I competed in a charity Crossfit competition this past week called "Barbells For Boobs", a non-profit organization who provides funding to breast centers globally through their Mammograms in Action ® Grant Program as a "last resort" resource for thousands of people who do not qualify for government funding or other charitable resources in the detection of breast cancer.

My workout a partner and I took home first place for the best costume, I was "Dr. WOD" and she was "Nurse No-Rep" (insert pic here) and we didn't do too badly on the work out either.

The "Barbell For Boobs" story, which was told at the beginning of the day along with our movement standards, got my head shaking in a confirmatory YES way and brought me to tears. Sara, the woman who started this charity explained that her best friend at the age of 26 presented to a breast clinic because she had little funds but had noticed a lump on her breast. The clinic sent her away and told her to come back when she was 40 years old because that is when you have your first mammogram.

Sure enough, this young lady was soon diagnosed with breast cancer within weeks.

A new study shows what researchers have suspected for years: consuming carbs dramatically increases your risk for a common type of breast cancer.

Some researchers have theorized that morning sickness may just be nature's way of protecting the fetus from a mom ingesting toxins.

Girl talk time: is it ever going to look the same "down there" after you've birthed a baby?

Like many of you out there, I'm a fan of natural remedies and alternative treatments. When it comes to menopause especially, many women will want to avoid Hormone Replacement Therapies (or HRT.)

That's not to say that HRT doesn't have a time and place, as well as benefits. It can ease the symptoms of vaginal dryness and discomfort, help with hot flashes and other symptoms and decrease the risk of osteoporosis. Currently there are studies going on to see if it can also help reduce the risk of heart disease. Please note that HRT isn't for everyone. It is a matter of personal preference.

The risks are what cause a lot of women to avoid HRT. Risks include: blood clots, stroke, heart disease, breast cancer and others. Some risks may depend on whether you're given estrogen alone as monotherapy or combination therapy with estrogen and progesterone.

SO WHAT'S A WOMAN TO DO?

 
When do women reach their sexual peak?

Is it at 30, 40 or maybe even 50 years old? Well, if we use conventional medical opinion, then women are past their sexual peak when they hit menopause, which is characterized by ovarian shutdown.

So what do you think? Is a woman’s sexuality linked only to functioning ovaries?

I think the answer is no.

A woman’s sexuality is not linked to her ovaries. I believe that women and men can have active sex lives well into advanced age. Why else would we have a “blue” sex pill for men? But here’s the million-dollar question: Where’s the “blue” sex pill for women?

When picking out an intimate moisturizer, people commonly overlook the importance of "water-based" versus "oil-based" formulas.

Water-based moisturizers are designed to more closely resemble your body's natural lubrication. They're usually well tolerated even by sensitive skin and don't stain your undergarments.

However some women choose oil-based moisturizers because they feel silky to them. While some of these moisturizers may feel good to use, there are concerns and risks to consider when using oil-based moisturizers on your vaginal area.

Once inside the alluring world of reproductive medicine, you are hooked as long as your bank account, health insurance and sanity hold out.

Puberty, menstruation, voice changes and body development are just some of the changes all children go through.

Fan favorite Dr.John Higgins is back on Train Your Body for part two of his top fitness apps picks.

Itching, chafing, burning, and sweating in places you might have forgotten you have...

We all know the importance of exercise for all aspects of your health. It can help you not only feel better and have more energy, increase circulation to your pelvic floor, and help prevent osteoporosis, but the endorphins can improve your mood even in rough times such as menopause.

At times though, it may seem that our body is rebelling against what should be a reward for your dedication to exercise. If women are not careful, these anti-rewards can sometimes rise up in the form of yeast infections, infected glands, bacterial vaginosis, and vaginitis (sometimes called crotchitis), among other uncomfortable things.

Different types of exercise can make women more prone to different kinds of symptoms. For instance, cycling, running, and swimming can have their own set of potential problems. I want to focus on the several things they may all have in common.

Every time you have sex with your partner, it feels like there's something huge between the two of you; literally.

The fact is, unlike men, most females have to learn how to reach orgasm.

Here's a "hot flash" for ya: early menopause is actually quite normal.

The Journal of the North American Menopause Society (NAMS), recently indicated that acupuncture can help with hot flashes for menopausal women.

Today, Dr. Holly Lucille welcomes Sarah Corey as a guest blogger. For more of Sarah's very useful information on stress and your health, listen as Sarah and Dr. Holly discuss "Are You Creating Stress in Your Life?"

......................................

We are constantly surrounded by stress. Just being alive is a stress on our bodies.

Pile on the unreasonably high levels of chronic stress many of us are under in our daily lives and this can start to reek havoc on our bodies. Science indicates that
stress affects four major systems in the body, our digestion, our immune systems, our hormones, and our nervous system.

Are there advantages and strategies to be the first to file for divorce? Is it a race to file?

"Follow your heart, but check it with your head." - Steve Jobs

How do you dress for your ever-growing baby bump?

Why is talking about infertility and IVF still so hush-hush?

People may be thinking about depression; but are they talking about it and actually doing something about the depression epidemic?

Are you getting the right nutrients to help you perform well and ward off disease?

You may be unknowingly making mistakes that are sabotaging your dieting intentions.

Maintaining friendships after marriage can be difficult and seem like a lot of work.

In addition to avoidance, there are some nutrients, foods, and natural options for supporting your detoxification processes and helping your body defend against the negative effects of toxins. Let's take a look at 10 of the most important natural detox foods, herbs, and nutrients for protecting your body against toxins:

PTLD occurs after a devastating love event, most likely a breakup, separation or divorce.

The earlier in life a woman starts dieting, the more long-term consequence it can have for her health, a study suggests.

Want to lose weight, feel stronger, healthier, and more vibrant? Pick up a dumbbell! While strength training is a good addition to anyone's fitness routine, recent studies show that lifting weights may have special health benefits for women. And that's particularly true for older women.

Dr. Ginger discusses GMOs in underdeveloped countries and the bra/breast cancer link.

Myth: Toothpaste is a good spot treatment for a pimple.

For healthy, glowing skin, follow these six steps and leave little for your photographer to re-touch.

Why in the world is a size 4 considered to be fat?

Physiological changes as you age are hard to accept, especially for women, since many women identify themselves by how attractive they are.

Even if colon cancer doesn't run in your family, it's still important to get a colonoscopy.

Diet drinks are linked to a 30 percent increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

Your thyroid and adrenals are like Jack and Jill -- so tightly bound together -- it's not effective to address one without the other.

Why are there are so many sexual enhancement drugs available for men and zero for women?

What if your weight -- or your diabetes -- is affecting your ability to have an orgasm?

Instead of dreading life after 40, learn how you can embrace it.

While your kidney stones may be small and pass unnoticed via the urinary tract, they may also cause extreme pain.

Antioxidants from peaches can prevent the spreadof cancer cells.

Instead of adding more beauty products to your face, it's time to take them off.

Do you have a positive relationship with food? Or a negative one? Let's fix that.

Despite past reports, a study fails to show an increased risk of heart disease in women taking calcium supplements.