Roberta Said:

what do you think defines a real man?

We Answered:

A person who can control his emotions to react better in any situation.
A person who thinks more in term of 'logic' than 'instinct', but also has instincts which helps him through problems.
A person who thinks critically about important things to him but also knows how to convey his thoughts so as to be careful with other people's feelings.
Despite being tough(or not), he still longs for a shoulder that can support him through any complication he goes to.

Lawrence Said:

For ladies only!!! A very personal women's health question?

We Answered:

Since there are already answers regarding the basics of what will happen, I won't repeat all of that. Instead I'll also reassure you, and let you know that you *will* do just fine. I hate it when people sugar-coat what medical procedures are like, so I won't say that it will be comfortable by any definition of the word, but I think the biggest thing you will end up remembering about your first visit is that it's a *different* kind of discomfort... in fact, even at my age a speculum is not exactly the best feeling. My biggest complaint was always that the speculum was cold. ::LOL:: My current OB/GYN has a little heater for the speculums, so they are body-temperature when used, which is much more comfortable.

As for tips for making this easier, I'm not sure what works for other women, however it is important to stay relaxed. I practice biofeedback (which is consciously slowing and regulating the breathing), and that helps me quite a bit, even during some of the recent procedures I have had, which have been more uncomfortable than other exams I've underwent. Deep breathing will do wonders to help you stay relaxed.

It's common to hold our breath when undergoing anything that causes discomfort, however that actually causes more tension, and will make the exam more uncomfortable. Before I practiced biofeedback I had attended Lamaze classes, and that used to help me during my yearly pap smears.

Lastly, when it gets uncomfortable, remember that it's good that you are getting an exam now, so if there are ever any problems they will catch them immediately. I'm not just repeating what they will tell you there (and likely already have), I am speaking from experience. I was one of the few women (I have never met anyone else who was as stupid as I was in this) who avoided getting a yearly exam because of the discomfort. I figured that I was young and healthy, and the chances of me having any reproductive health issues was nearly nil, so before this last January it had been four years since I had went in for a pap smear or exam of any kind (other than when I had strep throat or an ear infection). This was doubly stupid because I've studied all of this, so I knew it was a risk... I just figured I was healthy --and I disliked pap smears-- enough that I'd skip it.

I am now battling cervical cancer (stage 2b). One of the first things that my my OB/GYN explained when they found it was that if I had been going in for my yearly pap smear, they would have caught it sooner. It was essentially my doctor's way of saying, "this is your own fault, moron." I've battled (and recovered from) Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, and now I'm in a second battle, and the worst part is that it was indeed my fault entirely. I make it a point now to tell every woman I meet who doesn't want to get a pap smear how important it is... it's sorta become my mission in life (besides winning this fight as thoroughly as I can).

So when you're uncomfortable, try and smile and know that you are healthy, and you will stay that way because of these annoying exams. ^_^ Okay, smiling may be pushing it, but you understand what I mean.

You'll do great, and know that many of us who read this remember what it was like to be nervous about their first OB/GYN exam. It will be over before you know it, and you'll be free of the need to have another one for an entire year. ^_^

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EDIT:

I copied these for you off one of the websites I go to for dealing with cancer pain naturally (without medication), because they will help you to relax during your exam on Friday. I'm sorry for making this such a long post, but I hope these help you! ^_^

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Abdominal Breathing Technique

Breathing exercises such as this one should be done twice a day or whenever you find your mind dwelling on upsetting thoughts or when you are experiencing pain.

* Place one hand on your chest and the other on your abdomen. When you take a deep breath in, the hand on the abdomen should rise higher than the one on the chest. This insures that the diaphragm is pulling air into the bases of the lungs.
* After exhaling through the mouth, take a slow deep breath in through your nose imagining that you are sucking in all the air in the room and hold it for a count of 7 (or as long as you are able, not exceeding 7)
* Slowly exhale through your mouth for a count of 8. As all the air is released with relaxation, gently contract your abdominal muscles to completely evacuate the remaining air from the lungs. It is important to remember that we deepen respirations not by inhaling more air but through completely exhaling it.
* Repeat the cycle four more times for a total of 5 deep breaths and try to breathe at a rate of one breath every 10 seconds (or 6 breaths per minute). At this rate our heart rate variability increases which has a positive effect on cardiac health.

In general, exhalation should be twice as long as inhalation. The use of the hands on the chest and abdomen are only needed to help you train your breathing. Once you feel comfortable with your ability to breathe into the abdomen, they are no longer needed.

Abdominal breathing is just one of many breathing exercises. But it is the most important one to learn before exploring other techniques. The more it is practiced, the more natural it will become improving the body's internal rhythm.

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Using breathing exercises to increase energy

If practiced over time, the abdominal breathing exercise can result in improved energy throughout the day, but sometimes we are in need of a quick "pick-up." The Bellows breathing exercise (also called, the stimulating breath) can be used during times of fatigue. It should not be used in place of abdominal breathing but in addition as a tool to increase energy when needed. This breathing exercise is opposite that of abdominal breathing. Short, fast rhythmic breaths are used to increase energy, which are similar to the "chest" breathing we do when under stress. The bellows breath recreates the adrenal stimulation that occurs with stress and results in the release of energizing chemicals such as epinephrine. Like most bodily functions this serves an active purpose, but overuse results in adverse effects as discussed above.

The Bellows Breathing Technique (The Stimulating Breath)

This yogic technique can be used to help stimulate energy when needed. It is a good thing to use before reaching for a cup of coffee.

* Sit in a comfortable up-right position with your spine straight.
* With your mouth gently closed, breath in and out of your nose as fast as possible. To give an idea of how this is done, think of someone using a bicycle pump (a bellows) to quickly pump up a tire. The upstroke is inspiration and the downstroke is exhalation and both are equal in length.
* The rate of breathing is rapid with as many as 2-3 cycles of inspiration/expiration per second.
* While doing the exercise, you should feel effort at the base of the neck, chest and abdomen. The muscles in these areas will increase in strength the more this technique is practiced. This is truly an exercise.
* Do this for no longer than 15 seconds when first starting. With practice, slowly increase the length of the exercise by 5 seconds each time. Do it as long as you are comfortably able, not exceeding one full minute.
* There is a risk for hyperventilation that can result in loss of consciousness if this exercise is done too much in the beginning. For this reason, it should be practiced in a safe place such as a bed or chair.

This exercise can be used each morning upon awakening or when needed for an energy boost.

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Jose Said:

more of a women sexual health question?

We Answered:

lol hmm, i think a mistake is focusing on the clitoris too much and pushing too hard on it can numb it over time. So play around like kiss her thighs and around the area to build tension and then go for it ;) if you use your fingers at the same time it can boost the experience!

Jamie Said:

Question about genetics women health?girls?

We Answered:

your only 13 chances are your breasts will grow alot more over your teen years, you can also do excersies to make your pecks firmer= firmer and higher breast= less sagging (which look great in a bikini trust me i dont even need to wear a bra.)

as for the skin use cocoa butter its the best to keep your skin stretchy and elastic but the faster your breasts grow the more chance you will get stretch marks they are inevitable and apart of puberty its due to rapid growth nothing else and only laser treatment reduces the appearance but take care of your skin will help reduce the development

Cynthia Said:

Give me some health and basic hygiene for women tips.?

We Answered:

Wash with Neutrogena products that do not have soap in them. They are great for relieving itches and odors.

Do not use any douches or other inter-vaginal cleansers. They can wash away your good bacteria and cause yeast infections--uh oh!

Drink plenty of water and wear cotton panties.

Dwight Said:

What are the best health tips and advice for pregnant women in the first month of pregnancy and beyond.?

We Answered:

So long as she takes her prenatal vitamins and eats healthy she will be fine. It is just as hard on the husbands during the first trimester as it is the wives. She will be going through so many physical and emotional changes that sometimes you will wonder if she is still the same woman you married. But fear not. Just make sure that you are there for her and are supportive of her no matter what and you two will be just fine. Pregnancy can be a wonderful time that you will always treasure or a horrible time that you hope and pray will never happen again. It all depends on how you perceive it. You sound like a loving husband and she is a very lucky woman. No matter how tough things get just remember this is hers and your chance to assist God in a miracle. Congratulations, and good luck!!!!

Russell Said:

Hi!!, I will be getting married in another 5 months so i need tips from woman on grooming myself to look good.

We Answered:

Well, all a to-be bride needs is happiness and confidence! But even tough this may sound a little high-maintenance, i would suggest you go to the spa a couple of times. Once is just starting you off, and they can give you a facial and a massage and waxing, and you'll just feel great. The second time you should go right before your wedding, and they'll take care of everything for you! Not all spas are expensive either! Some are really affordable. After the second time, your skin should look great and radiant, and all the aches and pains of planning a wedding will be gone, and you'll have great waxed eyebrows.. and anything else that needs to be waxed, which will please your husband after the wedding! Not to mention, after you get pampered [which you should be! its your special day!] you'll feel amazing! and when you feel amazing, it makes everyone else want to be around you! Hope you have a great wedding!