TresSugar

Dear Poll: Male or Female Gyno?

DearSugar — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 13:30:00 PDT

Going to the gynecologist isn't a very pleasant experience to begin with, which is why it's so important to find a doctor you're comfortable with. Most women I know prefer female doctors - they feel they're easier to relate to - but I know that many women out there opt for a male doctor instead. No one is better than the other so tell which you prefer!

Source

You Asked: Did My Boyfriend Cheat?

DearSugar — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 13:17:05 PDT

Dear Sugar,

I went to the doctor today to find out why I was experiencing a painful breakout on my nether regions, and it turns out I have herpes. I have been with only one man for the last two years, and he is the only man I have ever had intercourse with.

I had a serious talk with him today, and he told me that before we started dating, he got tested for every STI, and they all came back negative. I'm so confused because from what I have read online, the initial outbreak usually happens within two to four weeks of contraction, but we have been together for more than two years! Did he cheat? Has this infection laid dormant in him for years? I am scared and confused. Any advice would be a great comfort to me right now. - Taken Aback Abbie

To see DearSugar's answer,

read more. Dear Taken Aback Abbie, You are right, the first outbreak of genital herpes usually happens within two weeks after it's contracted, so I'm a little wary of your boyfriend's honesty. It is possible for someone not to know he has the infection - sores can often be present in places where they can't easily be seen - but if he was tested two years ago and got a negative result, it's pretty obvious that he's contracted this STI since then; in other words, he most likely did cheat on you. Unfortunately, what's done is done, and I'm terribly sorry that you've been put in this situation, but now you have to decide how to proceed. Obviously you need to have another serious talk with your boyfriend, but I also suggest you get tested for other STIs and talk to you doctor about medication and treatment options for the herpes you do have. I know that you're scared right now, and I wouldn't be surprised if you start to experience feelings of betrayal and sadness too, so turn to your loved ones for support. Good luck to you. Source

Some Reasons the Pill Could Lose Its Effectiveness

DearSugar — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 07:30:00 PST

Of all the birth control options, aside from abstinence, the pill is the best choice if you want to prevent pregnancy. It claims to be about 97 to 99 percent effective, which is just about perfect. Still, some women say they have accidentally gotten pregnant while using the pill, even though they used it correctly (with no missed pills). So how can that be? What many women don't know is that there are certain reasons the pill can lose effectiveness, so it's possible to become pregnant while on the pill if . . .

You take the pill at different times of the day. In order to be most effective, you should take each pill at the same time every day, whether it be in the morning, lunch time, before bed, or whenever. To help you remember, write yourself notes or set your alarm.
You're sick. Illness can affect the way your body works and the way medications work. Also, if you vomit or have diarrhea, the hormones in the pill may leave your body.

To see more reasons why the pill could lose its effectiveness, just

You Asked: I Don't Know What to Believe

DearSugar — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 06:00:00 PDT

Dear Sugar,

My boyfriend of five months just told me that he has chlamydia. He swears he hasn't cheated on me, but after researching STIs, I found out that symptoms usually surface within a week or two. I talked to a doctor and was told that while it's possible for symptoms to show up months after being infected, they usually show up within seven to 21 days. We are together all the time, so his response to my accusations was, "When would I have had time to cheat on you?" As it turns out, he was out of town about a week and a half ago, visiting some college friends, which makes perfect sense time-wise. I am in love with him and things have been going really well so I don't want to mess things up by being jealous or paranoid; however, I won't tolerate cheating and/or lying - I just want to know the truth. What should I do (besides getting treated for chlamydia!)? - Skeptical Sasha

To see DearSugar's answer,

read more. Dear Skeptical Sasha, I'm really sorry to hear that your boyfriend has put you in this situation. Since I don't know anything about his character, I can't say if your boyfriend is lying or not, but the doctor you spoke with is correct - chlamydia doesn't necessarily appear right away and it can often be asymptomatic, which is probably how it got passed to you. With that said, it sounds to me like you're pretty certain that your boyfriend cheated on you (very irresponsibly, may I add), in which case you need to decide if you're willing to forgive him and rebuild the trust that's been lost. Your first order of business should be taking care of yourself and seeing your gynecologist. Once you've done that, sit down with your boyfriend and have a serious heart-to-heart. Ask him to flat out tell you the truth. If he swears yet again that he didn't cheat, you're going to have to make a judgment call. This could be a case of coincidental timing or he could be lying through his teeth. Unfortunately, you may never know the truth, so the only advice I can offer is to trust your instincts. Good luck.

The How-To Lounge: Your Annual Pelvic Exam, Part II

DearSugar — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 09:00:00 PDT

Now that we all have a few reminders when preparing for an upcoming pelvic exam, I have some quick suggestions for the day of the appointment, too. To see them

The How-To Lounge: Your Annual Pelvic Exam, Part I

DearSugar — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:00:00 PDT

I don’t know any women who actually enjoy a trip to the gynecologist, though feelings about settling into the stirrups tend to vary from mild annoyance to extreme anxiety. No matter which end of the spectrum you fall on, it’s important to make the most of your annual exam. To see my suggestions to do just that

A Week In Review: FitSugar Roundup

FitSugar — Sat, 19 May 2007 04:00:00 PDT

Want to accessorize like Fergie-Ferg? Then check out the Terminator FuelBelt. Will you be both hydrated and cool? Well, it depends on how your are using the word "cool."

Worried about sun damaging to your skin? Well, don't let your SPF 30 turn into SPF 20.

Have you heard the term TOFI? The acronym means Thin Outside Fat Inside - read more about this condition here.

Planning a bachelorette party? Well I've got some great alternative ideas you might be interested in: private yoga class, S Factor strip exercise class, a spa or a Mehndi party.

I am so impressed with Tyra Banks' workout these days. She isn't doing crunches; she's boxing!!!

If you are feeling stressed out, you might just need a good cry.

Interested in taking your workout outdoors? Try a Boot Camp.

I want to hear what you have to say about vertical workstations - a desk set above a TreadMill.

Speaking of TreadMills - have you seen this doggie TreadMill.

Interested to know how Hilary Swank stays looking so trim? Interestingly enough, she believes in moderation.

What do you hate most about going to the gyno? Tell me here.

Plagued by seasonal allergies? I got two ideas for you: eat local honey or try hot pepper nasal spray.

Tight hips? You must try the Double Pigeon. It's a great stretch.

Here are some ways to avoid foot pain caused by running.

Source and Source

Medical Groups Disagree on HPV vs. Pap Tests For Cervical Cancer Prevention

Tara Sharp — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 14:05:00 PDT

Today several medical groups have released proposals on cervical cancer prevention, and while they agree on the current guidelines that recommend women 21 to 29 get Pap tests every three years instead of yearly, they disagree on HPV screenings.

The US Preventative Services Task Force says that women under 30 should not be using HPV tests alone or in combination with a Pap to screen for cervical cancer. Even though the HPV virus can lead to cervical cancer, in younger women it usually clears out on its own. And the government-run task force notes that "screening for HPV causes more false positive cancer results than the Pap smear alone."

While the task force isn't for HPV testing, the guidelines issued by the American Cancer Society, the American Society for Colposcopy and Cervical Pathology, and the American Society for Clinical Pathology say routine HPV tests should be an option along with Pap tests.

"The main difference is that, dating back to 2002, the American Cancer Society and several other organizations recommended that HPV testing, along with the Pap test, is a good option for screening women starting at age 30," says Debbie Saslow, the American Cancer Society's director of breast and gynecologic cancer.

Luckily, the groups are taking public comment before coming together with a final set of consistent guidelines in the next couple months. Let's hope they are less confusing than these initial proposals!

What do you think about the every-three-year Pap for cervical cancer? (Not to be confused with a yearly breast and pelvic checkup.) Doctors have and continue to push the yearly Pap, sometimes making it mandatory before getting a yearly birth control prescription. But whether it's gyno-suggested or not, are you still getting a yearly Pap test, or do you spread it out over every few years like the new recommendations say?

These Weights Don't Go in Your Hands

FitSugar — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 12:30:08 PDT

Being in the last few weeks of my pregnancy, I have to confess that I haven't been keeping up with my kegels. Early in my pregnancy, new moms urged me to keep my pelvic floor strong, but distracted by the impending appearance of my new little one, exercising this area has not been a top priority. That is until now.

Helping a fellow instructor out at a postnatal yoga class over the weekend, I heard tales of new motherhood that both shocked and intrigued me. I felt like I was in junior high having a secret meeting in the bathroom with my girlfriends about tampons, complete with blushing. One woman admitted that she's had a real problem with incontinence ever since giving birth. After reading all the reviews on Amazon, she ordered some vaginal weights. She explained the weights go inside you to more effectively work your pelvic floor. From a strength training standpoint, that makes complete sense. I mean, if you want to tone your arms, lifting dumbbells is more worthwhile than lifting air. But seriously - vaginal weights?

Learn if they are safe when you

read more. According to a few scientific studies, some evidence shows that using vaginal weights (also called vaginal cones) helped with urine leakage better than no treatment at all. Advocates are in favor of these weights because once they're in place, it's easier for a woman to learn to isolate and train her pelvic floor muscles. They even come in different sizes (just like dumbbells). How fun! Once your muscles become strong enough with small weights, you can graduate to heavier weights, although I'm sure you're not about to brag to your friends about it like you do in the weight room. Using these weights is safe, as long as you follow the instructions. Only keep them inserted for 15 minutes at a time, and properly wash them when you're done. It's not recommended to go out and order yourself a set without talking to your doctor beforehand. They first need to assess that you have what's called stress incontinence, which is due to weakened pelvic floor muscles. Vaginal weights may not help with other types of incontinence. Wow. Leaking breast milk I'm prepared for, but leaking urine? That's not something I'm ready to sign up for postpartum. And since I'm not too keen on sticking anything where I just gave birth, I'm all about doing good old-fashioned kegels on my own. If you're curious about these weights, check out the different kinds below, and then talk to you gyno about them. If you've used vaginal weights before and feel like sharing, we'd love to hear about your experiences.

View 4 Photos ›