Still curious about the Master Cleanse? Here’s a breakdown of what it is, how to follow it, and what you need to know about the risks. The central feature of this program is the Master Cleanse lemonade made with water, fresh lemon juice, cayenne pepper, and pure, organic maple syrup. This drink, which is the only calorie-containing item allowed, is consumed six to 12 times a day for 10 days. You’ll also sip on a saltwater flush in the morning and laxative tea before bed (laxative teas vary by ingredients, but some include senna leaf, which has the potential to help shed excess water)....

But another study published in the International Journal of Gynecology & Obstetrics found women were actually having more sex—and generally felt more sexual desire—in the early months of the pandemic. That said, the quality of sex had gotten worse for women, with researchers finding a “significant deterioration” in women’s sexual functioning, which includes things like arousal, lubrication, and ability to orgasm. Together, these diverging studies suggest there are many different ways the pandemic has affected sex, which dovetails with what sex therapists have been telling us about the complex relationship between stress and libido....

The definition of “effort,” and what couples look for in long-distance relationships, is changing, though. Success isn’t necessarily keeping the fire alive in the bedroom, making sure you’re in constant communication, or even taking turns making the trek to see each other. Smartphones, social media, and apps like Skype give long-distance partners easy access to their significant other almost 24/7, so lack of communication or even intimacy (hello, Skype sex) is no longer the big barrier when it comes to making a long-distance relationship thrive....

This has made way for a buffet of high-price, low-return products to enter the market and convolute what “wellness” really means—and who has access to it. In the last year, op-eds like Jessica Knoll’s “Smash the Wellness Industry” (which likened wellness culture to diet culture) and Jen Gunter’s “Worshiping the False Idols of Wellness” (which declared that the expensive wellness complex is exploiting gaps left by medicine) have run in the New York Times and stoked the first flames of the wellness backlash into an all-out fire....

Here are the five most annoying skin problems women deal with during their pregnancy, and what you can do to safely remedy the problems without further irritating your skin or harming your baby. Top Tip: Set a quiet period of time each day when you can simply look after yourself and relax. Use lavender oils and chamomile tea to help you sleep at night. Drink water constantly to stay hydrated and to remove wastes and toxins from your body....

Water is a mainstay in many beauty products (check out your vanity; you’ll see it listed as the first ingredient for most), so why would there be such a strong push to leave it out? Well, that comes down to sustainability, shelf life, and efficacy. Here, everything you need to know about waterless beauty. As the beauty space starts to move toward greener, more sustainable options, from the packaging used to better-for-the-environment ingredients, one area we’ll start to hear more about is water consumption....

The misunderstanding that BDSM is necessarily linked to violence or portrayed as acting against someone’s will is dangerous, as it doesn’t account for the interpersonal dynamics that make BDSM a consensual practice. And many people are unaware of the playful, consciousness-expanding, and even healing opportunities that BDSM offers. From my coaching work with clients, and from exploring my own identity as a sex-positive woman, I know that BDSM can do a lot more than just add a bit of fun to an otherwise routine roll in the hay....