“The combination of economic and social stresses brought on by the pandemic, as well as restrictions on movement, have dramatically increased the numbers of women and girls facing abuse, in almost all countries,” the United Nations reports. Calls to helplines doubled in Lebanon and Malaysia and tripled in China compared with the same month last year, the U.N. reports; similar increases have been seen in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and elsewhere....

And again, that’s if your doctor calls for any blood work at all. I actually went from age 25 to 30 with zero labs from my general practitioner, even though I have a family history of heart disease and high cholesterol. So then the question becomes: What’s a happy medium between bare-bones and borderline excessive lab testing? If you’re seriously proactive about optimizing your health and preventing issues, what are the key tests to consider getting done semi-regularly that pretty much any doctor can order and that will most likely be covered by insurance?...

For starters, acid reflux—also known as gastroesophageal reflux—is the expulsion of stomach contents back into the esophagus. And that’s about as fun as it sounds: The acidity of this fluid burns the esophageal lining causing a painful burning sensation in the chest. Repeated exposure to stomach acid can cause serious damage to the esophagus and increase the risk of developing esophageal cancer2. Conversely, some researchers argue that eating acidic foods may actually be beneficial for those suffering from acid reflux and even recommend taking HCL, which is stomach acid....

I have a recording where my ex laughs, “If you were standing there battered and bruised, then maybe you’d have a leg to stand on.” Because it’s so covert, you doubt your sanity. No doubt, the person is gaslighting you—telling you you’re too sensitive, and it’s all your fault. These are some of the things (besides physical violence) that suggest your significant other might be abusive. That was when he was getting desperate....

If you’re already in touch with your mom, but you’ve been avoiding the subject that leads to tension, consider setting up a time to talk. “Don’t get pressured into disclosing the subject before you are prepared and ready,” Hallett says. Showing compassion doesn’t mean you have to completely dismiss past hurts or difficulties, she explains. It does mean, however, that you recognize not everyone has the same inner resources to make decisions you think are best....

Albeit necessary, condoms are a single-use product, which contributes to waste. That said, there are ways to be more thoughtful about the condoms you purchase. Some people assume condoms are just automatically vegan, but that’s not always the case. Most condoms are made from latex, which is a plant-based product. However, some latex condoms are made smooth by resting in a bath of casein (a milk byproduct), which makes them non-vegan, integrative gynecologist Shawn Tassone, M....

Don’t just take our word for it: “Most people don’t realize that taking care of your skin after sun exposure is just as important as taking preventive measures,” board-certified dermatologist Kim Nichols, M.D., tells mbg. Here, we’re going to give you an expert-approved post-sun regimen; that way, you can recover and replenish all of the moisture zapped from your thirsty skin: However, proper sun care goes far beyond a bottle of sunscreen....