Find out what you need to know about ovarian cysts. Source: Shutterstock.com

We want all you readers to be as well-informed as you can be when it comes to your health and body, so that’s why today, we’re giving you the lowdown on ovarian cysts.

As you have probably already guessed, ovarian cysts have to do with the ovaries. But what exactly are they? Well, the cysts themselves are sacs of fluid which form on a woman’s ovaries.

Cysts come in different types and can happen for a number of different reasons. The most common kind of cyst is called a “follicular cyst.” That happens when an egg isn’t released from within the follicle (a sac of fluid).

Another type of cyst is called a “corpus luteum cyst.” Basically after your ovary releases an egg, it results in this bit of tissue (aka corpus luteum). In some cases, it doesn’t break down like it should and instead becomes a cyst. Other causes for ovarian cysts could be another condition, like polycystic ovary syndrome or endometriosis.

On the whole, ovarian cysts are actually pretty common and you may not even realize that you have one until something happens, like it ruptures and you start to feel pain. You could also be affected if the cyst causes “torsion” to occur, which means it causes the ovary to twist. Blood can no longer reach the ovary and it can result in intense pain in your abdomen that needs to be addressed by a doctor immediately.

While you may not know you have one, your doctor may be able to find an ovarian cyst during a pelvic exam. A pelvic ultrasound can also check for ovarian cysts.

A lot of times, an ovarian cyst will just go away on its own. Your doctor may monitor the cyst to make sure that it’s getting smaller and you also may need to make some lifestyle tweaks for a bit (like abstaining from exercise) to prevent any complications from arising (like torsion).

If the ovarian cyst isn’t going away, is getting bigger or hurts you, there are also options for it to be surgically removed. Some women are prescribed birth control pills to help prevent new cysts from forming.

In some cases, an ovarian cyst could contain tumors (both cancerous and non-cancerous). Before you stress out too much though about possibly having cancer, know that the Center For Young Women’s Health notes that it’s pretty rare for a cyst to be cancerous. Still, it’s just another reason to make sure you are getting regular check ups to be safe.

While you may not always have symptoms, there are a few things like instances of pelvic pain, irregularities in your period and a need to urinate often, which could be evidence of an ovarian cyst. As always, if anything feels off with your body, make sure you discuss it with your doctor so that she can be proactive about figuring out what’s up, whether it is an ovarian cyst or maybe something else.

Had you heard of ovarian cysts before? What other health topics would you want us to cover? Tell us in the comments!

I Thought I Had A Tumor… Down There

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Don’t know what smegma is? We’ve got the info. Source: Shutterstock.com

Last week, we talked about what amenorrhea is and how it’s kind of tricky to say and spell, but very important to know. Today, we’re continuing talking about health topics with terms that may be less familiar. In fact, I’ll admit that this is a word that even I’d never heard used until quite recently.

The subject of the day: “smegma.” So what is it? Well, smegma is a bodily substance that comes out of your sebaceous glands.

The substance is a mix of something called “sebum” (a mix of fats, cholesterol and more) and also old cells. The term smegma is typically the word used to describe the secretions and gathering of this substance in the genital area.

Both men and women can have smegma. For women, smegma can gather around the clitoris and labia. For guys, it gathers between the head of the penis and the foreskin.

Guys who are uncircumcised (meaning that their foreskin is intact) may have a hard time cleaning under the foreskin and thus smegma could accumulate.

The adjective that I saw dictionary definitions and medical sites often use to describe smegma is “cheesy,” and it also is characterized by a specific odor. Besides having a scent, how else does it really impact the body?

Well, smegma is a lubricant for guys. That said, a gathering of smegma could actually cause irritation and inflammation of the penis known as balanitis.

If you notice that you have smegma accumulating, it can generally be addressed by rinsing it with water and then just making sure you stay on top of your down-there hygiene. If you have general questions or concerns, as always, you should reach out to your doctor so that she can address your specific needs.

Had you ever heard of smegma before? What other health topics would you want us to cover? Tell me in the comments!

Your Complete Guide To Birth Control Options

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When it comes to health topics, sometimes there are some words out there that are kind of intimidating. That’s okay – it’s just important to break them down a little bit to understand just what they are. Maybe in reading about your body or looking up women’s health topics, you’ve come across the term “amenorrhea.”

Let’s first start with how to say it. It rhymes with “gonorrhea” but instead of the “gonor” part, it’s just “amen.” A-men-or-ee-a. Okay, so once you can say it, the next thing is to obviously know what it means. Amenorrhea is medical terminology and it’s the official way of saying that you’re not getting your period.

From there, it can be broken down into two classifications: primary and secondary. If you still haven’t had your period at all by the time you turn 16, that’s what’s known as “primary amenorrhea.”

“Secondary amenorrhea” is if you stop getting your period, even though you’ve had it before. While having an irregular period is often normal, it gets labeled as secondary amenorrhea if the absence of your period has been over three cycles or sixth months.

So the natural question is why would someone not have their period, and the thing is that there are a whole lot of answers. If you’re not getting your period and are sexually active, it could be that you’re pregnant, so your doctor would first test for that. If that’s not the case, amenorrhea is often a symptom of something else or a side effect of a change to your body.

The thing is that there really are many possibilities. It could be a result of stress or excessive exercise or losing weight. If you’re into sports, you may have heard of it in relation to the “female athlete triad” – the triad being amenorrhea, disordered eating and osteoporosis – which is a found in some female athletes.

Other possibilities include a side effect of your medication (including some birth control), hormone-related reasons, an issue with your reproductive organs, or an indication of another medical condition.

In any case, if you’re not getting your period for an extended time, it’s important to take it seriously and talk with your doctor. Treatment of amenorrhea really depends on what’s causing it, and because there are so many possibilities, it will take your doctor’s help to pinpoint the issue and get it figured out. She can perform any necessary examinations or tests that will hopefully find the cause and develop a treatment plan.

So amenorrhea may be an unfamiliar word, but it means something both straightforward, and important. It’s an example of why it’s important to take time to look up things up to better inform yourself about women’s health. If you come across the term online or in a book, now you know exactly what it means. If you feel like you might be experiencing amenorrhea, definitely speak up so you and your doctor can figure out the cause from one of those many possibilities.

Had you ever heard of amenorrhea before? Tell me in the comments!

Survey Says: How Normal Is Your Period?

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Not sure what a diaphragm is? We’ve got answers! Source: Shutterstock

Today we’re continuing our discussion of what kinds of birth control options exist out there. We’ve already covered IUDs and the Depo-Provera shot, so today we’re discussing another form of birth control: the diaphragm.

A diaphragm is a physical barrier form of birth control that is made of rubber or silicone and is in a cup-shape. You insert it into your vagina so that it will sit at the opening of your cervix.

As Planned Parenthood points out, to be the most effective, a diaphragm needs to be used with spermicide, which you put in the diaphragm before inserting it into your body. This way, the spermicide is able to stop sperm’s movement and the diaphragm itself blocks the path to the uterus, both aiding in pregnancy prevention. You keep it in place for six hours after sex, and then you remove it.

Before you can get a diaphragm, you’ll need to get a fitting with your doctor and then you’ll get a prescription for one. In terms of upkeep, you may need to be refitted over time (a diaphragm lasts about two years) or because of certain body changes.

You also should inspect your diaphragm on the regular to make sure no holes or cracks develop, as well as wash it after use with mild soap and water. Some women have reactions to the spermicide or diaphragm material, or may have side effects like persistent UTIs, so it’s important to talk with your doctor if you have concerns.

In terms of effectiveness, it isn’t quite as effective as other birth control messages we have talked about. The way its effectiveness as a birth control option is rated is on both its “perfect use” (everything is done totally correctly and used every time) and “typical use” (how most people tend to do it).

The Association of Reproductive Health Professionals, notes that diaphragms have a 6 percent failure rate with perfect use (so 6 out of every 100 women using them will get pregnant). With typical use, the failure rate is 12 percent. It is also important to point out that diaphragms do not protect you against STDs (so say it with me now, “Always use a condom!“).

Diaphragms have been around since the 1830s, but you may not have really heard about the diaphragm because it’s less popular these days than other birth control methods. Ms. Magazine actually wrote a piece back in 2010 called, “Where’d The Diaphragm Disappear To,” citing how less than one percent of women in North America and northwestern Europe used the diaphragm for birth control.

Still, it remains an option that exists, and perhaps could be right for you. As always, you can (and should) discuss your birth control options with your doctor to find what will work best for your life and needs.

Had you heard of the diaphragm before? Is it a birth control option you’ve discussed with your doctor? Tell us in the comments!

My Boyfriend Hates Wearing Condoms. What Do I Do?

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It’s possible to get birth control as a shot. | Source: Shutterstock

We’ve covered other types of lesser-talked about birth control like IUDs, but today we’re jumping into a little fact session about the birth control shot.

Depo-Provera is a shot that is administered to you by your doctor. That means you need to make a regular visit there every 12 weeks to get your shot. This allows a certain kind of privacy and convenience, as you don’t actually have to carry around birth control, take anything daily or be on top of checking on if it’s in.

How does it work? The shot is a progestin form of birth control and it works by preventing eggs from being released from the ovaries, as well making cervical mucous thicker (which helps prevent sperm from reaching a woman’s eggs). If you get the shot within a week of your period’s start, Depo-Provera starts working right away. If you don’t get it during that time in your menstrual cycle, using a back-up form of birth control is recommended for that week after the shot.

While some of you may find shots a little scary, but let’s just say that there’s nothing scary about the effectiveness of the Depo-Provera shot. It is 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. However, like the pill and IUDs, the Depo shot does not protect you from STDs (so again, as always, wear a condom!)

One of the most common side effects is an altered period – this includes irregular bleeding, and in fact, many women on Depo-Provera stop getting their period over time. According to the Boston Women’s Health Book Collective resource, Our Bodies, Ourselves, because each shot of Depo-Provera lasts for an extended time, for some women that means uncomfortable side effects can also last longer.

One side effect in particular that has been studied is the effect that Depo-Provera shots have on a woman losing bone density. Depo-Provera actually comes with a warning that discusses how the shot can decrease bone mineral density (and that loss may not be fully reversible) and also how it could lead to “osteoperostic fractures” later in life. The warning also states that Depo-Provera isn’t suggested as a birth control method for greater than two years, unless its the only adequate option.

While we are here to let you know what sorts of birth control options exist, remember that it’s your doctor who can answer any personal questions in order to find what method will work best for your body and needs. They can further discuss side effects or who is a good candidate for Depo-Provera with you. As usual though, it’s just good to know that there are multiple kinds of birth control options out there to help you find what works best for you!

Would you ever consider using a birth control shot? Has your doctor talked to you about Depo-Provera? Tell me in the comments!

What Your Doctor Isn’t Telling You About Your Birth Control Options

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I took a class called Religions of the World in high school and it was one of my favorites. I love learning about the history and rituals important to not only my family, but also different groups of people. The Jewish holiday of Passover is coming up next week, and whether your family celebrates or not, it’s never a bad idea to try and expand your understanding of cultural celebrations.

Last year, we actually did a piece all about the history of Passover and how it is celebrated today. I urge you to read that in full, but this year we want to expand on it a little bit by focusing on when Passover occurs.

For a quick recap, Passover is celebrated each year to commemorate the events in the Book of Exodus, when God “passed over” the homes of the Israelites who had put lamb’s blood on their doors and spared the lives of their firstborn. This was the final in a series of ten plagues, and after this, the Pharaoh freed the Israelites.

When celebrating Passover today, Jewish people don’t eat anything with leavening in it. You may have heard of matzo, which is a type of unleavened bread that is often eaten during Passover. Seders, a special meal with multiple courses that also often involves the readings from the Haggadah, are also held during Passover.

Passover happens in the spring time here, and this year it will begin at sundown on Monday, March 25 and it will end the evening of Tuesday, April 2. The reason that Passover begins at sundown is because the dates on Jewish calendar begin and end at sundown (rather than using midnight to mark the start and ends of dates).

While Passover may fall on different dates every year (for example, next year Passover won’t begin until April 14), Passover actually is a fixed holiday according to the Jewish calendar. Passover always occurs on the 15th day of Nisan, the first month of the Jewish calendar. The months of the Jewish calendar are determined by the lunar cycles, which indicates why Passover can occur at different times in the spring from year to year.

The basis of the Jewish calendar on the lunar cycle also gives some insight as to why Passover lasts eight days in some places, rather than the 7 days that the Book of Exodus dictates. In 70 C.E. after the Great Revolt, the Jewish people were exiled from ancient Israel and began living in different areas. After this exile, an extra buffer day was added to allow time for the news of the new month (once the start of a new moon phase had been confirmed) to spread to the other areas from Jerusalem without the risk that people would conclude the observance of Passover early.

Hopefully this not only answers your question about when Passover will be held this year, but it also gives you a little more understanding into how those times are determined. To all those who will be celebrating, I hope you enjoy the time spent with your family and friends throughout Passover!

Do you celebrate Passover? What are some of your Passover traditions? Tell me in the comments!

How To Avoid Family Drama Over The Holidays

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We are here to help give you an answer. Source: Shutterstock.com

Unfortunately, asexuality does not get the same kind of visibility as other topics related to sexuality. Considering that, we wanted to take a little time today to talk about what asexuality is and steer you toward some further resources that will continue to help inform you. The more informed people there are, hopefully it brings about that much-deserved visibility.

The Asexual Visibility and Education Network offers a great resource both for people who identify as asexual and individuals who are looking for more understanding. A person who is asexual means that they don’t experience feelings of sexual attraction.

In AVEN’s overview, one common source of confusion that they point out is the different between asexuality and celibacy. It boils down to that celibacy is the choice to not participate in sexual activity. Asexuality isn’t a choice, but rather just a part of that person’s identity. It’s not unhealthy nor does it mean they are incapable of relationships.

Being asexual doesn’t mean that you can’t have relationships that are only limited to friendships either. Just because someone who is asexual does not feel sexual attraction, they still can embrace the many other aspects of all sorts of relationships, including romantic ones. Someone who is asexual can be attracted to someone, but there isn’t a sexual basis for that attraction. Asexual individuals may pursue a relationship with someone who is not asexual, and they also may identify themselves as straight, gay or bisexual.

The student newspaper at the University of Pittsburgh actually had an article last month about asexuality that I think is definitely worth a read. I went to a very LGBT-friendly school, but I can’t say I recall my student newspaper ever really discussing asexuality, so it is cool to see an article like this written by a student and using a fellow student as a source.

In the Pitt article, author Tracey Hickey particularly talks about how many asexual people feel “invisible.” Having more articles like hers (and hopefully this one, too!) can help to bring about some of that visibility. While we can hope to bring about that visibility every day, it’s also worth noting that October 12 is celebrated each year as Asexuality Awareness and Visibility Day.

It’s important though to not group all asexual people into one particular experience. AVEN offers the personal stories about asexuality, demonstrating the variety of experiences of asexual individuals. Some have sex, some have long-time partners, some may get crushes, some may not. It remains a good reminder of the overarching message that as humans, we’re all different, but the most important thing is that we each remain open to letting other people have their own experience free of judgment.

A recent BuzzFeed piece delves further into asexuality, including how you can support someone who is coming out as asexual. If you think you may be asexual, you can definitely see what others might be saying on our boards, as well as check out AVEN’s resources. If you are asexual, it’s important to remember you aren’t alone. Even if you don’t identify as asexual, it’s important to remember that there are people who do, and acknowledging and advocating for them is a great way to continue to promote acceptance in our society.

How much did you already know about asexuality? What are some ways you think society could improve people’s understanding of asexuality? Tell us in the comments.

What Is A Relationship?

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Molly isn’t a person, but rather a pretty scary drug. Source: Shutterstock

There are things out in the world that make me very nervous, and “molly” is the latest in this line of stuff that freaks me out. I’m not talking about any of you out there named Molly, but rather molly the drug. When I started hearing some of the lax attitudes toward it, I decided we need to set the record straight on what exactly it is and why it’s not something you should be doing. At all.

You’ve maybe heard about molly in relation to ecstasy. So what’s the difference? The Partnership At Drugfree.org breaks it down, explaining that the chemical MDMA is used in ecstasy, but often there is other stuff laced in. What sets molly apart then is that it is “considered to be pure MDMA” that comes in the form of a powder or a crystal. Molly also has been found to generally appeal to a younger group, usually around 16-24 years old.

According to U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration also points out that MDMA is considered a “party drug” that works as both a “stimulant and psychedelic.” Basically, it affects certain areas of your brain, which gives the user a high that also messes with your perception.

One NBC affiliate in Virginia noted that people seem to be under the impression that because it’s “pure,” molly is somehow “safer” to take than ecstasy is. Two things about that. First of all, as their article points out, there’s no way to actually know what is in molly when you take it. It’s not regulated (since it is illegal), so there is still a chance it could be laced with something else. In fact, according to a report from The Grio, substances labeled as “molly” didn’t always have MDMA, but sometimes other substances like methylone. Seriously, you have no idea what harmful stuff could be in it.

Second, it’s not like MDMA by itself is even safe. According to the DEA, it’s a “Schedule I drug,” which means it isn’t used for any medical reasons and it has a high chance of being abused. There are all sorts of negative effects when you take MDMA. Some of them are psychological, like anxiety; some of them are physical, like nausea. The side effects can get even more serious, including leaving your body unable to regulate its temperature which can lead to serious complications, including death.

I’m just not seeing how people could say molly isn’t harmful. Just because it is this “party drug” taken in these “fun” environments, in no way does that mean that it isn’t a big deal or something seriously dangerous and sketchy. I know sometimes parties can breed pressure to try things or its just considered part of the “fun,” but seriously, your health is not worth risking over something like molly.

Have you ever heard of molly before? Tell us in the comments!

What Is Codeine?

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Source: ShutterStock

Medical situations happening down there are no fun. Even though it may be gross to think about, it’s important to know what might be going on so that you can clue your doctor in and get the treatments you need.

A common down-there issue is bacterial vaginosis. I know, the name sounds kind of scary, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, basically what happens is that the bacteria in your vagina isn’t properly balanced. In this case, harmful bacteria is more plentiful than the good bacteria that usually exists there.

While BV itself often doesn’t have too many complications, it can leave you more vulnerable to things like STDs or developing Pelvic Inflammatory Disease. Definitely things that you don’t want.

You may not even know you have it because some women have no symptoms. Other women may notice abnormal discharge, a smell or itching. To get the official diagnosis, you’ll have to visit your doctor who can conduct an exam and also test the vaginal fluid. If you have BV, your doctor can prescribe you antibiotics to clear up the situation.

The sort of annoying thing about bacterial vaginosis is that there isn’t a whole lot of information out there about what actually causes it. While doctors know it has to do with that imbalance in the vagina, what actually offsets that balance remains kind of puzzling. Take comfort though that you cannot get BV through things like toilets, swimming pools or bedding.

As far as ways to minimize your chances of getting BV, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office on Women’s Health gives a few suggestions, including not to douche, get pelvic exams and make sure you “keep your vaginal bacteria balanced.” For that, they just suggest proper washing, wiping and wearing breathable bottoms. Women who are not sexually active can contract BV, though it is more common in those who are having sex. Thus, making sure that you also use condoms and have safe sex is suggested as a way of protecting yourself from BV.

Having one sexual partner is also cited as a way you could keep your BV chances down, though a new study just came out recently that showed women who were treated for BV and then returned to their same partner from before treatment, actually had a higher risk of developing it again – however, these instances were also linked to “inconsistent condom use.”

Basically, the researchers noted they’d want to study more if treating partners of those with BV could help curb it, but in the mean time, using a condom remains (as always) very important. That same study also found that those on hormonal birth control were half as likely to have BV recur, again suggesting an area for further study to understand that link.

Remember, bacterial vaginosis is common and treatable. It’s not something to be ashamed of, but it is something that you should make sure to discuss with your doctor so you can get it all cleared up!

Had you heard about bacterial vaginosis? Is it something that your doctor ever discussed with you? Tell us in the comments!

What causes yeast infections?

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We want to help clear up your confusion about codeine. Source: Shutterstock.com

You may have heard of codeine recently after the reports of Justin Bieber and his friends allegedly being in the presence of “sizzurp” – an alcoholic mixed drink which also contains codeine and promethazine.

I want to give you some more info on sizzurp, but I don’t feel super cool linking out to any of the sites I found about the drink. They’re all basically instruction manuals on how to make the drink. Um, linking out to a how to for something really dangerous and illegal? Not in my blog post!

But, I do think that it’s important to talk about codeine so that you can be informed about what it is, how it’s supposed to be used and what icky stuff can happen when it’s abused. Hopefully by learning more about it, you’ll realize why something like sizzurp is totally bad news.

According to MedLine Plus, codeine is prescribed as a pain reliever, and it works by affecting those parts of your brain that sense pain in your body. It is also often used to help reduce coughing, and in those cases, codeine affects the area of the brain that causes you to cough.

It comes in a few different forms, including a liquid, capsule and tablet. Before you take codeine, it’s really important to fill your doctor in on certain health-related issues in your life so that they can supervise a treatment that is as safe as possible.

Even when codeine is taken as prescribed, there can be some side effects. Some of those side effects include drowsiness or vomiting, and even more serious ones like irregular heartbeats and seizures. And guess what? Alcohol can worsen codeine’s side effects.

According to the 2011 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, about 1 in 5 teens said that on at least one occasion, they had taken a prescription drug that hadn’t been prescribed for them. Even though it’s a prescription drug, you can develop an addiction to codeine. In fact, it is on the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s “Common Abused Prescription Drugs” chart. So it should only be taken as your doctor advises. As with any prescription drug, taking it without a prescription can be especially dangerous.

Using codeine recreationally, or mixing it with alcohol to get a high (like with sizzurp) is an abuse of its intended purpose. You guys are all way too amazing to get mixed up with something so dangerous. If a friend or someone you know is abusing codeine or another prescription drug, seek out a trusted adult so that they can get help.

Have you ever heard of codeine before? Tell us in the comments!
 

Is Everybody Doing Study Drugs?

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