Cheating can cause heart attacks

23 Wednesday May 2012

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A guilty conscience can be deadly.

According to Italian researchers, men are more likely to have “sudden coital death” or “sudden cardiovascular death” (which can happen during sex) when they are cheating. Researchers are unsure of the exact reason, but some have attributed it to a guilty conscience among other reasons.

After researching cases of sudden coital death, the writers from University of Florence discovered that men rarely experienced heart attacks when having sex with their girlfriends or wives, but when meeting with a mistress or new partner, it became more common.

They blamed furred-up arteries for more than a third of the deaths. Apparently, the physical demands of sex could cause the fatty plaque that has built up inside arteries to rupture.

They also noted that the stress and demand of pleasing a younger woman or someone other than their wife could cause the stress and strain, along with the strain of keeping the affair a secret.

“Extra-marital sex may be hazardous and stressful because the lover is often younger than the primary partner,” the Daily Mail quoted researcher Dr Alessandra Fisher as saying. “It is possible that a secret sexual encounter in an unfamiliar setting may significantly increase blood pressure and heart rate, leading to increased oxygen demand.”

Guilt can play a role, as researchers found that heart problems were more common among cheaters who were still attracted to their wives or girlfriends, or in other words, thinking about her during the affair.

That’s a harsh lesson for a cheater, isn’t it?

A pregnant post…and my two cents about Jessica Simpson and the media

07 Monday May 2012

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I haven’t revealed it on the blog-o-sphere yet, but yes, I am pregnant–about six months along today. And maybe it had to do with all of my fiery posts and advice. Being sassy and classy led to me unexpectedly becoming a soon-to-be mommy. I must have not taken my own advice about contraceptives, lol.

I remember the first day I found out I was pregnant. Not only did I sit in the bathroom and stare at those two pink lines for 30 minutes as my little toddler cousin banged on the door asking me to hurry, but I remember telling myself I was going to be secretive about it and never really talk/write about it.

And for six months I did talk about it and post sonogram pics, but I refused to write. It might have been because I didn’t want to show my anxiety (and depression at times–it’s an emotional roller coaster)  or even my corny excitement. Yeah, I have those pregnancy apps on my iPhone and I look at my sonogram picture every day. And yes, I talk to my belly when no one is around. And yes, on social networks I refer to my baby as “my baby girl” already. So I guess I am what they call a Facebook mom. So what’s your point?

And what’s the point of this post? Well, just like those celebrity moms, I am obsessing over potential stretch marks, saggy mom boobs and wrinkly tummies. But after reading other bloggers’ opinions about how the media is tormenting Jessica Simpson about getting her post-baby bod back, I just had to put my two cents in and tell the media, go to hell. Jessica just pushed a 9 lb. 13 oz. baby out of her vagina (or c-section, whatever, it’s still birth). Please, shut the f*** up. And Guiliana Rancic, how about you help Jessica by taking some of her baby weight for yourself. We can’t all be a model of the skeletal system. (Not even sure if she said anything, but I know she will on E! News and I just have this weird aversion to her anyway so…).

Yes, Jessica blew up. She gained a lot of weight. But instead of us interviewing her about her plans as a new mom, her baby, maybe her advice as a parent etc., we are immediately asking how she is going to come out on the red carpet looking like Alessandra Abrosio and Beyonce did post baby. We ask the same day she gives birth. When she got pregnant, we asked why she was so fat. The media is destroying our idea of pregnancy. Yeah, we all want to be MILFS, but the fact is it doesn’t always work that way and definitely not a few days after birth. If someone were to ask me what my first plan was after giving birth it would be A. to get my baby to latch on so I can save a ton of money not buying formula (and keeping her very healthy), B. getting her on a damn sleep schedule that works for both of us and C. bonding with her.

Of course I am going to the gym eventually and trying things out during my pregnancy too. I am 23 and I want to stay fit, but that is not the first thing on my mind. I am thinking of those mommy duties I am so nervous about, not losing weight (and yes, occasionly I am thinking of having a drink after this, since I’ve been prego through New Years Eve, my birthday, Cinco De Mayo and basically will be prego the whole summer–go ahead, judge me).  But the point is that the media needs to stop trying to eradicate the evidence of pregnancy from day 1 after giving birth. Having a baby is something women should embrace–we are the only ones who can do it! We don’t have to hide that we just had a baby or be ashamed of it. We all want to look good, but the fact is it is not as important as the media makes it seem and it is sometimes impossible. There’s a reason why the hottest moms are celebrities. It’s about having the perfect plastic surgeon!

Wrapping up my intro, I want to say that getting pregnant is the most amazing thing that’s happened to me whether the timing was right or not. I can’t wait to meet my daughter and become her mother and best friend. At first, it was the opposite. I dreaded it. I looked at pregnancy as a curse because I was simply not prepared. But the first day I saw her on that screen it all went away. Sure, I am an emotional wreck at times–that pregnant woman stereotype–and I am so. damn. scared of everything this will bring, yes even the body image issues.

But as I read  these silly articles everyday I tell myself whether I’m a bad b**** after pregnancy or a chunky mom with saggy boobs (who can still be a bad b****) I’ll tell you one thing, there’s a miracle inside of me that will always be exciting. Tits and ass get old as we grow with age, but bonds between parents and kids do not. I’d rather have my daughter tell me I’m beautiful and that she loves me than some pervert whistle at me while I’m walking down the street. That’s what we regular women think about, OK paparazzi?

Love keeps us healthy, according to neurobiologists

10 Tuesday Apr 2012

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All you need is love–and I don’t just mean love in the sense of intimacy.

While we (especially women) may boast that we don’t need love or relationships, according to recent studies love keeps us not only mentally healthy, but physically healthy too. That’s not to say we only need romantic love–this actually stems from our need and desire to recreate that bond we had with our mothers after birth. This connection comes from loving parents, friends and life partners.

When we’re born, mothers automatically have an increased amount of oxytocin (the bonding or attachment hormone) so that they feel closer to and respond to their babies’ needs better. This bond continues through childhood, and scientists believe that we search for it again through close relationships with others.

When we are around people we love, it has been proven that our blood pressure lowers, reducing anxiety and keeping us cool, calm and collected. Love has physical and mental benefits. The researchers are simply trying to prove that relationships change our brains. And brain scans have shown that beginning from birth, the bond between mother and child is so powerful that the rest of our relationships evolve from it. We never stop searching for that bond.

Research on this topic is still developing, as it is part of a relatively new field called “interpersonal neurobiology.”

SOURCE: http://www.empowher.com/mental-health/content/why-love-keeps-you-healthy?page=0,0

Study shows women can have orgasms during exercise

20 Tuesday Mar 2012

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Most women report having a coregasm while doing ab or core exercises.

Have you ever had a coregasm?

That’s the new word being used after an Indiana University study proved that women can have orgasms during exercises. They call them coregasms, because they often happen with core and abdominal muscles exercises.So start doing those crunches.

About 124 women between the ages of 18 and 63 were surveyed and reported having an orgasm during exercise, and 246 more said they experienced at least some kind of pleasure from it. This claim has been surfacing for years, but only now have researchers proved it.

“It may be that exercise — which is already known to have significant benefits to health and well-being — has the potential to enhance women’s sexual lives as well,” Debby Herbenick, co-director of the Center for Sexual Health Promotion at IU’s School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, said in a written statement.

About 40 percent of these women also said it occurred on nearly 10 different occasions.

“The most common exercises associated with exercise-induced orgasm were abdominal exercises, climbing poles or ropes, biking/spinning and weight lifting,” Herbenick said. “These data are interesting because they suggest that orgasm is not necessarily a sexual event, and they may also teach us more about the bodily processes underlying women’s experiences of orgasm.”

Ab exercises triggered the most orgasms at more than 50 percent, but weight lifting was also reported to bring pleasure at about 27 percent, yoga at 20 percent, bicycling at 16 percent, running at 13 percent and walking at about 10 percent.

While there is no direct explanation for how or why it occurs, there are some theories. Some doctors say it has to do with strong pelvic muscles. But Dr. Victoria Zdrok, a sex therapist and author of “The Anatomy of Pleasure,” told Men’s Health in 2007 that a lot of women build tension in their legs before they orgasm, explaining that when a woman exercises, “the release of endorphins and dopamine, which are necessary for orgasm, combined with the tension in the lower extremities, can cause the stimulation.”

A blood test could determine how long your relationship will last

06 Tuesday Mar 2012

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Image How long will your relationship last? According to a recent study out of a university in Israel, this could be determined by the amount of oxytocin (also known as the attachment hormone) in you and your partner’s bloodstream. In other words, the higher the level, the more likely your relationship will last.

Researchers surveyed about 60 couples, first interviewing them separately about their relationships then conducted the blood test. The findings show that those who had a higher oxytocin level in the beginning of their relationship were more likely to last six months or more. They also took blood samples from singles and found that they’re oxytocin levels were much lower than those in relationships. Couples with more oxytocin also displayed more feelings of romance and love in individual and couple interviews, such as touching, gazing and smiling. “These findings suggest that OT in the first months of romantic love may serve as an index of relationship duration,” the researchers wrote.

Now, if only we could or would have the audacity to go to the doctor and request OT blood tests to see if our new relationships are worth it. Nevertheless, this is a very interesting study.

California teens can get condoms in the mail…

21 Tuesday Feb 2012

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Packages are sent is a yellow nondescript envelope and include 10 condoms.

….for free. A new program launched in California allows youth between ages 12 and 19 to order a pack of 10 condoms and have it shipped to them for free. The Condom Access Project–available in select counties throughout the state–also includes free lube and health brochures courtesy of TeenSource.org, a website run by the nonprofit California Family Health Council.The package will be mailed in a nondescript yellow envelope.

Supporters of the initiative say that it aims to reduce teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, and it is an option for those who are too embarrassed or cannot afford to buy condoms.

“We can’t keep our heads in the sand and pretend there isn’t a problem…,” Vice President of Public Affairs for the Family Health Council Amy Moy told the Bakersfield Californian “We want to make sure (teens are) as safe as possible.”

Maybe this program should be available in all states. Kudos to California for a good way to promote safe sex.

Republicans enjoy sex more

06 Monday Feb 2012

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You read that right. According to a recent Match.com survey, Republicans (no matter what you want to say about them) have more orgasms than their Democratic counterparts.

In its annual “Singles in America” survey of 6,000 singles, Republicans, especially the conservative ones, report having more orgasms, although they also report having the least amount of sex. I guess if you wait so long to have sex, you have the best orgasm. Maybe? Republicans apparently reach orgasms all the time, compared to just 40 percent of Dems. Having doubts about the survey? Well, it was anonymous, so why would anyone have the need to lie?

In the most comprehensive sex survey in the nation (it’s actually nationally representative and conducted in conjunction with an evolutionary biologist, a sex therapist and the Institute for Evolutionary Studies at Binghamton University), we learn a few other things too. Proving my last post that men secretly fall in love first, the survey also reveals that despite what popular culture tells us, men want commitment just as much as women and are more likely to fall in love at first sight.

When it comes to sex, we usually believe men care the most, but 50 percent of women reported that bad sex would be a deal breaker in a relationship while just 44 percent of men agreed.

Other cool findings?

-43 percent of men wouldn’t mind being stay-at-home dads, while 33 percent of women think it’s OK for men to be stay-at-home dads.

-The older you are, the pickier you get. People over 60 are more likely to be extremely picky when it comes to love.

-About a third said sexual fidelity isn’t a must in a relationship, while 9 out of 10 said it’s not OK for politicians to cheat. The Daily Beast quotes “we hold our politicians to higher standards than ourselves.”

 

Men secretly fall in love first, research shows

09 Monday Jan 2012

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Research suggests men say "I love you" first more than half of the time.

First of all, let me say Happy New Year, since this is my first post of 2012 (yes, I know that it’s way overdue). A lot of people are kicking off their new year with all these resolutions and so-called life changes, many of which probably have to do with relationships. With that said, I decided to Google the science of love, and I found something interesting.

Long story short, according to new research men are falling in love faster these days than most women. In fact, more men report saying the big “I love you” before women do, nearly 70 percent of the time, according to an article on Discovery News.

The funny thing is that researches randomly stood on a street corner and asked nearly 50 people who they thought said the three words first, and nearly 85 percent said women are the first to say “I love you”–even women admitted to this.

Also, in a study of people between their 20s and 60s, it was concluded that before sex men were generally happier and more hopeful of hearing “I love you” than women were, researchers reported in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Women on the other hand were happier to hear the words after sex, as many said they would be skeptical of hearing the words before the fact, probably because it could just be his tactic to get in their pants. Makes sense. Those aren’t words to play around with.

What surprised me (but at the same time did not surprise me) was that men seem to catch feelings first and are being more emotional in relationships. Several other studies have also shown that men handle breakups worse than women do, because they generally do not have a support system. Dan Abrams discusses this briefly in his book, “Man Down“. As women, we are expected to be emotional and to seek emotional solace, but it’s a little more taboo for men. With all these cultural barriers between genders, it makes me wonder, maybe men are just as emotional as women. What sucks is that society will never let that fact be proven. Yep, that’s right, I called it a fact. :-)
Read Discovery’s full article here.

And check out Dan Abram’s book, “Man Down: Proof Beyond a Reasonable Doubt That Women Are Better Cops, Drivers, Gamblers, Spies, World Leaders, Beer Tasters, Hedge Fund Managers, and Just About Everything Else” which is going to be the source of many of my blog posts to come in the next few weeks! :-)

Study shows holidays are most common baby-making times

29 Thursday Dec 2011

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If your birthday is on or around Sept. 16, you were mostly likely the product of the “high time for conception.” A new study shows that people have more sex during the holidays, and most babies are conceived during this period.

Nine percent of all US conceptions occur in December. On the contrary, August is the dry period, with the year’s fewest conceptions. And, more than twice as many condoms are sold during the week before Christmas. “Biologic hypotheses include deterioration of sperm quality during summer, seasonal differences in anterior pituitary-ovarian function caused by changes in the daylight length, and variation in quality of the ovum or endometrial receptivity,” the study’s authors write. “Increased sexual activity associated with end-of-year holiday festivities has also been postulated.”

Other sex findings?

-People are more likely to have sex on Friday and Saturday. Sunday is the least popular day for sex.

-Nearly twice as many people have turned down offers of sex because the temperature was too high than have turned down offers of sex because the temperature was too low.

-We are 13 percent more likely to have sex at night than in the afternoon.

-Eighty-three percent of Americans rate rainy days and nights as the best time to have sex.

 

SOURCE: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2011/12/26/it-s-high-time-for-conception-studies-show-peak-times-weather-for-sex.html

 

Men better than women at certain things? Study shows that’s a myth

13 Tuesday Dec 2011

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She doesn't "drive like a woman."

Women suck at driving, doing math, reading directions and a whole bunch of other things that men are supposedly better at. But two new studies show that these common stereotypes that have existed for decades may be the reason we actually do end up performing worse at certain tasks. In other words, these ideas knocked down our confidence for so long to the point where even I say, “I know, I drive like a woman.” And that may be why I end up actually “driving like a woman.”

The studies showed that when women had increased confidence, they performed just as well–if not better–than men at things like parallel parking, reading road maps and doing math.

“Men tend to outperform women on spatial tasks, but this difference is at least partially due to women’s lack of confidence on such tasks,” Psychologists Zach Estes from the University of Warwick told The Huffington Post. “What we showed in four experiments is that when women are able to ignore this under-confidence, and when their confidence is boosted, they do just as well as men.”

These common beliefs have held women back for way too long. We don’t typically go for “manly” jobs like technology, computer science or engineering, and we like to stay away from math. But doesn’t it make sense that this is because society shows us at a young age that we are better caregivers, nurtures and multi-taskers? We learn from a young age that we are sucky drivers, but it reality, it is because we get behind the wheel with low confidence. I used to feel this way, and sometimes I still do.

I’m wondering if this applies to men? Can we debunk the stereotypes that they suck at multi-tasking and aren’t the best nurturers? It can also be a social stigma. It’s not typical that little boys are taught from a young age how to cook, clean and take care of babies. Can we really eliminate the sex difference, like this psychologist is suggesting?

“What was most surprising to me was how simple, and possibly even obvious, it was to repeatedly eliminate this sex difference,” Estes said. “The sex difference in mental rotation, which is what we measured, is the largest and most robust cognitive sex difference known. Yet, we managed to eliminate it four times with four simple controls and manipulations of confidence.”

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