by on April 29, 2018

Do You Fear Period Sex?

Do You Fear Period Sex | Dr. Lori Gore-GreenFor some people, the beginning of a menstrual cycle means the end of sexual intercourse until the cycle has passed. This mindset should be reconsidered, however, when all the benefits of sex during your period are taken into consideration.

1. Reduced Risk Of Pregnancy

When you strip away the passion, pleasure, and excitement, sex is ultimately designed for procreation. Any form of vaginal penetration by a penis that results in ejaculation has the chance to cause pregnancy. Due to the nature of a woman’s menstrual cycle, there is a reduced risk of pregnancy from sex, although not an entirely eliminated risk. Sperm can live inside of a woman’s body for up to five days, so if you have sex near the end of your cycle, you can still conceive a child once your menstrual cycle ends. The safest time to enjoy a reduced risk of pregnancy is to have sex near the beginning of your period.

2. Natural Pain Relief

Sex brings an incredible amount of pleasure that, when done properly, results in an orgasm. Orgasms are fun and enjoyable, but they also play a pivotal biological function with regards to the brain. This is especially true in women. The female orgasm causes the brain to release a healthy dose of endorphins which are chemicals that spread through the body to promote a boost in overall mood and help to relieve pain. A 1985 study shows that a woman’s pain tolerance increases drastically after an orgasm. So, having sex can help relieve the pain of menstrual cramps and other pains commonly associated with that time of the month.

3. Sleep Aid

Endorphins aren’t the only biological substances released by the female brain during an orgasm. The hormone known as prolactin is also released during an orgasm. Prolactin is a hormone that helps to calm the body and prepare it for a long, restful sleep. This is why people tend to become lethargic and sleepy after sex that causes an orgasm.

4. Ease Of Penetration

Some women have issues with vaginal dryness that causes difficulties during sex. The benefit of engaging in sex during a period is that this issue is almost entirely alleviated. There is more than enough lubrication present during this time of the month to allow for easy penetration and increased pleasure because of the lubricated sensation.

Filed Under: Contraception, Dr. Lori Gore-Green, Health Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
by on January 13, 2018

The Search For The Pregnant Woman’s ‘Breakfast Of Champions’

The Search For The Pregnant Woman's "Breakfast of Champion" | Dr. Lori Gore-GreenFibrous and folic acid-filled ingredients are ongoing essentials for pregnant women, and these items should be featured on the plate bright and early in the day –during breakfast.

Add color and nutrients to your plate through the inclusion of leafy vegetables, whole wheat, succulent fruits, and rich seasonings early on and pregnant will see the benefits throughout the day. This is the best way to incorporate foods that are healthy and tasty. Afterall, there’s not enough that can be said about starting off one’s day with a gratifying, low-sodium, and yummy meal.

Expectant mothers are always in search of a delicious, well-balanced “Breakfast of Champion” to enjoy throughout a pregnancy. A fair way to execute that perfect healthful meal is to highlight flavor with herbs and spices, not with salt and sugar.

You can bake, grill, and broil your way until an early morning meal that’s healthier. Focus on eating things that are hyper nutritious, green, natural, and if possible, organic,and divert your attention away from calorie counting. Additionally, lean proteins, healthy fats, and healthy carbs (vegetables and whole grains) are definitely necessary for everyone, especially pregnant women.

Read on to visit the names of five quick and easy recipes that you may want to try out in order to brighten up your morning:

Smoky Red Pepper Crispy Egg Toast

“Add a kick of spice to your mornings by spreading paprika and roasted red pepper hummus onto your egg toast.” Read the recipe here.

Spinach and Prosciutto Frittata Muffins

“These tasty bake-and-take egg cups are packed with protein. Make them on a Sunday, then heat and eat all week.” Read the recipe here.

Peach and Toasted Almond Greek Yogurt

“Topping Greek yogurt with fresh peach slices, toasted almonds, and a sprinkle of brown sugar adds a natural sweetness that’s almost guilt-free.” Read the recipe here.

Italian Baked Eggs

“Marinara cheesy baked eggs can be made in just 10 minutes for a complete breakfast.” Read the recipe here.

Overnight Oatmeal

“As easy in the morning as the instant variety, this home cooked and hearty oatmeal will give you the energy you need to power through your day.” Read the recipe here.

Never skip breakfast, even if you’re in a rush. In addition to trying out one of the aforementioned meals, you should be sure that stay hydrated, start small with something like a hardboiled egg, and try to drink a smoothie or juice.

Filed Under: Contraception, Dr. Lori Gore-Green Tagged With: , , ,
by on September 25, 2017

Lupus & Pregnancy: 8 Important Things To Know

Lupus & Pregnancy- 8 Important Things To Know| Dr. Lori Gore-GreenLupus is a chronic inflammatory disease that isn’t discussed nearly as much as it should be.

This condition is a complication whereby an individual’s immune system attacks your organs and tissues. The joints, skin, blood cells, brain, kidneys, lungs, and heart, are touched by inflammation.

Unfortunately, lupus can be challenging to diagnose. The symptoms and signs can be difficult to distinguish, although there’s a distinctive sign of lupus that isn’t found in all cases, which is a facial rash resembling a sprawled-winged butterfly across each cheek.

Lupus can uniquely impact pregnant women. So, if a woman with lupus happens to become pregnant, there are many precautions that she must take, as there are potential risks to both the mother and child. It’s important to speak with one’s physician early and often, but more than that, it’s important to think about medications, it’s important to chat with an obstetrician, and significant to discuss delivery methods during the early stages of pregnancy or even ahead of pregnancy.

According to Doruk Erkan, MD, MPH of the Barbara Volcker Center for Women and Rheumatic Disease, there are ten points to consider to optimize the outcome for who are pregnant while having lupus. Read on for a paraphrasing of eight of those crucial pointers:

  1. Successful pregnancies are possible when one has lupus. Educating oneself and taking professional advice is essential for lupus patients, who are more likely develop complications than non-lupus patients. Rheumatologists and obstetricians experienced in managing high-risk pregnancies are necessary for discussion. Also, consultation with a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit as well as other advanced facilities is essential as a child may require specialized care. It’s also important to lean on the support of family, who may ease impending challenges.
  2. Consider what might be the right time to conceive. Ideally, conception should occur when you’re at peak health, and at least six months after disease activity, particularly that involving kidney disease. Visit with your doctor for blood tests and complete physical examination.
  3. Lupus flares can take place during pregnancy and following delivery. Thankfully, a majority of these flares aren’t life-threatening and can be treated with steroids.
  4. One can identify lupus flares during one’s pregnancy by looking for patchy hair loss, redness across cheeks and the nose, fatigues, body aches, and fever. Pain and swelling in the joints are also generally reported. The retention of fluid usually leads to the swelling of ankles, feet, and hands.
  5. For some patients, complications appear in the form of pre-eclampsia, HELLP syndrome (Hemolysis, Elevated Liver Enzymes, Low Platelets), hypertension, urinary tract infections, diabetes, and renal insufficiency. Frequent urination, headaches, abdominal pain, and blurry vision are additionally experienced. The heightened risk of pregnancy loss should also be acknowledged.
  6. It’s important to note that lupus patients give birth to healthy children, who don’t face an increased risk of mental retardation or congenital disabilities. It’s important to consult your physician about undergoing regular ultrasounds to monitor intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and low birth weight.
  7. Discuss any medication with your with your doctor to ensure that it won’t worsen your lupus or cause damage to your child. Consult about steroids, blood thinners, anti-inflammatory drugs, and other medications.
  8. Mothers with lupus can breastfeed, and if they find it to be a challenge, they shouldn’t hesitate to reach out to a trusted health care professional, who will likely advise against breastfeeding if a mother is on azathioprine, cyclosporine, cyclophosphamide, methotrexate, or mycophenolate mofetil.

Beyond the items listed above, lupus patients should also discuss the possibility of vaginal delivery as an option for delivery ahead of giving birth. Broach vital topics on birth control options, child care, and other necessary issues.

Filed Under: Contraception, Dr. Lori Gore-Green Tagged With: , , , , ,
by on June 15, 2016

Contraception, Reproductive Health Are Economic Issues

Opened_Oral_Birth_ControlFor parents within the United States, particularly women, reproductive health is an economic issue. Both mothers and fathers are quick to describe parenthood as a life-changing feat, an adventure, or the most fulfilling commitment you’ll ever have, but they rarely readily address the countless expenses attached to parenthood.

From birth until adulthood, children can cost parents approximately $245,340 (or $304,480, adjusted for projected inflation) for middle-income, husband-wife families, according to the latest annual “Cost of Raising A Child” report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Expensive, particularly during the time of economic instability, children can add to financial struggle. That’s in addition to the emotional investment that’s tied to the decision to start a family and put parenthood planning into action. The ability to decide and plan for a family drives major economic conversations, which is why the decision of politicians and policymakers pointedly affects women, impacting personal freedom and contraception access, which is directly tied to economic security.

Economic security is fundamental for survival, whether one is choosing to have a family or not, particularly for contraception-users who are sexually active and of childbearing age. Nonetheless, state legislation sometimes misses the importance of access to reproductive care, including birth control and abortion. Of course, this shrugs off the fact that health care and birth control is very important to many American women, who want control over their reproductive health.

American women have face challenges in this regard, dealing with restricted access to healthcare, the defunding of Planned Parenthood, and stripping public funded health programs –which is an affront to the basic economic realities. Approximately 70 percent of voters recognize that true economic security lies with access to affordable reproductive healthcare, as well as equal pay, paid time off to care for families, and affordable childcare.

Across political parties and races, constituents feelings about abortion care, but there’s a recognizable understanding that the ability to plan is piped directly to Millennial’s core economic values and the needs of multicultural communities. Also, approximately 76 percent of all voters believe that access is necessary for basic economic survival. Likely because there’s an involved connection, linking reproductive care and major economic discussion.

Beyond conversations around reproduction health care, women are breast and cervical cancer screenings, birth control, and HIV tests, and reduction in funding for women’s reproductive care hit multicultural communities hardest. Reproduction care is more than a woman’s issue and social issues, it’s a freedom issue, a family issue, a values issue, and an economic issue.

Filed Under: Contraception, Dr. Lori Gore-Green, OBGYN, Pregnant Tagged With: , , , ,