Your Health Questions
Answered by Professionals

There are several factors to consider; see below to understand more. There is no single right number of dates before sex, and the healthiest timeline is the one that aligns with your values, emotional readiness, trust, enthusiastic consent, and health planning like contraception, STI testing, and safety. The full guide below covers how to set and communicate boundaries, recognize pressure, decide when waiting or moving forward is best for you, and when to contact a clinician for pain, bleeding, distress, or pregnancy or STI concerns.

Great sex does not guarantee a healthy sexual relationship; red flags include pressure or guilt around sex, boundary pushing, using sex to avoid conflict, control over when and how sex happens, feeling empty or anxious afterward, and trauma triggers, while healthy sex is marked by clear consent, mutual desire, open communication, emotional safety, respect for boundaries, balanced power, and caring aftercare. There are several factors to consider that can shape your next steps. See below for details on how to reflect, talk with a partner if safe, and when to seek counseling or speak to a doctor about distress, pain, or trauma symptoms.

Avoid these eczema home remedies that can worsen flares: essential oils, apple cider vinegar, baking soda, lemon or other citrus, raw garlic, raw honey, herbal or DIY salves, and for some people coconut oil, because they can sting, burn, trigger allergies, or disrupt the skin barrier. Safer options include fragrance-free moisturizers, short lukewarm showers, gentle non-soap cleansers, and prescribed treatments when needed; there are several factors to consider, including when to see a doctor for infection or severe symptoms, so see below for important details that may affect your next steps.

Stopping diarrhea too quickly with over the counter medicines can be a mistake, especially when infection is possible, because slowing the gut can trap bacteria and toxins. The bigger immediate danger is dehydration, so prioritize fluids and oral rehydration first. Avoid antidiarrheals if there is fever, blood or black stools, severe abdominal pain, recent travel, antibiotic use, or in infants, older adults, and people with weakened immunity, and seek medical care if symptoms last more than 2 to 3 days; there are several factors to consider, so see below to understand more.

Aphrodisiac supplements rarely boost desire because sexual interest is complex and individualized, most products are not proven effective, benefits are often placebo, and some carry medication interactions and other safety risks. What works better is addressing sleep, stress, medical or medication issues, relationship and emotional safety including trauma, and seeking medical guidance, with targeted nutrients only if you are truly deficient. There are several factors to consider, and important details that can affect your next steps, so see the complete guidance below.

Natural testosterone boosters are often a dangerous waste of money because poorly regulated supplements rarely raise levels in a meaningful way, can cause side effects or interactions, and distract from far more common causes of low libido like sleep problems, stress, mental health, medications, metabolic issues, and relationship factors. There are several important details that can change your next steps, including when to get proper testing, why doctor-supervised therapy is only for confirmed deficiency, safer evidence-based strategies, and warning signs of hidden conditions that should not be missed; see complete guidance below.

Scheduled intimacy can strengthen desire and connection, while waiting for spontaneity often creates distance, pressure, and less initiation. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand more. Health and history can play a role, including hormones, medications, pain, sleep issues, anxiety, or past trauma, so if intimacy feels confusing or painful, speak with a clinician and review the details below to guide your next steps.

BMI is an overvalued screening tool that often mislabels health because it ignores muscle, fat distribution, age, sex, and ethnicity; doctors focus more on waist size and waist-to-height ratio, blood pressure, blood sugar and HbA1c, cholesterol and triglycerides, body composition, and overall fitness. There are several factors to consider, including risk thresholds, trends to track, and when to seek care, which can change your next steps; see below for practical details, red flags, and tools to guide a better conversation with your clinician.

Calcium supplements can fill dietary gaps, but on their own they do not stimulate new bone growth, stop age-related bone loss, or strengthen the muscles that prevent falls. Regular resistance training provides the mechanical loading bones need, improves balance, and works best as part of a complete plan with vitamin D, weight-bearing activity, and healthy habits. There are several factors to consider, including safety, how to start, and when supplements make sense; see below for the complete answer with details that could influence your next steps in care.

All-day sleepiness in women has several common causes doctors want you to know about, including hormone shifts across the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and menopause, plus insufficient or poor-quality sleep, sleep disorders like sleep apnea, restless legs, or insomnia, mental health conditions, medical issues such as hypothyroidism or anemia, medication effects, and lifestyle habits. See below for practical fixes, key warning signs that mean you should talk with a doctor, and how to choose next steps like a symptom check, sleep study, or blood tests, since details like snoring, gasping, leg crawling sensations, mood changes, or where you are in your cycle can change what you should do next.

Performance anxiety in young men is common and strongly shaped by modern media, where pornography, social feeds, fitness influencers, and hustle content promote unrealistic standards for sex, body, and success, raising stress that can undermine confidence and sexual function. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more. Effective steps include reframing expectations, setting media boundaries, using breathing and mindfulness, and talking early with partners, therapists, or a clinician, with medical evaluation for persistent or worrying symptoms and attention to contributors like depression, medications, hormones, or past trauma; full guidance and next step options are outlined below.

Hip dips are normal anatomy determined by bone structure and natural fat and muscle distribution, not a flaw or health problem, and exercise cannot remove them though strength work can support hip function. There are several factors to consider, including risks of cosmetic procedures and why social media has exaggerated concern. If you have hip pain, stiffness, or red flags like sudden severe pain or trouble walking, seek medical care, and see the details below for symptoms to watch, safer exercises, and how to decide your next steps.

Yes, hip dips are normal and mainly reflect your bone structure and genetics; they are not a medical problem, do not signal hormonal or nutritional issues, and while exercise builds strength and stability it will not erase them. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand when hip pain needs evaluation, how body image pressures and cosmetic procedures carry real risks, and practical doctor-backed tips plus a free hip pain symptom check to guide your next steps.

No, they are related but not the same: both are inflammatory bowel diseases, but ulcerative colitis causes continuous inflammation limited to the colon and rectum’s inner lining, while Crohn’s can affect any part of the digestive tract in patchy areas and through deeper layers, leading to different complications and the fact that surgery can cure UC but not Crohn’s. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more about overlapping symptoms, how diagnosis is made, key treatment choices, and when to seek care, since these details can shape your next steps.

No. Ulcerative colitis and IBS are different conditions: ulcerative colitis causes immune driven inflammation and ulcers in the colon that can be seen on colonoscopy and raises long term complications, while IBS is a functional disorder with no visible inflammation or increased cancer risk. There are several factors to consider that could affect your next steps, like key symptoms, diagnosis, and when to seek care. See below to understand more.

Bacterial pneumonia itself is not directly contagious; the germs that can lead to it can spread through respiratory droplets, but most healthy people exposed will not develop pneumonia. There are several factors to consider for your next steps, including your age or immune status, exposure setting, proven prevention, and warning signs that require urgent care; see the complete guidance below for details that could change what you do next.

Berberine is one of the better-researched supplements for metabolic health, with studies showing it can lower fasting and post-meal blood sugar and HbA1c, reduce LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and provide modest weight support when combined with diet and activity. There are several factors to consider, including potential side effects, interactions with diabetes and heart medications, dosing, and who should avoid it, so do not replace prescribed care and see the complete guidance below to choose safe next steps.

Berberine commonly causes digestive upset like cramps, diarrhea, constipation, gas, or nausea, and less often low blood sugar or heart rhythm problems; long-term safety is uncertain and product quality varies. Avoid it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, in infants, or when taking interacting drugs such as diabetes meds, blood thinners, blood pressure or anti-arrhythmic medicines, or immunosuppressants, and use caution with liver or kidney disease, heart rhythm disorders, or before surgery; there are several factors to consider, so see below for key details and next steps to review with your clinician.

Berberine and metformin have overlapping metabolic effects, including lower glucose and improved lipids via AMPK, but they are not interchangeable and claims of equal efficacy are overstated given weaker evidence and inconsistent supplement quality. There are several factors to consider, from side effects and interactions to who should try or avoid each option and the role of lifestyle; see below for the complete answer and guidance that could shape your next steps.

BUN normal ranges by age: newborns 0–2 months 3–12 mg/dL; infants and children 2 months–12 years 5–18 mg/dL; adolescents 13–17 years 7–20 mg/dL; adults 18–59 years 7–20 mg/dL; older adults 60+ years 8–23 mg/dL. There are several factors to consider. Ranges can vary by lab and many things affect BUN, including hydration, protein intake, medications, liver and kidney function, and it should be interpreted with creatinine; if your result is outside the range or you have symptoms, speak with a clinician. See below for important details and next steps.

The Blood Urea Nitrogen BUN test measures the amount of urea nitrogen in your blood to assess how effectively your kidneys filter waste, while also reflecting liver function and your body’s fluid balance. There are several factors to consider, and results are best interpreted with creatinine, eGFR, and symptoms; see below for normal ranges, reasons BUN can be high or low, how to prepare, and when to seek medical care.

BUN and creatinine both assess kidney function, but they measure different waste products and respond differently to diet, hydration, muscle mass, and illness; creatinine is steadier and more specific to filtration, while BUN is more easily influenced. Doctors interpret them together and may use the BUN to creatinine ratio to help sort out dehydration, medication effects, liver or muscle problems, and true kidney disease. There are several factors to consider; for reference ranges, common causes of abnormal results, symptoms to watch, and when to seek care, see the complete details below.

A burning or tingling tongue often stems from burning mouth syndrome, nutrient deficiencies like B12 or iron, oral thrush, sensitivities to oral products or foods, acid reflux, dry mouth, nerve irritation, or hormonal changes. Simple fixes include avoiding spicy or acidic triggers, hydrating, gentle oral care, and treating the root cause such as antifungals for thrush, supplements for deficiencies, reflux measures, or a medication review; there are several factors to consider, and the key details are outlined below. See below for when to speak to a doctor, especially if symptoms persist beyond 1-2 weeks, worsen, interfere with eating or speaking, or come with white patches, weight loss, fever, facial numbness, or trouble swallowing.

Yes, inflammatory bowel disease can cause blood in the stool, especially during flares, because inflammation and ulcers make the intestinal lining bleed; it is more common in ulcerative colitis than Crohn’s and may appear bright red, mixed with mucus or stool, or be hidden and lead to anemia. There are several factors to consider, including other causes like hemorrhoids or infections and warning signs that require urgent care, so see the complete details below to understand when to seek medical attention and which next steps may be right for you.

Yes, inflammatory bowel disease can cause back pain, often from inflammatory arthritis of the spine like axial spondyloarthritis or sacroiliitis that can occur even when gut symptoms are quiet, and it can also result from muscle strain, posture changes, or medication related bone loss. There are several factors to consider. Key warning signs include morning stiffness that improves with movement and red flags like weight loss, fever, new bowel or bladder problems, numbness, or severe persistent pain; for the complete answer with evaluation steps and treatments to guide next steps, see below.

Yes. Inflammatory bowel disease can increase the risk of certain cancers, especially colorectal cancer; risks also include small bowel and anal cancers, and some immune-suppressing treatments slightly raise lymphoma and non-melanoma skin cancer risk. Most people with IBD do not develop cancer, and with regular colonoscopy starting 8 to 10 years after diagnosis and then every 1 to 3 years, good inflammation control, and not smoking, the risk can often be managed. There are several factors to consider, and key warning signs and risk modifiers are explained below to help guide your next steps.

Yes, inflammatory bowel disease can cause dizziness, most often from anemia, dehydration with electrolyte imbalances, orthostatic low blood pressure, medication side effects, or nutritional deficiencies, and it may be more noticeable during flares. These causes are often treatable once identified. There are several factors to consider and reasons to seek care if symptoms are new, persistent, severe, or occur with bleeding, fainting, chest pain, or severe dehydration; see below for key details that can guide your next steps.

Yes, inflammatory bowel disease can cause a high platelet count, typically as a reactive rise from inflammation during flares and sometimes due to iron deficiency. Counts often improve as the IBD is controlled, but elevated platelets can signal active disease and may add to blood clot risk, so discuss results and any urgent symptoms with your doctor. There are several factors to consider, so see below to understand more.

Yes, IBD can cause shortness of breath; it is most often due to anemia or systemic inflammation, and less commonly from lung involvement, medication side effects, anxiety, or rare blood clots. There are several factors to consider, including red flags that need urgent care and treatments that depend on the cause, so see the complete answer below and speak to a clinician if symptoms are new, severe, or worsening.

Yes, inflammatory bowel disease can cause swollen lymph nodes, most often reactive mesenteric nodes in the abdomen during flares or infections, and they usually improve as the inflammation is treated. There are several factors to consider. See below for key red flags that warrant medical evaluation such as persistent or enlarging nodes, hard or fixed nodes, fevers, night sweats, or weight loss, how medicines can raise infection risk, and what next steps and tests your doctor may recommend.