FitSugar

Getting Down and Dirty in the Pool Ain't Clean

FitSugar — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 09:47:57 PDT

If warm, sunny weather is inspiring you to get hot and heavy, you may want to skip getting it on in the pool, and save your nookie time for dry land. Although making sweet love in the water sounds sensual and natural, since you're wearing next to nothing already, it's not exactly the safest way to get it on.

Here's a mood killer for you: lake, river, ocean, and pond water contain bacteria, so getting intimate can introduce that bacteria into your vagina, which could put you at risk for infections that you don't want up there. Pool water is no better since it contains chlorine that could irritate your lady business, or disrupt the natural pH balance in your vagina, leading to a yeast infection. As for hot tubs, they're often not chlorinated enough, which means they're teeming with who knows what - bacteria!

Still not convinced? Then

read more. You may have heard that getting busy underwater will prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or pregnancy, but this is not true. As long as there is contact between two partners, semen and other bodily fluids can still pass from one person to another, which makes conception or contraction of STIs possible. You're using a condom, you say? Although in the bedroom, condoms are very effective at preventing both pregnancy and the spread of infection, in the water, the lack of natural lubrication can make condoms more apt to break or slip off without either person realizing it. Not to mention, the lack of natural moisture can also cause friction, which will chafe your sensitive lady parts. Water and sex just don't mix, so my advice is to reserve pool time for swimming, and save the shagging for later.

UK Ad Campaign Tells Baby Boomers to Put on Condoms

TresSugar — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 10:30:10 PDT

For Sexual Health Week, the UK's Family Planning Association is targeting middle-age Brits after statistics revealed they're contracting STDs twice as often as they were a decade ago.

I have to give the campaign credit. Depicting people our parents' age on sex benders is a dangerous pursuit, but these ads focus on their fashion prime rather than their sexual second wind.

And we've seen a lot of retro ads - I'm guessing these pictures are real - and these look just about right. My only complaint? The "wear this" tagline doesn't exactly work for women.

View 4 Photos ›

STIs Explained: Genital Herpes

FitSugar — Thu, 03 May 2007 17:15:00 PDT

They say love is free, but having unprotected sex in this day and you might be paying the price forever. Did I get your attention? Well I am talking about some serious business since as I learned in high school - Genital Herpes is FOREVER. There is NO cure, so it's really important to take all precautions to prevent getting it.

STIs like Genital Herpes, Chlamydia and Gonorrhea are 100% avoidable, and having no sexual contact would be ideal. Since that might not work, before becoming sexually active with anyone - make sure you and your partner get tested for all STIs before having unprotected sex.

Using latex or polyurethane condoms when having sex is also a great idea, but since a condom can't cover all the infected areas, it's no guarantee that you are 100% protected. Being in a mutually monogamous relationship with someone you know is uninfected is also a great way to keep yourself safe.

Want to hear all about Genital Herpes? Then

STI	Symptoms	How do you test for it?	Treatment
Genital Herpes	Small, painful blisters - these can go away after 1-3 weeks but another outbreak can occur weeks or months after Itching or burning before blisters appear	Blood test, or fluid is taken from the blisters and tested	There is NO cure, but antiviral medications can shorten or prevent outbreaks. Although it's rare for a pregnant woman to pass Genital Herpes onto her baby during delivery, a C-Section is usually performed.

Source

5 Health Reasons to Make Time For Cuddling

Shape — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 04:08:28 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Shape here on FitSugar.

Next time your guy gets on your case about cuddle time — he says he's too hot, needs his space, doesn't feel like relaxing — present the evidence. Research suggests that there's more to cuddling than meets the eye. Lovey-dovey'ness aside, the health benefits of cuddling will surely convince him to make time for it.

Reason 1: It Feels Good
Cuddling releases oxytocin, which is also known as the feel-good hormone. "It increases overall happiness," says psychologist, physical therapist, and author of bestseller A Happy You: Your Ultimate Prescription for Happiness Elizabeth Lombardo.

"Cuddling, holding, and sexual play releases chemicals, like oxytocin, in the brain that create a sense of well-being and happiness," says Dr. Renee Horowitz, an ob-gyn who recently opened the Center for Sexual Wellness in Farmington Hills, Michigan.

Cuddling can also release endorphins, which is the chemical released after a good workout or when you eat chocolate, Horowitz adds, which contributes to that great feeling.

Dr. Oz: 5 Tips for Lasting Love, Health, and Happiness

Reason 2: It Makes You Feel Sexy
The most obvious benefit to cuddling is getting close to your partner in the physical sense. Cuddling can lead to fun sexy time or relaxing and loving time post sexual intercourse, but there's also a chemical plus.

"There is also the release of dopamine, which is an excitatory hormone that increases sexual desire," Horowitz says. Plus, studies show that sex is healthy for fitness and mental reasons, too. So it's a win-win.

Keep reading for two more reason to snuggle up!

Study Shows IUDs May Cut Risk of Cervical Cancer in Half

Jenny Sugar — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 09:42:59 PDT

Whether you use a traditional copper IUD or the plastic version that releases the hormone progestin, a recent international study shows that both types of intrauterine devices (IUDs) may lower a woman's risk of cervical cancer. The data was collected from 10 previously published studies comparing women with cervical cancer to women without the disease, as well as data from 16 HPV frequency surveys conducted in 14 countries.

IUD use is already associated with a reduced risk of endometrial cancer, but research discovered that women who used this T-shaped device for at least a year had almost half the risk of developing cervical cancer as women who had never used one. This includes the two major types of cervical cancer known as squamous cell and adenosquamous carcinoma, which is caused by infection from the sexually transmitted human papillomavirus (HPV).

Researchers aren't exactly sure how this little matchstick-sized IUD may help prevent cervical cancer. Since it hangs inside your uterus, the constant low-grade inflammation near the cervix may encourage the immune system to fight HPV, preventing the virus from duplicating.

This news is great for women already using an IUD or those considering it for pregnancy prevention, but IUDs aren't the best method for preventing cervical cancer. Using condoms and getting vaccinated to protect yourself from the HPV virus as well as scheduling regular Pap tests with your gynecologist are top on the list when it comes to cervical cancer prevention.

Are you overdue for a Pap smear? If so, here's your friendly reminder to make an appointment!

DrSugar Discusses Birth Control: IUDs

DrSugar — Thu, 19 May 2011 10:35:43 PDT

DrSugar is in the house! This week she explains the pros and cons of using IUDs for birth control.

To continue our ongoing series of gynecological topics, I have decided to write about intrauterine devices (IUDs) as a form of birth control. Even though I learned about IUDs through many outlets (sex ed in school, medical school), I decided to research them more thoroughly since the birth control pills I started taking after having my baby negatively affected my milk supply. I had to find an alternate mode of contraception so I could continue to have an abundant milk supply for my little one. I had a Paragard (copper) IUD inserted a couple of weeks ago and I'll share my experience as well as more information about two types of IUDs in today's column! Keep reading for more info.

Copycat Pregnancies Occur, but Study Finds Teen Virginity Rising

Heather Maddan — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 10:46:41 PST

The spotlight might be on the teen moms and (their copycat friends) becoming celebrities courtesy of MTV, but not all adolescents are sexually active. A recent report by the National Center for Health Statistics says "27% of young men and 29% of young women ages 15-24 say they've never had a sexual encounter." That's a five and seven percent increase (of those that are abstinent) from the organization's 2002 study. While pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases may be deterrents for some kids, parental influence, ethics, and maturity also likely play a role in their decisions. One report said:

Among those ages 15-19 in the new study, 45% of girls and 41% of boys reported no sexual contact; among ages 15-17, 58% of girls and 53% of boys said they had no sexual contact with another person. For ages 20-24, just 12% of women and 13% of men had never had sexual contact.

Do you think teen virginity will become a trend?

DrSugar: Testing For STDs?

DrSugar — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 09:00:48 PDT

DrSugar is in the house! And she's answering your health-related questions.

DrSugar,
I have no specific reason to believe that I have an STD, nor do I have any symptoms. I've been in a monogamous relationship for almost four years. I've been to the gynecologist for exams (including pap) on an annual basis since I was 18 (eight years), and have had my blood tested by my general practitioner as part of routine physical exams twice in the past few years, with nothing to report. I'm wondering whether or not STDs would show on a blood test or during a gynecological exam or if it's possible that I could have one and not know. Thanks.
- Concerned About Testing

I think this is a fantastic issue to discuss as sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) continue to be a cause for concern in sexually active individuals, whether in monogamous relationships or not. First, I'd like to applaud you for seeing your gynecologist and primary care physician on a yearly basis to get pelvic exams/pap smears and routine blood tests. I cannot stress enough the importance of having at least a primary care physician and seeing him or her on a routine basis for yearly physicals and screening.

To learn more about screenings for STDs, keep on reading.

Know the Facts to Ward Off Warts

FitSugar — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 13:30:11 PDT

People have many misconceptions about warts that go far beyond the whole "kiss a toad" thing. Even if you understand that the toad caveat is a myth, some other facts and fictions about warts may surprise you.

Most types of warts are relatively painless and harmless, with the exception of genital warts, which are a sexually transmitted disease (read more about genital warts here). All warts (yes, even the genital kind) are caused by a virus known as the human papillomavirus (HPV), of which there are more than 100 types.

So-called common warts are most often found on the hands, while flat warts can surface on the face or backs of hands. A bit more painful and uncomfortable, plantar warts are warts found on the soles of your feet.

So what's the deal with all sorts of warts?

DrSugar Answers: Birth Control and Trying to Conceive

DrSugar — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 07:00:10 PDT

DrSugar is in the house! And she's answering your health-related questions.

DrSugar,
I just read your post about getting off of the pill and having irregular periods afterward. I am thankful for your article as I had experienced two to three months of no period! I am looking to conceive possibly in the next three to four years and wondering if you were able to do so after being on the pill for an extended period of time . . . I understand that irregular ovulation will certainly make conceiving more challenging but I'm interested to know your experience with this. Thanks!
- Baby on the Brain

I received this question from a reader after my recent post on what to expect when stopping oral birth control pills. I thought it was a great topic to discuss, and I will also share my personal, ongoing struggle with trying to conceive, so

read more. Assuming you have started menstruating again, it will be important for you to start keeping track of your cycle lengths. Because you are interested in conceiving in about three to four years, this gives you a long period of time to determine if there are any problems with irregular ovulation and menstruation. Should you determine that you have irregular ovulation, you should consult with a gynecologist or your primary care physician to determine the cause. First and foremost, infertility is a very common problem. According to the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention, about 10 percent of women in the United States ages 15 to 44 have difficulty getting or staying pregnant. But infertility is not always a woman’s problem. According to the Mayo Clinic, in about 20 percent of cases, infertility is due to a cause involving the male partner. For women, the most common causes of infertility include fallopian tube damage or blockage, endometriosis, ovulation disorders, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), early menopause, or benign uterine fibroids. Fallopian tube blockage or damage usually results from inflammation of the fallopian tube; chlamydia, a sexually transmitted disease, is a common cause. Endometriosis occurs when uterine tissue implants and grows outside of the uterus, often affecting the ovaries or fallopian tubes; the condition can lead to chronic pelvic pain and infertility. Ovulation disorders generally include problems that affect the hormones involved in ovulation. This can include injury or tumors of the pituitary or hypothalamus in the brain or excessive exercise and starvation. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) develops when a woman’s body produces an excess of male hormone (testosterone), which in turn affects ovulation. Early menopause (or premature ovarian failure) is the absence of menstruation and the depletion of ovarian follicles before the age of 40. Other causes of infertility in women include thyroid problems, cancer and its treatment, excessive caffeine intake, and medical problems such as diabetes and kidney disease. There are a number of risk factors that can contribute to infertility. Age is an important factor. According to WebMD, the number of infertile couples rises with increasing age. The chances of having a baby decrease by three to five percent per year after the age of 30. The reduction in fertility is seen to a much higher extent after age 40. Tobacco smoking can also affect fertility in both males and females, and among American women, infertility is often due to a sedentary lifestyle and being overweight. Conversely, women who are underweight (especially due to eating disorders) are also at higher risk for infertility. Too little or too much exercise has also been shown to increase the risk. Whew. I know that was a lot of information all at once, so I’ll slow things down and share with you my journey with trying to conceive. I'm 31 and I was on the pill for 12 years. I stopped the pill about one and a half years ago as my husband and I were hoping to begin trying to conceive. After I stopped the pill, I had very irregular cycles that were five to 12 weeks in length. I finally decided to see a doctor about nine months after stopping the pill. After lab tests and a pelvic ultrasound, I was diagnosed with oligo-ovulation (which means that I did ovulate, but it was a rare occurrence). My lab tests showed a slightly elevated testosterone level, and the pelvic ultrasound revealed possible PCOS. Although my gynecologist did not feel that I truly met the diagnosis for PCOS, he prescribed a common medication for women who have PCOS. I was started on Clomid, which stimulates ovulation by causing the pituitary gland to release the hormones needed for egg growth. I have been on this medication for the past four months, three of which have resulted in ovulation. I have also modified my lifestyle by gaining some weight (I always had a very healthy diet and active lifestyle), stopping caffeine intake, and undergoing acupuncture not only for fertility but also to reduce stress. I remain hopeful that I will conceive in the near future. I encourage any of you who are thinking of or are already trying to conceive to see your primary care doctor or gynecologist for preconception evaluation and planning. Also, if you have been trying to get pregnant for six months or longer, it is recommended to seek consultation for evaluation and workup. Have a question for DrSugar? You can send to me via private message here, and I will forward it to the good doctor.

DrSugar's posts are for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Click here for more details.