Article: When you're on your period, you're at a higher risk of STDs and pelvic infections. What's more, you're less likely to get pregnant, sure, but it's not impossible. So if you thought this was your ticket to ride, sorry -- you still gotta stay safe. Here are some of your options: Diaphragms do double-duty as birth control devices and as menstrual cups to inhibit flow. Sometimes, diaphragms can be felt during sex, and removal can be messy. However, they are generally easy to use because your gynecologist will provide a diaphragm fit exactly to your cervical measurements. Contraceptive sponges are foam devices soaked in spermicide that are inserted into your vagina during sex. They can prevent pregnancy and have the side benefit of absorbing flow, although they don't prevent STDs. Male condoms will help prevent pregnancy, block STDs, and keep blood from getting on your partner's penis. Female condoms, which will also keep your partner from coming into contact with blood while enabling more heat and sensation, are also a good form of birth control, although they will provide slightly less protection than male condoms. You can improve the effectiveness of a female condom by putting some spermicide on the closed end before you insert it into your vagina. Wear a menstrual cup for sexual play that doesn't involve intercourse. Wear a softcup for penetrative intercourse. Avoid wearing regular menstrual cups during penetration. They are not designed to be used that way and will probably leak. However, if you just want to fool around, menstrual cups prevent leaking and allow for mess-free play including oral sex. Skip cups made of rubber because the rubbery smell and the taste of rubber in your vaginal fluid may be unpleasant for your partner. Use a silicone cup instead. Instead softcups are specifically designed to be used during intercourse. They are shaped like a diaphragm, are very flexible, and available at most drugstores. Keep in mind that while you can have intercourse with a soft cup, it doesn't work as a contraceptive. That's three days those little guys have to swim around doing whatever they dang well please. So if you do take the risk of having unprotected sex and your partner ejaculating into you, that's what'll be going on inside you. If your period is over tomorrow, though the risk of getting pregnant is minimal, it's still there.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Use contraception. Wear a cup that will stop the menstrual flow from leaving your vagina. Know that sperm can stay alive for up to 72 hours.
Article: If you accidentally provided personal information and become a victim of identity theft, you should immediately contact the businesses where the fraud occurred. Ask to speak to the company's Fraud Department and report the fraud. Ask the company to freeze your accounts. In this way, you will immediately halt any fraudulent transactions. Reset PINs, passwords, and logins. Call TransUnion (800) 680-7289, Equifax (800) 525-6285 or Experian (888) 397-3742 and request a fraud alert on your credit report. This alerts the bureaus of possible phishing activity and prevents anyone from opening new credit accounts in your name. (Note: The bureaus share information, so 1 request will result in notification to all 3.) A fraud alert is free. Also pull your credit report and go through it, looking for other fraudulent loans taken out under your name. You will want to stop anyone from accessing your online checking or savings accounts, or from using credit cards issued by your financial institution. Change your online logins and passwords. Go to your local police station to report identity theft. Be sure to bring the following: government-issued photo ID proof of address (such as a utility bill or rental agreement/mortgage statement) proof of the theft (bills, IRS statements, etc.) a completed copy of the FTC Identity Theft Affidavit a downloaded copy of the FTC Memo to Law Enforcement.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Call companies where fraud occurred. Inform the credit bureaus. Alert your financial institution. File a police report.
Article: Not everyone needs genetic testing to determine their cancer risk. If you feel like you'd benefit from knowing your genetic risk of developing cancer, talk with your doctor and make sure the doctor knows all of your family and personal medical history. Your doctor (and genetic counselor) can help you decide if there's a personal medical risk for cancer and if it's reasonable to get yourself tested for the genes responsible. Many cancers that can be genetically tested for are relatively rare, so it's important to discuss whether or not it makes sense for you to go through the testing. Since genetic testing can determine if you're at risk for cancer, it can be helpful in deciding how often to get physical exams and screenings. But, be aware that genetic testing can give few answers, be read incorrectly, and create stress and anxiety. It can also cost thousands of dollars. Many insurance companies aren't required to cover it, so check with your insurance provider to see how much of the bill you'd be responsible for. Experts recommend that you get genetic testing done if: You or your family have an increased risk for a certain cancer The test can clearly show if a genetic change is present or absent The results will help you plan future medical care Testing is available to identify the genes responsible for over 50 types of inheritable cancer syndromes. Understand that if you do test positive for a gene responsible for a certain type of cancer, it does not mean that you will get that cancer. The following cancer syndromes can be related to screenable genes: Hereditary breast cancer and ovarian cancer syndrome Li-Fraumeni syndrome Lynch syndrome (hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer) Familial adenomatous polyposis Retinoblastoma Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (Wermer syndrome) and type 2 Cowden syndrome Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome Your doctor can request genetic testing if you both believe you'd benefit from it. You'll need to give a small sample of body tissue or fluid (like blood, saliva, cells from inside your mouth, skin cells, or amniotic fluid). This sample is sent to a lab which will analyze your sample and send the results back to your doctor. While it is possible to use an online genetic testing service, it's better to work with your doctor or genetic counselor so you can get detailed and personalized information. Your doctor or genetic counselor will consult with you about further screening or preventative options if your genetic screening comes back positive for a specific type of cancer. Genetic counselors have also been trained to offer emotional support and put you in touch with support groups and other resources. If you get a positive screening test back, remember that this does not mean you will get that cancer. It means that your risk of developing that particular cancer is increased. But, whether you actually develop the cancer depends on you, the specific gene, your family history, your lifestyle choices, and your environment.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Talk with your doctor. Weigh the risks and benefits of genetic testing. Recognize which cancers have genetic testing available. Get genetic testing done. Discuss the results with your doctor.