Experiencing anxiety before sex can be normal, especially when it’s your first time. However, the emergence of feelings of nervousness so that you cannot enjoy or even have intercourse can be a sign of sexual performance anxiety.
Anxiety during sex can arise in both women and men. The causes also vary for each individual. If you experience it, read this description to find out more about this health problem.
What is sexual performance anxiety?
Very Well Mind explains that anxiety related to sexual performance is a type of anxiety that can affect sexual activity. People who experience this are often overcome with fear that they cannot have sex.
Sexual Performance Anxiety (SPA) is one of the most common sexual problems in the world. A study in the International Journal of Stress Management shows that it affects around 9-25 men and 6-16 percent of women.
Sexual anxiety can occur before intercourse or during sex. When it happened before, this can make a person think that sex is not possible. He will find it difficult to get an erection or maintain it.
If it occurs during sex, this anxiety can cause feelings of discomfort. As a result, someone has difficulty enjoying sex, even ending without climax. If not treated immediately, SPA can trigger sexual dysfunction.
Causes of sexual anxiety
Sexual performance anxiety is generally present because of a person’s negative thoughts regarding ability to have sex, reports Medical News Today. Some factors that can influence these feelings include:
Body image issues
Penis size
Perceptions of manhood
The idea of gender roles
Relationship problems
PMO addiction
Emotionally disconnected from partner
Mental health problems
Lack of experience, and so on.
Feelings of worry will trigger unpleasant experiences before and during sex. Lack of understanding of body anatomy is also a trigger for SPA, launches Bonobology. For example, worrying about the shape of your breasts or feeling that your vagina is not the color of most people. This factor is generally also influenced by social construction related to how the surrounding environment views the bodies of women and men.
How to deal with anxiety during sex
Anxiety During Sex, Why Does This Happen? Illustration of sex (pexels.com/Cottonbro)
In most cases of anxiety during sex, a partner who is comfortable sharing the worries is needed. Talking to a therapist and doctor can be very helpful.
Medical experts will observe the condition and make sure there are no medical factors or medications that trigger it. The reason, medication and therapy has the potential to trigger a decrease in sexual libido.
In addition, make sure you get complete information about body anatomy, especially the function of the reproductive organs. Find out about things you are worried about or like or don’t like.
When you’re ready, you can be open with your partner. Moreover, communicating what you feel is the best way to relieve anxiety in bed.
Anxiety during sex can not disappear suddenly. Now, while looking for comfort, try to get intimacy in other ways, such as giving a sensual massage or a warm bath together. Hope it helps, huh!
Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) are organisms whose genetic material has been altered through genetic engineering techniques. These techniques involve the manipulation of an organism’s DNA to introduce specific traits or characteristics that are not naturally found in the organism through traditional breeding methods.
The process of genetically modifying an organism typically involves isolating and transferring genes from one organism to another. This allows scientists to introduce desired traits into the target organism, such as increased resistance to pests, improved nutritional content, or enhanced tolerance to environmental conditions.
GMOs can be found in various fields, including agriculture, medicine, and research. In agriculture, genetically modified crops have been developed to exhibit traits such as insect resistance, herbicide tolerance, and increased yield. These modified crops can help farmers protect their plants from pests, reduce the need for certain pesticides, and increase agricultural productivity.
It is important to note that the use of GMOs has been a subject of debate and controversy. Concerns have been raised regarding potential environmental impacts, effects on human health, and socio-economic implications. Some argue that GMOs may have adverse effects on ecosystems, biodiversity, and traditional farming practices. Others question the long-term safety of consuming genetically modified foods, although numerous scientific studies have indicated that GMOs currently on the market are safe for human consumption.
Regulations and labeling requirements for GMOs vary across countries. Some regions have implemented strict regulations and mandatory labeling, while others have more relaxed approaches. It’s always recommended to check local regulations and labels if you have specific concerns or preferences regarding genetically modified organisms.
Some people prefer organic food over modified food such as genetically modified organism (GMO) products. They consider organic or non-GMO products to be more natural and safer to consume than GMO products. Some people believe that GMO products are unnatural and can be detrimental to health.
The existence of GMO products does raise pros and cons. Some of the rejections were due to concerns about the health impact. Actually, are GMO products safe for consumption? Don’t miss the discussion below!
Get to know Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), GMOs are organisms, such as plants, animals or microorganisms with unnaturally modified genetic material (DNA). This technology is often called modern biotechnology, gene technology, recombinant DNA technology, or genetic engineering.
The technology allows selected genes to be transferred from one organism to another, as well as between unrelated species. Foods produced from genetically engineered organisms are often referred to as genetically engineered foods.
Purpose of genetic engineering in food crops
Most genetically engineered foods today come from plants. However, it is possible that food from genetically engineered microorganisms and animals will be introduced in the future.
Most GM crops are developed with the aim of increasing yields by protecting plants to make them more resistant to insect, viral diseases or increasing tolerance to herbicides.
In the future, genetic engineering can be aimed at changing the nutritional content of food, reducing the potential for allergies, or increasing the efficiency of food production systems. All genetically engineered food must be assessed prior to marketing.
Is it safe to consume GMO products?
Genetically modified organisms have different insertion genes and different insertion methods. This means that each genetically engineered food must be individually assessed for safety.
WHO explains that all genetically engineered or transgenic food on the international market today has passed safety testing. In addition, no health effects were found after consuming these food products.
The same thing was also explained by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), that transgenic foods have been carefully studied before being marketed to ensure their safety. The results of the study show that GMO foods do not have a different effect than non-GMO foods.
Health issues related to GMO products
Researchers design plants using genetic engineering technology to improve taste, nutrient content, and resistance. However, the existence of genetically engineered food products seems to raise concerns regarding their safety, causing pros and cons.
Some people worry that eating transgenic foods can trigger cancer. However, the American Cancer Society states there is no evidence that GMO foods currently increase cancer risk.
There is also some concern that eating GMO foods causes genetic changes in humans. In fact, most food DNA whether it is GMO or not is destroyed when cooked or broken down before it reaches the large intestine.
GMO food is as safe as non-GMO food
GMO foods are just as healthy and safe as non-GMO foods. Some transgenic plants have even been modified to increase their nutritional value. For example, modified transgenic soybeans contain healthy oils that can replace oils containing trans fats.
According to the FDA, since their introduction in the 1990s, studies have shown that GMO foods are as safe as non-GMO foods. In addition, research also shows that transgenic food for livestock is just as safe as non-transgenic food for animals.
No health effects were found after consuming GMO products. Transgenic food is declared as safe as non-transgenic food. GMO or GMO foods are not currently shown to increase our risk of cancer or change our genetic makeup.
The lungs play a vital role in our survival. Without it, how could we possibly breathe? Therefore, we must take care of his health as well as possible.
According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO) for 2017, tuberculosis or TB in Indonesia is the third highest in the world. Meanwhile, according to data from Globocan in 2018, the number of lung cancer patients in Indonesia is the highest in Southeast Asia.
Currently, the world is facing the COVID-19 pandemic. We are required to implement health protocols and maintain the immune system as optimally as possible to prevent transmission and severe infections. Well, lung health is one that should be a concern.
Starting from your daily lifestyle, here are some ways to maintain lung health.
Quit Smoking
Nothing good comes from smoking. Smoking is definitely harmful to the lungs. Not only tuberculosis or lung cancer, smoking can cause chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to asthma. For those who already have the disease, smoking can worsen the condition.
When smoking a cigarette, thousands of chemicals enter the lungs, such as nicotine, carbon monoxide, and tar. The effect is destructive! The lungs become mucous, making it hard to clean themselves, irritated, and inflamed. Gradually, the respiratory tract becomes narrow, making it difficult to breathe.
The chemicals in cigarettes are also carcinogenic, so they make the lungs age faster and turn normal lung cells into cancer! In fact, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say, 90 percent of deaths from lung cancer are caused by smoking.
The dangers of smoking are not only felt by active smokers, but non-smokers who inhale the smoke, aka passive smokers.
Cigarette smoke contains more harmful substances. Because the chemical concentrations of cigarette smoke drop drastically in the outdoor air, passive smokers accidentally inhale dangerous amounts of these chemicals.
So, try to quit smoking, and if you can avoid smoking areas so you don’t have to inhale the smoke. Indeed, it is not easy to quit smoking. However, with determination, the help of drugs, and therapy, breaking free from smoking addiction is not impossible.
Exercise Regularly to Breathe Smoothly
Exercise is very important for maintaining healthy lungs. In fact, those with lung problems are also advised to exercise regularly so that their quality of life is more optimal. According to the CDC, the recommended exercise is:
Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise, such as walking, for at least 150 minutes per week. If you engage in intense aerobic exercise, such as running, simply aim for 75 minutes per week.
Participate in activities that require muscle, such as body weight training and lifting weights, at least 2 days a week.
Simple breathing exercises can also strengthen the lungs. Try following these breathing exercise tips:
Inhale through your nose. Then, exhale through pursed lips. Try exhaling twice as long as inhaling.
Practice belly breathing. Use the diaphragm to draw air deep into the lungs. Inhale and let the stomach expand, then exhale to contract the stomach.
Do both exercises while breathing normally for 5–10 minutes each day. When you are familiar with these techniques, you can try them when you experience shortness of breath.
Avoid Inhaling Pollutants Outside The Home
Exposure to pollutants in the air can damage the lungs and accelerate aging. When you are young and strong, your lungs can hold pollutants significantly. However, as they age, they lose some of that resistance and become more susceptible to infection and disease.
First, you can start by avoiding inhaling cigarette smoke or not going out when the air quality is bad. Second, don’t exercise in a heavy traffic environment. Instead of being healthy, you actually inhale exhaust fumes which harm the lungs.
Apart from cigarette and vehicle smoke, pollutants can also come from the workplace. Occupations such as construction, mining and waste management can increase the risk of inhaling harmful pollutants. Always use personal protective equipment so that lung health is maintained.
Keep The House Clean From Pollutants
According to a report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, indoor air pollution is worse than outdoor!
This exposes us to the dangers of indoor pollutants, from chemical compounds in furniture and cleaning agents to foreign pollutants such as dust, animal dander, mites and insect excrement.
What can we do to reduce indoor pollutants?
The house must be a smoke-free zone. So, no one is allowed to smoke indoors!
Clean furniture at least once a week. If the floor is covered with carpet, clean it regularly to remove dust and mites.
Make sure you have adequate ventilation in your home. Open windows as often as possible to increase indoor air ventilation.
Avoid synthetic air fresheners that contain chemicals such as formaldehyde and benzene.
Use a diffuser with aromatherapy oils and essential oils to naturally scent the air.
Keep the house clean, especially if you have pets. Mold spores, dust and pet dander can get into the lungs and cause irritation.
Use natural cleaning products whenever possible, and open windows when using products that generate smoke.
Drink Enough Water
Our lungs have a special layer of mucus that protects them. If it is too thick, then it can make breathing difficult. In addition to doing the previous tips, the mucous lining of the lungs can be maintained by keeping fluid levels in balance.
These tips also apply to those who suffer from respiratory problems. For patients with respiratory disorders, such as COPD, drinking enough water can make it easier for you to expel phlegm which causes shortness of breath.
Apart from water, you can also drink green tea and coffee to nourish your lungs. Green tea contains the antioxidant compound epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) which relieves inflammation in the lungs. EGCG has also been shown to be effective in treating pulmonary fibrosis.
Meanwhile, coffee also has antioxidant compounds and caffeine. Not only keeps you awake, caffeine makes blood vessels relax. Therefore, coffee may help relieve asthma symptoms in the short term.
Eat Foods That Are Healthy For The Lungs
In addition to meeting fluid needs, consumption of vegetables and fruit is also recommended to maintain lung health. In addition to supplying fluids, vegetables and fruits have antioxidant compounds and other healthy components that are useful for the lungs. Some of the recommended fruits and vegetables for lung health are:
Garlic and onions
Ginger
Chilli
Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts and kale)
Beet greens
Pumpkin
Tomato
Turmeric
Red paprika
Pomegranate
Blueberries
Apple
Grapefruit or grapefruit
Orange
Chocolate or cocoa
In addition to the vegetables and fruits above, foods that are high in protein, omega-3 acids, and high in vitamins and minerals such as nuts and seeds, salmon, and oysters. For people with respiratory problems, it is advisable to avoid saturated fatty foods such as processed meats, margarine and lard.
Discipline in Practicing Health Protocols
Remain disciplined in practicing health protocols to reduce the spread of disease, for example COVID-19. Be sure to:
Wash your hands with running water and soap for 20 seconds or use a hand sanitizer.
Avoid crowds by staying at home, especially if you are not fit, unless there is an urgent need.
Wear a mask when leaving the house.
Cover a sneeze or cough with your elbow or a tissue, then take the first step.
Don’t touch your eyes, nose and mouth, especially if you haven’t washed your hands.
Get the Necessary Vaccinations
Vaccinations are important to keep the body healthy, and this also applies to the lungs. So, try to get vaccines for the health of yourself and those you care about.
The tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis vaccines are effective in preventing the possibility of getting whooping cough or pertussis, and the pneumonia vaccine is effective in protecting yourself from pneumonia. Also, don’t forget to get the flu immunization to prevent the flu from attacking the respiratory system.
In addition, get a complete and booster COVID-19 vaccination when it is available.
The lungs are one of the vital organs. Without it, we can’t breathe. However, often we unknowingly carry out various activities that harm the lungs. Come on, make a change!
Practice several ways to maintain lung health above. Starting from the habits of daily living, we can protect these vital organs from dangerous diseases or infections.
Endometriosis cysts are cysts that form when endometrial tissue grows on the ovaries or ovaries. The contents are in the form of a large liquid on the ovary, it can even wrap it. In most cases, this condition arises from endometriosis that doesn’t get proper treatment.
Also known as an endometrioma or a “chocolate cyst” (because it contains a dark brown discharge consisting of blood and old menstrual tissue), come on, understand more about endometriosis cysts!
What is an Endometriosis Cyst?
Endometriosis cysts are conditions of endometrial tissue that grows inside the ovaries. In general, cysts are benign and their growth depends on the hormone estrogen.
Endometriosis cysts are usually about 5 centimeters (cm) in size, but some can grow up to 20 cm.
For your information, the endometrium is the lining of the uterus. Sometimes, this tissue can form where it shouldn’t, such as the fallopian tubes, bladder, and intestines. This condition is known as endometriosis.
If the growth of tissue gets to the ovary or ovaries, endometriosis cysts can form there.
Women can only have one endometriosis cyst, or one cyst on each ovary.
Endometriosis Cyst Symptoms
Reported by WebMD, the most common symptom of endometriosis is pain in the lower abdomen that does not go away. The pain that is felt can get worse before and during menstruation.
In addition, heavy menstrual bleeding and pain during intercourse can also occur.
Some women who have endometriosis cysts feel pain or feel a feeling of pressure, while others may not have any symptoms.
A person may not know they have these cysts until their doctor finds them during a pelvic exam or detects them during an ultrasound (USG) test.
Reason
Although the exact cause of endometriosis cysts has not been found, possible explanations include:
Retrograde menstruation. In this condition, menstrual blood containing endometrial cells flows back through the fallopian tubes and into the pelvic cavity, instead of leaving the body. These endometrial cells attach to the pelvic wall and the surface of the pelvic organs, where they grow and continue to thicken and bleed during each menstrual cycle.
Peritoneal cell transformation. In what is known as the “induction theory” experts propose that hormones or immune factors promote the transformation of peritoneal cells (cells that line the inside of the abdomen) into endometrial-like cells.
Embryo cell transformation. Hormones such as estrogen can transform embryonic cells, i.e. cells in the early stages of development, into endometrial-like cell implants during puberty.
Surgical scar implantation. After a surgical procedure, such as a hysterectomy or cesarean section, endometrial cells can attach to the surgical incision.
Endometrial cell transport. Blood vessels or a system of tissue fluid (lymphatics) can transport endometrial cells to other parts of the body.
Immune system disorders. Problems with the immune system may make it impossible for the body to recognize and destroy endometrial-like tissue that grows outside the uterus.
Diagnosis
The doctor will ask about the symptoms and pain experienced. Next, the doctor will perform a pelvic examination by pressing on the area in the abdomen. Your doctor may be able to feel for a cyst this way.
The doctor may need to do an ultrasound imaging test to see inside the body. An MRI may also be needed to provide a more detailed view of the ovaries.
In addition, blood tests can also be ordered by doctors to check whether there is cancer, whether the woman is pregnant or not, or if there is an infection.
Another way to check for endometrial cysts is through a laparoscope. During this outpatient surgery, the doctor will make a small incision in the navel and insert a thin camera. This allows the doctor to take a close look at the cyst, assess its size, and decide how best to treat it.
Treatment
Doctors will generally consider age, pain experienced, and whether the patient intends to have children or not. From there, a treatment plan that can be done includes:
Waiting vigilantly: If you are not experiencing pain and the size of the cyst is small, your doctor may recommend waiting 6-8 weeks to see if the cyst will go away on its own. The examination will use ultrasound.
Medicines: The doctor may prescribe medicines to shrink the cyst. One of them with GnRH agonists therapy, which makes the body go through menopause temporarily. The ovaries will stop producing estrogen, which can help relieve any symptoms the patient may have. GnRH agonists can cause menopause-like side effects, such as hot flashes, loss of bone density, and reduced sex drive. This therapy is not recommended if the patient wants to become pregnant.
Operation: Surgical options may be discussed if the patient is experiencing extreme pain, medications are not helping, or the cyst is larger than 1.5 inches (3.8 cm). This option is chosen so that the cyst doesn’t twist or rupture, which could cause more serious problems.
Sometimes the doctor may be able to remove the fluid in the cyst. In other cases, the cyst will need to be completely removed. This can relieve pain and prevent another cyst from growing.
If the patient is not planning to become pregnant, the doctor may remove the ovaries. The uterus can also be removed (hysterectomy), but this procedure is done if nothing else helps.
The various treatment options above should be consulted with a doctor.
Complications that can occur
If not treated, endometriosis cysts can cause:
Chronic pelvic pain.
Increases the risk of developing ovarian cancer.
Complicates pregnancy.
Hinders fertility treatments.
Stopping the ovaries from working the way they should.
Reported by the Mayo Clinic, complications around one-third to one-half of women with endometriosis cysts have difficulty getting pregnant. Even so, there are also some women with this cyst who can still get pregnant and have children.
In addition, several studies have shown that patients with endometriosis cysts have a relatively low chance of developing ovarian cancer.
Thus the explanation about endometriosis cysts or endometriomas. If you experience symptoms, immediately consult a doctor. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent further complications.
We all know that the body needs enough sleep. However, sometimes because we have to complete important tasks or stay up late watching our favorite series, we sacrifice sleep even though the next day we have to do our usual activities.
If you are sleep deprived, you need effort to keep your body fit and able to do activities optimally. Here are some tips so that the body remains primed even if it’s just a short nap.
Sleep in a quiet, dark room
Reported by Reader’s Digest, when sleeping with the lights turned off, the body will produce the hormone melatonin more optimally. One of the functions of the hormone melatonin is to increase immunity.
Sleeping in a dark room can relax the mind. Indirectly it can also be a means of light meditation, which can stabilize emotions and thoughts, so that you sleep soundly and of good quality. The body becomes fresher when you wake up in the morning.
Avoid heavy meals two hours before bedtime
Eating right before bed will burden the body. The reason is, the body that should be resting actually has to work hard to process the food you consume. For this reason, it is recommended that at least two hours before bed we do not eat heavily to maximize the body so that it rests during sleep.
In addition, citing Verywell Health, for people with GERD, it is advised not to eat heavily before going to bed for at least two hours before going to bed. The reason is, lying down after eating will make stomach contents rise to the throat.
Stay away from gadgets
One hour before going to bed, keep all kinds of gadgets away from your bed. The reason is, when looking at a cellphone screen, exposure to the blue light that is emitted can inhibit the production of the hormone melatonin. Decreased production of this hormone can interfere with sleep quality.
The thing is, the next day you don’t have energy and it’s hard to focus. In addition, the light emitted from gadget screens can also inhibit the rapid eye movement (REM) sleep phase. This sleep phase is needed to restore cognitive function and emotional stability.
Don’t constantly fight drowsiness with coffee
Even if you only sleep for a few hours, try to have a fixed sleep schedule every day. Fighting drowsiness by drinking coffee is not entirely good. You must be able to condition yourself not to drink coffee, energy drinks, or drinks that have a high sugar content at least six hours before going to bed.
So that the body can stay fresh naturally even though the hours of sleep are lacking, water is a more healthful solution. Drink water right after waking up. Balance also by eating healthy foods.
Light exercise during the day
If you don’t have enough sleep, spend 10 to 15 minutes doing light exercise. Light exercise can make the body feel more fresh and not easily tired even if you only sleep for a while.
Exercise makes sleep better. In addition, exercising also makes the mood better. You are free to do light exercise that you like. Whether it’s jogging, yoga, swimming, cycling, walking, or others.
Remember, all of the above tips for “surviving” the previous night of sleep deprivation only work in the short term. No long-term strategy works effectively on little or no sleep. For the sake of body health, try to get enough sleep every night for 7 to 8 hours a day.
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