Anxiety

This category and various sub-categories cover a wide range of symptoms typified by sleep problems and worries or fears. A child may have an “anxiety problem” which is basically defined as less severe than a “generalized anxiety disorder” or a “panic disorder.” Anxiety can be manifested about nearly anything: fear of animals, natural disasters, medical care, school performance, acceptance by classmates, being away from home or even the future in general. When these fears become so excessive that they interfere with social or school functioning, they may well be classified as the more serious generalized anxiety disorder.

Of course, as with many mental health symptoms, the signs of anxiety disorder are shared among a wide population of healthy people. Some adults and children are afraid of escalators. A huge number of people are afraidTeen-age girl with long blonde hair and hands to face of flying. After 9/11, perhaps many more people are afraid to be in tall buildings. An important element in developing anxiety disorders may be the parental response. If the parent takes every fear expressed by the child as cause for concern, the fear is authenticated as real. Comforting the child about every fear may plant the seeds of another problem – separation anxiety. If even slight fears trigger parental comfort, then the child may not want to be away from the parent. Of course, the fear is real to the child, and thus caring parents will need to seek a balance between caring and overreacting. No one said being a parent is easy!

For the record, an anxiety problem becomes an anxiety disorder if the excessive anxiety occurs more days than not for at least six months and interfere with the child’s participation in school and social life. These symptoms also include:

-- restlessness or feeling keyed up or on edge

--being easily fatigued

--difficulty concentrating or mind going blank

--irritability

--muscle tension

--sleep disturbance (difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep or restless sleep)

Face

What treatment creates volume?
New collagen regeneration can be achieved by stimulating your own fibroblast cells to increase collagen production. Causing your skin to produce new collagen will create volume and plump-up sagging tissue. This is the ultimate in true, natural facial rejuvenation.

What areas can be treated?

1. The deep folds between nose and mouth
2. Creases at the side of the mouth
3. Wrinkles in the cheek and/or chin
4. Lines on the forehead
5. Scarring
6. Skin lacking firmness and elasticity
7. A sunken appearance to the face

How does it work?
The product is injected into the skin and there will be an immediate response, as the product fills the depressed area. This initial response is followed by a progressive increase in volume, and with successive treatments the areas will be ‘plumped up’ as the underlying supportive matrix of collagen tissue which was deteriorated with age or has been damaged or scarred is regenerated.

This occurs by stimulating the cells called fibroblasts, in the deeper layers under our skin, that are responsible for manufacturing this supportive matting of our deep tissues that we call "collagen".

Is there any downtime?
No.
The injection requires no surgery, is fairly painless and can be performed as an outpatient procedure in the clinic.
Dependent upon the client, one may see some bruising or swelling around the injection site, but makeup will generally cover that well.

When do I see results?
New collagen production appears slowly and gradually over a period of months, looking natural and healthy.
Collagen stimulation is long term, with results lasting longer than two years.
Usually one maintenance treatment, a top-up injection session, is recommended every two years to maintain the result and compensate for the results of progressive ageing.

How many treatments do I need?
Between 3 and 4 treatment sessions, each about four to six weeks apart, will produce very substantial collagen volume infilling to plump up the skin. We usually use one vial of the collagen regeneration material on each side of the face.

How long does treatment take?
This is a simple series of injections into the deeper layers of the skin, each treatment session taking 30 minutes.

Is it safe?
Very safe: proven in an eight year history of clinical use in Europe, with over one hundred thousand patients already treated.

Why are we not allowed to name this product?
Australian TGA (Therapeutic Goods Administration) regulations have prevented the naming of this well known treatment as it is deemed to be direct advertising of a "doctor only" medically prescribed S4 medication. It is an extremely safe treatment that has been used successfully in facial cosmetic medicine for many years, providing it is administered by a qualified doctor who has been well trained in the correct technique.

Open Marriage Truths

The Truth About Open Marriage
Couples who practice ''polyamory'' say it's good for their relationships. Some therapists disagree.
By Kathleen Doheny
WebMD Feature
Reviewed by Louise Chang, MD

Jenny Block often invites her best friend, Jemma, to join her, her husband, and their 8-year-old daughter for dinner. "We might order Chinese and then play Scrabble after dinner," Block says.

It all sounds very Middle America, until you know the rest of the story. Although Block and her husband, Christopher (not his real name), have been married for nearly 11 years, Jemma (not her real name) is Block's other love. They regularly go out on "dates," although Block's daughter knows only that Jemma is a family friend. And Block and her husband go out regularly, too. Block is intimate with both of them.

For several years, Block has had an open marriage. "We're not freaks," she tells WebMD. She simply couldn't get everything she needed -- sexually, physically, or emotionally -- from just her husband. So Block, who says she is bisexual, broached the topic of open marriage with her husband.

Christopher agreed to the arrangement. He isn't pursuing another relationship himself at this time, although he knows he is free to. "All that's going on here is feeling open to loving other people," says Block, 37, whose book, Open: Love, Sex, and Life in an Open Marriage, is due out in June 2008. Limiting love, she says, doesn't seem normal to her.

The term "open marriage," coined by the late George and Nena O'Neill in their 1972 book of the same name, has been expanded as more couples choose to follow the concept without getting married. Another term to describe one type of open relationship is polyamory -- literally, "multiple loves."

Those who practice open relationships or polyamory often say they are "hardwired" this way and that laying the ground rules for multiple relationships spares everyone hurt and disappointment. Not everyone agrees, with some therapists calling the polyamorous model a recipe for hurt, disappointment, jealousy, and breakups. On one point all agree: a "poly" relationship isn't going to work unless all partners are in favor of the arrangement.
How Common Is Open Marriage?

The number of adults with open relationships -- be they formal marriages or more informal arrangements -- is small. Probably about 4% to 9% of U.S. adults have some sort of open arrangement, estimates Franklin Veaux, 41, an Atlanta-based computer programmer and web site developer who also runs a polyamory web site.

Others, including Steve Brody, PhD, a psychologist based in Cambria, Calif., put the number much lower. "It's got to be less than 1%," he says. He has counseled thousands of couples in the past 30 years and has encountered very few instances of open relationships among his patients.
The Back Story

When the O'Neills, trained as anthropologists, wrote their book, Open Marriage: A New Life Style for Couples, they weren't just talking about the freedom to explore sexual relationships outside the marriage, although that idea got the most attention.

They also suggested that marriage partners be free to have their own separate friendships and that they trade domestic chores, for instance -- novel ideas back then, at least to some.

Now, the term polyamory or "poly" is viewed as the hipper term, with numerous web sites offering chat rooms, bulletin boards, and personal ads. One even posts a glossary of poly terms, explaining that relationships can be triads (three people), vees (in which one person has two lovers who aren't involved with each other), quads (four), extended networks, and other arrangements.
What's the Appeal of Open Marriage?

Freedom of choice is a big draw, says Cherie, a 34-year-old technology consultant who is traveling around the country and telecommuting with her partner, Chris, also 34 and in the same business. Chris and Cherie asked that only their first names be used in this article.

Before the road trip, Cherie had three boyfriends at once. Right now, she and Chris are monogamous, she says, but they plan to pursue other relationships again.

"Over the years," she tells WebMD, "I have been involved with a very wide variety of relationships and configurations, from triads, vees, quads, and extended networks. At one time, I even co-purchased a house with three other partners."

Her partner, Chris, says that his heart is "wired" for multiple relationships. Those classic love triangle movies, he tells WebMD, were always frustrating to him. "Why should the hero or heroine have to choose between two partners?" he asks. "Why not have both?"

While variety in sex is a big part of multiple romances, polyamorists say it's not the whole story. And polyamory is definitely different from swinging, says Block. "Swinger lifestyles are very sex oriented," she says. For her, having multiple relationships not only helps her fulfill her sex drive, but other needs as well. Her female partner, she says, is also her best friend and gives her a lot of emotional support.

When she goes to a romantic comedy with Jemma, for instance, Block says there's no eye rolling, as there usually is when she goes with Christopher.

Franklin Veaux, an ex-partner of Cherie, says he, too, is hardwired to be a polyamorist. "Why does the princess or the prince who lives in a castle have to choose?" he asks. "There is enough room for everyone." He keeps in touch with Cherie through instant messaging, although they are not romantically linked right now.

"Every partner adds something to my life," he says. "All of these things make me a better person." The big attraction, he says, is emotional intimacy. "Everybody adds value to my life."
Marriage and Relationship Experts Talk

Those who pursue an "open" or polyamorous relationship are obviously not conventional types, says William Doherty, PhD, director of the marriage and family therapy program at the University of Minnesota, St. Paul. "There are always some people who want to push the limits of their experiences -- their joy, their ecstasy in life," he says. They feel convention and tradition inhibit them.

Those who pursue multiple relationships simultaneously, Doherty says, say they are capable of many loves and passion and that "artificial cultural constraints" tell them they should restrict their love and passion to just one person.

Polyamorists, to their credit, are often open about it, Doherty says. "There is a kind of idealism around these folks," he says. "They want to be completely open and honest about it."

Louanne Cole Weston, PhD, MFT, a Fair Oaks, Calif., marriage and family therapist and WebMD's sex and relationships expert, agrees that the concept of open relationships has evolved to become more idealistic. "In the '70s, there was the playing loose around the edges idea," she says. "Poly is trying to come across as thoughtful and considerate."

An obvious benefit, Weston says, is that sexual monotony seldom sets in. Polys are not apt to be bored in other areas of life, either. "You always have Plan B," she says.

Some say they learn something about relationship skills from their other partner or partners, something that can be applied with the primary partner, she says.
The Drawbacks of Open Marriage

Scheduling can be a hassle, polyamorists say. "When I'm actively exploring multiple relationships, balancing my time and energy is usually the most difficult part,'' says Cherie." It can also be particularly draining if more than one of my partners has a crisis in their lives that they ask my assistance with, such as supporting them through a career change, family illness, problems in other relationships, or other challenging times." But if the other person has multiple partners, she says, they also have the benefit of getting multiple sources of help.

Handling the "fear response" in partners can be an issue, says Chris. He sometimes has had to assure partners that his interest in others does not mean his interest in them has changed or waned.

"I've also had my own feelings of envy and jealousy," he says, "particularly when I feel that a partner is giving more time and energy to another than they are to me."

"Where it becomes threatening is when [partners] think love implies exclusivity," says Veaux. "It's the starvation model of love. That is, if you love two, each gets half of the love. That's not true. Every single person is absolutely unique. Because of that, it means my partners can never be replaced."
Things can also get dicey when a partner considered "secondary" wants to become a primary, Veaux says.

Sometimes Veaux invites most of his partners -- and their partners -- to go out socially. Recently, he and such a group went to a science fiction convention together.

Ground rules are essential before starting a poly relationship, Veaux and others say. Some Internet poly sites offer sample contracts for multiple relationships.

"You have to figure out what the rules are," Weston says. "Otherwise so much could be hurtful."

But Steve and Cathy Brody think it's next to impossible to lay ground rules. "It's like laying ground rules for an earthquake," says Steve Brody, who with Cathy Brody wrote Renew Your Marriage at Midlife. They question how people can predict their feelings with so many people involved. "You can set up guidelines in a rational and intellectual way, but you can't anticipate the depth of the emotional reaction you are going to have," Steve Brody says.

Even so, Cathy Brody says one rule is crucial: "If one [partner] wants to stop [the arrangement], they both do."

The increased risk of getting a sexually transmitted disease is another obvious drawback. Veaux says he is careful about monitoring his sexual health. "I get a general physical once a year, and I'm screened for STDs. Whenever my partnership status changes I am screened again." He asks his partners to do the same. He asks for written proof that his partners are infection-free and provides it to them as well.

Polyamorists say the benefits outweigh the drawbacks. "The best part is that I feel like I am being true to myself," says Chris. "I always felt I was living a lie when I was trying to fit into a monogamous mold."

Women Strength

To the best of my knowledge, I have never addressed the topic of women's strength training in the Keeping Fit column. The main reason for this is that there is essentially no difference between men and women with respect to exercise technique, training procedures or strength development. Basically, what is good for the goose is equally good for the gander.

However, you may not be aware of our research studies that led us to this conclusion. In fact, you may have heard that women should not do strength exercise for one of the following reasons.

(1) Strength training makes women too muscular and bulky.

(2) Strength training is a waste of time for women because they are not capable of developing strong muscles.

(3) Strength training is dangerous for women because their bodies are not designed to exercise with resistance.

Of course, none of these reasons is valid and such misinformation is incorrect. Actually, very few women have the genetic potential or enough natural testosterone to develop large muscles. Firm, fit, functional muscles, yes-large muscles, no. On the other hand, women most certainly can achieve high levels of muscle strength. In fact, our studies show that females develop muscle strength at the same rate as males, and on a pound-for-pound basis are equally strong. Finally, it is ridiculous to think that women's bodies are too frail to perform resistance exercise. After all, what physical activity is more demanding than childbirth?

To clarify some of the above statements let me share some of our research findings. In one of our largest studies, with over 900 male and female participants, we tested the leg strength of both genders. In terms of actual weight lifted, the men were 50 percent stronger than the women. However, the men also were, on average, 50 pounds heavier than the women. We therefore decided to compare leg strength relative to the individual's lean body weight. On a muscle-for-muscle basis we found essentially no difference in male and female leg strength. Both genders performed 10 computer-monitored leg extensions with 75 percent of their lean body weight. Other researchers have attained similar results, and no scientist can distinguish between male and female muscle tissue under the microscope, because there is no physiological difference.

Over the past 15 years, we have performed dozens of research studies and taught hundreds of classes with women strength trainers of all ages (children, teens, young adults, middle agers, and seniors). To date, not one participant has complained about becoming big or building too much muscle.

Remember, women who do not strength train lose about 5 pounds of muscle every decade of adult life. That leads to a lower metabolism and a gradual increase in fat weight (about 15 pounds per decade), as well as a less fit, firm and attractive appearance. So, in most cases, the added muscle simply replaces the muscle previously lost through lack of use. And women who start strength training typically lose twice as much fat as they gain muscle. In one of our studies, more than 700 women performed about 25 minutes of strength training (13 Nautilus exercises) and 20 minutes of aerobic activity (treadmill or cycle) 2 or 3 times a week for two months. On average, they added almost 2 pounds of muscle and lost about 4 pounds of fat. They also increased their muscle strength by over 40 percent, which greatly enhanced their physical abilities and performance levels.

Breast Feeding

Breast-feeding is feeding a baby milk from the mother's breasts. You can feed your baby right at your breast. You can also pump your breasts and put the milk in a bottle to feed your baby. But pumping does not help keep up your milk supply as much. Doctors advise breast-feeding for 1 year or longer. But your baby benefits from any amount of breast-feeding you can do.

Breast milk is the perfect food for your baby.1 Breast milk is the only food your baby needs until about 4 to 6 months of age. You do not need to give your baby food, water, or juice. After that, you will gradually breast-feed less often as your baby starts to eat other foods. But keep breast-feeding for as long as you and your child want to. Your baby continues to get health benefits from breast milk past the first year.

Breast-feeding lowers your child's risk for many types of infections and allergies. Breast milk may also help protect your child from some health problems, such as eczema, obesity, asthma, diabetes, and possibly high blood pressure.2, 3, 4, 5, 6

To compare, baby formula does not help protect a baby from infections and other health problems.

You may recover from pregnancy, labor, and delivery sooner when you breast-feed. You may also lower your risk for breast cancer and for diabetes later on in life.7, 8
Is breast-feeding hard to do?

Breast-feeding is a learned skill-you will get better at it with practice. You may have times when breast-feeding is hard. The first 2 weeks are the hardest for many women. But stick with it. You can work through most problems. Doctors, nurses, and lactation specialists can all help. So can friends, family, and breast-feeding support groups.
How do I plan for breast-feeding?

Before your baby is born, plan ahead. Learn all you can about breast-feeding. This helps make breast-feeding easier.

* Talk to your doctor about breast-feeding. Schedule an exam with your doctor early in your pregnancy. Before your first visit, write down any questions or concerns that you have about breast-feeding. This will help you to remember to talk about them with your doctor. Make sure your doctor knows about any breast reductions, implants, biopsies, or other types of breast surgery you have had.
* Learn how to breast-feed. The staff at hospitals and birthing centers can connect you with people called lactation specialists who can help you learn how to breast-feed. While you are pregnant, you can take a breast-feeding class. Also, get a breast-feeding book for quick reference. Ask your doctor for ideas.
* Plan ahead for times when you will need help. Think about who you could talk to or have come over to help you succeed with breast-feeding after your baby is born. Many women get help from friends and family. Before you have your baby, talk to friends and family members about your plans to breast-feed and how their support is important to you. Also think about joining a breast-feeding support group. After your baby is born, you may feel more "connected" if you talk with other breast-feeding mothers. You may also help each other answer questions about breast-feeding issues.
* Buy breast-feeding equipment. You may need breast-feeding supplies after your baby is born. For example, breast pads, nipple cream, extra pillows, and nursing bras are all helpful. You can buy these items ahead of time. It is also a good idea to buy or rent a breast pump to have on hand when you bring your baby home. Pumping your breasts can help relieve pain and pressure when your milk comes in. And it lets you store extra milk for future use.

Best Foods

Top ten fast and fabulous foods for female nutrition

1. O.J. with added calcium. Calcium-fortified orange juice helps ward off PMS, high blood pressure and osteoporosis. Down a glass a day to help you rise and shine!
2. High fiber cereal. When you're food shopping, select a cereal with at least 7 grams of fiber per serving. Fiber is a cancer fighter, and it helps cancel out calories.
3. "Youth" berries. Blueberries are antioxidant stars; they can slow down your aging clock. Toss them on your cereal for a power-packed breakfast. Dining out? Order your dessert first, and make it fresh berries. Most restaurants have them in season. While you’re eating your delicious appetizer of raspberries, strawberries, or blackberries you're also ingesting fiber, antioxidants, and ellagic acid, a compound being studied to fight colon cancer.
4. Apples and nuts. Take fruit and nuts with you to work—great protein and anti-oxidant protection that also gives you sustained energy release.
5. Water. Most of us are dehydrated and don't even know it. Fatigue, poor concentration and headaches are signs of mild dehydration. Keep bottled water in your office and filtered or bottled water at home; aim for eight glasses a day. Fizzy water is fine, too, and sure beats coffee or cola!
6. Whole grains. Choose whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta, whole grain cereals. You'll boost fiber, reduce empty calories, and feel fuller from the nutrients.
7. Dipped carrots. Yes, some fat is good for you (see above for a discussion on good and bad fats). Eat your carrot sticks with a cube of cheese or dip, which will aid in absorption of those cancer-fighting carotenoids.
8. Lean protein. The more active you are, the more protein you will need. Fresh fish, hormone-free chicken (try removing the skin to reduce the fat content), eggs, and lean meats like turkey or pork tenderloin are all good sources. Soy products can also provide protein, although some people are sensitive to soy and cannot digest it properly. The more variety you can incorporate into your diet, the better – so try and find different sources of lean protein every day.
9. Beans. Beans may not be the most glamorous food, but they are nutritional powerhouses. With 5 grams of fiber in a half cup of beans, they can help fight colon cancer and also fill you up so you don’t overdo it on calories. Try tossing some beans into your salad at lunch, or enjoying a cup of veggie chili.
10. Cocoa. Love chocolate? Cocoa, which has much of the fat removed, has more antioxidant power than tea. The flavonoids in cocoa can keep blood platelets from clotting, which may prevent heart attacks. Plus, the milk in hot cocoa loves your bones! If you're lactose or caffeine sensitive, or don't like cocoa, be sure to take your calcium supplement instead. (See below for more on bone health and calcium.)

Top 10 Tips

A health fair is an event where organizations have an opportunity to disseminate health information to the public at booths and/or to provide health screenings. Health fairs are usually co-sponsored by groups, including hospitals, churches, sororities, and community organizations. They may last anywhere from a few hours to a few days. This document will give you planning tips on how to coordinate a health fair in your community.
Ten Planning Steps

1. Form a committee of sponsors and planners to discuss logistics of the walk, including insurance coverage, legal requirements, waiver forms, emergency personnel availability, date, and time.
2. Designate a meeting area, time, and location for the walk. Walks can vary in distance, so determine how far you want the group to walk. Walk the distance and time it takes before confirming the location. Factor in additional time for welcoming remarks, warm-up stretching exercises, and other activities when determining how much time you will need.
3. Order materials you may want to give away at the walk, such as T-shirts, fact sheets on physical activity and other health issues, and/or bottles of water.
4. After getting appropriate clearances, publicize the event at least two weeks before, the day before, and the morning of the walk. Include a rain date or alternative indoor location in all the announcements.
5. Prepare a short welcome, or ask an appropriate speaker to do so.
6. Make copies of waiver forms for distribution.
7. Check the weather forecast a week before and the morning before the event. Send out an announcement with any change in plans if weather conditions look bad.
8. Arrive early for the event.
9. Set up a table near the door with nametags, waiver forms, pens, bottles of water, and any promotional materials like T-shirts or fact sheets for participants.
10. Give a short welcome, lead stretching exercises, and begin!

Sexual Abuse Healing

I was one of those people who just couldn't imagine that sexual abuse was so pre- valent. I was raised in a family which, though it had its problems, was free of alcoholism and sexual abuse. Incest was never mentioned as I grew up, nor was it discussed in my two years of postgraduate training in psychiatric social work at the UW from l974-76. Part of my job as an emergency room social worker at Harborview was to receive and comfort sexual assault victims, document the sordid details of the rape, and assist in a pelvic exam to gather legal evidence. The subject of incest came up infrequently in the case of neglected or abused children in conjunction with Children's Protective Services. Otherwise, even in the progressive and open social work atmosphere at Harborview, it was still a relatively undiscovered subject. I began to get an inkling of the impact of sexual abuse during a Steven Levine seminar on relationships four years ago when about 25% of the women attending admitted to having experienced it personally. I was still in disbelief.

It has been only in the past three years in working intensively with women that my eyes have been opened to the stark reality of sexual abuse. I have heard woman after woman pour out her heart to me about the pain and suffering they have experienced around being sexually threatened, molested, or violated. Since it essential for me as a homeopathic doctor and counselor to throughly understand each of my patients, I have elicited many shocking stories from my patients. My continual response is one of sadness and amazement that such gentle, loving women have had, for whatever reason, to experience such pain, violence, disillusionment, and emotional suffering sometimes lasting a lifetime.

I remember starting to cry when a particularly sensitive and gentle woman told me how her father would crawl into bed with her several times a week, fondle her breasts, and force her to have intercourse with him. He was drunk and threatened to hurt her even more if she ever told anyone about it. She was only four at the beginning, had absolutely no idea what he was doing, whether it was wrong, or how she was supposed to respond. So, she withdrew, turned herself on "automatic" and left her body every time she was incested. It provided an escape for six years but turning herself off sexually no longer worked now that she was married and very much in love with her husband.

Another woman I saw recently was also forced to stroke her father's penis repeatedly from the time she was ll to l7. She describes herself as rather naive and emotionally immature. When she was l9 she went to work for a medical doctor who, before he started seeing his patients, would tell her to get up on the table every morning for "an exam". As unlikely as it seems, she did so for a year. Because of her long history of incest, she still had no concept of healthy sex. She now has a tremendous aversion to making love with her partner.

I was recently invited to Winthrop, Washington and spoke to about 30 women on PMS and menopause. One of the women who approached me after the talk to make an appointment looked at me teary-eyed, said she couldn't really tell me at that time what was going on, but thought at counseling appointment was what she needed. When I saw her individually, she immediately started crying and recounted to me her story of sexual abuse by her brother. She had a very happy l0-year marriage and two children but never had the courage to tell her husband about the incest because he and her brother were very close and she feared their friendship would be destroyed once he knew what her brother had done. I was the first person she had ever really told about it and she was greatly relieved when I suggested that she did share it all with her husband. She had wanted to tell him desperately and just needed some encouragement to do so.

Calcium, vitamin D, and nutrition for women

Calcium is important for women of all ages. It has been shown to help alleviate PMS symptoms, support a healthy pregnancy, and prevent osteoporosis and bone loss after menopause.

Calcium is absorbed slowly; your body cannot take in more than 500 mg at once. Also, calcium from naturally occurring sources is absorbed better than calcium supplements.

Women under the age of 40 need 1,000 mg of calcium daily. After age 40, you need between 1200-1500 mg a day. To boost your calcium intake:

* Start your day with a calcium-fortified whole grain cereal and low-fat milk.
* Choose high calcium snacks such as yogurt, calcium-fortified orange juice, canned sardines with bones, and almonds.
* Pick hard cheese over soft. An ounce of cheddar packs 200 mg, versus a meager 60 mg in a half-cup of cottage cheese.
* Understand food labels. If a label says a serving supplies 25% of daily calcium, simply add a 0 to the percentage to decipher how many mg are in that serving. In this case there are 250mg which is 50% of 500mg, the maximum amount the body can absorb at one time.

Many health conditions can affect calcium levels. Be sure to talk with your doctor about your calcium requirements and whether you need a bone density evaluation.

Calcium can’t work alone – for your body to utilize and absorb the calcium you need Vitamin D and magnesium as well. You can get Vitamin D from direct exposure to sunlight, and also from foods like fortified milk, egg yolks, saltwater fish, liver and supplements. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, adults under age 50 need 400-800 IU of vitamin D3 daily (the best form of vitamin D for bone health), and adults over 50 need 800-1,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily. Magnesium is usually found in green vegetables, nuts and legumes, and you should aim for about 320/mg per day.

Diet For Women

Eating well is one of the best ways you can take care of yourself—and those who depend on you. Women have special dietary needs during each stage of their lives, including adolescence, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause. Regardless of the stage of life you’re in, committing to a healthy diet decreases your chances of developing obesity, heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

Eating healthy increases your energy level which makes it easier to juggle the variety of commitments you deal with every day. Read on to learn how to maintain a healthy diet, it’s easier than you think!
Good nutrition starts with the basics. A well-rounded diet, consisting of lean protein, complex carbohydrates from whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, with an emphasis on using the right kinds of fats, is a great way to stay healthy and prevent disease.
Dietary fats are necessary for good health. Vitamins A, D, E, and K are fat-soluble therefore, without fat in your system you wouldn't be able to absorb these important vitamins. Also, food would taste exceedingly bland, and your skin and hair would become dry and brittle.

There are three basic types of fat: monounsaturated fat (MUFA), polyunsaturated fat (PUFA) and saturated fat (SATFA), which include hydrogenated and trans fat. MUFA and PUFA are good for you; SATFA is unhealthy. How do you tell a good fat from a bad one? The degree of saturation is the tell-tale sign. A saturated fat (like lard), is solid at room temperature; an unsaturated fat (like olive oil) is liquid at room temperature. However, even good fats can turn bad. Exposure to air, light, and heat changes the composition, rendering them unhealthy.
Just like a car needs oil to run smoothly, your body needs essential fatty acids (EFAs) to hum at peak efficiency. The two EFAs your body can't make on its own, linolenic acid (omega-3) and linoleic acid (omega-6) are the ones being promoted in flax oil, evening primrose oil, borage oil, and similar EFA products you'll find in the supplement section of your natural foods store.

Levitra

Levitra is a medicine which is taken by mouth for treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men. Erectile dysfunction is a condition in which the penis does not get hardens and expands when a man is sexually excited. Levitra helps a man with ED get and keep erection during sexual excitation. Levitra must be used only with doctor's advice.
How to Take

Levitra comes as tablets which you can take orally. It should be taken about 1 hour before sexual activity. Some form of sexual stimulation is needed with levitra for an erection. Do not take levitra more than once in a day. Levitra can be taken with or without food.

Warning/Precautions

Men who take excessive intake of levitra may experience more side effects or may get severe back pain. If you have taken more lavitra than you need then you must take advice from your doctor.

Before start with any new medicine you must check it with your doctor or pharmacist. This medicine is not for the use of women and children.

Missed Dose

Levitra is used as needed so you are not likely to miss the dose.

Possible Side Effects

Most commonly known side effects of levitra are headaches, flushing, stuffy or runny nose. Lavitra rarely cause an erection that will not go away (priapism). If you get an erection that lasts for more than 4 hours then don't waste time and immediately take medical help. Priapism must be treated as soon as possible or there can be damage to your penis including the inability to have erections. There can be vision problem because of levitra. Person can't identify between blue and green. This does not cover all side effects of levitra for more information please gets back to your doctor.

Storage

Store at 25 C (77 F); excursions permitted to 15-30 C (59-86 F). Keep Levitra and all medicines out of the reach of children.

Overdose

If you have taken an overdose of levitra, you should seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of overdose of levitra are not much known but likely it include chest pain, back pain, dizziness, irregular heartbeats, abnormal vision and swelling of the ankles or legs.

Safety

Now, the question arises, what important information should you know about the cialis? If you take cialis with other medicines, it can cause your blood pressure to drop suddenly to the unsafe level. You can get dizzy, faint or can have heart attack or stroke problem. Don't take cialis, if you are taking any medicines including nitrates.

Tell your doctor that you are taking cialis because if you need emergency medical health care about the heart problem then your doctor should be aware of when you have taken last dose of cialis. After intake of cialis, some of the ingredients can remain in your body for more than 2 days. If you have any problem with kidney or liver then these ingredients can remain longer in your body.
Cialis is the prescription medicine which is given by doctors for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Erectile Dysfunction is the condition in which penis does not get harden or expand during the sexual excitation. If man is getting or keeping erection should rush to his doctor if the condition bothers to him.

Cialis is only indented for men and not for women or children. The active ingredients of cialis are tadalafil. Before taking cialis you must tell all health problems that you are suffering. Cialis and other medicines can affect each other therefore you must always check with your doctor starting and stopping medicines. Take cialis exactly as your doctor prescribe you. Cialis comes in different doses such as 5 mg, 10 mg and 20 mg. If you have kidney problems then your doctor may ask you to take lower dose of cialis. You take one cialis tablet before sexual activity.

A stud is not the Male ideal study

A global survey of 28,000 men has debunked many stereotypes about the male ideal of a `man's man', according to a Canadian-led study.

Masculinity is certainly not the male ideal of a `man's man' or maleness, says the study.

Nor is being a womanizer or a career seeker.

On the contrary, the male ideal of a ``man's man'' is someone who is honourable, responsible and committed to his partner, says the study.

According to it, most men want to be seen as good fathers and good husbands, not as studs chasing women for sex.

The study which covered eight countries, including the US, Brazil, Germany and Italy, found that for 33 per cent of men viewed being seen as`honourable' as their highest ideal of maleness.

Another 28 percent said being in control of one's life was their ideal of maleness.

A vast majority of them said the topmost male quality was putting love ahead of sex.

Just one percent rated a great sex life as their ideal.

Three percent plumped for career and financial success.

According to Canadian Michael Sand, who led the survey of 27, 839 men across many cultures and age groups in the eight countries, the new study has shattered may stereotypes about maleness.

``Men routinely said (during the survey) that being in good health, having a good family life, having a harmonious relationship with my wife or my partner, is way more important than a successful career, having a nice home, having a satisfying sex life,'' he was quoted as saying by a Canadian news agency.

Sand said,``Being seen as honourable - I think men are telling us that how my community views my integrity and my values system is important to me. They're also saying `I want to be seen as a good father, a successful partner, far more than I want to be seen as a stud'.'

According to him, all these things ``point to the importance -- not in keeping with stereotypes -- of interpersonal relationships to men, as well as to women of course.''

Sand said the study debunks what beer commercials and Hollywood gossip sheets project men to - chasing babes, fleeing commitment, abandoning their kids, and having trouble staying sober.

``Just as we know all women are not Playboy bunnies, we know all men are not ravening sex fiends interested in the next conquest. These stereotypes -- I think we all know they're not real

``This is why it's so important to do research -- to challenge our assumptions,'' said the Canadian researcher.

How to enhance your fertility naturally

If you have determined that you want to try and have a biological child, there are many considerations to keep in mind as you go through the maze of fertility treatments. And while no one can absolutely guarantee your success, doing all that you can to enhance your fertility with proper diet, lifestyle and complementary therapies can really boost your chances. Whatever age you are, a healthy body is more likely to receive and nurture a fertilized egg. Getting healthy doesn’t happen overnight, so the sooner you start, the better.

* Get on a pre-natal multivitamin. This is standard procedure for any couple wanting to get pregnant. And don’t forget the father! If he (or a donor) is contributing sperm, maximize his nutrition as well, especially his zinc status.


* Quit using stimulants like caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine Cigarette smoke (including secondhand smoke) has been linked to spontaneous miscarriage, accelerated egg loss and menopause, and the inability for ovaries to produce estrogen. Smokers require twice as many tries at IVF before they are successful. Women who smoke are more likely to have ectopic pregnancies, low birth weight babies, and episodes of SIDS. Men who smoke have lower sperm counts. Many studies have shown that caffeine consumption is related to infertility. Caffeine is also linked to insulin resistance, which can halt ovulation. Studies performed on rats and humans suggest a link between heavy alcohol consumption and lower fertility rates. Other studies show that women who drink alcohol while pregnant pass abnormalities on to their babies, known as fetal alcohol syndrome.


* Cleanse your system. Before you get pregnant, do a gentle detox like the one we describe in our quick-cleanse plan. Start eating organic food whenever possible and steer clear of toxic cleaners and solvents. Just by being alive today, you are inundated with manmade chemicals that can wreak havoc with your hormones and other vital systems. Endocrine disruptors, certain types of chemicals which mimic hormones in the body, are especially troublesome when you are trying to conceive. Do what you can to reduce your body burden by avoiding obvious sources of contamination. Read the labels on everything, from cosmetics and soaps to garden fertilizers and air fresheners. Replace plastics with natural substances like glass or wood. Never microwave in plastic containers or wraps — in fact, you may want to forego the microwave altogether. In addition to obvious sources of contamination, you might also look into disruptive organisms. Systemic Candida, parasites or bacteria can alter your hormonal balance and decrease fertility. So work with a qualified practitioner to see if this is a piece of the puzzle.


* Get more exercise — or less. BMI plays a significant role in fertility. A woman with 10–15% excess body fat may have an estrogen imbalance which can cause ovulation problems. On the other hand, body fat levels at 10–15% below normal may completely disrupt a woman’s cycle. If you have irregular or nonexistent periods due to excessive or strenuous exercise, consider reducing your activity or adopting a gentler form of exercise like yoga or qi gong.


* Reduce stress wherever you can. This is good advice for anyone, whether or not they are trying to have a baby. Everyday stress is at the root of many conditions and diseases, including fatigue, weight gain, depression, headaches, and you might as well add infertility in there, too. Studies have shown direct links between the adrenal gland, which is responsible for your stress response, and ovulation. Elevated cortisol levels in your blood can cause you to stop ovulating, a condition called anovulation. Environmental, emotional, and physical stress are also known to cause low sperm counts. The fact that many couples have to schedule sex doesn’t help matters. You and your partner may feel like slaves to your ovulation calendar and temperature charts — hardly a low-stress approach. So, I recommend postponing the charts and schedules as long as possible.


* Restore your hormonal balance. The older you are, the more crucial it is to have good hormonal health if you want to conceive. As you creep toward menopause, your body is preparing itself to not have any more children. If you are imbalanced, it may manifest as missed or irregular periods and ovulation cycles. Using bioidentical progesterone support for a few months may help your system kick back into regular cycles by restoring the right ratio of progesterone to estrogen. Talk to your healthcare practitioner if you think this may apply to you. Also, cutting down on simple carbs, refined sugars and processed foods will help balance your insulin levels and boost your metabolism, which will help when you try to balance your sex hormones. Remember, you can’t balance the minor hormones (estrogen, progesterone and testosterone, for example) without first balancing your major hormones (insulin and glucagon).


* Try an alternative therapy. Homeopathy, naturopathy, Ayurvedic and Traditional Chinese Medicine use ancient techniques, such as herbal remedies, cleanses, and acupuncture, to increase fertility. These approaches usually work best if both partners (producers of egg and sperm) are involved. These methods treat each individual holistically, trying to balance specific deficiencies and increase your life force. (In TCM, this is called qi; in Ayurvedic medicine it is referred to as prana.) In TCM, practitioners will also assess the nature of the energy flow between a couple and adapt their treatments accordingly. These techniques have helped people become parents for millennia and can be undertaken in addition to any other measures.

You’re more in control than you think

Just as infertility is usually a combination of causes, the path to conception usually takes a combination of changes, treatments and options. Don’t be afraid to combine the ancient with the modern, or the natural with the high-tech. As I said before, your way will be individual. Finding the right professionals to guide you may be critical. I’ll give you a simple shortcut right here: stop worrying about what–ifs and start acting. Know down deep that you will be a mother if you truly want to be. Your fertility is not tied to your reproductive organs. To truly accept this you may have to rewrite the script in your head, but you are strong and you will get there — and we are here to help.

Taking control of your needs and your whole health picture can do wonders in terms of fertility and in every aspect of your life. Feel free to visit Women to Women’s library for other articles exploring the health-related topics women ask us about most.

HEALTHY SEX

The first step of healthy sex is to maintain sexual hygiene.Sexual hygiene involves developing & maintaining a healthy sexuality & preventing sexual disorders. One should clean the private parts and is not a taboo. It also draws early attention to any local pathology and prevents the development of any skin infections. One should clean the genital organ, especially retracting the foreskin up to the base of the glans penis. This prevents the development of phimosis, which is a painful condition & may lead to complications like paraphimosis. A woman must wash the vagina in a direction away from vagina and not towards it, to prevent fecal contamination of the vagina & urethra.

Sexual knowledge is an essential requirement for a healthy sex life. Do not be under pressure to perform or respond. Try to get familiar with your own & your partner's anatomy. Communicate mutual likes & dislikes. Adequate communication is vital for a healthy & mutually satisfying sex life. Avoid being monotonous. Be innovative & try different positions. Devote adequate time for foreplay and afterplay. Remember sensual is sex. Avoid stress, smoking, and alcohol. Proper weight, balanced diet, regular exercises & yoga are essential for a better sex life.What is good for the whole body is good for sex.

Romance need not end with marriage. Romance rejuvenates passion, making one's sex life more enjoyable. Do not carry the work problems into the bedroom. Be stress free to enjoy a sexual bliss.
Always avoid the company of prostitutes. If you go to them,then you will ruin your wealth, health & youth, and many dangerous diseases may affect you.
Always avoid too much of spicy food, alcohol or wine, tobacco or drugs & excess of tea & coffee. Get your self thoroughly examined by a competent physician/practitioner before marriage. If you suffer from any disorder/ disease immediately consult the competent physician & get treated.

How often coitus should be made?
Generally it is not replied by anyone. Since it is a personal matter and it differs from one another. This depend upon the sexual capacity, desire for sex, nature of his/ her work, physical health & natural urge. The frequency of coitus is much more among the couples who are in their early twenties or in the early months of their marriage than among those who have been married for longGoogle

Female Sex Enhancer

More Women Suffer From Reduced Sex Drive
According to statistics, 48% of women surveyed said they experienced reduced or even non-existent sex drive. Many women are depressed, anxious and uneasy about this situation. But there’s no need to feel that way any longer.

FemElle Sex Enhancement Pill helps women of all ages regain sexual motivation and desire that had been missing. An increased libido leads to greater sexual intimacy and greater satisfaction in your sexual relationships.

FemElle can restore your desire and enjoyment quickly and easily – while promoting sexual health and intimacy with your partner.
FemElle: Guaranteed or your money back
FemElle is billed discretely to your credit card and shipped discretely as well. In addition FemElle is guaranteed. If FemElle doesn’t enhance your sex life, simply return it for a full refund. There’s no risk and no reason not to order FemElle today and surprise your partner with the passion you always knew you had.
FemElle: All-Natural Sex Enhancement Pill
FemElle uses all-natural herbal and botanical ingredients to stimulate desire and enhance your sex drive. These ingredients are:

L-Arginine HCL - This is an amino acid found in many foods such as meat, dairy products, fish, poultry, etc. It is involved in cell division, wound healing, removal of ammonia from the body, immunity to illness, and the secretion of important hormones. It is used by the body to make nitric oxide which relaxes blood vessels.

Epimedium Sagittatum Extract – In a Chinese study, Epimedium sagittatum was proven to have a sex enhancing effect and improve the quality of life of the participants. This herb is sometimes known as “horny goat weed,” a loose translation of the Chinese name, Yin Yang Huo.

Damiana Leaf - This herb is considered by many to be an aphrodisiac. Damiana Leaf helps to restore the natural sexual capacities and functions, especially for the exhausted body. Damiana works as a stimulating nerve tonic used for debility, depression, and lethargy. Used for female disorders as it helps to balance female hormones.

Mucuna Pruriens (Cowhage) – An Indian herb that is historically used as an aphrodisiac.

L-Dopa – This compound stimulates the release of human growth hormone in the body. Increased levels of HGH provide enhanced libido and sexual performance, as well as an improved mood and sense of well-being.

Yohimbe Extract – The Physician’s Desk Reference says that it “has activity as an aphrodisiac.” Yohimbeincreases blood flow to the genitalia.

All these potent, natural ingredients make FemElle sex enhancement pills the best available today. Try FemElle today – it’s 100% guaranteed to help you recover your sexual desire!

Safe Sex in Middle Life

So many women coming to the clinic are telling me that they’re enjoying a renewed sex life. Whether married, single, or just re-emerging on the dating scene, more women from the “free love” generation are now starting a whole new sexual revolution. This is great news! But with more Baby Boomers enjoying revitalized sex lives, the risk for women in midlife contracting a sexually transmitted disease or infection is on the rise as well.

Not long ago one of my patients told me, “When I was younger, we only worried about getting pregnant or crabs. Now that I’m divorced, I realize it’s a whole new world!” And it’s true: the plethora of STD’s around broach all age groups and social classes in ways we just cannot ignore.

Too many menopausal and perimenopausal women aren’t being screened for STD’s by healthcare providers, and infection is often undetected and underreported. Just looking at HIV, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported that approximately 15% of all new HIV diagnoses are among the over 50 set for both men and women, and increasingly, the rate of people in midlife losing their lives to HIV is rising. This is a huge wake-up call for all of us.

At Women to Women, we believe that talking openly about safe sex is extremely important for women of all ages. For the most part, sexual infections don’t care how old you are, but as our hormones change as we grow older, so can our susceptibility to STD’s. So whether you’re enjoying a great relationship with your partner of many years or finding a new relationship after being widowed, separated or divorced, I’d like to talk about how sexually transmitted infections (STI’s) and STD’s affect women, particularly in perimenopause and beyond, and cover what you can do to protect yourself to have a healthy sex life at any age.
Why are STD’s a concern for women in menopause and perimenopause?

Whether due to age, experience or monogamy, many women (and men) in midlife think contracting an STD is a concern for the younger set, and doesn’t apply to them. Unfortunately, this isn’t true, and here’s a good example why: during my training, I saw a 45-year-old patient for her annual exam. She’d been divorced for several years and had just enjoyed a very hot affair with a much younger man in New York City. After a 20-year-marriage that ended badly, this boyfriend made her feel young again in many ways. She still had her copper IUD in place for birth control, and with her monogamous past and this nice young man who adored her, she felt she was at very low risk for contracting an STD. Unfortunately, he was under 30 and they were in New York City which made for a high-risk dynamic due to his age and the high incidence of Chlamydia in that region.

She was surprised when I suggested we test her along with doing her routine Pap and pelvic exam, but she consented. She was even more surprised when it came back positive because she was asymptomatic (without symptoms). So we discussed whether or not the IUD alone was the best choice for her as a method of birth control, since it didn’t provide any protection from STD’s. She decided to keep it in, but had to get used to using condoms as well for safe-sex protection, and also had to learn how to say “Let’s have the talk” before intimacy with anyone new.

I’m finding that women today still carry much of the burden for STD screening. Relying on your partner to make sure he or she isn’t carrying an STD isn’t a good idea for either one of you, but especially if you’re with someone new. Men are seldom asked about STD screening, and if his doctor or healthcare practitioner hasn’t laid it on the line for him, it’s quite possible your partner hasn’t been screened simply because he didn’t know his risks or his options. A man is also more likely to get tested only when his female partner has a problem or when his new partner insists on screening before having sex.

All of this means that women typically need to ask first (no matter how “clean-cut” your partner may seem!) because there are a wide range of STD’s that women in midlife can be susceptible to.
If you do find yourself with an infection, don’t panic — speak with your healthcare practitioner and gather all the information you need, communicate with your partner and begin to seek treatment. Some infections can be readily cured, like Chlamydia, gonorrhea and Trichomonas, while others remain with you for life but may be controlled, like the herpes, HPV and genital wart viruses.

Bear in mind that STD’s are actually very common, and it’s not something to be ashamed of. Roughly 65 million people in the United States are living with a so-called “incurable” STD, and approximately 15 million men and women in the United States develop a new STD each year — in other words, one third of all Americans have or have had an STD at some point in their lives.

But the commonality of STD’s is even more reason to make sure you and your partner are screened and cleared, and this is where it’s essential that we communicate our sexual histories and/or begin a conversation about getting tested with our partners, even if we’ve been in a monogamous relationship for a long time.
I’ve been with the same partner for so long — should I be concerned about STD’s?

Don’t get me wrong: monogamy is a terrific strategy for enjoying safe sex, and finding the right partner and having both of you screened and cleared for STD’s is just the best recipe for healthy and exciting lovemaking! But women in monogamous relationships are not completely safe from the risk of contracting an infection. Why?

The primary reason is because of the asymptomatic nature of so many sexually transmitted infections. In other words, if you or your partner were exposed a long time ago, there’s still a possibility of transmitting a virus — and it’s not unusual for people with STD’s to remain symptom-free for years, unaware that they have an infection, or that they could be spreading one to their partners.

Also, men are more likely than women to be asymptomatic for many types of infections, so unless your partner has been screened and goes in for check-ups regularly, there’s no way of knowing that sex is completely safe. To add more fuel to the fire, it might not come as a surprise that the chances of your male partner having already been (or recently) screened aren’t great — statistically, men are less likely to go in for check-ups than women on a regular basis. This is why it’s so important for women to put their health first when it comes to sex, no matter what form your relationship with your partner takes, or how long you’ve been together.

On top of this, monogamy unfortunately isn’t always what it seems, either. In one recent poll, about one in five adults in “committed” relationships, or 22%, had cheated on their current partner, and nearly half of people polled admit to being unfaithful at some point in their lives. These figures may or may not apply to you, but a reality check now and again is wise for a woman at any age, particularly since partners can carry viruses without symptoms for years.

So even if you think the chances of you having or getting an STD are very slim, I advise all women who come to the clinic, moms and aunts, and anyone mentoring younger people, to practice what they preach to teens and start taking charge of their sexuality again by getting themselves screened.

Just like any other health issue, the more you know the better, and perimenopausal women especially have some unique preventative health issues to be aware of when it comes to STD’s.
Shifting hormones, the immune system and your sexual body

Many women don’t realize that how well we take care of our immune systems matters a great deal to the health of our sex lives. Mature women experience hormonal changes that can affect the integrity of our genital tissues, leaving them more fragile, and potentially more susceptible to infection if exposed. And if our immunity isn’t as strong when a trace of an infection enters our body, we’re at a higher risk for infection.

Natural hormone shifting that gives us lower estrogen levels can lead to vaginal dryness and thinning of the tissues, making them more prone to tearing during sex. Such tears, even small ones, provide an easy portal of entry for viruses like HIV.

Some vaginal symptoms can be a little harder to differentiate in perimenopause, too. For example, what may seem like a fissure from low estrogen or yeast may actually be an atypical herpes presentation. Your urethra can be affected by lower estrogen as well, making it more vulnerable as a portal to infections like Chlamydia and bacterial UTI’s. And Chlamydia of the bladder is often overlooked because it is not part of a standard urine test.

But a great strategy for protecting yourself from many sexually transmitted infections is to begin by taking good care of your vaginal ecology. Using a sexual lubricant or topical vaginal estrogen can help with tears, and a good probiotic containing healthy levels of lactobacilli and friendly yeast can also help inhibit urogenital infections.

Most importantly, make sure that your vagina is working the way “nature” intended by avoiding douching. Douching was developed as a response to the notion that your vagina isn’t “clean,” which couldn’t be further from the truth. In my training, I was taught that the vagina is like an amazing self-cleaning oven!

Many of the tiny lactobacilli naturally present in a woman’s vagina produce lactic acid, which keeps the pH of the vagina just right, along with protein inhibitors that ward off many troublesome pathogens. The vagina has everything it needs to clean itself out regularly — this is what the normal healthy secretions are for. Research shows that douching robs the vagina of these cleansing secretions, and actually increases bacterial imbalance and risk of contracting many types of STD’s, including HIV.

Learning about precautions we can take to prevent these kinds of infections as our bodies change is so important for women in midlife, especially for women who think they’re at a very low risk for infection, and/or who haven’t spoken with their partners about safe sex.
Talking to your partner about safe sex

For many women, it can be just plain embarrassing to talk with their partners about an approach to safe sex, especially on a first or second date. But the reality is that we need to care enough about ourselves to get over the embarrassment, and put our health and well-being first. If you think things are moving in a direction that may involve sex, talk about condoms or testing before it’s too late. (This may be the first date for some or the fifth for others.)

I try to advise women not to feel bad when requesting their partners to get screened — STD testing for men is easy compared to the speculum exams we undergo annually! And talking about safe sex is also a great way to open the lines of communication in a relationship by becoming closer and learning more about your partner.

Try simply stating that you’re planning to get tested, and that you think it’s a good idea for him or her to as well. This takes any suspicion away from one person, and puts you both on the same level. And let’s face it: at this point you’ve both probably been intimate with other people, who have been intimate with other people and so on. It’s not unrealistic to think that maybe somewhere down the line one or both of you was exposed to something.

Sometimes, however, there isn’t time for testing or even a discussion, and in this case, it’s good to keep condoms with you at all times.
How protective is a condom?

At Women to Women, we recommend using condoms as the best strategy if you both haven’t been screened, and until you and your partner are comfortable with monogamy as your next strategy for safe sex. That means using them until you know that you’re both infection-free — particularly HIV-free. Since HIV can remain undetectable for up to six months, using condoms is a good idea for at least half a year, up to a full year.

Studies indicate that when used correctly, latex condoms are the best thing we have available to us to reduce infections transmitted through bodily fluids, like semen and blood — but only if they are put on before contact or penetration. That makes using a condom critical in reducing your risk of contracting HIV, gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and Trichomonas.

Statistics on the effectiveness of condoms vary a bit with how we use them. As Dr. Cheryl Gibson, the medical director of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England, points out: “Contraceptive Technology states the effectiveness of condoms for contraception at 88% in typical use, and 97% in perfect use. For STD prevention...we generally quote a greater than 90% chance of reduction.”

Those are certainly favorable numbers, but keep in mind that nothing is totally safe. Condoms can break. They also only cover a limited portion of the genitals, and viruses like herpes and HPV-causing warts can be present anywhere in the genital region. But even though condoms don’t equal a free-for-all, if used properly, they are the best thing we have for protection. So I encourage women of all ages to keep condoms in their purses, their bathrooms, their cars, their computer bags — wherever!

Even if we like the idea of being pursued by a new partner, I think we can be realistic at this stage of the sexual revolution. There is equality in safe sex. Women can feel empowered by keeping their own stash of condoms handy, and if he refuses to use one at all, stop and think before going any further — remember, this is your health we’re talking about.
Redefining safe sex in midlife

The risk for contracting an STD increases directly with the number of sex partners we have over a lifetime, so we want to choose our partners wisely. They should be worth it — and worthy of us.
Most of us recognize that nothing is totally risk-free other than abstinence, and even abstinence will not protect us from every kind of sexual infection. Barrier methods like condoms to prevent exposure to bodily fluids can be a great step to reduce risks. This is ideal when new partners are on the horizon and you’re not sure yet if he is “Mr. Right” or just “Mr. Right-Now.”

And remember that there’s a risk of contracting an STD at any point in your life for any sexually active woman, regardless of her age, sexual orientation, or if it’s been awhile since she was a part of “the dating scene.” Even married women and women in monogamous relationships should come in for screening.

But if you haven’t been screened, the two pieces of wisdom to remember for practicing safe sex now are “communication” and “condoms.” Beginning or continuing a conversation about safe sex can only deepen and strengthen a relationship, and how you define those terms is up to you. We can learn so much about ourselves, and our partners, by trying.
The best sex is healthy sex

There are so many health benefits to sex, and regardless of your age, great sex is healthy sex, both emotionally and physically. Thinking about safe sex doesn’t make you selfish, nor does it lessen the excitement of your sex life in general. Far from it!

Taking care of ourselves means that we’re taking care of those closest to us — focusing on your own body’s health gives you so much more to offer your partner. Practicing sex safely only means more pleasure, spontaneity and enjoyment for the both of you.
Our Personal Program is a great place to start

The Personal Program promotes natural hormonal balance with nutritional supplements, our exclusive endocrine support formula, dietary and lifestyle guidance, and optional phone consultations with our Nurse–Educators. It is a convenient, at-home version of what we recommend to all our patients at the clinic.

* To learn more about the Program, go to How the Personal Program works.
* To select the Program that’s right for your symptoms, go to Choose the plan that works for you.
* To assess your symptoms, take our on-line Hormonal Health Profile.
* If you have questions, don’t hesitate to call us toll-free at 1-800-798-7902. We’re here to listen and help.

Nymphomania: Female Sex Habits of the 21st Century

Throughout history, women have been perceived as objects of desire but, in contrast, prohibited from expressing their own sexual desires. Into the 21st century, however, the thoughts with regard to a woman's sexual health have become increasingly liberal, leaving many women, who once were concerned about their own compulsive sexual habits, to find a place with acceptance is what is considered a positive side of nymphomania; excessive sexual drive and sexual activity. Understanding the symptoms of female nymphomania and when nymphomania is a destructive complication, will ensure women, with advanced sexual desires and libido, are better equipped to gauge healthy sexual encounters from unhealthy sexual encounters.

Nymphomania, or excessive sexual desire, was long considered a physiological and psychological complication in both men and women. For women, secretly suffering from nymphomania, the excessive sexual desires often led to actions which were scrutinized by society as being promiscuous. In today's society, however, a woman's healthy sex drive is considered an indication of natural female libido and is an indication of a woman who is accepting of her appearance, her emotions and, oftentimes, may indicate the absence of psychological complications. In fact, many healthcare professionals, from medical to psychological, believe the woman suffering from nymphomania, may actually be a woman who is more socially, spiritually and emotionally connected with the world in which she lives. In contrast to historical viewpoints, it is women who do not engage in regular sexual activity, today, who may possess complications in this same area. So, when does an excessive sexual desire lead to a complication?
For women, sexual experiences entail a variety of methods. From flirting, foreplay, oral sex to full intercourse, being classified as a happy nymphomaniac can span a full range of activities. This is not to say that an excessive sexual habit is, in all cases, a healthy female behavior. In women with excessive libido, experiencing nymphomania symptoms there can be complicating factors. Indicators such as lack of sleep, missed days of work, failing to eat, avoiding friends and family; these are all indications of a potential sexual addiction which can lead to health complications. For women experiencing the new social acceptance of their love of sex, there is a need to monitor the fine line between satisfying sexual health and complicating daily living activities in the name of it.

In addition to remaining cognitively aware of the sexual balance, women who enjoy an excessive libido should be reminded to always practice safe sexual experiences. Choosing healthy partners, engaging in the use of condoms, and using proper methods to ensure prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, are crucially important to maintaining a healthy physical and psychological balance and working to ensure the ongoing social acceptance of the happy nymphomania identification of women today.

The health benefits of sex

While growing up many of us were told that sex was something we should stay away from — or at least not talk about! Sensuality is an innate part of our being, but girls are often taught to tamp it down. Ladies, we are told, guard their reputations carefully; by the time we are mature enough to handle a sexual relationship, our bodies may have incorporated the “good girl” image. That’s unfortunate, because what we weren’t told is that sexual pleasure comes with many emotional and physical health benefits.

Luckily, it’s never too late to reap the health benefits of sex. And for those of us entering menopause, we are finally at an age to enjoy sex without the fear of getting pregnant! Whether you’re a young woman or a granny, it’s time to stop thinking of sex as just another “guilty pleasure” and celebrate in the knowledge that it’s good for your health. Here’s why.

Sex can improve your cardiovascular health. Hopefully you’ve noticed that whenever you feel sexually aroused, your heart and breathing rates increase! Our bodies do this in order to channel more blood to the genitals in preparation for the act of sex. But that’s not all there is to it. One “dusky glance” is all it takes to up the level of adrenaline in your bloodstream — and as things proceed from there a whole cascade of hormones gets released during the arousal and climax process, including adrenaline, noradrenaline, prolactin, DHEA, and testosterone, most all of which have cardioprotective effects. A side benefit to all this “awakening” of the physical body is that it builds the strength of the heart and circulatory system.

And once orgasm is achieved, both men and women release a hormone called oxytocin. That surge of oxytocin has many “anticlimactic” actions, just one of which is lowering blood pressure. And as we know, healthy blood pressure makes it less likely you’ll suffer from a heart attack or stroke. In fact, a study done on over 900 men between the ages of 45 and 59, suggests that having sex two times or more per week may aid in preventing cardiac events, such as stroke and heart attack. Though this study didn’t include women, it certainly shows promise for all of us, given that much of the chemistry involved applies to both genders.

Sex can improve your sleep. Both women and men have noticed the urge to relax and close their eyes after an orgasm. We feel so relaxed in this state that we can easily doze off — even if we otherwise suffer from insomnia. This may also have something to do with oxytocin and the release of endorphins at orgasm, both of which can act like natural sedatives.

Sex provides the benefits of exercise. Just as our bodies respond to a workout at the gym or a brisk walk, sex causes our muscles to contract, our heart rates to increase, and our bodies to release calories and fat from storage to create more energy. This means that engaging in sex gives us all the health paybacks of exercise.

Sex is helpful in easing pain. Have you ever noticed that while you are intimate with a partner, it’s much easier to forget about the aches and pains in your body? Women in two small studies have noticed that their tolerance for pain increases while they are sexually stimulated. This may be because stimulation and orgasm lead to the release of corticosteroids and endorphins that increase our pain thresholds, providing short-term relief for women with menstrual cramps, migraines, back pain or arthritis.

Sex can improve mood and decrease depression. The same endorphins that ease our pain can make us feel euphoric after having sex or masturbating. And this doesn’t change as we get older. In fact, a small study of 30 elderly women and men showed a correlation between masturbation and decreased risk of depression.

Sex can relieve stress. Along with all the other benefits oxytocin provides, you can add stress relief to the list as well. We’ve heard some women describe reaching orgasm as the ultimate release. It is the moment when they can let everything go. Oxytocin is known to be present when we are in stressful situations and those with higher levels of oxytocin are generally calmer and more relaxed than others. Another interesting finding from a study done at UCLA shows that the estrogen present in women enhances the calming effects of oxytocin, while testosterone may counteract it. This may explain why many of us feel the urge to cuddle and bond after sex.

Sex can enhance your sense of spirituality. Many ancient traditions view sexuality as something sacred and spiritual, as opposed to “sinful.” Sexual energy, they say, is unlike any other, and when we merge with this power during orgasm, some believe that we are connecting to the deepest parts of ourselves, our non-physical aspects. Not only do we gain a deeper sense of ourselves, but we can experience an energy that feeds other areas of our lives. Many who think of sex as a spiritual practice tell us they have a stronger sense of self and of their relationships.

At Women to Women, we understand that for many women expressing themselves sexually is an essential piece to their core selves. We encourage that expression for the sake of emotional well-being and for the sake of good physical health. When thinking about ways to enhance your whole-health picture, be sure to consider the positive aspects of engaging in sex. As a woman, fulfilling your sexual needs need not require a partner (see our article and survey on the female masturbation). Instead of placing sex in the guilty pleasures category, know that it is one more way to be healthier — and happier!

Female Sex Drive

Historically, female sex drive was estimated to be much lower than male sex drive. In our modern world, we realize this is no longer true. Men and women have about the same libido levels.

In a normal and healthy woman, the female sex drive varies according to the monthly cycle, hormone balance, stress levels and other factors. Large numbers of women complain of a complete lack of female sex drive. Lack of sex drive is not always related to lack of orgasms.

This article discusses the role of female sex drive in sexual relationships and some treatments for reduced female sex drive.
How common is reduced or nonexistent female sex drive?

Unfortunately, the complaint of low female sex drive is very common. Large numbers of women complain to their doctors of reduced sex drive every day. Reduced female sex drive should not be confused with difficulty in orgasm. Women with low libido are still frequently able to orgasm normally – they just don't want to.

Many women get over their reduced sex drive by themselves, but others require assistance.
What causes reduced female sex drive?

There are physical and psychological causes of reduced female sex drive.

Physical causes can include:

* Stress (probably the #1 cause)
* Alcholism or drug abuse
* Anemia
* Diabetes or other generalized disorders
* Prescription drugs (especially SSRIs and tranquilizers)

Psychological causes of reduced female sex drive can include:

* Depression
* Stress and its mental effects
* Anxiety
* Discomfort with partner or relationship
* Female sexual dysfunction

How can reduced female sex drive be treated?

The first step is to engage in an open and frank discussion with your partner. This can help clear up any relationship-based anxieties or issues that can negatively impact female sex drive.

Physical causes can involve a visit to your doctor. Reduced female sex drive can be a side effect of a larger health issue. Doctors can also potentially identify reduced sex drive as the side effect or symptom of a prescription drug or health concern.

Some products exist that can help restore the diminished female sex drive. We recommend the FemElle system, which contains an herbal sex drive enhancer and a cream containing L-arginine (used by sexual therapists to treat female sexual dysfunction).

For psychological causes of reduced female sex drive, individual or couple counseling may be necessary. A visit to the doctor may be in order for a possible diagnosis of female sexual dysfunction or female sexual arousal dysfunction.

Understanding connections

At Women to Women, we believe healthy self-care is not limited to diet and exercise; it includes sexuality and “self-cultivation.” Masturbation is a way to learn about the connections between our minds and our bodies, and our relationships between ourselves and our partners. If exploring these connections interests you, we suggest planning some romantic time for yourself, whether it be lighting a candle, taking a bath or even reading an erotic book!

Dr. Dixie Mills once said, “When it comes to your health, your body is the expert, and you are the ultimate authority.” So if you are not comfortable with masturbation, that is okay. The choice is completely up to you. The important thing is to know as much as you can about the many health benefits of masturbation, and understand that despite prevailing myths and taboos, for many women masturbation is a positive and healthy experience.

Differing desires

Many women have told me they feel as though they’ve somehow failed as a sexual partner if they don’t want to just “jump into intercourse” every night. Often men (thinking that women’s sexual needs and desires match their own) report feeling as though their wives or partners aren’t interested in them if they don’t immediately want to have sex. Understanding the fundamental, hormonal difference between the sexes, and communicating your desires, can lead to a wonderful sex life.

Many of the differences between male and female desire and arousal can be traced to the brain, the most powerful sex organ we have. For men, the hormones testosterone and arginine vasopressin (AVP) encourage sexual desire before sex to a higher degree than they do in women, who have fewer AVP receptors in the brain. It takes time for women’s hormone levels to rise before they become aroused. But after orgasm, our hormones function differently too.

As many women know, men often fall asleep after sex. There are hormonal reasons why this happens. Men release hormones when they ejaculate, including norepinephrine, serotonin, oxytocin, vasopressin, and prolactin — the release of prolactin specifically slows their “recovery time.” Conversely, women’s arousal time is slower but recovery is quick, thus making multiple orgasms possible for some women.

Sharing these differences with our male partners (if you have one) can help foster intimacy. Sharing desire is one of the deepest ways we can communicate and ultimately brings us closer to the ones we love.

Psychological and emotional benefits of masturbation

Women most often cite fatigue as the reason for a decrease in, or loss of, libido. I haven’t met a tired woman yet who cares a bit about sex. Appropriately so, as a tired body is focused on taking care of itself. The second most common reason women tell me they have decreased interest in sex is their dissatisfaction with their appearance. Given the often unrealistic yet prevailing standards of American beauty, it is challenging for many women to feel attractive. Masturbation is one way to honor our sexuality conveniently and privately.

Because we are in control of our bodies when we masturbate, we can learn a lot about who we are. We can cultivate positive feelings about our miraculous bodies, giving us confidence from the inside out and the potential to heal any past negative sexual experiences.

These are all good reasons to reconsider our views on masturbation, but there are also several other reasons why masturbation can help us feel more confident and connected:

* Improves our mood. Masturbation helps relieve depressive emotions. As we become aroused, the hormone levels of dopamine and epinephrine soar in our bodies. Both of these hormones are mood-boosters. Many studies show that women who report personal satisfaction with their sex lives live a better quality of life overall.

* Relieves stress. In her book For Yourself, noted sex therapist Lonnie Barbach explains that the stress resulting from avoiding sex can create the kind of body imbalances we mentioned earlier. She writes that masturbation can help relieve emotional stress by taking time for ourselves, amidst the demands of home, family, and work.

* Strengthens our relationship with ourselves. When we know, love, and nurture ourselves on emotional and physical levels, we gain confidence and grow through self-awareness. Being able to recognize, articulate, and experience what brings pleasure is a powerful step toward fulfillment.

* Strengthens sexual relationship with partner. Many couples have different sexual drives and needs. Masturbation is one way to meet personal needs not met by a partner. It can be shared with a partner. Witnessing a partner masturbate can teach us what methods our partners use so we can learn what they enjoy. It can also open the lines of communication between partners who otherwise might be assuming that the “routine” is still working.

Woman Can?

Almost all women can experience:

* enhanced sex drive, desire, and libido
* increased feelings in your sexual organs
* boosted strength and length of your orgasms
* a very healthy sex life
* guaranteed orgasms almost every time
* enjoyable sex!

Is Viagra For Women?

Is Viagra for Women?

Viagra, the famous sex-boosting drug, has grabbed headlines, imaginations and pocketbooks since its debut in April of 1998. Sales topped $1.2 billion in its first 12 months on the market. From April 1998 to August 1999, 13.5 million Viagra prescriptions have been filled, according to IMS Health, which tracks prescription drug consumption worldwide. Now researchers are questioning if Viagra benefits women, too.

More women than men experience sexual dysfunction -- 43 percent of women vs. 31 percent of men, according to a study in the Feb. 10, 1999 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. While the medical establishment is turning its attention to women and sexual dysfunction, just how beneficial the drug is for women remains unclear.

From the beginning, Pfizer, which manufactures Viagra, focused on male consumers after male test subjects taking the little blue pill for angina reported an odd side effect -- improved erections. However, Viagra increases blood flow not only to the penis, but also to the clitoris. So why does Pfizer target only men? "It was quite obvious that (treating men) was the first direction to go," says Maryann Caprino, a spokeswoman for Pfizer. "Female sexual dysfunction is far more difficult to measure and far less understood."

The Jury's Still Out

Despite Pfizer's "men first" approach, some doctors have prescribed it for female patients, although the drug is not yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration for such use. "Women respond great to Viagra. They actually do better then men," says Dr. H.G. Nurnberg, a professor at the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center.

Nurnberg gave sildenafil, the active ingredient in Viagra, to a few women experiencing temporary antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction. He later published his results in two journals. Viagra helped the women finish their course of medication while maintaining sexual function. However, a different study at Columbia University found that sildenafil is ineffective in women.

In an attempt to measure physiological responses rather than relying on self-reporting or questionnaires as previous studies had, Dr. Jennifer Berman, a urologist and co-director of Boston University's Women's Sexual Health Clinic, is working on two studies. "We have found that sildenafil significantly improves both subjective and objective parameters of the female sexual response," she says.

In Berman's study, she had women watch erotic movies and use a vibrator to stimulate themselves one hour after ingesting sildenafil. "We measure changes in blood flow, changes in genital sensation and changes in vaginal pH and vaginal elasticity," Berman says. However, "an increase in blood flow is meaningless unless the woman actually perceives enhanced sexual pleasure," she says.

Not a Woman's Drug?

Leonore Tiefer, clinical associate professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, states that idea more starkly. "There's no evidence that problems in blood flow to the clitoris contribute at all to women's (sexual dysfunction)," she says. Indeed, poor sexual knowledge, poor technique, uncooperative partners, poor self-image and inhibitions are well-documented causes of female sexual dysfunction, she says.

"There may be one woman in a thousand for whom (Viagra) is exactly right," says Tiefer. But "why is all the energy, all the attention, not to mention all the money, (focused) on one out of a thousand?"

Who Can Take Viagra?

The ideal candidates for Viagra appear to be women previously without problems who "because of menopause, hysterectomy or other pelvic injury are now not satisfied," says Laura Berman, Ph.D., a sex therapist, sister of Jennifer Berman, co-director of Boston University's Women's Sexual Health Clinic and co-researcher in the Boston University study. Emotional or relational reasons must be ruled out, she says.

Long-term effects of the drug are not known and current research is restricted to women who can't conceive or are using birth control. Deaths have occurred among people who have taken Viagra, and certain health conditions and medications are contraindicated with the drug.

Ladies Second

Regardless of Viagra's effect on women, the question remains: Why has research with women and sexual dysfunction lagged so dramatically behind that of men?

"The field of medicine has been predominantly male," says Laura Berman. "For many decades, when a woman presented sexual complaints, a doctor would ask her if it hurt and if she was able to have sex." Beyond that, he did not pursue the matter. Questions about women's enjoyment, arousal levels and orgasms weren't addressed, she says.

Women with sexual problems don't have to wait until Viagra studies are completed. "There is a whole range of things that can help women," says Laura Berman. "Certainly, pharmacotherapy is not necessarily always the best and only option." In other words, all the answers don't reside in a little blue pill.

Viagra Women-3

The long search for the female equivalent of Viagra has led researchers to . . . Viagra.

In a small study of 98 women published today, the little blue pill helped women whose sexual performance had flagged as a side effect of taking antidepressants, known as SSRIsa very specific finding that could open a new use for the male impotence drug.

The report in the Journal of the American Medical Assn. is one of the few to find some benefit for women despite nearly a decade of searching by its maker, Pfizer Inc.

More than 6 million women in the U.S. suffer from major depression. Antidepressants are the most common treatment for the mood disorder, and while they can be quite beneficial, they often have debilitating sexual side effects.

Doctors said the study, which was funded with a grant from Pfizer, could foster broader experimentation with Viagra for women, although they added that the drug was unlikely to become the blockbuster phenomenon it is among men. Its effectiveness in women is limited compared with men, and Pfizer has said it does not plan to develop the drug for female disorders.

Still, the study is certain to rekindle debate about the nature of sexual problems in women and men. While male difficulties have largely been seen in mechanical terms, female dysfunction has been viewed as more complicated and connected to desire.

But Dr. Irwin Goldstein, director of sexual medicine at Alvarado Hospital in San Diego, who has prescribed Viagra for some of his female patients, said the new research suggests that "however you think about men and women, there are a lot of similarities."

Not long after Viagra was introduced in 1998 to treat erectile dysfunction in men, Pfizer started researching its use in women. The company hoped to add to the success of Viagra, which had worldwide sales of $1.76 billion last year.

Initial studies of Viagra in women were disappointing. The drug blocks an enzyme that inhibits blood flow, which, in the case of men, allows more blood to flow to the penis. In women, the drug increased engorgement of genital tissue but failed to enhance women's enjoyment of sex. Pfizer ended company-initiated trials of the drug for female sexual arousal disorder in 2004.

However, many doctors said the early studies weren't selective enough, because they included women who lacked desire. Such women, like men with desire problems, couldn't expect to be helped by Viagra, they said.

The latest study was confined to women with arousal problems. They all had been diagnosed with major depression and were taking a specific class of antidepressants called selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, or SSRIs. Their depression was in remission when the study began.

The women, all of whom were premenopausal, were divided into two groups. One group was assigned to take Viagra one to two hours before sexual activity for eight weeks. The other women received the same instructions but were given a placebo.

At the end of the study, 72% of women taking Viagra, and 27% of those taking the placebo, reported improvement. The side effects were those typically associated with Viagra, including headaches and flushing. The women who responded best tended to have higher levels of testosterone, a phenomenon also observed in men taking Viagra.

Goldstein, who consults for Pfizer and other drug companies, said testosterone levels may be the key. A recent study in Italy found that Viagra helped female diabetics with normal testosterone levels.

"What is so cool about this paper is that women with sexual problems have another drug they can use," Goldstein said. "As long as their testosterone values are OK, we can help them."

Julia R. Heiman, director of the Kinsey Institute for Research in Sex, Gender and Reproduction at Indiana University and a study author, said the findings were important because the sexual side effects of antidepressants can be so debilitating that women discontinue the medication, putting themselves at risk for greater depression.

"This will change practice," said Dr. Andrew Leuchter, a professor of psychiatry at UCLA who was not involved in the study.

Dr. Glenn D. Braunstein, an endocrinologist and chairman of the department of medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, said Viagra might not work as well in the real world as it did in the study. Patients who experienced headaches or flushing might have figured out that they had received Viagra, and that knowledge might have affected their assessment of their sexual performance, he said.

"This is a provocative study, but I would love to see it confirmed in a larger group of women," he said.

Nonetheless, Braunstein predicted that few women on antidepressants would wait for a second study.

"If I had to predict, use of Viagra will go up," he said. "A woman might not even ask her gynecologist for it -- she might just ask her significant other to give her some."