It is more than okay to not be okay sometimes, but we all want to be mentally well and happy. Mental wellness is integral for living a fulfilling life but maintaining it can come with its challenges. And yet, we often neglect our own mental health in favor of other priorities like work, family, relationships, obligations, or friends. Thankfully, there are many options for those seeking to improve their mental wellbeing and their lives.
Lifestyle Changes
For many people, their mood can be heavily impacted by their stresses in life. Focusing on self-care and choosing healthy coping mechanisms for challenging life situations can help you build your mental strength and actually improve your mood. There are many options for those who wish to prioritize their mental health:
1) Keep moving
Every little bit of exercise can help elevate your mood. It improves self-perception and self-esteem, mood, and sleep quality, and it reduces stress, anxiety, and fatigue. Physically active people have up to a 30% reduced risk of becoming depressed and staying active helps those who are depressed recover. You do not have to be a fitness fanatic to receive the mental health benefits of exercise. Even a simple 30-minute walk outdoors can drastically improve your wellness.
2) Eat healthy
What we put in our bodies to give us energy plays a huge factor in how our brain functions. The brain and the gastrointestinal system are intimately connected to one another. Your gut health can be a cause or a product of poor mental health. One way to help lower anxiety, depression, or stress is by being mindful of the things you eat. It is best to avoid highly processed and sugary foods, and instead opt for a healthier diet. Leafy greens, fruits, and leaner meats like salmon are all better options for those seeking to eat healthier. There are also many foods that directly improve your gut health- these include yogurt, kefir, kombucha, miso, kimchi, olive oil, peas, bananas, garlic, and ginger.
3) Make time for yourself
Self-care routines can look different for everyone. It is important to take time for yourself and participate in hobbies or activities that are meaningful to you and that can lessen stress or anxiety. This could be anything from reading, journaling, watching your favorite movie, or treating yourself to a relaxing night in. Taking time to explore your favorite hobbies, or even try new ones, can help relax your mind and lower stress levels. Always remember it is okay to set boundaries with work and friendships to take the time to improve your own mental wellbeing.
4) Connect with others
Building your own support system is also a great way to lessen stress, anxiety, trauma, and depression. It may feel difficult to open up to others about how you are feeling, but connecting with others can help our mental health improve and elevate our mood. Your support system can be family, friends, or even professionals like a therapist who can help guide you through the more challenging times in your life.
5) Be kind to yourself
The journey to better mental health will not happen overnight. There may be days where there is still a struggle to stay motivated, but it is important to remember that healing and growth are not linear. It may take time, but a commitment to these different lifestyle changes can lead to long-term improvements in your mental wellbeing.
6) Check out your prescription options
If all of these lifestyle changes still do not help your mental health improve, or if you are finding it difficult to get started on these things without extra help, then there are many prescription options that can help you. There is no shame in seeking medical help to address your mental wellbeing. If you want to turn to medications to help you manage your mental health, then it is important to always be honest with your healthcare provider.
There are many strategies for how you can take control and overcome mental illnesses. Coping with stress, anxiety or depression may seem challenging but there is hope! Always remember you are not alone, and there is always a new option to try that can help. If all of these self-help strategies do not help, then please seek additional help from a medical professional.
A lot of men do not want to talk about their erectile dysfunction (ED), but the truth is that it can affect more than just themselves- their partners are also affected by the condition. The right communication will help avoid any embarrassment and allow room for understanding and support to grow.
Sex is a common topic in most relationships. But when one of the partners has erectile dysfunction, it can be difficult to know how to talk about it. It is important for both people to understand that this does not change anything about their relationship and love for one other. This article is designed to help you have more open conversations with your partner about ED.
ED is common and can affect anyone. It is estimated that over 30 million men in the United States have experienced ED at some point in their lives. It may be random, occasional, or chronic, but 1 in 10 men suffer from ED. While many men with ED are over the age of 50, there are still younger men who experience it, as well. Roughly 8% of men between 20-29 and 11% of men between 30-39 experience ED.
How ED Affects Relationships
The Sexual Dysfunction Association conducted an online survey to see how ED affected men. The results showed erectile dysfunction causes distress to those who experience it, with marked effects on their self-esteem and relationships. The most common initial reaction to erectile dysfunction was a sense of emasculation. For many men, the ability to perform sexually and to satisfy their partner was an important marker of their masculinity.
The importance of self-esteem cannot be overstated for a successful relationship. A person who is confident and proud of themselves will often times find they are more satisfied with their romantic relationships. High self-esteem allows them to enjoy romantic connections more than if they were suffering from feelings of worthlessness.
But it is not just the partner experiencing the ED who has lowered self-esteem. Despite the fact research has shown that ED normally has natural causes (like a circulation problem), partners of those experiencing ED have feelings of unattractiveness and tend to worry their partner has feelings for someone else. Fears of intimacy and of rejection can grow in this environment. Because of this, anxiety and depression can develop in the partner as well as the person experiencing ED.
How to Communicate with your Partner
First, it is important to remember no one is at fault for their erectile problems. It is important to broach the subject in the right setting. Having this conversation in bed or right after an ED instance has occurred is not ideal. Instead, it is better to prepare for the conversation and have it in a more relaxed or non-threatening setting.
Before beginning the conversation, it may help to educate yourself on why ED can occur and how to treat it so you can bring the information to your partner. Deepening your knowledge on the topic can help you and your partner better understand why ED is occurring and strengthen your support for one another as you venture into treatment or lifestyle changes that can help the condition.
If you are the partner of someone suffering from ED and wish to broach the subject with them, it is good to remember to set the right emotional tone for the conversation. It is important to not corner your partner or make them feel like you are attacking the condition. If your partner becomes embarrassed or defensive, then do not push the topic. However, do not entirely drop the subject. Allow them some time but let them know you need a follow-up conversation. It may be good to communicate that the condition is common, but that there are many treatment options available.
In some cases, it may be best to approach the subject with either a medical professional or with a marriage counselor. Regardless of how the topic is brought up, it is important to reiterate that you and your partner are a team and that you can lend support to one another.
A Few Things to Know about ED
Erectile Dysfunction is not necessarily about a lack of arousal. ED can actually be a symptom of underlying health concerns such as depression, high blood pressure or cholesterol, diabetes, low testosterone, or heart disease. Emotional triggers such as anxiety or high stress levels can also cause or worsen the effects of erectile dysfunction.
ED is Treatable
The sooner you get the right treatment for your ED, the better. Treatments range from lifestyle changes to oral medications and sometimes even surgery. Making healthier food choices, improving your sleep quality, and exercising regularly can be lifestyle changes that improve the symptoms of ED. When lifestyle changes are not working or are unavailable, there are multiple prescription options to combat the effects of ED. The availability of generic ED medications has revolutionized the treatment of this condition by allowing for my financially viable options.
If you are experiencing the symptoms of ED, then it is recommended you speak to your healthcare provider.
In the early 1980s, HIV was a death sentence. Today, it is manageable with medication and can be treated as just another chronic disease. With new medical advancements and increased awareness, we have made considerable progress in combating HIV/AIDS since its outbreak 40 years ago. However, there are still many challenges that must be addressed if we want to make a lasting impact on this epidemic.
A Brief History of HIV
The 1980s saw the emergence of a new disease that would eventually come to be known as HIV. It was spread primarily through sexual contact or sharing needles, and at first it seemed like everyone who had been exposed developed AIDS and died shortly after exposure. By 1985, every region in world reported an incidence rate above 1500 cases per 100 thousand people infected. Eventually, through years of research, scientists found out how they could slow down or even stop the progression of HIV. These studies led to the creation of a prescription medication called PrEP, which stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis.
HIV In America Today
Despite the breakthroughs in prevention and treatment of HIV, the statistics for HIV in America are staggering. A substantial number of Americans are still impacted by the virus- 1.1 million individuals in the US are living with HIV. 1 in 7 are unaware that they are infected. According to the CDC, a total of 51% of teens and young adults with HIV do not know they have it. There are an estimated 1 million people in the US who are at substantial risk of contracting HIV, but less than 10% of those individuals take preventative medication. Because of this, the CDC recommends that anyone who is sexually active should test for HIV at least once a year.
Protection with PrEP
In 2012, the FDA approved Truvada as a preventative of HIV. In January 2020, California became the first state to allow pharmacists to dispense PrEP without a doctor’s prescriptions, as long as certain clinical criteria of the individual were met. When taken as authorized, PrEP is up to 99% effective at preventing HIV. PrEP is a once daily pill that works by setting up “walls” around certain cells; these walls then keep HIV from crossing into the healthy cells and replicating. If HIV enters your body, it will be unable to breach the walls to gain access to the cells. It is estimated that PrEP starts protecting you anywhere from 7 to 20 days after the first dose.
Although there is still no cure for HIV, modern medications allow people to live long and healthy lives with HIV, without passing the virus to sexual partners.
A Few HIV Myths
There were still many things unknown about the virus in the early years of the HIV epidemic. During thse times of fear and uncertainty, many myths about the virus became popularized. One of those myths is that it is unsafe to have intimate contact with someone who has HIV. However, the combination of a PrEP prescription and condom use provides very strong protection against contracting HIV. If someone living with HIV is taking HIV medication, and there are no symptoms of the virus, then the virus cannot spread to their partner. This is where we get the phrase “undetectable = untransmittable” or “U=U.”
Another common myth is that HIV is the same thing as AIDS. However, HIV is a virus whereas AIDS describes a condition that can possibly develop after many years if left untreated. HIV does not progress to AIDS until the immune system becomes compromised, at which point a person with HIV is vulnerable not only to certain infections but also forms of cancer. However, it is completely possible to contract HIV and never develop AIDS.
Where we are Now
Despite there being no cure for HIV yet, it is now possible to live a long and healthy life with the right medication. A person’s circumstances have changed quite dramatically since the earlier years of this epidemic – now they are able to lead active lifestyles that were once considered impossible due in part by discrimination against those infected as well negative attitudes concerning their own diagnosis.
While HIV has had a devastating impact on many individuals, there have still been many advances in HIV prevention and treatment that make living with this virus easier while protecting loved ones.
The way forward is by staying educated, testing for HIV regularly, and starting a PrEP prescription if you are at risk of contracting HIV.
Many women are concerned about the effects that hormonal birth control might have on their health. If you are thinking of starting the pill, or if you have been on the pill for a while, it makes sense that you may have concerns about how long-lasting any side effects might be. It may seem as if adding hormones to your body may not be compatible for your long-term health.
The good news is the pill and other forms of birth control are safe. Different forms of hormonal birth control work by introducing hormones that are already similar to the ones already in your body. Introducing these similar and natural hormones are used to prevent pregnancy by stopping ovulation or thickening cervical mucus. The pill can also help balance the hormones already present in the body to improve complexion, reduce premenstrual syndrome (PMS), and even reduce the risk of certain cancers.
Breaking Common Myths
Fertility
One common myth about hormonal birth control is that it can reduce your ability to conceive once you are off the pill. However, the pill works by introducing low levels of the hormones necessary to prevent pregnancy. These low levels are the reason why the pill must be taken daily. Once you stop taking the pill, your fertility goes back to normal, and chances of conception are improved within three months. One type of hormonal birth control that can impact fertility in the near term is the birth control shot. It can take between three and 18 months after your last shot for your ability to get pregnant to return.
One thing to keep in mind is that although birth control does not affect fertility, age does. If someone has been on birth control for ten years and then struggles to conceive, it could be because they are 10 years older than they were.
Cancer Risk
Another common myth about birth control is it increases your chances of cancer. However, hormonal birth control actually lowers your risk for certain cancers, including ovarian cancer. In fact, certain types of birth control can actually decrease your risk of ovarian cancer by up to 50%, even for decades after stopping your prescription. Some research indicates a slight increased risk of breast cancer, however, this risk decreases once a prescription is ended. Breast cancer is also highly unlikely in pre-menopausal womxn, so the risk is still low.
While not cancer, fluid-filled cysts on the ovaries can cause concern or pain for those who have them. Hormonal birth control methods actually stop your body from ovulating, and therefore lower the risk of creating cysts on your ovaries. Some birth control can even reduce the risk of forming breast cysts as well.
Benefits of the Pill
While birth control can have short-term health side effects, these risks disappear once you stop taking your prescription. Combination birth control (estrogen + progestin) is associated with an increased risk of stroke, blood clots and heart attack, so those at risk for these things should avoid this type of birth control. Those at risk include smokers, those who suffer from migraines with auras, and those who have a personal or family history of blood clots. Those who should avoid combination birth control can instead take the mini pill (progestin only).
The pill does offer immediate health benefits for those who take it as prescribed. Taking birth control can improve your skin by balancing your hormones. The pill, rings, and patches, all lessen PMS symptoms like backaches, cramps, mood swings, breast tenderness, bloating, depression, and more. Periods can also be lighter and even less painful when on the pill. Some forms of birth control also allow you to skip periods so you can be in control of your own period timing.
The Bottom Line
Hormonal birth control can be a great option for those with certain health needs, or those wanting to avoid pregnancy. Any risk that comes with a birth control prescription is short-term and decreases or disappears once you stop taking hormonal birth control. Your ability to conceive returns once your prescription has ended, or if you do not take the daily pill as prescribed, and your long-term fertility is not affected by your birth control.
While certain types of birth control are not for everyone, there is a type of birth control for everyone. There are plenty of options available to womxn, whether they are looking to avoid pregnancy, improve their skin, lessen PMS, or just skip periods in general.
If you are considering starting birth control, then it is important to be informed about your options. Talk to your healthcare provider or set up a telehealth consultation in order to help you find the right form of birth control for you.
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