5 Tips to Improve Your Reproductive Health

Whether you have an interest in conceiving with your partner or you want to live a healthier lifestyle, it is important to take care of all aspects of your health. Often times people think about weight loss, becoming fit, or eating healthier but there are many other aspects to one’s overall wellness that can positively or negatively impact one’s quality of life. This article will focus on how you can take care of your reproductive health so that when you are ready to bear a child, your body will be able to do so.

1. STD Testing. Regardless of your relationship status, if you are sexually active, you should get tested for STD’s at least once a year. If you are a woman, getting tested can be as easy as asking your doctor to do an extra swab during your annual obgyn appointment. If you do not have annual check-ups, you can still get an STD test from your doctor or even online. Checking for diseases can alert you to potential problems that you may have while trying to conceive. Some diseases do not have symptoms so they can be around for a long period of time without you knowing. Clearing up any potential diseases can help you conceive quicker.

2. Track your cycle. Knowing your cycle can help you feel connected to your body and will allow you to be in tune with yourself in a way that is empowering. Knowing your cycle will help you pinpoint certain parts of the month where you may feel tired, crave chocolate, or experience an acne breakout and help you prepare for these times in your cycle. Not to mention, when these things happen you can practice self-compassion instead of passing judgement on to yourself as to why your body is acting the way that it is.

3. Choose a birth control method that works well for you. At your annual appointment with your doctor, be sure to discuss your birth control method and how it working for you. If you take an oral contraceptive, be sure to ask about the latest prescriptions and share any side effects you have experienced from the one you currently take. Perhaps there is a new release that could be a better option for you. By talking to your doctor, you can learn about new birth control options so that you can always make the best decision for today and your future.

4. Drink water. Hydrating your body is imperative to living a healthy lifestyle. Believe it or not, drinking enough water can also help you stay lubricated during sexual activity and will help with conceiving if that is your goal.

5. Take care of yourself. Yes, it is important to visit your doctor annually and participate in STD screenings from time to time, but it is also important to practice self-care and have high standards of hygiene. Keeping yourself clean and fresh is important to staying healthy and free of illness.

Hair Regrowth after Alopecia: What to expect

Alopecia is a very broad term for hair loss. There are many different types of alopecia you can end up with, all with different symptoms and signs. Some of the most common types of Alopecia include Male (and female) pattern baldness, Anagen Effluvian, and Scarring Alopecia. 

Pattern Baldness is the most common type of hair loss, and effects most people over the age of 50. In some cases, Pattern Baldness can affect people before this age. Signs that you have this type of hair loss include a receding or “horseshoe” hairline. It’s thought this type of hair loss is hereditary, meaning it runs in the family. 

If you’re hoping to regrow your hair with this type of hair loss, there are some treatments out there that could help you, which are outlined below. This type of hair loss is completely natural, and means that your hair is less than likely to grow back once it has been lost.

If you are suffering from Anagen Effluvian, you can expect hair loss nearly everywhere on the body. From the top of the head to your face and arms, this type of hair loss is completely widespread and is caused by treatments such as Chemotherapy and other cancer treatments, such as Radiotherapy. This type of hair loss is temporary; you can expect regrowth once you have completed your treatment. 

When your hair grows back after experiencing this type of hair loss, it can be a different colour, texture and feel to the hair you had before your illness. It isn’t entirely understood why this happens to those who experience Anagen Effluvian, however there are still ongoing studies.

Scarring Alopecia is a result of another complication, either illness or accident. In this type of alopecia, the hair follicles are completely destroyed, and hair will no longer grow from the affected area. This type of hair loss is rare, and will only affect 7% of those with hair loss issues.

Other types of hair loss diagnosis from which your hair will grow back includes Telogen Effluvium, and Alopecia Areata. If you are worried about your hair loss, and it’s affecting you, you can speak to your GP about options available to you. In some cases, treatment can be administered in order to stimulate hair follicle growth. Finasteride and Minoxidil are two examples of this. If you’re too embarrassed to visit your doctor, or you would like to deal with your hair loss on your own terms, you can buy treatments for yourself online with sites such as Minoxidil2U.

Guest Article written by Gina Kay Daniel

Why I'm Sick Of Rules For Women

So I saw this today about women preventing rape and my brain exploded with rage.  I am so sick of women being blamed for their rapes, not being believed, treated abominably in Court by defence barristers and most of all, the rules that we are apparently supposed to follow in order to avoid being raped.

The thing is, these rules seem to change by the day and completely contradict each other.  Examples:

1. Wear nail polish and stick our fingers in drinks to make sure we don't get spiked.
2. Wear chastity belts, oh no sorry they are calling them anti rape underwear.
3. Don't wear "provocative clothing". Leave something to the imagination they tell us.  What do you think we have hiding under our clothes, the bridge to Terabithia?
4. Don't wear headphones in public. 
5. Walk in pairs (if you don't have a friend handy, grab the hand of the nearest woman)
6. Don't get drunk, even in your own home.

However, 

1. Talk back to the fella following you on the street. Poor fella just wants a date, why are you being so rude?
2. Say thanks when a man catcalls you.  He probably spent at least a second thinking up such an original compliment as "Hey sugar tits".  Be grateful!
3. Don't walk down the street with your keys in your fingers. Don't you trust us? Not all men!
4. Do have a relationship with a guy friend because he fancies you. He put kindness coins in after all! He's a nice guy, you're not allowed a type!

No sweetie, he isn't dangerous, he is wearing face fashion!

Most importantly, do not under any circumstrances suggest that rapists are the ones responsible for rape because you will then drown in a sea of "not all men"! This also completely ignores that men get raped too.

Have I got it all?  Because I am sick of women being blamed for crimes committed against them.