However, every person’s experience with menstruation is different; there are also some menstruators who aren’t quite at the zombie stage, but also aren’t at the err…enthusiasm level that most period ad actors exude. So, with that being said, what are the medium level activities one can do on their period?

1. Gentle exercise

Anything light will always feel right. Engaging in mild exercises like walking, swimming (if you’re open to doing that on your period), or yoga can help relieve cramps and improve your mood. Also, it will help you stay in shape, and not break your regular exercise routine/momentum.

2. Rest and relaxation

You may not feel it all the time, but your body may need extra rest during your period, so take the opportunity to relax, rest, and recharge. Read a book, take a warm bath, or practice meditation.

3. Creative pursuits

Explore your artistic side by engaging in creative activities like painting, drawing, writing, or playing a musical instrument. These activities can be a great way to express yourself and focus on something enjoyable. They’re great mood boosters as well!

4. Self-care

Pamper yourself with self-care activities such as taking care of your skin, doing a face mask, getting a massage, or practising aromatherapy. It’s important to prioritise your well-being during this time. Plus, face masks always smell SO good.

5. Cooking or baking 

Experimenting with new recipes or making your favourite comfort foods can be a fun and productive way to spend your time. Treat yourself to nourishing meals that make you feel good.

6. Catch up on hobbies or projects

If you have any ongoing hobbies or projects, your period might be a good time to dedicate some focused attention to them. Whether it’s knitting, gardening, woodworking, or any other hobby, enjoy the time to indulge in your passions.

7. Socialising

If you’re up to it, consider meeting up with friends for a low-key gathering or having a cosy movie night at home. Human company always has the ability to cheer people up!

Remember, everyone’s period is different, and ultimately, you should listen to your body and do what feels right for you. If you want to curl up in front of the TV, it’s absolutely fine. If you want to do lowkey activities, follow your body’s signals and go for it if you feel up to it. And if you want to climb a mountain, get that bread (and colour us thoroughly impressed).

The post What To Do When Your Period Rolls Around appeared first on Ignite the Spark.

We’ve heard this phrase umpteen number of times, but what does it even actually mean? One can argue that it is the equivalent of a ticking time bomb in the sense that the window of opportunity is finite (and closing). In this case, that analogy does hold up, because fertility is finite, after all. Over the course of time, a woman’s fertility tends to dip the older she gets – these changes are the reason why many women (in particular) are anxious to accomplish a lot of things on the reproductive front before they lose the (biological opportunity) to. 

Right from the first time a teen menstruates (menarche), the biological clock is set in motion – every month, there is a menstrual cycle that occurs (for most women on clockwork), which continues well into adulthood. However, this may start to fluctuate by mid to late thirties, when most women start having erratic periods due to an overall decline in estrogen levels. As one ages, significant changes alter the rhythm of the biological clock, which eventually leads to the natural end of periods (menopause), the mark of a woman’s departure from the reproductive years.  

What does the transition to menopause look like?

Menopause is considered the permanent end to menstruation, and this which occurs as a natural part of the aging process (for women hitting their 40s and early 50s), except in the cases of premature menopause (before 40s), either due to damage in the ovaries and/or surgical intervention. 

Menopause is a gradual transition process which takes place across three stages:

1) Perimenopause

Perimenopause is a transition phase which may begin before menopause – the ovaries may gradually stop producing estrogen and this phase could last for 3- 4 years on an average. Even though the ovarian function might decline and both estrogen and progesterone levels could fall during perimenopause, the menstrual cycle usually continues as per schedule and one may also stand the chance of becoming pregnant.

This phase brings major changes in libido, the beginning of hot flashes, night sweats, fatigue, anxiety, and depression for most women. 

2) Menopause

This is the point when there is a rapid decline in estrogen levels, and viable eggs are no longer released by the ovaries. Over the course of a year (maybe even more), the  monthly periods stop eventually, and the official label of menopause is assigned when a woman doesn’t experience a period for a period of one year. 

Hot flashes are the most frequently occurring symptom of this phase, which refers to the brief sensation of heat in the body (this could vary in  intensity, frequency and duration for every individual). Women are a lot  more prone to emotional changes like anxiety, mood swings, loss of energy, and irritability as well. The other common symptoms include insomnia, memory lapses, vaginal dryness, hair loss, urine urgency, and breast tenderness, among the others. 

3) Post- menopause

This is the phase that unfolds after menopause – while menopausal symptoms may ease up for some women, they can continue to be present for others even for a decade or longer after the transition to menopause. In the case of the latter, there is a higher vulnerability to several health conditions, such as osteoporosis and heart disease as the estrogen levels are at an all-time low. 

Is menopause a pause on life? 

This phase can definitely be tricky to handle, but it does not signal the end of  life. If you ask us, one can surely dazzle at 40 or sizzle at 50, while being able to cope with the myriad changes brought in by the onset of menopause: 

• Eat right, stay right: Go minimalistic and nutrition-heavy with your diet. To soothe the hot flashes, make sure you skip triggers like spicy food, alcohol, smoking, and caffeine.

• Consult your doctor regularly: Take advice from your doctor before introducing any supplements and/or medicines in your daily regime. Also remember to go for routine checkups, a yearly mammogram, to do sonography and pap smear tests as well. 

• Pamper your mind and body: Self-care can go a looooong way. Do not let putting on the kilos put you off too much because weight gain is a common challenge for women transitioning into the menopause stage. But believe us when we say that a portion of yoga and some ‘me-time’ coupled with good sleep, a good diet, good mindful practices and a healthy social life can help you heal and stay happier.

Read more on coping mechanisms to deal with menopause and beyond here.

• Try to be present: Menopause can hit you with loads of emotions at the same time. Most women are likely to face loneliness, anxiety and irritability – the key is to accept your emotions as they come and let them go gradually. Do what makes you happy, invest your time in meaningful relationships, and stay engaged positively. 

We’re sure you’ll be able to power on through the menopause phase! 

The post Menopause: A Pause on Periods – Not You! appeared first on Ignite the Spark.

Well, contraception, after all, involves the measures used for preventing unintended pregnancies, which contribute to better reproductive health, mental health, safe and protected sex and family planning. Not to mention, it drastically reduces the risk of maternal and newborn mortality rates. 

So, by the looks of things, contraceptives should be openly discussed, openly available, and further, openly accepted, right? However, lack of information or communication regarding its benefits, uses, and implications is the major reason for the air of confusion that surrounds this topic. While the air may not clear immediately (there is still a long way to go), what we can do in the meantime is debunk some myths that have been attached to the concept of contraception for the longest time. 

It’s time to dig out the real facts:

Myth 1: Birth control affects fertility

Fact: 

There is no proof that hormonal contraceptives have an impact on fertility.

However, following the use of hormonal birth control, such as IUDs, the pill, the patch, and the implant, there is a possibility that a person’s menstrual cycle may take a few months to return to normal.

Myth 2: Sex during or right after your period does not lead to pregnancy

Fact:

Although ovulation typically occurs 14 days after the last day of menstruation for most women, this is not always the case – there is always the prospect of finding yourself pregnant if you engage in unprotected sex. Additionally, sperm can survive for several days following sex, so it is advisable to use a condom along with whatever birth control measures you are on whenever possible.

Myth 3: Contraceptive pills cause cancer.

Fact: 

There is no evidence that contraceptive oral pills cause cancer. In fact, it has been found that some forms of birth control, such as the patch, ring, and IUD, lower the risk of ovarian and uterine cancer.

Myth 4: The condom is the best contraceptive measure

Fact:

Although many young women find that birth control pills and condoms are effective forms of protection, the use of methods like intrauterine devices (IUDs) and implants is recommended. However, the choice of using a particular contraceptive completely depends on one’s objectives, comfort, and preference; with that being said, one should also seek the doctor’s consultation before going ahead with the final choice. Tap here to navigate your way through the types and make an informed decision regarding the right kind of contraception.

Myth 5: Contraception can prevent STIs

Fact: 

Contraceptives like oral pills and sterilization have no role in preventing infections; while measures like condoms may reduce the possibility of contracting STIs, they are still not foolproof. The bottom line is, there is no safe way to engage in sexual activity with someone you know who has a STI. STIs can still be transmitted during sex even with hormonal birth control, permanent sterilization, fertility awareness, IUDs, and other measures. Do not take any chances and visit your doctor immediately in case you feel you have contracted any STI.

When it comes to sex, contraceptives can help relieve a lot of anxiety as they can help you enjoy the moment without worrying about the risks of pregnancy. The trick is to work out the best kind with your doctor!

The post Debunking 5 Myths About Contraceptives appeared first on Ignite the Spark.

An extremely fast and efficient process, hot composting is steadily growing to be a popular practice among the folks living eco-friendly lifestyles. Here’s how you can give it a shot as well:

The clue lies in the name itself – hot composting, unsurprisingly, is a much faster method (and hotter way) of decomposing organic waste compared to regular composting, which is incidentally the cold bin method. Hot compost bins operate at temperatures around 40-65 degrees Celsius, and are significantly warmer as the method uses these high temperatures to achieve optimal microbial activity – ergo, this hastens the composting process and you can get usable compost in around 4-6 weeks!

In addition to the fast turnaround time, what are the benefits of hot composting? 

Benefits of hot composting

One key advantage of hot composting is its ability to take on a wider variety of compostable materials. As the crux of this method depends primarily on the high temperature, it isn’t bound by seasons. In addition, the heat can kill off any unwanted bacteria, and its rapid nature doesn’t give much room for smells to emanate. 

But how do I get started?

First, you’ll need a compost bin or a designated area ready to fill with organic waste. Start by chopping all your ingredients into smaller bits (including your natural sanitary pads) and adding in a good amount of existing ready compost as a starter. Not only does the ready compost have all the required microorganisms and bacteria you need, but their job to break down the ingredients also gets simplified as the materials are already in small chunks. 

Keep a constant check on the temperature of your hot compost pile to make sure it doesn’t get too cold and go below 40°C or 104°F or become too hot (above 70°C or 158°F).

Note that the temperature of your hot composts will depend on moisture levels, the size of your organic matter, the type of compost starter you add, and the size of your pile. Feel free to experiment – you can try hot composting with different batches, you can either add/reduce water, and make batches smaller or bigger, to see the impact this has on the quality of the resulting compost.

Happy hot composting!

To learn more about composting your sanitary pads at home, please visit: How can I compost my sanitary pads at home? 

The post What Is The Secret Behind Hot Composting? appeared first on Ignite the Spark.

If you’re reading this blog, cheers on taking one step towards a greener way of living by wanting to compost your natural sanitary pads – the world needs more individuals like you!

So, since you’re already convinced about composting your biodegradable sanitary pads at home, it’s natural for you to be curious about the next step – the actual process and duration of the composting. So, how long do these pads take to actually compost? 

Natural pads (like Sparkle’s, for example) fall under the category of brown compost (which include materials such as hay, straw, pruning cuttings, sawdust, wood chips, etc). Since brown compost items include fibrous materials, they typically take longer to decompose than green compost (grass, vegetable peelings, eggshells, etc). 

It’s been observed that sanitary pads made with natural materials take roughly around 12-18 months to decompose in a compost bin. Do keep in mind that each compost bin might differ in terms of moisture levels, content, rough materials, and temperature maintained. You can also expedite the composting process by cutting up your used sanitary napkins; as you’re making the pad into smaller pieces, they will biodegrade faster, as the microbes can break down the material faster. 

Once I’ve cut up my pads, how do I go about composting them?

As mentioned in our last blog: Is it possible to compost sanitary pads?, you can make/use a normal composting bin. You can try any of these composting methods for favourable results: 

1. Bokashi Style 
2. Trench Composting 
3. Hot Composting 
4. Humanure Method 

These methods are used worldwide because they can eradicate biohazardous bacteria and pathogens present.

What should I do with the compost once it’s ready?

Since Sparkle pads do not contain any plastic and are, in fact, created from natural, biodegradable, and compostable ingredients, they are safe to compost. However, whenever you compost any item containing bodily fluids such as menstrual blood, we always recommend being mindful as it could house blood-born, infectious pathogens in some cases. 

If composting is carried out correctly, all pathogens will be killed by high composting temperature, making it safe to use in your garden. If you are using a backyard compost bin to compost used sanitary pads, it’s always a good idea to use your compost as garden soil for plants rather than for growing your fruits and vegetables. 

Did you know that you can use the “Hot Composting” method to speed up the composting process. To learn more about hot composting, you can read: What Is The Secret Behind Hot Composting?

The post How can I compost sanitary pads at home? appeared first on Ignite the Spark.

Sir Albert Howard, a government agronomist, developed the “Indore Method” in the mid-1920s, a process which involved three parts of garden clippings to one part of manure or kitchen waste arranged in layers and mixed periodically (a practice also known as the precursor to modern composting). 

However, over time, we’ve gone past using only garden clippings and kitchen waste – now, compostable materials include tea bags, shredded newspaper, cardboard, sawdust, wood chips, hair and fur, etc. 

But could this list also include natural period products such as biodegradable and compostable sanitary pads? 

Before we delve into that possibility, let’s take a quick look at why there might be a need for it: 

The Menstrual Hygiene Alliance of India has stated that nearly 121 million menstruating individuals use disposable sanitary pads as their primary period care product, all of which can individually take around 800 years to decompose. As conventional pads are made from up to 90% of plastic compounds, rendering them non-compostable or non-biodegradable, the stack of non-sustainable period products is rising by the day.

While no one has really entertained the thought of period products and composting, menstrual products that are plastic-free (like Sparkle) and made from natural biodegradable materials and plant cellulose can definitely tick the boxes on the composting checklist! 

I don’t know the first thing about composting my menstrual products. How should I go about this?

Keep these steps in mind and you’ll be well on your way: 

1. Composting only works with natural menstrual products:

Whether it’s panty liners, tampons or pads, they need to have a natural/plant-based composition. A quick way to find out is to read the label or ingredients list on the pack. 

2. Ensure you buy/make the right kind of composting bin:

You’ll need to be vigilant that the bin you create/purchase should have the provision for sustaining the right kind of condition for your compost (i.e. warm and humid). Your bin should also be well-sealed, to prevent vermin attacks. 

3. Your compost should have a good balance of:

A) Green compost (vegetable peels, grass cuttings, tea residue, eggshells, etc – essentially, items that break down and decompose quickly)

B) Brown compost (fibrous materials like cardboard, pruning clippings, sawdust, etc that take longer to biodegrade. Natural sanitary pads fall into this category.

4. Larger surface areas clock better composting times:

The more surface area composting microorganisms have to work with, the faster they can break down the materials. To speed up the composting process of natural sanitary pads, you can always break up the pads into smaller pieces. 

5. The wait is worth it:

Most compostable products typically decompose within 6-12 months in well-maintained composting conditions. However, it is recommended to wait around 15-20 months for menstrual products to fully break down in a home compost environment. 

Stick to compostable waste in your bin, and ensure it stays warm, moist, and well-aired (while being well-sealed); after about a year and a half of compost cycle, you should have some excellent quality compost to use in your garden. 

Congratulations on choosing sustainability in both your products and processes!
To learn more about composting your sanitary pads at home, please visit: How can I compost my sanitary pads at home?

The post Is it possible to compost sanitary pads? appeared first on Ignite the Spark.

Before we get into deconstructing that, you can learn all about the myths and facts of PCOS here.

What are the causes of PCOS?

Ah, the million dollar question. If you have PCOS or want to know the exact reasons for the occurrence of PCOS, you’ll be in line behind a long list of individuals who want to decode the very same.  

Although the exact cause of PCOS is unknown, there is evidence that genetics do play a role. There are several other factors as well, including hormonal imbalances; if you have PCOS, your ovaries produce unusually high levels of androgen, causing an imbalance in your reproductive hormones. This, in turn, can lead to erratic menstrual cycles, missed periods, or even heavy bleeding. Moreover, insulin resistance, obesity, and higher levels of inflammation act as the catalysts leading to the development of PCOS.

Importance of diet for PCOS

Even though we may not exactly know how PCOS occurs, we can always take steps to mitigate it. This is where weight regulation and a strict diet comes into play. 

It may seem like a daunting goal, but it can be attainable by simply incorporating certain small steps in your day-to-day life. Adapting to a healthier diet and changing eating patterns (along with some physical activities) is one of the most effective and safest methods to manage PCOS. 

But, that brings us to the next question: what should the diet include? It goes without saying that a pro-PCOS diet must focus on whole grains, fresh produce, and plant-based proteins while limiting sugar, processed food, and trans fat. Experts recommend that a high protein and low carbohydrate diet can do wonders for weight and insulin issues.

Foods to include, if you are experiencing PCOS:

• Wholesome whole grains: Whole grains such as millets, oats, and buckwheat are great additions to your daily nutrition plan. 
• Go green: Leafy greens such as spinach, cabbage greens, kale, broccoli, and other green vegetables are excellent sources of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. 
• Hop over to healthy fats: Opt for unsaturated fats found in canola, olive oil, avocado, nuts, flaxseed, chia seeds, etc.
• Be friends with fruits: Opt for fruits low in the Glycemic Index (GI) such as apples, pears, and foods such as oatmeal, sweet potatoes, and legumes. The key is to keep it basic and minimalistic.
• Be pro-protein: Include plant-based proteins such as beans, peas, lentils, nuts, seeds, and tofu to see the difference. 
• Drink adequate water: 8- 12 glasses of water is usually recommended for the daily intake. 

Foods to limit/avoid in PCOS diet:

It’s hard to curb these cravings entirely, but you can always try limiting and substituting foods high in refined carbohydrates, sugary snacks/drinks, and inflammatory processed foods with healthier alternatives.

• Foods high in refined carbohydrates: Cut down on refined white flour, sugary foods, starchy vegetables (white potatoes), as well as artificial sweeteners.
• Foe (unhealthy) fats: Trans fats and hydrogenated fats in cooking oil, processed foods including fried food, fast food, packaged snack foods, frozen meals and snacks should be avoided.
• Soy: Restrict soy products as it can increase estrogen levels and lead to further delays in ovulation.
• Gluten: It can cause inflammation, which in turn, can result in insulin resistance that can eventually lead to diabetes.

Other lifestyle changes to consider with PCOS:

A strict diet is great at curbing PCOS at the source, but exercise is the true way to get your PCOS in check.

• Be active: Try to get at least moderate exercise each week. Start small and work up to longer times as your body adjusts. Your workout doesn’t necessarily need to be limited to jogging and heavy exercises; it  can be pursued in your own way and can include sports, dance, yoga, cycling, zumba, swimming, and much more. 
• Be happy: Calm your mind and connect with your body. Stress mitigation can work wonders. 
• Seek professional help: See a doctor if symptoms continue to persist, and carve a healthy way forward for your body! 

In most cases, PCOS can be a lifetime condition. But the good news is, there are ways to mitigate it. With PCOS, weight loss has been proven to be consistently successful in reducing insulin resistance (a strong byproduct of PCOS). Many experts suggest that a combination of dietary modification, exercise, mindful practices, modifying lifestyle factors such as alcohol consumption/smoking can be the collective key towards the long-term treatment of PCOS. 

Try this out for yourself and tell us what you think!

The post PCOS and Nutrition: All You Need To Know appeared first on Ignite the Spark.

While we are constantly working toward making our products as affordable as possible by pushing and optimizing our costs as much as we can, we would like to be as transparent as possible with you so that you can make an informed purchase decision as a menstruator:

Sustainable raw materials are 2-3x more expensive than petrochemical-based ones

Typically, sustainable products end up being relatively more expensive compared to their conventional alternatives since natural, bio-based, organic, biodegradable, compostable and/or sustainable ingredients/raw materials are also expensive to source. As they are not often mass-produced, they don’t have an established supply chain like conventional products, which makes their procurement expensive (as well as the costs of the end products).

Establishing a fully traceable and ethical supply chain (verified by third-party certifications) adds to the cost

At Sparkle, our first priority lies in delivering a high-quality product for you – we believe that we can achieve this quality only if we start out with safe and top-quality ingredients. Just like we get our facility audits conducted by third-party organizations, we ensure that our suppliers and their manufacturing control processes are also certified by independent organizations. To maintain the consistency and quality of all of our raw materials, we also conduct periodic plant visits and audits ourselves, all of which add to the final price point.

Strict quality standards and manufacturing facility certifications

We do not compromise on quality. Period. We do not cut corners to make our products the cheapest possible options in the market. That’s just not who we are.

We follow strict hygiene and manufacturing process control at every step of our production process. Our production area has epoxy flooring and central air conditioning with positive pressure. Our dust-free production area is equipped with advanced Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system that is designed to maintain a Class 10000 Clean Room environment.

Besides being US FDA registered, our manufacturing facility is also ISO 13485 and ISO 9001 certified.

Our efforts for making sustainable products affordable for everyone

Our product price reflects the cost and value of top-quality raw materials, our sustainable and ethical supply chain, and our determination to provide you only with the best.

That being said, we are constantly directing all our energy and efforts into exploring new and innovative raw materials that can make our products more affordable. Our R&D Centre is equipped with 8 departments, all of which are hard at work trying to come up with feasible products.

As we grow, we are also aiming to establish a more cost-effective and fully vertically integrated supply chain that can not only allow us to manufacture high-quality sustainable raw materials that go into making our finished products but also help us reduce our dependency on a highly volatile supply chain and periodic price fluctuations.

We hope you’ll take a chance on us today, so that we can get the chance to make the world a better place for every menstruator out there with every passing day. Your patronage make us who we are; as always, we are incredibly grateful for, blessed and humbled by every action you take to support our journey!

The post Why sustainability is worth every single rupee appeared first on Ignite the Spark.

So much has been written about this topic, and YET, it still remains a mystery. 

Just like how it mysteriously (and almost always) shows up right before an important meeting or a girl’s night out. 

Coincidence? We think not. 

So, what can we possibly say that hasn’t been said before by countless articles, self-care pages, home remedy listicles, and to-do tips to cure acne? 

While we can always tell you how you could try to take care of your acne, we can also address the other side of the equation – by helping you predict/preempt these breakouts at the different stages of your menstrual cycle (and hopefully, reducing them as well!)

Ready? Let’s get right into it!

Wait, why are we talking about menstrual cycles? Isn’t this about acne?

Let’s put it this way – you can’t begin to understand acne, flare-ups, pimples, pustules, and breakouts without thoroughly understanding the role of our periods in this process. More often than not, our menstrual cycles dictate the type of relationship we might have with our acne, right from pre-puberty times all the way into adulthood. As you may have guessed, every menstruator has a period cycle that is truly unique to them; similarly, hormone levels differ from person to person as well as the prevalence (or lack thereof) of acne. 

Here’s a quick acne 101 before we move on:

Acne, in a nutshell, is a condition that affects the skin’s hair follicles and oil glands. Our pores are connected to glands that produce an oily secretion called ‘sebum’. The canal connections between these glands and pores (known as follicles) have thin hairs that grow out to the skin’s surface. When these follicles get clogged thanks to a not-so-nice combination of sebum and dead skin cells, they become breeding grounds for bacteria. 

And voila, you see the final result when you glance at the mirror – a red pimple sprouting up at that exact point. 

But where is the hormonal connection?

So, just to refresh your mind, we spoke about sebum and its sticky tendencies just a few seconds back. Before your period, during and even after your period, your body will be undergoing several hormonal fluctuations – these twists and turns in hormonal activity can trigger your sebum-producing glands (the sebaceous ones) to secrete more sebum, leading to more clogging, more pimples, more red skin, and as a final result, more aggravation (both skin and annoyance-wise). 

However, if we are able to predict how our hormones behave before/during our period (at least to a certain extent), we can try to minimise the damage that acne could wreak on our bodies. Scroll on to know more.

1. Pre-Period

Hormone status: Oestrogen and progesterone levels drop

Consequences: Overactive sebaceous gland behaviour

Result: High chances of clogged pores, skin inflammation, breakouts, etc

What can you do?

• Try to reduce your stress especially during this PMS time (increased stress usually worsens acne)
• Reduce or remove dairy during your PMS period (as milk comes with artificial hormones that may alter the body’s hormonal balance)
• Cut out caffeine and alcohol (these directly affect your body’s reaction to stress)
• Maintain your blood sugar levels as much as possible

2. During Your Period (and towards its end)

Hormone status: Testosterone is still going strong 

Consequences: Sebaceous gland sensitivity can be seen again 

Result: More sebum generation and clogged pores 

What can you do?

• Eating blueberries help (which help balance blood sugar and restore progesterone levels) 
• A diet of cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, etc) aid in liver optimization and detoxification 
• Continuing to avoid dairy, caffeine and alcohol 
• Drinking lemon and water in the morning for further liver detoxification  
• Taking probiotics (yoghurt, etc) for your gut to fight the inflammation that worsens acne 

3. After Your Period (before the next one pops up)

Hormone status: Oestrogen and testosterone start to rise again

Consequences: This change throws your sebaceous glands for a toss again, although you might not develop any new acne; old pimples start to fade (don’t pick at them!)

Result: Dry skin, due to rising oestrogen levels 

What can you do?

• Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, fish and whole grains
• Taking Vitamin E supplements to boost skin elasticity 
• Continuing to watch your salt, sugar, dairy and caffeine intake 

So, what’s the final verdict?

Even after trying all of the above and having a proper skincare routine, acne can still persist for some individuals. In that case, it’s always best to see a dermatologist and a dietician for further instructions. If you have minimal breakouts and just want to know how to get rid of those pesky pimples that pop up before and during your cycle, start monitoring your body, follow your hormone trajectory, and let us know if these tips work out for you!

The post Acne: What’s The Missing Link? appeared first on Ignite the Spark.

It’s one word, but it has so many connotations. 

While sexual pleasure, on the whole, is an absolutely normal phenomenon to explore and experience, the taboos that surround it make it a complicated one to navigate. 

Especially the stigma that envelopes personally pleasuring oneself, also known as masturbation. 

But why is masturbation this closeted a topic?

Why does an air of utmost secrecy surround it? 

And why do people usually feel the urge to lie when faced with a direct question regarding masturbation?

We’ll answer all of this and more, keep reading on!

Since masturbation is a hush-hush topic, many people typically fall into the misinformation trap – they don’t know what to believe, and usually end up listening to the rumours that emerge. 

“It makes hair grow in strange places.”

“It’s the leading cause of infertility.”

“Your genitals will grow smaller.”

“I feel guilty about this.”

“You’ll get addicted to it and it’ll ruin your life!”

While the first few have no scientific basis, the last two points must be tackled from the perspective of moderation and understanding. So, let’s get started on decoding this practice!

First things first, what is masturbation?

Masturbation (or the act of touching yourself for sexual pleasure) is an absolutely normal process, whether you may be sexually active with partners or not. Contrary to popular belief, masturbation is neither unhealthy nor bad for you. Believe it or not, it can be extremely beneficial health-wise! The orgasm that builds up and eventually takes over releases feel-good endorphins that make you feel on-top-of-the-world fantastic. 

Still not buying it? Science has a lot to say on this topic as well. Masturbating can lead to:

• Reduced sexual tension 
• Reduced stress levels 
• Improved quality of sleep 
• Better self-image 
• Lesser menstrual cramps 

Plus, it’s the safest way to surefire pleasure without the risk of pregnancies or unwanted STDs!

Why else is this practice important?

Not only does masturbation have a host of health benefits, but it is also extremely beneficial in the purview of you getting to know your own body. It helps you figure out your ‘spots’  – where you want to be touched, how you want to be touched, how much pressure is good, what techniques you like, do you like it fast or slow, etc. The moment you orgasm by yourself and experience the sexual pleasure your body is capable of producing, you will be in a more confident place personally as well as in a sexual relationship. 

Think about it this way – you’d use a map to get to a certain destination before you’d learn the route yourself, right? It’s the same thing when you’re guiding your sexual partner about your body – the more you know the map of your own body and what it could feel like, the faster your partner will understand what makes you feel good!

This sounds positive, but why are there so many negative feelings about it?

Masturbation is more common than you might think, but it’s still a delicate topic for most people to discuss. A lot of people feel self-conscious discussing it as they feel it’s a topic that must be under wraps. Some individuals learn right from a young age that pleasure, and especially self-pleasure is ‘wrong’ – so they, in turn, feel extremely guilty when doing it. 

On the other hand, other people like masturbating so much that they proceed to do it in copious amounts (which can get in the way of them living their lives). The trick is to find the sweet spot (literally and figuratively) – do what makes you feel good, but do it in moderation!

The post Masturbation & The Million Dollar Question appeared first on Ignite the Spark.