From couch to ultra-marathon – mental imagery technique can aid running challenge completion

A motivational intervention known as functional imagery training (FIT) can help self-professed non-runners to complete an ultra-marathon (50km plus), according to new research.

* This article was originally published here

Pool reveal post! (building a custom pool in Arizona)

Sharing the details on our pool! It’s been a long process – we’re still not quite finished with everything – but so so worth it. I’m excited to share more about the pool building process and the finished product. I’ve been waiting for a good time to share this post, especially with everything going on in the world, but feel like there will never really be a perfect time. Many of you have let me know that you’re considering building a pool, so I decided to go ahead and post the details. Let’s pour some virtual margaritas and hang out on the tanning ledge together. It’s a nice escape, I tell ya. 

Hi friends! I hope you’re having a great morning and thank you so much for all of the excitement about Movement + Macros. It will be ongoing, and if you’re looking for more of a group atmosphere and workout plans, beta tester spots for Fit Team will open next week. Stay tuned for all of that!

I’m excited to share some pics today of our pool! It’s been a work in progress but we love it so far and have been enjoying it for over a month now. Our yard was a complete disaster for many months, but the second the girls were able to dive in, it was all worth it.

(the gate in between the pool and yard is almost finished. My stepdad is making it and and it looks incredible so far!!)

Before:

After:

We always knew we wanted to put a pool in the yard. When we first moved back to Tucson, the Pilot immediately deployed for 7 months, and then when he came back, it was straight into airlines. The first year of airlines was bananas, and during that time, we explored different pool companies and options. Our top two gave us designs and quotes, and we decided to stay on the waiting list since at that point, the finished product wouldn’t be ready until fall. It was February 2020… and then COVID hit. This was an additional factor to convince us that we finally needed to go for it.

We typically get summer memberships at a local country club and the pool was our saving grace when everything else was closed down. My friend Kathryn would meet us at the pool, we’d float around and chat while our kiddos played and danced to the music. It was a major sanity saver for us all. At the end of the summer, we finalized the company we wanted to use for our pool (Pools by Design!) and signed all of the paperwork this February (2021). We broke ground in March and the pool was finished and filling up with water the last week of July.

The day that we could all jump in the pool was an exciting day, indeed. The girls have had such a blast swimming and we’ve already had lots of friends over to enjoy it with us. 🙂

Building a custom pool in Arizona:

A timelapse video of pool construction:

Our v. professional filming setup:

Our experience with Pools by Design:

We ended up picking Pools by Design because they’re highly recommended in the pool industry and we loved their design the most. The price was higher than we anticipated but we’re SO happy with the quality and the design. They truly exceeded our expectations. All of the contractors that came out for the various steps were so skilled and talented at what they do. They have excellent reviews for a reason, and our designer Nick stopped by often to check things out and was available for questions along the way.

Some of our favorite aspects of the pool:

The water feature! We can turn it on using our phone and there is a bench underneath, so you can chill under the waterfall. I also loved that we had room behind it to add some plants. It sounds so peaceful and beautiful, especially in the morning with a cup of coffee.

LED color-changing lights. You can use the app to pick different modes or a single color option.

Tanning ledge with umbrella sleeve. The tanning ledge is about 6-8 inches – perfect for relaxing! It also has a bubbler and is the perfect little kid play area. Our friends’ 3-year-old came over last weekend and had a blast in the tanning ledge area.

Ozone! We had the option to add ozone, which sanitizes the pool and decreases the need for so much chlorine.

Tips for building a custom pool and things that we learned:

– Expect to spend a lot, especially right now. Cost of supplies increased about 15% between the time we signed and the pool was constructed, and supply chain issues caused delays. There is a chlorine shortage right now, so if you’re building, I would buy chlorine if you can find it, just to have some on hand.

– If you know you’re going to go for it, get on a waiting list ASAP. A lot of companies are booked out for the next year, if not longer.

– When you pick a PebbleTec color, they have an app that shows you what each color looks like at different depths. It’s also helpful to take the samples you like and put them in a bucket of water, and take them outside in the sun. They look WAY different when they’re wet and in sunlight than indoors dry.

– When it’s time to fill your pool (or if you have to drain your pool and refill it for any reason), use Orenda Technologies. You can check out their website here and find a provider near you. This is not sponsored in any way, but this is my #1 inside tip and has made a huge difference in our water quality.

Here is my nutshell, non-scientific understanding of how the process works: 

When you go to fill your pool, water will seek equilibrium. This means if it needs any calcium, it will take it from the shell of your pool as it’s curing, affecting the long-term surface quality of your Pebbletec or whatever surface you have. When you use an Orenda provider, they filter your hose through a bucket and test the water as it’s filling the pool. They add whatever is needed in the process (different minerals and enzymes), so the water is already balanced and the shell of your pool can cure properly.

(We picked blue granite Pebble Sheen. You want to protect that shell as it cures!)

Kathryn has worked in the pool industry for 20 years and when she said we had to do this, I knew it was an important step! (Worth noting here that Kathryn has helped us SO much with her pool expertise and the construction and start-up process.) She tested the water multiple times, taught the Pilot how to do it, was here for the entire start-up, and also helped us choose all of the plants and landscaping for the water feature and our front yard… which was completely destroyed in this whole process haha. My stepdad and dad have helped us out immensely with various projects over the past few months, too.)

We also use Orenda products for the pool and their testing supplies. The Pilot tests the water 1-2 times a week and inputs the levels into the Orenda app on his phone. The app tells him exactly how much of each chemical and/or enzyme to use. (Pro tip from Kathryn: add the chemicals to a 5-gallon bucket filled with pool water and swish it around. Then pour everything into the pool as you walk around the perimeter. When you dump pure chemicals into the pool, it can leave lines on the surface over time.) Because we’re doing it this way, we only use exactly what we need instead of guessing and adding excess ingredients. The water is crystal clear, has a bouncy feel to it, and isn’t stinky. 😉 The pH levels are also consistently where they need to be.

You can check out more about Orenda here – they also have a video that explains what they’re all about. The water feels so amazing and I love that the girls don’t have bloodshot eyes or smell like chlorine, even after swimming for hours.

I also love that Pools by Design really maximized the use of our backyard and created a sizable pool, while maintaining a grassy area and our patio.

I’m happy it didn’t end up taking up the entire backyard.

So there ya go! Lots of pool parties ahead at the Harney house. 🙂

Do you have any home projects on the horizon? What’s next on your home improvement list? I can’t wait to rip out all of the upstairs carpet….

xo

Gina

Link to outdoor couch is here, fire pit is here

More:

Master Bedroom update

We painted our cabinets! 

The post Pool reveal post! (building a custom pool in Arizona) appeared first on The Fitnessista.

* This article was originally published here

Animal Cuts Powder is a versatile, fat-torching matrix delivering a complete, comprehensive, and effective metabolic powerhouse.

Weight management is of prime concern for those who live the active mindset lifestyle – men, women, anyone who is trying to get shredded. Diet, meal preparation and exercise all have to come together in the ideal balance, whether you are going to compete on stage or want to look your absolute best for your family, friends and co-workers. Many people have trouble shedding the body fat they would like to, even when the other variables of their training and nutrition are on point. That’s a problem with a solution that is within your reach: Animal Cuts Powder, a hardcore fat burner from Animal brand.

It happens to so many of us: You got the diet and training down. You’re hitting your cardio with rigorous intensity. But you’re still not shedding fat the way you want to. That’s where Animal Cuts Powder can be your most valued and versatile training partner. Animal Cuts Powder provides hardcore results, but can be used by the hard-training athlete, or anyone looking to get shredded by increasing thermogenesis along with increasing your metabolic rate and expelling excess water retention while reducing hunger.

All-In-One Fat Burner

Animal Cuts Powder offers a unique “all-in-one” superior fat burner, going beyond the competition and bringing together the best features of the best diet products on the market. Each precisely formulated dose can help you tear away unwanted adipose to help reveal the lean, hard, muscle underneath. There are notable differences that raise Animal Cuts Powder above much of the competition, including:

• Unique water-shredding complex

• 2 key forms of carnitine and tyrosine

• Highest content/concentration of fat-burning actives per serving (4600mg)

• An effective formula with high customer satisfaction, proven by an Alpha Testing Program, resulting in users losing an average of 7 pounds in three weeks.*

Effective Metabolic Powerhouse

The exclusive Animal Cuts Powder formula combines multiple complexes and supplements into one: metabolic enhancer, natural diuretic, thyroid support, focus factors and energy-boosting agents, effective at incinerating body fat without the prolonged jitters and unwanted crash. Animal Cuts Powder is a versatile, fat-torching matrix available in two delicious flavors, Orange Mango and Blue Ice Pop, delivering a complete, comprehensive, and effective metabolic powerhouse.

Ready to Start Burning Fat?

Mix 1 scoop of Animal Cuts Powder with 8-10 ounces of your favorite beverage upon waking and take another serving four to six hours later. Each serving should be taken on an empty stomach just prior to a meal – stay well hydrated while on the product. Use for three weeks straight, then one off week. After the week off, you can run it again. Animal Cuts Powder can be used for as long as you are performing your cutting cycle. For optimal results, be sure to combine with a proper cutting diet. Can be stacked with any other non-stimulant Animal product. Leave time in between ingesting other supplements to ensure optimal absorption.

ANIMAL CUTS^® POWDER

• All-In-One Fat-Burning Stack

• Extreme Metabolic Enhancer

• Natural Diuretic and Thyroid Support

• Appetite Suppressant

• Potent Thermogenic Agent

• Focus Factors

• Energy Boosting Formula

• Nootropics for Focus and Motivation

• Two Delicious Flavors

For additional information, visit animalpak.com

*Animal’s ATP for Cuts Powder was an internal study fully administered by the brand. No external research groups were used in any capacity. The research collected is proprietary to Animal and Universal Nutrition solely.

The post ANIMAL CUTS® POWDER first appeared on FitnessRX for Women.

* This article was originally published here

Movement + Macros is here!

Hey hey! I hope you had a wonderful weekend. I’m writing in with some exciting news today… Movement + Macros is here!

This is for:

– All of my friends out there who are tired of doing the cookie cutter fitness and nutrition programs and want something that’s designed just for them

– Those who are doing all the things and feel frustrated because they’re not seeing results

– Those who have tried every diet under the sun and want something sustainable

– Those who want to track macros but aren’t sure what to do or how to get started

– Those who have serious fitness goals and want to take their training to the next level

(Sign up here)

This is a customized plan and nutrition guide taking into consideration your unique goals (fat loss, athletic performance, muscle gain, etc), diet history, activity level, personal preferences and more! You’ll also receive a virtual movement assessment live with me to help you move better, reduce injury risk and finally achieve the physique you want.

You can read more about the bundle here, but here’s more about what it is and what’s included when you sign up:

The Movement + Macros bundle is a brand new program designed as an accessible, quick roadmap to help you reach your health and fitness goals. I normally work with clients for months (and sometimes years!) and know not everyone needs a long-term coaching commitment. Sometimes you need someone to just give you a plan and support you in a more affordable way.

This is my signature offer to help you access the strategies you need to make your workouts safe AND effective, while also eating for your goals and being confident to have the nutrition solution that will work FOR YOU.

What’s included:

Thorough intake form including body composition, health history, medications, current activity level, and anything else I need to know about your unique lifestyle

An initial 30-minute in-depth coaching call to discuss the intake form and complete a movement assessment live with me

Detailed report explaining your specific muscle imbalances and movement patterns, and an exact prescription for how to remedy each one to keep you safe and getting physique results

Complete customized nutrition guide, including macro guidelines and meal ideas (based on the diet YOU like to follow!)

Follow-up coaching with me to answer questions and support you

A 7-day follow-up to make sure you’re able to implement and have everything you need to be successful ongoing

When you sign up today, you’ll automatically get a free gift from me to you – a download with 52 High Protein Recipes (plus shopping lists and sample meal plans)

I’m so pumped to share this method of macro tracking with you because it’s something that’s super easy to follow and sustainable. I HATED weighing and measuring my food when I tracked macros in the past, and this method uses the size of our hand to gauge portions. No weighing, no measuring, no feeling like you can’t eat at friends’ houses or restaurants without straying from your goals. This is meant to be a sustainable method for LIFE that is easily adjusted for a variety of eating styles.

Spaces are SUPER limited – only 10 women max to start – so if you’re interested, snag your spot ASAP! When the 10 spots are filled, I’ll add a waitlist option to this page. Sign up for the waitlist if you’re interested (it’s no obligation) and I’ll work through everyone in order. If you get a waitlist spot, it may be 2-4 weeks until we can schedule our initial call.

You can read more info including FAQs here.

So pumped about this and so excited to get to know more of you better and share these ideas and strategies with you! If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments below!

xo

Gina

The post Movement + Macros is here! appeared first on The Fitnessista.

* This article was originally published here

Mathematical model predicts best way to build muscle

Researchers have developed a mathematical model that can predict the optimum exercise regime for building muscle.

* This article was originally published here

Friday Faves

Hi friends! I hope you’re having a good week and hanging in there despite the heavy events in the world. A friendly reminder to unplug when you need to and do the things that help you to feel good, destress, and recharge. We’ll definitely be doing a lot of that this weekend. I’m looking forward to dinner with friends tonight, friends over for swimming tomorrow, and teaching barre on Sunday. I hope you have a happy weekend ahead.

It’s been raining almost every day – we typically have a monsoon season but this year’s rain has been historic- and the mountains are green and the washes are all filled with water. I’ve heard some people complain about it but I LOVE THE RAIN so much.

One of the highlights from this past week was that it was our 14th anniversary! The Pilot’s been stuck with me for a long time. 😉 We had a date night at North and our gift to each other was landscaping the yard after the great pool destruction. I’m pretty sure the year 14 traditional wedding gift is plants and rocks, right? Yep.

Anniversary Instagram post:

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A post shared by Gina Harney (@fitnessista)

It’s time for the weekly Friday Faves party! This is where I share some of our fave finds from the week and around the web. I always love to hear about your faves, too, so please shout out something you’re loving in the comments section below.

Read, watch, listen:

Check out this week’s podcast episode with Scout Sobel here. 

Steps you can take to help Aghan refugees. Praying for the Afghan people and praying for a safe return for our American friends.

Menus that accommodate anyone. (Great ideas in the comments, too!)

Fitness + good eats:

We had some friends over last weekend and I did a little Mediterranean-ish spread.

This Greek dip with crackers:

(dates and Marcona almonds in bowls)

Ina’s lemon chicken and the best pasta salad ever (added pesto to it since they were out of basil and the store and it.was.awesome)

and it was my first time making peach cobbler. Why on earth did I wait so long?

(Used gluten-free baking flour it worked like a charm.)

We had the cobbler with homemade vanilla ice cream and s’mores by the fire:

Plus lots of wine and champagne. 😉

Liv has been asking me to make a chicken pot pie for months (even though she’s never had one). I made one following this recipe and the kids hated it, the Pilot and I loved it, the end.

A bottle of the famous Butterfly Bowl dressing in this week’s Sakara delivery!! SO GOOD. It has yuzu and elderberry in it, and tastes lightly sweet, citrusy and fresh.

A blast from the past 1-dumbbell workout for ya.

Sugar-free almond butter cups.

Try this glow bowl recipe!

Fashion + beauty:

This cute dress came in my Nuuly shipment. I’m still on the fence about it but am going to give it another month!

Got these sandals in gold to wear with shorts and maxi dresses, especially since it will be warm here for a couple more months.

These Beyond Yoga tops are my fave right now!! They look more like a leotard on me with leggings (I have a super short torso) but the fabric is soft and dreamy and they have so many pretty colors.

Happy Friday, friends! What was the best thing you ate this week? Any great shopping finds?

xo

Gina

The post Friday Faves appeared first on The Fitnessista.

* This article was originally published here

Are Birth Control Pills Ruining Your Sex Life?

By Michelle Davin, Ph.D.

The pill reduces blood levels of testosterone and free testosterone and increases SHBG – all of which suppress sexual desire.

Oral contraceptives are the birth control method of choice for many women because of its effectiveness and convenience. Physicians have prescribed the “pill” for decades, yet, we still don’t fully understand the health consequences of its use. Many women know the pill suppresses libido (sexual desire). What they don’t fully appreciate is that the decrease in sex drive may be permanent and irreversible.

Sex drive is a complicated process in women. Masters and Johnson said that women begin their sexual response with desire, leading to arousal, orgasm and then satisfaction of the initial desire. Scientists now see the female sexual response as a far more complicated process that requires a combination of physical changes (e.g., increased vaginal blood flow and lubrication, elevated breathing and heart rate, uterine contractions) and psychological factors (e.g., status of the relationship, stress, fantasy, imagination). Blood androgen levels (e.g., testosterone) are central to stimulating sexual desire at the physical and emotional levels. Birth control pills interfere with androgen metabolism and libido.

Scientists from the Departments of Endocrinology and Urology at Boston University Medical Center, led by Claudia Panzer, found that women taking oral contraceptives complained of many sexual health problems, such as decreased libido, lack of arousal, painful intercourse, inadequate lubrication and lack of interest in sex. The scientists linked these problems with depressed levels of blood androgens. They also found a marked increase in sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), which persisted long after the women stop taking the pill. Sex hormones, such as testosterone, circulate in the blood in a free-form state or bound to SHBG. Bound testosterone is much less biologically active (effective) than free testosterone. Higher levels of SHBG mean that there’s less biologically active free testosterone to promote sexual desire.

The study examined androgen and SHBG levels in 124 premenopausal women for 12 months. All of the women complained of having sexual problems. Subjects were subdivided into users of oral contraceptives (OCs), past users of OCs (stopped using the drug at the beginning of the study), or those who never used OCs. SHBG values in the current users were four times higher than those in the never-used group. While SHBG decreased somewhat in women who stopped using the pill (i.e., past users), a year later they were still double the values of the never-used group. The researchers concluded that using birth control pills (now or in the past) may have long-term sexual, metabolic and mental health consequences due to chronic elevations in SHBG, which reduces sex drive due to a decrease in biologically active androgen levels. They speculated that using oral contraceptives for many years might cause changes in the genes regulating SHBG production in the liver, causing permanent depression of free testosterone and sex drive.

Birth Control Pills: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Pregnancy occurs when an egg is released by the ovaries and fertilized by a sperm cell. Birth control pills contain hormones that suppress ovulation – the release of the egg. Types of birth control pills include the combined pill, which contains estrogen and progesterone and the Minipill, which contains only progestin. Both kinds prevent ovulation, but the Minipill also thickens the mucus around the cervix, which prevents the sperm from entering the uterus.

Most women who use birth control pills have no side effects, other than suppression of sex drive. However, some women may experience bleeding between periods, weight gain, nausea, headaches, breast tenderness, moodiness and blood clots (mainly in smokers over 35 years of age). Most of these side effects disappear within a few months. Physicians often prescribe other oral contraceptives that present fewer side effects. Women usually welcome other effects of the pill, such as lighter periods, milder menstrual cramps, reduced risk of some types of cancer and softer, reduced incidence of acne.

The pill is responsible for the sexual revolution that began in the 1960s and also for the more conservative attitudes about sex held by many young people today. The pill opened the floodgate of wanton sexuality. However, women quickly found that it offered no protection against any type of sexually transmitted disease (STDs). The promise of consequence-free sex caused the sexual revolution, while the reality of STDs curbed it. Having sex with men who consistently used condoms is the only way for sexually active women to reduce the risk of getting or spreading STDs.

It’s ironic that the pill, which created a generation of sexual bacchanalians (baby boomers), would be responsible for suppressing the desire for sex. The pill reduces blood levels of testosterone and free testosterone and increases SHBG – all of which suppress sexual desire. Men have about 10 times more testosterone than women. It’s not clear whether less testosterone equals lower sexual interest. Women seem to have an exaggerated response to testosterone compared to men. But as mentioned, the pill alters one of the major factors affecting testosterone sensitivity – SHBG.

Other Causes of Decreased Sex Drive

Every woman knows that men are driven by testosterone. Women have small amounts of the hormone and it has a profound effect on their sex drives. During the reproductive years, women produce testosterone in their ovaries or make it from DHEA, which is produced in the adrenal glands. After menopause, intact ovaries continue producing testosterone. Testosterone levels drop by 50 percent in women who have had their ovaries removed. Testosterone varies with the menstrual cycle, just like estrogen. Luteinizing hormone is released mid-cycle, which triggers ovulation and a large increase in estrogen. This coincides with a spike in testosterone. This is nature’s way of coordinating peak sexual desire with ovulation, which maximizes the possibility of conception.

The link between testosterone and sex drive isn’t clear-cut. Australian scientists, led by Dr. Susan Davis, found no link between blood levels of testosterone or the more biologically active free testosterone and low sexual desire. Testosterone levels weren’t related to sexual desire, sexual arousal or sexual responsiveness. The study examined self-reported sexual function in more than 1,000 women aged 18 to 75. Women with low sexual desire scores had a greater risk of having low levels of another androgen hormone called dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). However, most women with low DHEA levels didn’t suffer from low sexual desire.

DHEA is produced in the adrenal glands (hormone-secreting organs lying on top of each kidney). It’s the most plentiful androgen in women and it can be broken down to testosterone and estrogen. DHEA is an extremely popular supplement with aging men and women because it’s thought to improve sex drive and sexual performance. There’s little research to support this.

The Australian study couldn’t identify any level of testosterone or DHEA that could distinguish between women with low or normal sex drives. Blood testosterone, by itself, provides little information about testosterone metabolism. Testosterone is produced in a variety of tissues, where it has biological effects that aren’t reflected by its blood level. Also, testosterone works by binding to receptors in target tissues. Differences in receptor sensitivity can create large differences in women in its effect on sex drive, body composition or muscle mass. As discussed, much of the testosterone in blood is bound to SHBG, which diminishes its biological activity. Birth control pills increase SHBG, which may reduce libido. While scientists have no simple test to identify testosterone deficiency as a cause of low sex drive, the fact remains that most women who take testosterone supplements experience an increase in sexual desire.

What Is Normal Sex Drive?

Is the loss of sexual desire the most prevalent sexual problem facing women of all ages? While loss of sexual desire is common in postmenopausal women, it affects as many as 45 percent of women under age 50. More than 40 million American women suffer from low sexual desire and satisfaction and most aren’t happy about it. Multiple studies showed a marked decrease in sexual activity with age. In fact, a study of the economics of sex and happiness conducted by researchers from the National Bureau of Economic Research in Cambridge, MA showed that 50 percent of women over 40 years of age haven’t had sex in a year. Depressed libido is a serious problem if it interferes with relationships, personal satisfaction and happiness.

Birth control pills may be part of the problem. Dr Panzer, the lead author on the study from Boston University Medical Center, said that the loss of libido from taking birth control pills might be irreversible. “It’s important that when doctors advise women to take oral contraception that potential side effects, including loss of sexual appetite and arousal, are pointed out. If, as our study suggests, the pill can cause a long-term or permanent loss of libido, that is something women need to be made aware of.”

 

References:

1. Anastasiadis, A. G., A. R. Davis, L. Salomon, M. Burchardt, and R. Shabsigh. Hormonal factors in female sexual dysfunction. Curr Opin Urol, 12:503-507, 2002.

2. Apperloo, M. J., J. G. Van Der Stege, A. Hoek, and W. C. Weijmar Schultz. In the mood for sex: the value of androgens. J Sex Marital Ther. 29:87-102; discussion 177-109, 2003.

3. Blanchflower, D. and A. Oswald. Money, Sex and Happiness: An Empirical Study, Cambridge, MA: National Bureau of Economic Research, 2004

4. Bolour, S. and G. Braunstein. Testosterone therapy in women: a review. Int J Impot Res, 2005.

5. Buster, J. Aging, androgens, and female sexual desire: Can we restore what time takes away? Sexuality, Reproduction & Menopause, 3:3-7, 2005.

6. Camillo, P., P. Bosarge, and A. Moore. Helping women with low libido. Adv Nurse Pract, 11:18, 2003.

7. Davis, A., K. Gilbert, P. Misiowiec, and B. Riegel. Perceived effects of testosterone replacement therapy in perimenopausal and postmenopausal women: an internet pilot study. Health Care Women Int, 24:831-848, 2003.

8. Davis, S. R. and H. G. Burger. The role of androgen therapy. Best Pract Res Clin Endocrinol Metab, 17:165-175, 2003.

9. Davis, S. R., S. L. Davison, S. Donath, and R. J. Bell. Circulating androgen levels and self-reported sexual function in women. JAMA, 294:91-96, 2005.

10. Goldstat, R., E. Briganti, J. Tran, R. Wolfe, and S. R. Davis. Transdermal testosterone therapy improves well being, mood, and sexual function in premenopausal women. Menopause, 10:390-398, 2003.

11. Gracia, C. R., M. D. Sammel, E. W. Freeman, L. Liu, L. Hollander, and D. B. Nelson. Predictors of decreased libido in women during the late reproductive years. Menopause, 11:144-150, 2004.

12. Guay, A., J. Jacobson, R. Munarriz, A. Traish, L. Talakoub, F. Quirk, I. Goldstein, and R. Spark. Serum androgen levels in healthy premenopausal women with and without sexual dysfunction: Part B: Reduced serum androgen levels in healthy premenopausal women with complaints of sexual dysfunction. Int J Impot Res, 16:121-129, 2004.

13. Marazziti, D. and D. Canale. Hormonal changes when falling in love. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 29:931-936, 2004.

14. Panzer, C., S. Wise, G. Fantini, D. Kang, R. Munarriz, A. Guay, and I. Goldstein. Impact of oral contraceptives on sex hormone-binding globulin and androgen levels: a retrospective study in women with sexual dysfunction. J Sex Med, 3:104-113, 2006.

The post Are Birth Control Pills Ruining Your Sex Life? first appeared on FitnessRX for Women.

* This article was originally published here