Using Contraceptives for the first time?
Using contraceptives for the first time can be daunting and stressful. Before you rush out for those contraceptives ask yourself “Am I really ready for sex?” Running through these few questions with a simple YES or NO answer may help you to be really sure:
* Is someone putting the hard word on you to have sex, especially your boyfriend?
* Do you want to have sex before marriage or before living with someone?
* Are you forcing the sex issue with your partner?
* Do you know the person you are considering having sex with really, really well?
* Are you absolutely certain that your intended sex partner doesn’t have (or has never had) a sexually transmitted disease (STD), or even HIV/AIDS? No it won’t just ‘go away’.
* Are you sure that YOU don’t have an STD that you could pass on? Almost 30% of sexually active teens contracted a new STD within a mere six months, even among condom users (Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Sept 1995)
* If this relationship does not last, will I be glad that I had sex with this person?
* If I do get pregnant, (it only takes one sperm!) am I ready to be a single parent and can I afford it on my own?
* If I can’t face becoming pregnant right now, can I go through with an abortion or give my baby up for adoption?
Any ‘No’s in there? Or maybe you have doubts about continuing to be sexually active? If so, stand tall and take charge of your life at this point. It is responsible and sensible to wait till the timing is better for YOU. Just because ‘you’ve done it a few times already’ doesn’t mean you can’t stop for a while now (hopefully you aren’t pregnant yet and you don’t have an STD)
If you have been sexually active, just pop into a clinic and get checked out. There are plenty of places and people to talk to these days if you are confused about your relationship or sexual habits.
Trust your intuition- if it doesn’t feel right- it ISN”T- you don’t have to know why in your head.
Abstinence is practised by some young people so the use of contraceptives is not an issue for them yet ( if you want to try it- make it easier for yourself by avoiding situations where your hormones are at an unfair disadvantage, like the back seat of a car or a bedroom at a friend’s party!)
“But we don’t go all the way”
If you are having oral sex you can catch an STD. If you are engaging in mutual masturbation, sperm from hands can get into the vagina then they swim like hell so you CAN get preggers this way AND the little devils can get through clothing too, that’s why condoms are made of non porous, non woven material! If you think anal sex is safe- guess what? Those little spermies can spill over into your vagina then off they swim in search of your egg. These and other similar practices mean you ARE having sex so don’t kid yourself that you’re abstaining! You are also still at risk of pregnancy and/or sexually transmitted diseases.
If he is ‘putting it in’ halfway, pulling out before ejaculating or even if you are letting him ‘put it in’ for a second- you are having sex and you can get pregnant or catch a disease that, if untreated, could cause permanent damage to your reproductive system or even death in severe cases.
If you are absolutely determined to have sex, then find out all you can about birth control options and please BE SMART – not reckless with your sexual habits. Dying of AIDS can be agonising and bringing up a child alone is a huge responsibility.
If you wish to use an oral contraceptive pill as well as condoms, (because if it’s not on, ‘it’s not on!’ right?) then please read the information about the various types and their side effects (see sidebar headings on the RHS of this site) before discussing what’s best for YOU with your doctor.
Knowledge is power- ASK QUESTIONS and don’t be intimidated, it’s your body and you’re the one who will have to cop the consequences of your decisions, possibly for the rest of your life.
When the time is right- enjoying a great sex life with a great partner is wonderful but…you are a goddess- be smart, be safe and be choosy!
Sexual Stimulants And Aphrodisiacs
As we get older and our bodies start to deteriorate its becoming more and more important to maintain our sexual potency and boost our interest in sex itself. By using sexual stimulants and aphrodisiacs we can not only enhance our sex lives but also recapture and strengthen the feelings that make us feel young and more alive.
There is a clear difference between the modern laboratory developed aphrodisiacs such as Viagra and Cialis, and the ancient plant based aphrodisiacs such as Ginseng and Yohimbine. Modern aphrodisiacs are meant to be used as medication to solve specific problems such as erectile dysfunction and impotence whereas ancient aphrodisiacs are meant to be used as a way of increasing sex drive and sexual pleasure.
The most popular erection inducing drug on the market is Viagra which contains Sildenafil and works by widening the blood vessels in the penis to make attaining an erection easier as long as adequate stimulation is provided. Another popular drug is Cialis which contains Tadalafil and works in a similar way to Viagra by making blood flow into the penis easier. Both of these drugs are supposed to be prescription only in most countries around the world.
Although Viagra and Cialis work in a similar way, there are some differences between the two with the major one being how long the effects of the drug last. The effects of Viagra last for about four hours but the effects of Cialis last for about twelve hours or even up to eighteen hours which is why its known as the “weekend pill” which is a common nickname.
The problem with both Viagra and Cialis is that there are now known to be many different side effects that can effect people after they have taken the drug. These side effects can include headaches, dizziness, indigestion, muscle pain, and visual disturbances. Most of these side effects will go away after a few hours although back pain and muscle aches can continue to occur up to a day later. Both of these drugs can interact with other medications so its important to consult with your doctor before taking them.
As an alternative to modern laboratory developed aphrodisiacs, many people prefer to use ancient plant based aphrodisiacs such as Ginseng and Yohimbine. Although many different tests and studies have been done, the results have been inconclusive and its hard to prove just how effective both Ginseng and Yohimbine really are.
Ginseng is found mostly in China and Korea and is a slow growing herb which consists of a light coloured root, a single stalk, and long oval green leaves. Ginseng can improve blood circulation which may help with erectile dysfunction and also increase libido. The side effects can include nausea and diarrhoea but this may be due to the fact that many products contain other substances and are not pure Ginseng.
Yohimbine is made from the bark of the tropical West African Yohimbe tree and is available as a herbal supplement or as a prescription medicine. Yohimbine can increase the dilation of blood vessels which can help men achieve and maintain an erection and it may also increase libido. The side effects can include nausea but at higher doses it can be more harmful and cause high blood pressure and insomnia.
Its important to note that all sexual stimulants and aphrodisiacs will effect people in different ways and not everyone will have the same results or the same side effects. Some people will achieve the desired effects while others will not so its just a case of finding out which one works best for you and caters for your specific needs.
The Tell-Tale Symptoms In Children And Adults of Acid Reflux And Sore Throats
The symptoms of acid reflux in both adults as well as children are very uncomfortable to say the very least. The affliction is usually associated with the terrible painful burning sensation that affects the alimentary canal. If someone happens to be lying down, the symptoms become aggravated. Acid reflux and a sore throat are very common symptoms of this disease.
Why Acid Reflux And Sore Throats Are Associated?
Amazingly, when people suffer from acid reflux, only a few of them rush to see their doctor for medical advice. These people somehow believe that their problem will disappear on its own. Very few people, unless they are really troubled by acidity will seek but doctors intervention to treat acid reflux. If left untreated, the acidity levels will grow and after some time the food that is in the stomach is thrown up the alimentary canal with some force and the food will reach the mouth. After that, the food is swallowed again or sometimes thrown out of the mouth.
If this process is repeated on a regular basis, then the acid will irritate the throat very badly and a person will experience all the symptoms of acute throat pain. Therefore, the association between acid reflux and sore throats. At this stage the person should immediately visit their doctor and have the proper treatment started. The sad thing is very few people take the acidity of the stomach seriously. Even fewer people associate acid reflux and sore throats in the right perspective. They would rather just take a painkiller and drink some hot tea, thinking that they are suffering from a slight flu, rather than an acute acid reflux.
The Dangers Associated By Letting The Acid Reflux Fester
When the acid reflects and sore throats stage is reached, it is time to take the proper medicines to help neutralize the acid that is rising in the esophagus. As well, making sure that having the proper diet is in place so that it will not aggravate the situation any further. If left untreated for too long, it can literally burn up the inside of the alimentary canal. In fact, it can become so bad that even belching would be painful for those who have esophagus damage in the form of bleeding ulcers.
It will be very difficult to drink or eat, once the ulcers have set in. The use of the alimentary canal (esophagus) will become very painful. You should never allow it to reach this far. Learn to identify the symptoms as early as possible and then get the proper treatment as soon as possible.
Chocolate: The sweeter lane to a healthy body
Just about everyone loves the taste of chocolate. Well the news is out that chocolate can actually benefit the body. Although the dark chocolate is bitterer than the semi-sweet the health benefits of dark chocolate are greater. Along with dark chocolate consuming red wine and green tea also have great health benefits. The main key is moderation, as with any indulgence of passion.
Dark chocolate contains antioxidants. There is a strong belief that antioxidants can reduce your chances of cardiac disease, cancer, and even high blood pressure. In addition these antioxidants improve endothelial cells, your digestive process, and kidney function. Dark chocolate helps fight bad cholesterol (LDL) and improves the circulation of blood from the heart to the brain. Furthermore there is belief that it has similar effects as aspirin does on the body in preventing stroke and heart attack (inhibiting platelet aggregation).
In the chocolate are flavonoids. These flavonoids interact with the natural antioxidation system in the body (the vitamins and enzymes). The flavonoids itself is not the actual benefit it is the reaction inside of the body that is tipped off by the ingestion of these powerful plant derived elements. When there is an imbalance of between the antioxidants and free radicals a level of oxidative stress is place on the body that will cause cellular damage. People suffering from anemia and kidney stones have been treated with flavonoids. Flavonoids that are found in chocolate have been used to help people who suffer from anemia, a poor appetite and kidney stones.
Where Do You Find Flavonoids? Fruits Vegetables (onions, parsley, legumes) Teas Wines (grape skins)
The body uses minerals such as copper and magnesium to maintain a functioning heart and blood pressure. Experts point to the dried extract of roasted cocoa beans as one of the best sources for dark chocolate. If you cannot consume the extract, then eating a 1.6-ounce chocolate bar is the second best option. This should introduce just an ample amount of ingredients to achieve some effect. Be aware however that chocolate is fattening and it contains caffeine so never overdo a good thing. There are several brand s of chocolate available on the market today and each person has to find a suitable taste for him or her. By eating only 2-3 squares of chocolate can be of great benefit to the body.
Eating chocolate is not the only way to keep a heart healthy. There are some specific contents in the chocolate that help. The most beneficial is the dark chocolate because of the flavonoids that it contains. Oddly enough the manufactures of the chocolate destroyed many of the flavonoids in the early days. Since the discovery of the health effects, manufacturers work very hard to maintain 95% of it in the product. Since the taste of dark chocolate is bitterer than semi-sweet, consider buying one with almonds and raisins of one of each. This can add a little flair and variety to the bar.