The Pill and Your Breasts

Three surprising side effects of oral contraceptives.

Birth-control pills might make your boobs a little bigger.

Because the hormones in the Pill cause fluid retention, it is likely your breasts will feel somewhat fuller.

Some types may heal breast blemishes.

Just as certain kinds of Pills contain hormones that clear up and prevent facial acne, these types also can have a zit-busting effect on your set.

They may affect your breast-cancer odds.

Research suggests that Pill takes may have a slightly greater risk of breast cancer than do women who have never been on oral contraceptives. Talk to your gyno about the risks.

Source: Jennifer Wider, MD, Cosmo Radio Medical Expert

- from Cosmopolitan Magazine, September 2009

Tap In to Your Guy's Weekend Brain: In the Mood

Three times he's in the mood

Before Your Date

Start getting ready for a night out early so there's time for post-shower fun.

In the A.M.

He's so rested, not thinking about work, and raring to go, he won't even notice the crust in your eyes.

The Middle of the Night

With no alarm clock to answer to, 3 a.m. nooky will help him drift back to sleep.

Source: Logan Levkoff, author of Third Base Ain't What It Used to Be

- from Cosmopolitan Magazine, September 2009

The Sun and Your Set

Surprising news about UV rays and your delicate breast skin, plus how to stay safe.

Swimsuit fabric has an SPF of only about 5,

so your bikini top barely repels UV rays. Put sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher under your top to stay safe, reapplying ever two hours.

"Waterproof" sunscreen really isn't.

If you work up a sweat or go for a swim, sunscreen's effectiveness can become compromised and you must put on another coating or your skin will burn.

UV rays can get through water.

Actually, rays reach 2 feet into water and can fry your skin while you swim, hence the need to put on sunscreen before you dive into the pool or ocean.

Source: Ellen Marmur, MD, author of Simple Skin Beauty: Every Woman's Guide to a Lifetime of Healthy, Gorgeous Skin

- from Cosmopolitan Magazine, August 2009

When Your Breasts Hurt

We break down the types of pain and their causes.

Your breasts feel tender before your period.

It's the result of normal hormone changes that happen a week or two before your flow. Relieve it by cutting back on caffeine or taking an anti-inflammatory painkiller.

You have sharp pain in one breast only.

It may be a sign of a breast infection, which can happen if you've bumped it accidentally. See your gyno, who can give you antibiotics.

One or both breasts ache after sex.

The likely scenario: Your guy was rough with your rack without you realizing it in the moment.

Source: Jennifer Ashton, Ob-Gyn in Englewood, New Jersey, and CBS News Medical Correspondent

- from Cosmopolitan Magazine, July 2009

Sex, Arousal, and Your Breasts

Being turned on affects you above the waist too.

Your breasts feel bigger.

Sexual arousal increases blood flow throughout your body. One side effect: Your girls feel like they're swelling up.

There's not a noticeable change in size, but many women say they have a sensation of fullness. And it may be more pronounced toward the end of your cycle, when estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate, possibly causing an even plumper feel.

Your nipples become ultrasensitive.

Your nipples and the surrounding areolae are loaded with nerve endings. When your libido is raging, their sensitivity is heightened, making them super-receptive to even the lightest, gentlest stimulation.

The skin on your set reddens.

That increased blood flow also causes blood vessels to dilate. This actually can be seen through the thin skin on and around your breasts as a red flushing.

Source: Jennifer Ashton, Ob-Gyn in Englewood, New Jersey

- from Cosmopolitan Magazine, May 2009

Secret Libido Killers

Sex drive dragging? One of these may be the culprit.

Your pill prescription

Oral contraceptives decrease your body's production of estrogen and testosterone, two hormones that directly influence your level of sexual interest. As a result, some women on birth-control pills feel less of an urge to get busy. If you experience this, check in with your gyno and ask her to prescribe a Pill with a different hormone combination.

Feeling uptight

When you're anxious, your body releases stress hormones into your bloodstream, which can shut down desire in many women. Tension also has a psychological impact on your interest in sex.

Boozing it up

Sure, a few cocktails can make you feel frisky at first. But alcohol is a depressant, meaning that after a few hours, it slows bodily functions—including your ability to become aroused and be in the mood for physical fun with your guy.

Source: Marjorie Green, MD, Clinical Instructor at Harvard Medical School and Advisory-Board Member of the Women's Sexual Health Foundation in Cincinnati

- from Cosmopolitan Magazine, October 2008

When Your Breasts Act Strange

We help you decode some bizarre symptoms.

Your breasts itch.

If both breasts have an allover itch, the culprit may be dry winter air, which dehydrates skin. Apply a moisturizer twice a day and after every shower.

If the itchy area is located under your breasts or in your cleavage and/or is red and scaly, it's likely a skin yeast infection triggered by sweat buildup. An antifungal cream or powder will usually clear it up fast.

Your nipples get hard for no obvious reason.

Nipple erections sometimes seem to happen spontaneously, but they're typically brought on by a subtle change in room temperature or your own anxiety or arousal levels. It's not a sign of anything serious, but if it happens frequently, wear a lightly padded bra to mask them.

A few dark hairs appear.

Hair near your areolae or between your breasts is normal, particularly for darker-hued women. Tweeze it, then prevent infection by dabbing on antibacterial cream.

Source: Marisa Weiss, MD, president and founder of breastcancer.org and coauthor of Taking Care of Your "Girls"

- from Cosmopolitan Magazine, April 2009

Tap In to Your Guy's Weekend Brain: Wake Up Call

How he wants to wake up on alarm-free mornings

Give Him a Visual Thrill

Bring him coffee in bed... in the buff.

Make a Little Noise

Whisper the steamy stuff you're going to do to him.

Use Your Hands

Slowly rouse him by caressing his back.

Source: Joan Elizabeth Lloyd, author of The Perfect Orgasm: How to Get It, How to Give It

- from Cosmopolitan Magazine, October 2008

Breast-Cancer Prevention

A heart-pounding way to ward off the disease

A new study found that women who exercised regularly before turning 35 had a 23% decreased risk of developing breast cancer before menopause than did sedentary young women.

One theory: Working out seems to reduce the amount of estrogen in your body, and research indicates that the more estrogen a woman has, the greater her breast-cancer odds.

It's never too late to start indulging in moderate 30-minute cardio sessions at least 3 times a week. Try biking around your neighborhood; taking a long, brisk walk; or popping in a workout DVD to do in front of the TV.

- from Cosmopolitan Magazine, October 2008

When You Feel a Lump

Don't panic—most turn out to be benign. Here, three types common in young women.

A hard, movable lump in one breast.

If it feels firm and smooth all over, like a marble, and isn't fixed in one place, it's probably a fluid-filled cyst. Have your doctor take a look to be sure. Cysts are harmless but can be drained.

A pimplelike swelling on your areola.

Sounds like a buildup of mucus in one of the many tiny glands that dot the areolae. These glands lubricate your nipples during breast-feeding. Let your gyno diagnose it; you can then leave it alone or apply a warm compress to loosen the buildup. An antibiotic may be needed if there are any signs of infection.

Little lumps that appear in both breasts preperiod.

If this happens just before your flow then smooths out once it's over, it's likely due to hormone changes and nothing to worry about. If a lump or area of thickening persists or gets larger over time, talk to your gyno.

Source: Marisa Weiss, MD, president and founder of breastcancer.org and coauthor of Taking Care of Your "Girls"

- from Cosmopolitan Magazine, October 2009