Birth control is big business, with the ring, the pill, IUD’s; and it is said that the average woman uses birth control for an average of three decades. But don’t let that fool you most women report being unsatisfied with their chosen method of contraception.

birth control myths

With more and more women opting out of hormone controlling birth control methods in favor of natural birth control methods; it’s easy to see why big pharmaceutical companies have ramped up their advertising efforts. The biggest gripe women have with most types of birth control is that they simply do not know enough about them. In hopes to clear up some confusion, here are the five biggest birth control rumors BUSTED!

• Myth One

Birth control causes weight gain

• Fact

The only type of birth control that has been linked with weight gain is the shot. In a recent study, women taking oral contraceptives did not gain more than those using non hormonal forms of birth control. Their body fat increased and lean muscle mass decreases slightly, but this is less likely to occur in women who prioritize exercise a healthy diet.

• Myth Two

Suppressing your period is unhealthy

• Fact

Most doctors agree that using birth control to skip your period is completely safe; and report that it may even protect your health! The less you menstruate, because of birth control, the lower your risk for ovarian or uterine cancer. However, if you are missing your period and you are not on the pill, consult with your physician, as this could be a sign of something serious.

• Myth Three

You don’t need birth control when breastfeeding

• Fact

Breast feeding can protect some women from pregnancy by preventing ovulation; but there is no way to tell how long the effects will last. If you aren’t ready for more little ones, protect yourself. 20% of breastfeeding mothers begin ovulating within three months of delivery. Don’t get caught off guard, talk to your physician at your 6 weeks check up about your options.

• Myth Four

Getting your tubes tied requires serious surgery

• Fact

There are two in office procedure, Essure and Adiana, that take about 10 minutes; in which doctors insert a catheter through your vagina to close off the tubes. Over time your own body tissue grows around them to block the tubes. So you will still need to be careful until healing is complete.

• Myth Five

An IUD is an option only after you’ve had children

• Fact

The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists issued a report stating that IUD’s are safe for women who haven’t yet given birth; and many women report being more satisfied with the IUD than the pill.

Bianca Osbourne is a freelance health writer; she writes voraciously about the foods to eat for great skin and natural birth control options. She believes strongly in a holistic approach to health and wellness.

No matter if you’re looking for ways to get beautiful for the upcoming holiday parties or searching for the perfect gift for the woman in your life, there are some great new beauty gadgets on the market. Whether if it’s for the hair, nails, face or body, these gadgets are sure to make you or your partner look absolutely gorgeous!

For the Hair

InStyler: combining a flat iron and a curling iron, the InStyler is a true stroke of genius. The rotating shaft ensures that hair will never burn.

Paul Mitchell Clipless Curling Iron: professionals agree that traditional curling irons can be damaging to hair. Enter the clipless curling iron! Simply twist hair around the shaft, hold and let go. No more crimp marks!

Viatek Laser Hairbrush: laser technology is used to massage the scalp which, in turn, can stimulate hair growth. This brush is the perfect tool for those experiencing thinning hair.

For the Nails

-UV Gel Lamp Nail Dryer: there are many brands of nail polish dryers on the market making it easy to find one in your price range. Smudge free manicures are on the horizon!

For the Face

-Mini Supersonic Face Washer: this gadget washes and exfoliates the face at the same time. Use it with any cleanser and you’ve got access to a facial any time of day.

light up tweezers beauty gadgets

Light up tweezers: another product that is made by a variety of manufacturers, light up tweezers make it easy to see every eyebrow hair; even the tiny ones!

-Pillows: believe it or not, pillows can help alleviate acne and prevent wrinkles. Infused with Cupron, a copper additive, Cupron Copper Pillowcases promise to give you true beauty sleep.

-GLO Brilliant Personal Teeth Whitening Device: over-the-counter teeth whiteners utilize harsh abrasives that can do more damage than good. This professional quality teeth whitening system uses blue light and whitening gel; perfect for those with chemical sensitivities.

-Zeno Line Rewind: with a combination of red light technology, vibration and heat, this product will reduce wrinkles virtually instantly and the results are long-term.

-Temptu Airbrush Makeup System: women of all skin tones can get professional looking make-up at home. With controllable air pressure and a variety of air pod colors, coverage is truly personal.

For the Body

-Tria Laser Hair Removal: the hair removal system is the first to be approved by the FDA. Don’t pay the high cost of professional hair removal; it can be done in your own bathroom!

-Evolv Sidekick: every woman loves the look of a healthy tan and knows the damage the sun can cause. This little machine enables the user, through a two-step process, to achieve a sun-kissed look without the damaging effects of UVA rays.

-Gillette Venus Bikini: the newest offering from the Venus line of razors, this little beauty trims the bikini line safely. Featuring a single-blade trimmer covered with a protective comb, women can get a close shave without worrying about nicks or cuts.

Everyone has a desire to be more beautiful. These gadgets help do just that! The beauty industry has come a long way, allowing men and women to get professional results in the privacy of their own home. Be sure to add some of these beauty gadgets to your holiday gift giving list.

Cindi Lewis write for GLOSSY, a natural skincare and beauty products online retailer.

The first and most common treatment is called the manicure. This beauty treatment is to enhance the appearance of the hands, fingers and nails. One of the methods involved is soaking your fingers in a liquid solution. Then skin softener and lotions are applied to the skin. This removes dead skin cells from the upper layers of the flesh and helps with blood circulation through the fingers and hands. The nails are then filed as well as shaped or even extended and lengthened. This is then finished with a little bit of nail polish.

Beauty treatments

The second form of beauty treatment is further down south, at a person’s feet. This is called a pedicure, which is similar to a manicure. The feet are soaked in a bucket of liquid and lotion. The feet are then dried and massaged to improve your blood circulation for your ankles. The heels of your feel are scrubbed to remove dead skin cells and the dirt and dead skin is cleaned out from between your toes. The toenails are then filed and shaped and even cuticle. Sometimes women even apply nail polish to their finished toenails.

The third most popular beauty treatment is one of the most painful. It is called, waxing. Mostly done by women but not unheard of for males to go through, waxing is when hot wax is moved to remove unwanted hair in various locations of the human body. To this day, waxing remains the longest lasting method of unwanted hair removal. More commonly applied to the back of the hands and feet, waxing can also be used on a man’s chest. Whereas cold wax can sometimes be used, hot wax is more commonly preferred to be used.

The fourth most common beauty treatment is demagogical facials. This is a process by which a mask texture is applied to the faces which helps remove dead skin cells as well as tighten the pores of the skin. This is also called exfoliating which is the method of scrubbing the skin to remove dead skin cells and clean out clogged pores. This is then finished off by applying aloe lotions to the face. These are just some of the many forms of beauty treatments.

Mark Gregory is writing on behalf of Clifton therapy centre, who offer Manicure Bristol and hypnotherapists Bristol.

The decision to undergo a breast augmentation procedure is something that requires a strong resolve.  If you’re not sure if you really want to undergo a procedure as permanent as this, you may first want to know what some of its biggest risks are.  Here are 3 reasons to think about holding off on a breast augmentation procedure:

breast implants

1. Suicidal Tendencies

A recent study carried out in Sweden surveyed over 3,500 women that had undergone breast implant surgery for cosmetic reasons between 1965 and 1993.  According to death certificate data taken after the first 19 years of the test period, the suicide rate was 3 times higher for women with breast implants compared to the rest of the population.  However, women who received their implants when they were 45 years or older, the risk was 7 times that of the general population.  Suicides weren’t the only type of death that saw a spike, though… deaths related to psychiatric orders like alcoholism and drug use spiked 3 times as high as the rest of the general population.)  It’s a chicken or the egg type argument, though, since it’s yet to be known if the breast implants directly led to the decrease in psychological stability, or if those women were unstable to begin with.

2. Impaired Milk Production

If you plan on having kids, you may want to consider that depending on the type of incisions, breast implants can put you at risk of losing your ability to produce milk.  This is especially true for periareolar incisions, which go through the areola, carrying the highest rate of damage to sensitive nerves and milk ducts in the surrounding area.  Although the risk is still very low (less than 1%), damaged nerves can prevent the brain from producing prolactin and oxytocin, which are responsible for milk production and ejection, respectively, as well as sensitivity to the area.

3. Slippery Slope

It’s a known fact that many women who undergo breast augmentation procedures either already have a form of body dysmorphic disorder (a disorder in which a person becomes obsessively concerned over a perceived defect in their body) or develop one due to the results being different than they anticipated, or the presence of scars from the surgery.  This can lead to a slippery slope, where the woman can develop dysmorphic views about other parts of her body, which is why people often become “addicted” to plastic surgery.

Eric Hirota is a personal trainer at LAVA Sport & Fitness.  He also writes for various diet blogs in his free time.

Breastfeed! It will be beneficial not only to your baby but to you as well.  It uses up your fat stores and burns up to 500 calories a day.  So, the more you breastfeed, the more you lose weight.

Try to stay away from fast food.  Sure, that quarter pounder looks tempting, but do resist the urge!  If the whole family is heading out to the nearest burger joint, see if they have a salad in the menu, and go for that instead.  Whole grain bread, cereals and pasta are your best bet.

Drink up to 10-12 glasses of water a day.  You stand to lose calories this way, instead of loading up on sugary sodas.  If you get bored drinking plain water, add some lemon zest or try flavored water.

Instead of pigging out on that huge bag of potato chips, snack on popcorn, wheat crackers or nuts.  They’ll still prove to be worthwhile TV companions, without the extra calories.

Try to eat lean meats.  Cut the fat out of your chicken and beef, and you’ll eventually cut out the fat from your hips.

When your doctor gives you the go signal, start exercising.  You can start light by simply taking a 10-minute walk with your baby or with a friend each day.  Gradually increase that to twenty minutes when you feel you’re up to it.  Try different ways of getting your heart pumping.  Whenever possible, take the stairs instead of the elevator.  Park a little further from the mall entrance, so you’ll have more distance to cover when walking.

Don’t rush it, though.  Give it some ample time, and with the right attitude, discipline, exercise and diet, you will be well on your way to getting back your pre-pregnancy shape.  You owe it to yourself and to your newborn baby to be healthy.  Looking good, sans the extra weight, will naturally boost your self-esteem, and in turn, make you a more efficient mother and person.

Jessy blogs on the variety of weight loss and dieting topics including free detox diet and celebrity weight loss. You can follow Jessy’s health advice on twitter at @howdiets

cc licensed ( BY NC SD ) flickr photo shared by Tom Cuppens

Do’s

1. Get plenty of stretching and walking breaks – Whether you are on a long flight or in the midst of an extended road trip, it is essential that you get your circulation going by stretching and taking brief walks every hour or so. Here are some tips for various transportation scenarios:

Travelling While Pregnant - Important Do's + Dont's

* Airplane – Talk to the stewardess pre-flight. Get permission to pace the isles once an hour during the entirety of the flight.

* Car – This is the easiest transportation option for pregnant women. Simply plot interesting destinations along your driving route. Pull over and enjoy views or shops while you stretch your legs as needed.

* Bus – Take a stroll at every bathroom and food stop along your route. If breaks are few and far between, ask the driver to be a dear and let a poor pregnant lady strut herself on the side of the road once in a while.

2. Focus on proper nutrition – Pregnant women really are eating for two. Fast food and slushies just aren’t going to cut it when you are nurturing a little one in your womb. Bring healthy snacks such as nuts and fruit on your journey. Drink at least six glasses of water per day; these glasses should be at least eight ounces each. If you have to eat out, choose healthful dishes that include non-fried meats and vegetables.

Don’ts

1. Travel after you are 32 weeks pregnant – If you go into labor there will not be enough time to travel back to your personal physician for the birth. That said, travel after this stage of pregnancy is sometimes unavoidable for various reasons. If this is the case for you, here are a few tips that will make late-term pregnancy travel safer for both mother and child:

* Research hospitals in the region you will be visiting. Find a reputable institution and speak with a obstetrician to make plans, in case your child is ready to come into the world earlier than planned.

* Travel with your midwife. This may seem extreme, but if you bring your birthing professional along, you can safely deliver your baby anywhere in the world.

2. Drink just any water – If you are traveling in developing nations, the water may contain parasites or bacteria that pose extreme dangers to your unborn child. If you have the slightest doubt about the water, don’t drink it. Carry bottled water with you wherever you go, so that you can stay hydrated and critter-free at the same time.

Observing these simple do’s and don’ts while on your pregnant travels will help both you and your unborn child to remain healthy and happy throughout the course of your journey.

Sarah Parker writes for CheapHolidaysAbroad.org where you can search for bargain Fuerteventura holidays and find amazing deals on Lanzarote holidays as well as many other destinations across Europe.

We tend to think that snoring is something that affects others more than it affects us – meaning the people that have to try and sleep while we’re snoring get the worst part of it. But this isn’t exactly true. Snoring keeps you from entering deeps states of sleep and you will not wake up feeling as rested as you could. It may also be the cause or the symptom of an underlying condition, so you should do what you can to reduce the snoring. We’ve put together a set of things you can try to reduce or even utterly stop you snoring sessions but if you feel that it is having a great impact on your life and on the way you sleep, as well as others around you, you should see a doctor.

1 Keep your heartburn in check

Though seemingly unrelated, heartburn and snoring have a profound relation. This is because the acid reflux from your stomach irritates the airways. The way to reduce and ultimately stop heartburn healthily is to change your diet, and you should consult a specialist to help you with that.

5 ways to stop snoring

2 Make time for sleep

You should be sleeping between 7 to 9 hours a night – some people need the full 9, for some 7 is enough to feel rested. Not sleeping enough will make you snore more. Partners of light to intense snorers report that snoring is longer and noisier if the person is tired. If you regularly get enough sleep your body will adjust to the new schedule very quickly and it will reduce tiredness when it’s time to go back to bed.

3 Avoid sleeping pills

While it’s true that taking a sleeping pill will help you sleep more deeply – or at least it will feel that way – there’s a chance that your snoring will increase in volume and in length. This is because sleeping aids are light sedatives that will further relax the airways, making snoring more frequent. And remember how we talked about snoring preventing you from going into a deeper sleep? This is also true even when you take sleeping pills, so you may be doing more harm than good by taking them.

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4 Work out early

It’s a common misconception that working out will get you tired and ready for bed quicker. And although you might get really tired, your heart rate will be elevated and your body will be ready for action, making it harder to sleep and to achieve those deep sleep states that you should be hitting at night. So work out earlier in the day, enjoy the adrenalin rush it gives you and save night time for relaxation.

5 Cut back on coffee and alcohol

Coffee is well known to be a stimulant, so it will make it harder for you to fall asleep and even once you do it’ll be harder to sleep deeper. Alcohol does the opposite thing: it will relax you and basically do the same to snoring that the sleeping pill does. Keeping away from both before bed will help you snore less and sleep much better.

This article was written by Holly Adams from Coupon Croc. Visit for savings on your next relaxing holiday getaway with a Thomson.

How you lose your skin tone

When your skin is exposed to the ultra violet rays of the sun, the DNA present in the skin is broken down and a pigment called melanin is released from the melanocytes. The more the production of melanin, the darker your skin appears. So it is important that you stay away from the sun as much as possible.

How to deal with the problem

Tips to Enhance Your Skin Tone

One of the major skin troubles that each one faces during the summer is the tan that is caused due to the over exposure to the sun. Here are a few methods that can help enhance the skin tone and restore your complexion.

• The primary method of keeping your skin from tanning problems is to wash your face every now and then. Your skin tone is also likely to face trouble from the dirt and grit that is present in the atmosphere. The pollution is also a factor that causes a great deal of harm to the skin. Make sure you keep your skin clean by washing it with a mild face wash instead of soap. Using too much soap on your skin can drain your skin off the moisture.
• Another finest method of having your skin in the pink of health is to exfoliate. Exfoliation is done to remove the dead cells from the surface of the skin. When done regularly, the skin feels rejuvenated and young.
• Drink lots of water. You can take care of the skin tone even by following a perfect diet. Include fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet along with dairy products like milk and yogurt. Drinking buttermilk during the summer season can do the needful for your skin.

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• Lightening your skin or improving the tone can be done by applying a mixture of lemon juice and egg whites on the skin and washing it after half an hour. This can help remove the tan as the lemon is said to be a natural bleaching agent.
• Before moving out into the sun, make sure you apply a sunscreen lotion on the skin so that you can have your skin protected from further damage. Apply it not only on the face but on the other areas exposed to the sun too.
• The application of a product with vitamin A to the skin can also help treat an uneven skin tone and the darker spots that happen as a result of the exposure to the sun.
• Make sure your skin has enough moisture to keep it young. Choose a moisturizer that suits your skin type and apply a quality moisturizer on the skin everyday.
• Even exercise can aid in maintaining the health of your skin. When you exercise regularly, the blood circulation increases and makes the skin look younger.

The author of the above article is a keen blogger and has also written many articles on skin care which includes foods good for skin and also how to fight aging using DMAE products for most popular websites.

1. Exercise

Exercise won’t add inches to your breasts, since breasts are largely fatty tissue and you can’t exercise to grow fat. However exercise can make your breasts sit higher and more even on your chest because it builds up the muscles on which your breasts support. This pushes the breasts up making them look a bit larger. If you strengthen your back muscles, you can also improve your posture and make your chest look a hundred times better. Try to do the following exercise everyday to increase your breast size naturally and to firm them up:

a. The Push-ups:
This will help keep your chest muscles firm and toned. To do this, put your hands and knees on the floor with your back flat. Align your hands with your bust. Bend your arms and lower yourself until your chest almost touches the floor. Then push yourself back up to the starting position. Hold this pose for a few seconds and then bend your arms again bringing your torso down a few inches to the floor. Repeat this ten times. On the second week, perform two full sets of ten repetitions. And on the third week thereafter, do three full sets every other day.

Bigger looking breasts

b. Modified Push-ups

This is akin to the push-ups mentioned earlier. The only difference is that instead of the hands and knees on the floor, the lower arms, the elbows and toes are placed against the floor. The torso is raised up but your lower arms and elbows and toes are kept on the floor.

c. The back extension

Back extensions strengthen your upper and lower back muscles, thus improving posture. To do this, after each set of push-ups, lie facedown on the floor, lift one arm and the opposing leg a few inches straight in the air simultaneously, and hold on for a count of ten. Do the move twice on each side.

d. Bench Press:

This is the best exercise for shaping and firming your bust line because aside from shaping and firming the bust line, it also sculpts the shoulders and tightens the triceps. To perform this exercise, lie flat on a bench, with one foot on each side of the bench touching the floor. Firmly press your head, shoulders, back and butt on the bench while sticking up your chest. Keep the dumbbells about 18-20 inches apart and parallel to the floor with your palms facing upwards. Slowly push the dumbbells straight up, away from your chest. Fully extend your arms but don’t lock your elbows when arms are fully extended. The dumbbells should now be approximately a few feet above your chest. Pause slightly at the top of the movement then slowly lower the dumbbells back down to the starting position. Inhale and hold your breath as you lower the dumbbells. When they reach the chest, begin to move the weight upward again. Exhale as you pass the point of greatest resistance. Repeat this 8 to 12 times to complete one set. You can perform about 1 to 3 sets at a session and about 3 sessions per week with a day’s rest between sessions.

e. Breast Press

Using two three-to-five pound dumbbells, sit on the edge of a chair with your back straight, arms at your sides. Lean forward slightly at your hips, and bend your elbows to 90 degrees, keeping the palms down. Raise your arms from the shoulders so your elbows reach shoulder level, your hands in front and to each side. Hold this position for a count of four, and then return to your start position. Repeat this ten times.

f. Arm Swings

While standing erect, swing your right arm clockwise for eight counts while the left arm rests at your side. Then let your right arm rest at your side and swing your left arm clockwise also for eight counts. Repeat this exercise on both arms only this time the movement is counterclockwise.

g. Stand-up Push-ups

Stand facing a wall at arm’s length. Place palms on the wall. Push against the wall as if you were pushing it away, without bending arms at the elbow. Hold for eight counts and relax arms for eight counts. Repeat this eight to twenty times a day.

h. Apply Pressure

Massage the upper and outer area of your bust in circular motions applying gentle pressure. This helps stimulate circulation on the muscles and help tone the fatty tissue of the breasts.

2. The Perfect Boosting Bra

If your boobs appear sacked out on your rib cage or distinctively lopsided, maybe the problem is your bra. You’ll get the sexiest support if you look for the following features:

a. Supportive cups

“If your breasts are saggy, they’ll sit in the bottom of the sheer cup,” says Stacey Ellis, a bra-fit specialist for Nordstrom. Look for a bra with lined cups that are slightly firm to touch.

b. A firm, solid back

Flimsy cotton and lace may not be strong enough to pull your breasts up. A bra with a wide, tightly woven back will help hoist you up in front.

c. Underwire

Underwire bras give a good lift to your busts because they provide good support underneath. Just make sure the wire surrounds the breast tissue and is a perfect fit to your breasts otherwise you’d be uncomfortable to wear them.

d. Padded bra

Padded bras don’t just make your breasts appear bigger but they also provide added protection to your breasts from accidental nudges in public and crowded places.

3. Nutrition

Nutrition is one of the factors that influence the growth of breasts.
How you look reflects the things that you put in your body. If you want your breasts to look good, I recommend you exercise healthy food choices. Include fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet. Women with poor diets tend to have smaller breasts while women who are overweight tend to have larger breasts. Also add Til or sesame seeds in your intake. They are known to be effective in firming the breasts of women because they contain calcium, protein, iron and phosphorous. The oil also can be applied on the breast to make it look less droopy.

Although having well-filled breasts makes a woman feel more confident about herself, the lack of breast tissue does not make her less than a woman. Beauty is not gauged on breast size alone. The truth is, most women look pretty in their own ways. But one of the biggest things that makes a person attractive is a positive attitude towards oneself and other people. People are easily drawn to women who exude such compelling influence, no matter what size of breasts they have. So, if you wanna attract more people, don’t just focus on having bigger breasts and wanting what you don’t have, instead work your way up with your self-esteem. At any rate, you will realize that you will be happier with a bigger self-esteem than a bigger boobs.

7 seconds to a perfect body

Get on the ground on hands and knees with your back straight and stretch one leg completely behind. Even your toes have to point towards the wall,  a little above your own height. Hold this position and count to 3 (initially to 1, then work your way up to 3), and slowly lower your leg to starting position. Repeat this exercise 12 times, and do just the same with your other leg.

Repeat the above exercise but now with your knee bent. Your stretched toes should now point to the ceiling instead of the wall. Bring your knees slightly higher than your behind. Again repeat the exercise 12 times, and do the same with your other leg.

From the same position (on hands and knees) lift your leg again with knee bent, but this time not backwards but sideways (think of a dog and a lamppost). Repeat this exercise 12 times, very slowly and then switch sides again.

Stand against a wall, or anywhere else where you can get support from. Keep one leg straight, and tighten your glutes. Make sure you feel the tension. Then move your stretched leg back slowly, with stretched toes, and without moving your upper body. Again repeat the exercise 12 times, and then change sides.

Sit on the edge of a chair, with your knees together and your feet flat on the ground. Make sure you are sitting straight, slightly bending over backwards. If needed, hold the backrest or the seat of the chair. Now raise your heels a few inches of the floor and open your legs as far apart as possible. Hold this position for a little while (1-3 counts), and then slowly close your legs again. Do this exercise 12 times.

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Besides these exercises, stairclimbing, hiking and walking or jogging are very good to get a nice butt. So do these exercises regularly, and you can walk through this summer without fear for your behind!

7 seconds to a perfect body