Becoming a stepparent

Becoming a parent by blending families or marrying someone with kids can be a rewarding and fulfilling experience. If you've never had kids, you'll get the opportunity to share your life with a younger person and help to shape his or her character. If you have kids, you'll offer them more opportunities to build relationships and establish a special bond that only siblings can have.

In some cases, your new family members may get along without a hitch (remember The Brady Bunch?), but other times you can expect difficulties along the way. Figuring out your role as a parent — aside from the day-to-day responsibilities that come with it — also may lead to confusion or even conflict between you and your partner, your partner's ex-wife or ex-husband, and their kids.

While there is no foolproof formula for creating the"perfect" family (every family has its own dynamics), it's important to approach this new situation with patience and understanding for the feelings of those involved. Suggestions below also may help to make things easier as you adapt to your new role.

Start Slow

The initial role of a stepparent is that of another caring adult in a child's life, similar to a loving family member or mentor. You may desire a closer bond right away, and might wonder what you're doing wrong if your new stepchild doesn't warm up to you or your kids as quickly as you'd like — but relationships need time to grow.

Start out slow and try not to rush into things. Let things develop naturally — kids can tell when adults are being fake or insincere. Over time, you can develop a deeper, more meaningful relationship with your stepchildren, which doesn't necessarily have to resemble the one they share with their birth parents.

Factors That Affect Your Relationship

Children who are mourning the loss of a deceased parent or the separation or divorce of their birth parents may need time to heal before they can fully accept you as a new parent.

For those whose birth parents are still alive, remarriage may mean the end of hope that their parents will reunite. Even if it has been several years since the separation, kids (even grown ones!) often hang onto that hope for a long time. From a child's perspective, this reality can make them feel angry, hurt, and confused.

Other factors that may affect the transition into stepparenting:

• How old the kids are. When it comes to adjusting and forming new relationships, younger kids generally have an easier time than older kids.
• How long you've known them. Usually, the longer you know the kids, the better the relationship. There are exceptions (for example, if you were friends with the parents before they separated and are blamed for the break-up), but in most cases having a history together makes the transition a little smoother.
• How long you dated the parent before marriage. Again, there are exceptions but typically if you don't rush into the relationship with the adult, kids have a good sense that you are in this for the long haul.
• How well the parent you marry gets along with the ex-spouse. This is a critical factor. Minimal conflict and open communication between ex-partners can make a big difference on how easily kids accept you as their stepparent. It's much easier for kids to transition to new living arrangements when adults keep negative comments out of earshot.
• How much time the kids spend with you. Trying to bond with kids every other weekend — when they want quality time with a birth parent they don't see as often as they'd like — can be a difficult way to make friends with your new stepchildren. Remember to put their needs first: If kids want time with their birth parent, they should get it. So sometimes making yourself scarce can help smooth the path to a better relationship in the long run.

Knowing ahead of time what situations may become problematic as you bring new family members together can help you prepare so that, if complications arise, you can handle them with an extra dose of patience and grace.

Steps to Great Stepparenting

All parents face difficulties now and then. But when you're a stepparent, those obstacles are compounded by the fact that you are not the birth parent — this can open up power struggles within the family, whether it's from the kids, your partner's ex-spouse, or even your partner.

When times get tough, however, putting kids' needs first can help you make good decisions. Here's how:

• Put needs, not wants, first. Kids need love, affection and consistent rules above all else. Giving them toys or treats, especially if they're not earned with good grades or behavior, can lead to a situation where you feel like you're trading gifts for love. Similarly, if you feel guilty for treating your biological kids differently from your stepchildren, don't buy gifts to make up for it. Do you best to figure out how to treat them more equally.
• House rules matter. Keep your house rules as consistent as possible for all kids, whether they're your kids from a previous relationship, your partner's kids from a previous relationship, or new children you have had together. Children and teens will have different rules, but they should be consistently applied at all times. This helps kids adjust to transitions, like moving to a new house or welcoming a new baby, and helps them feel that all kids in your home are treated equally. If kids are dealing with two very different sets of rules in each home, it may be time for an adults-only family meeting — otherwise kids can learn to "work the system" for short-term gain but long-term problems.
• Create new family traditions. Find special activities to do with your stepkids, but be sure to get their feedback. Some new family traditions could include board game nights, bike riding together, cooking, doing crafts, or even playing quick word games in the car. The key is to have fun together, not to try to win their love — kids are smart and will quickly figure out if you're trying to force a relationship.
• Respect all parents. When a partner's ex is deceased, it's important to be sensitive to and honor that person. If you and your partner share custody with the birth parent, try to be courteous and compassionate in your interactions with each other (no matter how hard that can be!). Never say negative things about the birth parent in front of the kids. Doing so often backfires and kids get angry with the parent making the remarks. No child likes to hear their parents criticized, even if he or she is complaining about them to you.
• Don't use kids as messengers or go-betweens. Try not to question kids about what's happening in the other household — they'll resent it when they feel that they're being asked to "spy" on another parent. Wherever possible, communicate directly with the other parent about relevant matters, such as scheduling, visitation, health issues, or school problems. Online custody calendars make this process a little easier because parents can note visitation days and share this information with each other via the Internet.
• Talk to your partner or spouse. Communication between you and your partner is important so that you can make parenting decisions together. This is especially crucial if you each have different notions on parenting and discipline. If you're new to parenting as a stepparent, ask your partner what would be the best way to get to know the kids. Use resources to find out what kids of different ages are interested in — and don't forget to ask them.

No matter what the circumstances of your new family, chances are there'll be some bumps along the way. But don't give up trying to make things work — even if things started off a little rocky, they still can (and probably will) improve as you and your new family members get to know each other better.

Reviewed by: Michelle New, PhD
Date reviewed: December 2008

Source : kidshealth.org

Sexual attraction and orientation

It's a natural part of life to have sexual feelings. As people pass from childhood, through adolescence, to adulthood, their sexual feelings develop and change.

During the teen years, sexual feelings are awakened in new ways because of the hormonal and physical changes of puberty. These changes involve both the body and the mind, and teens tend to wonder about new — and often intense — sexual feelings.

It takes time for many people to understand who they are and who they're becoming. Part of that understanding includes a person's sexual feelings and attractions.

The term sexual orientation refers to the gender (that is, male or female) to which a person is attracted. There are several types of sexual orientation that are commonly described:

• Heterosexual. People who are heterosexual are romantically and physically attracted to members of the opposite sex: Heterosexual males are attracted to females, and heterosexual females are attracted to males. Heterosexuals are sometimes called "straight."
• Homosexual. People who are homosexual are romantically and physically attracted to people of the same sex: Females who are attracted to other females are lesbian; males who are attracted to other males are often known as gay. (The term gay is sometimes also used to describe homosexual individuals of either gender.)
• Bisexual. People who are bisexual are romantically and physically attracted to members of both sexes.

Teens — both boys and girls — often find themselves having sexual thoughts and attractions. For some, these feelings and thoughts can be intense — and even confusing or disturbing. That may be especially true for people who are having romantic or sexual thoughts about someone of the same gender. "What does that mean," they might think. "Am I gay?"

Thinking sexually about both the same sex and the opposite sex is quite common as teens sort through their emerging sexual feelings. This type of imagining about people of the same or opposite sex doesn't necessarily mean that a person fits into a particular type of sexual orientation.

Some teens may also experiment with sexual experiences, including those with members of the same sex, during the years they are exploring their own sexuality. These experiences, by themselves, do not necessarily mean that a teen is gay or straight.

Do People Choose Their Sexual Orientation?

Most medical professionals, including organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Psychological Association (APA), believe that sexual orientation involves a complex mixture of biology, psychology, and environmental factors. A person's genes and inborn hormonal factors may play a role as well. These medical professionals believe that — in most cases — sexual orientation, whatever its causes, is not simply chosen.

Not everyone agrees. Some believe that individuals can choose who they are attracted to — and that people who are gay have chosen to be attracted to people of the same gender.

There are lots of opinions and stereotypes about sexual orientation. For example, having a more "feminine" appearance or interest does not mean that a teen boy is gay. And having a more "masculine" appearance doesn't mean a girl is lesbian. As with most things, making assumptions just based on looks can lead to the wrong conclusion.

It's likely that all the factors that result in someone's sexual orientation are not yet completely understood. What is certain is that people, no matter their sexual orientation, want to feel understood, respected, and accepted — particularly by their family. That's not always easy in every family.

What's It Like for Gay Teens?

For teens who are gay or lesbian, it can feel like everyone is expected to be straight. Because of this, some gay and lesbian teens may feel different from their friends when the heterosexual people around them start talking about romantic feelings, dating, and sex. They may feel like they have to pretend to feel things that they don't in order to fit. They might feel they need to deny who they are or that they have to hide an important part of themselves.

These feelings, plus fears of prejudice, can lead teens who aren't straight to keep their sexual orientation secret, even from friends and family who might be supportive. Kids and teens who are gay are likely to face people who express stereotypes, prejudices, and even hate about homosexuality.

Some gay or lesbian teens tell a few accepting, supportive friends and family members about their sexual orientation. This is often called coming out. Many lesbian, gay, and bisexual teens who come out to their friends and families are fully accepted by them and their communities. They feel comfortable about being attracted to someone of the same gender and don't feel particularly anxious about it.

But not everyone has the same feelings or good support systems. People who feel they need to hide who they are or who fear rejection, discrimination, or violence can be at greater risk for emotional problems like anxiety and depression.

Some gay teens without support systems can be at higher risk than heterosexual teens for dropping out of school, living on the streets, using alcohol and drugs, and even in some cases for attempting to harm themselves.

These difficulties are thought to happen more frequently not directly because they are gay, but because gay and lesbian people are more likely to be misunderstood, socially isolated, or mistreated because of their sexual orientation.

This doesn't happen to all gay teens, of course. Many gay and lesbian teens and their families have no more difficulties during the teen years than anyone else.

The Importance of Talking

No matter what someone's sexual orientation is, learning about sexuality and relationships can be difficult for a teen to come to terms with. It can help a teen to talk to someone about the confusing feelings that go with growing up, whether it's a parent, another family member, a close friend or sibling, or a school counselor. It's not always easy for a teen to find somebody to talk to, but many of them find that confiding in someone they trust and feel close to, even if they're not completely sure how that person will react, turns out to be a positive experience.

In many communities, resources such as youth groups composed of teens who are facing similar issues can provide opportunities for people to talk to others who understand. Psychologists, psychiatrists, family doctors, and trained counselors can help teens cope — confidentially and privately — with the difficult feelings that go with their developing sexuality. These experts can also help teens to find ways to deal with any peer pressure, harassment, and bullying they may face. They can also help parents manage any complicated feelings they may be having as they come to terms with their teen's sexuality.

Whether gay, straight, bisexual, or just not sure, almost all teens have questions about reaching physical maturity and about sexual health (for example, avoiding sexually transmitted diseases). Because these can be difficult topics, it's especially important for gay and lesbian teens to find someone knowledgeable who they can trust and confide in.

Parents can help by becoming more knowledgeable about issues of sexuality — and learning to be more comfortable discussing them. Parents also can help their teen gain access to a doctor or health professional who will provide reliable health advice.

Reviewed by: D’Arcy Lyness, PhD
Date reviewed: June 2006

Source : www.kidshealth.org

Demi Moore's younger skin secret

Some starlets would do anything to maintain their youthful appearance but most of them have already tried all the beautification methods available, even if they're not always ready to admit to it. Demi Moore is the exception in the case, as she revealed her most efficient beauty trick live on David Letterman: having leeches stuck on her body sucking her blood.

The 45-year-old actress, who was on the show in order to promote her latest film, "Flawless", let it slip that she was never the one to be afraid of a bit of blood-sucking, especially if that meant always being as gorgeous as she is now. So, if leeches in the belly button sound like torture to other women out there, it's just them because Demi can vouch for this extreme alternative therapy, that she discovered while on a health trip to Austria.

Demi told a horrified Letterman and his audience that, while she was aware how her story sounded, people often forget that leeches actually have a positive effect on the organism. Especially the ones she used, that "aren't just swamp leeches though - we are talking about highly trained medical leeches, not some low-level scavengers - we're talking high-level blood suckers", used to detoxify the blood and make the patient feel rejuvenated. "They have a little enzyme that when they are biting down in you it gets released in your blood and generally you bleed for quite a bit - and your health is optimized", Mrs Moore explained.

Even if this sounds like something that any one of us could do in the privacy of our homes, Demi says that it's not quite so, as the blood-letting session includes a strict ritual that has to be followed. "You have to do a turpentine bath first - that's part of the therapy. The other thing I found out is that leeches don't like hair so if you are hairy be prepared to do some shaving or waxing - they much prefer a Brazilian.", she told the talk show host.

While also on the subject of being sucked of blood, the actress openly answered all of Letterman's questions, including the ones referring to her first time. It was painful, she admitted, and she felt really bad when the session was over, but a short while later the positive effects began to be felt. Which is precisely why Demi is thinking of going back to undergo the same treatment, because she's truly convinced that it's working miracles for her health and wellbeing: "You first feel worse then you feel better. But I'm going back - I only got four leeches and I feel a bit cheated."

Although the use of leeches for the exact purposes that actress Demi Moore stated in her interview with David Letterman dates from back in the old age, what she seemed to have forgotten is the reported $400,000 she spent five years ago on a complete plastic surgery makeover. In all fairness, Demi never admitted to having any work done on her face and body, but she's believed to have had liposuction to her hips, thighs and stomach, several brow lifts, chemical skin peeling, breast implants, knee surgery and collagen injections amongst others. Or perhaps it was just the leech therapy all along and nothing more.

By : www.inandoutstar.com

Beauty Secrets

1. What is your number one secret beauty tip?

My favorite beauty tip is one I use every day (actually every night): Vaseline. I use it to remove my eye makeup. It's cheaper than over-the-market products, doesn't bother my eyes and I read it can actually help protect the delicate skin around your eyes. Then in winter Vaseline provides the perfect cure for chapped lips: Simply slather it on, then massage lips for a few minutes with an old toothbrush. Continue twice a day until lips are silky and smooth.

2. What is the easiest way to make up your eyes, without spending a fortune
or hours in front of a mirror?

Here's a quick (and inexpensive) 4-step routine to use if you don't have much time:

Step 1: Dot concealer on lids. This hides unsightly veins.

Step 2: Sweep a neutral shade like taupe (which I find compliments every skin tone) over eyelids. Add a bit of shimmer if it's nighttime.

Step 3: Skip the cheap pencil liners and use an eyeliner brush and a dark eyeshadow for eyeliner. Wet the brush first for a more dramatic line. Apply line along the top and bottom lashes, making sure to get color in between lashes (you want the line to look as natural as possible). Don't line inside rim of eyes -- it makes eyes appear smaller. Smudge bottom lash so line isn't obvious.

Step 4: Mascara can make anyone's eyes look bigger and brighter. If you have short or straight eyelashes, curl them first before applying mascara.

3. Are there any little-known hair tips that our readers should know for bad hair
days?

Absolutely! My favorite trick for medium-to-long hair is the messy bun. Not only do buns look sophisticated and hip, they hide bad ends and awkwark cowlicks. Plus, the messier, the sexier! I also love the bandana look, which is totally in right now. As long as you have makeup on, you won't look as if you're meant to be working on a farm. Plus, the bandana look is cute on hair of all lengths.

4. What is the one skin care or makeup product that every woman should have in her purse?

Lipstick or gloss. Provided a woman has great skin, all she really needs is mascara (which you only have to apply once in the morning, so no need to carry it your purse) and lipstick or gloss to look put together.

5. What is the best way to deal with the occasional blemish?
Camouflage it with concealer. But make sure to dot the concealer on with the pad of your middle finger. You never want to rub concealer in like you would sunscreen or foundation.

6. What is the most surprising beauty secret you have discovered over the years?

There are two. The first is that the less makeup a woman wears, the younger she looks. The second is how a good skincare routine can take years off your face. By skincare, I mean wearing sunscreen daily then using antioxidants, peels and scrubs to buy back lost time and fix damaged skin. I thought all those skincare products were a bunch of mumbo jumbo until I tried them. Now my routine is 50 percent skincare, 50% makeup application.

By : Julyne Derrick ( About.com )

Look Younger in simple steps

1. Keep your hair between your chin and your shoulders.
Side-swept bangs and hair no longer than your shoulders will take off years
2. Lipstick shade can age you Another trick to looking younger is to steer clear of
brown lipstick shades. Avoid matte lipstick as they tend to settle into your lip
lines. Instead, try creamier lipsticks or glosses. (Glosses are especially
youthful
and make your lips appear bee-stung)
3. Stick to creamy blushes and shadows Older skin usually means dry skin so creamy
blushes and shadows are optimal. Also, powder blushes and shadows tend to settle
into your fine lines and wrinkles, whereas creamier products 'plump' up your skin.
4. Define those eyes Curled lashes immediately make eyes 'pop.'
One tip I love I learned from the editors of Allure: You can curl your lashes
AFTER mascara application, just make sure the mascara has dried. I find lining my
eyes helps make my somewhat tiny eyes look 10 times larger.
I never leave the house now without a bit of eyeliner on both upper and lower
lashes (smudging the line makes it look more natural) and mascara.
5. Don't overpluck Once you hit your 30s, you'll want to be careful not to overpluck
your eyebrows since brows are less apt to grow back if you excessively pluck.
Find out what you can do to remedy overplucking.

6. Get your teeth lightened Over time, teeth may yellow from coffee, tea or red wine
stains. You can whiten teeth quickly with over-the-counter products such as Crest
Whitestrips.

7. Stand up straight. Think about all the sexy women you know.
They stand up straigtht and confidently. Not only will this make you look ten
pounds thinner in seconds, it will make you look five years younger as well.

8. Get a good night's sleep Few things age you overnight more than a poor night's
sleep. Your eyes are puffy, your skin sallow and dull and your face sags.

By : Julyne Derrick ( Beauty Guide )
Source : www.beauty.about.com

Makeup Tips For Different types of Faces

Facial structure should be analyses to ascertain the facial type so that attractive features are emphasised and irregular features are made less noticeable. To achieve this, you must understand basic face shapes.

Oval Shape

Oval is considered to be an ideal shape. No corrective make-up or special hair-style is required because it is the most balanced face. The purpose of make-up is to archive the oval shape. Eyebrows should be shaped in a natural arch. While applying lipstick the lower lip should be outlined to create fuller look and the natural line of the upper lip should be followed. Blush on or cheek colors be applied in a "C" shape and blended up to the outer corner of the eyes.
Diamond Shape

This facial type has a narrow forehead and chin with wide cheek bones. Reduce the extreme width of the cheeks to achieve an oval shape Apply a darker shade of foundation to the outside of cheekbones extending towards the outer corner of the eyes. A lighter shade of foundation can applied on the chin and the forehead to create an illusion of the width to the face. The Eyebrows should not be close but slightly apart from the centre and then follow the natural arch. Lipstick should be applied in the natural form of lips.
Heart Shape

A heart shaped face has a wide for head and narrow chin. Increases the width of the chin and jawline with a lighter shade of foundation and minimize the width of the forehead by applying a dark foundation. Eyebrows should be thick and straight following the natural arch, but with a one eye distance between the brows. Lipstick should be applied on the natural lip line. A high lighter or a white eye shadow can be applied on the forehead centre and the sides of the sides of the cheeks to create an illusion of the width. Apply rouge on the upper cheek base.
Round Shape

A round face has an almost equal width and length proportion. Add length to the face to achieve an oval Shape. Generally, a narrow forehead goes well this face, which can be formed by using a deeper shade of the foundation on the sides. To give a slender look to the jawline, a dark colour foundation can be applied on the jawline and under the cheeks. Cheeks will look narrow if rouge and blush on are applied on the cheekbones and blended towards the temple area. Lipstick should be applied on the inside of the lip line. Eyebrows should be shaped in a sweeping manner. Eyebrows and eyes should be given a longer appearance with the help of the brow pencils.
Square Face

A straight forehead and square jaw make a very strong face shape. A darker shade of foundation applied on the temples, jawline and sides of the face will tone down the wide corners of the face. A little rouge on the cheeks should blend towards the jawline to accentuate the length of the face. Round shape eyebrows provide a soft touch to the face. Lipstick has to be applied to create fullness in the lips to divert attention from the square jawline.
Long Shape

The face is long in the proportion to the width, usually with hollow cheeks. to reduce the length of the face an illusion of the width is required. Slightly thick eyebrows with a natural arch are needed to reduce the face length. Eye make-up should be aimed to achieve a wide- eyed look. Eyeliner should be applied from the centre of the lid tilting it up to the outer corner of the eye. Lip line should be full in the appearance. Rouge and blush-on should be applied to cheeks not higher than outer corner of the eye and not below the tip of the nose. A deeper shade of foundation can be applied across the jaw and chin and on the top of the for head to reduce the length of the face.
Pear Shape

Narrow forehead, wide jawline and chin are the main characteristic of the pear shaped face. An illusion about the length of the face and adding width to the forehead are required for a pear shaped face. Eyebrows should be shaped to create a higher arch on the outer ends. Rouge application on the cheekbones should be blended towards the jawline. A deep colour foundation should be applied on the sides to minimise the width of the jaw and to achieve a slender look.

Source : bestincosmetics.com

The Magic of Make Up, Celebritis Pics Part 1

The magic of makeup

There are no ugly women in this world: there are only two kinds of women - the beautiful and the plain. The former are the women who have realized the beauty potential latent within themselves while the latter are those who have not realized it yet. But it is the duty of every woman to try and look beautiful at all time.

















The magic of makeup is that the plainest girl too can stand out in a sea of beautiful faces with a few clever makeup tricks. Makeup is a gift of modern times which gives every woman the opportunity to present her best face to the world at all times. But the secret of makeup is to under do it; it should be subtle, natural and suited to the personality of the woman who wears it.

Foundation Makeup Tips

From setting the Base to selecting the Perfect Foundation everything you wanted to know about foundation. Foundation, also called a makeup base. Foundation is used to enhance the color of the complexion. It's purpose not only to add color but it works to smooth out the texture and tone of your skin. Three basic types may be used, depending upon your skin type.

Choosing Perfect Foundation

Are you a little nervous when it comes time to buy a new bottle of foundation and you don't have a clue what color will work for you simply by looking at the color through the bottle?

Take your old bottle with you and use it to match the color on the new foundation. Simply hold the old bottle up to the new brand and find a match. Couldn't be simpler. The biggest mistake women make is choosing a foundation that's too light. This gives an unnatural, ashen look. These days some companies hand out samples for trial - it is always helpful to take the sample home and try the foundation for a few days - that way you will know how you feel with it before buying the full size
How to apply foundation make up ?

* First begin with clean hands and a clean face.
* Now apply moisturizer appropriate to your skin type on the face.
* Let the moisturizer set for a few minutes, remove the excess moisturizer with
a tissue.
* Camouflage under-eye circles and blemishes with concealer.
* Select a foundation that is appropriate to your skin type. The color should
match your skin, disappearing when blended well.
* Shake the foundation bottle well to mix the formula.
* Using a makeup sponge or the tips of your fingers, apply dots of foundation on
your cheeks, chin, forehead and tip of the nose.
* Using the sponge or your fingertips, blend the dots together on your face,
gently blend in upward, outward motions and pay special attention to blending
around the nose, mouth and jawline.
* Set the foundation with loose powder immediately after application.

Tips:

1. For a more natural look, put a small amount of moisturizer in the palm of my
hand, mix a small amount of foundation in with it and apply it to my face.
2. If your freckles are light, don't even try to cover them up. Show them off by
using a sheer foundation. If you happen to have the darker ones that you just
can't live with, choose a cream foundation to cover and even out skin tones.
3. Don't want to go all out with a foundation? Tinted moisturizers may be all you
need if your complexion is dewy, but you want a light, sheer wash to even out
blotchiness.
4. Always check a foundation along the jawline to be certain you will not be left
with a tide-mark.
5. If blending is a problem, apply the foundation while your moisturizer is still
a bit wet.
6. When testing foundation. Try it on the inside of the forearm as it so the
closest to the neck color there. Because it's protected from UV damage. The
make you buy should blend to the skin color of the neck, not the face.
7. Test foundation on the inside of the forearm-skin tone is closest to neck
color there, because it's protected from UV damage.

Where Do You Apply Foundation

It is not necessary to cover your entire face. Dot it only in the areas you might need it. In most cases, you will find areas of you face that are different shades. Your foundation will even them out.
Source : bestincosmetics.com

Make Up and Cosmetics Advice

Makeup trends change over the years

but the key to always looking your best lies in possessing knowledge of the winning combination of the correct make-up products, tools and professional techniques. Once you have gained this knowledge and mastered the various techniques, you will always be able to adapt your makeup look to being fashionable, whilst at the same time enhancing your particular features and making the most of your unique looks.

Sequence of makeup.

1. Cleansing. Apply cleansing cream or milk dots on the forehead, cheeks, eyes, nose, chin and neck. It should be spread over the face in upward circular strokes, so that all the facial features are cleansed thoroughly. Wipe off the cleanser lotion with moist cotton pad dipped in water. To ensure proper cleaning of the face, the cleansing routine can be repeated a second time.

2. Eye shaping. Once the face is cleansed check the eyebrow arch. Any growth of stray hair should be removed to give a clean look to the face.

3. Freshen the skin. Skin should be cleansed once again with an astringent or a skin freshener. If the face is very dry, moisturizer should be applied with a cotton pad.

4. Application of foundation. Foundation is selected according to skin's color and texture.

5. Powder application. Apply translucent powder after foundation evenly on the face. Excess powder should be dusted off with a soft brush or cosmetics puff.

6. Application of cheek color and blushers. Cream and stick cheek colors and check glimmers are to applied just after foundation to allow them to settle down before powdering the face. Cake powder blush-on is used after the powder. Cheek color is applied on the smiles. It should be blended towards the temples in smooth flowing strokes to give natural shading. The following guidelines can help to achieve best results:

* Blusher or rouge color should be in harmony with lipstick color. It would be better if cheek colors are lighter than the color of the lipstick to enhance facial features.
* Bright and dark cheek colors should be avoided because these give an artificial look to the face.
* Use pale and light cheek colors during day time.
* For evenings, weave in additional cheek colors to accentuate the features because artificial light drains cosmetic colors.
* Younger people may apply cheek color to highlight the angular contour of the face.
* For mature women, upper cheeks towards the temples can be developed with cheek colors to give prominence to the eyes.

7. Application of eye shadow. Tips on applying eye shadow.

8. Apply brow pencil
Brush eyebrows according to the face structure. Any , gaps in the eyebrows should be filled in by light feathery strokes of black and brown eyebrow pencils to achieve a natural look.
Colored eyebrow pencil can also be used for a more glamorous appearance. A fine-tipped eyebrow pencil is a must to emphasis the shape of eyebrows.

9. Application of eyeliner. Tips on applying eyeliner.

10. Mascara application. Basic rules of applying mascara.

11. Application of lipsticks. Applying lipstick gives a finishing touch to a look by defining the mouth and adding color to the face. No cosmetics has to power to transform like long lasting lipsticks. You can transform your look in any way you like simple by changing your lipstick color.

Makeup Tips

Makeup Tip 1)
Use toner on your face first and apply moisturizer, to enable better blending of foundation/concealer.

Makeup Tip 2)
Work your foundation onto the face with fingers in circular motions, working one area at a time, say from forehead down one side of face, then down the other side with quick motion. Blend downwards and outwards with a dry sea or makeup sponge.

Makeup Tip 3)
Concealer is best applied after foundation - apply small dots where needed and gently pat into the skin, then wipe with a sponge to remove excess. Concealer can be applied with a sponge flusk or lip brush using the tips. If you feel a little more colour is needed add to the spots, and blend again with sponge.

Makeup Tip 4)
Use Translucent Loose Powder to set the makeup using a large soft brush and dusting over the face quickly in a downward motion. If the skin is more mature just use powder in the T-Zone of forehead, nose and chin.

Makeup Tip 5)
To work out where to apply blusher, place finger along bottom of cheekbone and apply blusher in soft circular motions above that area. Never apply below the bottom of cheekbones, nor past a line from the centre of your eyes.

Makeup Tip 6)
For a lighter much more natural look, after loading blush onto brush, tap end of brush lightly against your hand to remove excess, then apply.

Makeup Tip 7)
Foundation over the eye lids provides a smooth matt base and it helps stop creasing.

Makeup Tip 8)
Go for a "no-colour" eye shadow as a base, like a soft creamy shade "highligher" and place this on lids up to brow bone. For most eye shapes the dark colors needs to be used on outer eye area and/or in crease. If you use too much, add a little "no colour" or translucent powder.

Makeup Tip 9)
Don't use colors to match your clothes, go for colors that suit you. Using neutral, smudgy colors will flatter your face and try to avoid mauve, and real pinky shades.

Makeup Tip 10)
Eyeliner should be applied close to base of eyelashes to make them look thicker. A soft pencil is easier to manage.

Makeup Tip 11)
Keep the thicker look to outer edge and with elbow on table for stability, draw the line towards inner corner of eye, thinning as you go. On lower lids, after application, smudge slightly with sponge tip of shadow applicator for a softer more natural look.

Makeup Tip 12)
To determine the correct length of eyebrows hold a pencil at the base of the nose, align it to inside corner of eye, then angle it from the base or your nose to outer corner of eye.
This shows where brows should start and finish. To keep tidy, brush with eyebrow brush. Define with light strokes of a pencil OR add a little eye shadow power on the brush.
Makeup Tip 13)
For hygiene it is best not to keep product beyond certain date s....

Foundation 1 year, Lipstick 1 to 2 years, Powder 2 years,
Mascara 3 to 4 months, Shadow/blush 2 years.

Makeup Tip 14)
ALWAYS keep brushes clean - wash very regularly in mild natural shampoo and let dry naturally. Sponges should be washed weekly and thrown out every 4 to 5 weeks.

Makeup Tip 15)
For ladies over 40 to 50 years of age, simplify your style - in clothes and makeup. Blend more carefully, and make sure foundation is a good match for your skin.

Makeup Tip 16)
Make sure your lips have been moisturized, and foundation/powder applied. Outline your shape with a lip pencil in natural or a toning shade to the chosen lipcolour. Apply lipstick with a lip brush. Then blot by "kissing" a tissue held between the lips, then reapply more co lour. Choose colour tones in either warm or cool tones to suit your complexion.

Makeup Tip 17)

If you have dark circles under your eyes, don't apply eyeliner un till dark circles are covered with concealer. or else your eyes will become too dark.

Source : bestincosmetics.com

Smart Shopping Tips

Here are thirty-three basic smart shopping tips that can be used anywhere you shop. Use them to save money, and as a guide to strengthen your purchasing power.

1. Plan your spending. Avoid impulse buys.
2. Advertised items are not necessarily the cheapest.
3. Watch for unadvertised specials.
4. Remember to ask for a "raincheck" if an item is sold out.
5. To avoid crowds, do not shop after work, on paydays, or just before holidays.
6. Buy items before you run out of them. Buy at clearance, or sale price, instead
of regular price when you must have the item.
7. Know the sales cycle in your area.
8. Just because an item is on sale, doesn't necessarily mean it is a good deal for
your family. If you won't use it, don't buy it.
9. Due to volume discounts, larger stores are generally cheaper than smaller ones.
10.Your emotions affect your shopping. Be careful of the "I deserve it" mentality.
11.Buy at the end of the season.
12.Stock up when prices are low.
13.Try alternative shopping: Shop salvage stores, thrift stores, consignment shops,
warehouse clubs, yard sales, and garage sales.
14.Remember that no particular store has the lowest price on all items.
15.Create a "shopping pool". Agree with family and friends to shop sales for each
other.
16.Shop alone. Other individuals will only help fill your shopping cart.
17.Check the entire store for specials and alternatives.
18.Get to know your favorite store's employees. Don't be afraid to ask questions.
19.Know your prices, keep a price book.
20.About Prices: Compare, Compare, Compare. This is how your price book helps you.
21.Larger is not always cheaper. Smaller is not always cheaper.
22.Look at unit prices.
23.You pay more for fancy packaging. Beware.
24.Remember the "Rule of Three":
If an item has three different ways it can be used,
you will not be wasting your money.
25.Never pay full price.
26.Shop defensively.
27.Try store and generic brands.
28.Watch as the clerk rings up your purchases. Check your receipt.
29.Shop for gifts year round.
30.Return purchases that do not meet your expectations.
31.Complain if it is genuinely warranted.
32.Call before you go to confirm item is available.
33.If you must, leave the checkbook and credit cards at home or in the car.

Source : thefrugalshopper.com

Smoke affects for Women

Women and Smoking



An epidemic of smoking-related cancer and disease in women

In March 2001, the Office of the US Surgeon General released a long-awaited, detailed report called Women and Smoking, along with this statement:

When calling attention to public health problems, we must not misuse the word "epidemic." But there is no better word to describe the 600-percent increase since 1950 in women’s death rates for lung cancer, a disease primarily caused by cigarette smoking. Clearly, smoking-related disease among women is a full-blown epidemic. -- David Satcher, MD, PhD

Smoking is the most preventable cause of early death in this country. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), smoking-related diseases caused the deaths of about 174,000 women in each year from 2000 to 2004. On average, these women died 14.5 years earlier because they smoked.

The most recent CDC survey (from 2007) showed that more than 1 in 6 American women aged 18 years or older (17%) smoked cigarettes. The highest rates were seen among American-Indian and Alaska-Native women (36%), followed by white (20%), African-American (16%), Hispanic (8%), and Asian women (4%). The less education a woman has, the more likely it is she will smoke. For instance, women with less than a high school education are more than twice as likely to smoke as college graduates.

Overall, women are less likely to smoke than men. But it has been found that smoking is more popular among younger than older women. This is an alarming trend that will affect the future health of these young women. About 20% of women ages 25 to 44 smoke; only about 8% of women 65 and over do. If these younger women continue to smoke as they get older, they will have more smoking-related illness and disability. Smoking rates are slightly lower among women aged 18 to 24, a little more than 19%.

Women who smoke nearly always begin as teenagers -- usually before high school graduation. And the younger a girl is when she starts, the more heavily she is likely to use tobacco as an adult. Teenage girls are just as likely to smoke as boys. The most recent CDC surveys showed that 19% of female high school students and 6% of middle school girls had smoked at least one cigarette in the past 30 days. More than 9% of 12th grade girls reported that they had smoked at least one cigar in the past month (see also Cigar Smoking). Nearly 29% of the senior girls had used some form of tobacco in the past month.

How can smoking affect your health?

Cancers
Tobacco use accounts for nearly 1 in 3 cancer deaths. Tens of thousands of women will die this year from lung cancer, which has shot past breast cancer as the leading cause of cancer death among women. Almost 90% of these deaths will be due to smoking.

Not only does smoking increase the risk for lung cancer, it's also a risk factor for other cancers:

* cervix
* mouth
* larynx (voice box)
* pharynx (throat)
* esophagus
* kidney
* bladder
* pancreas
* stomach

Smoking is also linked to some forms of leukemia.

Smoking raises your risk of heart disease and stroke

Women who smoke greatly increase their risk of heart disease (the leading killer among women) and stroke. Risk goes up with the number of cigarettes smoked and the length of time a woman has been smoking. Even though most of the women who die of heart disease are past menopause, smoking increases the risk more in younger women than in older women. Some studies suggest that smoking cigarettes increases the risk of heart disease even more among younger women who are also taking birth control pills.

Smoking damages your lungs

Smoking damages the airways and small air sacs in the lungs. It is related to chronic coughing and wheezing. More than 75% of deaths due to chronic bronchitis and emphysema -- together these are known as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) -- are caused by smoking. The risk goes up both with the number of cigarettes smoked each day and with the length of time a woman has been smoking. Female smokers aged 35 or older are almost 13 times more likely to die from emphysema or bronchitis than those who don't smoke. Smoking "low tar" or "light" cigarettes does not reduce these risks, or any of the other health risks of tobacco.

The lungs grow more slowly in teenage girls who smoke. Adult women who smoke start losing lung function in early adulthood.

Smoking causes other health problems

Smoking can cause or worsen poor blood flow in the arms and legs (peripheral vascular disease or PVD.) This can limit everyday activities such as walking. Even worse, surgery to improve the blood flow often fails in people who keep smoking. Because of this, many doctors who operate on blood vessels (vascular surgeons) won't do certain surgeries on patients with PVD unless they stop smoking. Stopping smoking lowers the risk of PVD. In people who already have PVD, quitting smoking improves the odds that treatment will work.

Women who smoke, especially after going through menopause, have lower bone density (thinner bones) and a higher risk for broken bones, including hip fracture, than women who do not smoke. They may also be at higher risk for getting rheumatoid arthritis and cataracts (clouding of the lenses of the eyes), as well as age-related macular degeneration, which can cause blindness.

Smoking affects your reproductive health

Tobacco use can damage a woman's reproductive health. Women who smoke are more likely to have trouble getting pregnant. Smokers are younger at menopause than non-smokers and may have more unpleasant symptoms while going through menopause.

Smoking can also cause problems during pregnancy that can hurt both mother and baby. Smokers have a higher risk of the placenta (the organ that protects and nourishes the growing fetus) growing too close to the opening of the uterus. Smokers are also more likely to have early membrane ruptures and placentas that separate from the uterus too early. Bleeding, early delivery (premature birth), and emergency Caesarean section (C-section) may result from these problems. Smokers are more likely to have miscarriages and stillbirths, too.

Smoking can affect your baby’s health

First of all, up to 5% of infant deaths would be prevented if pregnant women did not smoke.

More than 10% of women smoke throughout their pregnancies -- some studies put the number at 16% or higher. Smoking is linked to an increased risk of early delivery and infant death. Research also suggests that infants of mothers who smoke during and after pregnancy are 2 to 3 times more likely to die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) than babies born to non-smoking mothers. The risk of SIDS is somewhat less for infants whose mothers stop smoking during pregnancy, even if they start smoking again after delivery.

Of the women who are able to stop smoking during pregnancy, only 1 out of 3 stay quit a year after the delivery. But infants of non-smoking mothers have the lowest risk of SIDS.

Smoking during pregnancy causes low birth weight in at least 1 in 5 infants. Smoking during pregnancy slows fetal growth. This often causes babies to have health problems as a result of being born underweight. Women who stop smoking before they get pregnant reduce their risk of having a low birth weight baby to that of women who never smoked. Even women who quit during the first 3 to 4 months of pregnancy have much healthier babies than those who keep smoking.

Many women are able to quit smoking during early pregnancy. But women who have mood disorders, such as depression, often find it much harder to quit. Researchers have learned that between one-third and one-half of women who smoke during pregnancy have a mood disorder. It can be harder to treat pregnant women for depression, anxiety, or nicotine withdrawal with medicines because of concerns about the drugs hurting the fetus. Counseling or mental health therapy may help some of these women. If the woman is unable to quit smoking with therapy, she may want to talk with her doctor about medicines that she can take during pregnancy.

After a baby is born, some harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke can also be passed on through breast milk. This can affect a baby right away. For instance, infants who were breast-fed by mothers who smoked slept for a full half-hour less than when the mothers didn't smoke (this was measured over 3½ hours right after breast feeding).

If you managed to quit smoking while you were pregnant, don't pick up the habit again after the baby is born. When you find yourself tempted to start back, get help right away. And keep in mind that parents who smoke are more likely to have children who smoke. So if you stay quit your child stands a better chance of never starting.

Secondhand smoke can affect your children's health

Almost 3 million children in the United States under the age of 6 breathe secondhand smoke at home at least 4 days per week. Studies show that older children whose parents smoke get sick more often. Their lungs grow less then children who do not live around smokers. They have bronchitis and pneumonia more often. They cough and wheeze more. Smoking can also trigger a child's asthma attack. More than 40% of children who go to the emergency room for asthma live with smokers. A severe asthma attack can be deadly.

Children who live with parents who smoke also get more ear infections. This often causes fluid to build up in their ears and they may need surgery to have ear tubes placed for drainage. Some of these problems may seem small, but they add up quickly: think of the expenses, doctor visits, medicines, lost school time, and often lost work time for the parent who must take the child to the doctor. And this doesn't include the discomforts that the child must go through.

The Surgeon General's report: Secondhand smoke kills people who don't smoke, and makes others sick

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), also known as secondhand smoke, has also been shown to increase the risk of lung cancer. The 2006 Surgeon General's report on secondhand smoke stated that:

* Secondhand smoke causes premature death and disease in children and adults who
do not smoke.
* Children exposed to secondhand smoke are at an increased risk for sudden
infant death syndrome (SIDS), respiratory infections, ear problems, and more
severe asthma. Smoking by parents causes breathing (respiratory) symptoms and
slows lung growth in their children.

* Secondhand smoke immediately affects the heart and blood circulation in a
harmful way. Over a longer time it also causes heart disease and lung cancer.
* The scientific evidence shows there is no safe level of exposure to secondhand
smoke.
* Many millions of Americans, both children and adults, are still exposed to
secondhand smoke in their homes and workplaces, even though there has been
a great deal of progress in tobacco control.

* The only way to fully protect non-smokers from exposure to secondhand smoke
indoors is to prevent all smoking in that indoor space or building.
Separating smokers from non-smokers, cleaning the air, and ventilatin
buildings cannot keep non-smokers from being exposed to secondhand smoke.

Kicking the habit

More than 75% of women say they want to quit smoking. Almost half report having tried to quit in the past year. The chance of quitting and staying quit is about the same for both men and women, although there may be some ways women are different (see the section below, "Differences between women and men").

Quitting can help reduce the risk of many of the health effects listed above. The risk of heart disease is greatly reduced just 1 to 2 years after quitting. The risk of stroke returns to normal 10 to 15 years after quitting.

Many women are afraid to quit for fear of gaining weight. Some women who quit smoking do add a few pounds, mostly in the first year. Although figures vary, women gain an average of around 10 pounds after quitting. This amount of weight gain can usually be controlled through diet and exercise. But the health benefits of quitting are much greater than any problems posed by a small weight gain.

Differences between women and men

Some studies have shown there may be differences in men and women who are trying to quit smoking. A few studies, for instance, found that nicotine replacement therapies seemed to help men more than women. Studies of other medicines, such as bupropion (Zyban®) and varenicline (Chantix®) have not found such a difference -- men and women had the same success rates. Some of these studies used counseling or group support, which seemed to help both men and women quit and stay quit.

There is also a question about how monthly hormone changes can affect pre-menopausal women as they are quitting smoking. Studies have been mixed about whether it works better for women to try and quit during the first or last parts of their menstrual cycles. Most of the studies seem to support the idea that women may have stronger urges to smoke just before their menstrual periods are due to start. This is about the same time women may have pre-menstrual symptoms. Because of this, some experts recommend that women quit smoking after the pre-menstrual symptoms have passed. If you choose to do this, you may want to make a plan to deal with any pre-menstrual urges to smoke that may show up 2 or 3 weeks later.

Source : www.cancer.org

Pregnancy (older women)

When it comes to pregnancy, age is important and can affect the nature of your experience. Ann Bracken outlines the implications of pregnancy in the post 35 maternal age group.


Compared to our grandmothers’ generation, today’s thirty and forty-somethings look and feel so young and healthy that, it is difficult to remember that their reproductive life-span is just as short as it was one hundred or one thousand years ago. 30 years ago, the average age of new mothers was 26. Now it is 30 and climbing rapidly.

Conceiving a baby, especially when longed for, is usually the most special time of a woman’s life. The miracle of a newborn melts hearts of all ages, male and female. Since the beginning of time, the arrival of a small infant has been as wonderful and natural as changes in the seasons. However, nowadays this natural wonder may also require a high level of planning to ensure that when junior arrives there is room in the manger and a roof overhead!

Planning for the ‘right’ time to have a baby is a relatively new concept in Ireland and this has been reflected in a significant increase in the age of women giving birth here, over the past 15 years; from 29 to 32 within marriage and 22 to 26 outside of marriage. This may be as a result of ever increasing mortgage replayments and an escalation in the cost of living, or resulting from an expanding number of life choices for women - we now live in a world where choosing to be a mother is an option and not a privilege.

Diagnostic Screening Tests

The problem is that postponing parenthood has its risks. There are factors to consider if a woman is wishing to achieve a pregnancy, later in life. Age is a factor in certain foetal abnormalities and there are higher rates of maternal diabetes, placental insufficiency, high blood pressure, or of having a Down’s Syndrome baby if the mother is older. The mother may have more to carry than the fact she is pregnant - with certain tests being required, the anxiety of these tests may outway the excitement of the pregnancy at times.

Unfortunately, human beings, as a species, are not very fertile. Even young couples with normal fertility (and trying quite hard) have only a 25 – 30% chance of establishing a pregnancy each month they try. When a woman reaches her mid-30’s, this monthly chance drops to 10 – 15%. By her early 40’s it is less than 5% a month AND she is facing a 40% chance of miscarriage even if she can achieve a positive pregnancy test. If there are other factors influencing a couples’ chance of success such as irregular ovulation or poor sperm parameters, the chance is even lower. In addition, the risk of chromosome abnormalities such as Down’s syndrome increases very rapidly from 37 years onwards.

Since fertility is to a large extent genetically inherited, a woman can get a good idea of her likely reproductive prospects by finding out about her mother’s experience. If her mother had difficulty getting pregnant after her late twenties and had a relatively early menopause (younger than 45 – 50years) there is a chance that her daughter may experience similar problems. Women whose mothers and grandmothers had babies effortlessly in their late thirties or early forties may be reassured that they will probably be able to do the same.

Screening tests for women over the age of 37 are offered to determine any abnormality in the foetus with particular focus on testing for Down’s Syndrome, due to the increased risk of chromosomal abnormality in older women. The risk of having a baby with this condition rises with advancing maternal age, from a 0.4 chance at the age of 20 to 3.1 chance at 35, and 10.5 chance at 40 years of age. The statistics show that 1 in every 2,000 babies born are Down’s babies.

The first screening test for women over 35 is the Nuchal scan. This ultrasound scan assesses the foetus at between 11-13 weeks. If a shadow of a particular size and shape is present at the back of the foetus neck, this can indicate a higher risk of chromosome defects such as Down’s Syndrome. If the test indicates a probability, amniocentesis will be offered to confirm the diagnosis.

Amniocentesis is the process which removes a sample of amniotic fluid that surrounds the baby in the uterus when the pregnancy is between 15-20 weeks. However, as this test can carry a risk of miscarrige, careful consideration and even counselling may be advised in advance of taking the test.

What needs to be considered by each mother is what they would do with the information that the specialist tests will provide. Will this information be reassuring - or will it put enormous emotional strain on the mother and indeed father to be? Regardless of whether the tests are advised and taken, pre-natel care is particularly important for women of advancing age.

Also, for women who are planning a pregnancy later in life, it is important that they adopt a healthy lifestyle – A good diet, exercise and relaxation time all need to be incorporated into daily life, to increase their potential for a healthy pregnancy.

Although, there may be risks to the higher age group women, the reality is that most women have healthy pregnancies and babies.

TIPS FOR THE OLDER WOMAN CONSIDERING PREGNANCY

Avoiding alcohol and smoking will promote your health and the health of your baby.

Proper pre-natal care will optimize your chances of having a healthy baby.

When choosing an antenatal clinic, discuss your preferences and find out what options are available to you – age may be a factor in some delivery options, i.e. homebirths. Do some research into the philosophy or practice of the particular ante-natel support you are choosing.

Begin taking a prenatal vitamin. Ensure you choose a vitamin especially for pregnancy, as this will contain the correct amount of folic acid and will not contain Vitamin A which is not recommended to take during pregnancy.
Health and lifestyle factors play an important role in influencing a woman’s natural fertility

Smoking is probably the single most significant factor — women who are life-time smokers will undergo their menopause at least two years ahead of schedule and will become sub-fertile sooner and have a higher risk of miscarriage.

Women who are significantly below or above their ideal weight are also at a higher risk of fertility problems and/or pregnancy complications.

Women who have had pelvic surgery, endometriosis or recurrent pelvic infections also seem to have a lower chance of successful pregnancy, probably because their store of viable eggs is reduced.

Clearly, a nutritious diet, adequate but not excessive exercise and a healthy, low-stress lifestyle are all conducive to good fertility – but it is generally recognised that trying to get pregnant and repeatedly ‘failing’ can drive even ‘health-nuts’ to booze and cigarettes!

Fertility treatments

Intra-Uterine Insemination

Some women trying to conceive later in life may be helped by fertility treatments such as Intra-uterine Insemination (IUI) in conjunction with ovarian stimulation. Stimulated IUI is a treatment designed to enhance a couple's natural fertility without resorting to 'high-tech' treatments.

The woman undergoes stimulation with gonadotrophins (hormone injections) to encourage 2 eggs to mature. Throughout the drug phase, treatment is monitored by ultrasound and when the follicles are ready, a final injection of hCG is given to provoke ovulation.

Approximately 30 – 40 hrs later, specially prepared sperm (ideally 5 million, highly active sperm) are inserted through the cervix in a fine plastic tube and deposited high up in the uterus, near to the opening of the Fallopian tubes. Putting very good sperm in exactly the right place at the right time boosts natural fertility. Success rates with stimulated IUI are typically 10 – 15% per cycle.

In-Vitro fertilisation

Many women in their late thirties or early forties choose to have IVF treatment even if there is no apparent explanation for their failure to conceive other than their age. IVF is recognised to be an effective (and diagnostic) treatment for this so-called ‘unexplained’ infertility. Women in this age range are also acutely aware that their biological clocks are running down very fast and they cannot risk waiting (or wasting!) another 6 months to ‘give Mother Nature another chance’ since success rates of fertility treatments such as IVF depend on the age of the woman concerned.

The success rates for IVF (approximately 25% per cycle for women under 40 and 15% per cycle for 40+) depend upon a woman having good ‘ovarian reserve’, that is being able to recruit a good number of ovarian follicles in response to the stimulating drugs used in IVF. Assessing ovarian reserve is therefore a very important part of counselling a couple about their individual chances of success with ‘high-tech’ fertility treatments such as IVF. Age, past medical history, FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) levels and ovarian scan results all provide useful information for predicting the likely chance of success with treatments such as IVF. In addition, some fertility specialists are now advising women to have their inhibin B level assessed. This simple blood test, (taken during day 3-6 of the menstrual cycle), provides a direct measurement of ovarian reserve.

The future It is now possible to freeze human eggs and then thaw them and use them to generate embryos for transfer in an IVF cycle. At the moment this technology is mainly used to help young women who are facing a diagnosis of cancer.


Lifesaving chemotherapy or radiotherapy will probably render them sterile and the technique of egg freezing allows them to ‘bank’ their oocytes (eggs) for later use, so that they have a chance of giving birth to their own genetic children.

This same technology could be applied to allow young women who were not yet in a position to become pregnant to store their eggs for use later when they wished to start a family. Clearly this new approach to ‘family planning’ may meet with some resistance. For future generations though, it could offer a solution to the ‘career women’s’ dilemma about when to start a family.

Source : www.hlaw.ie

Identifying the early sign of menopause

Women that observe first symptoms of menopause will also notice that such symptoms are very much like those of early pregnancy and so it behooves them to take the advice of a doctor to find out what such symptoms really are since that will help find out whether something serious is amiss with you.

Perhaps one of the most significant early signs of menopause is the hot flashes which can cause you to sweat
at night or even during the day when everyone else is comfortable or even cold. These hot flashes may or may not be accompanied by red blotchy skin, flushed skin or even a prickly kind of heat.

Hot flashes, one of the first signs of menopause, are also the most joked about of all the symptoms of this biological change. As many as seventy-five to eighty percent of all women experience this uncomfortable feeling which can last as short as thirty seconds or as long at thirty minutes or more. The average time for a hot flash moment is about five to ten minutes for these first signs of menopause. These hot flashes can be a warm flushing sensation on your face and upper body or it can present themselves as red blotchy skin.

A paradigm shift in your thinking about sex is among the first signs of menopause as well and those thoughts can go either way. Some women lose desire to have sex and it is coupled with vaginal dryness and lack of arousal. However, other women may feel sexier and enjoy it more, even with the physical symptoms like the vaginal dryness which can be aided by a number of lubricants on the market today.

Countless problems with your bladder and vagina are also among your first signs of menopause as your hormone levels fluctuate. The vaginal dryness may be an issue and sex could become painful as the skin thins out and surrounding areas becoming more sensitized. In addition, urinary problems count as some of the first signs of menopause due to that same thinning of the skin, in this case, the bladder. Some muscle tone in the bladder may be lost as well due to hormonal changes attributed to menopause.

The first signs of menopause are quite a bit to handle but many of them gradually present themselves as a way to ease into the transition. These signs can also include mood swings, fatigue, sleeping problems and even changes in your body like not being able to lose weight as easily as you once could.

Less frequent early menopause symptoms include headaches due to these hormonal changes as well as problems with memory. Even aching in the joints and muscles can be considered part of the menopausal arsenal of symptoms. If you are not quite at that stage in life to be experiencing those first signs of menopause, get ready for it. You may not develop all of them but chances are that there will be some that have your name on them.

Source : guidetohealthyliving.com

Myths about bone density tests and your real risk for osteoporosis

Stay healthy, right down to your bones


here are just two problems with the way women older than 50 deal with thinning bones. The first is that many get treatment they don't need, raising the risk of unpleasant or dangerous side effects from potent drugs. The second? Women who do need help often miss out entirely — and dramatically increase their odds of a catastrophic hip fracture.

It's the worst of both worlds, but it doesn't have to be that way
Here, four bone myths — and the truths that can keep you standing tall.

Myth: I need a bone density test at menopause

Most women should wait until age 65 to get a bone test that gauges their risk of Osteoporosis,a disease in which bones become so porous they can break with little provocation. The 10- to 30-minute procedure uses an X-ray machine, known as DXA, that exposes you to a very low level of radiation.
However, you should ask your doctor about getting tested earlier if you have a family history of the disease, have broken a bone as an adult, are Caucasian or Asian, have a small frame, take certain medications, or have a condition that increases risk, such as inflammatory bowel disease or multiple sclerosis.

Myth: I'm past 65 but don't have to worry — my doctor hasn't suggested a bone density test

Shockingly, only a fraction of women 65 and older are offered the test by their physician, says Watts, even though this age group is at heightened risk of osteoporosis. "Medicare reimbursements for the DXA test have declined by 40 percent since 2006. The procedure now costs doctors more than they are paid, so they don't push it," he says. Legislation to boost reimbursement has been introduced, but so far it hasn't passed

Myth: If I have "pre-osteoporosis," I should start taking drugs

For years, doctors didn't know what to do with patients diagnosed with osteopenia, a condition in which bone mineral density is lower than normal but not yet in osteoporosis territory. "Some doctors started these women on drugs; others didn't," says Watts. "There were no clear guidelines."

Why that matters: Commonly prescribed drugs called bisphosphonates can cause side effects, including flulike symptoms and difficulty swallowing. In very rare cases, patients have developed severe joint or muscle aches months or years after starting treatment.

But this year, the World Health Organization unveiled a risk assessment calculator, called FRAX, that goes beyond bone density to consider 11 other crucial factors in bone health, such as family history or taking skeleton-sapping medications. "It gives a much better sense of a woman's true risk of getting a fracture, and it provides guidance about who needs treatment — and when," says Watts. The National Osteoporosis Foundation recommends medication for postmenopausal women if they have osteopenia and their FRAX shows a 10-year fracture risk above 20 percent. Ask your doctor to calculate your FRAX score.

Myth: I'm too old to build bone

You've probably heard that your skeleton was built mostly in adolescence and young adulthood, and that the lack of estrogen after menopause greatly accelerates bones' decline. But making healthy lifestyle choices when you're older can still have a positive impact on your skeleton, says Felicia Cosman, MD, clinical director of NOF. "Even small gains add up over time," she adds. According to research from Tufts University, postmenopausal women who did strength-training twice a week for a year gained 1 percent to 2 percent in bone density. Any weight-bearing workout can provide similar benefits. The key: Keep increasing the intensity.
Although food can't build bone density, the right diet can drastically slow your rate of loss. Be sure to include calcium-rich choices in yours

By Meryl Davids Landau
Prevention Magazine
Copyright© 2009 Rodale Inc.

Talk a lot on your cell phone? Beware skin rash

Nickel surface of phones can cause dermatitis if you use them too much

Doctors baffled by an unexplained rash on people's ears or cheeks should be on alert for a skin allergy caused by too much mobile phone use, the British Association of Dermatologists said on Thursday.

Citing published studies, the group said a red or itchy rash, known as "mobile phone dermatitis," affects people who develop an allergic reaction to the nickel surface on mobile phones after spending long periods of time on the devices.

"It is worth doctors bearing this condition in mind if they see a patient with a rash on the cheek or ear that cannot otherwise be explained," it said.The British group said many doctors were unaware mobile phones could cause the condition.

Safety concerns over mobile phones have grown as more people rely on them for everyday communication, although the evidence to date has given the technology a clean bill of health when it comes to serious conditions like brain cancer.

"In mobile phone dermatitis, the rash would typically occur on the cheek or ear, depending on where the metal part of the phone comes into contact with the skin," the group said in a statement.

"In theory it could even occur on the fingers if you spend a lot of time texting on metal menu buttons."

Nickel is a metal found in products, ranging from mobile phones to jewelry to belt buckles and is one of the most common causes of allergic contact dermatitis, according to the Mayo Clinic in the United States.

Earlier this year Lionel Bercovitch of Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island and colleagues tested 22 popular handsets from eight different manufacturers and found nickel in 10 of the devices.
Source : today.msnbc.msn.com