Androgenic alopecia fact sheet

Male pattern hair loss, medically known as androgenic alopecia, is the most common type of baldness millions of men experience. It does not happen overnight; it may take you 2-5 years to notice that half of your scalp hair is gone. While there is no complete cure, you can prevent your head from balding with proper and timely treatment. Talking of treatment and there is Propecia finasteride – one of the most sought after FDA-approved medicines to prevent androgenic alopecia and in some cases, to stimulate new hair growth. You can buy Propecia online from the comfort of your home and stop losing your locks to this genetic and hormonally induced condition.

Your baldness in depth

Every day you lose up to 100 hair daily out of 100,000 to 150,100 hair strands. This hair fall is normal as every two to six years, the hair finishes its growth and resting cycle and reaches its shedding phase. The reason men suffering from male pattern baldness lose more hair than normal is that their follicles become sensitive to a hormone commonly known as DHT. This hormone is medically known as dihydrotestosterone. When your hair follicles become sensitive because of age, hormonal changes or any other factors, you experience hair loss.

How to keep the follicles alive

If you know how to keep your hair follicles alive, you are well on the road to stop male pattern hair loss from occurring. One prescription medication, Propecia, which contains a chemical ingredient known as finasteride can help to avoid further shrinking of hair follicles because of DHT and can also help in reviving hair follicles that have already shrunk. Finasteride basically inhibits the level of DHT and help in stopping hair loss and in hair re-growth.

Spot the pattern

Unless and until you don't know if your hair loss is because of male pattern baldness or some other reason, there are less chances of you seeking a treatment. Therefore, the first step is to understand the pattern of your hair loss. If you see bald spots in the middle part of your head and then from the crown and the sides, eventually which might lead to or has already led to an 'M' or horseshoe shaped bald area – you are suffering male pattern baldness. It is advisable to start treatment well before the 'M' shape is formed.

Genetic factors

Sometimes, DHT is not solely to be blamed for your hair loss. It can also be genetic in nature. Most scientists agree that hair loss in inherited from mother's side of the family, though it has not been established.

Propecia at rescue

The good thing about Propecia is that it can not only help you to stop further hair loss but also reverse it. More than 90% men have experienced benefits and claimed that their hair loss is stopped within just a couple of months. 60% men have claimed to see new hair growth where they had totally lost hope. This drug is not only very effective but also safe with only 2% men saying they experienced side effects. These side effects too are not very serious and reversible in nature.

Symptoms of genital herpes

Genital herpes is  a sexually transmitted disease, which is caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 or type 2. Many people infected with this virus do not see any noticeable symptoms. Usually, blisters around the rectum and genitals are the first and most common signs of this genital infection. These blisters become dry and break out after a while and are replaced by ulcers, which can last for about a month during the first outbreak, which is generally the most painful time to get through. Outbreaks, which occur after the first one, are relatively less severe and manageable. Although, this infection can be treated, it cannot be cured.

Symptoms of genital herpes

Generally, you can see the first symptoms in the form of development of blisters within 4 to 7 days after sexual intercourse or skin to skin contact with an infected person. Small blisters or ulcers, which are 1 to 3 millimeters in length and look like cabbage, develop on the infected area, which is generally the genital area. Infections caused by herpes are generally painless but they are very tender. The common symptoms of genital herpes are as follows:

• Fever
• Muscle aches
• Mild or severe headaches
• Painful urination
• Swollen lymph nodes in the groin

Symptoms in women

In women, ulcers are located around the vagina, and sometimes in it. This may cause great discomfort. Blisters may be found on the anus as well. Many women experience minor problems in the vagina from time to time. Vaginal discharge is generally the first sign of a genital infection amongst females. Other symptoms of female genital herpes, such as frequent urination and a burning feeling at the time of urination, may be observed as well.

Symptoms in men

In men, sores are located on or around the penis. Painful urination is a common symptom of genital herpes. Male genital herpes is less common than female genital herpes. This is because the makeup of female genitalia encourages bacterial formation by giving it a warm and wet environment.

Treatment for genital herpes

If you are suffering from genital herpes, you can treat it by using effective medication. Famvir and Valtrex are the two most effective medications that are widely used by people to treat genital herpes symptoms. These medications, apart from being effective in cold sores treatments, can help you manage and shorten the duration of herpes outbreaks.

Valtrex tablets

Valacyclovir is commercially sold as Valtrex, which is active against the herpes virus. Valtrex tablets work  by blocking the replication of the herpes virus in the body. Valtrex is not the active drug by itself. It is only a prodrug, and is converted to acyclovir when it enters the body.

Famvir tablets

Famvir is an antiviral medication, which slows down the growth and reduces the severity of the herpes virus. While this medication is amongst the most effective ones to treat herpes, you should note that herpes cannot be fully cured, it can only be treated. Famvir tablets help in treatment of genital herpes, if taken as prescribed.

Is impotence making your sex life difficult?

Erection problems can affect the sex life of a man in a big way. And the most feared of them is erectile dysfunction (ED), commonly known as male impotence. The very term impotence carries an uneasy feeling about it – it immediately sets you apart from men who are 'potent'. If diagnosed with ED, your sex life can fall apart unless you do something about it. It is estimated that many men in the US, after coming to the brink of disaster in their personal relationships, did bring about a change in their lives with a right ED treatment. Talking of a right erectile dysfunction treatment and there's nothing better than the Viagra blue pill, at least if you go by the phenomenal success rate associated with this Pfizer product.

Erectile dysfunction is not just YOUR problem

Despite the fact that your female partner can never experience erectile dysfunction, she can suffer from it just as much as you do. Sexual health is probably the only one health topic which involves both partners. Think about female sexual dysfunction (FSD) – the commonest sexual health problem many women experience. Can you have a fulfilling sex life when your partner is suffering from FSD? The same logic can be applied to ED also – your partner may feel denied of the pleasure and satisfaction she expects from you.

Facing the problem together

The best way to tackle impotence is to face the problem together. It means that instead of hiding from her the erection issues that are bothering you, talk to her and give her the honest impression that you are looking for a quick solution to get back to a normal sex life. It will immediately tell your partner how much you value your relationship and rest assured, you will get her complete support as you get ready for the next important step towards finding a workable solution.

Talking to a doctor

The next important step is talking to a doctor. If you want to take Viagra or another ED pill to put impotence behind, you need a prescription first. More importantly, you need to find out which pill is right for you. Your body is different from others and what might have worked for other men with ED may not work for you. So only a doctor can guide you through the right impotence treatment. You need to help the doctor by giving him an accurate picture of the erection difficulties you are facing. Also tell him if you are currently taking other medications for high blood pressure, cardiovascular problems, kidney or liver problems or diabetes. What you tell your doctor will determine which dose of Viagra or another medicine he will recommend for you.

The treatment

Once you are all set to put erectile dysfunction behind and begin a new life, it's time to start the treatment you have been prescribed by your doctor. If it's Viagra, you have to take a pill 30-60 minutes before sex and you are likely to experience the effect of the medicine shortly. The effects of sildenafil lasts up to 4 hours, giving you ample time to have sex. For other impotence pills such as Cialis and Levitra, the duration of drug effects differs.

When you are taking any of the 3 common ED pills, make it a point to drink and eat sensibly for greater sexual enjoyment.

Health problems caused by obesity

Obesity is one of the growing health concerns in the UK. According to statistics, the number of overweight or obese people in the country has been increasing steadily for the past few decades and chances are fairly high that it will continue to rise in the next few years as well. While excess fat in the body looks unattractive and can have psychological impact on the individual concerned, it can also invite health conditions such as diabetes mellitus, osteoarthritis, heart problems, and certain types of cancer. You can dodge these risk factors by starting to eat healthy and exercise daily from today. Taking diet pills like Xenical Orlistat can also be a good choice if your doctor thinks so. But before you consider any obesity treatment, acquaint yourself with the most common risk factors for obesity.

1. Diabetes mellitus – Statistics show that obese men are twice as likely to suffer from diabetes mellitus compared to normal-weight men. Obese women face the same risk four times more than normal-weight women. In diabetes mellitus, the cells in your body cannot use insulin to convert sugar into energy. So effectively, sugar remains in the bloodstream, causing weight gain. Some experts have pointed out that a protein called resistin (secreted by the adipose tissues) may also be involved with diabetes and obesity.
2. Osteoarthritis – Excess body fat can put extra pressure on your bones and joints, which in turn, can cause osteoarthritis. If you have already undergone joint replacement therapy, complications might just stay that bit longer to create more trouble for you. Obesity and overweight conditions mainly affect weight-bearing joints in your knees. According to clinical trials, the incidence of osteoarthritis in obese or overweight people is 4-5 times more compared to normal-weight people.
3. Heart problems – You may not be able to prevent heart problems if you are genetically predisposed to them, but you surely can avoid getting a stroke if you take care of your body weight. Cardiovascular problems are among the biggest and most fatal risk factors for obesity. Any obesity treatment regime takes into consideration the patient's medical history with regard to heart conditions. The main link between the 2 conditions is what you eat on a regular basis. Stopping by your favourite fast-food joint en route to home every alternate day does not augur well as far as fat intake is concerned. If you eat more fat than your body can burn, the excess amount is likely to get stored in the adipose tissues. Xenical is particularly effective in dealing with excess body fat. But you have to eat moderate amount of fatty foods to let orlistat work best for you.
4. Cancer – Last but not the least, obesity can increase the risk of certain types of cancer, including breast, kidney, esophagus, and colon. Some studies have also found out that obese people are more at risk of suffering from cancers of gallbladder, pancreas and ovaries, compared to their normal-weight counterparts.

If you decide to cut down on your body weight, it's better to talk to a doctor and discuss a long-term weight loss plan. Avoid taking slimming pills at random, because doing so may not give you the results you are looking for.

Genital Herpes - Risk Factors and Treatment

There are at least twenty five different types of STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) found so far and chlamydia is reported to be the most common among them. Genital herpes comes 10th in the list of common STDs, preceded by HIV and followed by hepatitis. Despite the lower rank, this viral STD is among the most feared genital infections because it has no complete cure. Caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), herpes infection can be of 2 primary types – cold sores and genital herpes. Cold sores is generally caused by HSV-1 while genital herpes is transmitted mainly by HSV-2.

Herpes has always drawn a lot of medical attention, perhaps more than chlamydia or some of the other STDs, because of the interesting nature of the virus that causes it. The herpes simplex virus can be transmitted from one individual to another through sex or any kind of physical contact. The infection is very contagious and even safe sex does not fully guarantee prevention. Basically there are two major challenges when it comes to dealing with genital herpes. First, you can be unaware of the fact that you carry the virus in your body. Second, you can unknowingly transmit the virus to your partner at the time of sexual intimacy. The second concern is very real and can be difficult to prevent. You need not suffer from an active herpes outbreak to transmit the virus. Even when you do not have any visible symptoms of herpes, it is possible for the virus latent in the cell bodies to transmit to your partner.

The good news is that strong antiviral medications such as Valtrex and Famvir can give you relief from the immediate as well as long-term complications of genital herpes. Valtrex is the only proven drug to reduce the risk of herpes transmission between sexually active partners. Famvir, on the other hand, can help you fight recurrent herpes outbreaks quickly and without much pain.

The basic purpose of antiviral genital herpes treatment is to help patients live with the virus, for there is no way to cure herpes completely. Both Valtrex and Famvir can do it and do it well enough to earn the trust of many doctors worldwide. If your immune system is healthy and if you do not suffer from kidney problems, the once-daily Valtrex dose can make sure you don't suffer from recurrent herpes outbreaks. Similarly taking just 4 Famvir tablets (first 2 within 6 hours from an outbreak and the next 2 after 12 hours) can shorten the duration of genital herpes symptoms and give you fast relief. But to find out which medicine you should take, you have to talk to a doctor. Both drugs are available only on prescription.

More than 30,000 people had their first herpes attacks in 2009, according to statistics given by different GUM clinics in the UK. The rate at which genital herpes is spreading in the country is quite alarming and to pull the graph down, everyone should be aware of its dangers and risk factors and act on according to expert advice.

Smoking cessation timeline

Have you ever wondered what if you quit smoking now? How will your body react to the absence of nicotine? How will you feel mentally knowing that you have just had your last cigarette? Smoking cessation is not a trivial issue, as you would probably admit after making several failed attempts to quit smoking. But you may be amazed to know that with the passing of each tobacco-free moment after your last cigarette, your health will improve from good to better. Let's have a look at what you can expect after quitting.

After 20 minutes
 

You will feel the first benefit of quitting just 20 minutes after you had your last cigarette. Your blood pressure and pulse rate will become normal, so will your body temperature of hands and feet.

After 8 hours 

Had your last cigarette last night at bedtime? After a 8-hour sleep, you will feel better as carbon monoxide level in blood will come down to normal and oxygen level will increase to normal.

After a day
 

It's been 24 hours you haven't touched your pack of Marlboro or Winston and great news is awaiting you – your risk of getting a heart attack has lessened significantly.

After 2 days 

This is when you will be most likely to feel irritable and restless for nicotine. Known as nicotine withdrawal symptoms, people have to get through the toughest period a couple of days after they quit. By this time, your damaged nerve endings will start to regrow and your sense of smell and taste will be better than before.

Champix can be a good choice for you if you want to successfully cope with nicotine withdrawal symptoms. This prescription medicine has varenicline tartrate as its active ingredient. It regulates the release of a chemical called dopamine in the brain and kills all the good feelings that you can relate back to smoking. The trick is to start taking Champix a week before you set your quit date. So a couple of days after you stop smoking, you may find it easy to overcome the withdrawal symptoms.

After 3 days 

The withdrawal symptoms may continue to increase and you may have to put up a fight with your mind and ego to justify the decision you took 3 days back. Having said that, you will be able to taste your favourite delicacies better and get relief from bad breath.

After 4 days 

More health benefits will come your way 4 days after you quit smoking. Your throat and lungs will start getting cleared from nicotine tars. Your body too will start getting detoxified, giving you a happy and healthy feeling. But you may still have to continue fighting with physical withdrawal symptoms such as constipation, headache and general discomfort.

After 2 weeks 

Now is the time to say that you have reached a stage where you do not have any physical reasons to start smoking again. Your energy level will rise drastically – you can take the stairs instead of lift without grasping for breath; you will be able to perform hard physical labour and your immunity will increase.

After months 

If you can stay tobacco-free for 3-6 months, your cravings for nicotine will slowly subside. Even an odd temptation to smoke at the office party or in a friend's place won't make you feel that you are dependent on nicotine.

First smoking cessation anniversary    

A year after you quit smoking, the risk of coronary heart disease will reduce considerably. Plenty of other benefits will also be there for you to appreciate and enjoy.

Female libido enhancer that works

Female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is common to women of all ages, more so in surgically menopausal women. A hormone called testosterone controls the sexual hunger for both men and women and surgical removal of the ovaries can snap testosterone supply in the body. But the good news is that artificial patches can enhance a woman's libido and encourage her to explore her sexuality once again. Intrinsa patches are among the most sought after female libido enhancers available on the market at present. To improve female sex drive, these patches deliver a small amount of artificial testosterone straight to the bloodstream. There are no hassles involved with using them either. You just need to wear a patch for 2-3 days and get the results you are looking for.

More than just a 'patchy' solution to your sexual problems
 

Every Intrinsa patch contains 300mg of testosterone. Being a transdermal patch, the hormone goes straight to your blood and helps boost your libido. But note that artificial testosterone therapy is only helpful when the source of natural testosterone is removed by surgical or other means. Women with age-induced menopause won't get any benefit from Intrinsa patches.

You should use Intrinsa patches for a substantial period of time to get its benefits. Put on a patch on your lower abdomen or shoulders continuously for 2-3 days.

Is Intrinsa the female Viagra? 

The debate between Viagra and Intrinsa is not so relevant as it may appear to be. Viagra can help a man get and maintain harder and firmer erections. Intrinsa, on the other hand, can help a woman get sexually aroused, which in turn, may help her feel more stimulated and excited about sex. Testosterone patches can also treat problems such as painful orgasm.      

Safety and effectiveness 

Clinical trials have shown that 51% women who had menopause after surgical removal of their ovaries reported improved sexual performance and pleasure after using these testosterone patches. But be very clear that these patches won't boost your sexual desire if your menopause is natural.

Are there any side effects of Intrinsa? 

Intrinsa has testosterone, which is predominantly a male hormone. So by using it you can experience side effects such as change of voice, increased body hair and skin irritation. But do not panic. These side effects, should they occur, are usually short-lived and you can expect them to go away after the medicine is discontinued. In a nutshell, the benefits of testosterone patches outweigh their risk factors, which is why you can try them out to reclaim your libido.

Other probable causes of FSD 

Female sexual dysfunction can be caused by other factors also, including damaged blood vessels, endocrine gland problems and use of certain medicines. Using testosterone patches may not help when your low sex drive is caused by these factors.

Unpleasant early life experiences may make you less responsive to sexual stimulation. Relationship crises can also have a damaging effect on your attitude to sex. It can make your sex life drab and monotonous, which, in turn, can make you uninterested in sex.

Caution 

Intrinsa patches are not suited for women with 65 years of age. If you are pregnant or nursing, talk to your doctor before using Intrinsa patches.

If you experience any problem after using these testosterone patches, talk to a doctor immediately.