It is also advised for lactating women to increase water intake to keep the body hydrated. Water also helps to keep sinuses clear and is a natural antioxidant. It can also increase muscle tone and strength.

3. Take Vitamins and Supplements. Do not forget your Calcium supplement. Sufficient Calcium intake is beneficial for women of all ages. This has been proven to prevent having cramps and Pre-Menstrual Period (PMS) Symptoms. It also prevents Osteoporosis especially for menopausal women. Vitamin E boosts strong immune system. Women who undergo menopausal period should take Vitamin E-400 as it stops night sweats and hot flashes. Also, Vitamin E is said to be best in avoiding wrinkles when aging.

4. Quit smoking. If you are smoking, stop. It is also a big “NO” for pregnant women, as this will affect the health of the baby. Pregnant women who smoke may pass the harmful content of cigarettes to babies through the bloodstream. Recent studies have shown that women smokers are more prone to diseases than men smokers. Women who smoke have a high risk of getting breast cancer. Also limit your alcohol intake.

5. Incorporate exercises in your daily routine. Take a walk after work, use stairs instead of elevator or play with your kids when you are at home. Home exercises are also effective especially when you do not have time to go to the gym and would like to lose some weight. Tae-Bo and jumping rope are only a few of the many effective exercises you can do at home. Exercises help in limiting the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

6. Avoid stress. Many women are prone to too much stress. Stress has been known as cause to many sicknesses. As much as possible take time to relax. Read a good book, hang out with friends and engage into sports. Pamper yourself by going to parlors or you can do some shopping. And do not forget to get enough sleep to revive your energy. Set a bed time each night and stick to it in 2008!

7. Use sunscreen to protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun. Wear hats when under the sun to protect your skin. Too much sun is bad for your skin. The skin is prone to cancer when exposed to too much sunlight. It also speeds up the aging of skin cells, which causes wrinkles to women. When swimming, consider buying a surfers swimwear from a sporting goods store, especially if you are in the water daily for many hours.

8. Make sure to visit your dentist to keep that beautiful smile. Always have it cleaned to prevent cavities and bad breath. Use a mouthwash daily. Mouthwash may also help prevent cold sores if used regularly.

9. Visit your Gynecologist. Women who are eighteen and above should have their Physical Examination annually especially for the Pap Smear test. Co-enzyme Q-10 is essential to help prevent breast cancer and it can be found in many better vitamins.

10. Find a truly wonderful liquid Multivitamin. Liquid multi-vitamins have a 90% better absorption rate. Always begin your day with your vitamins. Here’s to your best health women in 2008!

Relationship Between Vaginal Diseases and Hiv/ Aids

Every time a woman is under tension mounting due to pain, embarrassments, itching, name them all, she first blames the yeast fungi Candida or the overgrowth of bacterium to have hitched her vaginal diseases. No single woman ever tries to reflect on her youth times and the rebelliousness that left her mum in bad temper. Many girls start sexual activity at a very tender age and this exposes them to sexually transmitted diseases as well as AIDS. Because their reproductive system is not yet mature, the girls become vulnerable to vaginal diseases then and even in their late womanhood.

As such it is very imperative for women and doctors to stop linking the vaginal diseases to yeast infections and over multiplication of vaginal bacteria, instead they must always consider the possibility of the vaginal diseases being a result of other infections. This is especially so if the woman is the kind whose sexual passion is nowhere near the rekindling type. Such a woman could grab some of the serious sexually transmitted diseases such as Chlamydia and gonorrhea unawares and this instead progress into a more persistent disgusting vaginal discharge, burning, irritation, itching and/or pain when passing urine.

Gonorrhea and the rest of sexually transmitted diseases if not treated fast,make mucosa covering of reproductive system unhealthy. This in turn facilitates the easy entry of any type of virus being benefited by this created environment. Remember it’s difficult to diagnose sexually transmitted diseases in women. The possibility of you living with it several months without noticing anything is high. The most important thing to do is frequent your gynecologist instead of treating wrong vaginal diseases such as yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis among others.

The first thing one must examine is the severity and frequency of vaginal diseases and if this rate is high, then your doctor must think of a possibility of there being a more grave disease that could be lowering your body immunity hence persistence of vaginal diseases.By being diagnosed with a different infection in the body such as HIV infection then you should commence anti-retro viral therapy right away as well discarding poor eating habits that aren’t fit, relative to your body strength. If the vaginal diseases still persist even after progressive therapy, then probably the yeast infections are also at hand and this should be treated too.

At a personal level it is important to evaluate our living habits that could instigate these vaginal diseases. For instance, if you are the type who can’t sleep well in your own bed without seeing the nakedness of a different man from the one you saw yesterday then the vaginal diseases can’t get tired of showing up around your private section particularly if safe sex is a vocabulary to your sex life. A person who is ignorant about the smell of the discharge and entire welfare of the vaginal parts cannot also stay away from vaginal diseases. One must ensure they shower as much as is necessary and wear clean, absorbent and loose underwear to stop the fungi, bacterial to multiply.