Latest news with #hormones
News24
a day ago
- General
- News24
Haven't been in the mood lately? Your contraceptive could be to blame
Contraceptives like the pill and injectables can cause a myriad of side effects, including low sex drive. These birth control methods produce oestrogen and progesterone, causing hormonal fluctuations. Experts suggest switching to an IUD, trying new ways of foreplay and more. _____________________________________________________________________ We all know how risky the pull-out method and hoping for the best is. For many women who aren't looking to get pregnant anytime soon, outside of condoms, hormonal birth control methods have been a go-to for years - just don't forget that regular STD checkup! Plus, many women find contraceptives particularly useful for controlling bad acne, treating PCOS and lowering the risk of certain cancers and abnormal growths. But, we don't have to tell you how the ups and downs that come with birth control methods like the pill and injections can make everyday living that much harder. From weight fluctuations to mood swings and irregular menstrual cycles, it's almost like women can't catch a break. Not to mention the crashing libido and low sex drive. Every women deserves a fulfilling sex life while looking out for their health. We got the experts to break down why hormonal birth controls affects libido and how you can get your groove back. How exactly do hormonal contraceptives work? Most hormonal birth control methods contain hormones oestrogen and progesterone, dedicated to changing the way your natural hormones are released to prevent ovulation. Dr Bradley Wagemaker, a medical doctor and director at Lamelle Pharmaceuticals, explains to TRUELOVE just how these added hormones affect your body. 'When you are taking oestrogen and progesterone, your ovaries go, 'Oh, you have, so I don't need to make', so they shut down. Now your brain goes, 'Hey, but you're not making stuff, why aren't you making stuff?' And then it sends a louder message,' Dr Bradley explains. 'That message can also affect mood. It can also affect how you feel. So, you have hormones doing what, in normal ovulating circumstances, wouldn't be doing and hormones can impact every neurotransmitter in the body, which is why people have regret.' Tips to get your sex drive back while on birth control Here are some ways to get back into the mood and have a healthy, fulfilling sex life while on hormonal birth control: Make lifestyle changes: Get active, cut back on the drinking and smoking (or put them down altogether) and get a regular good night's rest. 'Those are also very important benefits,' Dr Bradley says. Switch to non-hormonal contraceptives: Implanting an IUD device in the uterus is a good option to avoid the influx of hormones while ensuring lengthy prevention against pregnancy. If you're in a long-term relationship or marriage and are done having children or not looking to have any, your man can consider the simple and minimally invasive procedure of a vasectomy. Try different foreplay techniques: Foreplay involves more than just intimate pleasuring. 'Be intimate with your partner more often, for example, by kissing, holding hands and cuddling,' says licensed sexologist and couples therapist Sofie Roos. Try taking supplements: Sometimes your body just needs a little extra help. Take plant-based supplements that have ingredients like pine bark extract, rosehip extract, maca root or ginseng. But sometimes hormonal birth control methods like the pill and the injections are the best options for those who need to regulate other issues in their body outside of just preventing pregnancy. Here's why you haven't been up for some lovemaking For those using injectables like the two-month Nur-Isterate and the three-month Depo-Provera, Dr Bradley admittedly describes them as 'hardcore', sharing how his experience working in the gynae clinics show that these injections have a typically worse side effect profile than the daily ingestible tablet contraception. Dr Bradley explains, 'If you take injectable Nur-Isterate, which is just injectable progesterone, the effect on libido, for example, is profound. It's huge because what it's doing is it's impacting neurotransmitters that release in the brain that drive desire, that give emotional connectedness. Those different parts of the brain, those neurotransmitters are almost being overrun by the intensity of the signal from the progesterone. And so, their libido drops through the floor in many instances.'
Telegraph
6 days ago
- Health
- Telegraph
The five foods that will make you hungry (and what to eat instead)
We've all been there. Despite polishing off a whole meal, you're still hungry, and already thinking about what you want to eat next. Maybe a biscuit might fill you up, or a chocolate bar? It wouldn't happen after eating a vegetable omelette, but the hunger pangs might still kick in after eating cereal or flavoured yogurt. The reason? Because, when it comes to filling us up, not all foods are created equal. 'Fibre makes a big difference to our satiety,' explains Rebecca McManamon, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association. It helps to bulk out food and can help the receptors in the stomach recognise that it is full and dial down our appetites. One study, from the University of Sydney, had volunteers eat 240-calorie servings of dozens of different foods. Boiled potatoes, fish and oranges left people full for the longest, while croissants, cakes and doughnuts were the least satisfying. The former group contains fibre, water and protein, while the latter is calorie-dense and full of sugar and fat. Protein is also key to being fuller for longer, as it suppresses ghrelin (the so-called hunger hormone) and increases peptide YY (a hormone that makes us feel full). Meanwhile, more studies have found that fatty and sugary foods encourage passive overconsumption, because they are so moreish, and the addition of artificial sweeteners can actually stimulate our appetite. Here are the foods that won't leave you feeling full – and what you should eat instead to stop the creep towards the biscuit tin. 1. A croissant for breakfast Despite being large and carb-laden, baked goods are unlikely to fill you up for long. 'Croissants, cakes and doughnuts are the least satiating foods and high in fat,' McManamon explains. In the University of Sydney paper, these baked goods were even less filling than other unhealthy snacks like cookies, crisps and jellybeans. This means they are not effective at reducing hunger or providing a feeling of fullness for very long. Additionally, they are highly palatable, meaning that they appeal to our taste buds because of the combination of sugar and fat they contain and, therefore, are easy to overeat. Baked goods are also high in calories and low in nutrients. A typical croissant contains 170 calories and, despite weighing only 45g, just 1g is fibre and 4g is protein, with 7g of fat and 3g of sugar. 'We may feel pleasure from eating them at the time, but feel hunger later as they do not satiate us for long,' McManamon notes. As a result, we'll likely reach for a second or be tempted to snack between meals. Additionally, research shows that unhealthy fats, such as those found in baked goods, aren't immediately recognised by the body as a useful source of fuel, McManamon explains. 'The body stores it, and therefore it does not signal to the brain that you are no longer hungry.' The filling alternative If you're attached to your morning croissant, having it with some cheese can help to fill you up (though a serving of cheddar will add 125 calories and 10.5g of fat). 'Fat is not the enemy,' McManamon notes. 'Foods with fat like cheese can help us to feel full.' Additionally, oranges are one of the most satiating fruits, so having it on the side should make the meal even more so, she says. But for the ultimate satisfying breakfast, eggs are one of the most filling options, McManamon says. 'Adding any vegetables like onion, spinach, mushroom into eggs (like an omelette or mixed in scrambled egg) would be a more nourishing meal,' she notes. 'The vegetables provide fibre and the eggs provide iron and vitamin B12, where the croissant itself offers little nutritional value.' 2. A bowl of shop bought muesli Muesli is a cupboard staple and seemingly healthy breakfast go-to. 'But it may surprise you that muesli is one of the least satiating cereals,' says McManamon. Special K, All-Bran and cornflakes were all found to be more filling in the University of Sydney study. This is likely a result of its low protein count and the presence of dried fruit, she says. A typical portion of muesli contains 170 calories, 9.5g of sugar, 3.4g of fibre and 5g of protein. 'Dried fruit contains more quickly available glucose rather than slow release,' she explains. This can lead to a sudden spike in blood sugar, followed by a crash that leaves us craving something else to eat. 'That's not to villainise dried fruit,' McManamon says. 'If it is the only type you like, it is surely better than eating none, but fresh cut fruit can be more satiating.' Additionally, some muesli also have added sugar, in the form of honey or glucose syrup. 'Again, it is quickly available energy, so may be less filling,' she adds. The filling alternative 'Oats are the most satiating breakfast cereal and other wholegrain cereals, such as Weetabix, are more filling than muesli,' McManamon says. Adding milk and fresh fruit to cereal can also help to avoid mid-morning hunger pangs. 'If you are not eating nuts as a snack at another time, adding to breakfast can also help you feel full and can help with heart and brain health,' McManamon adds. 3. Low-fat yogurt Yogurt is a great healthy alternative to mayonnaise and can be used to make a or dressing or a dip. However beware the low-fat variety. These are often so stripped of the naturally-occurring fat it's typically replaced with sugar or sweeteners and additives. 'Low fat yogurts with a high level of sweeteners may not be satiating enough,' says Anna Daniels, a registered dietitian. They may even be hunger-promoting. One recent study, from the University of Southern California, suggests that sucralose – an artificial sweetener found in some low-fat yogurt – activates an area in the brain that regulates hunger, which triggers an increase in appetite. Low-fat yogurts also contain around 50 per cent more sugar than regular yogurt (6.6g vs 4.2g), which can encourage a more dramatic blood sugar spike and then crash, which is also known to increase appetite. However, a 100g serving of low-fat yogurt does contain fewer calories than standard yogurt (60 vs 100). The filling alternative Eating low-fat yogurt alone will likely leave you hungry soon after, but adding fruit, nuts and seeds will help you feel satisfied for longer, Daniels says. While this can drive up the calorie content of the yogurt (a portion of blueberries has 36 calories, almonds have 190 and chia seeds have 60) it can reduce the risk of you snacking throughout the day. 4. A jar of tomato sauce on pasta A jar of tomato pasta sauce is a cheap and easy meal option always on hand to be tipped over a plate of pasta as a quick, easy and thrifty dinner. But it's unlikely to keep you full for long. A typical serving is low in calories but also offers little fibre (1.6g) or protein (1.6g). They also tend to be high in sugar and salt, which may also wreak havoc with our appetite control, as studies in mice suggest that high-salt diets can also make us hungrier. The filling alternative Choosing a wholegrain over white pasta can help to boost how full you feel after eating, McManamon says. Additionally, adding in some fish – fresh, frozen or tinned – will add protein and ward off hunger pangs, as fish is one of the most filling protein sources (even more so than red meat or eggs), she notes. 'Pulses, including humble options like baked beans are also filling options to add fibre and protein,' she adds. 'Ensuring your pasta sauce has adequate fats (olive oil) and fibre (vegetables) plus protein (meat or fish)', should help with hunger levels, Daniels confirms. 5. A cup of powdered and tinned soup They are a popular dieting food but powdered and tinned soup won't help with feeling full for very long. 'The liquid may make our stomach feel full but it contains little fibre, protein or fat,' McManamon says. Smooth or creamy styled soups are among the least filling, as they have no pieces of vegetables and are even lower in fibre. For example, cream of tomato soup (which has 204 calories per tin) contains just 2.6g of fibre and 3.4g of protein. The filling alternative To make a soup more filling, you can add tinned sweetcorn or cannellini beans while heating it up to add extra fibre and make the meal more filling, McManamon suggests. Alternatively, have boiled or baked potatoes with your soup. Compared with other high carb foods, potatoes are very satisfying, considered to be one of the most filling vegetables, and are high in water. 'They will keep us the most full out of any other food,' says McManamon – 'but adding other vegetables is also key.'
CNN
22-05-2025
- CNN
Airlines' summer woes, semaglutide supply threat, a fight against air pollution: Catch up on the day's stories
👋 Welcome to 5 Things PM! Hormonal birth control pills can be used to prevent pregnancy, and they're also a popular way to go months or even years without a period. But is it safe? A reproductive health expert weighs in. Here's what else you might have missed during your busy day: 1️⃣ 'Summer of hell': What's typically a key money-making time for airlines could fall short this year. Fears about flying, air traffic control issues and economic concerns are some of the reasons consumers are opting not to fly, prompting airlines to cut back on routes. 2️⃣ Access denied: Africans lost nearly $70 million in non-refundable visa fees last year, seeking permission to travel to European countries. The EU says applications are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, but advocates say the high rejection rates prove 'inbuilt discrimination and bias' in the process. 3️⃣ Semaglutide crackdown: Shortages of Ozempic and other GLP-1 drugs for weight loss and diabetes allowed pharmacies to sell off-brand products not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. Now the agency is expected to halt the sale and production of these often-cheaper alternatives. 4️⃣ Elon's musk: The billionaire's artificial intelligence company, xAI, moved into an abandoned factory in southwest Memphis promising jobs and investment. Residents and environmental groups say the new facility is bringing yet more pollution to a community that's long been fighting for clean air. 5️⃣ Coding couture: Would you wear a dress that twirls itself? Christina Ernst has amassed thousands of followers on social media for her whimsical fashion projects that incorporate coding and circuitry. The 28-year-old isn't looking to break into the fashion industry, though. She wants to spark people's interest in engineering. GET '5 THINGS' IN YOUR INBOX CNN's 5 Things newsletter is your one-stop shop for the latest headlines and fascinating stories to start and end your busy day. Sign up here. 😋 Say cheese! Spaghetti arranged into a maze, elderly women grabbing a bite, and chefs sautéing veggies. CNN's Lynda Kinkade recaps some of the winning shots from the World Food Photography Awards. • South African president challenges Trump on claims of 'White genocide' in South Africa• Dow sinks 800 points as bond market starts to freak out over Trump's tax bill• NFL owners decide not to ban controversial tush push play 💰 That's how much luxury brand Dior must pay over five years to support initiatives aimed at helping victims of labor exploitation after Italian prosecutors uncovered workshops where employees were underpaid and in the country illegally. 🪶 Feathered find: Fossil preserves of the Archaeopteryx provide previously unseen evidence about the first bird's ability to fly. While most fossils are incomplete and crushed, this animal's complete body in a death pose offers a snapshot of the past. 🏊 Swimming sensation: Chinese swimmer Yu Zidi completed the fastest time by a 12-year-old in the 200-meter individual medley, finishing second behind two-time Olympic bronze medalist Yu Yiting at the Chinese National Championships. ♟️ How many people did Norwegian chess grandmaster Magnus Carlsen play against in the largest online chess game?A. 50,026B. 256,000C. 99,999D. 143,000⬇️ Scroll down for the answer. ✈️ Future of fuel: A new class of sustainable aviation fuel pulls carbon dioxide from the air and turns it into jet fuel. It may sound like science fiction, but experts believe that the idea of flying on fuel made from air could become a reality. 👋 We'll see you tomorrow.🧠 Quiz answer: D. 143,000 opponents played Carlsen in an online chess match that lasted 46 days.📧 Check out all of CNN's newsletters. 5 Things PM is edited and produced by CNN's Chris Good and Kimberly Richardson.
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Exiting menopause is like gaining a superpower - I am no longer a slave to my hormones, SARAH VINE tells PETER HITCHENS on provocative Mail podcast
Exiting menopause is like entering 'sunlit uplands', with your moods no longer governed by hormones, Mail columnist Sarah Vine described on the latest episode of the Mail's Alas Vine & Hitchens podcast. Vine, 58, admitted to co-host and broadcaster Peter Hitchens, that she now realises most of the 'stupid decisions' made in her life were 'hormone-related'. She added that the 'awful' symptoms of perimenopause and menopause were worth it for the sense of 'liberation' that comes afterwards. Menopause is when a woman's menstrual periods permanently stop, typically occurring in her late 40s to early 50s, marking the end of her reproductive years due to declining hormone levels. 'I have this theory that menopause is like a superpower', Vine told Hitchens. 'Everybody thinks that the menopause is awful, and it is quite awful to go through. I certainly had a rough time with it, but once it happens, it's like entering sunlit uplands. 'You enter a hormone-free existence. You're not full of estrogen and progesterone anymore - you don't have these uncontrollable feelings about nurturing people and small babies. 'You're just a normal human being – you have things like logic; you're not trying to eat chocolate all the time because your hormones are annoying you; you don't get mood swings or PMS. It's just lovely!' She added that too much attention is paid to the uncomfortable symptoms of the transition and not enough to the joys of life afterwards. 'People write books about the menopause and perimenopause – they're doing TV shows about it. It's really a hot topic', the columnist said. 'But no one ever talks about life after the menopause. I can't tell you what a slave to my hormones I was – I realise that most of the things that I have probably done wrong, most of the stupid decisions I made, have been hormone related. 'I realise now that if I didn't have this crazed cocktail of chemicals running around my body, I would have been much more efficient.' The average age for a woman to begin the menopause is 51. The transition period, perimenopause, usually starts sometime in a woman's early forties. Symptoms of the menopause range wildly from woman to woman. Some report difficulty sleeping, hot flashes, dry skin and eyes, and decreased libido. These unpleasant changes may go on for years but can be mitigated with HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy). Vine told listeners not to fear menopause, describing life afterwards as 'a pretty zen place to be'. 'That like the idea of being that older woman who is sort of a sage figure', the journalist told the podcast. 'That is so much easier when you're post-menopausal. People should stop being so worried about it – it is quite a zen place to be.' 'I don't like the sound of that – sounds pretty pagan to me', Hitchens joked.
Daily Mail
22-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
I gave birth to my evil twin. It had hair, teeth and even an eyeball and had been growing inside me since I was born. This is the horrifying impact it had on my body
For months, Savannah Stuthers was told the intense pain and bleeding she was experiencing was just due to 'hormones'. But the truth was far more disturbing: for the 20-year-old student had unknowingly spent her entire life growing a teratoma, a rare type of tumour, inside her body.
