Health Myths That Every Woman Should Know Are Bogus

15. Will you get sick if you go outside with wet hair? No, but it could increase your chances of getting sick.

Similar to the previous point, the act of going outside with wet hair itself won’t make you sick, and this is an old wives’ tale. However, having wet hair when it is cold out can change your body temperature, making you colder. Therefore you could have a higher chance of catching a cold, but it is doubtful. Having wet hair in itself doesn’t make you more susceptible to catching a cold. Why? Because acquiring a cold requires transmission of bodily fluids, like breathing in the air after someone has sneezed. Those molecules can linger in the air and affect your health. 

One thing that you should be aware of, however, is the cold can be damaging to your hair, and that is what you should worry about. When you go outside in the cold with wet hair, you risk your hair freezing and breaking off. When this happens, you will end up with very uneven hair, and to fix it, your layers will have to be cut to the length of the shortest piece. If you don’t have time to dry your hair in the morning, it is best to use some dry shampoo and avoid washing it until you have time to dry it properly.

14. Health Myth: Vegetarians and vegans need more protein than a regular diet.

Vegetarians and vegans don’t need any more protein than the rest of us, so this “rule” is a bogus wives tale that you can ignore. Everyone needs protein in their diet, but for most, it is usually an average amount. If you are trying to build muscle and working out a lot, sometimes it is better to incorporate more protein into your diet. You can research more about how much protein you should consume with specific workouts online or reach out to a nutrition specialist. A nutrition specialist will be able to tell you exactly how much protein you should consume and along with other foods as well.

For vegans and vegetarians, they will need to get their protein from sources other than animals. They will need plant-based proteins, which are very easy to incorporate into most diets. Some good protein sources include beans, lentils, chickpeas, peas, and tofu. There are many meat alternative substitutes now as well that can be found at most grocery stores with very high protein. If you are trying to transition to eating a plant-based diet and eating much meat before, many people use these substitutes to make the transition much easier. 

13. Are high-fat foods bad for you? The quick answer is nope. 

That depends on what kinds of fats you are talking about. Trans fats are bad for you and are banned in The United States. Trans fat is the process of making fat a solid to prevent it from going bad, therefore lasting longer on our shelves. Saturated fats can also be bad, but that’s mostly because we consume too much of them. These can be fats from meats and dairy products like cheese. Saturated fats aren’t bad for you in small portions, but both of these types of fats can increase cholesterol, therefore, increasing your risk for heart disease.

However, there are quite a few good fats out there that we should include in our diet regularly. These are called monounsaturated fats and polyunsaturated fats. These two types of fats can be found in certain oils like olive and avocado oil, in most nuts and seeds, and fish like salmon. This type of fat should be incorporated into our diet and healthy for us, again in smaller portions. While these foods are good for us, their calorie count is much higher, so just be mindful of that.

12. Health Myth: If you are sexually active, you must get the HPV vaccine.

That is not true at all. If you can get the Human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, you should get it. In some cases, it can be expensive. However, some places do have payment options, and sometimes it is covered by your healthcare provider. If you are sexually active, then it is a good idea to get the HPV vaccine. HPV is the most commonly sexually transmitted infection in the United States. There are over 100 different varieties of this STD, but the most common strains cause genital warts and cancer. The most common type of cancer this causes is cervical cancer. 

HPV is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. You can transfer it to your mouth, genitals, or anus. Also, because this STD can cause cancer, it is crucial to get regular pap screenings or screenings for other types of cancer if other symptoms occur. Pap tests should be done every 1-3 years for sexually active women. Thankfully, when cervical cancer is caught early, it is very manageable and can often cause very few long-term issues. Talk to your doctor about HPV and the HPV vaccine on your next visit if you are sexually active.

11. Everyone gets sick at some point in their lives – no one is invincible! That is misleading, to say the least. 

Have you ever noticed that one friend who is constantly avoiding the flu or colds going around while you, your friends, and family all suffer one after another? We are here to tell you that they are not invincible, and they do and will get sick. Saying some people just never get sick is more specifically a figure of speech than reality. Everyone can and will get sick at some point in their lives. You can do certain things to make this a less common occurrence for you, though, or you may have some luck on your side.

There are a couple of factors that can help you avoid the common cold or flu. You can get your annual flu shot, which does need to be received annually. Sometimes, it can simply be genetics running in your favor for how often you get sick as well. Adding certain foods to your diet can help avoid the flu or cold, such as garlic and foods high in vitamin C. Also, taking multivitamins can help you avoid getting sick while ensuring that you’re getting all the vitamins you need daily.

10. Health Myth: You need products to detox your body.

While you should be detoxing your body in the way of cutting out bad foods and eating more whole foods, it is a bogus statement that you should be “detoxing.” Any products marketed to you as a product that flushes out toxins and has you go through a “detox” is a bit more than gimmicky. You often see these products in teas or supplements, saying things like detox your body quickly or cleanse your body. You don’t need any of these products. Often they are costly for what you get as well, so save your money.

Your body naturally detoxes, and it does that through your liver. That is your liver’s primary function. You can help your liver by not making it work overtime every day. Also, you should not consume alcohol often, overeat red meat, or smoke. You will also want to avoid any harmful sugars or a lot of natural sugars, as this can be hard on your liver. If you are eating a pretty balanced diet with plenty of whole foods and heavy on the plants and vegetables, your liver will thank you.

9. Should you swap sugar for honey or maple syrup? Yes, and each has different benefits!

Consuming many of these things, sugar, honey, or maple syrup, is terrible for your no matter what. Generally speaking, they are all not great. You will want to limit your intake of any of these ingredients no matter what. If you are looking to satisfy a sweet tooth craving, a better option is to have a piece of fruit or some berries. That, at least, is natural and has more fibers and vitamins. However, we know that sometimes you will have that candy or piece of cake, and once in a while isn’t going to derail your diet.

When looking at all three of these ingredients on the glycemic index, which rates how these foods affect your blood sugar levels, sugar is the worst. Next would be honey. Then the best one is maple syrup. If you are more worried about your fat intake and want more vitamin benefits, honey would be your go-to. Either way, whichever you chose, just know that moderation is key, and you can enjoy any of the three options. There are tons of recipes that include substitutions for sugar using both honey and maple syrup for whatever you have on hand.

8. Health Myth: STIs always have symptoms.

That is not true, and many STDs don’t show any symptoms at all. Some STDs also show symptoms in some people and not in others, and in some cases, you can contract STD, and it will show signs one time but not another. That is why it is imperative to get tested regularly if you are sexually active and to have open and honest conversations with your sexual partners. It is essential to use protection when having sex, like using condoms. If your partner does not want to use protection, you may not want to have sex with them.

Some of the more common STDs include Human Papillomavirus (HPV), Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Herpes, and Trichomoniasis. All of these STDs can show symptoms and can also be asymptomatic. Often, these will present themselves, and you will notice a discharge, an unpleasant odor, itching, and a burning or uncomfortable sensation when urinating. If you experience any of these and are sexually active, it is essential to get tested. Millions of people are diagnosed with an STD every year in The United States, so it is nothing to be embarrassed about and is a very routine occurrence. Be sure to use protection with new partners to lessen the chance of getting an STD.

7. Should pregnant women get the flu shot? Yes!

That is the complete opposite of what is recommended for pregnant women. While pregnant, you are more vulnerable to things like the flu, and your immune system is not as strong. It is vital to get the flu shot as a pregnant woman to protect yourself and your baby. You don’t want to end up in the hospital from the flu. Like other flu shots or vaccines, if you have a severe allergy to eggs, you don’t want to get this. Talk to your doctor before getting the flu shot to make sure everything is okay.

There has not been any evidence to suggest getting the flu shot when pregnant can cause miscarriages or have any adverse effects on developing babies. Some women experience the same symptoms as anyone else getting the flu shot, which can be soreness around the shot injection site, headache, fever, and nausea. However, these symptoms usually go away within one to two days. Research more about what to expect when getting the flu shot or speak with your doctor before getting the flu shot. You can be more vulnerable postpartum as well, so you may want to get the flu shot after giving birth as well.

6. Can you get pregnant when you’re breastfeeding? Yes, you can!

It definitely wouldn’t be fair to say that you can’t get pregnant when you are breastfeeding because there is a chance of it happening. If you are only breastfeeding, you will need to do so roughly every 4 hours. If you are not supplementing with formula or solid foods when the baby is older, then it is unlikely that you will get pregnant while breastfeeding. When you breastfeed, your hormones that produce milk suppress the hormones that have you make an egg and ovulate. That doesn’t mean that it won’t happen because it certainly can and has before.

If you don’t want to become pregnant soon after having your baby, it would be a good idea to speak with your doctor or ob-gyn and plan to go on birth control. You can go on the pill or get an IUD while breastfeeding, and it is entirely safe. When you talk to your doctor, you can determine the best form of birth control. If you don’t want to take anything, you can continue to breastfeed and can use condoms as well. Just know that your chances of getting pregnant are greater.

5. If you have itching and discharge, it could be more than a yeast infection.

Itching and discharge are common symptoms of many STDs and other vaginal infections, so to say that those two symptoms are only signs of a yeast infection is false. If you are sexually active, then there is a good chance it could be something else, especially if you are unsure if your partner has had other partners. Sometimes symptoms for STDs don’t present themselves for several weeks. If you are unsure, you need to make an appointment with your doctor. If you leave it untreated, there could be further complications down the line and significant discomfort for you.

There are over-the-counter yeast infection medications you can take. However, when you take these, it can be harder to diagnose another STD than it could be. The cultures in your vagina need to be present, and the medication for yeast infections gets rid of these. It is best to wait for a diagnosis from your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medications. Sometimes, if you have had a yeast infection before and haven’t been sexually active recently, your doctor will just tell you to take over-the-counter medications. If you are unsure, make sure you advocate for your own health and get checked out to be sure. 

4. Health Myth: You need to go carb-free to lose weight. 

With the ketogenic diet being one of the most talked-about and hyped up diets right now, it’s no wonder you see headlines like “you need to be carb-free to lose weight!”. The ketogenic diet is very similar to the Atkins diet, where carbohydrates are limited, and you burn fat instead to lose weight. The ketogenic diet works very well for many people and isn’t as restrictive as some other diets. However, you don’t need to cut out carbs or eat only small amounts of carbs to lose weight. You can still enjoy your carbohydrates and lose weight.

Weight loss is as simple as calories in versus calories out; however, eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly is one of the best ways to lose weight healthily. Living a healthy lifestyle involves exercising regularly and eating well, so it is a no-brainer that this would also allow you to lose weight. If you want to lose weight, you will need to eat in a caloric deficit, which doesn’t restrict carbohydrates, fats, or proteins. It is often better for your health to avoid refined carbohydrates like white bread and white rice, but natural ingredients like potatoes are good in moderation.

3. Health Myth: Women don’t need to worry about heart disease as much as men.

Men and women both need to worry about heart disease more now than ever. With more and more people gaining weight and being overweight, heart disease risk is much greater. Higher cholesterol due to poor diet and lifestyle choices are a common cause and worry for heart disease. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in The United States, so everyone should be looking to prevent it. There are multiple heart disease types, and using the term ‘heart disease” is just an umbrella term for all of them.

Heart disease includes arrhythmia, atherosclerosis, cardiomyopathy, coronary artery disease (CAD), and other heart infections. These can lead to heart failure, which also causes heart attacks. Women, in particular, need to be careful when it comes to heart disease, as this is often called “the silent killer.” Many women can have complications with their heart and have heart disease and not know it. Sometimes no symptoms are present. That is why women need to lead a healthy lifestyle and exercise regularly. 

2. Health Myth: You don’t need to have your cholesterol checked in your early adulthood.

More and more young adults are experiencing higher cholesterol, so it is something that both men and women should be worrying about as early as their early 20’s. More elevated cholesterol can have extremely adverse effects on the body, and you might not even know it because there are usually no symptoms. It is vital to get your cholesterol levels checked regularly, especially if high cholesterol runs in your family. High cholesterol can be one of the causes that lead to heart attacks and strokes. The good news is you can do things now to lower your cholesterol.

If you need to lower your cholesterol, you will want to avoid unhealthy foods, especially trans fats and saturated fats. Focus on healthy fats that you will get through nuts, seeds, and fish. If you are going to have saturated fats, have them in moderation. Also, quitting smoking and lowering or quitting alcohol will help reduce your cholesterol levels as well. Sometimes higher cholesterol can be linked to your genetics, so eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly can be even more essential. Also, for women, after menopause, your risk of having higher cholesterol increases, so it is recommended to have your cholesterol levels checked more frequently.

1. Are hand sanitizers and antibacterial soap both needed in handwashing? No, not at the same time!

Now more than ever, we are constantly reminded to wash our hands with the Covid-19 pandemic. We need to be diligent with this to protect ourselves and our loved ones. What is the difference between these soaps and sanitizers, and which ones are better for us? While neither one is more crucial than the other, they are all critical now, but they serve different purposes. It can be best to use all of them throughout the day. We should be washing our hands multiple times a day.

Regular and antibacterial soaps are used to wash out hands of any dirt or debris. Soap is used to get soiled hands clean, and antibacterial soap has the added benefit of killing more bacteria. Regular soap can do this, too, as long as your washing your hands properly. Hand Sanitizer is not meant to actually “clean” soiled hands but rather only kill bacteria and germs on our hands. It’s not meant to wash the dirt off. Hand sanitizer is great for when your hands aren’t soiled and when you want to make sure your hands are free from bacteria, for example, after you’ve touched door handles.

Where do we find our stuff? Here are our Sources:

https://www.healthline.com/health/high-cholesterol

womenshealthmag.com/…1805/40-health-myths

cdc.gov/heartdisease/index.htm

Human papillomavirus (HPV)

Colon cleanses

healthline.com/…rition/is-soy-bad-for-you