Your Health Questions
Answered by Professionals

Most people burn about 70 to 150 calories per sexual encounter, roughly 3 to 6 calories per minute, with men averaging 100 to 150 and women 70 to 100; this is similar to light to moderate exercise and does not replace regular workouts. There are several factors to consider, including duration, intensity, body weight, position, and fitness, plus benefits beyond calories and safety considerations. See below for details on how to increase energy use safely, heart and mental health considerations, and when to speak to a doctor, which can guide your next steps.

Self pleasure can be a safe, effective way for older adults to maintain genital blood flow, tissue elasticity, and sexual function, while also supporting mood, sleep, and confidence. There are several factors to consider, including gentle technique with lubrication, consistency rather than intensity, and clear stop signs like pain, bleeding, chest symptoms, or new problems especially if you have heart disease or uncontrolled blood pressure; see below to understand more and to find practical how to steps, safety tips, myths, and when to speak to a clinician.

There are several proven cooling fabrics and technologies for menopause-related hot flashes, including breathable natural fibers like cotton, linen, and bamboo, moisture-wicking performance wear, phase-change materials, cooling bedding and pillows, plus wearable coolers and smart bed-temperature controls. Layering and loose fits, hydration and trigger management, and guidance on when to seek medical care can all affect your comfort and next steps; see the complete details below to find what works best for your symptoms and sleep.

Testing frequency for STIs depends on your risk: most adults should have at least one HIV test, get annual screening if under 25 or with new or multiple partners, and test every 3 to 6 months if higher risk, often for HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea, including men who have sex with men, people with anonymous or multiple partners, sex workers, people who inject drugs, or those with a recent STI. Do not wait if you have symptoms or are pregnant, and ask a clinician which tests and sites you need, such as throat or rectal swabs when relevant. There are several factors to consider, and important details that could change your next steps are outlined below.

For women over 50, resistance training takes priority over cardio because it preserves Muscle Quality, builds bone density, supports metabolism and balance, and reduces falls and insulin resistance, benefits that cardio alone cannot deliver. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand more, including how to start safely 2 to 3 days a week with key movements, how to combine strength with moderate cardio, and when to modify or speak with a clinician and use a menopause symptom check before changing your routine.

This guide explains modern identity terms by distinguishing sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression, and offers evidence based steps to support your LGBTQ+ child, like using chosen name and pronouns and modeling calm curiosity. There are several factors to consider, including how family support lowers mental health risk, common myths to avoid, and when to seek professional help; see below to understand more, as these details can shape the right next steps in your healthcare journey.

In the first one to two years after menopause, most of an up to 30% decline in collagen occurs due to the abrupt fall in estrogen, impacting skin elasticity, joints, and bone strength. There are several factors to consider to slow this, including individualized menopausal hormone therapy, protein and vitamin C, resistance training, daily sun protection, and knowing when to see a doctor. See below for important details and next steps that could affect your healthcare decisions.

There are several factors to consider, and modern dating is moving away from the 3-date rule because there is no medically, psychologically, or emotionally correct number of dates before sex. What matters is emotional readiness, ongoing consent, clear communication, and sexual health planning like STI testing and contraception; see below for key details on safety, trauma and pressure, and when to pause or speak with a clinician, which can shape your next steps.

Micro-connections of 30 to 60 seconds, like eye contact, a genuine check-in, or a warm hug, can rebuild intimacy by noticing small bids for attention, lowering stress, boosting oxytocin, and creating everyday safety that makes sexual closeness feel more natural. There are several factors to consider, including how to start, common mistakes to avoid, what to do if connection feels hard due to stress or trauma, and when to seek medical or mental health support; see the complete details below to guide your next steps.

Using the 12 o'clock method, the G-spot is typically on the front vaginal wall at the 12 o'clock position about 1 to 3 inches inside, and is best understood as part of the clitoral network rather than a separate organ. Sensitivity varies widely, so explore gently with lubrication and a "come here" motion, stop if there is pain, and see the complete guidance below for key factors, safety steps, myths, and when to seek care that could shape your next health decisions.

Constant snacking can quietly hurt metabolic flexibility by keeping insulin elevated, suppressing fat burning, and driving cravings and blood sugar swings, with midlife hormonal shifts making this more pronounced. There are important nuances, like who should not extend meal gaps, how to structure balanced meals and 3 to 5 hour windows, and when to speak with a clinician, so see the complete guidance below to choose the safest and most effective next steps.

Midlife weight gain often stems from chronically elevated cortisol, which rises more easily as estrogen and progesterone decline; long cardio, frequent HIIT, poor sleep, and under-fueling can keep cortisol high and drive belly fat even when you’re “doing everything right.” There are several factors to consider. For specific workout, nutrition, recovery, and medical red flags that can change your next steps, see the complete answer below.

Grip strength is a powerful, research backed marker of longevity, and regular 10 to 30 second dead hangs can improve it while supporting joints, muscles, and overall resilience tied to lower cardiovascular risk and better function with age. There are several factors to consider. See below for safe progressions and modifications, other ways to train grip, when weakness signals a medical issue, and why grip is a marker not a guarantee, which can guide your next steps in care.

Wearing two condoms at once is less safe because friction between layers makes tearing and slipping more likely, increasing the risk of pregnancy and STIs. This includes two external condoms or an internal plus an external condom; one correctly used condom offers better protection. There are several factors to consider, including proper fit and material, using the right lubricant, storage, and technique, plus when to combine condoms with other birth control or speak with a clinician; see below for step by step guidance, common failure causes, and next steps that could impact your healthcare journey.

Modern HRT using bioidentical estrogen and transdermal options is not the same as older, higher-dose oral regimens; when started under 60 or within 10 years of menopause and tailored to your history, it can ease hot flashes, improve sleep, and support bone health, while low-dose vaginal estrogen stays mostly local for many. Risks are nuanced and depend on type, dose, and timing: estrogen alone has little to no increased breast cancer risk, combined therapy may slightly raise risk after years, and clot or stroke risk is higher with oral forms. There are several factors to consider; see below for more on who should and should not use HRT, questions to ask your doctor, and the next steps for your care.

Deep sleep powers the brain’s glymphatic system, widening spaces between brain cells so cerebrospinal fluid can flush toxins like beta-amyloid, tau, excess neurotransmitters, and metabolic waste, supporting sharper thinking, steadier mood, and long-term brain health. There are several factors to consider, from age-related changes and lifestyle habits to conditions like sleep apnea, plus simple ways to boost deep sleep and clear signs to seek medical care. See the complete details below to understand what applies to you and the best next steps.

Low sex drive is common and usually has multiple, fixable causes across hormones, stress, mental health, medications, poor sleep, relationship dynamics, past sexual trauma, lifestyle habits, and medical conditions that affect blood flow or nerves, especially if the drop is persistent or distressing. There are several factors to consider. See below for specific red flags, when to seek care, which tests or medication changes to ask about, and practical steps that can guide your next move with a clinician.

Drinking enough water supports natural vaginal lubrication by keeping mucous membranes moist, maintaining blood flow, and aiding glandular secretions; even mild dehydration can contribute to dryness, irritation, and discomfort. There are several factors to consider. Hormones, medications, stress, and emotional safety can all affect lubrication, and knowing when to use lubricants or see a doctor for persistent or painful dryness matters. See the complete guidance below for practical hydration tips and next steps that could impact your care plan.

Rapamycin, a transplant drug that inhibits the mTOR pathway, is a leading evidence-based longevity candidate, extending lifespan across species and showing early human signals for better vaccine response, lower inflammation, and metabolic benefits when used at low or intermittent doses rather than the high daily doses that suppress immunity. There are several factors to consider; risks include mouth sores, lipid changes, delayed wound healing, insulin sensitivity shifts, and drug interactions, and it is not for everyone, so see below for candidacy, dosing nuances, women’s midlife considerations, and how to discuss next steps with your clinician.

If you have sex and then get a normal period, pregnancy is unlikely; implantation bleeding is uncommon and tends to be very light pink or brown spotting that lasts hours to a day or two before your expected period. There are several factors to consider, so test 14 days after sex or after a missed period if bleeding was unusually light or your cycles are irregular, and seek urgent care for heavy bleeding, severe pain, dizziness, fever, or a positive test with pain or bleeding; many more important details and next steps are explained below.

VO2 Max is a strong indicator of your internal or biological age, with higher values tied to better heart health, energy, and longevity, while lower values signal higher risk but are very modifiable. There are several factors to consider, including a typical 5 to 10 percent decline per decade, differences between lab tests and wearables, and how VO2 Max should be read alongside blood pressure, cholesterol, and symptoms; see below to understand more. Practical ways to raise VO2 Max, what a low number does and does not mean, and warning signs that should prompt medical care are covered below and may shape your next steps.

Sex positivity reduces judgment-driven stress, which measurably improves physical health by lowering cortisol and inflammation, strengthening immunity and heart health, improving sleep and hormonal balance, easing pain, and promoting safer sex and earlier, more honest medical care. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand how trauma, consent, preventive screening, communication with clinicians, and clear signs for when to see a doctor can shape your next steps.

Muscle marbling, or fat hidden inside muscle, is a major aging threat that lowers muscle quality, weakens strength and endurance, disrupts blood sugar, and increases fall and diabetes risk even at a normal weight. It increases with age, inactivity, insulin resistance, inflammation, and the hormone shifts of menopause, but improves with consistent strength training, adequate protein, daily movement, and solid sleep. There are several factors and warning signs that can change your next steps, including when to see a doctor, so see below for complete details.

Low heart rate variability signals your autonomic nervous system is under sustained strain and is linked to higher risk of earlier death, especially from heart and metabolic disease, but it is a modifiable warning sign rather than a diagnosis. There are several factors to consider, including stress, sleep, inflammation, and medical conditions, along with red flags that require urgent care and practical ways to raise HRV; see below to understand more and decide your next steps.

There are several factors to consider. In the first decade of retirement, normal shifts in estrogen and testosterone, medication side effects, chronic conditions, sleep and mood changes, past trauma, and evolving relationship dynamics can all reduce desire, making libido loss common but often reversible. See below for practical steps and red flags that may change your next steps, including when to speak with a doctor, how to address vaginal discomfort, review hormones and medications, support mental health and sleep, and ways to reconnect with your partner.

Although hormonal shifts in peri and post menopause are the main driver, night sweats and hot flashes often intensify due to overlooked triggers like evening alcohol, late or spicy meals, hidden caffeine, ongoing stress, a too-warm sleep setup, certain medications, blood sugar swings, nicotine, weight and metabolic issues, and less common conditions that warrant medical review. There are several factors to consider, along with practical fixes and clear guidance on when to see a clinician; see below to understand more and to find the complete details that can shape your next steps.

There are several factors to consider. Real, lasting energy comes from mitochondria, and you can boost their number and efficiency through mitochondrial biogenesis with consistent aerobic, HIIT, and resistance exercise; whole-food nutrition with adequate protein and omega-3s while avoiding chronic excess; 7 to 9 hours of sleep; and brief, well-balanced hormetic stress with recovery. Supplements mainly help correct deficiencies and should be clinician guided, and red flags like persistent fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, unexplained weight loss, weakness, dizziness, or fainting warrant medical care. Key nuances and step-by-step guidance that could change your next healthcare steps are detailed below.

Yes, to a degree, you can sometimes lower your biological age through steady lifestyle changes, especially regular physical activity, metabolically healthy eating, quality sleep, stress management, and avoiding harmful exposures, with the goal of improving health span rather than relying on miracle cures. There are several factors to consider. See below for what actually works, what to avoid, how to track meaningful markers, and when to seek medical guidance so your next steps are safe and effective.

There are several factors to consider: the out-of-control feeling in your 40s is often perimenopause, when estrogen and progesterone swing unpredictably, causing mood shifts, sleep issues, hot flashes, brain fog, weight and body composition changes, and irregular periods, typically beginning in the early to mid-40s and lasting several years. Because timelines, red flags that need medical care, and effective treatments from lifestyle strategies to hormone and nonhormonal options differ by person, see the complete details below to learn what to watch for and which next steps may be right for you.

A winter sore throat that lingers can sometimes be oral chlamydia from oral sex, not just a cold. Because symptoms often mimic a cold or be absent, consider testing if it lasts more than 10 to 14 days, lacks typical cold signs, or follows recent oral exposure. Diagnosis requires a throat swab and is usually treated with antibiotics, but partner management and when to see a doctor matter, so see below for the complete details that can guide your next steps.