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Generally, a menstrual cycle lasts around 28 days. However, there is a wide range of what is considered to be “normal” when talking about the menstrual cycle. So, it’s nothing to worry about if yours regularly lasts a few days longer or shorter. That said, irregular periods, when your cycle routinely comes and goes at unexpected times, can be a signal that something in your body is not quite right. For example, irregular periods can be an early sign of potential fertility problems....

What Is Intersex? For example, these variations might include being born with “female” anatomy on the outside, such as a vaginal opening, but having “male” sexual organs on the inside. Intersexuality Intersexuality is an overarching term that refers to human bodies that fall outside the strict male and female binary. Generally speaking, the term refers to the many variations—often present at birth—that can affect a person’s reproductive or sexual anatomy, which may involve genitalia, hormones, reproductive organs, and chromosomes....

Every January, my therapy office receives calls from people who say something like, “I planned to stop drinking for Dry January but it was harder than I thought. I need help.” January is the month many people take part in what’s known as Dry January as a way to examine their relationship with alcohol. For some, the month’s trial away from alcohol inspires them to change their habits moving forward....

When two people make a commitment for life to each other, a number of things are communicated. First, that every interaction will be based on trust. That communication will be open and honest, and circumstances in life—good or bad, should never break this mutual promise. Most importantly, a couple agrees that their marriage is built on a foundation of love and respect. Without this love, there isn’t much for the relationship to stand on....

There are a number of reasons a person might opt to get a vasectomy, from deciding not to have any more children to never wanting children in the first place. In fact, one in every five men over the age of 35 has elected to get a vasectomy. However, some people get a vasectomy and then change their minds afterward. If you or your partner wants to get pregnant after having a vasectomy, there are some options that may be available....

Childhood is full of “firsts,” and your child starting kindergarten is up there with one of the biggest. “It’s the start of a partnership between the parent and the child’s educational experience,” says Adrianna Bravo, MD, FAAP, pediatrician and senior medical advisor for Inspire Diagnostics. “This is an experience that will last for a long time—at least until high school and possibly into higher education.” It’s understandable that this milestone often comes with a substantial dose of nerves—for the child and their parent....

Zaineb Hassan Makhzoumi, MD is accustomed to reassuring nervous patients about skin and scalp conditions as a dermatologic surgeon at the University of Maryland Medical Center. But even with all her years of medical training and knowledge, she was dismayed when she started losing hair during her own pregnancy with her twin sons. She was washing her hair in the shower when she realized just how much she was shedding. “It just kept coming and coming,” recalls Dr....

Depression can manifest itself in different ways in different people, ranging from a few days of feeling “blue” to a deep and lasting sense of despair. The term “existential depression” is used to describe a type of depression that revolves specifically around the fundamental issues of existence, such as life, death, disease, and oppression. Gifted children, who tend to be highly sensitive, analytical, and curious, are especially prone to this form of depression....

What Does the Term ‘High-Functioning’ Bipolar Disorder Mean? Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by dramatic shifts in mood and energy levels. The mood episodes linked to bipolar disorder can make it difficult for the person to go about their day-to-day life. A Note About the Term ‘High Functioning’ The term ‘high-functioning’ comes with some problematic implications. For most people diagnosed with bipolar disorder, their symptoms are severe. Even if someone is able to go about their daily tasks with little support, labeling someone as “high-functioning” could imply that their symptoms are less severe when, in reality, they could be working to hide their symptoms (which are often debilitating)....

When we see people who are successful in their careers, it’s natural to assume they always knew that what they’re doing was the “right” path for them, and that they’re thrilled to be doing it. That isn’t necessarily the case, though. When surveyed, about 70% of people at any given moment are actively looking to change careers, and only 14% are fully content in their jobs without any changes desired....

According to some sources, the name Anthony means “priceless one” or “highly praiseworthy,” but others contend that its original meaning is unknown. Regardless of its meaning, it has remained a popular name choice for centuries. With saints, artists, and nobility as namesakes throughout history, Anthony is a strong, classic name. An English form of the Roman family name Antonius, Anthony is often linked to Marcus Antonius (also known as Mark Antony), a notable Roman politician in the ancient world....

Getting sick is miserable enough, but having to deal with an infection while you are caring for a nursing infant can feel like the worst thing ever. You may already be dealing with sleep deprivation and breastfeeding challenges, and now your immune system is under attack too. Of course you want to do everything you can to feel better if sickness strikes during a time that you need your strength to care for your child....

The word “tween” is often used to describe an age group of children that are in between being a child and a teenager. These kids are often in middle school and are quickly approaching puberty and all the challenges that come with adolescence. The tween years are a time of transition and change. A tween is maturing into a teenager physically, emotionally, and socially and they are learning to take on new responsibilities at school and home....

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder most often diagnosed in childhood and frequently continues into adulthood. The condition causes symptoms related to hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. The condition is typically treated with medication and therapy, but other techniques and tools are often used to help people manage their symptoms. Fidget toys for ADHD are one tool that are often marketed as a way of improving attention. They are often marketed specifically to kids with promises to help reduce symptoms of ADHD, autism, and anxiety....

A frozen embryo transfer (FET) is a type of IVF treatment in which a cryopreserved embryo created in a previous egg retrieval cycle is thawed and transferred to the uterus. Often, FET uses frozen embryos a gestational parent has from a previous conventional IVF cycle. A cryopreserved embryo can also be a donor embryo. Frozen vs. Fresh Embryo Transfer A “fresh” embryo isn’t necessarily preferred, but it can be helpful in some cases....

While your tween may be on target developmentally, parents should know how individual differences play into puberty and adolescence. Individual differences in psychology are the variations from one person to another on variables such as attitude, values, self-esteem, the rate of cognitive development or degree of agreeableness—think of it as all of the little bits and pieces that set us apart and makes us unique from others. Historically, psychological science has overlooked individual differences in favor of focusing on average behavior....

Let’s face it. When it comes to dating, certain things can be a little hard to overlook. For example, maybe you hate it when someone talks with food in their mouth, has crooked teeth, or reminds you of someone you can’t stand (which, by the way, is completely unfair to that person). Dealbreakers come in all shapes and sizes, but be careful because if you’re too picky, you could end up with the only person you can seem to tolerate…yourself....

There’s no way to get around the fact that talking about disability can be tough. As a society, we tend to label a person’s disability experience under two broad categories: invisible and visible. Key Takeaways Identifying with a disability is a lifelong process for many, often with intersections between mental and physical health.The experience of having a visible disability is different than one that is less apparent.Mental health practitioners would benefit from better understanding a wider range of disabilities and their connections....

Grandparents can become parents in a number of ways. Some just help out with their grandkids, taking more and more responsibility over time until one day they realize that they’re effectively raising them. Others may transition into parents in a more sudden fashion—they may get an unexpected phone call, often from social services, telling them that their grandchildren need a place to live. In both situations and in all their variations, grandparents may have to formalize their status to be able to care for their grandchildren properly....

The Electra complex is a psychoanalytic term used to describe a girl’s sense of competition with her mother for the affections of her father. It is comparable to the Oedipus complex in males. According to Freud, during female psychosexual development, a young girl is initially attached to her mother. When she discovers that she does not have a penis, she becomes attached to her father and begins to resent her mother, who she blames for her “castration....