Sex During Pregnancy by: Beverley Brooke

It is important that you nourish your relationship as much as your nourish your unborn child during pregnancy. Most women find that their bodies grow large and unwieldy during pregnancy. Many women are surprised to find that their sex drive actually increases during pregnancy, particularly during the second trimester. This is due to the increased amount of blood that is coursing through your pelvis and vagina. Is Sex Safe During Pregnancy? Sex is safe during pregnancy provided you have a low risk pregnancy with few complications. Your doctor will let you know if you should avoid sex for any reason at all. Most women can enjoy a healthy and fulfilling intimate relationship throughout their pregnancy, right up until their delivery date. Will I Enjoy Sex During Pregnancy? Surprisingly, many women find that they are more sexually aroused during their second trimester than they were prior to pregnancy. The increased blood flow to the vaginal and a woman’s growing bosom often results in a heightened sense of self and sexual arousal. Most women will shy away from sexual relations during their first trimester when morning sickness and fatigue often get in the way of love making. During the third trimester, some women find themselves uncomfortably large and prefer not to be intimate, whereas others continue having intercourse right up until they go into labor. Will Sex Hurt the Baby? One of the most common concerns of fathers to be is that sex will hurt the baby. Some men are afraid that they will bump into the baby when they have sex. By and large however this concern is unfounded. If your husband is overly concerned about having sex during pregnancy, have him join you at your prenatal visits. A little reassurance from your physician that he will not hurt or bump into the baby may be all your husband needs. Partners often react very individually when it comes to sex and pregnancy. While some men find the site of their wife’s blossoming body a true turn on, others are ambivalent or even a little turned off by pregnancy. It is important that you are open, honest and communicative with your partner about your needs during pregnancy, and try not to take any emotions your partner may be feeling personally. Remember that pregnancy is often an emotional roller coaster, and your husband or partner may be more concerned that you might react differently, or may be scared of the idea of having a family in general. Some men have a difficult time being intimate with their wives even when they recognize that they will not harm the baby, because they feel another presence is in the room. That said, many men and women have remarkable sexual relationships throughout their pregnancy. Even if you do not engage in intercourse with your husband, it is important that the two of you work on nurturing your relationship throughout your pregnancy. Foot rubs, kissing, back rubs and holding hands are all excellent ways to share some intimacy without actually engaging in intercourse. The best way you can ensure that you and your partner remain close during your pregnancy is to check in with your partner on occasion. Inform them of your needs, let them know where you are coming from and what you need or want from them. Positioning If you and your partner are interested in maintaining a healthy sexual relationship during pregnancy, then undoubtedly you must be wondering what positions will work best for you as your belly grows and expands. The best thing you can do during your pregnancy is keep an open mind and be creative. Most women will find that it is uncomfortable to enjoy sex in a missionary position after about the first or mid second trimester. Try flipping over, woman on top and even lying next to one another during your pregnancy. About the author: Article by Beverley Brooke, author of "Ensure a healthy safe pregnancy for you and your baby", visit http://www.pregnancy-weight-loss.comfor more on sex during pregnancy

Hormone Therapy for Women with Acne by: Naweko San-Joyz

More frequently women are combating acne and wrinkles simultaneously. It’s a hideous fight wrought with mysterious hormone signals and an even more baffling search for a cure. Acne does not go away with age Dr. Alan R. Shalita, who co-authored "The Effect of the Menstrual Cycle on Acne," found that contrary to the adage that, “You’ll grow out of acne”, premenstrual acne only seems to get worse with age. This study examined a group of 400 women ages 12 to 52. The investigators observed that 53 percent of women over age 33 experienced a higher rate of premenstrual acne than women under age 20-- who only reported a 39 percent increase in premenstrual acne. Dermatologist Diane Thiboutot, MD, associate professor of medicine at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center , Hershey , Pa. , proposes to clarify acne treatment options for women. Dr. Thiboutot explains that control of acne is an ongoing process and that all acne treatments work by preventing new acne. While most women suffering from adult acne seek standard treatments such as topical preparations or antibiotics, 60 percent of these femmes either do not respond to standard acne treatments or build up a tolerance to frequently prescribed medications such as antibiotics. Causes of Adult Acne It is not yet known exactly what causes adult acne, but several dermatologist like Dr. Alan R. Shalita, link adult acne to hormone fluctuations. Acne in a woman is often linked to her menstrual cycle. Women with premenstrual acne outbreaks, such as pimples on the lower face and neck, seem to respond particularly well to treatment with medications that either reduce or block androgen production. Androgen hormones create male traits in women such as a deepening of the voice, an increased libido or hirsutism that causes excessive or abnormal growth of hair. They also stimulate the oil glands. The oil mixes with skin cells and bacteria, causing inflammation in the skin that can result in the arrival of zits. What to Know Before Your Begin Hormone Therapy for Acne Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Before you begin a hormone treatment for acne, you should confirm that you are not suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, worldwide, about 15% of the women of reproductive age have PCOS. Polycystic ovary syndrome is a hormonal imbalanced characterized by irregular menstruation, obesity, infertility, acne and hair growth on the face, chest, and back (hirsutism). Like acne, PCOS is caused by an imbalance in androgen hormones. Dermatologists should work closely with your gynecologist to reduce the risks of infertility, cardiovascular disease and insulin-resistant diabetes. Before your dermatologist prescribes hormone therapy, she may perform a standard screening that includes two hormones - testosterone and DHEAS (dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate). It is important that you stop taking oral contraceptives for at least one month before any tests are performed because birth control pills can suppress androgens. Acne Hormone Treatment Options Dr. Diane Berson, MD, a clinical Assistant Professor at the Department of Dermatology, New York University , New York states that once a woman is diagnosed with hormonal acne, treatment options include oral contraceptive pills, corticosteroids and spironolactone. These treatments act by decreasing sebum production. Oral Contraceptive Pill The oral contraceptive pill, OCP, is the keystone of hormonal therapy. The OCPs most successfully employed in controlling acne contain a hormone called progestin, which has low androgenic activity, combined with 35 micrograms of ethinyl estradiol, an estrogen. You can find generic forms of this pill under names such as norgestimate or desogestrel. Oral Corticosteroids Oral corticosteroids, such as prednisone and dexamethasone may help improve acne by decreasing androgen production in the adrenal gland. Oral Spironolactone Oral spironolactone is a steroidal antiandrogen that prevents excessive oil production by blocking androgen receptors. Additionally, spironolactone decreases androgen production in both the ovaries and adrenal glands, resulting in fewer acne flare-ups. Doctors usually prescribe oral contraceptives with spironolactone to reduce spironolactone’s side effects of breast tenderness and menstrual irregularities. Risk Factors with Hormone Therapy Dr. Thiboutot counsels, "As with any therapy, there are risks and rewards. The risks of hormonal therapy require regular breast and pelvic exams to guard against the increased risk of certain types of cancers. It is vitally important that dermatologists work with the patient's gynecologist to determine the most appropriate treatment and follow-up especially in women over the age of 40 or those who might be smokers". About the author: Health author and Stanford University graduate Naweko San-Joyz lovingly writes from her home in San Diego. Her works include “Acne Messages: Crack the code of your zits and say goodbye to acne” (ISBN: 0974912204) and the upcoming work “Skinny Fat Chicks, Why we’re still not getting this dieting thing” (ISBN: 0974912212) for release in June of 2005. For useful acne self-help articles visit http://www.Noixia.com

For Women: Ice Is Nice! by: Louise Roach

Ice therapy is a women’s best friend. Really! I’m not kidding. When it comes to alternative medicine, using ice is an easy, drug-free and inexpensive therapy right out of your freezer. The simple technique of ‘icing’ is used to lessen pain and decrease inflammation, but it has many more uses, particularly for women. Injury treatment -- For sports and overuse injuries. R.I.C.E. therapy (rest-ice-compression-elevation) is the recommended method to treat muscle and joint pain, strains and sprains. Many athletes also use ice therapy as preventative treatment after a workout. Did you know that women’s risk of developing ACL injuries is four times greater then men? Always have ice therapy on hand after a marathon or off the slopes, in case your anterior cruciated ligament decides now’s the time to act up. Comfort back pain – Forty-one percent, or 10 million women a year, suffer from back pain. The major causes for women’s back pain are housework and gardening. Cool lower back pain with ice therapy. It’s an easy, immediate relief for nagging pain after you’ve been pulling weeds or lugging groceries. Ease migraine headache pain – Every woman experiences migraines at some point in their life. It might be part of your monthly cycle or a symptom of menopause. Ice therapy is a proven remedy for migraine relief. Lie down for five to ten minutes and place an ice pack behind your neck, on your forehead or temples. Ice naturally reduces inflammation and numbs pain, decreasing the effect of migraines and easing you into relief without the use of drugs. Chill hot flashes and night sweats – 80% of women will experience body heat fluctuations during menopause. Nothing chills a hot flash like an ice pack! Keep a chilled pack in an insulated tote next to your bed at night, ready when a flush of heat wakes you up. Family first aid and home emergencies – If you have children or an accident-prone husband, an ice pack in the freezer is a necessity. Considered the first line of treatment to use for bumps, bruises, sprains, black eyes, strains or minor burns, ice therapy is a must for home emergencies. Reduce swelling after surgery – Whether it’s cosmetic, reconstructive, or joint replacement – all will result in postoperative swelling and bruising. Ice therapy is recommend by most doctors to decrease inflammation and bruising after surgery. Reduce puffy eyes – Not enough sleep? Allergies? Ice therapy relieves puffy, swollen eyes with a little TLC. Cool minor burns and treat insect bites – Like to garden, but hate sunburn and bugs bites? Summer sun and pesky bugs won’t get the best of you when you use ice therapy. Wrap an ice pack in a towel for a cold compress to gently cool sunburned skin. (But don’t use on skin that has blistered – seek medical attention for damaged skin.) Take the sting out of bug bites, by using an ice massage directly on the bite for 5 to 10 minutes. It will numb pain, relieve some of the itching, and reduce swollen bumps caused by the bite. Let ice be nice to you! Disclaimer: This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical treatment or consultation. Always consult with your physician in the event of a serious injury. About the author: About the Author: Louise Roach is a health and fitness editor, marketing specialist, and product development consultant. She helps others find pain relief through the use of SnowPack Cold Therapy products. Ms. Roach has recently developed a take-with-you ice therapy kit for women, with a percentage of the proceeds being donated to the Women’s Information Network Against Breast Cancer (WIN ABC). Learn more about the benefits of cold therapy at http://www.snowpackusa.com/

Female Self Pleasuring Tips For The Adventurous Woman by: E. J. Davis

Unlike men, whose sex organs are available for self pleasure by stroking and stimulating any time of the day, women have to contrive to entice their clitoris out of hiding and available for pleasuring. One of the most common female self pleasuring tips is the use of sex toys and gadgets. Luckily for us, female self pleasure toys can be found in our very own kitchen. Sure, jokes have been made about this, but it’s true. The usual suspects here are any penis-like vegetables and fruits, like carrots, cucumbers or zucchinis. Bananas are too soft to do the trick. Sometimes, un-penis-like fruits and vegetables can create another type of female self pleasure as a form of taste aphrodisiac: cherries, grapes, or sections of oranges. Feel free to use different female self pleasure techniques to enhance your arousal. Inserting any of the penis-like items inside your vulva, as you would a dildo will add to your self pleasure. As a female self pleasure technique, the use of fruits and vegetables has a lot going for it: It will not endanger you physically, in contrast to, for example, using a bottle, which might break inside you, or, a piece of wood, which might splinter--ouch! I am not sure that anyone has ever used an open bottle for this purpose, but it is worth cautioning all women against it: An open bottle will form a-suction inside you and it would be quite impossible to remove it without the embarrassment of explaining to a doctor why you are depositing strange objects inside your vagina. After you’ve pleasured yourself with just about everything you can from your fridge, you might want to try a dildo. Dildos have been manufactured to be sold and used especially for female self pleasuring. They were not merely created to aid men in their sexual fantasies when they watch all those erotic movies. Erotic movies, however, are very informative when it comes to learning how to use dildos. Use a dildo to massage your clitoris and slide it in and out and around your vagina. Even better are the men, who possess the lingual skillfulness similar to a dildo but more importantly, they are selfless enough to aspire to that ability. Either way, these great female self pleasuring techniques will open up a whole new world of female self pleasuring ideas. Copyright 2005 – E.J. Davis About the author: E.J. Davis is a writer who firmly believes that the ultimate pleasure begins with a simple caress. She currently writes for a1-online-dating.com http://www.a1-online-dating.com

Female Hair Loss: once a mystery by: Hairy Lighty

During some time, people used to believe that female hair loss was related to heredity. Since this condition has been a nightmare for many women, the Medicine started to study this case and the revelations are amazing. In spite of what people used to think, female hair loss is not ONLY related to heredity. In fact, this is a secondary factor. The causes of female hair loss are a little bit more complicated than the causes related to men’s hair loss. Women in general experience hair loss due to stress, drug therapies and menopause. Although the first two factors mentioned here are also related to hair loss in men, they are more frequent in women. In general, women tend to be more concerned about the daily life than men. This increases the level of stress and one of its manifestations in the female organism is the hair loss. In this case, the treatment should not only stimulate hair growth, but also treat stress. Otherwise, even if hair growth is stimulated, hair loss can occur again. The use of drug for therapy is a complicated issue. Hair loss due to this is frequent in the treatment against cancer. The drugs used in chemotherapy are too aggressive and hair loss may be the slight side effect. Menopause is another problem. Besides all the unbalance in the organism that it causes, menopause can cause hair loss as an indirect consequence of it. In addition to that, other factor is related to hair loss in female. Since female use to dye their hair more frequent than men. The dye used may provoke some reactions. And these reactions in long-term may cause hair loss. Although some people advise about that, this is highly ignored by women. When they start dying their hair, they are worried about “being pretty” and don’t care about the possibility of experiencing hair loss. Although all these and although it seems hopeless, there are some things women can do in order to help hair loss. www.female-hair-loss-secrets.info About the author: Hairy Lighty www.female-hair-loss-secrets.info

Female Hair Loss: Finding A Hair Loss Solution by: Kathlene Capelle

As a female, if you are facing thinning and losing hair, you are probably pretty stressed by it. However, you will not be worrying and causing more hair to drop once you understand some facts about female hair loss. You see, in many cases, female hair loss is just a temporary occurance and hence, finding a hair loss solution to it is relatively easy. Androgenetic alopecia is the hereditary form of baldness that affects 50 percent of men, and some women after 40. Female hair loss usually starts after menopause although it can begin earlier. The main reason for this is that estrogen levels decline. Hormonal changes cause hair to thin. It is comforting to note that other than androgenetic alopecia, the most common cause of hair loss in women, is a result of metabolic and hormonal changes. Thus, the hair loss is usually temporary. Also, unlike men, women rarely become totally bald. However, what females generally experience is the thinning of their hair. For example, in the case of pregnancy, hair loss is temporary and should stop about 6 months after birth. When a woman is pregnant, a large amount of oestrogen is produced causing the hair follicles to go into their growth phase. Once the baby is born, the woman’s hormonal balance is restored. The reverse now happens with the hair follicles going into a hair loss phase. While nothing much can be done to prevent hair loss during this period, applying hair tonic to hasten hair re-growth can be a helpful solution. Crash diets leading to rapid weight loss over a short period of time prompts excessive hair loss. Physical and emotional stress can cause hair loss but this usually only occurs after a prolonged period of time and in extreme cases. Once stress levels are restored to normal levels, hair loss should stop. Thus, a good hair loss solution is to find ways to reduce stress! Certain drugs can also cause hair to shed. The most common medical treatment that causes hair loss is chemotherapy. The drug medication attacks the hair cells, causing hair loss from the scalp. Certain prescription drugs (for thyroid hormone deficiency, diabetes and lupus) and dieting supplements are also causes of hair loss. Once these drug medications are stopped, the hair loss problem should disappear. Other stresses to the hair may include frequent dyeing and chemicals eg. perming solutions applied to the hair. Generally, healthy hair can undergo these treatments without showing signs of stress, if they are not done too often. But if hair is not allowed a chance to recover from the constant application of hair chemicals, then it becomes brittle and starts to break off. Hair loss treatment products to help strengthen the follicles should help when applied to the scalp. Once you understand what is happening to your hair, then seek out the right hair loss solution. In most cases, if the cause is temporary, then you can be assured that your problem will pass with the right remedy actions. However, for the more serious cases, do seek the professional help of a licensed dermatologist for a complete diagnosis and treatment plan. About the author: Kathlene Capelle is a writer for beauty tips and advice. She believes in helping people regain their confidence through a beautiful crop of hair. For more articles, tips and resources, please visit her site at http://www.hair-loss-remedy-central.com

End Hormone-Replacement Therapy Confusion by: John Dawson

Women CAN fight aging: feel forever young, healthy and feminine What do women want as they get older? They want to retain the wisdom of their years, but they certainly don’t want to look, or feel, old. Fortunately there are natural ways for women to treat menopause and the health challenges that accompany aging. The years may pass, but you can still feel – and look – young, healthy and vital. End hormone-replacement therapy confusion For years, some women looked on hormone-replacement therapy (HRT) as a panacea for aging. They took HRT not only for uncomfortable symptoms like hot flushes, irritability, and insomnia, but also as a preventative to help protect themselves from diseases like heart disease, stroke, and even Alzheimer's. Then the "HRT risk" studies began to appear. If you've been to see your doctor lately, you'll find that the doctor is as confused as you are. It seems that HRT is not the ultimate solution that women hoped for, and may even cause the very problems women were hoping to avoid. Some women decided that they could face the risks and stayed with hormone treatment. Some women stopped taking HRT and sought other solutions instead: natural remedies. Researchers believe that going the natural route is better for women's health, because each woman experiences menopause in her own way. Some women have no symptoms. Others have both physical and emotional symptoms that make their lives a misery. Stay forever young with Goldshield Elite anti-aging products for women Goldshield Elite has a full range of products to help women to look and feel young, and to improve their general health and well-being. Time Fighters For Women: get your groove back If your busy lifestyle means that you're missing meals and vital nutrients, Time Fighters will help. It's a multi-vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant supplement, with enhanced calcium and vitamin D for strong bones. Time Fighters is for menopausal women, and contains herbs to help you to kick the emotional problems which plague many women during the menopause years. These ingredients include Panax ginseng, a general tonic and energy boost; black cohosh for irritability and mood swings; and chaste tree fruit, used since the 1930s for hormonal fluctuations which cause fluid retention, headache, and fatigue. Eternal Youth: get your youthful glow back If your skin is dry, and you're pining for youthful dewiness, pine no more. Eternal Youth features Hyaluronic Acid (HA) and Dermatan Sulphate (DS) in an exclusive " Master Moisturiser" formulation unavailable anywhere else. A US television show featured a Japanese village, with many healthy, happy, active 80 to 90 year olds with clear, supple, smooth, young-looking skin. The reason? A diet rich in HA. HA is also beneficial for healthy joints and connective tissue, as well as supporting healthy vision. Rejuvenate for Women: get relaxed, calm and healthy Rejuvenate for Women has been specially formulated to combat the PMS-like symptoms that women of all ages experience. These can include bloating, cramps, increases in appetite, weight gain, and many more. Rejuvenate for Women contains a combination of natural substances which not only relieve all PMS-like symptoms, but also make you feel great. These include natural herbal extracts, plus fatty acids, phyto-estrogens, wild Mexican yam, and evening primrose oil. Rejuvenate Natural Balancing Progesterone Crčme: all natural HRT from plants Rejuvenate Natural Balancing Progesterone Crčme is a safe, natural form of hormone-replacement progesterone which comes from plants. It's used as a skin cream, because by entering the body via the skin, it bypasses the liver, and maintains the product's potency. Rejuvenate Natural Balancing Progesterone Crčme contains other natural plant essential oils and estrogenic herbs to help you look and feel great: ylang ylang oil, dong quai root, red clover blossom, chaste tree berry, and chamomile blossom. With Goldshield Elite's products, no one will ever guess your age – and if you tell them, they won't believe you. About the author: John has been involved in the health & wellness industry for a number of years. The human body requires good nutrition to renew, repair and rejuvenate itself on a daily basis. John created http://www.LifeStyleSuccess2007.comfrom his experiences and personal success and now supplies cutting edge, scientifically backed nutritional products.