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How do you know if you Have Herpes?

Posted by Vicky on March 19th, 2010

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Herpes is an infection caused by herpes simplex virus. When the infection affects mouth and face, it is referred as oral herpes. When the infection is restricted to the genital area, it is referred as genital herpes. Although, there are other types of infections caused by the herpes simplex virus, oral herpes and genital herpes are the most common herpes infections. So, before treating them, it is necessary to confirm that the infection is caused by herpes and that it is not a bacterial or a yeast infection. So, how do you know if you have herpes?

Signs and Symptoms of Herpes

Here are the common signs and symptoms of oral herpes:

In oral herpes, even before the infection becomes visible, you might experience pain or itching.
Then the infection becomes visible in the form blisters and redness of the skin.
You might notice blisters opening up into tiny ulcers against the reddened skin.
As the blisters break opens, the fluid inside them ooze out. The area around the infection might start to itch.
Other symptoms include fever, headache and muscle pain in rare cases.

Signs and Symptoms of Genital Herpes

The signs and symptoms might be hard to notice at the beginning. It might even take up to a week or two after the infection, for the symptoms to show up.

Blisters could appear on the genitalia, anus, inner thighs, urinary tract and cervix.
Itching or burning sensation in the vagina, genitalia, anus and penis.
The infection could also be identified by vaginal discharge.
You might experience pain during urination.
Abdominal pain or pressure can also indicate genital herpes.
Apart from this, low fever, leg pain or body pain could also occur as a result of genital herpes.

If you wish confirm if you have herpes through medical examination, you might be asked to take blood culture test. Alternatively, a swab test containing the sample from the sores could also be used to test for herpes.

Once, you get herpes, there is no cure for it. The virus remains in your body forever. However, it results in health related problems only when there is an outbreak of the virus. And, the good news is that this outbreak is treatable. The natural methods of treating herpes are highly effective and simple. If you are interested in herbal treatment for herpes, click here.

So, as soon as you begin to get blisters or itching, just refer to the symptoms given in this article, ‘How do you know if you Have Herpes?’ If your symptoms match with the ones listed here, consult your doctor or opt for home remedies to avoid an outbreak of the virus.

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Tags: blisters, genital herpes, herpes, herpes symptoms, oral herpes

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Benefits of Honey to Libido

Posted by Vicky on March 12th, 2010

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Libido refers to sexual desire and it is a natural behavior among all animal species. The libido in men is always stronger than in women. At times, owing to physical or psychological factors, people might have reduced or no libido at all. However, if the reason behind libido is correctly identified and addressed, the sexual desire in a person can be restored. In addition, there are also various medications and natural supplements that can help increase the libido. But, first and foremost among them is honey. The benefits of honey to libido are immense and hence it finds a special place in most of the medications that promise to restore libido.

Benefits of Honey to Libido

Do you that the word ‘honeymoon’ originated because of the association of honey to libido? As a matter of fact, the sexual inducing quality of honey has been known to mankind for a very long time. Across religions and culture, honey forms an integral part of the feast in marriage ceremonies around the world.

Honey contains various compounds that render it the seduction power. Among various vitamins and minerals, honey is rich in vitamin B6 and anti-oxidants. Vitamin B6 helps in testosterone production which is a male sex hormone. Also, vitamin B is said to help in inducing neurotransmitters in the body that leads to sexual desire and arousal.

When honey is mixed with oatmeal, the sex drive is said to increase even higher. Some even recommend mixing honey with figs to increase libido.

Honey also helps in increasing blood flow in the body leading to arousal and strong erection. Apart from this, the fructose present in the honey provides necessary energy and stamina that aids libido.

Various studies are also being carried out to scientifically establish the link between honey and libido.

Other Natural Supplements

Apart from honey, there are also various natural supplements that can increase libido. Pomegranate juice, citrus fruit, strawberries, blueberries, banana, pine nuts and spinach are some of the libido-inducing natural foods. And, the best thing about these supplements is that they do not have any side effects.

Apart from the benefits of honey to libido, it can also add nutritious value to your food. So, if issues related to reduced or lack of libido troubling you, stop worrying! Make honey a part of your diet and enjoy a healthy sexual life.

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Posted in Herbal Remedies, Reproductive Health, Sexual Health, Your Man's Health

Tags: honey, increase libido, libido, libido inducers, reduced libido

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Using Tea Tree Oil for Chlamydia

Posted by My Fair Lady on May 15th, 2009

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Chlamydia is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases. This bacterial infection often shows no symptoms but, left untreated, it can cause side effects as severe as infertility in women.

If it is caught, it can be treated with a short regimen of antibacterial medications.

Symptoms that can appear in a woman suffering from this condition include vaginal discharge that is abnormal; burning during urination, back pain, fever, irregular menstruation or pain during intercourse. There can also be soreness around the vaginal area, related vaginal soreness, inflammation and/or rash. A handy fix is tea tree oil for chlamydia which we’ll discuss below.

Tea tree oil is an essential oil derived from the leaves of a tree that is native to Australia. It is a known antifungal and antiseptic agent. It is used in a wide range of cosmetic and medicinal products. It has shown to have positive results in clearing up vaginal conditions such as yeast infections or thrush. Treatments using tea tree oil for chlamydia will not clear up the disease. But the topical application of the oil to the vaginal area can alleviate some of the soreness, inflammation or rash if any of these presents as a symptom. Vitamin E cream can also be used topically on the vagina to treat these symptoms.

Again, it is important to realize that it is not a curing treatment to use tea tree oil for chlamydia. Chlamydia is a bacterial infection occurring within your body. If you suspect you may have this disease- which can be spread through vaginal, anal or oral intercourse, you should consult with a doctor. If you test positive, you will be prescribed an antibiotic such as azithromycin, doxycycline, or erythromycin. One course of antibiotics will clear up the infection and prevent you from spreading it to your sexual partners. Until you’ve taken the medication’s full dosage, you could still spread the infection. Continue to use protective devices such as condoms and dental dams until you are certain you are healthy (or even longer if you’re not in a monogamous relationship).

Tea tree oil for chlamyida is not a cure but it is still useful to have the essential oil on hand for other uses. It can be used on cuts, burns and scratches to disinfect the area and promote healing. It can be used as a facial toner or mixed in with regular shampoo to create an anti-dandruff version. Tea tree oil can also be used on acne, bug bites, sunburn, boils and even flea control for animals. Before using tea tree oil for the first time for any purpose, do an allergy test by putting a small dab of the oil on a patch of your skin. If there isn’t a negative reaction, you know you’re safe to use the product. Don’t skip the allergy test if there’s even a chance you could be allergic. You don’t need to give yourself more rash and swelling in the vaginal area just because you used an oil you shouldn’t have.

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Posted in Herbal Remedies, Reproductive Health, Sexual Health

Tags: chlamydia, tea tree oil

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Should Vitamins be Used to Treat Candida Yeast?

Posted by My Fair Lady on April 24th, 2009

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It is an unfortunate fact of life that three out of every four women will experience a vaginal yeast infection sometime in their life. Symptoms of a yeast infection can include vaginal dryness, itch and unpleasant discharge along with a host of physical manifestations ranging from joint pain to grogginess. The prime culprit behind such infections is a fungus called Candida albicans, which exists in the vagina (and also the intestines and mouth).

Normally, the body keeps the fungus in check due to the acidic vaginal envronment caused by the bacteria Lactobacilius acidophilus and the body’s immune system. But sometimes these elements can become unbalanced enough for the fungus to cause an infection. But never fear- treatments are near. A very common treatment question is “should vitamins be used to treat candida yeast?”

The simple answer is yes. But not all vitamins are created equal. Vitamin C, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin B are all effective treatments.

Vitamin C works because it makes the white blood cells stronger, keeping the candida fungus contained to the area where it causes the infection and preventing the spread of it to other areas. It also helps restore some of the acidity to the vagina that is obviously missing or the fungus wouldn’t have taken hold. At what dosage should vitamins be used to treat candida yeast? Taking 1,000 mg, twice a day for a month will be adequate to see results.

Zinc is another vitamin to consider for candida yeast treatment. Zinc produces immune system cells called T lymphocytes that tidy up the cells infected by the fungus. A little bit of zinc goes a long way. At what dosage should vitamins be used to treat candida yeast? No more than 15 mg twice a day for a month.

Vitamins A and E act as a tag team to boost the immune system. Vitamin A can be taken orally or as a vaginal suppository to get a faster action. Vitamin E works on the immunity but also balances out hormone levels and eases dryness in the vagina. If you’d like to add on some extra dryness prevention and hormone balancing power, take some vitamin B. At what dosage should vitamins be used to treat candida yeast? 400 IU’s a day of vitamin E will be effective. For vitamins A and B, consult with your doctor or pharmacist regarding dosage because taking too much (especially of vitamin A) can have problems of its own.

Be sure to ask your doctor “should vitamins be used to treat candida yeast?” They will inform you of the actions listed above but can also counsel you better regarding dosages and any potential interactions the supplements may have with your health conditions or medications. It is advised that you see a doctor but if you decide not to, visit your local pharmacist to ask him or her about possible interactions or problems. They will be able to look at your list of medications and give you dosage recommendations, usually free of charge.

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Posted in Nutritional Health, Reproductive Health, Sexual Health

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Natural Vitamins That Increase Women’s Sexual Hormones

Posted by My Fair Lady on February 26th, 2009

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A decrease in a woman’s sexual appetite or ability to experience pleasure could be the result of a hormone imbalance. Sexuality is largely controlled by the sex hormones that would ideally exist in certain proportions Nature sometimes has its own ideas on where to take those levels but there are ways to bring things back into proportion. For example, there are natural vitamins that increase a woman’s sexual hormones.

In order to understand how the vitamins work, it is first important to understand how the sex hormones work in the body. A woman’s sex hormones are created in either the ovaries or in the adrenal glands in the kidneys. There are three categories of sex hormones: androgens, estrogens and progestagens. Every human has all of these hormone types within their body but the levels determine, among other things, our gender.

Androgens are typically associated with the male gender because it includes testosterone, dihydrotestosterone and androstenedione. Estrogens and Progestagens are more commonly associated with the female gender. The estrogens are estradiol and estrone. The only naturally occurring progestagen is progesterone. Progesterone and estrogen are the hormones behind the menstrual cycle and an imbalance of these can cause a host of health problems. If you suspect an imbalance, you may want to invest in one of the natural vitamins that increase a woman’s sexual hormones.

Vitamin B5 (also known as pantothenic acid) targets those sex hormones produced in the adrenal glands. The andogens (especially testosterone) are produced in the adrenal glands It may not seem like testosterone is important for a woman to have in the proper proportion in their body but lowered levels of testosterone can cause as many health problems as deficiencies in the “female” hormones. While it is rare for people to have a Vitamin B5 deficiency, it wouldn’t hurt to take these natural vitamins that increase a woman’s sexual hormones in a low dose of 5 to 6 mg a day.

Vitamin B3 (also known as Niacin) is needed for the manufacturing of testosterone, estrogen and progesterone. It primarily stimulates those hormones in the adrenal glands. Vitamin B3 provides a flushed feeling in the body that is so distinctive it is actually called “Niacin flush”. It can create a feeling of warmth and increased sensitivity due to the increased blood circulation provided by these natural vitamins that increase a woman’s sexual hormones. The recommended daily dosage for women is between 14 and 18 mg a day.

FYI: Un unbeknown to most people, the FDA has recently made Vitamin B6 a drug. This means it will only be available through prescription. So get your supplies now!

Vitamin A helps the ovaries produce hormones and can increase the stimulation capabilities of a woman. It can also help with conception and a healthy pregnancy. The recommended daily dosage for adult women is 4,000 I.U. (international units).

Vitamin E actually contains properties that are similar to progesterone, androgen and estrogen. It can help the ovaries in hormone production and is often touted as a sterility vitamin. The recommended dosage of these natural vitamins that increase a woman’s sexual hormones is 100 to 200 I.U. per day. While it is safe to take more than that, Vitamin E isn’t more effective at those higher dosages.