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Good Health Begins with Diet and Exercise
Diet and Exercise - Secrets Of Good Health
A balanced diet and physical activity are the two
time-tested secrets of good health. If you are overweight
and want to shed some pounds, regular exercise has
repeatedly proven itself as the most...
Overcoming Stress: Seven Ways To Manage Stress In The New Year
Because of the fast paced nature of our society, overcoming or
reducing stress has made it to the list of top ten New Year's
Resolutions. Approximately 19 million Americans suffer from
stress related illnesses. The hormone, cortisol, is...
The magic pill to fat loss
Have you ever wonder if there was a secret to fat loss? Have you ever wonder that a few lucky people knew something about it? Have you ever wonder what secret might be? I am sure you have heard of so many theories about fat loss that it would make...
Tuberculosis and 2 Billion People
Tuberculosis, a bacterial infection, most commonly affects the lungs. Tuberculosis can also affect the central nervous system, lymphatic system, circulatory system, genitourinary system, bones and joints. Often Called TB for short, tuberculosis...
Why Do Weight Loss Diets Fail?
Most Americans wish that they weighed less than they do. Two-thirds of us are overweight. At the same time, there are literally hundreds of weight loss programs--each one promising that it will help you finally lose those extra pounds. Some of...
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Should You Douche?
The only thing a woman can say for certain about her vagina is that it is drenched in mystery. And with this mystery comes a bounty of myths. One myth marring the woman’s body is the concept that her vagina is a filthy pit. Frequent marketing of feminine douches does nothing to arrest this myth. But is the vagina dirty and should a woman douche?
A substantial body of medical evidence makes a clear case that douching is not necessary and in some cases unhealthy.
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh led by Dr. Roberta Ness discovered that most women are introduced to the concept of douching by their mothers, sisters, or girlfriends. Yet this well-intentioned sisterly advice has left too many women misinformed about their vaginal health. For instance, a study at the University of Alabama at Birmingham asked 729 women why they douched. Twenty-one percent of the participants said that they believed douching killed infectious germs, while 27% believed that douching prevented pregnancy. Neither assumption is true.
As writer Mary Ann Innacchinoe explains in an “American Journal of Nursing” article, the vagina contains, lactobacilli, "good", aerobic bacteria that cleanse the vagina and protect it from infection. Lactobacilli release hydrogen peroxide, a natural disinfectant. The presence of hydrogen peroxide helps keep potentially harmful anaerobic bacteria in balance.
Ironically, some women view menstruation as a time when the vagina most needs a douche. After menstruation, vaginal mucus returns to its thicker, characteristically non-fertile state, which makes it more difficult for pathogens to enter and infect the vagina. Douching could wash this protective coating away and invite vaginal bacterial imbalances and infections. For example, a 2004 study published in the medical journal “Sexually Transmitted Diseases” linked douching after menses with an increased risk of bacterial vaginosis.
Bacterial vaginosis, or an excess of harmful bacteria in the vagina, is one of the most common reasons women visit their gynecologist. Symptoms of bacterial vaginosis include a gray or frothy vaginal discharge, a “fishy” odor after intercourse, vaginal itching and a vaginal pH greater than 4.5.
While douching can provoke bacterial vaginosis, it may also encourage the herpes virus. In 2003, researchers from the Magee-Womens Research Institute in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania questioned why women are more susceptible to the herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection than men. After examining 1207 women aged 18 to 30 from three Pittsburgh health clinics, the investigators noted
that women who douche, smoke, have sex with uncircumcised partners, or have bacterial vaginosis are at greater risk for contracting an HSV-2 infection.
Nevertheless, Dr. Christiane Northrup, author of “Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom”, recommends douching in one instance, after having made love three times in one day. But sperm must have been released into the vagina during each round of intercourse. Northrup cautions that after such an entry of sperm, the vagina will not return to its normal pH for another twenty-four hours. Using a vinegar douche, made by adding a tablespoon of vinegar to a quart of water, may help restore the vaginal pH balance faster. Note, this douche is by no means meant to serve as a contraceptive, only as a pH balancer.
The vagina deservingly derived its name for the Latin word meaning “sheath”. While the vagina sheathes, or holds many mysteries, the truth about this enigmatic organ will only come forth by asking for the truth, not by believing hearsay or fanciful medical ills crafted by marketers. At least now a woman can say with certainty when she should and should not douche.
Sources:
Cherpes, Thomas L. et al. “Risk Factors for Infection With Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2: Role of Smoking, Douching, Uncircumcised Males, and Vaginal Flora”, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, May2003, Vol. 30 Issue 5, p405.
Innacchinoe, Mary Ann. “The Vagina Dialogues: Do You Douche?” American Journal of Nursing; Jan2004, Vol. 104 Issue 1, p40.
Martino, Jenny L. & Surasak Youngpairoj, Sten H. Vermund. “Vaginal Douching: Personal Practices and Public Policies”, Journal of Women's Health, Nov2004, Vol. 13 Issue 9, p1048.
Ness, Roberta B. et al. “Why Women Douche and Why They May or May Not Stop”, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Jan2003, Vol. 30 Issue 1, p71.
Oh, M. Kim et al. “Early Onset of Vaginal Douching Is Associated With False Beliefs and High-Risk Behavior”, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, May2003, Vol. 30 Issue 5, p405.
Schwebke, Jane E. &, Renee A.Desmond, M. Kim Oh. “Predictors of Bacterial Vaginosis in Adolescent Women Who Douche”, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Jul2004, Vol. 31 Issue 7, p433.
About the Author
Health author and Stanford University graduate Naweko San-Joyz lovingly writes from her home in San Diego. Her works include “Acne Messages: Crack the code of your zits and say goodbye to acne” (ISBN: 0974912204) and the upcoming work “Skinny Fat Chicks, Why we’re still not getting this dieting thing” (ISBN: 0974912212) for release in June of 2005. For useful acne self-help articles visit http://www.Noixia.com
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Aerobic - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Jump to: navigation, search. Look up Aerobic in ... Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerobic" ... |
en.wikipedia.org |
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Aerobic exercise - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia |
Aerobic exercise includes any type of exercise, typically those performed at ... In general, aerobic exercise is one performed at a moderately high level of ... |
en.wikipedia.org |
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Aerobic Exercise |
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) defines aerobic exercise ... The important idea behind aerobic exercise today, is to get up and get moving! ... |
www.gsu.edu |
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Turnstep.com |
Turnstep is a large community of aerobics enthusiasts featuring over 10000 patterns, an active bulletin board, and more. |
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Aerobic Respiration |
Aerobic respiration is the release of energy from glucose or another organic substrate in the presence of Oxygen. Strictly speaking aerobic means in air, ... |
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AFAA – Aerobics & Fitness Personal Trainer Certification & Group ... |
AFAA offers personal trainer certification, group exercise certification and other fitness certifications for fitness professionals. |
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Jacki Sorensen's Aerobic Programs SuperSite |
Fun aerobics classes for a complete workout. Jacki Sorensen's Aerobic Dancing, Workout and StrongStep classes are throughout the US and other countries. |
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The Cooper Institute |
Nonprofit research and education organization dedicated to preventive medicine. Information on training, certifications, and products. |
www.cooperinst.org |
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BodyTrends Health & Fitness: Search |
At BodyTrends Find thousands of health, fitness and exercise products from top manufacturers. Offering related fitness articles and advice. |
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Carmen Electra's Official Aerobic Striptease Strip Workout |
Carmen Electra's Aerobic Striptease Workout Video. |
www.aerobicstriptease.com |
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Aerobic Exercise |
A program of regular aerobic exercise can help you avoid chronic diseases ... To strengthen your heart, you should do aerobic exercise intensely enough to ... |
orthoinfo.aaos.org |
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Bush Aerobics - Miniclip Games - Play Free Games |
Help President Bush get fit and ready for his day. |
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Aqua-Aerobic Systems |
Aqua-Aerobic Systems, Inc. provides wastewater treatment systems for Aeration, Mixing, Filtration, Controls, SCADA, Biological Processes, Membranes. |
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MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Aerobic |
Aerobic. Printer-friendly version · Email this page to a friend. Contents of this page: ... Aerobic organisms · Aerobic organisms. Definition Return to top ... |
www.nlm.nih.gov |
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Aerobic, Exercise and Fitness Videos by Cathe Friedrich |
Geared towards the advanced home exerciser with information about Cathe Friedrich's aerobic and fitness videos. |
www.cathe.com |
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Aerobics, Aerobic Spot, Step, Kickboxing, Choreography, Strength ... |
Fitness center offering exercise classes, step aerobics, kickboxing, fitness tips, and strength training. |
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ExRx Aerobic Conditioning |
ExRx.net is a resource for the exercise professional, coach, or fitness enthusiast. |
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Aerobics Music - Step Aerobic Music - Exercise Music - Fitness Music |
Aerobics music for aerobic exercise workouts and fitness classes - the largest selection in the world! |
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Jumpybumpy....aerobics music and fitness videos |
Instructor portal offering aerobics and step choreography, videos and music, conventions and workshops, trainer listing. |
www.jumpybumpy.com |
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Step aerobics choreography, videos, music, terms at Stepcenter.com |
Step aerobics choreography (hundreds of animated moves and patterns), videos, step language dictionary, aerobic music board, training tips, aerobic links ... |
www.stepcenter.com |
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