Latest news with #OCPs
Yahoo
a day ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Could Your Birth Control Method Be Affecting Your Performance In The Gym? Here's What Experts Say
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Thanks to TikToks, sketchy health blogs, and Thanksgiving soapboxes courtesy of your toxic aunt, the rumor that birth control affects your ability to perform athletically has been spread far and wide for way too long. We get why it's confusing. Hormonal birth control methods such as contraceptive pills alter your hormones, which can affect…well, everything else, like your workouts. But, science hasn't exactly found that to be true. Plus, there are several kinds of birth control methods; some are more studied than others. We have some limited information on how oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) affect athletic performance in females. Other forms, including intrauterine devices (IUDs) with and without hormones, as well as implants, work differently and are even less studied. We consulted the experts to find out what we know, and what we don't, about how your birth control may affect your workouts. Meet the Experts: Jessica Shepherd, MD, is a board-certified ob-gyn, author of Generation M: Living Well in Perimenopause and Menopause, and Women's Health advisory board member. Bailey McLagan is a PhD candidate in exercise physiology at the University of Southern California, who specializes in women's performance research, including how birth control affects workouts. It's difficult to generalize these medications' effects since there are a bunch of different types, and they affect women differently. The most commonly used is oral contraceptives. These medications include synthetic hormones and generally work by "sending a signal to our brain to tell our body not to release an egg,' says Bailey McLagan, MS, a PhD candidate in exercise physiology at the University of Southern California, who studies the role of female hormones in exercise and recovery. 'The goal is to prevent ovulation, thus preventing the possibility of getting pregnant.' They can cause a handful of side effects that may indirectly affect performance, such as mood changes, spotting, cramping, nausea, or headaches. Even though these side effects are possible, it's important to note that not everyone will experience them, McLagan notes. Beyond side effects, 'it's not clear what, if any, effect OCPs have on training,' McLagan says. 'This is because there are so many kinds that are often not recorded in research and because studies don't often differentiate between OCP users and non-users.' One 2022 study, for example, looked at hormonal oral birth control effects on strength training outcomes, including muscle thickness, muscle fiber size, and composition over a 12-week period. They found that factors were similar between women who did and did not use oral contraceptives, says Jessica Shepherd, MD, board-certified ob-gyn and Women's Health advisory board member. START YOUR STRENGTH TRANSFORMATION Another study looked at exercise performance factors such as workload, exhaustion, time to completion, mean peak outputs, rate of production, and maximal oxygen intake between oral contraception users and non-users. The study found a trivial reduction in performance factors in those using oral contraception. 'It's important to remember that performance is impacted by a lot of things, so a trivial reduction doesn't signify an advantage in one over the other,' McLagan says. Some studies have looked at the impact of hormonal birth control on VO2 max—a measure of how much oxygen you use during training, Dr. Shepherd says. When VO2 max is high, it means that your body is more efficient at delivering oxygen to the muscles, Dr. Shepherd says. One study found the use of oral contraceptives might lower VO2 max. As mentioned, oral contraceptives aren't the only form of birth control. Dr. Shepherd says hormonal IUDs have shown some positive results. In one study, it was found to be the best-tolerated contraceptive for female endurance athletes. It also had the highest percentage of users who perceived positive training and competition impacts. 'Overall, there should be better research that looks at a prospective, randomized design to assess the effects of all types of hormonal contraceptives on athletic performance in females,' Dr. Shepherd says. What we do know: Much more research needs to be done to determine the effects of different birth control methods on training performance. Ultimately, how your experience on how birth control affects your workouts will differ from others. Therefore, you might have to go through some level of trial and error to determine what works for you. If you're on a new form of birth control, your doctor might tell you to stay on it for more than a month to see if potential symptoms subside or not. Ultimately, you shouldn't have to choose between being on birth control and getting the workout results you want. There are a ton of reasons to stay on birth control beyond pregnancy prevention—and there are tons of options to choose from. So don't be afraid to advocate for yourself to find the one that gives you the best results in all aspects of your life. 'If a certain form of OCP is making you feel uncomfortable, it may be that you need a different formulation of hormones, a lower dose, or switch to a different birth control method altogether,' McLagan says. Keep an open line of communication with your doctor, and adjust as necessary until you find a path that works for you. You Might Also Like Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals
Indian Express
7 days ago
- Health
- Indian Express
‘We focused on…': Luke Coutinho explains how a holistic approach complemented traditional medicine in managing client's pituitary tumour surgery side effects
The pituitary gland, often referred to as the master gland, plays a vital role in regulating nearly every endocrine function in the human body. In a case shared by holistic lifestyle coach and nutritionist Luke Coutinho, a woman in her late 30s underwent surgery for a pituitary gland tumour. Post-surgery, she was placed on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and oral contraceptives (OCPs) for medical reasons, only to experience a cascade of side effects that left her seeking answers beyond conventional treatments. 'Our integrative team of experts reviewed not just her medical history but also her lifestyle, routine, emotional health, preferences, activity levels and more. We designed a holistic lifestyle protocol to rebuild her body's core fundamentals. While her meds and HRT were essential, we focused on minimising side effects and addressing underlying imbalances,' he captioned the post. A post shared by Luke Coutinho – Official (@luke_coutinho) By focusing on cellular nutrition, hormone balancing, circadian medicine, and toxin elimination, the protocol helped alleviate many of her symptoms, including migraines and poor gut health. Coutinho emphasised that while some medical conditions require ongoing medication, rebuilding the body's core fundamentals can lead to significant improvements in quality of life. To understand this approach better, spoke to Dr Palleti Siva Karthik Reddy, consultant, Internal Medicine at Koshys Hospital. 'The pituitary gland, often called the 'master gland,' is a pea-shaped organ located at the base of the brain. Despite its small size, it plays a pivotal role in regulating various bodily functions by producing and controlling hormones that influence growth, metabolism, reproduction, and stress responses,' he informs. Disruptions in the pituitary gland's function can have cascading effects on multiple organ systems due to its influence on other endocrine glands like the thyroid, adrenal glands, and gonads. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): While HRT is crucial to replenish deficient hormones, Dr Reddy states, it may lead to weight gain, mood swings, and increased risk of clotting disorders if not carefully monitored. Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCPs): 'Often used for hormone regulation, they can cause nausea, headaches, and fluctuations in mood,' says Dr Reddy. Effective management requires a combination of medical, nutritional, and lifestyle strategies to mitigate these side effects. Each step in Luke Coutinho's protocol addresses a specific aspect of recovery and well-being, states Dr Reddy. He lists the benefits of each: Cellular Nutrition for Anti-Angiogenesis and DNA Repair: Foods rich in antioxidants (e.g., berries, turmeric, and leafy greens) reduce inflammation and oxidative stress, potentially preventing abnormal blood vessel growth around the tumour site. Gut Microbiome and Anti-inflammatory Pathways: Probiotics and prebiotic-rich foods strengthen gut health, which directly impacts hormonal regulation and immune response. Hormone Balancing Protocol: Nutritional adjustments like incorporating flaxseeds (rich in lignans) or adaptogens (e.g., ashwagandha) can aid hormonal homeostasis. Yoga and Walks: Gentle activities improve circulation, reduce stress hormones, and enhance endocrine function. Circadian Medicine: Aligning daily activities with natural light-dark cycles optimises hormone secretion patterns, particularly cortisol and melatonin. Mitochondrial Repair: Nutrients like CoQ10 and magnesium boost energy production at the cellular level. Vagus Nerve Stimulation: Breathing exercises or humming stimulate the vagus nerve, reducing stress and improving hormonal balance. Emotional Coaching and Visualisation: Addressing mental health aids in releasing suppressed emotions, fostering better prognosis and adherence to recovery plans. DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.
The Hindu
23-07-2025
- Climate
- The Hindu
Heavy rains cripple coal production in SCCL's open cast mines
Coal mining operations in the open cast mines of the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) in Ramagundam and Kothagudem areas were crippled following widespread rainfall in the coal belt for the second consecutive day on Wednesday. The overburden removal operations came to a virtual halt in all the four open cast mines in the RG-I, RG-II and RG-III Areas of the State-owned coal mining giant in Peddapalli district due to heavy overnight rain, sources said. The OCP-I in RG-III Area recorded 75 mm rainfall in the past 24 hours, ending at 8 a.m. on Wednesday. An estimated 30,000 tonnes of coal production was affected due to the rain-induced disruption in the OCPs in Peddapalli and Jayashankar Bhupalpalli districts, sources added. Open cast mines in Bhadradri Kothagudem district also suffered a major disruption in coal production due to incessant rains in the erstwhile Khammam district for the second day in a row. Sources added that overburden removal came to a grinding halt in the JVR OCP and Kistaram OCPs, severely impacting coal production.
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Air Force updates uniform standards including new rules for boots
The Air Force wants to see boots that are high, eyelashes that are real and officers ready for combat. Or at least with the right uniform for it. The changes are among four updates the service announced to its dress and uniform standards Thursday that it will begin enforcing in the next few months. The new rules outlaw sneaker-like boots or shoes and eyelash extensions, and require all officers to keep at least one utility uniform — called the Operational Camouflage Pattern uniforms, or OCPs — in their closet. Also: you can now roll your sleeve cuffs up a little on hot days. No more short boots The biggest change is a new mandatory height for all combat boots. 'Combat boots must now be between 8-12 inches in height from the bottom of the heel tread to the top of the back of the boot,' the service said in a release. Soles of boots also may not exceed 2 inches in height. The new rule will exclude many boots currently for sale that are less than 8 inches tall, including sneaker-style hiking and trail running shoes that many companies now market in materials and subdued colors that match military requirements. Eyelashes and OCPs Eyelash extensions are also now prohibited, after being authorized for the last four years. Exceptions, the memo said, will be available for medical conditions. For OCPs, officers must now have a set available and up to date, even if they rarely are expected to wear it to work, such as pilots who routinely wear flightsuits. 'All Air Force officers, regardless of career field, must maintain at least one complete set of either the non-fire-retardant operational camouflage pattern uniform or an improved hot weather combat OCP uniform,' the release said. And for those in OCPs, the new rules allow cuffs to be rolled twice for heat or ease of work with the sleeves still being considered 'rolled down.' Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force David A. Flosi wrote in a note on his official Facebook page that the eyelash rules will take effect in 30 days, while the boots and uniform rules will become effective within 90 days. 'This update is based on feedback from our NCOs & the Standards and Readiness Reviews across the force,' Flosi wrote. The rules updates are the second round of small-scale changes the Air Force has announced to its dress and appearance rules this year. In February, the service did away with duty identifier patches and an array of previously allowed nail polish colors, tightened up male hair and shaving standards, and returned the long-absent definition of a 'gig line' — the vertical alignment of fly, belt and shirt edge — to its regulations. The latest on Task & Purpose Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps learns an old lesson: Don't mess with Audie Murphy A breakdown of safety procedures 'directly contributed' to an 82nd Airborne paratrooper's death WWII Marine Raider who fought at Iwo Jima, Guadalcanal wants cards for 100th birthday Navy identifies special warfare sailor killed while parachuting Pentagon appears to pause renaming of Navy ships Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Scientists discover major health risk after studying popular food source: 'We're just providing the numbers'
Waterfowl like ducks and geese are some of the most hunted animals in the northeast United States, but a recent study has revealed something alarming regarding these creatures. As summarized in a post from Cornell University on nearly every bird tested in a large-scale survey of commonly hunted species was contaminated with harmful chemicals — and these pollutants could pose health risks not just to wildlife but also to the people who eat them. Researchers analyzed over 100 waterfowl harvested by hunters across the northeast, finding dangerous chemicals in every single bird. The contaminants included polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) — the latter often called "forever chemicals" due to their persistence in nature and the human body without breaking down. Species like mallards and American black ducks had higher levels of contamination, likely because of what they eat and where they feed. Canada geese and wood ducks had lower levels, but none of the bird species was without pollutants. This has led experts to reconsider the current health advisories that recommend no more than two meals of wild-caught waterfowl per month. "This provides a really good baseline," said Krysten Schuler, a senior researcher on the study, which was published in the journal Science of the Total Environment. "We're not telling people what to eat or do. We're just providing the numbers." This is both a wildlife and public health issue. Exposure to PCBs and PFAS is linked to increased cancer risk, hormone disruption, and developmental issues. These chemicals are known to accumulate in the body over time, which is particularly worrisome for communities that regularly eat wild game. PFAS are especially dangerous. These substances are in everyday items like non-stick cookware, waterproof clothing, and have even been tied to immune system issues, liver damage, and increased cholesterol. The good news? This study will give health officials the data they need to update outdated consumption guidelines and better protect hunters and their families. Do you worry about the longevity of EV batteries? For sure Not really Not at all I've never thought about it Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. It also highlights the urgent need to clean up polluted environments where waterfowl live and feed — often areas already stressed by habitat loss and wetland destruction. You can take steps, too. Limiting your intake of wild-caught waterfowl, especially from high-risk areas, is a smart move. Supporting PFAS-free products, reducing reliance on plastic, and advocating for stricter regulations on toxic chemicals can help build momentum for change. Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
