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did-you-kno: Source There really should be more emphasis on...

Sun, 19 May 2013 14:30:39 -0400

Source

There really should be more emphasis on cuddle naps…

Image source: The Happy Traveler National Women’s Health...

Sat, 18 May 2013 15:00:11 -0400

National Women’s Health Week is drawing to a close, but thanks in part to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), we’re hoping women’s health will be on the up and up throughout the year. 47 million women have already received preventive care with no out-of-pocket costs since the ACA was signed. That’s a lot of well-woman visits, contraceptives, and domestic violence screenings—and there are more changes in the pipeline.

If you haven’t received these benefits yet, find out what actions you can take. If you think more people in your state should have health insurance coverage, you can tell your state representative(s) to support expanding Medicaid.

Boldly Going Online for Love

Fri, 17 May 2013 19:30:51 -0400

Boldly Going Online for Love:

We’ve come across some interesting dating sites in our day, and the premiere of Star Trek into Darkness inspired us to boldly go where we haven’t been before to investigate Star-Trek-themed dating sites to add to the list.

In case you’re interested, we’ve found StarTrekDating.com, which encourages users to “set phasers to stunning,” and TrekPassions.com, which has a special group for users who speak Klingon (we wish them Qapla’!). Any others we missed?

Now, if only these Star Trek condoms and birth control packets were real…

Image via bookishbutcorruptible.

Is it ever OK to date someone who is off-limits?

Fri, 17 May 2013 13:19:27 -0400

Is it ever OK to date someone who is off-limits?:

How do you decide who’s off-limits? With so many unique people, relationships, and circumstances, it’s not always easy to know who to avoid and who to date.

Join the Frisky Friday conversation: Who do you consider 100% no-exceptions off-limits? We want to hear from you!

Image source: HopelesslyFalling27 Coach Carr has it all wrong...

Fri, 17 May 2013 11:30:24 -0400

Image source: HopelesslyFalling27

Coach Carr has it all wrong when it comes to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), but he’s not the only one with misconceptions in that department. Fortunately, you don’t have to be a sexpert to have safer sex (although we highly encourage it!)—you just have to be proactive about prevention, testing, and (if needed) treatment.

This National Women’s Health Week, talk to your partner(s), get some condom practice, find a testing location, and make sure your body is as healthy as can be.

Image source: Raindrops on Roses and Whiskers on...

Thu, 16 May 2013 19:30:42 -0400

Image source: Raindrops on Roses and Whiskers on Kittens

Remember the SNL sketch about birth control driving Tina Fey a little cray-cray? While research hasn’t found a link between birth control and depression (or ax-wielding…or any of the other crazy activities in the SNL sketch), some women have had success improving their mental health by changing their birth control.

If you’re struggling with stress or depression, switching your method, especially to a low-maintenance option like an IUD or implant, is definitely worth considering. Research has found that being depressed or stressed can make it harder to use certain types of birth control correctly and consistently, which in turn makes an unwanted pregnancy more likely.

If you feel like your birth control could be affecting your mood, shop around for a method that works better for you. And if you’re experiencing mental health problems, remember that you’re not alone—there’s support out there if you need it.

The girls' guide to getting some privacy on your parents' health insurance

Thu, 16 May 2013 14:23:18 -0400

The girls' guide to getting some privacy on your parents' health insurance:

As my otherwise awesome parents are pretty conservative about, well, everything, I don’t want them to know what type of birth control I’m using or when I get tested for STIs and HIV (twice a year, if you’re interested). When I was in college I paid for these things out-of-pocket or put them off until free services were offered at my university because I didn’t want my parents getting a play by play when they saw our health insurance information. Clearly it wasn’t an ideal situation…

Dear Diet Industry: I’m Breaking up with You.

Wed, 15 May 2013 20:30:40 -0400

Dear Diet Industry: I’m Breaking up with You.:

I gave you everything, and in return you gave me sugar-free pudding.

There’s a big difference between eating good food to stay healthy and feel fantastic (hell yes!) and dieting because you feel bad about your body (just… no).

We say: If there are ways you’d like to change your diet to feel even more fabulous, we support you 100%. But before you change anything, take a moment to appreciate your body, just as it is.

Long distance relationships just got a whole lot sexier.

Wed, 15 May 2013 15:26:35 -0400

Is this the best combination of sex and technology yet? Durex is working on a line of undergarments (Fundawear—badum-ching!) that vibrate when activated by mobile phone. That’s right, remote-operated vibrating underwear are in development.

They’re not available for purchase yet, but it looks like the Aussies will be the first to give this product a go. (Gives new meaning to the land down under…)

Crunches for better orgasms?

Tue, 14 May 2013 21:00:52 -0400

Crunches for better orgasms?:

Exercise isn’t just good for your health—it’s also great for your sex life. Getting in shape can lead to longer time spent between the sheets and better orgasms. Best gym advertisement ever.

Got a health condition? Know your birth control options! :: Bedsider

Tue, 14 May 2013 17:29:33 -0400

Got a health condition? Know your birth control options! :: Bedsider :

Our newest Provider Perspective recommends birth control methods for folks with several common (or common-ish) medical conditions: heavy or irregular periods, obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and breast cancer.

Dealing with one of these conditions? Tell us what’s worked for you—or let us know what other conditions we should cover—in the comments!

"Don’t beat around the bush. Studies suggest that many patients wait until their third question to..."

Mon, 13 May 2013 19:30:29 -0400

“Don’t beat around the bush. Studies suggest that many patients wait until their third question to bring up what they really want to talk about with their provider. Break the cycle and tackle your priority questions first. Your provider will appreciate your directness and it’ll mean more time for answers!”

- Talking to doctors can be super intimidating—but it doesn’t have to be. Take time out of your National Women’s Health Week to check out these communication strategies to get what you need out of a doctor’s visit.

There are lots of things you can do for National Women’s...

Mon, 13 May 2013 15:01:12 -0400

There are lots of things you can do for National Women’s Health Week, but we say be proud if you start with just a couple. And if you’d like more detail about how the Affordable Care Act could affect your birth control coverage, check out the article the National Women’s Law Center wrote for us laying it all out.

Free birth control? It might not be a fantasy.

Mon, 13 May 2013 15:01:12 -0400

Free birth control? It might not be a fantasy.:

You could qualify for FREE birth control (what better way to celebrate National Women’s Health Week?). Find out here and spread the word to your lady friends.

What exactly does a Pap smear test for? Today is National...

Mon, 13 May 2013 11:15:55 -0400

What exactly does a Pap smear test for?

Today is National Women’s Checkup Day, a.k.a. the perfect day to find a health care provider and schedule a checkup (and set up an appointment reminder so you don’t forget to go).

And if you didn’t get a chance to read our checklist for National Women’s Health Week on Frisky Friday, today’s a good day to do that, too. You get to take control of your health and earn a Bedsider Insider badge for it. The definition of win-win, basically.

National Women's Health Week is here.

Sun, 12 May 2013 13:00:57 -0400

It’s finally National Women’s Health Week! From May 12th to the 18th, women around the country will take steps to improve their health by getting active, quitting smoking, and scheduling regular checkups.

Good health includes good birth control, so it’s the perfect time to find the type that works best for you. Overwhelmed? Don’t worry—we’ve got you covered.

Source: The Lords Insurance Blog Shout out to all the moms out...

Sun, 12 May 2013 11:00:54 -0400

Source: The Lords Insurance Blog

Shout out to all the moms out there—you’re awesome.

Travelers and Homebodies: Can it Work?

Sat, 11 May 2013 16:30:40 -0400

These days, if I’m not on a trip I’m probably planning one. Whether its for work, a family obligation, or to explore a country on my “must-see-before-I-die” list, traveling is constantly on my brain. So of course I’m considering what this means for my love life! And after talking to a few members of the Nomadness Travel Tribe (a traveling group I belong to), I got the memo that “nomads,” a.k.a. frequent travelers, may be more likely to be single. Arrrrr!!

Truth be told, I am not okay with that. And unfortunately the solution is not as simple as dating a fellow nomad. Even within the Nomadness Travel Tribe, their statistics show that the group of over 4,500 members is 80% female. Not very good odds for a woman seeking a man within the tribe.

So does that mean my only option will be to one day slow down and stay put when I meet the next “boo”? According to Davine, one of my recent interviewees, the answer is no:

Do you think there can be compromise in a relationship between a nomad and a non-traveler? Or is that a breakup waiting to happen? Sound off!

*****

Veralyn Williams is a Multimedia Freelance Journalist currently working in New York City. She has spent 4 years at WNYC Radio working with various departments including: Radio Rookies, Culture, News, and Freakonomics. She also freelances for Black Enterprise, BronxNet Television, Bedsider, and The Museum for African Art. Her independent work is featured on her website VeralynMedia.com. Through all of her endeavors she aims to give a voice to perspectives that are often forgotten in the media.

National Women’s Health Week kicks off Sunday!...

Fri, 10 May 2013 18:45:18 -0400

National Women’s Health Week kicks off Sunday! Today’s Frisky Friday has a handy little checklist to help you make the most of it. Sign into your Bedsider account first and you’ll earn a badge just for reading. (Sounds like a healthy start to the week to us!)

Your mom is awesome. Don’t forget to grab her something...

Thu, 09 May 2013 19:30:41 -0400

Your mom is awesome. Don’t forget to grab her something special for Mother’s Day this Sunday. (And if you’re not ready to be a mom like your mom quite yet, make sure you’ve got your birth control covered.)