A subject that is often overlooked in women's health is that of substance addiction, particularly alcohol abuse and alcoholism.

Depending on what study and research you review, most of them conclude the same results: women's rates of alcohol use is climbing (in number of drinks per week), and the number of women who are choosing to drink (instead of abstain) is also increasing.

I never enjoyed my history classes, as they were filled with memorizing names (mostly men's), obscure dates and battle fields. However, I do remember learning about the bubonic plague and cholera in my public health classes (which was interesting to me), and these are only two of the twelve diseases that are discussed in the book, "Twelve Diseases That Changed Our World" (by Irwin Sherman).

EVERYONE has questions about sex--and here's your chance to get them answered by an expert!

With a down-to-earth, thought-provoking, and funny style, Sex Therapist Dr. Marty Klein answers 591 questions on topics such as rapid ejaculation; vibrators; desire; faking orgasm; affairs; oral sex; boredom; aging; masturbation; communication; aphrodisiacs; and nipples.

Click here to purchase his books
http://www.sexed.org/books.html

I have arthritis associated with lupus, and also rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. So, I'm accustomed to dealing with a variety of aches and pains due to these conditions. I'm currently on contract at a State agency and read a wonderful story in this week's newsletter about the agency's Arthritis Program Coordinator.

Over the weekend, my mother casually stated that her arthritis has been bothering her. "What arthritis?" I asked her.

My mother is a very active woman just months away from her 80th birthday. She tries to walk 10,000 steps every day (we once calculated that to be a little over 2 miles for her). She has done 5-10Ks, knits lovely things for people and has beautiful hands with long tapered fingers. When she showed me her fingers, I was shocked that I had not noticed, before, that her knuckles were slightly deformed.

Just Do It: How One Couple Turned Off the TV and Turned On Their Sex Lives for 101 Days (No Excuses!) author: Douglas Brown asin: 0307406970 binding: Hardcover list price: $21.95 USD amazon price: $14.93 USD

Outside of her family and close friends, Annie had not mentioned the sexathon to anybody, which probably was the best way to go. I, however, had blathered on about the endeavor to anybody with ears. It was the whole Heisman Trophy thing. On this, my first day back in the office after kicking off the sexpedition, my boss blushed when she saw me. Another boss reddened as well. Yet another beheld me, took a few steps back, and asked, “Uh, how’s it going?” He actually circumnavigated me after I answered, like I’d morphed into some hellion driven by fierce, feral loin power . . .

The Home Safety Council sponsors the Home Safety Awareness Month every June, and honestly, this was the first time it "caught my eye" because I never gave much thought about "home safety" until having a baby. Now, it's all I think about!

There is a great Safety Guide and Checklist for every-possible safety measure you can think of: http://www.homesafetycouncil.org/safety_...

What have you done to make your home safer, for either yourself, your family or even guests!

My favorite bumper sticker:

Don't Believe Everything You Think

We all know these "tips" below, but how many of us still fall into the trap of negative thoughts, which inevitably become negative feelings, mood and behavior?! If we don't "believe everything we think", and reframe our negative thoughts, we may be able to prevent some negative moods, feelings...and even how we react to them!

When Sex Isn't Good: Stories & Solutions of Women With Sexual Dysfunction author: Sue W Goldstein asin: 0595426468 binding: Paperback list price: $22.95 USD amazon price: $22.95 USD

When Sex Isn’t Good, written so readers will learn from the experiences of others, portrays a variety of women’s sexual health issues. It includes the science and a reference section to be used as a resource to educate and empower you to discuss your sexual dysfunction with your partner and your healthcare provider.

The Tao of Fertility: A Healing Chinese Medicine Program to Prepare Body, Mind, and Spirit for New Life author: Daoshing Ni Dana Herko asin: 0061137855 binding: Paperback list price: $15.95 USD amazon price: $10.85 USD

An esteemed doctor who has helped countless women achieve their dream of having a child offers his program for enhancing fertility through traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Dr. Daoshing Ni, descended from more than 70 generations of Taoist masters, has achieved renown among high-tech infertility specialists, TCM practitioners, and his many devoted patients. The Tao of Fertility is the first book combining a practical plan for conceiving using TCM with empowering Taoist principles that can carry you through pregnancy, childbirth, and beyond.