While doing some research for another article, I was looking at birth control side effects and saw “changes to eyesight for those who wear contacts” – What?? I had never heard anyone say that birth control can affect your vision. Years ago I had been bouncing between birth controls, never able to stay on one more than a couple months at a time. My doctor prescribed them to lessen menstrual … [Read more...]
A Spoonful of Cinnamon May Help PCOS Symptoms
"A Spoonful of Cinnamon Makes the Insulin Go Down" was the lesser-known B-side track. Fall is in full swing and winter is fast approaching: consequently, most of our houses have an alluring aroma of nutmeg, clove, and cinnamon. This blend of spices is like a drug to Americans. Cinnamon rolls, apple pie, apple cider, pumpkin pie, pumpkin spice lattes – all of these favorites feature the … [Read more...]
Drug-Resistant Gonorrhea and Today’s Sexual Milieu
By show of hands, how many people winced or involuntarily crossed their legs reading that title? My hand is raised, too. Back when I took Health Class in High School chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhea were part of the “curable sexually transmitted diseases” list. While still terrifying to think about, they were less terrifying to the impressionable youth in comparison to, say, herpes or HIV. … [Read more...]
The Vaginal Microbiota (Part V): Probiotics, Prebiotics, & HPV
Ask not what your bacteria can do for you; ask what you can do for your bacteria! No, but really. If you have high levels of anaerobic bacteria, what can you do about it? In many cases it will be obvious to you that something is a little… off. You should first go to your doctor to let them check it out first, double-check your concerns about the odd-smelling discharge you likely have. Likely … [Read more...]
The Vaginal Microbiota (Part IV): How ‘Bad’ Bacteria Aid Viral Infection
In previous articles we covered the 5 types of vaginal environments, it's connection to cervical health, and how good bacteria help to keep your body safe. Today we will discuss what happens when the ‘bad’ bacteria begin to take over and how these anaerobic bacteria may actually assist viral pathogenesis. For a quick review, here are the 5 types, with Types 1, 2, and 5 being the healthiest and … [Read more...]
Vaginal Microbiota (Part III): How Bacteria Protect Your Vaginal Health
We know we have lots of bacteria in our body, but how do they help to keep us healthy? We learned in Parts I and II that the vaginal microbiota play a major role in the health of our reproductive system and our risk for infection. To sum up, there are 5 different types of vaginal environments depending on which species of Lactobacillus bacteria is most prevalent, and Types 3 and 4 appear to … [Read more...]
The Vaginal Microbiota (Part II): Connection to HPV & Cervical Health
Welcome to the part of this topic most everyone will want to read – how do the bacteria in the vagina relate to HPV and cervical health? Because why else would you want to read about vaginal bacteria… We often hear that about 80% of women will have HPV at some point in their life, but the vast majority of those cases are transient, and the virus clears up between 6 -18 months. Why is it that … [Read more...]
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