Pregnancy Stretch Marks – How To Get Rid Of Them?

Pregnancy is a beautiful experience in a woman's life. Its a time of joy and celebration of womanhood and you get lots of compliments and gifts. However, along with all this you also get those unsightly stretch marks.

Along with your protruding belly, you can also develop red and brown color streaks on your abdomen and even thighs and hips. A popular misconception among women is that stretch marks only appear when you scratch the skin surface. However, this is not true. Scratching the skin surface definitely accelerates the intensity of the marks but that doesn't mean you can escape them by not scratching. Following are some important facts about stretch marks that will help you better understand the situation.

What are Stretch Marks?

Stretch marks are narrow depressed lines formed on the skin surface as a result of tearing in the underlying elastic supportive tissues. These elastic supportive tissues, lying just beneath the top skin layer, help the skin to stretch and strain. However, when the skin is stretched beyond a specific limit, the tissues get torn and marks are formed. Depending on your skin color, these marks can be either red or brown in color. In spite of the elasticity of the skin, the weight gain during pregnancy is so much that stretch marks eventually can get formed as well. Apart from pregnancy, stretch marks also depend on genetics.

Prevention & Cure of Stretch Marks

The bad news is that stretch marks cannot be completely eliminated. Once they are formed, you can never go back to the completely flawless skin. However, the good news is there are many ways you can prevent their formation and also reduce their appearance once they are visible on the skin. Here are some tips:

Moisturize Well

Use a rich moisturizer in order to enhance the skin elasticity. When the elasticity of the skin increases, there is less of a chance of tears and marks. Apply a good amount of moisturizer and massage it all over the body especially on the abdomen, thighs and buttocks. This is because these are the region’s most prone to the development of stretch marks.

Avoid Scratching

The skin becomes excessively dry and sensitive during pregnancy. Moreover, there is an irresistible feeling of itchiness. However, control yourself and avoid itching if you want to prevent the formation of stretch marks. The more you scratch, more will be the tears formed and more will be the appearance of stretch marks.

Apply Gels and Creams

Vitamin E gels, shea butter and cocoa butter are especially useful against reducing the appearance of stretch marks. They are excellent emollients that not only help trap in the moisture but also help to heal wounds and skin discoloration. All these properties help it in acting as a stretch mark removal treatment. Other effective ingredients include plant extracts, and fruit acids like glycolic acid and lactic acid. Apply these products liberally over the affected area and massage well.

Avoid Certain Ingredients

Avoid using skin care products that contain Retinoic Acid or Tretinoin and other vitamin A derivatives and hydroquinone because these have been shown to cause numerous birth defects. Always consult with your doctor before trying on new skin care products during pregnancy.

Though stretch marks cannot be completely eliminated, their appearance can be drastically reduced using the right kind of treatments. The broken skin fibers cannot be repaired but by diligent skin treatments, your skin can again become clear and supple.

Read more...

Learn How to Get Bigger Breasts Naturally - Cosmetic Surgery

Every magazine you read or TV ad you watch all have photos of large breasted women. The message they are giving is if you don't have full breasts you can not look sexy. Many women would love to have surgery to increase their bust size but either can't afford the procedure or art to afraid to have surgery. In this article I will try to give you some simple tips for ways to increase your bust size naturally. Too many of us have seen those ads about the horrors of implants. With natural methods you do not have to be afraid.

Get Free: Cosmetic Surgery Advice

First, certain diets can give a boost to your bust line. Certain herb supplements can work great. These supplements are not expensive and can be gotten easily. They are, fenugreek and wild yam. these herbs activate your hormones to promote breast growth. We also suggest daily cups of Bus Tea., to enhance growth.

How to: Get Tips for Women

Second, breast massage is another way to enlarge your breasts naturally. By massaging it increases the blood circulation to the breasts, causing the breasts to become larger. When massaging may we suggest using an herbal cream that will be absorbed into the breasts while massaging.

Third, exercise is another natural way to increase the size of your breasts. Push ups and chest flies are exercises that after a couple of months of doing them will enhance your bust line.

Finally make sure you have talked to several doctors before you choose to have cosmetic surgery of any kind.

Read more...

The Top Five Dieting Methods Explained

Let’s face it, finding the perfect diet plan can take a very long time. And good healthy weight loss can be achieved effectively only when you find a dieting plan that fits perfectly into your lifestyle. There are many weight loss plans to choose from and it’s important that you use a plan that you feel comfortable with because you want something that you can stick with for a long period of time, Well atleast a couple of month because solid results won’t be visible straight away. And when you’re done with that diet plan you can try other things.

I do a lot of research on dieting and exercising and I have found a lot of dieting plans proposed and/or promoted by different people. For example, there is the 5-Factor Diet, South Beach Diet, Bob Greene's Best Life Diet, Atkins Diet, Cabbage Soup Diet, Detox Diet, Anne Collin’s diet, Carbohydrate Addict's Diet, and now there’s the Size Zero Diet, DASH diet and Fat Smash Diet and …. Well it goes on and on! But we should narrow down the dieting plans to the top five popular diets that are mentioned a lot in the media.

Cabbage Soup Diet

This dieting plan was favoured by a lot of people when it was first launched because of its utter simplicity. Proponents of Cabbage soup diet claim that by only consuming a low calorie cabbage soup for a short period of 7 days (1 week) you can lose up to 10 pounds of weight, that’s not bad for 7 days. So the cabbage soup diet is only a short term program for good reasonable weight loss. However according to nutritional experts it’s highly unlikely for your body to lose up to 10 pounds of fat within a short week.

In fact the only thing you’ll lose with this diet plan is body water. This is bad news because when you think about it, this diet plan will be highly detrimental to your health. That’s why it’s considered by most experts as a fad diet. However, on the other hand there are people who still believe in it and there are many variations of this plan being used by people. If you’re thinking about doing this diet, I would recommend you consult your doctor first to ensure you won’t face any health risks.

Fat Smash Diet

Dr. Smith’s Fat Smash Diet is an approach to weight loss not considered to be a quick fix solution but instead as a lifestyle dieting plan. It gained a lot of popularity because of the Celebrity Fit Club TV program where people could see it first hand being put into practice. It mainly consists on healthful diet, filling foods, and lots of exercising as a necessary addition. It focuses on low calorie content of the diet which is easy to incorporate. And this plan doesn’t make any ridiculous claims of fast weight loss. It can be implemented whether you’re looking for a short term or a long term weight loss.

The Fat Smash Diet is a 4 phase plan, the first 3 phases extending to about 2 months and the fourth phase being a lifetime phase. This plan lays as much stress on regular exercises as on proper diet control. So it’s going to take hard work and determination to see good results.

Atkins Diet

Dr. Atkins diet consists on the premise that the key cause of obesity is because of eating refined carbohydrates, particularly sugar, flour, and high-fructose corn syrups; and secondly, the fat from hydrogenated oils and not the saturated fat are a problem. The Atkins dieting plan was based on very low carbohydrates. However medical experts aren’t really fans of this diet, they’ve been very critical and condemning it as “the most dangerous to the public if incorporated for any period of time." And due to the negativity the Atkins diet is now considered as a fad diet.

South Beach Diet

The South Beach dieting plan was created by Dr. Agatston for his heart patients and its launch for weight loss was nothing but a spin-off. This diet focuses on the consumption of "good carbohydrates" and "good fats". "Good carbohydrates" are rich in fiber and they’re digested and absorbed by your body slowly. "Good fats" are polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats, especially the ones that contain omega-3 fatty acids. And when you look at saturated and trans fats, those are the bad type of fat which makes you gain weight. And this diet plan has in fact been perceived to be good and successful for weight loss.

DASH Diet

This dieting plan is mainly for patients that suffer from high blood pressure. It focuses on following a diet which is low in saturated fat, total fat, and cholesterol, and is high in low-fat dairy products, fresh fruits and vegetables. This plan involves a lot of magnesium, potassium, and calcium, not forgetting protein and fiber. Since it’s similar in terms of choices of diet which are used in case of weight loss diets, it‘s successful for weight loss also, and it doesn’t have any bad reviews. It’s supported by a lot of good health organisations such as NHLBI, etc.

Read more...

Ultrasound 4D scans makes pregnancy more pleasurable

Ultrasound 4D scans is the latest form of ultrasound scans doctors use to find out more about babies in wombs. 4D is basically shorthand for ‘four-dimensional’ where the fourth dimension here is time. Basically what happens in a 4D scan is that the element of time is added to a three dimensional ultrasound image. The result is a live action image of the unborn baby and even of internal anatomy.

The advantage of 4D imaging over 3d imaging is that the doctor can visualize internal anatomy in real time. Examples of the type of 4D images are using movement patterns of the fetuses to learn more about the baby’s development.

It also leads to an increase in the accuracy of ultrasound guided biopsies because needle movements are visible in real time in all 3 dimensions. Physicians and sonographers benefit the most from 4D scans as they can use it to detect and thus treat various issues like genetic syndromes and vascular anomalies.

No risks involved

There are basically no risks involved in using either 3D or 4D ultrasound. This is because the technology used here is similar to that of radar. The scan is taken by placing a probe on the body which emits sound waves into the body. It is based on the return echo that an image is finally generated.

Though 4D ultrasounds use a different technology to get the scan, the time spent for generating a scan is not longer than the time spent for a traditional scan. Sometimes, 4D ultrasound images have a golden hue on them. This does not have any effect on the image; it is only because the golden hue is pleasing to the eye it is used to show shadows and highlights in the scan.

Factors that affect a 4D scan

It is not possible to exactly state how long a 4D ultrasound scan exam lasts. However there are a few factors to be considered like the position of the womb, the amount of amniotic fluid in the womb and the size of the mother and the baby.

The more fluid there is, and the larger is the frame of the mother, the clearer and faster a scan is. If the baby is grown big or the mother’s frame is too small, then the scan may not be that clear as expected. Whatever the case, a typical exam takes about 30 to fifty minutes.

Applications of 4D scans

There are various applications for 4D ultrasound besides giving pretty baby pictures. It is used for breast imaging, general imaging and interventional urology. Moreover, like any traditional scan, ultrasound 4D scans can be used for determining the fetal age, structural problems with the uterus, fetal abnormalities, abnormal bleeding, placental abnormalities, ovarian tumor and fibroids and ectopic pregnancy or any other abnormalities of pregnancy.

It is also beneficial in analyzing fetal development, for locating placenta and in evaluating multiple and high risk pregnancies. 4D scans also create a specific bonding between mother and baby, with lifelike images of the baby. This makes pregnancy a much more beautiful experience to the mother.

Read more...

Menopause Weight Gain: Are you Bloated and Sluggish?

At Menopause, our body goes through changes, that can cause a list of symptoms, including menopause weight gain.

But if you are in good shape, have always watched your diet, and had no problems until this "special time", then you may need to tweak your routines.

It only makes sense that if our bodies are going through changes, then our routines will likely have to change as well. Personally, I found all of a sudden certain foods did not digest as well as they did. Foods that I have eaten all my life, are now causing indigestion. I quizzed a few friends and found the same answers with them.

So, before you start reaching for those antacids, go to the doctor, get that long overdue checkup, and make sure all your systems are "go", since there are many health issues that can strike at this age, such as thyroid problems, and gall bladder issues. If you get the all clear, then try listening to your body. It will definitely tell you what it doesn't like.

In my case, I suddenly could not digest beef. I have eaten beef all my life, raised with the Sunday family dinners with Roast Beef and all the trimmings, and suddenly I can't digest it without pain or indigestion. Instead of reaching for antacids that will just mask the problem, I decided to stay away from beef for awhile with some surprising results.

I guess my body had not liked digesting certain foods, especially beef for a about a year, because around that time my blood pressure started to rise, and I was bloated, and sluggish all the time. My doctor wanted me on blood pressure meds, but we decided to go the diet route to begin with. I saw a dietician, who said to me, "if you need to take antacids or digestive aids to digest a certain food (in my case beef) then maybe your body doesn't want it right now".

I came away from it, and concentrated on other proteins, like chicken, fish, eggs and nuts, and that was all I changed. One month later I am down 5 pounds, without really trying, and my blood pressure dropped 15 points down to normal. I was totally shocked, and so was my doctor. I no longer felt sluggish or bloated.

So, if you are having trouble with menopause weight gain, take a closer look at your diet, are some foods not sitting as well as they use to?. Are you just eating them out of habit?.. Do you find high fat snack foods cause indigestion?.. Then listen to your body and make some changes. Don't just mask the problems, they will only get worse and possibly come out as other symptoms, as with me and my blood pressure, menopause weight gain, and sluggishness. You are in charge of your own health, listen to your body.

Read more...

Herbal Vaginal Tightening Creams Review

Vagina tightening creams have been gaining immense popularity worldwide recently due to their high success rate and lack of any side effects. So what exactly do these herbal tightening creams do and what ingredients and herbs are used in making them, let us discuss all about these creams and find out the reason behind their success rate.

What are The Different Type of Creams Available
There are a lot of companies which are making these creams but the most popular ones I know of are basically virgin cream or vcream, instant virgin spray and instant virgin gel. These creams and sprays are generally recommended for women who have lost firmness in their vagina due to childbirth or aging. Basically these are applied to the vaginal walls 10 to 15 minutes prior to intercourse.

What Is It In Them Which Gives The Tightening Effect?
It is very important to find out what makes these creams work or what herb in them actually helps in tightening the vagina, basically what I have found is that most of these creams have a common ingredient in aloe which is a well known herb for tightening the skin, another popular herb which is used for vagina tightening is manjakani which has been extensively and traditionally used by Arabs for healing external tissue damage.

Surgery Vs Herbal Tightening
Although surgery gives permanent tightening but it ranges from $5000 to $7000 which obviously not every one get afford, while these creams price ranges from $40 to $50 for a months usage without the dangers of any side effects and regular applications of the cream gives permanent and lasting results. So why opt for a surgery when you can reap the benefits at a much lower price.

So if you have been thinking of tightening your vagina and reliving the passionate teenage lovemaking moments it is worth giving these creams a try.

Read more...

Vitamin D Benefits for Women: Five Ways Vitamin D Benefits Female Health

Helps prevent hip and other bone fractures One of D vitamin's primary functions is to regulate the body's absorption of calcium in the body, making it a key player in the prevention of bone softening diseases such as osteoporosis and osteomalasia. A 2009 study by the University of Pittsburgh determined that low levels of the vitamin can increase post-menopausal women's risk of hip fracture by as much as 70%.

May help protect against many forms of cancer, including breast cancer A 2008 study by the German Cancer Research Center, which monitored almost 2,800 post-menopausal women, concluded that women with very low blood levels of the vitamin had a significantly higher risk of developing breast cancer than those with adequate levels.

In addition, the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reports that in four-year clinical trial involving 1,179 healthy post-menopausal women showed that improving calcium and vitamin D nutritional status substantially reduced all-cancer risk in postmenopausal women.

Deficiencies linked to bacterial infections in pregnant women Another University of Pittsburgh study indicated that there was a strong correlation between low levels of the vitamin and the incidence of bacterial vaginosis in the more than 460 pregnant women participating in the research. Bacterial vaginosis is one of the primary causes of premature delivery and fetal death.

A total of 41 percent of the study participants were diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis, and 93 percent of the women with the infection had insufficient levels of the vitamin. It was further observed that as blood levels of the vitamin rose, the incidence of infection decreased.

May help prevent and treat depression It is known that the vitamin plays a key role in a number of neurological and hormonal processes, and feelings of depression are identified as one of the symptoms of D vitamin deficiency. This connection may be of increasing importance to older women, because the body's ability to manufacture D vitamin decreases as we age.

The importance of the vitamin to mood was established in a 2008 study by the University of Amsterdam, which showed that older people with low levels of the vitamin were more likely to be depressed. The researchers said that while additional study is warranted to determine whether low levels of the vitamin were the cause of depression or a side effect of it, they observed that the correlation between low D vitamin levels and depression were unmistakable.

Boosts energy and improves physical performance Feelings of fatigue are among the symptoms of D vitamin deficiency, and recent research by the Wake Forest University School of Medicine pinpoints the importance of sufficient levels of the vitamin for improving performance among older people.

The study analyzed data from 976 people aged 65 and older. The study found that physical performance, which included factors such as walking speed, grip strength, and ability to rise from a sitting position to standing, was 10 percent lower among participants with deficient blood levels of the vitamin.

Read more...

3 Medical Reasons Why Some Women Don't Want to Have Sex

Women loosing interest in sex can be due to of lot of reasons like a bad experience in the previous relationship, mental block, upbringing, many are scared and shy or anything else. Other than this, there can be some medical reasons for loosing interest in sex.

Women having high blood pressure and diabetes which can restrict blood flow in genitals leading to a lost of interest in sex. Hormonal imbalance can also be major reason especially in women who are breast feeding, who consume birth control pills, menopausal woman and women with thyroid problems which dampens the desire to have sex. The irony is that oral contraception used by most of the women drastically brings down enthusiasm to have sex. Similarly, women consuming pills to reduce depression shall experience delay in orgasm and low sex drive. Chemotherapy and antidepressants agents or pills have side effects that can result having a low sex drive. These can be attributed as the main medical reasons for women loosing interest in sex.

There are several other reasons like any damage caused to the nerve during pelvic surgery, depression, sleepless nights, obesity, stress, low levels of testosterones etc... Obesity is another important factor for both men and women to lose interest in sex.

If you desire for sex continues to be low you can consult your doctor or sex therapist, whether there is any physical problem. Consultation is very important as problems in sex life can create problems in relationship and also gives rise psychological problems. Studies have shown that lack of sex can cause multiple problems in your life, both related to mental and physical.

There are many treatments also available to overcome this problem which includes taking medication to increase your estrogen levels in the body and trigger the desire to have sex. Older men can be given shots or patches of testosterone. Some women can also experience improvement in sex life with workouts, relationship counseling or even a sex therapy.

If the change in Sexual life is as a result of side effects of some other medication, doses can be revised or an alternative medication can be prescribed by the doctor. If low sex drive is not because of any other health condition you need to visit a sex therapist immediately. Doctors should also make it a point to educate patients on the possible side effects. As it can be a rude shock to people realizing it later. Some medications have such a effect that even if the consumption is stopped, it shall not make any difference. It might not bring back the lost enthusiasm.

You can surprise your partner or spouse by planning a vacation to an exotic location to boost your relationship and sex life. This stress free period can let you unwind and rejuvenate and do well to both of you. Each couple should make it a practice at least once or twice a year to holiday and spend some quality time together, as this help the relationship going.

Read more...