Guilty About Masturbation?

Do you masturbate? What harm does masturbation cause? Will you be able to have a normal sex life? What happens to sperm count because of masturbation?

How To Get Pregnant Quick?

How to get pregnant fast? How to determine the right timing? Your age & pregnancy; Other important facts to know for quick pregnancy.

One Testicle Hangs Lower?

Is your left testicle hanging lower than the right? Are they both at the same level? Is one testicle smaller than the other?


Your questions about virginity, puberty, sex health - Answered!

Birth Control - After Sex

Just had sex without taking birth control measures? You can prevent pregnancy even after sex.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Oral Contraceptive Pills

What do we mean by combined oral contraceptive pill?
Combined oral contraceptive pill is a combination of 2 hormones estrogen and progesterone in a pill form. Combined oral contraceptive pills are also known as “The Pill”.

How does the combined contraceptive pill work? (See Transdermal Patch)

1. Prevents the release of the egg from the ovary, a process called ovulation.
2. Thickens the cervical mucus or secretion preventing the entry of the sperm into the cervix.
3. Changes the lining of the uterus making it unfavorable for fertilization.

Does it work for everyone?

No, it does not work for everyone. You have to consult your doctor to see if you would be eligible to take the pill. Below is a general guideline. If you have any of the following factors mentioned below you may not be eligible to take the combined oral contraceptive pill. More so, you will be more prone for side effects from the pill.
1. Age> 35 years
2. History of smoking
3. Have a history of blood clots deep vein thrombosis (clot in one of the big veins in your legs, thighs or arms) or Pulmonary embolism (clot in your lungs).
4. History of stroke
5. History of breast, liver or endometrial (the lining of the uterus) cancer
6. Have a history of heart disease
7. Have kidney, liver problems
8. Have migraines with aura (complicated migraine or severe migraine)
9. Have diabetes-related complications, such as a damaged retina (retinopathy), in other words uncontrolled long standing diabetes mellitus.
10. Are about to be immobilized for a prolonged period due to major surgery
11. Have unexplained uterine bleeding
12. Are taking medications like antibiotics, over the counter medicine e.g. St. John's wort or anticonvulsants.

What are the different forms of pills available in the market?

1. Traditional pill form where the pill mimics the regular menstrual cycle.
a) The pack contains 28 pills. For 3 weeks the pill contains hormones and for the last week it is called a placebo where there are no hormones and that week you will have your monthly menses.
b) There is a different form where the pack contains only 21 pills. All 21 pills contain hormones. The last week you don’t take any pill and you will have you monthly menses. E.g. brand name: Loestrin.
The disadvantage is there is a higher chance of missing the pill as you have to remember to start the pill after a week. If you miss > than 2 days then you have to plan a backup method.
c) Another version is there are 24 active pills and only 4 pill free days.
E.g. Yaz 28, Beyaz and Loestrin 24.

2. Continuous pill form:

This form as the name says you take the pill without any break anywhere from 3 months to a year. What? You did hear that right!
What it means is you don’t have your periods every month. It is FDA approved and found to be safe. In fact there are some experts who suggest that the mood fluctuations, cramping and intermittent bleeding are found to be less with the use of continuous pill.
The first extended-cycle pill regimens introduced was (Seasonale), where you take the pill every day for three months, then one week of placebo pills. The others in the same category are (Seasonique, LoSeasonique). The difference between Seasonale and Seasonique is in the amount of estrogen. The latter has low estrogen which is responsible for most of the side effects like heart disease, stroke and blood clots.
A newer extended-cycle regimen is designed to be taken continuously for one year (Lybrel).

What are the advantages in using the combined pill?

1. Does not interfere with sex life
2. Highly effective
3. Reversible, does not affect fertility
4. May decrease premenstrual symptoms like mood changes or cramping.
5. Protection from ovarian cysts, ovarian cancer and uterine cancer
6. Usually lighter menstrual bleeding and less cramping
7. Predictable regular menstrual cycles with conventional pill
8. Can be taken continuously to decrease the number of periods with the continuous pill

It seems like it has got more benefits. Are there any side effects which you have to watch out?

The following are some of the common side effects.
1. Having to remember to take pill daily
2. unscheduled bleeding (usually resolves in 2-3 months)
3. High risk for medical complications in smokers as 4 and 5
4. Blood clots in the legs, lungs, heart or brain
5. Heart attack and stroke
6. Benign liver tumors
7. Increases risk of cervical, breast and liver cancer.
8. Offers no protection against sexually transmitted infections
9. Rarely, pigmentation of facial skin

When to start the Pill?

The pill should be started on the first day of the menstrual cycle to have the most benefit.
If for some reason you cannot start within 5 days, it is ok to start taking the pill anytime you want to. But remember to use a back-up contraceptive method for 1 week.
How early can you plan for a baby after stopping the pill?
Ovulation is usually delayed by 2 weeks once you stop taking the pill. So your next period would be at about 4-6 weeks.
You can become pregnant any time after your ovulation returns. What that means is if you get pregnant as soon as ovulation returns then you may not have your periods after stopping the pill.
It is advisable to wait for return of at least one normal menstrual before planning for a baby as it will be helpful to estimate your due date accurately.
Is it true that for some, the periods may not return to normalcy for prolonged periods after you stop the pill?
“Post pill amenorrhea” is term which your doctor might use. Amenorrhea is the absence of menstrual bleeding.
What happens to your body when you take hormones?
As we have discussed earlier Estrogen and Progesterone are 2 important female hormones secreted by our body. Since you have been taking these hormones from an external source your body stops producing them or decreases it dramatically to maintain the balance.

What happens when you stop taking the pill?

For most people the body returns back to normal state in 2 weeks. But for some the native hormone production can be delayed by about 3 months. If it is longer than that you may need a pregnancy test and other blood work to evaluate further. So please consult your doctor.

Can I get pregnant by chance when I am taking the pill?

Yes. You may get pregnant due to failure of contraception or because you missed your pills or some other drugs you are taking which may interfere with the birth control pill and make it less efficacious.
The failure rate of combined birth control pill in reality is about 2-3%. In an ideal pill user i.e. in someone who would take the pill at the same time of the day and every single day, the failure rate is only 0.1%.
Any time you miss the pill for more than 2 days you would have to use a backup contraception for a week. If you had unprotected intercourse at any time you missed the pill, you can use emergency contraception.

Is it harmful for the baby if you get pregnant by mistake when you are on the pill?

No. There has been research on this topic out of concern. Till date there has been no known documented birth defect for the baby from birth control pill.
However it is strongly recommended that you stop the pill as soon as you find out that you are pregnant.

Does the pill cause weight gain?

The estrogen in the pill can cause fat cells to increase in size. But this does not attribute to an overall weight gain. Many women on the pill may report weight gain. This is due to fluid retention due to hormones.

Do you have to start the pill in consultation with a doctor?

You may think you know so much information and you can get it over the counter. There are something’s which you have to watch when you are on the pill.
Your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, liver function tests, potassium level in blood and annual GYN exam and PAP smear exam. You may get the pill from anywhere but it is important to follow up with your doctor.

There are so many different pills in the market. Is there any difference between them or are they all the same?

The amount of estrogen and progesterone may vary among the different pills.
Over the years we have learnt that the amount of estrogen is responsible for side effects like blood clots, heart disease and stroke. Typically in the past each pill contained about 50mcg of estrogen. The newer combined oral contraceptive pill typically contains about 20-35 mcg.
There have also been changes in the amount and type of progesterone over the years. Typically the newer pills contain long acting progesterone where the effect lasts longer.

Is there any difference in the failure rate between branded ones and the generic pill form?

There have been only few studies done to compare the generic pill and the branded ones. To date there is no difference that we know of.

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Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Zero Calorie Foods - Use 'Em For Rapid Weight Loss

How Do Zero Calorie Foods Work?

You actually spend some calories while you chew, swallow and digest food. What if the calories contained in the food you eat is so less, that you actually spend more calories eating it.? Does nature have such foods? Well, many studies have shown that nature has such foods readily available, which can result in weight loss at a rapid pace.

Consider the following scenario:

A cup of (diced) celery weighing about 120 g is served.

The calorie content of a cup of celery is about 20 calories.

When you eat a cup of celery, your body has to spend about 165 calories to digest it.

This will result in your body losing 145 (165 minus 20) calories.

You see, your body can actually lose weight while eating certain foods. These are called Zero Calorie Foods. If you are a Compulsive Eater, all you have to do is stock Zero Calorie Foods in your fridge, and eat away!

Here is a complete list of Zero Calorie Foods:

Zero Calorie Vegetables List:

• Asparagus
• Beets
• Broccoli
• Green beans
• Green cabbage
• Carrot
• Chile peppers
• Cucumber
• Cauliflower
• Celery
• Dandelion
• Hot chili peppers
• Cucumber
• Endive
• Garden cress
• Garlic
• Green beans
• Lettuce
• Onion
• Radish
• Spinach
• Turnips
• Zucchini

Zero Calorie Fruits List:

• Apples
• Blackberry
• Blueberry
• Cranberry
• Cantaloupe
• Grape fruit
• Honey dew melons
• Lemon
• Mango
• Oranges
• Papaya
• Peaches
• Pineapple
• Raspberries
• Strawberries
• Tangerines
• Tomato
• Watermelon

Zero Calorie Drinks:

The magic potion – Water:

The only real zero calorie drink that can make you lose weight is WATER. This is the magic potion made by mother nature and is available freely and abundantly in nature. There is Absolutely NO calories in water! Drinking plenty of water is essential to maintaining optimal health, and you should drink a lot more when you are trying to lose weight. Use the following techniques and lose weight.
1. Drink a glass of water just before your meal. This will make you eat 75 calories lesser. Just by following this routine every day, you can lose up to 2 pounds in a month!
2. The Hypothalamus sends the same signals whether your body needs food or water. So, it is easy for you to assume that you are hungry, while you are actually thirsty. So, create the habit of drinking water whenever you feel “empty”.
3. Drink a glass of water as soon as you wake up. It will enhance your bowel movement and kick start your body’s metabolism for the day.


Zero Calorie Soda:  Even though Zero Calorie Soda and Diet Soda has become very fashionable these days, it is no substitute for water. Coca-Cola Zero and Pepsi Max are the most popular zero calorie Sodas available in the market. While these Zero Calorie Sodas certainly contain less calories (almost none) than regular soda, they contain substances like Aspartame, Acesulfame Potassium, etc which can cause cancer in the long run. If possible, you should completely give up soda and switch to drinking juice and water.

Zero Calorie Beer: There is none available in the market yet. Even if such a beer is made one day, remember that alcohol actually reduces your body’s metabolism, thereby inhibiting weight loss.

Zero Calorie Seasonings & Spices:


 Looking at the zero calorie food list above, don’t get depressed that your food is going to be bland. There are many spices and seasonings that have very less or no calories! Here are a few seasonings that you can use:
  • Black Pepper
  • Cayenne Pepper
  • Lemon Juice
  • Lime Juice
  • Tabasco Pepper
  • Mustard

Research shows that rapid initial weight loss can motivate people to get to an ideal weight, so you can use these zero calorie foods as a launching pad for losing weight. In the long run, you must intake all the necessary nutrients and maintain a balanced diet.

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Sunday, November 6, 2011

How To Stop Compulsive Eating ?

Dear AskThisDoctor.Com,

I am a 19 year old gal from West Virginia. I am over 300 pounds and have been battling with obesity issues. I am obese because I eat compulsively. How to stop being a compulsive eater? Please help me!

Hello Doctor,

I am a middle aged man having weight problems. I go back and forth between 230 and 250 pounds while I should ideally weigh about 200 lbs. I am ridiculed at work because I have "male breasts". I can't control my eating habits. What can I do?

Answer: After writing about Obesity & Weight Loss, many questions have been asked about compulsive eating. Obesity is not the real problem, it is just the demon kid resulting from Compulsive eating, the real monster.

Why Are You Eating Compulsively?

You fully understand that overeating is going to be harmful in the long run. When you munch on something compulsively, you very well know that it is bad for you. Yet you do it. Why? To understand this, you must understand a little bit of neurology.

Your brain has 2 separate regions (forget other areas for now) : The Limbic System and The Cerebral Cortex. The Cerebral cortex is a very advanced structure and is present only in Primates. It is the part of the brain that is able to determine the long term benefits of your actions.

The Limbic system on the other hand is a part that is present in most mammals and has not evolved in ages. It only understands "instant pleasure" or "instant pain". The conflict between these two and the victory of the limbic system results in compulsive eating.

Here are 10 key points to get rid of your compulsive eating habit:

Understand "Mental Void": For most people, compulsive eating (or any bad habit) is a way of filling a void in their mind. Compulsive eating fills a particular spot inside your head. So, you need to replace this bad habit with another habit. Of course, don't replace it with another bad habit like smoking, do something that will be productive or beneficial to you. For example, if you dig into the freezer every time you get bored, take a short walk or listen to music when you are bored.

Exercising Your Will: Your will gets stronger every time you exercise it. Will can be roughly defined as the "control of thought" . Every time you give in to compulsive eating, your will gets a beating, so exercise your will and make it stronger. At first, it will be harder for you to control eating compulsively, as your will is weaker now. In time, your will become so strong, that it will completely eradicate your wrong eating habit.

Relax Your Rules Once A Week: Many people follow a very strict "diet" to lose weight within a short period of time, only to gain it back slowly. This happens because you are very strict with your diet and are not perceiving this as a lifestyle change. Once a week, have a fun meal session where you can eat what you like.

Don't Hate Yourself for Slip-Ups: If you slip up or find yourself eating compulsively, don't feel guilty. Studies have repeatedly shown that guilt or shame related to bad habits tend to reinforce them. If you relapse, simply forget it and move forward and do better.

Get Help From Family & Friends: Most friends or family members will help you if you sit down with them and explain that you have a problem. More importantly, if they share the kitchen with you, it is important to get their help to stop this behavior.

Eat Slowly: When you eat, eat slowly. Your brain realizes that your stomach is full only after a few minutes. If you eat at a rapid pace, you would have eaten some more even before the brain gets the signal that it is full.

Eating Is A Ritual: Don't take that chips bag and eat while you are working at your desk. Don't take that bucket of ice cream and eat it on the couch, watching TV. Many cultures forbid people from talking while eating and eating is performed like a ritual. Eat only at your dining table. When you eat, focus completely on food and make eating a ritual. When you eat, don't do anything else.

Impulsive Eating: Compulsive eating is often accompanied by impulsive eating. Though they are both different types of habits, they often go hand in hand. Impulsive eating is a "sudden urge to eat something" triggered by a particular stimuli (seeing something delicious, etc). Be aware of your pleasure seeking behavior and never eat anything that you have not planned on eating.

Never Miss Your Breakfast: This may be a surprising tip, but 95% of compulsive eaters do not eat their breakfast. If you eat your breakfast, your body is not in 'starvation mode' anymore and will stop being in the 'hunt and store' mode when it finds food later. Eating your breakfast also dramatically increases your metabolism and burns fat faster.

See A Behavior Therapist: If nothing works, go and see a behavior therapist. This may seem like a drastic step, but you may get some valuable advice. You can learn better coping skills and resolve issues that make you eat compulsively. Clinical studies show that about 50 % of people with obesity issues suffer from Depression or ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder).

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Tuesday, October 18, 2011

A Complete Guide for Weight Loss

Are you tired of trying the weight loss plans or trying to save some money to join one? STOP!!!

Take time to read this article!!! Then I am rested as I have given my best here to guide you in making the smartest decision of your life.
Have you ever felt like, I wish I were 2 sizes down so I could wear that beautiful dress I saw in store the other day? Have you tried to tuck your tummy when a beautiful girl walks towards you?
Guess what? You are not alone in this!!! It is a National problem. Knowledge makes all the difference. If you are thinking about it, then already you are a step ahead of others in this game.
Alarming Statistics:
As per the NHANES (National Health and Examination Survey) data released In 2007-2008
About one-third of the adults in US are obese and another one third is overweight.
Among children and adolescents (2-19 years of age) about 17% i.e. 12.5 million are obese.

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