Dr. Sudesh Arora

Genophobia or coitophobia is the irrational psychological fear of intercourse. It is a type of a phobia and people suffering from it fill all or most of the criteria of specific phobia according to the ICD (The International Statistical Classification of Diseases). Genophobic people may be terrified of sexual intercourse or all acts involving sex. It is different from erotophobia in the sense erotophobia is the irrational fear of sexuality and not the act in itself.

Causes:

1. The causes of genophobia may be attributed to different experiences and origins according to different psychological perspectives. According to the psychoanalytic perspective, genophobia may be caused by the rigid or extremely religious upbringing, which affected the development of ego, making the individual fear all acts that are sexual because it causes moral anxiety and a severe clash of the superego (ethical portion of one's personality)and i'd (primitive component of one's personality).
2. According to the learning perspective, genophobia may develop due to an unpleasant sexual experience such as rape or molestation. Rape Trauma Syndrome leads the survivor to relive the trauma several times and develop apprehension. They may begin to fear sex eventually by relating it to the unpleasant experience, eventually leading to genophobia. It may also be caused if the individual observes sexual acts that are traumatizing in nature, in media or otherwise.
3. It may also result from severe performance anxiety, especially for those who lack sexual experience and have abstained from sex for a prolonged period of time. There is also a chance that other phobias, such as the fear of diseases, especially STDs, may lead to a fear of sexual acts. Some people might relate sexual intercourse with acquiring diseases, thus leading to the development of genophobia.

Symptoms: Symptoms of genophobia include the fear of sexual intercourse and all acts within, breathlessness, nausea, dizziness, feeling sick and fear of losing control. All these symptoms take place in the context of sexual acts.

Treatment: Genophobia is treated like all other phobias. Therapeutic technique such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (a conversation centric therapy that focuses on how thoughts and beliefs can affect one's actions) is widely used in the treatment of genophobia along with medications. The therapeutic technique varies from patient to patient. For instance, the therapeutic technique used for a rape survivor would be completely different from that which is used for an individual with a fear of STDs. With proper treatment, genophobia is curable, eventually allowing the individual to have a particularly healthy sex life. If you wish to discuss about any specific problem, you can consult a Sexologist.

Take two bananas every day with milk and honey.

There are many physical symptoms of pregnancy and having swollen feet during pregnancy can be worrying for some women. If you notice this symptom during pregnancy, it is critical to understand why it happens, and how to treat it.

Swollen feet during pregnancy

Swollen feet during pregnancy, caused by increased fluid levels in the body, is natural and common, particularly later in your term and during the third trimester. Swelling in different parts of the body is generally referred to as edema, and edema in the feet, while you are carrying a child, is completely natural. There are different reasons for this, but primarily swelling occurs because your body retains more water during pregnancy. Furthermore, the increased pressure in your pelvic region due to the presence of the baby can make the return of blood from your legs slower. This will result in an accumulation of blood in your feet and ankles, which will be countered with increased fluid levels, leading to swelling.

That being said, other factors can also increase your risk of having swollen feet during pregnancy, such as preeclampsia. Although swelling can occur at any time during pregnancy, you are far more likely to experience this type of swelling in the third trimester, as the baby has grown by this time. In terms of extra weight being carried around and the pressure on the pelvic region, the swelling will likely be more in the later stages of pregnancy.

Treatments for swollen feet during pregnancy

There are quite a few effective treatments for this type of edema, including stretching, wearing proper shoes, putting your feet up more, and performing foot exercises, among others.

1. Stretching

If you make stretching a part of your daily routine, you will be able to increase circulation to the extremities and prevent your ankles, heels, and calves from becoming stiff. This can greatly reduce the pain and discomfort, and drive better circulation, which will reduce swelling in the feet.

2. Shoe choice

Many people wear incorrect shoes, which can cause additional edema in the feet, as well as inflammation in the joints. It can even alter the way you walk, which can further cause discomfort or pain in the hips and knees. Comfortable shoes are a must during pregnancy, including the use of insoles, which can reduce inflammation that will make the swelling worse.

3. Elevation

If you regularly put your feet up, it will help to reduce the swelling, accumulation of blood, and fluid build-up in your feet.

4. Stay hydrated

Word of caution:One of the biggest reasons for edema and swelling in the feet is lack of water in the body. Dehydration will cause your blood vessels to narrow, which will make swelling even worse in the extremities. On the other hand, cut down on your salt intake to reduce water retention, as a lot of water can also cause swelling.

5. Foot exercises

To reduce cramping and stimulate better circulation, there are some great exercises for pregnant women suffering from swollen feet. Begin by flexing the foot up and down 20 times, followed by rotating the foot in a circle 8-10 times, then do the same thing in reverse. Repeat this with both feet in the morning and evening for best results.

Word of caution: while swelling is normal, if it becomes extreme or is accompanied by lightheadedness, blurred vision, headache or vomiting, you may be suffering from preeclampsia. This can be a serious condition and should be discussed with your doctor as soon as possible. Preeclampsia may require you to induce pre-term labor to ensure your and baby’s safety. Swelling in the ankles and feet is normal, but if the swelling appears in your hands or face, see a doctor immediately.

When a woman is ready to ovulate, she might develop an intense sexual appetite.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or Disease (PCOS) is a very common condition, wherein there are multiple cysts in the ovaries. As a result, there are many changes which the body undergoes and it is not limited to the gynecologic system. A woman with PCOS may also find it difficult to conceive, and so, once she is pregnant, precautions are essential to ensure there are no complications.

Pcos predisposes women to diabetes, hypertension, obesity, cardiovascular complications, lipid metabolism disorders, uterine cancer in long run. Some of them are listed below:

1. Preeclampsia: When the blood pressure readings are high during pregnancy, it is known as preeclampsia. It brings with it a whole lot of complications including the need to cesarean section, premature birth, etc. So, it is best avoided, and diet can help to some extent.
2. Diabetes: Gestational diabetes which manifests as higher sugar levels only during the pregnancy is very common in women with PCOS. The increased hormone levels in PCOS increase insulin resistance, thereby increasing sugar levels. This needs to be managed through a combination of diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes.
3. Preterm labor: Women with PCOS are at a slightly higher risk of premature labor.
4. Weight-related issues: PCOS leads to weight gain, and this could be a problem during pregnancy. It is essential to discuss with the doctor as to what would be a good weight range and stay within that range throughout pregnancy. Weight gain brings with it a host of complications and so best avoided.

Dietary changes:

With PCOS, during pregnancy, strict cautious diet planning can help in avoiding complications and allow for an easier pregnancy. Though they may not solve every problem associated with PCOS, dietary modifications can have a significant effect on the overall health and well-being.

Listed below are some easy-to-make changes:

1. Increase consumption of fibres like greens, nuts, pumpkin, berries, whole grains, almonds, etc. are included. This ensures that digestion is a prolonged and gradual spike in blood sugar levels.
2. Increase protein-rich foods like soya, tofu, eggs, and chicken, which help in avoiding binging. They are light on the stomach and help in weight management.
3. Foods which are generally anti-inflammatory including tomatoes, olive oil, spinach, fresh fruits, and omega-3 fatty acids help in controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
4. Supplements to include omega-3 fatty acids, prenatal vitamins, vitamin D, and calcium if required ensure that the baby gets the required nutrients for optimal growth.

What to avoid:

Anything that can spike up calories and is of low nutritional value should be avoided.

1. Avoid whites – pasta, rice, and bread
2. Baked and processed foods
3. Candies, chocolates, snacks
4. Salty and spicy fried snacks
5. Aerated drinks and soda

PCOS in pregnancy presents a combination risk, and dietary changes and weight management are essential for a safe pregnancy.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Laughter is a type of response that occurs to you generally when you experience a funny or a pleasant situation. All the doctors also believe in the theory that laughter indeed is the best medicine. Laughing not only helps to cheer you up emotionally by boosting your mood, but also has complementary physical outcomes that are desirable. Here are some interesting and fascinating facts about laughter.

1. You are more likely to laugh around others - According to a medical research, it is a proven fact that laughter is generated by a person rather than a funny situation or a joke that you hear. It is the image of that person in your mind which is funny and everything he/she does or says seems to be funny for you. This is why you will probably laugh among a set of people rather than laughing all by yourself.

2. Fake laughter - A medical research conducted by Professor Scott has readily proven that the human brain has the ability to differentiate between a fake laughter and a real one. So, if you are in a group of people and somebody is trying to laugh forcibly and deliberately, then your brain is able to identify that person easily.

3. Laughter is contagious - As per the famous saying, when you laugh then the whole world laughs with you. It is a true thing and laughter is actually contagious as it tends to regulate a part in your brain when you hear others laughing.

4. Burns calories - Laughter is a good source of a physical workout as well as it burns calories when you laugh out loud. Laughing for around 10 to 15 minutes a day burns about 10 to 40 calories.

5. Leads to healthier relationships - It is a proven fact that laughing together with any individual help to strengthen the emotional bond that you share with that person. People who laugh together usually are able to trust each other more and their relationship lasts for a longer period.

6. Mood and Energy booster - Laughter is an instant booster if you are emotionally wrecked or suffering from a bad mood. It helps to cheer you up and make you feel good and confident about yourself. Additionally, it also helps to boost the energy levels if you are low on energy.

'Consult'.

Related Tip: Laughter is The Key To a Girl's Heart! Now Scientifically Proven.