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Yearly Pelvic Exams Might Not Be Necessary According To The CDC

Caitlin Corsetti — Wed, 01 May 2013 22:28:10 +0000

Source: Shutterstock

I was the first out of my friends to go to the gynecologist. I started going at 14 because I got horrible, horrible cramps. To me, going to the gyno isn’t a big deal because I’ve been doing it for so long. I go every year, sometimes twice. I was nervous the first time but never had this terrible fear like a lot of women have.

It’s super important to visit the gyno and get checked out, even if you’ve never had sex! You can still get STDs, and you don’t know what’s happening inside your body. Since forever, it’s been deemed a necessity to get a pelvic exam along with a pap smear and urine test every single year.

Well, the CDC is now saying that the pelvic exam is not necessary because it’s not an effective way to test for ovarian cancer or STDs. Cosmo’s expert, Jennifer Wider, MD, “agrees that the value of this exam has come into question lately, especially because it can’t diagnose ovarian or cervical cancer.”

Regardless, yearly visits to your doctor are necessary to screen for ovarian and cervical cancer, STDs and anything else happening down there. If you feel uncomfortable getting a pelvic exam, talk to your doctor about it! Doctors are there to help you, not to scare you.

But since pelvic exams seem to be the most intimidating part of gyno visits, I think a lot of women will feel more comfortable going to their doctor now. It might encourage more women to go and get checked, which is great because obviously we want women to be healthy!

So, next time you head to the gyno don’t be scared!

Are you scared to visit the gynecologist? Do you hate pelvic exams? Tell us in the comments!

Do you know what ovarian cysts are?

Source: sratstartlifestyle

20 Reasons Sick Days Are Total Letdowns

Caitlin Corsetti — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 19:10:14 +0000

I’ve been battling a nasty cold for the past few days, and it got me thinking about taking sick days when I was in school. Even if I had the most minor illness, I would try to stay home sick because they were supposed to be fun!

You were supposed to lay on the couch all day, watch TV and have mom take care of you. But in reality, sick days were a total letdown if you were actually sick! My mom would force me to sleep all day with Vicks slathered on my chest wrapped in a scarf. It was the worst.

Here are 20 reasons sick days are complete letdowns:

1. You feel like this.

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2. You physically can’t do anything today.

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3. You think you can binge-watch TV.

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3. But your mom says this.

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4. And that you need to sleep it off.

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5. If you show any sign of feeling better, you have to do chores.

6. You think you’ll get homemade chicken noodle soup.

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7. Maybe a grilled cheese too.

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8. And tons of ice cream to make your throat feel better.

9. But you’re forced to eat things like oatmeal.

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10. And drink tea.

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11. You try sleeping but you can’t breathe.

12. Anytime you get up, it feels like this.

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13. Your mom asks if you want to go to the doctor.

14. Your friend texts you that you missed a pizza party in class.

15. And you also missed a pop quiz.

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16. And have a bunch of assignments to make up.

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17. By the end of the day, you still feel like this.

18. You can’t sleep because you were a bum all day.

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19. You’re starving because you couldn’t really eat.

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20. And you basically just hate everything.

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Are your sick days actually fun? What do you do when you’re sick? Tell us in the comments!

Sadly, Fresh Prince didn’t teach us how to be sick

Can Going Tanning Cause Depression And Low Self-Esteem?

Jessica Booth — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 20:02:26 +0000

6 products to make you look tan without tanning

I feel like I probably don’t need to tell you guys that going tanning at a tanning salon is bad news. I’m sure most of you already know that based on the constant warnings we get about skin cancer that is a result of the extremely strong UV rays that are being blasted onto your body in a tanning bed. I mean, there are enough magazine articles, TV specials and news stories about it to last the rest of our lives. But did you know that going tanning may be doing damage to your self-esteem as well as your skin?

Research proves, yet again, that going tanning really isn’t doing you any favors. A new study found that 45 percent of people who go tanning, aged 18 – 34-years-old, are unhappy with how they look. It also found that 30 percent of people who go tanning go because they want to look more attractive – and obviously, it’s not really working out the way they want it to. And to put this in perspective, only 36 percent of young people who had never gone tanning before said they were unhappy with their appearance.

Here’s what’s happening: tanning is actually making your skin look worse. As health manager Caroline Cerny says, “We live in an image-obsessed culture and know many sunbed users continue to use them because they think they look better with a tan. But actually they are making their skin look worse in the long run. The most unhappy they are with the skin they’re in, the more they may use sunbeds – it’s a vicious cycle.”

So why are people still going to the tanning salon if doing so really isn’t making them feel any better about themselves? Out of the 45 percent of people who said they were suffering from low self-esteem, eight out of every ten say they go because they feel pressure to look more tan. 29 percent of those 45 percent said they went because of peer pressure, 30 percent said they want because of celebrities (thanks, Snooki) and 45 percent said they go because the media makes them feel like they have to.

What do those findings mean? Basically, people are tanning because they feel like they have to tan. Somewhere along the line, ~~orange~~ bronze skin became popular and suddenly, everyone had to have it. And since we don’t all have the luxury of living somewhere where going to the beach year-round is possible, a lot of people have resorted to tanning salons.

Look, I get it. Some people are really into being tan. I myself am one of those people. I enjoy having a nice golden glow going on – but instead of making that happen under artificial sunlight, I tan whenever I get the chance to go to the beach. (I use sunscreen! I know, I know, it’s still bad. I’m sorry. I try.) Being tan can be nice. I totally get it.

Not a great look, amirite? | Source: Giftube.com

But, and not to sound like your mom or anything, I have to warn you guys against using these tanning beds. Honestly, going to a tanning salon is SO bad for you. Tanning in general is bad for you! When tanning indoors, you become exposed to UV-A and UV-B rays, which leads to skin cancer. And bad news for young people: we have a 75 percent higher risk of getting melanoma. And while cancer is the worst result of tanning, it also leads to wrinkles, eye damage, a change in skin texture and premature aging.

Oh, and another thing? Tanning is addictive, guys. It can be just as addictive as drugs and alcohol and that’s pretty serious. The rewarded feeling people experience after going tanning is the same as the feeling smokers get after having a cigarette or alcoholics get after having a drink. So if you think you’re just going to get a tan “once in a while” so you don’t look pasty, think again: you could keep coming back for more.

I know it might be difficult to kick your tanning habit, but in the end, it will be worth it. You don’t want skin cancer, right? Right. You don’t want to look like a wrinkly old lady in 10 years when you should still look fresh-faced, right? Right. You don’t want to be compared to the horrible orange Tan Mom, right? Right. So, don’t go tanning. Use self-tanner or bronzer if you feel like you need some sort of glow happening. If you do it, I promise I will also take my own advice.

Do you go to the tanning salon? How often do you go? Why do you like tanning? Tell me in the comments.

Is Farting Actually A Good Thing? 5 Bad Habits That Aren’t Really That Bad

Jessica Booth — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 19:14:31 +0000

What’s the difference between being comfortable with your BF & just gross?

We’ve all got a few bad habits that we’ve been told we have to kick because they’re not good for us – but as it turns out, those bad habits really aren’t that bad after all. A recent post in The Daily Mail talks about the health benefits of five “bad” habits that I’m sure we can all relate to and proves that maybe we really don’t need to stop doing these things.

Since I do a few of these things myself, this is actually kind of a relief for me. I’m so sick of doing some of this stuff and then having people around me be like, “Jessica, you seriously need to stop,” and I’m just like, “Let me live.” Now I can take this post and shove it in their faces. *evil laugh*

Want to see if any of your “bad” habits are on this list? Check out what might not be so bad after all:

Burping: As the Daily Mail says, burping may be rude, but as it turns out, it’s really actually good for you. Burping is basically a release of natural gas in your stomach and it’s pretty important to the way your body functions. It’s actually a completely normal part of digestion and stopping yourself from doing it when you feel one coming on is bad for you. So basically, burping isn’t the bad habit – not burping is! Now, that doesn’t mean you should walk around burping the alphabet in a public place, but it does mean that you shouldn’t feel so embarrassed about it happening.

Biting your nails: This is a pretty common bad habit that I’m actually having sort of a hard time believing isn’t that bad. I don’t have this habit myself, but I know a lot of people who do and wish they didn’t. But as it turns out, the worst thing about nail biting might be coming away with some gnarly fingernails that aren’t up for a manicure. Putting the bacteria on your nails in your mouth may help build up your immune system and prevent you from getting sick in the future. Dr. Hilary Longhurst tells the Daily Mail, “Unless your hands are filthy, the bugs we encounter when biting our nails could boost our immune system.” Who knew nail biting could keep you healthy?

Farting: Just like with burping, farting may be rude, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad for your bod. This is another way your body releases the gas that builds up inside of you and it’s pretty important to not, uh, hold it in. Releasing this gas helps to relieve that horrible bloating feeling you can get after eating sometimes. Not farting can actually be pretty painful. If you really need to do it, I wouldn’t suggest letting one rip in the middle of all of your friends – awkward.

This could make you healthier! | Source: ShutterStock

Cracking your knuckles: Ahh, my favorite bad habit of all time. Guys, I’m the worst when it comes to cracking. I crack my fingers at least once an hour and pretty much anything else that can be cracked – my back, my knees, my wrists, my feet, my hips, shoulders, elbows, the list goes on. I’m always told to stop immediately, but contrary to popular belief, it really isn’t harming your joints. In fact, it’s actually making them more flexible.

Eating in bed: Okay, honestly I’ve never really heard about this being bad. I think moms just made it up because they didn’t want their kids getting crumbs in their beds and leading to icky little bugs. But if you’ve been told you shouldn’t do it, fight back because eating in bed actually may help aid digestion. It’s sort of a stretch, but doctors tell the Daily Mail that when you’re in bed, you’re more likely to be relaxed and when you’re relaxed, your digestion is better. So go on and eat your dinner all cozy under your covers! Just be neat, please.

So, you’re welcome for all of this handy info that will enable you to keep up with your “bad” habits. However, as with all things, too much of a good thing is never good. Doing any of these things excessively probably isn’t going to offer as many health benefits, so keep things simple, short and sweet.

Which of these bad habits are you guilty of? What other bad habits do you have that aren’t mentioned on this list? Tell me in the comments.

And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter!

Could You Be Allergic To Sperm?!

Jessica Sager — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 16:14:23 +0000

You could be allergic to sperm and not even know it! | Source: ShutterStock

I’m allergic to cats and pollen, which suck enough. But there’s another allergy that’s coming to light that sounds a lot worse: A lot of women are actually allergic to sperm.

Say what?!

The technical term for being allergic to sperm is seminal plasma hypersensitivity, and it’s when your body reacts to proteins in semen. About 20,000 to 40,000 women in the U.S. suffer from it, and a lot more may be suffering from it–because it’s often misdiagnosed or not reported because they’re embarrassed.

Symptoms of a sperm allergy include pain, redness and swelling after or during sex. Some women break out in hives or feel like there’s a needle pricking their vagina (OMG, ouch). Scary!

The problem with that is that sperm allergies are often misdiagnosed since they have similar symptoms as yeast or vaginal infections and some STDs, so a lot of women who suffer from it don’t even know it. Another issue? A lot of sexual health products, from lube to spermicides to latex condoms, can contain allergens too, so it takes a lot of narrowing down to realize that sperm is the problem. They just know that they’re in pain and that their sex lives are suffering because of it.

Thankfully, sperm allergies are treatable. It takes some trial and error to figure out which specific proteins in a guy’s semen you’re having reactions to. When docs narrow it down, they gradually expose you to them more often until you’re not sensitive to them anymore.

More good news? Having a sperm allergy won’t affect your fertility, so if you want to pop out babies someday, you should be fine–as long as you’re not too uncomfortable while you’re making them. (But you have a long ways to wait for that anyway–so use protection!)

Do you or someone you know have a sperm allergy? How do you think you’d deal if you were diagnosed as allergic to sperm? Do you have any other bizarre allergies? Tell us in the comments!

Get info on allergies here!

Positive Thinking Can Save Your Life! Here’s How To Be Optimistic

Jessica Sager — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 19:41:58 +0000

Optimism, positive thinking and a sense of purpose can increase your longevity! | Source: ShutterStock

Optimism and positive thinking aren’t just good for the soul, they’re good for the body, too. Studies show that optimism can increase your longevity–meaning you’ll live a lot longer if the glass is half full. Wondering how to be optimistic? Read on, girl!

A new set of research says that optimism actually prevent strokes, and positive thinking can actually regulate your immune system to keep you healthy. (That’s good news especially now that it’s allergy and sinus season!)

Another bonus? Optimism can decrease your body’s production of the stress hormone cortisol, which also can cause you to gain weight–especially around your belly. Happiness can up your shot at a hard stomach!

But it’s not just positive thinking that keeps you healthy. Studies show it’s actually optimism combined with a sense of purpose that keeps people the healthiest, so it’s super important to have goals and direction. Even if your goal is just to smile at your crush in the hall or making the field hockey team or something loftier, like trying out for American Idol or getting into your first choice college, working towards it will keep you not only sane, but also in good shape.

But let’s face it: being optimistic can be really hard sometimes. How are you supposed to stay positive when it can be so easy to be negative?! Here are a few tips: When you’re getting into something new, whether it’s a relationship, a job, a new school or whatever, stop focusing on the worst that could happen. Instead, think about all of the great things that could happen and focus on those. A lot of times people shy away from new experiences because they’re so worried about the bad stuff that they can’t even imagine the good stuff. That’s a great way to miss out on new and fun things, which is pretty lame.

You should also stop focusing on your past so much. Maybe bad things happened to you with guys, but that doesn’t mean that in the future, every guy is going to screw you over. You need to learn to let go of the bad stuff from your past and start thinking about starting over new in the future.

Being optimistic is all about focusing on the positive things in your life. When something bad happens, you could let it take over and totally bum you out, or you could consider the good things you still have and choose to focus on those instead. What do you think would make you happier?

When you feel yourself getting super negative, try saying a positive affirmation. It could be anything from “anything is possible” to “I choose to be happy over being sad.” Whatever works for you! Write it down a bunch of times, say it out loud alone in your room or just think about it – and repeat it until you start to believe it.

Being more optimistic may take some time – it’s not going to happen overnight – but the effort you’ll put into it is worth it. Not only will it help you live longer, but it will also make you happier. What could be better than that?!

Do you physically feel better when you’re happier? Do you think optimism plays a role in longevity? Do you have tips to increase your own positive thinking? Tell us in the comments!

Up your positive thinking with this trick!

And don’t forget to follow us on Twitter!

I Started Bleeding During Sex – What Do I Do?

Heather — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 20:00:48 +0000

Hey Heather,

I lost my virginity about two or three weeks ago. Everything has been fine down there since then. But the other day, I started bleeding during sex. I’m kind of freaked out. Should I be worried? My friends told me there might be a problem and I should tell my mom, but I’m so scared. What should I do?!

The truth? Bleeding during or after sex isn’t very normal and I definitely think you should see a doctor about this. But please don’t freak out – this doesn’t mean that there is something horribly wrong with you. There are a few things that could be going on, but since I can’t diagnose you (because I don’t know you or your body) and you can’t diagnose yourself, the best thing to do here is see a doctor who will be able to tell you for sure what’s going on down there.

So what are some of the reasons that you might have vaginal bleeding during or after sex? For one thing, it’s possible that you’re spotting from your period. You could be experiencing a lot of friction down there and this may be a sign that you need to use lube during sex. Vaginal bleeding could be from an inflammation that causes your cervix to be softer than normal – this is often found in young girls and women who take birth control pills.

Vaginal bleeding could be the result of an infection down there. It could be from an abnormal growth growing on your vagina, cervix or uterus. It could be from a condition called endometriosis or uterine polyps. It could be a side effect of an STD like chlamydia or gonorrhea. Bleeding during sex could even be a sign of cervical cancer. Obviously, you need to go to a doctor for any of these things.

I’m not trying to scare you here – I’m just trying to give you an idea of what could be going on with your body. I don’t want you to freak out and start thinking that you have an STD or cervical cancer. It’s entirely possible that it is the result of a smaller issue, but either way, only a doctor can tell you for sure.

If you really don’t want to tell your mom about your problem and admit to her that you’re having sex, you do have the option of going to a clinic like a Planned Parenthood in your area. Doctors there can help you and treat you without going through your medical insurance, so your mom won’t have to know. But if you’re comfortable with it, talk to your mom about seeing a gynecologist.

It’s best to get this taken care of as soon as possible. The sooner you diagnose the problem, the sooner you can treat it and make sure the bleeding stops. Please don’t ignore vaginal bleeding during sex – if you’re not on your period, you really shouldn’t be bleeding down there from sexual intercourse. It’s important to talk to a doctor about this and not assume that it was just a one-time thing.

take care,
Heather

What’s on your mind? Heather can help! Send her your question at heather@gurl.com

Your complete guide to STD testing

Products To Make You Look Like You Showered When You Didn’t

Caitlin Corsetti — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 18:00:13 +0000

Life gets really hectic doesn’t it? I mean we’re busy. Busy is good, but it seems like we’re always left wanting just a few more hours in every day. I know I could use an extra five!

And sometimes you’re just so exhausted after a long day or just don’t have the time to do certain things. Like take a shower. I mean obviously, if I’m dirty or gross, I will make time for a shower. But if I don’t smell or I can get away with not showering for another day, well then I will.

I’m not telling you to abandon all hygiene rules, but I have some tips on how to look like you showered without actually doing it! This isn’t a replacement though. It’s just nice to be able to sleep in for a few extra minutes, you know?

Click through for my go-to products for looking like you showered when you didn’t!

Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoo is your best friend when you don’t shower, especially if your hair gets greasy. A blowout can last for days with the right dry shampoo, and Batiste is my all-time favorite.

Buy it here for $7.99

Face Wipes

I keep face wipes in on my end table because some nights I’m too tired to wash my face at the sink, but I never go to bed without taking off my makeup. There are all kinds of face wipes, but these from Say Yes To Cucumbers are super calming and cooling. They’re perfect for when you’re stressed and sleepy. Plus they smell delicious!

Buy them here for $5.99!

Baby Wipes

Face wipes are for your face, baby wipes are for your body! Who says they’re just for babies? Baby wipes are perfect for cleaning under your arms or south of the border when you don’t have time to shower and need to freshen up.

Buy them here $3.99

Deodorant

Deodorant is an absolute must always, but especially if you didn’t shower! I personally like guy deodorant better because it lasts longer and doesn't have an overpowering perfume-type scent. Old Spice is my go-to! Seriously, try it.

Buy it here for $3.99!

Dryer Sheets

Is your hair static-y? Rub a dryer sheet over your locks to tame that frizz!

Buy them here for $2.99!

Baby Powder

You can use this in place of dry shampoo, but it can turn your hair white really easily. However, baby powder is great for absorbing oils elsewhere on your body too while adding a nice, clean scent.

Buy it here for $4.59!

Do you have any no-shower products? What tricks do you use if you don’t have time to hop in? Tell me in the comments!

How to get super smooth legs

What Is Prediabetes? Info You Need To Know!

Jessica Booth — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:46:49 +0000

What is diabetes – and could you have it?

I’m sure you’ve all heard of diabetes – maybe you’re relatively familiar with it, maybe you know someone who has it, or maybe you yourself have it. But do you know what prediabetes is?

If you don’t, pay attention, because you should. Prediabetes may not be full-on diabetes, but it’s still serious. One scary statistic? A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that 90 percent of people who have prediabetes don’t know they have it. That means that out of the 79 million people in the United States who have prediabetes, 9 out of 10 of them have no idea about their condition. That is kind of terrifying.

So what is it? Most people who develop type 2 diabetes first have prediabetes. This means that their blood glucose levels are higher than normal, but not exactly high enough to be officially diagnosed as diabetes. Once you have prediabetes, you’re at a much higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes. The problem with not knowing you have it is that then you have no idea that you should be taking steps to reduce your risk of getting type 2 diabetes – and if you’re not doing anything to prevent diabetes, you’re obviously more at risk of getting it.

Probably the biggest reason people don’t realize they have prediabetes is because there usually aren’t any symptoms that go along with it. It may be helpful to keep in mind the common symptoms of diabetes, which include: unusual thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, extreme fatigue, cuts and bruises that are slow to heel, tingling and numbness in your hands and feet and recurring infections.

The only way to know for sure if you have prediabetes is to get a doctor to test you for it. Some of the risk factors for prediabetes are being overweight, having high blood pressure, having low HDL cholesterol and high triglycerides, a family history of diabetes or belonging to an ethnic or minority group that is typically at a high risk for diabetes. If you fall into any of these categories, you might want to consider asking your doctor to test you, just to be on the safe side.

The good news is that having prediabetes doesn’t mean you’re automatically going to get type 2 diabetes. If you do have prediabetes, stay on top of things by making sure you’re getting checked for type 2 diabetes every one or two years. You can also lower your risk of type 2 diabetes by losing 7 percent of your body weight and exercising moderately about five days a week.

As anyone who has or knows someone with type 2 diabetes can tell you, diabetes is no joke. If you think you’re at risk for prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, you should do what you can to prevent it. Keep the risk factors mentioned above in mind and if any of them apply to you, get tested and watch your weight. Even if this doesn’t apply to you right now, staying informed about this type of stuff is still really important.

Do you know anyone who has type 2 diabetes or prediabetes? Do you have any type of diabetes? How do you deal with it? Tell us in the comments.