The Best Health Advice I've Heard all Week--It's Simple, Funny and Totally Applicable

I don't know about you, but sometimes I find that it's the little bits of wisdom that really sink in and have meaning for me. I mean, you can read about the "12 best superfoods for women," or the "17 germiest places in the world," or the "9 best moves to do for a slim bod," but sometimes the stuff that really ends up being meaningful and habit-changing is the small stuff, like this little sentence I heard recently from a friend ...

My pal, Frances Largeman-Roth, R.D., author of the pregnancy nutrition guide Feed the Belly, sent out a little 12-word tweet recently that stuck with me (if you're on Twitter, you should follow her, and (blushing) me too!). Here's what she said:

Sex question: Do baby oil and sex mix?

Dear Dr. H,

It is safe to use baby oil as a lubricant in an effort to have better sex?

Read on for Dr. Hilda Hutcherson's response...

A. It's safe, but it isn't the best option. For one, you shouldn't use baby oil with condoms since oil deteriorates latex, leaving you vulnerable to STDs and unplanned pregnancy. There are unlimited options of lubricants that are meant to replicate a woman's natural lubrication and that work and feel much better! I'm a fan of K-Y products and Astroglide. Or you can try this sample pack, and have fun testing them to find the one you like best!

Readers, do you have questions about lubricants? Let's chat about them here!

Olive Oil Seen as Breast Cancer Foe

Life's simpler things often turn out to be among the best. That's a claim that could be made for olive oil, which a new study in Europe indicates can be surprisingly effective in preventing breast cancer.

The study, published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, found that a spoonful of olive oil a day could reduce the risk of developing breast cancer by as much as 45 percent. It's described as the most convincing evidence yet of such a link.

The findings were based on studies by researchers of the diets of more than 60,000 women between the ages of 40 and 76. After a period of three years, they found, those who did not develop breast cancer had a higher intake of olive oil.

Menveo

Menveo

Generic Name: meningococcal conjugate vaccine (me NIN je KOK al KON je gate vax EEN)

Brand Names: Menactra, Menveo

What is Menveo?

Menveo is used to prevent infection caused by meningococcal bacteria. The vaccine contains four of the most common types of meningococcal bacteria.

Menveo works by exposing you to a small dose of the bacteria or a protein from the bacteria, which causes your body to develop immunity to the disease. Menveo will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.

Menveo is for use in children and adults between the ages of 2 and 55 years old.

Like any vaccine, Menveo may not provide protection from disease in every person.

Sexual Intercourse Tips on Losing Your Virginity - Less Pressure More Pleasure

What you need to know before losing your virginity

So you want to find out what "losing your virginity "means. Well before going any further, if you don`t know already then maybe you`re not ready for losing yours. Losing your virginity is not a matter to be taken lightly. It is a major decision to have you`re hymen broken through sexual intercourse. Don`t know what the "hymen" is, this then proves you are definitely not ready for sex. You need to be aware of the mechanics of body before even considering sex. You need to know what is happening and understand why those so called happenings, happen.

Rotateq

Rotateq

Generic Name: rotavirus oral vaccine, live (oral) (ROE ta vye ris VAX een)

Brand Names: Rotarix, RotaTeq

What is Rotateq?

Rotateq (rotavirus oral vaccine) contains up to five strains of rotavirus. It is made from both human and animal sources.

Infection with rotavirus can affect the digestive system of babies and young children, causing severe stomach or intestinal illness.

Rotateq is used to help prevent this disease in children.

Rotateq works by exposing your child to a small dose of the virus, which causes the body to develop immunity to the disease. Rotateq will not treat an active infection that has already developed in the body.

Klor-Con

Klor-Con

Generic Name: potassium chloride (poe TASS ee um)

Brand Names: Cena K, K-Dur, K-Lor, K-Tab, Kaochlor S-F, Kaon-CI, Kaon-CL, Kay Ciel, Klor-Con, Micro-K, Rum-K

What is Klor-Con?

Klor-Con is used to prevent or to treat low blood levels of potassium (hypokalemia). Potassium levels can be low as a result of a disease or from taking certain medicines, or after a prolonged illness with diarrhea or vomiting.

Klor-Con contains potassium chloride. Potassium is a mineral that is found in many foods and is needed for several functions of your body, especially the beating of your heart.

Klor-Con may also be used for other purposes not listed here.

Exjade

Exjade

Generic Name: deferasirox (de FER a sir ox)

Brand Names: Exjade

What is Exjade?

Exjade (deferasirox) is an iron-chelating agent. It binds to extra iron in the blood and removes it from the body.

Exjade is used to treat high levels of iron in the blood caused by blood transfusions in adults and children at least 2 years old.

Exjade may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about Exjade

You should not use Exjade if you are allergic to deferasirox, or if you have severe kidney disease, advanced cancer, or a blood cell disorder.

Before taking Exjade, tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, cancer (especially blood cell cancer such as leukemia), a history of stomach or intestinal bleeding, vision or hearing problems, or a weak immune system.

OsmoPrep

OsmoPrep

Generic Name: sodium biphosphate and sodium phosphate ( SOE dee um bye FOS foe nate and SOE dee um FOS fate)

Brand Names: Fleet Enema, Fleet Enema for Children, OsmoPrep tablets, Visicol

What is OsmoPrep?

OsmoPrep tablets contain a comination of sodium biphosphate and sodium phosphate, both are forms of phosphorus, which is a naturally occurring substance that is important in every cell in the body.

OsmoPrep tablets are used for cleansing of the colon as a preparation for colonoscopy in adults 18 years of age or older. The tablets are taken with any clear liquid, that draws water into the colon and flushes out waste matter.

Guaifenesin

Guaifenesin

Generic Name: guaifenesin (gwye FEN e sin)

Brand names: Duratuss G, Ganidin NR, GG 200 NR, Guaifenesin LA, Liquibid, Muco-Fen 1200, Organidin NR, Q-Bid LA, Robitussin, Scot-Tussin

What is guaifenesin?

Guaifenesin is an expectorant. It helps loosen congestion in your chest and throat, making it easier to cough out through your mouth.

Guaifenesin is used to reduce chest congestion caused by the common cold, infections, or allergies.

Guaifenesin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about guaifenesin

You should not use guaifenesin if you are allergic to guaifenesin.

Would You Ever Consider Permanent Birth Control Like This Celeb?

We've talked here about whether kids are in your future, whether motherhood = happiness, and the "lies" women tell each other about pregnancy and motherhood (check out the heated discussion in the comments section!). But what about birth control? Condoms and pills aside--would you ever consider permanent birth control, as in no going back? Find out which celeb is ruling out more babies--forever...

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Former Bachelorette star Trista Sutter--married to cutie-pie Ryan--has a 20-month-old son and recently delivered a baby girl. She tells US Magazine that she's done having children and will soon have a permanent birth control procedure to seal the deal.

Tone Your Tummy With This Ballet Move

Do you want a toned tummy? Who doesn't, right? These abs of mine have survived two pregnancies and an awful muscle tear at a fitness boot camp last summer. Time for some tummy love! Here's an awesome little (ballet!) move you can do at your desk (or near your desk) whenever you think about it to strengthen your abs ...

WomansDay.com recently featured a piece on various moves to tone your belly, and I took note! My dears, 2010 is the year I plan to get my stomach back. Let me be clear, I have plenty of love and gratitude for this belly of mine, which gave me two beautiful children. No complaints there! But, would I be glad to get these abs back to the mostly fit and toned place they were at pre-kids? Oh yeah.

A Second Look at Hysterectomy

About a year ago, Diane used to complain that she was always suffering from unbearable cramps and heavy periods. When she finally had herself checked she found out there was something wrong with her uterus and bladder, which explains the abdominal discomfort she was always feeling. The prognosis was promising but her doctor told her she needed a hysterectomy.

Aside from a heavy period and menstrual discomfort, indications that necessitate hysterectomy are uterine fibroids, severe vaginal bleeding, uterine prolapse, endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain and uterine or cervical cancer.

Scared of surgeries, Diane sought a second opinion. Unfortunately the second opinion she got did not give a different recommendation, but the second doctor did offer a better and less invasive procedure than the typical hysterectomy. It was laparoscopic hysterectomy.

Should You Take Estrogen After Your Hysterectomy?

Until the early part of 2000, Hormone Replacement Therapy or HRT used to be the routine post surgery treatment recommended by doctors for women who have also had their ovaries removed together with a hysterectomy procedure.

Things changed drastically in recent years after the risks of estrogen therapy were exposed and the supposed benefits seemed to have disappeared when further studies were conducted.

Although for most women experiencing “surgical” menopause, doctors still recommend hormone therapy, the public’s acceptance of the treatment has declined.

If you are faced with a tough decision on whether to get HRT or not, this list of pros and cons would be helpful to you.

12 Embarrassing Body Problems

Stinky Feet

Our feet have their share of normal bacteria, which produce stinky sulfurous odor when they come into contact with moisture from socks and shoes or when your feet become sweaty. The solution is to always keep your feet dry. Your socks should be made of absorbent cotton and your shoes from breathable materials, like canvas and leather. Sprinkle a drying powder in your shoes every morning, and place a desiccant in them when you put them away. Treat your feet to a relaxing and cleansing soak in a basin of regular tea to let the tannins in the tea to inhibit sweat production temporarily. You may have fungal or bacterial infection if your feet are red, swollen, or scaly, and you should see a doctor for proper treatment.

J Lo Crosses the Finish Line: Could You?

Yesterday, Jennifer Lopez completed in a triathlon (and let's all remember the not-so-minor fact that the gal delivered twins not too long ago!). I don't know about you, but she's just jumped up to the top of my list of celebs who I admire for their gutsy health and fitness choices. Because, seriously people, we're talking about a triathlon here. A triathlon!

Here's the backstory on J Lo's fitness feat: When she was eight months pregnant (describing herself as "beached like a whale"), she saw a triathlon on TV and decided that she wanted to compete in one after the birth of her twins. True to her word, the 39-year-old pop star competed in the 22nd Annual Malibu Triathlon over the weekend (past participants include Jennifer Garner and Felicity Huffman) and raised money for the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles in the process.

Health Controversy: This Woman Calls Herself an "Abortion Addict"

No matter where you stand on the abortion issue, I think we all can agree that this story is very, very sad...

In her book, Impossible Motherhood, Irene Vilar writes, writes about her "addiction" to abortion. Over the course of 15 years (she's married), she's had 15 abortions.

While the details of Vilar's life are both sad and shocking, it's clear that her repeated trips to abortion clinics gave her sense of "control" that she couldn't find elsewhere.

"I would take my pills and skip a day, a few, and often give up on the whole month, promising myself I would do better the next time," she writes. "Not knowing how a pill or a handful of them would affect my fertility, my days took on a balancing act, and a high of sorts accompanied the days before my period was due. [...] At times the high took place before pregnancy, waiting for a missed period, my body basking in the promise of being in control. At other times it was the pregnancy itself, the control I embodied if only for a couple of months, and still other times it was leaving the abortion clinic, feeling that once again I had succeeded in a narrow escape. The time of my drama was my time, no one could interrupt it, and what was more important, I could not interrupt it to meet other's needs."

Do You Want to Be a Mother? New Stats Show a Decline in Women Having Babies

Are you a mother? Do you know if you want to have kids or not? I was on the fence for a long time until I had my two boys, but new research sheds light on a surprising trend. Apparently fewer women are becoming mothers ...

The Washington Post reports that nearly one in five American women in her early 40s is childless. That's double the childless 40-somethings compared to the 1970s, marking a shocking increase in women who either are uninterested in becoming mothers or just don't plan to have children (the study focused on biological kids, not adopted). (Oddly, those with an advanced degree--master's or higher--were more likely to have children by their 40s.)