If you have a vagina, chances are that it didn’t come with a user’s manual. Many people have received little (if any) education around this area of anatomy from parents and doctors, leaving them to wonder “am I normal?” Because of culture, bias, and other influences, you may feel uncomfortable, uncertain, or even shameful about your vagina and vulva. All …
If you were taught never to leave your tampon in for too long, it’s because of toxic shock syndrome (TSS). Toxic shock is a bacterial infection that can be life-threatening. It’s linked to period products, although it can happen for other reasons too. Even though it’s rare, understanding why TSS happens is important, and I think more education is needed. …
Breast cancer isn’t exactly a topic any of us wants to discuss, but we need to. It’s so common that about 1 out of every 8 women in the U.S. will be diagnosed with breast cancer during her lifetime. With these numbers, it’s no surprise that many of us have been directly impacted by the diagnosis. It also means we have …
At first glance, menstrual cups may seem daunting. While this period product still falls behind tampons and pads in popularity, many people are starting to see the benefits of switching to a menstrual cup. Menstrual cups can be worn longer than either tampons or pads, and can be reused for up to 10 years, making them a convenient, cost effective, …
Your immune system is your body’s natural defense system, protecting your health against disease and infections. It’s a tough job, and with everything in the news, most of us are eager to boost our immunity however we can. A quick search will reveal hundreds of tips to eat right, exercise more, and sleep better to get your immune system working …
Addison’s disease is a rare autoimmune condition that causes damage to the adrenal glands. The adrenal glands play a critical role in hormones like cortisol and aldosterone necessary for everyday functions. Addison’s is also called adrenal insufficiency or adrenal failure, but it’s important not to confuse this diagnosis with HPA axis dysregulation, or what some people call adrenal fatigue. HPA …
Your body feels its best when your hormones are in balance with each other. Too much or too little can throw everything off. As a result, I talk a lot about the importance of hormone balance, especially with estrogen and progesterone, but today I want to dive into the less commonly talked about but significant connection between estrogen and histamine. …
Everyone has heard of premenstrual syndrome (PMS), the constellation of physical and mental symptoms that happens when you are about to get your period. But have you ever heard of period flu? While not technically a medical term and less well-understood than PMS, period flu is real to many women. As the name indicates, period flu symptoms mimic the real …
Some women get their period like clockwork, following the same pattern each month. For others, the menstrual cycle can vary by a few days each month. And for most women, cycle length gradually decreases with age. All of these patterns are completely normal. However, if you notice your menstrual cycle is consistently getting shorter, or your typical 28-day cycle suddenly …