Sex & Fitness - Free Fitness Library
Sex facts
SEXUAL REVOLUTION FEMALE
The biggest sexual revolution in 5,000 years is underway and it is being led by women. So says Dr Robert Francoeur, professor of sexuality at New York University, in American magazine Forum. Francoeur says men must adapt to the consequences of a shift away from male dominance as technological development and growing financial and psychological independence help women to take control of their own lives in countries as far apart culturally as Iran and Italy.
GENDER MIX-UP
SPRINTER WINS BOTH WAYS
A top sprinter in the Philippines who has been involved in a long-standing dispute over gender has left sports officials at a loss by competing in provincial athletic meetings as both a man and a woman. Nancy Navalta, billed last year by Manila newspapers as Asia's next sprint champion, placed sports officials in a quandary after she qualified for the National Games in April (96). And the matter looks set to become an Olympic issue. The 18-year-old ran 11.42 seconds last week in the 100 metres which would qualify her for the woman's race at the Atlanta Olympic Games which begin on 19 July.
FRENCH LOVER PASSE
The traditional French male lover - he of the perfect body, high-flying career and taste for romantic gestures - is out of fashion, according to surveys which show that most French women would prefer to curl up with a homely and amusing couch potato.
LOSS OF LOVE MAKES YOU ILL
Losing love can make you ill - or even kill you, says a Danish specialist. Professor Bobby Zachariae, a clinical health psychologist at Aarhus University, Denmark, explains, "There's no doubt that when a relationship works and your partner offers you positive support, then you're actually able to fight off a lot of diseases because the relationship boosts your immune system. But when love is wearing off, you become ill much more easily, and some may even die an untimely death." Zachariae studied a large group of male manual workers and found that they did not suffer any ill-effect due to their stressful working environment - unless they were in an unhappy relationship.
EARLY SEX
Up to three-quarters of British youngsters have had sex before the age of 16. More than 75 per cent of males and 66 per cent of females taking part in the Middlesbrough survey said they had done so, a third had had "one-night stands" using no contraception. Just over 16 per cent of girls had had an unplanned pregnancy and of these 84 per cent had an abortion.
HIV SOLDIERS DISCHARGED
America's armed forces are to discharge about 1,100 soldiers and sailors infected with the Aids virus on the orders of Congress. President Bill Clinton agreed.
FOOD FOR LOVE
Every serious fitness fan knows the importance of a well-balanced diet to maintain an energy high, but did you know that eating certain foods can zap up your love life too? Stock up on the following:
* Oysters have long been known as an aphrodisiac - Casanova is said to have eaten 40 of them a day. In fact, oysters are rich in zinc, a lack of which is known to cause impotence and infertility. Onions, eggs and pumpkin seeds are other good zinc sources.
* Peanuts, asparagus and mushrooms all contain high levels of folic acid, which is important in the production of histamine. Deficiency of histamine is alleged to result in an inability to reach climax for both men and women.
* Brewers yeast may seem an unlikely aphrodisiac, but it is a good source of vitamin B6 - a lack of this nutrient has been linked to dwindling sex appeal and drive. Fish, whole grain cereals and liver are other good sources.
* Tucking into Vitamin C packed fresh fruits and vegetables will help reduce stress and tiredness, the enemies of a healthy sex life. The best sources are citrus fruits, strawberries, tomatoes and blackcurrants.
* Chocolate can produce a high similar to the one we feel when we fall in love, due to a chemical in cocoa called phenylethylamine, which occurs naturally in the brain and is allegedly released at times of emotional arousal.
EROTICA
Watch a sexy video or read an erotic book together with your lover. Men tend to prefer visual stimulation, whereas most women are more turned on by written erotica. Black Lace, erotic fiction written by women for women, was launched by Virgin Publishing in 1993. Response from women was enthusiastic - one woman commented that "Black Lace Books arousals properties are equal to half an hour's foreplay." Why not test this out for yourself? We have 6 books to giveaway - just send a postcard marked "Black Lace" Get Active, with your name and address.
TALK MORE
Even in the 1990's it is still incredibly difficult for many people to talk to their partners about sex. Some women fake orgasms for years, because they are too afraid or embarrassed to tell men what they need in order to climax. But unless you tell your partner what you need and want, its very unlikely you'll get it. Set time aside to discuss what turns you both on. And don't just talk about sex - make the effort to find out more about your partner in general. According to Susan Quilliam, author of "The Relate Guide to Staying Together" (Vermilion, £8.99), "If both of you improve your understanding, communication, emotional coping skills and ability to meet each other's needs, it's very likely that without doing anything else at all, your sex life will improve ."
SPERM TALK
MENSA SPERM BANK
A sperm bank has been set up for members of Mensa who wish to help create a master breed of superintellectuals. The 110,000-strong group for people with high IQs are seeking sperm donations for women who wish to give birth to genetically superior babies. The California-based sperm bank, called the Repository for Germinal choice, has already solicited sperm donations from Nobel Prize winners, although it is not known how many co-operated. Prospective donors have to fill in a 19-page application form which includes questions such as: "How often do you lose your temper?" and "Have you ever had delusions of greatness or omnipotence."
ETHNIC SPERM ALERT
A British fertility centre is appealing for men from ethnic minorities to donate sperm as a crisis looms for Black and Asian women seeking fertility treatment. The call follows the case of a single African woman in her thirties who was accepted by the Assisted Fertility Unit at Kings College Hospital, south west London. It was discovered that sperm from each of four suitable donors had already produced 10 babies - the legal limit for one donor. "The patient said she did not mind if the sperm came from a white donor, but we thought we should not rush into this," said Dr Virginia Bolton, senior embryologist at the unit. "We have a duty to consider the welfare of the child." This is thought to be the first case of its kind in Britain.
SPERM DECLINE
Young British men's sperm counts are dropping at a rate of around two per cent a year. Scientists from the Medical Research Council found that men born after 1970 have sperm counts 25 per cent lower than those born before the 1960s. They warn that if the decline continues, men born in the middle of the next century will be classified as infertile. Environmental pollution and lifestyle factors such as smoking and stress and thought to be involved.
DRIVING SPERM COUNT DOWN
Commuting to work by car could cut men's chances of becoming a father, says a new study by French researchers. Couples take four to six months longer to conceive if the man spends more than three hours day in his car, according to doctors at the University Hospital in Toulouse. The reason is probably lower sperm counts caused by the testicles being heated up from sitting so long in a fixed position........Eds comment, "What about sitting at a desk all day or lorry drivers?"
MEN SEEN AS SEX OBJECTS
Looking at a man as a mere sex object has become acceptable among most women, according to a new German study. The Society for Rational Psychology in Berlin revealed a 10-year-old survey revealed that 54 per cent of women found pictures of naked men interesting and sexually arousing in an acceptable way while only six per cent considered them to be degrading to the man......... Eds comment 'Is this really news?'
PENIS OP AXED
America's most controversial penis extension surgeon has been forced to stop performing the risky operation. Dr Melvyn Rosenstein was handed a temporary ban by the Medical Board of California after authorities were inundated with complaints. Rosenstein accepted the ban but has refused to accept responsibility. He is accused of making misleading claims about his ability to increase the length of penises..........Eds comment "Don't these men realize it's not the size of the ship, it's the motion in the ocean."
SILENT BUT DEADLY
As many as three in four Scandinavian women may be infected with the sexually transmitted disease chlamydia, according to new Swedish and Danish health statistics. Doctors warn that the disease, which can lie dormant and unnoticed for long periods of time, may have serious side effects. "Some venereal diseases give you symptoms that are difficult to ignore, but chlamydia doesn't necessarily do that," says Dr Bodil Nygaard of the Danish National Board of Health. "The problem is that when the infection is not properly treated, it can lead to serious complications like sterility."
SEX DRUG DANGER
Scandinavian doctors recently issued warnings over a new "sex drug" which has left one person dead and several others seriously ill. The aphrodisiac, known as GHB or gamma-hydroxy buturane, which led to the death of a 30 year old Swedish woman, affects the central nervous system. The colourless liquid works by dilating the blood vessels and thus increasing the speed of blood flow in the body leading to an intensified orgasm. But the drug can cause coma and even death, especially when mixed with alcohol. one problem is that the drug, originally an anaesthetic, is very difficult to administer in the correct doses.
BODY WISE WOMENS MATTERS
Dr. R.E. Lister
Women are the health conscious sex; they out number men at health clubs; buy over 95% of all healthy and organic foods and more than 85% of the products of health food stores and pharmacies. Women buy most of the books on fitness, diet and health and are often better informed on health issues than many members of the medical profession. When I was at medical school some years ago women were told what to do and take by their doctors, mostly male, and any woman that asked awkward questions about her treatment was often looked upon as a trouble maker and politely ignored. Happily the situation is changing rapidly and women are being encouraged to take an interest in their health and how to take active steps to prevent diseases.
For many years it was considered that nutrition played little part in the prevention of disease in the developed countries but every day new information is published on the health benefits of specific nutrients and nutritional supplements. In some cases nutritional therapy can be as effective as conventional drugs in treating common diseases and often be more effective in preventing them. In other cases a combination of both approaches proves better than either alone.
Recent research in many centres throughout the world is pointing to a common factor in many disease processes. This effect known as oxidative stress is implicated in many types of cancer, heart disease, arthritis and digestive disorders. The immune system that provides the body's main defence mechanisms is also impaired by oxidative damage. The damage to cells and tissues from oxidative stress can be reduced or even abolished by naturally occuring nutrients known as antioxidants. These consist mainly of certain vitamins, minerals and amino acids. The ESSENTIAL ones are Vitamin C, Vitamin E, ß-carotene, Vitamin B6, selenium, glutathione and coenzyme Q10. A perfect diet would contain adequate amounts of all of these nutrients but in practice this is not the case and supplementation with these nutrients is necessary to achieve the amounts needed to offer protection from disease.
Bacterial and other infectious diseases such as herpes and HIV cannot be effectively treated by complementary therapies but the likelihood of infection can be reduced by nutrients that boost the body's own immune system and in many cases these can also improve the effectiveness of conventional drug therapy.
Vaginal discharge is a symptom experienced by many women at some time during their reproductive life and frequently is a source of anxiety. This discharge can be caused by a number of different factors. The usual diagnosis made by a GP is that it is due to thrush, a fungal infection, and antifungal drugs are prescribed. In a significant number percentage of cases this treatment is ineffective due to a mis-diagnosis. The commonest cause of vaginal discharge is bacterial vaginosis (BV) caused by infection by a bacteria or other closely related organism such as chlamydia or trichomonas. Treatment with an antifungal preparation can lead to the condition worsening. This is more likely now that powerful antifungal treatments with drugs such as Canestan are now available from the pharmacy without a prescription. It is particularly important for a woman with a vaginal discharge to obtain an accurate diagnosis before starting any treatment. Using the wrong treatment can make matters worse and if untreated could lead to long term problems such as pelvic inflammatory disease or sterility. If there is any doubt it is advisable to seek the advice of an expert. These are to be found at the local Genito Urinary Medicine Clinic of most hospitals. It is not necessary to have a referral from a GP to attend, a phone call for an appointment is all that is required to see a specialist at the clinic.
The table below shows the range of treatments, both conventional and complementary, that have been shown to be of benefit in preventing or managing these conditions. This is not intended to substitute for consulting a professional practitioner but may aid in any discussions. Diagnosis of a condition real or suspected should only be undertaken by a qualified practitioner.
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GUIDE
TO TREATMENT/ ILLNESS
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TREATMENT
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PREVENTION/TREATMENT
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SYMPTOM
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FROM
YOUR DOCTOR
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FROM
YOUR PHARMACIST OR HEALTH STORE
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Breast
- Cysts
Tender Cancer |
Hormones
Surgery, Tamoxifen |
Borage
or Evening Primrose oils; Antioxidants; Coenzyme Q10; Fish oils;
Dietary Fibre Soya Products
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Bladder
- Cystitis
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Antibiotics;
Citrates
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Citrates,
Cranberry Juice; Vitamin C
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Cervix
- Cancer
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Surgery,
Laser
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Antioxidants
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Uterus
- Cancer
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Surgery
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Antioxidants
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Endometriosis
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Surgery,
Laser
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Vitamin
C, E, B6, Zinc
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Vaginal
Thrush
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Antifungals
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Antifungal
Cream, Caprylic Acid; Garlic
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Vaginosis
Bacterial
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Antibiotics
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Garlic,
Multivitamins, Vitamin E Cream, Dilute Vinegar Douche
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Vaginosis
Chlamydia Trichomonas Herpes
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Metronidazole
Antivarials-Zovirax
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L-Lysine,
Vitamin C, Multivitamins; Garlic Antioxidants
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Ovary
- Cancer
Cysts |
Surgery
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Pelvic
Inflammatory Disease
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Antibiotics
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Venereal
Diseases
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Antibiotics
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