Fresh articles by jane carrasco from Article Directory Online: Free Online Article Submissionhttp://www.articleonlinedirectory.com/Fri, 12 Mar 2010 09:15:39 CSTArticleonlinedirectory.com http://www.articleonlinedirectory.com/Art/67860/518/a-woman-s-healthy-reproductive-system-sex-education.html
The slightest hormonal imbalance can disrupt the reproductive system which is why it is so important to take care of it Some factors that can seriously impair your reproductive health include: endometriosis, PCOS , pelvic prolapse, pelvic inflammatory disease, and cervical cancer

The organs of the reproductive system are:

Uterus- Also called the womb, the uterus is a hollow, pear shaped organ with a muscular wall and a lining The uterus expands many times in size during pregnancy to hold the growing fetus

Fallopian Tubes- These thin, soft tubes extend from the uterus to the ovaries During ovulation, an ovary releases an egg into the fallopian tube next to it

Ovaries-- The ovaries are located in the left and right lower abdomen Ovaries produce eggs as well as hormones like estrogen and progesterone

Cervix-- The cervix is the lower portion of the uterus that opens into the vagina During labor, the cervix dilates (expands) to about 4 inches (10 centimeters) in diameter

Vagina-- This tube-like organ connects the uterus to the outside of the body The birth of a baby follows it's path

Hymen-- The hymen (also called maidenhead) is a fold of mucous membrane which surrounds or partially covers the external vaginal opening It forms part of the vulva, or external genitalia

Menstruation, or "period," is the term given to a woman's periodic discharge of blood, tissue, fluid and mucus from the reproductive organs of sexually mature females The flow usually lasts from 3 - 6 days each month and is caused by a sudden reduction in the hormones estrogen and progesterone

When girls begin to go through puberty (usually starting between the ages of 8 and 13), their bodies and minds change in many ways The hormones bodies stimulate new physical development, such as growth and breast development Roughly 2 years after a girl's breasts begin to develop, she usually gets her first menstrual period

A woman is fertile only for a few days during each menstrual cycle and once ovulation has occurred, there is only a 24 hour period in which fertilization can take place The reproductive process begins with the ovary releasing an egg and setting it off on it's journey down the fallopian tube towards the uterus In the fallopian tube, it begins to produce an enzyme that helps attract the sperm from the males ejaculation

A man releases millions of sperm when he ejaculates but only a few hundred will be able to make it all the way from the cervix up into the uterus and then into the correct fallopian tube Once there, only one sperm will then be able to make its way through the eggs tough coating to fertilize the egg

After fertilization, the egg continues into the uterus where it implants itself into the endometrial lining and officially becomes an embryo

A missed menstrual period is most often the first sign of pregnancy, but typically, additional symptoms and signs are experienced in the early stages of pregnancy These include:

-Breast swelling, tenderness, and pain
-Nausea and vomiting
-Fatigue and tiredness
-Abdominal boating
-Frequent urination
-Elevated basal body temperature
-Changes in nipple color
-Melasma (darkening of the skin)
-Mood swings and stress

Sometimes a woman who is pregnant may still experience some bleeding or spotting around the time of the expected period This small amount of bleeding commonly that occurs at the time of the expected menstrual period may be implantation bleeding This occurs when the fertilized egg attaches to the uterine wall It's important to remember that not all women will experience all of these symptoms or have the symptoms to the same degree

An at home pregnancy can tell whether or not there is a pregnancy as early as the first day of the missed period, which is about two weeks after conception You should schedule a doctors appointment and get a check up and pregnancy test as soon as possible if you think you might be pregnant

Pregnancy tests are based upon measurement of the hormone which is only present in a woman when she is pregnant, human chorionic gonadotrophin, or hCG This hormone is made after the egg is fertilized and its levels rise rapidly in early pregnancy It acts to support progesterone, a hormone necessary to maintain the pregnancy

Unfortunately, things don't always work as mother nature intended Infertility effects many women for many different reasons If you have any signs that things might not feel right or if you are having any issues with your menstrual periods, contact physician and have an exam ]]> http://www.articleonlinedirectory.com/Art/67860/518/a-woman-s-healthy-reproductive-system-sex-education.html http://www.articleonlinedirectory.com/Art/67855/299/methods-of-birth-control-are-you-protected.html
Barrier Contraceptives- These contraceptives work to prevent conception by physically blocking the sperm from getting into the uterus to the egg With the exception of the male condom, these methods offer very little protection against communicable diseases and chances of getting pregnant while using them are greater than if you take 'the pill' These barrier methods must be used every time you have sex to be effective Barrier methods of contraception include the male condom, the female condom, diaphragms with spermicide, sponges with spermicide , the cervical cap with spermicide and spermicide alone

Hormone Methods- This method includes birth control pills, shots (Depo-Provera), the skin patch, implants, the vaginal ring and the morning after pill The IUD is also considered a hormonal method of birth control Birth controls that use hormones are very good at preventing pregnancy while providing no protection from HIV/AIDS or other STD's

The morning-after pill, which stops you from becoming pregnant if contraception failed or wasn't used, is now widely used by women who have had unprotected sex When taken, it prevents the ovaries from releasing an egg and alters the lining of the womb so the fertilized egg cannot embed itself in the uterus This pill works for up to 72 hours (three days) after sex, making the name, 'the morning after pill,' a bit deceiving But, it does work best if taken within 24 hours of unprotected sex In particular, it has proved of value to:

-rape victims, who should insist they are given it
-couples who have a condom break during sex
-women who have been lured into having sex while under the influence of drink or drugs

Permanent Methods- These birth control methods include tubal implants, tubal ligation and the males vasectomy

There are questions you have to ask yourself when considering the various types of birth control on the market and which method will work best for you

Is your main goal for taking birth control just to prevent pregnancy?

Do you fear catching an STD?
How often do you have sex?
What are the side effects?
Do you want to have children in the future?
Do you smoke?
Has anyone in your family ever had blood clots?
Can you'remember to take a pill at exactly the same time every day?
How many sexual partners do you have?
Is your main goal for taking birth control just to prevent pregnancy?
Do you fear catching an STD?

The main thing is that you find a birth control that will work when you need it to

Talk to your doctor about the risks associated with your health and lifestyle combined with birth control Taking birth control hormones could adversely affect the blood system (clotting, blood pressure), and therefore blood tests (or at least consulting with a physician who knows one's health problems) are required before taking them

There are advantages and side effects associated with birth control and is is important to know the facts Keep in mind, the best option for protecting yourself from sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS is still abstinence, which is not practical, or by using male Condom's ]]> http://www.articleonlinedirectory.com/Art/67855/299/methods-of-birth-control-are-you-protected.html http://www.articleonlinedirectory.com/Art/66825/84/times-change-so-does-your-skin-anti-aging-skin-care.html
I think I was only twenty one when I met Toby We both lived in Michigan at the time I was sitting in a seedy little dark bar with some acquaintances from work

We were laughing and having fun, shooting pool and listening to the juke box One of my girlfriends knew a couple of guys at another table and invited them over Several pitchers of beer and rounds of tequila later, everyone was the best of friends Toby and I really hit it off

There was nothing romantic about it, we just made each other laugh and had the same kind of personality, appreciating the small things We laughed about anything and everything we could find, leaving no stone unturned Life was pretty care free and we lived by the seat of our pants, as it is, or should be, for any twenty one year old

I still lived with my parents in a town north of Detroit, Clarkston, ('Hello Kid Rock'-he lives down the road)--and Toby, he was in a suburb southwest of Detroit Eventually, the hour drive was too much and Toby and I decided to be roommates The most important things in the world to us were going to concerts and bar hopping

Life was filled with rock and roll (mostly The Allman Brothers Band and Led Zeppelin), motorcycles, fast cars and good times Life was good and we looked even better

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we went to the same bar, on Fridays, to another and on Saturday-the 'big night out', we went to yet another club Toby and I used to spend so much time at the mall, planning and buying new trendy outfits for the action packed weekends

We were so into the latest fashions and bought all the newest and best products We consumed, to say the least You could always find Toby in the men's shoe department and me, well, a women can never have too many accessories

We would start getting ready to 'go out' hours before hand It was a 'big to do' that always began with the basics- shit, shower, shave and ended with a cocktail We did it all- buff, scrub, pick, pluck, rub, trim, clip, file, polish, style and spray

There were baskets and cabinets and drawers filled with toiletries; we had more grooming supplies than food Some great memories spawned from that tiny bathroom Getting ready was sometimes more fun than actually going out

It's fun to think back, but those days are long gone I now have a family to take care of, a car payment, a mortgage and lots of insurance The days of care free have disintegrated and the thought of having to leave the house on a Saturday night after working tirelessly all week is more dreaded than welcomed

Instead, I stay in and watch movies with my husband and kids and think about what I will fill the fridge with for meals for the week I like to sew and play board games and my drink of choice is hot herbal tea

Life is busy, but I still like to take care of myself My needs have changed with age and so have the products that I use to look and feel good

Instead of taking an aspirin most mornings for a hangover, like I used to, I take a good multivitamin and my blood pressure medication I no longer spend an endless fortune on skin care products, I use the select few that work for my aging skin

Toby and I were chatting on the phone, giggling about some of the old times I told him I started using anti aging cream, it was time He blurted out, 'No way-me too I use it every day ' We both laughed at how funny it was, him in L A and me in Chicago, still spending time pampering ourselves with new and exciting skin care products

We both felt the long distance connection 'Great minds think a like,' he said I need to make the time to visit Toby I really miss him a lot, hanging out in the bathroom and sharing some laughs ]]> http://www.articleonlinedirectory.com/Art/66825/84/times-change-so-does-your-skin-anti-aging-skin-care.html http://www.articleonlinedirectory.com/Art/59898/84/my-story-the-anti-ageing-truth.html
Days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months and so on and so forth I woke up one morning and much to my surprise, I was 38 What a tragic realization What happened and where was I? I pulled myself slowly, feeling the sorrow of the time passed, out of bed and into the bathroom and stood under the bright lights, starring into the mirror Little telling lines were popping up in places where they had never been before, but one crease in particular caught my eye and it was just enormous I swear it had not been there the day before This deep crease was on the right side of my nose between my nose and cheek and it ran north and south, just like the Great Mississippi I just was hoping nobody was going to make an attempt to try and canoe down it

Well, as the old saying goes, desperate times call for desperate measures How could I walk around with a deep crevasse that I was sure everyone would notice, running down one side of my face I was stumped about why I was having this ugliness take form I just kept starring at it, magnifying and illuminating, so I could get a better look All I could say was, "what in the world ?" I didn't know where it was coming from or why, but it had to be stopped

It was time to get serious give a more advanced and aggressive wrinkle cream a try I came across a well known facial cream designed specifically for ageing skin, offering the biggest and best results This was the one I just knew would work for me, or I really hoped anyway I ordered it on-line and anxiously awaited it's arrival (Really I paced back and forth between the bathroom mirror and the mailbox for two days thinking about how much it cost ) Finally, it came and I was so excited When I opened this package, I was quite astonished at how big the tube of cream was I thought it would be a trial size container and that their gimmick is to give you a little bit for a lot of money-leaving you wanting, needing and spending more It was pretty large, I was surprised

I immediately began my 'reversing the hands of time' routine, following the directions explicitly I messaged it into the skin on my face in the morning and at night before bed, keeping a close eye on progress, and my skin soaked it up At first, I wasn't sure it was working So, I just kept on After about 3 weeks, my complexion started looking better with each day that passed My husband caught on to what I was up to and he began using it too

We have been using it every day since The large river basin that mistook my face for a map, dried up and and all the fishermen went home My husband, he doesn't really like to talk about it because he is just that kind of guy, but I see him staring in the mirror when he thinks no one is looking It tickles my funny bone

When you are ready to be proactive in fighting the signs of age, just know, there is a topical facial cream out there that can offer the results you are looking for ]]> http://www.articleonlinedirectory.com/Art/59898/84/my-story-the-anti-ageing-truth.html http://www.articleonlinedirectory.com/Art/58516/84/best-anti-aging-advice-put-down-the-knife.html
There are so many anti-aging products and services available today that one would just expect a women to look 30 long into her, well, not 30's Plastic surgery certainly has changed the lives of many people who have decided to 'go under the knife,' for better or for worse Even though it is definitely a drastic measure, so many opt for these elective surgeries as if it's not a big deal I can tell you first hand that surgery anywhere in-on-or around the face is no laughing matter I had reconstructive jaw surgery when I was only 17 and had absolutely no idea what I was in for Needless to say, I will only have emergency surgery performed in-on-or around my face from now on

But, why wait until it is time for a face lift to begin a regiment with an anti aging cream? Some facial creams are designed specifically for the aging skin and work effectively, fighting wrinkles and fine lines deep down in the skin, where they begin Take that bull by the horns while you are still able to catch the him If you are going to fight the signs of aging, you need to do it right the first time Don't waste any more precious time Be proactive in maintaining youthful and glowing skin If you take care your skin today, it will pay off tomorrow, and for the years to come

Both, women and men, all over the world count on such revitalizing skin care products to keep them looking younger There are thousands of products to chose from, all making big promises to the consumer that their product is the best Well, I have experimented with so many specialty brands of various ointments, creams, serums, masks etc After years of scrubbing, buffing, peeling and moisturizing, I finally found that one product that stands alone from the rest This is a must have in their medicine cabinet at all times, right next to the toothbrush It is the one and only anti aging skin care product really works

The reason why? By applying the cream on the targeted areas and massaging it into my skin, the ingredients: hydrators, elasticizers and skin firming agents, are able repair aging and scarred tissues Following a regular routine of applying it on the skin twice a day, I saw actual results in about a month I love this stuff, I am so glad to have found it

There are several different formulas available, all the same brand, each designed specifically to diminish the signs of aging in a target area I use a three different formulas in combination with each other Together they work gradually and continually to revitalize my skin and give me a youthful glow

Is it time for you to fight the signs of age, too?]]> http://www.articleonlinedirectory.com/Art/58516/84/best-anti-aging-advice-put-down-the-knife.html http://www.articleonlinedirectory.com/Art/58429/84/can-you-afford-the-risk.html
These days, when you turn on the television it is easy to see the impact cosmetic surgery has had on the United States Experts are concerned with the way cosmetic surgery is being presented and that the dangers of cosmetic surgery are being minimized Nearly 11 million cosmetic plastic surgery procedures were performed here in our country in 2006 and the numbers continued to rise into 2007 Of course, our economy was not then, as it is now Those numbers may dwindle down some in 2008, but certainly not from lack of interest

The top five minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures are:

Botox (4 1 million)-
chemical peel (1 1 million)
microdermabrasion (817,000)
hyaluronic acid fillers (778,000)

The cost of Botox can range between $369 00 and $550 00 In California and the Midwest, the prices are lower because of the demand, while it is more expensive in areas like New England In general, the prices for Botox and other procedures is determined by the industry according to both market demand pressure as well as the underlying technical complexity of the procedure The doctor's or dermatologist's experience can also greatly influence the cost

A face lift, or Rhytidectomy can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000+ Not only will a face lift be a major financial investment, but there is a two week down time post surgery and it could take up to 6 weeks to recover, if there are no complications

These are the most common side effects & risks associated with face lift surgery:

~Allergic reaction to anesthetic: Considering the power of anesthesia, it is common to hear of patients feeling sick from it's use, particularly general anesthesia When used properly, local anesthetics are safe and have few major side effects But, in high doses, local anesthetics can have toxic effects caused by being absorbed through the bloodstream into the rest of the body (systemic toxicity) Breathing, heartbeat, blood pressure, and other body functions can be significantly affected

~Allergic reaction to medication: Typically, medications are typically prescribed to patients following face lift surgery to help accelerate the recovery process for the patient It is possible to have an allergic reaction, even though plastic surgeons are usually well informed of a patient's medical history

~Swelling and scarring: Following any cosmetic surgery, the patient will experience 'surprise' by the amount of swelling, bruising, and scarring that is evident Plain and simple, your face will really swell a lot These (hopefully) are typically only temporary conditions that will subside once your body begins to heal

~Haematoma: This is a condition in which the patient experiences bleeding under their skin, which causes painful swelling Usually occurring within 24 hours of the surgery, this is a serious condition that may require a further operation to stop the bleeding and remove the clot (ps This sounds Horrifying!)

~Facial nerve damage: Considering that delicate nerve endings are severed during face lift surgery, as excess skin is removed, patients will experience damage to their facial nerves This is manifested in feelings of numbness and facial muscle weakness This is supposed to be a temporary condition, but the numbness can last for years, just gradually fading away, or it can even be permanent

Ok, plain and simple, having a face lift is no day at the beach If you are pondering any cosmetic facial procedure, keep a two key elements in mind First, plastic surgery is not suitable for everyone's needs This option may not be for you if you smoke, are overweight, or those severely distressed and under conditions like diabetes, heart disease or hypertension Then consider the recuperation time Will having a face lift fit in with your everyday life?

Before you go cosmetic surgeon shopping, there is something you need to try first Be aggressive in fighting the signs of aging, without taking all of of these unnecessary risks There is an anti aging skin care product that can help, and it's not too late ]]> http://www.articleonlinedirectory.com/Art/58429/84/can-you-afford-the-risk.html