Ever look down after things get hot and steamy and notice some blood on the sheets even though you’re not on your period? Or maybe things have gotten a little more potent than usual “down there.” These are just some of the many strange, annoying and sometimes frightening side effects…
Lilly Johnson
Writer
Lilly Johnson is a Media Studies and English dual major at Scripps College of the Claremont Colleges Consortium. Ask her about horror movies or bubble tea.
Entries Lilly Johnson
For those who do too much, diet and fitness goals may move further and further away from your top priorities. At some point, this may be taking a serious toll on your body. As your wellness moves all the way to the back of your mind, you may be unintentionally…
One of the many hard truths of aging is the formation of those irritating brown spots known as age spots, liver spots or sunspots. This discoloration usually forms in areas that have been consistently exposed to the sun, such as the hands, arms, chest and upper back. The exposure to…
The gallbladder is a small organ located directly under the liver, which functions to store and deliver bile into the small intestine where it will be used to break down fat from food. A gallstone forms as a small, hardened deposit of material in the bladder that can go undetectable…
There are many different types of breast cancer, and understanding exactly what factors make up a specific type of breast cancer is vital to its treatment. Depending on the type of breast cancer it is - the symptoms, diagnosis and the treatment are completely varied. Breast cancer is defined by…
Many of us have spent thousands on expensive anti-aging creams, cosmetics, facials, massages and treatments to combat the inevitable aging process. However, one troubling symptom of aging that often goes overlooked is the drooping skin on the neck. It is an area that you rarely pay any attention to until one…
Some might argue that one of the greatest roles in life is that of parenting. When we leave this earth, our children may be the most important legacy that we leave behind. We are given the opportunity to nurture and mold a part of the future. This is a weighty…
Even though modern life is a lot more convenient in many ways, there is something to be said about the dating culture of the good ol’ days. People went the extra mile to make their dates feel special—and time, attention, and effort were expected in order to do so. There…
While some mammals' eyes will water when irritated, humans are the only animals who shed tears due to an emotional response. The response may be varied— from the pain you feel after the loss of a loved one, to the joy that bubbles over during your wedding, to the red-hot…
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS)—you probably brush over it every time you open a box of tampons, warning you of the potentially deadly side effects in fine print. But not many of us understand this very dangerous and very real affliction as anything more than a horror story. Toxic shock syndrome…
Vaginal discharge gets a pretty bad rep amongst women. It is considered unsanitary, unsightly and unsexy. Yet, regular discharge is actually vital to the female reproductive system, signaling the self-cleaning process which clears out any dead cells and gets rid of bacteria. Without it, women would risk infections, dryness and…
Throughout your childhood, you most likely heard the words, “sit up straight!” from the nagging voice of your parents, grandparents, teachers or siblings. As irritating as it was, maybe they had a good reason for the demand. Good posture can not only help you to feel and appear more confident…
As humans, we spend a lot of time sleeping. And by a lot we mean one-third of our lives. In fact, by age 75, the average person has spent 25 years asleep. We tend to write off the time we spend sleeping as blank space to help us refuel during…
As you know, regular exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle. However, if you are just thinking about adding it into your daily routine, the high-intensity workouts that you are expecting can feel pretty intimidating. But high-intensity, sweat-drenched workouts are not the only options! You can still burn…
According to the CDC, kidney disease is becoming a huge epidemic amongst the American population. In fact, up to 1 in 7 Americans are estimated to have the disease and thousands more are at risk for developing other kidney problems. These statistics may seem pretty daunting, but kidney disease takes…
Is it hot in here or is it just me? If you're feeling a sudden internal warmth in your upper body, even when it isn’t hot outside, it may be just you. These hot flashes will usually be accompanied by splotchy redness in the upper body or face, perspiration, increased…
Cancer consistently remains one of the major leading causes of death worldwide. However, early detection can significantly increase the chances of finding an effective treatment. The problem with this is that these screening tests can be a long and evasive process, with doctors mainly being able to detect side effects…
Let’s talk number two. It’s not exactly a pleasant ordeal, and it’s especially something we don’t want to linger on. But maybe we should give our stool some extra attention. First, let’s establish how typical, healthy stool should look. It is influenced by your diet and the amount of bile…
As the temperature slowly crawls up, so does the hemline of our summer frocks. It’s the time to show off your tan and your legs. Though Barbie legs are not achievable, we have the ability to target a certain problem area so that we may put forward our most confident…
One of the most common symptoms of mourning is the loss of quality sleep. However, this symptom only causes a negative feedback loop that stalls the grieving process. When you experience fatigue due to loss of sleep for an extended period of time, you can get more depressed, feel more…
Women are constantly berated with the latest trend that will "transform" us into young, healthy, radiant supermodels with perfect skin, perfect teeth, and flowing hair. First, it was Ayd’s candies in the 1970s, then it was the South Beach diet in 2003, a few years ago it was the juice…
Although many of us are aware of the appendix, very few can say with confidence that they know what it does. That’s because the appendix is commonly thought to be a vestigial organ, meaning it doesn’t actually do much. However, new research suggests that the appendix does contribute to your…
Your sex life is private and you may prefer that it remain that way. But sometimes what happens behind bedroom doors doesn’t stay behind closed doors. Recently, STI (sexually transmitted infection) cases have been on the rise all around the world (specifically 20 percent this past year). Therefore, it is…
Scoliosis is characterized by an abnormal ‘C’ or ‘S’ shaped curve that forms in the spine, causing negative side effects due to spinal deformities that affect other parts of the skeleton and organs. While it usually develops during the growth spurt before puberty, adults can also experience scoliosis of two…
Varicose veins and spider veins are those mass of painful, raised blood vessels that twist and turn, usually found in the face and the legs. They are fairly visible underneath the skin, resulting in a tangled, swollen appearance of blue, red and purple veins. They are thought to be more…
Not all tummies were made equally. Maybe you’ve tried different fad diets or crazy exercises to get rid of that extra fat hanging off your belly but nothing seemed to work. Perhaps you were targeting the wrong belly bulge. In order to effectively reduce belly fat, it's helpful to identify…
As women, we are constantly berated with hordes of articles throwing lists monstrously expensive vitamins we need to take in order to live healthy lives. So we’re going to let you in on a little secret. Supplementary vitamins are just that—supplements. They really are only there to help provide you…
Many of us have watched in pain as our children become completely enveloped in a video game; the bright movement on the screen reflected on their frozen faces for hours. We see how addictive this “controlled substance” can be, and we wonder if it is something more serious than a…
As summer kicks into full gear and we start to trade in our wool sweaters and baggy work clothes for summer frocks and tank tops, we begin to realize the consequences of all those nights we spent holed up in our rooms, binging on Netflix and potato chips after a…