Olivia Culpo Is All of Us / A Pro Tip for the Two-Week Wait / The 411 on Period Sex ??
Hi friend!
In an Instagram post , model Olivia Culpo revealed that after years of debilitating symptoms, being dismissed by multiple doctors, and misdiagnosis, she eventually found the tools and validation she desperately needed via social platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and Reddit. Culpo’s story is absolutely not uncommon . So many women dealing with conditions like endometriosis are frequently dismissed, and it’s natural that they try to find answers on their own rather than simply resigning themselves to live with their debilitating symptoms.
We don't take women's concerns and pain seriously, which starts a whole cycle in motion. Then, we look down on women who fall under the spell of unofficial online medical research, but we also?fail to give them the tools they need to have their questions answered or their treatments customized to their own needs. This needs to change.?
Read Zara's opinion piece on the connection between medical gaslighting & health misinformation here .
What's New: Demystifying Period Sex
If you’re still unsure about lifting the hands-off rule during your period, you’re not alone. In one?study , about 40% of women said they’d never try menstrual sex. There’s a lot of stigma around it, so let’s address some objections about period sex.?
Objection: It isn’t safe.?
Reality: There’s no evidence that you can’t have sex on your period. Just remember to use protection because there’s still a chance you could get pregnant or spread an STI. Your chances of getting a?yeast infection ?are higher during menstruation due to hormonal changes, so remember to practice good hygiene after sex.?
Objection: It’s messy.
Reality: Yes, period sex can get messy, so it’s ultimately up to you and your partner’s comfort levels to decide if you’re ready. For a cleaner session, consider moving things to the shower or throwing a towel down wherever you go.
Objection: I won’t like it.
Reality:?Many women find sex more enjoyable during menstruation due to changing hormones that increase libido and sensitivity. Menstrual blood is also a natural lubricant, making for a smoother ride.
Learn more about period sex and how it may actually help in reducing menstrual pain here .?
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What's Trending: Online Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has become one of the most widely used forms of talk therapy. It is highly effective as a treatment for anxiety, depression, eating disorders, and PTSD, among other mental health conditions.
CBT focuses on patterns of thinking — the underlying beliefs about yourself that influence your thoughts, patterns, and behaviors. It can help you identify negative and unhelpful thoughts that influence your behavior and replace them with more positive and useful ones. Sounds like a dream, right??
Another plus is that CBT doesn’t need to be done in person to be effective. Learn more about online cognitive behavioral therapy , and use code RESCRIPTED to get 20% off your first month at BetterHelp !?
You Asked, We're Answering:
Q: Egg freezing vs. embryo freezing: how do I know which is right for me??
A: At its core, two things that embryo freezing offers that egg freezing does not are the ability to genetically test your embryos and the ability to choose your sperm (from either a partner or donor) in the present moment instead of in the future.?
“Embryo freezing provides a woman with more information about the reproductive potential of her frozen gametes. If an embryo is frozen, we know if the egg fertilized and potentially the genetic testing results of the embryo," explains Dr. Jessica Rubin, a reproductive endocrinologist & infertility specialist at Reproductive Biology Associates in Georgia.?
Remember: there is no “right” path when it comes to navigating fertility and family planning; there’s just the path that feels right to you at any given moment. Learn more .
Q: Can I be prescribed Metformin for PCOS without diabetes??
A: Yes!?One of the most common off-label uses for metformin is to treat?insulin-resistant PCOS , a common condition (and often, a precursor to type-2 diabetes) that can cause irregular or absent periods. For women with PCOS, metformin can be prescribed to help regulate ovulation, reduce androgen levels, improve insulin resistance, and aid in weight loss when taken in conjunction with proper nutrition and adequate exercise. In fact,?studies have found that up to 90% of women resumed regular menstruation within six months of starting metformin!?Read more .
Women's Health In The Wild:
From social posts to podcasts to products we're loving, here's the latest in women's health & fertility:
Lastly, if you thought we were done talking about endometriosis, think again! 50-70% of people with endo report pelvic pain that occurs before, during, or after penetrative vaginal sex. But many suffer in silence , thinking it’s just their version of “normal.”? This week on “From First Period To Last Period,” I sat down with Dr. Lyndsey Harper, a board-certified OB/GYN and Founder & CEO of Rosy Wellness, to discuss the connection between endometriosis and painful intercourse, including tips for how to talk to your partner about endo before getting intimate. Listen here !?
xo, Kristyn