cycle

A late period is one of the scariest experiences if you're not planning on being a mom anytime soon. It's actually pretty normal for women's periods to be delayed for several reasons, and you shouldn't just assume it's because you're pregnant. Here are a few to keep in mind.

1. Your cycle might be irregular from month to month. This means that last month your cycle might have been 24 days long, and this month it could be 32 days long. When your period doesn't show up when it's expected, it could be because your body hasn't finished its cycle yet.
2. Stress caused you to ovulate later than usual. Your body releases an egg from your ovary with the intention of becoming pregnant and if you were worried or upset about something at that specific time, your body will wait until it feels you are emotionally ready. That means you could ovulate up to a week or more later than usual or you could even skip your period altogether.
3. You are sick or injured. If your body is not well, then you aren't equipped to handle a pregnancy. Your body will ovulate when it feels you are healthy again. This could delay your period or stop it altogether.
4. You're not getting enough to eat or are exercising too intensely. This again will affect your overall health. If your body is working too hard to keep you well, then there's no way a pregnancy can occur. Your period may be late, irregular, or it may disappear altogether until your body feels that your health is in order.
5. You're taking new medication. Taking certain prescriptions or changing your meds can affect your cycle, so talk to your doctor if you skip your period.

Dear's Advice: If your cycle is consistently regular and your period happens to be unusually late, worrying about whether you're pregnant isn't going to make you get it any faster so take a pregnancy test to help ease your mind. Whatever the results are, you'll be able to decide what step to take from there.

Now this is interesting! Without even realizing it, a man may be able to know when a woman is most fertile by the sound of her voice. According to a study from the State University of New York at Albany, a woman's voice changes when she's ovulating — it becomes sexier and more alluring. How did scientists figure this out? Women were asked to count from one to 10 at four times throughout their cycles, and their voices were recorded. The ones that were rated most attractive came from women who were ovulating, even when compared to recordings taken from the same women at earlier or later times during their cycles.

What causes this? Sex hormones rise and fall and can affect the way a woman's voice box works. It may be too subtle to really notice, but apparently men can pick up on it and they tend to find a women more attractive because of it. Researchers aren't convinced yet though, and more research needs to be done since this may have less to do with voice changes and more to do with mood changes. Some scientists feel a person just might be more attracted to a happier-sounding woman, rather than where she is in her cycle. So what's your take on this fascinating study?

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Sunny Serena was looking gorgeous per usual in last night's episode of Gossip Girl. Being the character with the most wearable wardrobe, Serena injected some street cool into her school uniform with a fetching pair of flat boots from Barney's Co-op, a trusty Mike & Chris leather jacket, and a Ferragamo bag. Now that you've got her look, all you need is the never-ending parties, Blair drama, and a quick-witted underdog boy toy. However, that might all be thrown into turmoil with the return of the postal-savvy "G" next week . . .

Photo courtesy of The CW.

Reese has been getting healthier and healthier as she is a new single woman prepping for an upcoming movie. It looks like her trainer has been putting her through the ringer with some serious moves.

It looks like she's doing several variations of ab exercises, side planks, sprints, lots of stretching and even some crazy push-up against a tree. You go girl!

I love seeing celebs being really pushed by their trainers and it's even cooler that she is stepping up her outdoor jog! It just goes to show you that anyone can get a workout anywhere. Trees, park benches and a patch of soft grass are great tools to use in the great outdoors!

Reese inspired me to create a fun little workout. To see it (along with more pics of Reese working her tail off), just read more

Lately I have been getting inundated with questions from women ending with "Am I pregnant?" so I just want to clear up what needs to happen in order for you to even think there could be a remote possibility that you are preggers.

In order to get pregnant, you must have sex when you are ovulating, about 10-18 days after the first day of your period. During ovulation, your body releases an egg from one of its ovaries (you have two) each month and in order to get pregnant, a sperm has to unite with your egg. Since sperm can live up to 5 days inside a woman's body, technically a sperm could still be swimming inside you in which case it is possible it can fertilize your egg. Stress and taking certain meds can make you ovulate later in your cycle or not at all, which is why your period can be "late," so if you are worried you might be pregnant, take a pregnancy test.

What about if a guy ejaculates outside of your body? To find out, read more

The 2007 LIVESTRONG Challenge is the Lance Armstrong Foundation's signature fundraising event, inspired by one of the toughest cancer patients on the planet. This annual series of cycling, running and walking events takes place in the following cities this year:

Philadelphia, PA - August 25-26
Portland, OR - September 29-30
Austin, TX - October 12-14

These events allow anyone to walk, run, ride, or volunteer to support people affected by cancer. To join the race, you must pay a registration fee of $50. In addition, you must also raise a minimum of $250 for the Lance Armstrong Foundation. You can sign up in a team, join an existing team, or go as an individual.

If you can't make it to one of these events, you can always show your support by purchasing LIVESTRONG gear - all the proceeds go to support cancer programs. Whether you just want to help out of the kindness of your heart, you know someone who has had cancer, or you yourself have, you can also donate money directly to the Lance Armstrong foundation.

Listen to the Lance Armstrong Foundation's Manifesto and there's no way you won't be able to join the fight against cancer.

Some people consider the urban lifestyle totally unhealthy but that does not have to be the case. Urban transportation is usually walking, biking, subway, bus or taxi. Walking can be time consuming and biking seems scary on a road bike with über-thin tires and mountain biking on Park Avenue seems wrong since mountain bikes are, well, made for mountains.

Ever been to Europe -- particularly the Netherlands-- and noticed all the bikes? Nearly 30% of transportation in Amsterdam is done by citybike, but it has never even been a real option over here.

Want to get your own super cool citybike? Then, read more