How to Take Care of Your Vagina

Do not find this topic embarrassing. Read and share it.

These are tips for you to keep a healthy vagina.

1. Keep healthy and clean. Practice personal hygiene.

2. Reduce your intake of sugar. Sugar promotes the growth of some infectious bacteria.

3. Avoid the use of vaginal douches and special cleaners. They kill some good bacterial that keep your vagina in good condition.

4. Use condoms.

5. Use cotton underwear. They absorb sweat and promote aeration.

6. Take time to rinse your vagina well when bathing.

7. As much as possible, use unscented soap.

8. Know more about your normal vagina.

9. Drink more water.

10. Exercise

NB: Clear vaginal discharge without colour is normal.

Does Sleeping in a Bra cause Breast Cancer

Are you at risk of Cervical Cancer?

Cervical cancer is a health condition in which cancer cells develop in the tissues of the cervix. The cervix is the neck of the uterus, and marks the upper end of the vagina. Globally, it is the second most common type of cancer found in women after breast cancer (according to Woman Health Sexual Resource Centre).

In its earliest stage, cervical cancer usually gives no symptoms. At late stage, irregular bleeding or pain during or after coitus, or vaginal discharge is suggestive of more advanced state of the disease.

All women are at risk of developing cervical cancer while several factors can increase a woman's risk of developing the disease. According to the American Cancer society, these are some of the factors that can increase a woman's risk of cervical cancer.

• History of sexually transmitted disease especially infection with the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). This is sexually transmitted infection which is transmitted through skin to skin contact with an HPV infected genital area.

• Smoking cigarettes. This expose the body to cancer-causing chemicals (known as carcinogens) which can damage the DNA in the cells of the cervix making cancer more likely to occur there.

• A diet low in fruits and vegetables. Women who don't eat many fruits and vegetables miss out on protective antioxidants and phyto-chemicals such as vitamins A,C,B and beta-carotene which have all been shown to help prevent not only against cervical cancer but other forms of cancer.

• A compromised immune system related to certain illness such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and tuberculosis can increase one's susceptibility. A compromised immune system is less able to fight cancers.

• A family history of cervical cancer is another major predisposition. If one's mother or sister had cervical cancer, it may imply one has a genetic tendency or high risk for the disease.

• Long term use of oral contraceptives (OC) for up to 5 years or more may slightly increase a woman's risk of cancer of the cervix.

• Women with multiple sexual partners.

• Early exposure to sexual intercourse (at less than 17 years of age).

• Sexual active females more than 35 years old who do not screen regularly.

• Virgin girls not getting HPV vaccine (this is the vaccine for prevention of the virus causing 90% of cervical cancer, its protection efficacy is about 70% and protect better when received before a lady becomes sexually active).

Women of all ages are at risk of cervical cancer. it is important that all, even  postmenopausal women continue having regular pap smear if they still have a cervix.

Pap smear is the process of scrapping the cells of the cells to be studied for any abnormal, precancerous or cancerous cells.

WHEN WAS YOUR LAST PAP SMEAR DONE?

Pap Smear: The 5-Minute Test That Saves Women’s Lives [VIDEO]

A Pap smear test is a screening test to check for changes in the cells of your cervix which may develop into cancer later. It is a simple procedure where cells are collected from your cervix and sent to a laboratory for analysis. The test takes only a few minutes and can be done by a nurse or a doctor.

All woman aged between 25 and 69 years old who ever have had sex are advised to have a Pap smear done once every 3 years.

Where can I have a Pap smear done?

The Pap smear is available at general practitioner clinics and all polyclinics.

How do I prepare myself for the Pap smear?

• Schedule your appointment 2 weeks after the start of your menstrual period
• Avoid sexual intercourse 48 hours before the test
• Do not use spermicides, vaginal creams, lubricant jellies, vaginal medications or tampons two days before the test.
• Wear a two piece outfit as you would need to undress from waist down.

What happens at a Pap smear appointment?

The diagram shows what typically happens when a woman attends for Pap smear appointment at the polyclinic.

How is Pap smear test done?

The Pap smear test is a quick and simple test. First, you will be asked to lie down. A small instrument called a speculum will be inserted into your vagina to get a clear view of your cervix (neck of the womb). The nurse or doctor will then use a small brush to collect some cells from your cervix and smear them onto a glass slide. The cell sample will be sent to the laboratory for tests. The video below explains the procedure better.

Will the procedure be painful?

You may experience some discomfort during the procedure. To help you relax, take slow deep breaths as the speculum is inserted. If you feel pain, inform the doctor or nurse immediately.

Can cervical cancer be treated?

Yes, cervical cancer can be treated. It is important that you have a Pap smear test once every 3 years so that the cancer can be detected early, when treatment is most effective.

What You Must Know About Lumps in the Breasts

Finding a lump in your breast may leave you with cold sweat. But here’s a reassuring fact: it usually isn't cancer.

If it’s not cancer, what could it be? Here is how to figure out what’s up – common breast symptoms and what to do about them.

SOFT LUMP – A soft, smooth, round lump (like a grape) that moves a little when you press on it and may cause pain when touched, it may be small or large, could be a cyst, or sac filled with natural fluid. It is caused by hormone changes around your period. As much as 30 percent of women between 35 and 50 get soft lumps in their breasts at one time or the other.

Get an ultrasound to see if the lump is filled with fluid or solid (and possibly cancerous). Your doctor can insert a needle to drain fluid and relieve pressure if the cyst is painful (although it may come back). Taking the Pill may lower the incidence of cysts.

Fluid leaking from both nipples could be milky discharge. It could be caused by a thyroid or pituitary gland problem. Other obvious causes are pregnancy, birth control pills, or nipple stimulation.

Talk to you doctor, if it’s a gland problem, it’s usually treatable with medications.

SOFT MASS – A soft, lumpy mass about 1 to 4 inches wide, accompanied by tenderness in one or both breasts before your period could be symptoms of fibrotic changes going on in the breasts. It is caused by fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone, which can thicken breast tissue. The problem affects more than 50 percent of women and often comes and goes until menopause.

Reduce pain by taking paracetamol (acetaminophen) or ibuprofen, or by wearing a supportive bra. Limiting fat and caffeine in your diet may help too. Talk to your doctor if symptoms persist.

HARD MASS – A hard solid mass that has irregular or jagged sides, as opposed to smooth edges, which usually won’t move or “give” when you push it could be cancerous tumor. Nobody knows for sure what causes it though age and family history are risk factors, and studies have shown that having 2 alcoholic drinks per day ups your risk by 10 percent.

The best thing to do is to call your doctor and get a mammogram.

HARD LUMP – A hard, round, clearly-defined lump (which could be very small or up to 5 inches wide) that can be moved under the skin without any pain could be a fibroadenoma. It is caused by changing hormone levels. These benign tumors are as common as cysts, bit they are not unusual among women in their 20s and 30s.

Get a mammogram. A biopsy is probably unnecessary, according to the latest research, but check with your doctor. Surgical removal is an option if the tumor is large.

Though, if you find a lump in your breast, chances are it may not be serious, you should always talk to your doctor about changes in your breasts. Meanwhile you should cultivate habits that help prevent breast cancer.

Breast Cancer Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment

9 Symptoms Women Should Never Ignore

All over the world, women are expected to be many professionals in one – at least have the basic skill in many fields – thus, in the midst of all these responsibilities, there is a tendency that a woman is more likely to rationalize a symptom and not seek help on time.  Studies have shown that women tend to brush off aches and pains, discomfort, and fatigue.

However, there are some subtle symptoms which are pointers to serious underlying conditions that every woman should know and should never ignore. These include – 

Extreme fatigue – If you find that you're exhausted and can't get your energy back with rest, exercise, and a healthy diet, you should schedule an exam with your doctor. Extreme fatigue can signal an array of different issues, including depression, thyroid conditions, diabetes — even congestive heart failure or cancer. As a woman, it’s crucial for all women to pay attention to their bodies so they can tune in to any potential problems.

Abdominal pain – A little abdominal pain once in a while is probably not a big deal but when the pain become persistent and located in one specific part of the abdomen, then you should not ignore it and you need to see your doctor immediately. It could be a symptom of appendicitis, a stomach ulcer, or a problem with the gallbladder and not just “a painful gas”.

Chest pain – Anytime you feel pain or pressure in your chest, you should not take it lightly; though it may not be a heart attack but it may be a sign that you have a coronary heart disease. So whenever you have pain or pressure in your chest, you should see a doctor immediately, you should never take chest pain lightly.

Palpitations – This is the undue awareness of the heartbeat. Palpitations may be a sign that there is insufficient oxygen in your blood, a disease of the valves of the heart or hyperthyroidism (a condition in which the thyroid gland produces excessive hormones) – all of these are not conditions you should ever joke with as they can be rapidly fatal, so you should see a doctor immediately to check the health of your heart.

Painful sex – If sex hurts, pay attention: Your body could be trying to tell you something. Painful sex can signal a number of gynaecological problems, including a vaginal infection, changes in your hormones, or a condition such as endometriosis. So if you find that intercourse is uncomfortable or just plain painful, schedule a visit with your doctor to identify the cause.

Severe headaches – There may be more to persistent, painful, hard-to-relieve headaches than migraines. It could be a symptom of a stroke, severe high blood pressure, an infection in the brain, a tumour, or an aneurysm. So, if can’t seem to get a lid on your headaches, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.

Breast lump – You should learn how to do a self-breast examination, and do it every month just after your period. If you feel a suspicious breast lump, schedule an appointment with your doctor, promptly, to examine your breasts and determine the cause of the lump.

Shortness of breath – Shortness of breath is a common symptom of cardiac disease and can even indicate an impending heart attack, especially when it is associated with fatigue, dizziness and other symptoms. So if you find that you are short breath, you should seek medical attention immediately.

Difficulties with sleep – Sleep disturbances, especially difficulty breathing at night, may also be a symptom of a cardiac event (like a heart attack), a weakened heart muscle, or even asthma. So if you are having troubles with your sleep, you should talk to your doctor about what could be keeping you awake at night.

10 Ways to Protect Your Daughters from Cervical Cancer

As the family gatekeeper, you do everything you possibly can to take care of your daughter...to protect her health and make sure she is safe. So you may have been suprised to learn about the link between cervical cancer and certain types of a virus called Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). The key is knowing the facts.


Use these tips to educate yourself and help your daughter adopt healthier habits today.

Exercise together - It's never too early to start good health care habits. Grab a soccer ball and heal for your local park or sign up for a 5k or 1-mile walk.

Spread the word - It's important to share new health knowledge with your famiy and friends.

Learn the details - About 30 types of HPV can affect the genital area. Some types can cause cervical cancer. Other types can cause genital warts.

Stock your fridge - Establish good eating habits. Enjoy healthy snacks such as baby carrots and broccoli florets withnonfat ranch dressing.This will encourage your daughter to care for her body.

Know the facts - Anyone who has any kind of sexual activity involving genital contact can get HPV - intercouse isn't necessary.

Schedule a pap test - It's one of the best ways to help protect cervical cancer in future.

Educate yourself -Millions of people currently have HPV. By age 50, 80% ofwomen will have had 1 or more of the 30 HPV types that affect the genital area.

Lead by example - Understanding the importance of wellness visits now may help her maintain regular check-ups as she gets older.

Know the link - For most women who have HPV, the body clears the virus. But for some who don't clear certain types of HPV (such as HPV types 16 and 18), cervical cancer can develop.

Stay informed - Many people who have HPV may not show signs or symptoms, so they can pass on the virus without even knowing it.

If you want to learn more about cervical cancer and HPV talk to your daughter's doctor or health professional about ways to help prevent cervical cancer and other diseases caused by HPV - even if your daughter may be too young to be affected today.

Early Warning Signs of Breast Cancer

When the diagnosis of breast cancer is made at an early stage when the damage to the breast tissues are still minimal, a permanent cure can be achieved and you will you can be spared the pains associated with the disease and its treatment. That is why it is always important for you to know the early signs of this deadly disease and visit a doctor immediately you notice any of them.

Below is an overview of the common early breast cancer symptoms that every woman should look out for:

Breast cancer is usually characterized by the formation of lumps in the breasts. Most of these lumps are painless, though between the 3rd and 4^th stages of the development of the cancerous tumor, pain is usually present, but the sensation varies from time to time. Another thing is that they sometime create a spiny sensation, even though this is not usually common. The lumps of breast cancer are usually hard and are particularly persistent after menstruation. Usually, this can be felt in the breast particularly in the underarm area.

Usually, there is a change in the size of the breasts and this one is another notable breast cancer symptoms. This condition can be noticed by an uneven increase in size.  Not common is the flattening that occurs in the affected area, even though a lump cannot be felt. Sometimes an indentation can appear, again without a noticeable sign of a lump. Individuals who suffer breast cancer feel that they have a small area that resembles marble under the skin. To be safe, if you notice any area that is particularly different, you should consult your doctor.

 Altered or changed skin color, texture and temperature are some of the symptoms of breast cancer. Women who suffered with an advanced stage of this kind of cancer experience a significant change in the skin of the affected area. Some tiny dents start to surface and become reddish to resemble orange peel. The area is much warmer to touch which is not normal.

Women who suffer breast cancer experience a change in the nipples. A change in the nipple is one of the widely known breast cancer symptoms. It may become depressed and get an unusual dimpled look. A form of ulceration might also be evident. Feeling itchy or burning are some of its other symptoms.

When a discharge from the nipple is taking place it can also signal the presence of a tumor. Whatever the color and texture of the discharge is, you must consult your doctor right away. You must remember that this is not normal and even if you do not have a tumor, you might be suffering from another condition.

It is very important for you to consult a doctor if you have any of these symptoms and also get to know how you can feel your breast naturally, by doing a monthly self breast examination. 

Above all, get to know how likely you are to get breast cancer (your risk factors), the habits that help you prevent breast cancer and learn how to carry out a proper self breast examination.

Your health is in your hands – keep your breasts (and yourself) safe from breast cancer!

Advantages of Having Small Breasts

Breast cancer: If you ever have this disease and must have a double mastectomy, nobody will ever know you had this terrible illness if you're small enough (unless the wig from chemotherapy arouses suspicions). But many mastectomies are done electively to prevent recurrence or the cancer from developing in the non-cancerous breast. I can't imagine the emotional hardship it would be to have to explain to people what happened to your breasts. The only person who'd know you had the double mastectomy would be your lover, but family members and co-workers would never, ever know, and you'd be spared the dread of having to tell people you had a life-threatening disease.

Breast self-exams: A self-exam is so much easier when the area you're examining is small.

Sagging: Small breasts can only sag so much with old age. Their "saggability" is severely limited. When I look at my sub-A-cup breasts, I can't imagine where they could sag to. They are naturally firm and perky.

Brains: My breasts will never be distracting to a man whom I'm discussing something monumental with. In other words, small-breasted women will be taken more seriously, from an intellectual standpoint. I'm not saying that women who are "well-endowed" can't be smart. This is about MEN: Men sometimes think with their hormones and are prone to paying more attention to big breasts than the smart woman who is speaking to him. When I speak to a man, all attention is focused on what's coming out of my mouth, not my chest.

Sports: Small breasts will never impede athletic performance. I can't imagine what a detriment the big bosom would be during competitive volleyball, with all the jumping at the net I used to do. Big breasts would have flapped around like mad. I also run and do jumping drills at the gym. I've taken karate and have been smacked in the chest with kicks. This would have hurt with big breasts. I have done rock-wall climbing. Climbing technique involves keeping the body as flat against the climbing surface as possible, to minimize falling backwards. Big breasts would get in the way. But small ones allowed me to press my body up super-close to the wall.

Rape and assault: Because I'm so "flat," I can look quite tomboyish or masculine, depending on my attire. This will repel any man who's looking for a woman to rape or mug. Small breasts are associated with masculinity, or being a jock. If a man perceives me as a jock type or masculine, he won't want to tangle with me. But at the same time, small breasts can allow me to look like 100 percent woman, because instead of fretting about being"flat," I focus on my other attributes: killer legs and sculpted shoulders. Not all men are "breast men." Some men are "leg men." My type of man is a leg man, so that's why I'll never believe that small breasts will prevent me from finding the right man. As long as I flash my gams!


So, if you are not as endowed as your peers, don't worry there are a lot of advantages you enjoy and they don't.

How to Use A Female Condom [VIDEO]

How To Perform Self Breast Examination [FULL VIDEO]

Breast self-exam (BSE), or regularly examining your breasts on your own, can be an important way to find a breast cancer early, when it's more likely to be treated successfully. Not every cancer can be found this way, but it is a critical step you can and should take for yourself.

StayingHealthyPlus.com believes that BSE is a useful and essential screening strategy, especially when used in combination with regular physical exams by a doctor and mammography. About 20% of the time, breast cancers are found by physical examination rather than by mammography. We recommend that all women routinely perform breast self-exams as part of their overall breast cancer screening strategy.

Watch the video demonstration below to learn to to perform a self breast examination and make sure you do it regularly.

The Importance of Breast Self-Exam

Breast self-examination (BSE) is a very important part of every adult woman's personal health regimen. Many physicians and cancer organizations recommend that BSE be performed once each month beginning at age 20 and should continue each month throughout a woman’s lifetime.

In addition to BSE, adult women should receive regular physician-performed clinical breast exams.

The American Cancer Society recommends women 40 years of age receive a screening mammogram every one to two years.

Beginning at age 50, mammography should be performed every year. 

Click Here to Learn How to Perform Breast Self-Exam

Regularly examining her own breasts allows a woman to become familiar with how her breasts normally look and feel and can help her more readily detect any changes that may occur. Many women naturally have some lumpiness and asymmetry (differences between the right and left breast). The key to the breast self-exam is to learn how to find changes in the breasts that persist over time.

While most women are aware of monthly breast self-examination, many still do not know how to perform it properly. Performing BSE incorrectly can be almost as bad as not doing the exam at all since it can give women a false sense of security. After reading these sections on BSE, women should discuss any questions they might have about BSE techniques with their physicians and ask him or her to demonstrate how to perform BSE during the clinical breast exam portion of the physical exam.

The Best Time to Perform Breast Self-Exam

Menstruating women: Hormonal changes due to the menstrual cycle may make the breasts more lumpy or swollen. Women who are menstruating should perform breast self-exam from a few days to about a week after menstruation (period) has ended, when breasts are usually less tender or swollen.

Women who are no longer menstruating: should do their BSE on the same day every month. Try to pick a day that is easy to remember, such as the first or fifteenth of every month, and make that the day each month for breast self-exam.

Women using oral contraceptives: are encouraged to do their BSE each month on the day they begin a new package of pills.

Breast Changes and Warning Signs to Watch for During Breast Self-Exam:

• Any new lump or hard knot found in the breast or armpit
• Any lump or thickening that does not shrink or lessen after your next period
• Any change in the size, shape or symmetry of your breast
• A thickening or swelling of the breast
• Any dimpling, puckering or indention in the breast
• Dimpling, skin irritation or other change in the breast skin or nipple
• Redness or scaliness of the nipple or breast skin
• Nipple discharge (fluid coming from your nipples other than breast milk), particularly if the discharge is bloody, clear and sticky, dark or occurs without squeezing your nipple
• Nipple tenderness or pain
• Nipple retraction: turning or drawing inward or pointing in a new direction
• Any breast change that may be cause for concern

If any of these changes are noted, women should see their physicians as soon as possible for clinical evaluation. However, in the majority of cases (80%), breast lumps and changes are not cancer. Women should not allow their fear of breast cancer keep them from telling their physician or healthcare provider about a lump or change they have found.

Women with Normally Lumpy Breasts Should Also Perform BSE

Even if a woman has normally lumpy breasts (typically called fibrocystic breasts), she can still learn the usual pattern of lumps and then point out new or unusual lumps to her physician. While lumpy breasts or breasts with benign (non-cancerous) masses or cysts can be more difficult to examine, monthly breast self-exams (BSE) are still critical. In fact, without knowledgeable direction from the patient, it may be more difficult for a physician to differentiate between a new mass and a stable lump. If a woman’s breasts are normally lumpy, she should note how many separate lumps she feels and their corresponding locations when performing self-exams. Then, during subsequent exams, she should check for any changes, particularly an increase in the size of lumps that persist after her period. Any changes should be reported to a physician or healthcare provider.

Breast Examination During and After Pregnancy Is Critical

Women should continue monthly breast self-examination (BSE) during pregnancy. Clinical breast examination by a healthcare professional should also be made on a monthly basis during pregnancy. It is especially important that clinical breast exam be performed during the first doctor visit of the pregnancy, before the breasts go through significant physiologic changes. Some changes or lumps are more difficult to evaluate once the breasts have enlarged and become more nodular. The main problem with breast cancer during pregnancy is a delay in diagnosis that results in women being diagnosed with breast cancer at a later, more advanced stage. Vigilant, monthly breast self-examination during pregnancy and afterwards during breast-feeding can help prevent delayed diagnosis of breast cancer and enables optimal treatment.

If something that seems unusual is felt in one breast, women should feel for it in the other breast. If the area is found in both breasts, it is probably normal breast anatomy better still, see your doctor.

How To Do Self Breast Examination [VIDEO]

13 Habits That Help Prevent Breast Cancer

Although there is nothing that you can do to ensure that you absolutely do not get breast cancer, studies have reported there are some lifestyle choices that may help reduce breast cancer risk. These include:

Maintain a healthy weight – Body fat boost estrogen storage (fat is converted to estrogen), so the larger you are, the more circulating estrogen you’ll store, and the more you are at risk of breast cancer. Research shows that even losing a little as 5 percent of your weight or more (in overweight women) can lower breast cancer risk by 25 percent. The easiest way to do this is to eat healthy diets and stay physically active – vigorous cardio-exercises like jogging or speed-walking work best.

Eat high fibre diet – Foods that are high in fibre (fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grain) have a special role to play in reducing breast cancer risk. Though many theories have been propounded, one of them is that fibres help lower the blood sugar and keeping your blood sugar low can help lower the risk of breast cancer (and type 2 diabetes). After adjusting for other factors, diabetes is associated with a nearly 40 percent increased for breast cancer. High fibre diets also help prevent colon cancer by reducing the transit time of food in the intestine.

Do not smoke – Women who smoke increase their exposure to a toxic metal (Cadminium) which scientists have now found is directly linked o a higher risk of breast cancer. Women who smoke have a 16 to 40 percent increased risk of developing breast cancer. Exposure to Cadminium has also been linked to the risk of a woman’s unborn child developing breast cancer.

Turn off the light and sleep – Exposure to light at nighttime decreases the total amount of the hormone Melatonin in the body. This, in turn, appears to increase the risk of breast cancer by as mush as 3 to 6 percent. If you do work at nights, dim the lights, and get 7 to 8 hours of sleep every night.

Limit alcohol consumption – Studies have found that women who consumed less than 1 drink a day had a 7 percent higher risk of developing breast cancer. Those who had 1 to 2 drinks a day had a 32 percent increased risk, while those who had 3 or more daily drinks had a 51 percent increased risk. The increased is the same no matter what type of alcohol (wine, beer, etc) a woman drank.

Stay outdoor – Vitamin D₃ is an essential nutrient that can help prevent breast cancer. It has been found out that blood levels of between 40 to 50 nanograms per milliliter help protect against breast cancer. The human skin needs sunlight to manufacture vitamin D, so you should consider staying outdoor more. However, you should not overdo it as excessive exposure to sunlight is also dangerous – it increases the risk of skin cancer.

Examine your breast – A monthly Self Breast Examination makes you familiar with your own breasts and increases your likelihood of detecting an abnormality early. Breast cancer is 100 percent treatable if caught early; so if you find something in your breast that wasn’t there before, and it doesn’t go away in a few days, have it checked by your doctor. You should also consider going for yearly mammograms if you are 35 years and above.

Have kids – Starting a family sooner can drastically lower your risk of breast cancer. Women who had their first child before the age of 20 have half the risk of breast cancer compared to women who had their first child in their 30s. Additional pregnancies decrease the incidence of breast cancer eve further.

Protect yourself from radiation – There are radiations all around us – from cell phones, laptops, television, and other everyday high tech gadgets. Try to avoid them as much as possible to lower your risk of getting cancer and other types of cancer. Medical imaging methods, such as computerized tomography and x-ray, uses high doses of radiation, which has been linked with breast cancer risk. Reduce your exposure by have such tests when it is absolutely necessary.

Reduce dietary fat – Women following a low fat diet have been found to have 24 percent less risk of getting breast cancer. Trans fats may result in inflammation and in turn increase your risk of getting breast cancer. So, reduce the amount of unhealthy fat in your diet.

Breastfeed – Breastfeeding may play a role in breast cancer prevention. The longer you breast feed, the greater the protective effect.

Avoid exposure to environmental pollutions – Some research suggest a link between breast cancer and exposure to chemical found in some work places, gasoline fumes and vehicle exhaust. If you must work in high risk areas or with high risk chemicals, always use appropriate safety devices and protect yourself adequately.

Use hormonal therapy only when it is absolutely necessary – Combination hormone therapy for more than 3 to 5 years increases the risk of breast cancer. If you are taking hormonal therapy for menopausal symptoms, ask your doctor about other alternatives. You may be able manage your symptoms with non-hormonal therapies, such as physical activity. It is however of note that current evidences does not support an increase in breast cancer risk with birth controls pills.

Prevention is better than cure, so start cultivating these habits TODAY and live to enjoy your life in perfect health.

How to Firm Up Sagging Breasts, Naturally, Without Surgery

The breasts usually do not remain the same as women grow old! It doesn’t matter how old you are, that statement is still going to be true. Getting pregnant, gaining weight (sometimes repeatedly), breastfeeding or simply getting older, the breasts loose the perkiness of youth and begin to sag.

Fortunately, there is a solution to help firm up and “un-droop” your sagging breasts, naturally, without surgery, or cutting open your skin.

Granted, these techniques won’t work as well as surgery, and nothing you do, even expensive surgery, will ever give you back the breast you had when you were 18, but these exercises have been proven to help boost confidence and the breast, and help firm up sagging breasts naturally.

Push-ups: These are not the easiest exercise to do, but are very effective when your aim is to firm up your sagging breasts without surgery. They will build up the muscles behind the breast tissue, giving your breast a bit of boost forward as the muscle tones and enlarges. You can either do the standard push-up in which you simply flop down on your belly and push yourself right back up into the air with your arms or do the modified push-up in which the knees are bent and only the upper portion of the body comes off the floor. Start with as many push-ups as you can comfortably do and gradually increase the amount in each session. Do this at least 3 times a week, and watch your breasts perk up nicely.

Free weight lifting: This is an easier way to perk up sagging breasts naturally. It builds a slightly different muscle in the breast area of the chest, behind the breasts, and will help keep the breasts from ‘slipping off’ to the side when you lay down. Recline on your back on an exercise bench and take 2 free weights or dumbbells, then stand with the dumbbells, one in each hand, hanging at your side and then lift them up like you’re a bird trying to flap his wings. Do at least 3 repetitions of 10. Start with weights in the size you are comfortable with, and then gradually increase the size of the weight as your strength gradually increases.

Bench press with light weight: This is especially effective when you are slightly inclined, because the angle, when you lift straight up, helps target the right muscle in you chest to push your breast forward. Use as much weight as you are comfortable lifting, bring the bar of the weights down to your chest, and then lift and repeat, you can then gradually increase the size of the weight as your strength increases. It is an effective way to perk up the breasts naturally.

Arm resistance exercises:  This is about the easiest way to firm-up your breast and the ease with which it can be done does not make it less effective. Take both arms in front of you, make a prayer pose, bringing both arms together, flat palms touching. Press your palms together as hard as you can and you should feel the muscles in the breast area contract. That’s the muscle you want to work to help firm up sagging breasts. Using exercise bands, an exercise bar with resistance, or simply your own arms and hands, press your hands together and apart several times while triggering these muscles. You can also pull your arms apart against resistance for the same effect.

Arm circles: Yes, this is the same arm circles you did when you were a kid; it is a very effective technique to firm sagging breasts naturally. It lifts the breast by strengthening the underlying muscles of the breasts. Repetition of forward and backward arm circles, done regularly may help the overall look of the breasts and increase their lift. Perform 3 repetitions of 10 arm circles everyday for optimum results.

Practice proper posture: When you are standing straight, belly in, chest out, the breasts will appear firmer and perkier than when you slouch and exhibit poor posture. Proper posture makes the breast look higher and firmer. Proper posture also help you take the body weight off your back; this is very beneficial to your overall health, especially as you get older.

Yoga: Yoga is an exercise to strengthen the entire body and tone all areas. Yoga requires the body to be focused and helps with posture too. Perform yoga exercises that focus on the breasts and upper arm to help firm up your breast naturally.

These exercises work to strengthen and enlarge the muscle behind your breasts, which will then push forward the breast tissues, making your breast appear larger and less droopy. 

The muscle building techniques won’t really increase your breast size, neither will it change the texture or feel of your breast much but with these exercises, you can reduce the appearance of breast sagginess, perk up your breast, and save you the cost and pain of surgery.

You should also know that, even with surgery, if you don’t take care of your breasts and do these exercises, eventually, your hard money and the pain you went through during surgery will come to naught as your breast will sag again! Besides, surgeries to perk up the breasts may also affect the sensitivity of the nipples.

Others ways to firm your breast without surgery includes wearing a good supportive bra (especially sport bras), which can do the same work as the exercise, as well as wearing flattering clothing, stop smoking and also try to keep your weight stable.

One other thing you can try is to help the elasticity of your skin nutritionally. Maybe that would help those ligaments to stay in top fit and to prevent further drooping. For example, vitamin C is very important for the collagen synthesis within the skin. There are also other vitamins, minerals, and skin nutrients that can help the skin and ligaments to be in top health.

You should wear a support bra when exercising to help maintain breast firmness. Exercise regularly, at least 3 times a week and do not forget to talk to your doctor before starting any new exercise activities.

More importantly, you should remember to have a breast examination done by your doctor, at least once every year, along with monthly self breast examinations and be sure you have an annual mammography if you are 35 years or older. Firm breasts (perky breasts) won’t matter much if cancer takes its toll on them.

What causes sagging of the breast?

Sagging of the breasts is a natural, inevitable process that happens to all women at some point, except to women with very small breasts. Worries about sagging breast are one of the most popular pre-occupation of women as they get old, so if you feel your breasts droop, you are not alone!

Breasts can start to sag a little at any age, because they do not have muscles in them. The breasts are composed of fat (which determines breast size and shape); glands (which produces milk), and ligaments and connective tissues (which provides support for the breasts). A number of factors can affect each of these breast tissue components, resulting in breasts taking on a sagging appearance. This may result in nipples that point downward or tissues that appears loosened.

 

Smoking: When you smoke, the carcinogen contained in the smoke enter your body and break down the elastin fibers. Elastin fibers are responsible for the skin elasticity, meaning the absence of the fibers cause the skin to droop. These fibers are found in breast tissues, and over time, smoking can lead to tissue breakdown that result in sagging breasts.

 

Aging: As you age, your body’s elastin fibers, which keep the skin from drooping, and collagen fibers, which give tissue strength and flexibility, decrease. The rate at which they decrease is determined chiefly by genetics, diet and elasticity of your skin. Women ay notice this effect especially during menopause, when collagen decreases at their fastest rate.

 

Gravity: Gravity’s pull affects larger breasts more than smaller breasts, which can cause them to take on a naturally sagging appearance, so large breasts will sag easier. When the gravity pulls the breast down, those ligaments and the skin can stretch, and so the breast then droops. For this reason, it is important to wear that provides sufficient support to combat gravity’s effect. Women with heavy breasts may find that regular bra wearing can delay or diminish sagging, because their breasts are just so heavy.

 

Exercise: High-impact exercises, such as running, playing tennis and jogging, can stretch ligaments in the breast and some of them can even harm the Cooper’s ligaments inside the breasts. These activities place more stress on the breast tissue if the breast are not properly supported through the wearing of a good sports bra or other clothing item that add extra support and keeps breasts from moving.

 

Yo-yo dieting: Yo-yo dieting causes the breast to lose fat tissue, which can the breasts to appear less firm. If you gain the weight back, your body’s ligaments may not be in place to support the tissue, resulting in sagging breasts. The same principle is also true for women who became pregnant and gain weight in the breasts due to carrying a baby, then lose the weight once the baby is born. Maintaining a constant weight is one of the best ways to stop your breasts from drooping.

 

Breast involution: This is a process where the milk-making system inside the breast shrinks because it is not needed anymore. When the tissue inside the breast shrink, and the skin surrounding it does not, the breast looks empty and saggy. This happens either after weaning or right after pregnancy if the woman does not breastfeed at all, or during menopause. After weaning, a woman’s body usually deposits fat back to the breast (this might take months), so the breasts will gain their pre-pregnancy size, but sagging usually remains. Scientists have found out that breastfeeding per se does not have an effect on breast sagging. Pregnancy does because of the great physical changes happening in the breasts during pregnancy but breastfeeding alone do not, don’t think you will escape droopy breasts just by skipping breastfeeding.

 

Weight loss: When you lose weight, some fats disappear from your breasts. Typically, the skin and ligaments inside the breasts do not retract, resulting in an ‘empty’ looking breast that then sags. You can prevent this by eating foods that provide extra good nutrition for your skin.

 

Obesity: Overweight women have some additional fat tissue in their breasts, which causes them to be heavier and therefore sag earlier than otherwise.

 

Wearing bras: This might sound strange and contradictory, but it’s the truth! For most women, bra wearing can actually increase sagging. The idea is that when you wear bras, those ligaments inside the breasts can atrophy and shrivel away from non-usage. “Use it, or lose it” seems to be at work. The gentle bouncing of breasts when you walk or move can help those ligaments stay in top shape. Perhaps breasts are not meant to be kept totally “jig-less” and motionless! Just remember to wear sports bras during any active sports when the breast would bounce a lot.

 

Sagging cannot be totally prevented, it is an inevitable process and you are no alone. So, take time to enjoy the good life that you’ve got and stop worrying about things that does not really matter.

 

More importantly, you should remember to have a breast examination done by your doctor, at least once every year, along with monthly self breast examinations and be sure you have an annual mammography if you are 35 years or older. Firm breasts (perky breasts) won’t matter much if cancer takes its toll on them.

Correct and Incorrect Upright Posture For Pregnant Women

Food Supplements That Enhances Your Sexual Function

Sexual dysfunction is defined as the inability to fully enjoy sexual intercourse. Women experience it as loss of libido (sexual drive) and/or difficulty in achieving orgasm. While men experience it as erectile dysfunction (impotence).

Normal blood circulation to the genitals is essential to normal sexual function in both men and women and in men it is been found that insufficient blood flow is the underlying cause of incomplete erection in men. Higher blood flow makes clitoral and vaginal tissues more sensitive and responsive to sexual stimulation.

Many food supplements contain arginine, a precursor of Nitric oxide (NO) which is formed in-vivo from L-Arginine with the reaction controlled by the enzyme nitric oxide synthase . Nitric oxide is a vasodilator that dilates the vessels thereby improving adequate blood flow to the genitals for sexual enhancement. This has proven to be a safe and effective pro-sexual nutrient for men and women. Low levels of nitric oxide reduce blood flow to the genitals.

In post menopausal women, supplementation­ with L-arginine made them to experience heightened sexual response. Also women of all ages also reap the benefits of supplementation­ of L –arginine which include greater sexual satisfaction, heightened desire and clitoral sensation, frequency of intercourse and orgasm and less vaginal dryness.

Men on L –arginine supplementation­ had a significant improvement in their sexual performance and this is most effective in men with sexual dysfunction not related to an underlying disease and with low levels of nitric oxide.

Arginine also reduces the risk of blood clots and strokes,improve­s vascular function in patients with angina and helps prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases.

Zinc and magnesium deficiencies are major causes of unexplained infertility, pregnancy complications, loss of libido and vaginal dryness. Zinc supplementation­ reduces symptoms experienced by women on progesterones which include endometrial atrophy, vaginal dryness and dyspareunia.

Ask your pharmacist about common amino acid preparations that contains arginine,histid­ine and zinc to help boost your immunity and improves sexual health.

10 Dangerous Things Ladies Do To Lose Weight

The craze to be slim and trim is fast becoming a trend worldwide, as virtually every lady wants to look "sexy". Even the slim girls are not left out as they also work hard to remain slim. Ladies sometimes get very desperate to lose weight that they indulge in all sorts of crazy practices to achieve their dream size.

Although it is recommended that exercise is the best way to lose weight, most fat ladies believe that it's a more stressful and slower way of achieving the desired results.

In view of this, many ladies devise various wierd methods to slim down. Although most of these methods are down-right ridiculous and dangerous, some ladies claimed they actually work for them.

Below is a list of 10 dangerous things ladies do to lose weight:

• Tying the teeth with wires: This is properly done by a dentist and it prevents any solid food from going into the mouth. All the patient gets to take is fruit juice at the early stage. But after 2 weeks, the wire begins to get loose, creating enough room for soups to be passed through the teeth. Most girls carry this for as long as 2 months, but it also has an adverse effect. Although maximum result is achieved, the patient will end up suffering from some nutrient deficiency, and will throw up for the first few weeks after she starts eating again. Also, there is a tendency that she will end up consuming more food and then become fat again over time.

• Use of slimming drugs: The market is saturated with different slimming drugs and ladies keep jumping from one to another. The use of slimming pills is one of the most common ways of slimming, but reports have also revealed that some of these drugs have harmful compositions that could cause a lot of hormonal imbalance in women. Apart from that, some of these drugs have different adverse effects ranging from dizziness, nausea feelings, vomiting and so many others. They work by inducing lack of appetite on its patients which also results in low food consumption.

• Use of slimming sprays: This is a very rare slimming method but some ladies are so addicted to it. Recently, a lady lost her life after using a particular slimming spray for 3 consecutive weeks. Slimming sprays are slimming drugs that are sprayed into the mouth that makes the user lose appetite for days. But the danger is that once you stop using it, it could lead to illness.

• Starvation: Starvation is a severe deficiency in caloric energy, nutrient and vitamin intake. It is the most extreme form malnutrition. In humans, prolonged starvation can cause permanent organ damage and eventually, death. A lot of ladies starve themselves all in the name of losing weight. And they end up suffering from malnutrition disorders.

• Use of drugs and hot drinks: It may shock you that some ladies take hard drugs like Cocaine, Indian Hemp and Heroine to lose weight. Sources revealed that the use of these drugs also reduces appetite while others also take a lot of dry gin and hard drinks to burn fat, since the hot sensation can make you sweat. This assumption may be true but the adverse effects of these drugs on the liver far outweighs any benefits derivable from such practice.

• Cigarette Smoking: A lot of ladies who are heavy smokers claim it is a sure way to lose weight. Cigarette smoking for weight loss is a practice dating back to the early days of using nicotine as an appetite suppressant. Tobacco has been associated with appetite suppression for some smokers with it's attendant weight losing potentials but the risk of lung cancer from smoking that everybody should steer clear at all cost.

• Consumption of meal supplements: There are a number of meal supplements available over the counter. They are meant to be taken as what their name suggest, "supplements to food" but some ladies take them as their daily food in their bid to lose weight.

• Induced vomiting: Induced vomiting is a very common way ladies lose weight and it's very common because you don't have to spend a dime or take any pill. The technique is quite simple: after eating to your satisfaction, you stick your hand down your throat to provoke vomiting. This way, the food is prevented from being digested but have quenched the hunger. However, most ladies complain that they get hungry easily after this and that makes them eat all the time. This has been associated with a psychiatric disorder called "anorexia nervosa" and I am sure you don't want to be labelled a "psycho" just because you are trying to lose weight.

• Use of Herbs: They boil and drink these herbs to suppress their appetite for food or to burn fat. Some also bath with these herbs and use creams made from them.

• Use of slimming tea: Slimming tea accelerate the aerobic decomposition of fat, eliminate sediment of fat, help metabolize fat sediment in the body, transform the fat into dissociate fat and finally dispel the fat solvent out of the body. It regulates and decreases the fat level in the blood, reduces the excess energy and dissolves the harmful substance. It also help discharge the toxin out of the body, reduce the absorption of toxin in the intestine, speed up the intestine mircro-circulation, and improves the body's resistance to diseases.

Now that you know the damages you may be doing to yourself in the name of losing weight, STOP right now!