Being Active Can Positively Impact Women’s Health

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to overlook the importance of regular exercise. Whether you’ve been active in the past or are looking to kickstart a new fitness routine, there’s no better time than now to start moving! Being active has enormous health benefits.

Keep reading below to discover how being active can positively impact women’s health and find tips for incorporating more movement into your daily life.

The Benefits of Regular Exercise for Women

Decreases Risk for Several Illnesses

Many studies have shown that when a woman regularly exercises, they decrease their risk for several major medical issues. Some examples include:

  • Dementia
  • Osteoporosis
  • Depression
  • Breast Cancer
  • Cardiovascular disease

Boosts Mental Health

Regular exercise benefits mental health in women as well! On top of improving self-confidence, working out regularly also improves a woman’s ability to focus and provides higher levels of productivity. In addition, exercising is a great way to destress after a long day.

Benefits Sex Life

Since exercise helps to boost your confidence, it’s no wonder it also has a positive impact on a woman’s sexual desire and response. If you’re finding yourself unmotivated when it comes to sex, consider exercising for as little as 20 minutes a day.

How to Stay Active at Home

In our busy lives, it’s easy to get comfortable and spend most of our time sitting down. However, staying active is essential for maintaining good health, as highlighted by the benefits listed above!

Here are some pointers to help you find ways to stay active at home:

  • Use online resources: There are plenty of online resources available for those looking for exercise classes. A simple Google search should provide a wealth of options to choose from.
  • Take a walk outside: Get your steps in while enjoying the scenery around you. Walking outside allows you to move throughout the day and soak in some fresh air.
  • Use household items as weights: Utilize what’s available to you to strengthen those muscles! Whether it’s jars of pasta sauce or other household items, your imagination is the only limit.

If you have any more questions about why being active can positively impact women’s health, reach out to the women’s health experts at Covington Women’s Health Specialists by clicking here or giving us a call at 770-385-8954.

Avoid Alcohol-based Hand Sanitizers During Pregnancy

Hand Washing with Soap and Water is BEST!

By Cathy T. Larrimore, MD, FACOG

Dr. Cathy Larrimore of Covington, Georgia

Cathy T. Larrimore, M.D. is Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology by the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology (ACOG).

Even before Coronavirus, pregnant women were worried about germs.  But now, with the coronavirus, the concern is at a fever’s pitch!  

Handwashing and the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers are the currently recommended procedures for the control of infections such as the flu, colds, and even coronavirus.  But the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecology (ACOG) advises that “women should avoid alcohol entirely while pregnant or trying to conceive.” So, is the use of alcohol-based hand sanitizers by pregnant women a risk to their unborn fetuses?  Do we know if any of the alcohol is absorbed through the skin?  And what if the women breathe the sanitizer in while it is drying on their hands?  And how many applications a day are safe?

Few studies have been done to measure blood alcohol concentrations after the use of these alcohol-based hand sanitizers.  But the studies that have been done concerning the application of hand sanitizer to the skin and breathing it in showed that a small level of alcohol is absorbed and can be found in the user’s bloodstream.  

The amount of alcohol absorbed would increase with multiple uses of the hand sanitizer.  That is concerning because ACOG states that “adverse effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on child behavior at age 6 to 7 years are evident even at low levels of exposure.”  So, the safety of the repetitive use of hand sanitizer during pregnancy is uncertain.  

Handwashing with soap and water is the preferable way to clean your hands and fight germs during pregnancy.  Reserve hand sanitizer use for once in a blue moon when water and soap are not accessible to you.