Between the ages of 13 and 50, most people with a uterus experience a monthly menstrual cycle, which causes 3-7 days of bleeding. This totals approximately 450 periods over their lifetime. One can end up spending upwards of $1000 on period products over time. With the high costs involved, it is best to learn about the various products available for one to manage their periods and make an informed choice. Read this article to learn more about it. Sanitary pads These are the most popularly used sanitary products worldwide and have evolved in the past few decades to become more comfortable and absorbent. Generally made of cotton, rayon, and plastic, pads are stuck to the inner side of one’s underwear to collect blood flow. However, they are disposable and need to be changed every four to six hours, which can make them an environmental burden. Reusable cloth pads These products work like sanitary pads but are washable and reusable, making them cost-effective and eco-friendly. The only drawback with purchasing reusable pads is their initial cost, which may vary between $20 to $30. Tampons Another top-rated sanitary product, tampons are made of cotton, rayon, or a blend of the two. They are inserted using an applicator or one’s fingers and can absorb blood flow for 4-8 hours.

Everyone wants a set of bright, healthy teeth, but maintaining them requires more than cleaning and flossing. It’s important to avoid activities that are bad for your teeth’s overall health and condition. Proper oral hygiene is more than avoiding cavities and brushing your teeth twice. Additionally, it’s about guarding your enamel, taking good care of your gums, and lessening bacterial buildup. Below are the top four habits that can damage your teeth profusely. Four bad habits that can damage teeth Brushing excessively Most people need to be made aware they have the undesirable habit of brushing their teeth excessively hard. Since it erodes your enamel, using a lot of pressure while brushing will harm them. Instead, use moderate circular strokes and clean your teeth with a tiny touch using the bristles. Avoid brushing with an old toothbrush, as doing so will only worsen your teeth’s condition. Consuming excess sugar It’s a universal fact that sugar is terrible for the teeth. It turns into acids by the microorganisms in your mouth. Over time, this acid starts eroding and eventually lead to tooth decay. This is why sugary and sticky meals are the worst food items since they cling to your teeth for a long time.

Visiting the gynecologist once a year is important. However, you may feel nervous about scheduling an appointment, with concerns like the need for grooming before a checkup and discomfort you may experience during the examination. Additionally, being on your period can make you put off the visit. This embarrassment can also keep you from asking important questions during your visit. But here are a few seemingly uncomfortable questions you can ask your doctor: Should I be worried about bumps down there? Bumps in intimate areas may not always be a cause for concern. There are numerous reasons for the vaginal area can develop acne or bumps, including shaving. Other reasons could be sebaceous cysts, skin tags, or gentle warts. You do not have to be embarrassed to ask your gynecologist about such skin issues, especially if you experience any pain or changes in the color or size of the bump. Is my vaginal discharge concerning? Vaginal discharge is part of normal reproductive health. However, if the discharge causes discomfort like itching or pain, you should speak to your OB/GYN about it. A cottage cheese-like discharge could be an indication of a yeast infection, while greying vaginal discharge with a raw egg-like odor can be a sign of bacterial vaginosis.

If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer and undergoing treatments, it can be an overwhelming experience. It takes a toll on your physical and mental health. Sometimes there can be concerns about health that you may not have an answer to, and you may feel embarrassed talking to an oncologist. However, there is nothing wrong with asking those questions. Here are some of those embarrassing questions that you can ask an oncologist. Does cancer treatment affect bowel control? Some side effects of cancer treatments like surgery or radiation therapy can involve some bladder and bowel complications. This includes symptoms like constipation, diarrhea, or even urinary incontinence. It is important to understand the extent of these side effects and prepare yourself to prevent any shocks. Does chemotherapy or radiation affect sex life? Studies have suggested that going through long phases of chemotherapy or radiation can possibly cause sexual dysfunction in some people. This can mean side effects like erectile dysfunction, vaginal dryness, and also decreased libido. Usually, the side effects are temporary and last till the treatment process. However, sometimes, there may also be long-term side effects. This may also depend on the dosage of the treatment and the duration of it.

There can be minor variations in a woman’s menstrual cycles. While the average cycle lasts 28 days, it can, at times, occur after every 24 to 31 days. When a woman’s cycle unexpectedly falls outside of the usual range, she may be experiencing irregular periods. A disrupted menstrual cycle can lead to excruciatingly painful symptoms. A number of factors can be responsible for this, some of which are listed below. The reasons for irregular menstrual cycles The following are the primary causes for skipped or irregular menstrual cycles. An unhealthy meal plan The thyroid and adrenal glands are affected due to a meal plan that’s high in stimulants but lacking minerals, antioxidants, and probiotic foods. For instance, a meal plan high in sugar, hydrogenated fats, and chemical additives has been related to thyroid problems and adrenal exhaustion, which can cause cortisol to rise. This could lead to a longer cycle and anovulation. If cortisol remains high for an extended time, periods can become irregular or even less frequent. To avoid this, make sure to eat foods that are nutrient-dense and contain enough protein. Low BMI A low body mass index (BMI) of below 18 or 19 may lead to irregular periods.

Tinnitus is a widespread illness that affects millions of people globally. It can be identified if a person can hear in their brain or ears but not from an external source. Noises akin to ringing, buzzing, humming, and hissing are the hallmarks of tinnitus. While tinnitus is not a disease in and of itself, it can be a symptom of other conditions such as hearing loss, ear or head trauma, or circulatory issues. Common causes of tinnitus Given that the illness can have a variety of causes, it may occasionally be challenging to determine the exact underlying cause of tinnitus. Some of the most frequent tinnitus causes are listed below: Loud noise exposure Loud noise exposure, whether from a single incidence or recurrent exposure, can damage the hair cells in the inner ear and result in tinnitus. Hearing loss as people age Tinnitus and hearing loss are brought on by harmed or dying inner ear hair cells. Earwax buildup Blocking sound waves in the ear canal when earwax builds up might result in tinnitus. Pharmaceuticals Some anti-inflammatory prescription treatments can cause tinnitus as a side effect. Medical issues Conditions like Meniere’s disease, high blood pressure, and temporomandibular joint abnormalities (TMJ) can cause tinnitus.

A long-haul flight is any non-stop flight that covers a journey time of 6-12 hours. However, after boarding such flights, one might come across many bizarre experiences, such as food tasting worse than normal flights, losing perception of time, and more. But, even after considering these, long-haul flights are still the box of surprises that keeps on giving. Some astonishing facts about long-haul flights that many don’t know are listed below. Food served onboard contains massive amounts of salt In-flight food is known for tasting worse than regular food. At a high altitude, an individual’s senses of taste and smell are weakened. It makes it difficult for passengers to smell or taste the meals served onboard. This effect is significantly amplified on a long-haul flight. To compensate, the meals on such flights contain large amounts of salt, sugar, and extra fat. Besides making the food much more edible, these elements make in-flight food incredibly unhealthy. Increased risk of falling ill Spending large amounts of time on a long-haul flight can make people vulnerable to airborne diseases. Additionally, several research studies have found that long-haul flights negatively affect the immune system. Therefore, people who fly long-distance frequently tend to fall ill more often.

The foods we eat play a significant role not just in maintaining our physical health but also our oral health. There are several foods that act as natural mouth cleansers, while others are a big no no for oral health. These are foods that can cause tooth decay, leading to cavities and other such issues. It is important to know which foods to avoid to eliminate the risk of tooth decay. Bread This is a staple in a lot of cuisines. While bread tastes delicious, it is also something that affects teeth health. As it turns into a chewy substance inside the mouth, the bread crumbs can easily get attached to the crevices in the teeth. This can lead to build up and potential tooth complications. Carbonated drinks Drinking carbonated sugary drinks is never a good idea. The bacteria in the mouth feed on the high amount of sugar present in them. This can result in tooth decay and other oral hygiene issues. Drinking too much soda coats the teeth in acid, which affects the tooth enamel, leading to its decay. Carbonated drinks also causes your mouth to dry. This leads to lower saliva levels, which could result in tooth decay.