Image source: The Happy Traveler 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.
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Image source: The Happy Traveler

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

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…

Shields Up!

Image via bookishbutcorruptible.

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.
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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 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.
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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.

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.

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?

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.

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.

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 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.