Ready to ring in the new year with a list of self-promises? Nearly 50% of Americans make New Year’s resolutions, and a majority of those are women. But why? Where did this tradition start? How do you avoid the best-intentions for improvement from turning into self-loathing failures? Continue reading
Reports of your holiday weight gain have been greatly exaggerated. Media stories often suggest that the average person gains 7 to 10 pounds between Thanksgiving and Christmas. And in surveys, people say they gain, on average, about five pounds this time of year. But several studies now show that the average weight gain during the winter holidays is just one pound. Continue reading
Few people would disagree with the idea that this, right now, the holiday season, is one of the most stressful times of year for the majority of people, particularly we matriarchs. Holiday planning, traveling, participating in religious festivities, shopping, cooking, cleaning, decorating, “mandatory” family time and making arrangements for children who are home from school are just a few of the potentially joy-sucking facets of the holiday season. And that’s not even everything that’s on the holiday-stress-inducing-list! It seems to just keep going and going. Not to mention everything must be absolutely perfect. Biting your nails this very moment? Continue reading
‘Tis the season for procreation, apparently. Conception rates reach their annual peak in December, with about 9 percent of all conceptions in the United States occurring … now. Why? There are several theories out there, but studies show that more than twice as many condoms are sold in the week before Christmas which strongly suggests an acute increase in sexual activity with holiday festivities. Suddenly contemplating your contraceptive options?
Taboo Tuesday
We’ve all had it. That moment of shock and awe (horror, even) accompanied with the question of “how can this possibly be normal?” … in the bathroom. Discharge, while not always pleasant or convenient, is indeed normal and actually required for a healthy vagina. The amount, color, and consistency various among women. And throughout a woman’s life it changes depending on her age, menstrual cycles (or lack thereof), and if she is pregnant. Knowing what’s normal may help alleviate moments of panic or, alternatively, prompt you to seek treatment.
Deciphering Venus 