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Jun19
Sexual Confidence
What is Sexual Confidence ?

Sexual Confidence is:
Knowing that you are a good sexual partner.
Thinking that you are sexy (regardless of your age or weight)
Being willing to flirt, or touch first.
Freedom from inhibition - you can be yourself in bed.
You are in touch with your desires - you know what you like.
Being able to say “I want you” and knowing he wants you too.
Daring to try something new - a position, sex in the kitchen, being blindfolded etc.
Understanding that a good sexual rapport can take time to develop.
Being unafraid to say no to anything that you don’t want.
Keep a healthy distance between Desires and Relationships.
Not taking your partner’s lack of desire or orgasm as your failure.
Staying calm if your partner loses his erection. (you know it happens sometimes)
Being open to hearing feedback about your technique in order to better please him.
“Lovers don’t finally meet somewhere. They’re in each other all along.”


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Jun19
Pornography
In the case of pornography, the preponderance of the evidence clearly demonstrates that the material is not .just harmless fun.. Although almost all men are attracted by it, there are clearly perils associated with its use . which no doubt explains why so many men are willing to resist their own hormones and try to keep away from pornography.

Pornography is not about real human sexuality: it.s about a dehumanized, synthetic version of sex that eliminates love, honor, dignity, true intimacy and commitment. The image of sexuality offered by pornography comes without relationships, responsibility or consequences. a largely fraudulent picture. Porn movies never show a girlfriend getting pregnant at 16, or a young man getting AIDS . or a married man resisting the temptation of another woman.
Unfortunately, the research demonstrates that pornography.s fraudulent messages are ingested, affecting attitudes and behavior. Countless studies show that the basic messages of pornography . that a woman.s function is to satisfy a man sexually, that women have no value,no meaning, and their desires and needs are irrelevant . breed sexual callousness and acceptance of the rape myth (i.e. that women secretly desire to be raped).
These are the attitudes that lead to sexual harassment, failed relationships, early promiscuity and the spread of STDs. And, unless one believes that attitudes and behaviors are unrelated, it is difficult then to be surprised by the evidence of correlation between pornography usage and sexually abusive behaviors.
We protect ourselves and our communities, in part, through the values we affirm as
important. Treating every human being with respect, equality, and dignity, are values we should all be able to embrace, as a society and as individuals. The harms of pornography result from replacing respect, equality and dignity with a candy-coated message of hate


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Jun19
Sex as A Science
Sex is a Science:

My head falls down in shame when we hear that the govt has put on hold the decision to start sex Education in schools...
Lets approach it this way... Let us think Sex as a Science...
By virtue of being born out of sex, it does not follow that we know all there is to know about sex. We are not born experts on love and sex. We have to be educated. We have to understand what’s the attractions in sex, why there is such a push within us towards it. We have to learn how to use our energy to go through sex in a natural way and then go beyond it to a natural state of celibacy.
With a depth of insight and foresight, I understand today the caliber of humans in sinking lower and lower. Some people blame it on the deterioration of moral standards, while others attribute it to kaliyug, etc but this is all non sense...

There is only one thing different, the quality of sex has fallen, sex has lost its sacredness, sex has lost its scientific understanding, its simplicity and naturalness.
Sex has degenerated into a forced thing, a nightmare. Sex has taken almost a violent status, very rarely its a loving act.. Unless we bring a deeper understanding and a harmony to the act of sex—which is possible only through education, humanity cannot come into being.... Until the naturalness of sex becomes accepted wholeheartedly nobody can love anybody. I want to say to you that sex is godly, The energy of sex is divine energy, godly energy. That is why this energy creates life. It is the greatest most mysterious force of all.. I appeal to all the authorities to drop this antagonism towards sex. If you ever want love to shower in your life, renounce this conflict with sex, Accept sex blissfully, acknowledge its sacredness...

There is an enormous rise in incidences of sex abuse, child abuse, rapes, transgender, gays & lesbians I don’t blame those who do this crime.. but feel the plight of the victims..
This is all because of our age old belief system, that sex is a sin, sex is bad, sex should not be talked about, sex is illegal, .. etc etc.
Also sex should be abstained before marriage.. its like asking adolescent guy that he/she shouldn’t drive a car before marriage, even if has a valid license and can drive very well.

Why should you blame the mirror for what it reflects ?
What is the fault of the snake if we are scared of it. What is the fault of heights if we are scared of it. Our biggest culprit today is our belief system.. which is several thousand years old.. Our humanity is a byproduct of this culture.. and yet the human is blamed for being wrong, and not the culture. I do not say our culture is not great, infact its one of the richest, but as other things have evolved over several thousand years love, attitudes and relationships haven’t evolved as they should... But if something hasn’t evolved over the past ten thousand years how can one expect that to change now.. And today’s human being is a proof for this...Its amazing to see more love and healthy relationships amongst birds, insects and trees who do not have any religion or culture..

Love is within every human being, hidden inside, it has not to be searched from somewhere, it is there. It is the very need and longing of life within every soul on this earth, it is the very decor of life within every one.. Its like a sculptor who works with a rock and with a chisel and hammer makes a wonderful statue.. Actually speaking the statue is actually hidden inside, somehow the useless mass over it was brilliantly separated.. So the question is not how to produce love and harmony in all but how to uncover it in all ?

This is only possible with proper sex education.....

Lastly let me tall you that sex is a religious experience, a spiritual experience.. Let us use it and not abuse it, not detest it, not give a degrading grin, not give an insulting attitude to it, not suppress or repress it... Let us not kill sex education by poisoning it because all said and done even if authorities do not implement sex education sex did not die in the past and sex will not die.in future. it will become poisoned.. it shall live on, but poisoned, and we shall say Sexuality is the poisoned sex....

As a Sex therapist, and a Sexologist with a diplomate from American board and American College of Sexology I am aware The things which are taught in our medical schools are restricted to study of reproductive organs, the diseases related to the organs and Sexually transmitted diseases.. nothing beyond that While working as a clinical associate at KEM Hospital in the sexual medicine department I wasn’t alarmed at a newly married neurosurgeon who came with his wife who also works in a MNC to ask me how to perform sex in a right way? And there are many more such situations we see which makes me feel its imperative to make Sexual Science education to all children who are the future of our nation, who shall rope in seeds of love and harmony in future generations to come.

A beautiful curriculum on the guidelines of American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists and American College of Sexology for all the types of students, school college, women, literate, illiterate and from over several years of experience in practicing Sex Therapy,can be formulated and I am willing to impart as much education in this fascinating and only branch of science which is life in itself...


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Jun08
THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF SEX
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Would you rather run 75 miles or have sex three times per week for a year? Research shows that both activities burn the same number of calories. (7,500 to be exact)

We often think that some thing what feels good cannot possibly be good for us. Now it is time to think again

Sex in a loving, intimate relationship and has numerous health benefits. In women, for example, the sexual act triggers the release of oxytocin. Oxytocin promotes the feelings of affection and triggers that nurturing instinct. In men, sex encourages the flow of testosterone, which strengthens bones and muscles and helps transport DHEA hormone that may be important in the function of the body’ immune system.

Regular sex is regular exercise and has similar benefits, including improved cholesterol levels and increased circulation. Sex, like exercise, release endorphins. Endorphins contribute to the runners high and diminishes pain levels.

Sex therapists remind us that frequent sex is a form of exercise. Other benefits of having regular sex include:
Increased blood flow
Sex helps increase the blood flow to our brain and to all other organs of the body. Increased heart rate and deep breathing accounts for improvement in circulation. As fresh blood supply arrives, our cells, organs and muscles are saturated with fresh oxygen and hormones, and as the used blood is removed, the body also remove waste products that cause fatigue and even illness.

Stress reduction, relaxation and improved sleep
People have frequent sex often report that they handle stress better, so the normal stresses of living do not become distress. The profound relaxation that typically follows lovemaking with orgasm for women and ejaculation or orgasm for men, may be one of the few times people actually allow themselves to completely let go, surrender and relax.

Maintaining ideal body weight
There are 3500 calories in a pond of fat. For every 3500 calories we burn, we will lose one pound of fat. Sexual intercourse burns approximately 150 per half hour.

Lower cholesterol
Lowering of cholesterol is another of sex as exercise benefits. Sex helps as exercise benefits. Sex helps lower the overall cholesterol level. Perhaps more importantly it tips the HDL/LDL (good/bad) cholesterol balance towards the healthier HDL side.

Sex as pain reliever
Through the touch magic of sex the hormone oxytocin is secreted in our body which in turn causes the release of endorphins. Because of these natural opiates, sex acts as powerful analgesics, elevating the pain threshold and helping to relieve the aches like arthritis, whiplash and headaches.
In fact, studies indicate that intimacy plays a key role in the health benefits of sex. A promiscuous sexual relationship may actually produce an opposite effect by introducing a sense of anxiety and fear.

Word of caution

It is always advisable that you should always avoid pre-marital and extra-marital sexual activities, try to maintain the loyalty towards your spouse and stay away from STD’s and aids.

Sex therapists say sex acts on the principal of “use it or lose it”. So, for your heart, mind, and soul, the best advice may be to “just do it.”


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Jun08
SEX PROBLEMS AND DIVORCE
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Divorce happens and there can be many irreconcilable differences. Many divorces take place due to so many reasons but here we are going to discuss a one major reason for the breakdown. If we can understand this problem while we are still married than maybe we can somehow save the relationship or find adequate professional help. In this article I will attempt to discuss this reason for divorce.

Sex

Sex has always been the one of the major reason for the marriages to breakdown. It’s either no sex, to little sex, or too much sex, lack of knowledge concerning sex, or sex with the wrong person. It still amazes me how many people get married and have very little comprehension concerning sex. This doesn't mean people need to experiment before marriage to be able to please their partner. It means they need to read and discuss it with each other find out what pleases the wife and she find out what pleases her husband.

Fear and not knowing can cause problems in the marriage. Also, forcing the one partner to perform in a way which they dislike or are just not into it. The one thing that will help in this area is to communicate with each other. I suggest that each partner should discuss the matter with each other and read the book "The Act of Marriage" by Tim Lahaye.
So if any body of you or both of you are facing any type of sex problem kindly try to solve it mutually, if your efforts are not working to solve it then never hesitate to take professional help from a good qualified sex therapist.


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Jun08
Premature Ejaculation (The Most Common Male Sexual Disorder)
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Many men occasionally ejaculate sooner during sexual intercourse than they or their partner would like. As long as it happens infrequently, it’s probably not cause for concern. However, if you regularly ejaculate sooner than you and your partner wish, you should think about it. Premature ejaculation is a common sexual disorder. Estimates vary, but it is expected that it affects as many as one out of three men. Even though it’s a common problem that can be treated, many men feel embarrassed to talk to their doctors about it or seek treatment, but the man who wants to save his married life and dares to talk about this with a doctor comes out of the problem. Earlier it was being taken as purely psychological; but now studies have cleared that physical factors also play an important role in premature ejaculation. In some men, premature ejaculation is related to erectile dysfunction also. You don’t have to live with premature ejaculation, treatments including medications; psychological counseling and learning sexual techniques to delay ejaculation can improve sex for you and your partner. Signs and symptoms: There’s no medical standard for how long it should take a man to ejaculate. The primary sign of premature ejaculation is, ejaculation that occurs before both partners wish in the majority of sexual encounters, causing concern or distress. The problem may occur in all sexual situations, including during masturbation or it may only occur during sexual encounters with another person. Causes: Psychological causes: In some patients early sexual experiences may establish a pattern that can be the cause of difficulty in your sex life, such as: (1).Situations in which you may have hurried to reach climax in order to avoid being discovered. (2).Guilty feelings that increase your tendency to rush through sexual encounters. Other factors that can play a role in causing premature ejaculation include: Erectile dysfunction: Men who are not able to sustain erection and try to hold their erection during sexual intercourse, may form a pattern of rushing to ejaculate. Fear of losing your erection may cause you to rush through sexual encounters. Anxiety: Many men with premature ejaculation also have problems with anxiety either specifically about sexual performance, or caused by other issues. Physical causes: A number of physical factors may contribute to premature ejaculation, including: (1).Abnormal hormone levels. (2). Abnormal levels of brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. (3). Abnormal reflex activity of the ejaculatory system. (4). Inflammation and infection of the prostate or urethra etc. Rarely, premature ejaculation is caused by: (1). Nervous system damage resulting from surgery or trauma. (2). Withdrawal from narcotics or few drugs used to treat anxiety and other mental health problems. (Don’t stop taking medicines without consulting your doctor). Although both physical and psychological factors likely play a role in most cases of premature ejaculation, experts think a primarily physical cause is more likely if it has been a lifelong problem or the problem from quit long period with the same sexual partner. Other factors: Various factors can increase your risk of premature ejaculation, including: Impotence: You may be at increased risk of premature ejaculation if you occasionally or consistently have trouble getting or maintaining an erection. As many as one in three men with premature ejaculation also have trouble maintaining an erection. Health problems: If you have a medical concern that causes you to feel anxious during sex, such as a heart problem, you may have an increased likelihood of hurrying to ejaculate. Stress: Emotional or mental strain in any area of your life can play a role in premature ejaculation, often limiting your ability to relax and focus during sexual encounters. Certain medications: Rarely, drugs that influence the action of chemical messengers in the brain (psychotropic) may cause premature ejaculation. When to seek medical advice: Talk with your doctor if you ejaculate sooner than you and your partner wish during most sexual encounters. Please do not self medicate, it can increase your problem or the medicine which you take without consulting the doctor can create serious side effects. Kindly consult with qualified doctors only because your health is vary precious.


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Jun08
Marriage and sex problems: why should we take it seriously?
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From vary long time in India, sex in marriage is often something which is brushed aside and joked about. But now we have to take this matter seriously because this is deeply related with our marriage, love, health and vary important for a healthy vibrant relationship.
Marriage and sex problems can easily arise in a marriage where these things are not given the priority they deserve. How much importance is placed on them depends in part on each partner's views and personality. For some people the idea of a sexless marriage is unthinkable. For others, it may be a trade off in an otherwise happy relationship. The key of course, is making sure that both partner’s views are in synch.
Sexual problems in marriage should never be waived off or made fun of. Your spouse may be self-conscious of the issue already, and highlighting it unnecessarily will not help resolve the problem. Instead, married couples need to work together to create solutions and, if necessary, accept reality.
However, some people who experience sex problems like erectile dysfunction, hormonal imbalance, loss of desire due to a temporary condition (such as illness or pregnancy), inability to achieve orgasm, premature ejaculation etc, find the impetus to maintain their marriage very difficult.
Having an active, sexy marriage helps couples to feel connected at a deeper level, beyond words and ideas and day to day problems. Having difficulties in the bedroom is definitely something to talk about and should be resolved as quickly as possible.
In the-fast changing social scenario setting out new standards for man-woman relations, the Honorable Supreme Court of India on 21 March 2006 ruled that a wife can seek divorce for husband’s sexual incapacity and his failure to consummate the marriage due to such a physical handicap.
However, if you are having problems, you may want to seek professional help, so need not to worry about this because, now a days a few good sex clinics are there, those are giving all the services like consultation, examinations, diagnosis, sex counseling for couples and singles, sex therapies and treatments of sex problems to get you out of these sex problems and have the best possible sex life.
Further more, statistics show that most people who attend some kind of sexual therapy from qualified doctors can actually improve their marriage as well as their health. Almost 93% of those who have undergone sexual therapy have significantly improved their married life.
Marriage experts agree that healthy sexual activity can save marriage from divorce (divorce due to sex problems). Getting sex help isn't something you need feel embarrassed about, especially if it leads to the best possible sex life.


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Jun08
Loss of Libido
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Decreased sexual appetite does affect both sexes. There are many factors that can influence a loss of desire for both men and women. However no matter which partner is suffering from decreased interest in sex, loss of libido can wreck havoc on any intimate relationship. Recognizing Loss of Libido : Loss of libido is no longer having a desire to have sex. It is not having sex not because you cannot, but because you do not wish to. You may be experiencing a loss of libido if you can answer “yes” to a majority of the following:- Does you intimate touching only take place in the bedroom? Does sex no longer give you a feeling of connection and sharing? Is one partner in your relationship always the initiator and does the other feel pressured or obligated perform? Do you no longer look forward to having sex? Does your sex life feel mechanical, routine? Do you no longer ever have sexual thoughts about your spouse, or anyone else for that matter? Do you no longer have sexually explicit dreams? Do you have sex only once or twice a month at most? Causes of Lack of Libido in Women : For both men and women, lack of libido has either physical or emotional causes. Some physical and of course many of the emotional causes can over lap, but the specific physical causes for loss of sexual desire in women can be:- Anemia, Post-baby issues, Hyperprolactinaemia, Hormonal Issues. Contrary to popular belief menopause does not cause a lack of libido in most women. In fact many women report a much more satisfying sex life after menopause. Again while there are certain emotional causes Such as: A past rape, Problems in the relationship, Problems in the household, Self-esteem issues. In Men : As with women there are “cross over” causes for lack of desire in males, but there are also specifically male causes for lack of libido. Erectile Dysfunction – ED or impotence is not the same thing as lack of libido, but the inability to perform can lead to a man’s lack of desire to have sex. Other forms of sex problems such as pre-mature ejaculation, or performance anxiety can have the same effect. Other causes: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Diabetes, Cancer, Tranquilizers and few antidepressants, Emotional, Anxiety, Depression, Stress and Overwork. Treatments for Lack of Libido: The good news is that once the cause is determined usually loss of libido can be reversed. So, if you feel you are experiencing a loss of libido discuss the condition with a Qualified Doctor because this is the problem where both of you suffer due to one’s problem.


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Jun08
INFERTILITY - 14 Tips to Help You Get Pregnant
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OK, so you want to have a baby. Your chances of succeeding are excellent: About 85 percent of all couples who try to conceive will do so within one year. (After one year, couples are considered infertile.) Twenty to 22 percent will get pregnant within the first month of trying. There are some obvious rules to this game. The first is that you and your partner need to have sexual intercourse, with the penis in the vagina. The penis must ejaculate inside the vagina, depositing sperm near the cervix, the mouth of the uterus. In addition, intercourse must occur at or around the time of ovulation. There are also a lot of misconceptions and old wives' tales surrounding this issue. For example, it is not necessary for the woman to achieve orgasm in order for conception to occur, according to Paul A. Bergh, M.D., an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology in the Division of Reproductive Endocrinology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York. Bergh explains that the fallopian tubes, the tubes that carry the egg from the ovary to the uterus, actually draw the sperm inside, coaxing them to unite with the egg. This occurs with or without orgasm, he says. The following tips will help increase your chances of getting pregnant. Also refer to "When and Why to Seek Help" for a list of conditions that should prompt you to see a doctor before your year of trying is over. Good luck!

Get a physical.

Before spending a year trying to get pregnant, it's a good idea to have a thorough physical examination, according to Sanford M. Markham, M.D., an assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Georgetown University Medical Center in Washington, D.C. "Make sure that there aren't any physical problems, such as masses or cysts in the pelvic area," he says. "Your doctor should also treat any low-grade vaginal infections that you might have. He or she should also check for sexually transmitted diseases." Other conditions that can interfere with pregnancy are ovarian cysts, fibroids, and endometriosis, an inflammation of the lining of the uterus, Markham says.

Have sex around the time of ovulation.

The woman's egg is capable of being fertilized for only 24 hours after it is released from the ovary, according to Richard J. Paulson, M.D., an associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology and director of the In Vitro Fertilization Program at the University of Southern California School of Medicine in Los Angeles. The man's sperm can live for between 48 and 72 hours in the woman's reproductive tract. Since sperm and egg must come together for an embryo to be created, a couple must try to have sex at least every 72 hours around the time of ovulation (see Extra! Extra! - "Methods of Ovulation Prediction") in order to hit the mark, Paulson says. "Every 48 hours is even better," he says. However, he adds, the man should not ejaculate more frequently than once in 48 hours, since that may bring his sperm count down too low for fertilization.


Men should ejaculate every two to three days.

Along with the advice to have sex no more often than once every 48 hours, men should also try to ejaculate at least once every two to three days throughout the month, says Bergh. Men need to keep ejaculating to keep up their sperm supply, he adds.

Maintain a healthy lifestyle.

The best way to enhance your chances of getting pregnant is to maintain an all-around healthy lifestyle. This goes for both men and women, says William C. Andrews, M.D., executive director of the American Fertility Society and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk. "A healthy lifestyle will also help ensure the quality of your offspring," Andrews says.

Try to eliminate stress.

"There is little doubt that severe stress will interfere with reproductive function," says Paulson. "At the simplest level, stress will take away your libido. At the extreme, the woman may stop menstruating. Although studies in men are lacking, it is quite likely that a similar effect may occur."

Keep the testicles cool.

Exposure to extreme heat can be the death of sperm--literally. (That's why the testicles are outside of the body--to keep them cool.) Bergh's advice for maintaining the proper temperature is to wear boxer shorts (if you find them comfortable) and to avoid hot tubs and whirlpools. Taxicab and truck drivers will benefit from the use of a beaded seat mat that allows air to circulate. "There was an old Indian fertility ritual where the men used to dip their testicles in cold water," says Bergh. "They had the right idea." Varicose veins in the testicles can also interfere with temperature regulation. If you have these, see a urologist, Bergh suggests.

Take your time in bed.

It's not a bad idea for women to stay lying down for half an hour after sex, to minimize any leakage of sperm from the vagina, says Markham. Although staying in bed for a while may not make a tremendous amount of difference (sperm are strong swimmers), it certainly can't hurt. "Just stay in bed and take it easy," he says.

Try elevating the hips.

Placing a pillow under the woman's hips after intercourse may prevent sperm leakage, says Bergh. Although this is not proven to have any effect, it can do no damage, he says.Don't smoke. Smoking has been shown to lower men's sperm count and to impair fertility in women, according to Paulson. "There is nothing that has been looked at that smoking has not had an impact on," he says. His message is clear--don't do it. Also, if a woman does become pregnant, cigarette smoke--even in the first few days after conception--may be harmful to the developing embryo. So, the sooner you can quit, the better.

Eliminate alcohol and drugs.

Hormones can be thrown out of balance with drug abuse and high alcohol intake, says Paulson. This holds true for men and women. Even marijuana smoking can impair fertility. "Marijuana smoking has been associated with increases in prolactin, a hormone which can cause milk secretion from the breasts of both men and women. This can have deleterious effects upon reproduction," he says.

Eliminate medications.

Many medications, including common over-the-counter analgesics, can impair fertility, according to Markham. "A lot of things can inhibit ovulation and conception," he says. "It can be helpful to eliminate all medications." Be sure to check with your doctor before discontinuing any prescription medication, however.

Avoid lubricants.

Certain gels, liquids, and suppositories for lubricating the vagina may impair the sperm's ability to travel through the woman's reproductive tract and fertilize the egg, according to Markham. He recommends consulting a physician for a list of those that are not detrimental.

Try the missionary position.

This is another old wives' tale that can't do any damage and may do some good, according to Bergh. The missionary position, with the man on top, seems to be a good position for minimizing sperm leakage from the vagina.

Don't ruin your sex life.

One mistake many couples make is worrying so much about being able to conceive that it takes over their lives, says Andrews. "Don't be too mechanistic about it," he warns. "With a reasonable frequency of intercourse, a loving couple will tend to hit the right day. People sometimes make it an ordeal, rather than an expression of love. It can become so stressful that it is counterproductive."







PREMENSTURAL SYNDROM

PREMENSTRUAL SYNDROME - 11 Ways to Ease the Discomforts

You've heard the joke before. A woman flies off the handle at work or at home and everyone around her chimes in with, "It must be that time of the month again." The joke, of course, misses the point that women, at times, actually do get upset by their demanding husbands, whiny kids, and stressful jobs. For some women, however, the joke holds more truth than they'd like to believe. For these women, "that time of the month" really is a period of emotional imbalance, anger, depression, and anxiety. Situations that they normally cope well with suddenly become insurmountable. And the energy and health they enjoy most of the time give way to fatigue, achiness, and weight gain almost overnight. These women have what is known as premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, a condition that has no known cause and no complete cure. But research into the topic has brought about several theories as to what may make some women more vulnerable to PMS. "The two most widely held theories, neither of which has huge support, include an ovarian hormone imbalance of either estrogen or progesterone and a brain hormone change or deficiency," says Harold Zimmer, M.D., an obstetrician and gynecologist in private practice in Bellevue, Washington. Zimmer stresses that no single cause of PMS has ever been proven and that much of the research is contradictory. Whatever the cause, the symptoms can include anxiety, irritability, mood swings, and anger; indeed, these symptoms occur in more than 80 percent of women who suffer from PMS. Other symptoms may include sugar cravings, fatigue, headaches, dizziness, shakiness, abdominal bloating, breast tenderness, and overall swelling. Much less common are depression, memory loss, and feelings of isolation. The symptoms, and their severity, vary from woman to woman. "Symptoms are definitely cyclic, and that is one of the main criteria for diagnosing this condition. And the symptoms generally disappear with the onset of the woman's period," says Phyllis Frey, A.R.N.P., a nurse practitioner at Bellegrove OB-GYN, Inc., in Bellevue, Washington. "It's often the emotional symptoms that bring people in to the doctor," she adds. As for what you can do to relieve the discomfort of PMS, there are several home remedies. And according to Zimmer, the home remedies probably work as well as, or better than, the medical remedies available. Here's what you can try:

Maintain a well-balanced diet.

Include lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, starches, raw seeds and nuts, fish, poultry, and whole grains. "It is just sort of common sense dietary measures," says Zimmer.

Go easy on sugar.

Your cravings for sugar may be strong during this time, but giving in to the sugar craving may make you feel even worse and can intensify your feelings of irritability and anxiety. To make fending off your sugar cravings a little easier, try keeping healthy snacks readily available and keeping sugary foods out of the house--or at least out of your reach. If you can't give up the sweets completely, try eating only small amounts at a time, and opt for things like fruits or apple juice that can help satisfy your sugar craving and provide nutrients.

Eat small, frequent meals.

You don't want to go long periods without food because that can potentially intensify your premenstrual symptoms as well, says Zimmer.

Avoid alcohol.

Both Zimmer and Frey stress that alcohol will only make you feel more depressed and fatigued. Alcohol also depletes the body's stores of B vitamins and minerals and disrupts carbohydrate metabolism. It also disrupts the liver's ability to metabolize hormones, which can lead to higher-than-normal estrogen levels. So if you need to be holding a beverage at that party, try a nonalcoholic cocktail, such as mineral water with a twist of lime or lemon or a dash of bitters.

Cut down on caffeinated beverages.

These include coffee, tea, and colas. Caffeine can intensify anxiety, irritability, and mood swings. It may also increase breast tenderness. Try substituting water-processed decaffeinated coffee; grain-based coffee substitutes such as Pero, Postum, and Caffix; and ginger tea.

Cut the fat.

Eating too much dietary fat can interfere with liver efficiency. And some beef contains small amounts of synthetic estrogens. Too much protein can also increase the body's demand for minerals. Opt for smaller servings of lean meats, fish or seafood, beans, peas, seeds, and nuts. Use more whole grains, rice, vegetables, and fruits to fill out your meals.

Put down the salt shaker.

Table salt and high-sodium foods such as bouillon, commercial salad dressings, catsup, and hot dogs can worsen fluid retention, bloating, and breast tenderness.Practice stress management."Learning to control and reduce your level of stress has a great effect on reducing the symptoms of PMS," says Zimmer. Try joining a stress-management or stress-reduction program at your local hospital or community college; learning biofeedback techniques; meditating; exercising; or doing anything that helps you to relax and cope with stress.Try not to plan big events during your PMS time."I don't like to encourage my patients to plan their lives around their menstrual cycle, but if they have the option of planning a big social event at some time other than their PMS time, it would help them out to do so," says Zimmer. "The increased stress of the event will only make the PMS symptoms worse," he adds.

Exercise aerobically.
"Besides being a great stress reducer, aerobic exercise triggers the release of endorphins (the natural brain opiates) and produces a 'runner's high,'" says Zimmer. "Good forms of aerobic exercise include running, stair-stepping, bicycling, or taking an aerobics class," he continues. "The social environment of a health club can also make you feel better by encouraging you to interact with other people," he adds. He also goes on to say that increasing the pelvic circulation can help to rid the body of some of the bloating associated with PMS. Try to exercise for 20 to 30 minutes at least three times a week. If you are too fatigued to exercise during the actual PMS period, don't. Doing so the rest of the month should help in itself.

Talk it over.

Try to explain to your loved ones and close friends the reason for your erratic behavior. "One of the biggest stresses on a woman during this time is family. And it's not only the stress of feeling bad when she flies off the handle at someone, but also of having to apologize for her behavior later on," says Zimmer. He recommends enlisting the aid of your family and close friends by asking them to understand what the problem is and to realize that when you lash out at them you are not as in control as you would like to be. "If your child is really acting out and yelling at you for something during your PMS time, you might remind him that this is not the best time for him to be getting you angry. Hopefully, he'll see this as his cue to go outside and play," Zimmer explains. "You have to walk a fine line, though, and not begin using PMS as an excuse to be nasty to people," he adds. If the emotional symptoms are causing problems in your relationships, consider getting some counseling from a mental-health professional. Ask your physician to refer you to someone.


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Jun08
IMPOTENCE – 15 Ways for better Sex Life
www.draroras.com
Impotence! The word somehow sounds like failure, weakness. If you feel that you are impotent, you may also feel that you have somehow lost part of your dignity, your masculinity, your wholeness. There are many degrees of erectile difficulties. Some men may be able to achieve an erection, but are not able to maintain it. Others become erect, but not extremely rigid. Still others only have problems when they are with a new partner or with a long-time partner. And of course, there are those who cannot achieve an erection at all. Do not despair. You may be suffering from a physical or emotional problem (or both) for which there are definite solutions. If your problem is of an emotional nature, the following tips may help. If your erectile problem arises from a medical condition, there are now many new medicines, surgeries and therapies that can help restore your sexual health. What ever the nature of your problem is, remember that almost every man has difficulties with erection at some time in his life. You are not abnormal, nor are you alone. There is no need to suffer in silence. Don’t let embarrassment keep you from sexual health and happiness. REMOVE THE PERFORMANCE DEMAND: It’s not unusual for a man to have an occasional episode of impotence, after drinking alcohol or after a particularly stressful day. However, if he places too much emphasis on the incident and harbors fear that it may happen again, the anxiety itself may become a cause of erectile difficulties. Some men engage in thinking that distracts them or take away from their sexual performance. You should try to take the performance demand out of the situation and relieve the anxiety about having to get an erection. BREAK OUT OF A ROUTINE: One problem in people’s sex lives is that they get into certain ruts and routines and they don’t have much novelty. For example they always have sex at 11:30 at night with the lights off, with the same foreplay, and so on. Their sex lives are relatively invariant. Soon, their partner becomes about as exciting to them as a flounder. They can change their sex lives by incorporating some variety- go to another place or a different setting. Vary the routine. Buy your wife some new night dresses. In short, spice up your sex life. LEARN TO RELAX: Stress, arising either from performance anxiety or from other life situations, can also be a culprit in erectile problems. Relaxation exercises are helpful. Deep breathe or progressive muscle relaxing, where the person consciously tenses and relaxes each part of the body in sequence. In and of itself, as a treatment for impotence, relaxation is not effective but it may be a good first step for someone trying to improve their own functioning. EXPRESS YOUR FEELINGS: Marital or relationship difficulties are notorious contributors to sexual problems. Anger, resentment, and hurt feelings often spill into the couple’s sex life, turning the bedroom into a battlefield. This situation is especially likely to develop if partners are non communicative. You need to verbalize your feelings. Not in term of accusation, such as “you did this”, or “you did that”, but more like “I felt upset or hurt when you said that.” In other words, use “I” statements, and keep the focus on your feelings, instead of on your partner’s actions. Doing a thorough housecleaning of the relationship, instead of storing up emotional debris, may very well clear the way for a healthier sexual union. TALK ABOUT SEX: Some times, erectile problems can come right down to not feeling aroused. In these cases, patients should communicate more openly about their sexual relationship. This can be embarrassing area, one that people don’t talk about. Not talking contributes the problem. So talk about it.
DON’T DRINK BEFORE SEX: Drinking alcohol or being drunk can significantly impair your sexual functioning. Sex and alcohol never mix.
REMEMBER YOUR SUCCESSFUL EXPERIENCES:
If performance anxiety has undermined your confidence, thinking about positive sexual relationships or experiences you have had in the past may help boost your self- esteem. It may also convince you that you can have a fulfilling sex life in the future. INVOLVE YOUR PARTNER: Although erectile difficulties originate with the man, they are a couples’ problem and have couples solutions. If the problem is not medical one, there are many strategies that can help. Your chances for improvement are much better if your sexual partner is involved in the solution. KNOW THAT YOU ARE NOT ABNORMAL: It can never be stated enough: Having problems with erection does not mean that you are physiologically or psychologically abnormal in any way. It is not your fault. People tend to feel guilty about their sexual problems. Men often feel that, to a certain extent, they have lost their masculinity. It may bring on a significant decline in self-esteem. But the truth is most men, for one reason or another, experience erectile failure. Even if periodic failure occurs, try not to get too upset about if. Often times, people really come down hard on them selves or have a partner that gets very distressed and feels that it is because they’re unattractive or unwanted. Getting too upset can lead to performance anxiety. Do your best to be open and understanding about the problem. READ, THEN TALK: Lack of knowledge about the sex acts itself. So read good books about sex and clarify your doubts. DEVELOP COPING STRATEGIES: Just as penis size isn’t the measure of sexual prowess, neither is the rigidity of the penis. Be confident and have the coping strength to fight the situation it will defiantly help you to come out of it. SKIP THE APHRODISIACS: Sp----h f-y and other so called aphrodisiacs are usually little more than placebos-sugar pills those do nothing but boost your confidence. But these can be very dangerous to use and can even be fatal. TRY MASTURBATION: Performance anxiety is just the anxiety over performing. But sex between loving partners was never meant to be an off-Broadway production. Don’t forget that while it’s important to please your partner, you’re also there to please yourself. Masturbation-bringing your self to orgasm while you are alone-may be helpful (as long as it’s not overdone). The next step is to bring ability into a sexual situation with your partner-changing the focus from performance to mutually pleasurable interaction.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO SEEK HELP:
When you’ve tried everything, to no avail, it’s time to seek medical attention. Studies have shown that medicines and therapies can significantly improve a couple’s sex life. Where you go, it’s up to you, but must do your homework and shop around. The most important thing is to find a qualified sex therapist to get the right solution of your problem.


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