Couples in Good Relationships Sleep Better

(HealthDay News) -- Happy at home and sleeping well? New research shows that relationship satisfaction and sleep quality might be linked. Read more

Women Who Run May Benefit From Extra Folic Acid

(HealthDay News) -- High-dose folic acid supplementation improved vascular function in young female runners who stopped menstruating (amenorrhea) because their caloric intake was lower than their energy output, researchers say. Read more

Health Tip: Signs of Ovulation

(HealthDay News) -- If you're trying to get pregnant, it's important to know when you're ovulating.

Here are common signs that may indicate ovulation, courtesy of the American Pregnancy Association:

• A change in cervical fluid appearance. During or just before ovulation, cervical fluid usually takes on the appearance of egg whites. But cervical fluid appearance varies from woman to woman.


• A spike in your basal body temperature -- your temperature at rest measured when you first get up in the morning -- can indicate that you have just ovulated. In most women, basal temperature goes down slightly just before ovulation. This is followed by a sharp rise
• in temperature, a sign that ovulation has just occurred. Cervical changes -- a woman may find that her cervix feels softer than usual, and may be in a higher position.
• Other symptoms -- deemed secondary because they may not happen as consistently or in as many women -- may include spotting, tenderness of the breasts, cramping, bloating, greater awareness of the senses, and a stronger sex drive.

Rule would protect right of conscience

A new federal regulation is aimed at protecting the rights of health-care providers who refuse to participate in a procedure such as abortion because of their moral or religious beliefs. full story

6 Simple Ways a Woman Can Be Healthy Every Day

6 Simple Ways a Woman Can Be Healthy Every Day - By cutting down on the number of calories taken in and being physically active , women can reduce their chances of becoming overweight or overweight or obese.... Read more

3 Nice Things I’m Going to Do for My Boobs Today

By Anne Krueger

1. I’m going to join the army. The Army of Women, that is. It’s a partnership between Avon and the Dr. Susan Love Research Foundation, designed to help women and scientists unite to find ways to prevent and cure breast cancer.

“Over and over I’ve heard scientists lament how difficult it is for them to find the volunteers they need for research studies. By responding to this need, the Army of Women will change the face of breast cancer research,” says founder Susan Love, MD.

I love this idea because it gives me a chance to help beyond just sending in a tax-deductible donation. I’ll fill out a questionnaire, and if the Army needs me to be part of a study on healthy women, they’ll let me know. I may be called upon to contribute a blood or urine sample, or fill out a survey. My volunteering will help researchers learn more about how cancer starts and how to prevent it. Read More

Bare Your Breasts on “Go Topless Day” This Saturday!

By Anne Krueger

Every Sunday, weather permitting, the guy down the street mows his lawn without his shirt on—and nobody gets their panties in a bunch about it. But if I stripped off my Dunder Mifflin T-shirt while clipping the hedge? There’d probably be a cop car and the crew from America’s Most Frightening Videos in my driveway faster than you can say “put on a pair of pasties.”

The feminist in me feels that just isn’t fair. If baring chests in public is legal, then it should be legal for everyone—especially since I’ve seen many a shirtless man who has far bigger boobs than I do. Read More

Ob/Gyn Group Urges Routine HIV Tests for All Women

(HealthDay News) -- Minority women are at higher risk for HIV/AIDS, and doctors need to make a special effort to encourage them to be tested for HIV.

That's the new recommendation released Thursday by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG).

"Rates of infection among African Americans -- and also among Hispanics -- are much higher than among white women. Sixty-four percent of women with HIV are black, even though blacks only make up about 13 percent of the U.S. population," Dr. Heather Watts, a liaison member to ACOG's Committee on Health Care for Underserved Women, said in an organization news release.

In 2004, HIV infection was the leading cause of death for black women ages 25 to 34. A combination of testing, education, and brief behavioral interventions can help reduce HIV infection rates among minority women, according to the ACOG committee.

"Education plays an important role. Because HIV is more prevalent in their communities, women of color need to know they are more likely to be exposed to HIV," Watts said. "All women should understand how to protect themselves, such as limiting their number of partners and using condoms consistently."

Research has shown that behavioral interventions can increase rates of condom use, reduce risk-taking behaviors, and decrease the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.

"Physicians can explain to their patients that HIV screening is recommended for all adults now and that there are numerous benefits to being tested. We need to continue to destigmatize HIV screening and make it a part of routine care," Watts said.

More information
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more about women and HIV.