A Guide to UTIs

A urinary tract infection, or a UTI, is an infection of the kidney, ureter, bladder, or urethra. Although not everyone who gets UTI has symptoms, those who do have common symptoms that include a frequent urge to urinate and pain or burning when urinating. Here are a few ways to help treat UTI symptoms.

Antibiotics: Although our bodies are able to resolve many minor UTI’s, taking antibiotics is an effective treatment for UTIs.

Lots of Water: Remember it is important to drink plenty of water in order to flush out all the bacteria and dilute your urine.

Avoid drinks that may irritate your bladder: Drinks that may irritate your bladder while having a UTI may be: coffee, alcohol, drinks that contain citrus or caffeine. Try drinking sugar-free cranberry juice, this may help!

Use the restroom when you need to!: Holding in your urine is what tends to cause a lot of these UTI’s so it is important that you use the bathroom when you need to. 

Musical Empowerment

 Female empowerment and embracing how much we have advanced in a society in order to keep creating more than just a “Man’s world” is something to be very proud of. As a woman, listening to songs that express female empowerment are what keep me, as well as billions of other girls, feeling good about themselves. Here are five moments where powerful women artists have expressed sisterhood, women’s rights, and female empowerment through their music. 

1. Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys 

This song is definitely one of my throwback favorites. Alicia creates a metaphor for the “Girl” in the song who is “on fire” by revealing her characteristics as an untamed and passionate woman. By expressing the fearless traits of the girl, she expresses that a woman can do just about anything a man can do. 

2. Respect by Aretha Franklin 

Queen of soul, Aretha Franklin, creates a classic with “R-E-S-P-E-C-T”. Just as said in the title, she makes sure that everyone understands how a woman should be treated, especially when it comes to the way males treat them. 

3. Scars To Your Beautiful by Alessia Clara 

“Scars To Your Beautiful” is a wonderful message to all girls about feeling confident in the way they look and feel. This song touches upon social standards and the way a woman should have self-acceptance and feel confident in their own skin. I definitely recommend adding this one to your playlist!

4)Run the World (Girls) by Beyoncé

Many times women aren’t given credit for the foundational work they do and with this anthem, Beyoncé makes sure she notes how hard-working women are, expressing how they are the ones who “run the world”. This tune is definitely a catchy way she decides to express female empowerment and female acknowledgement. 

5) I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor 

And finally, the classic ‘I Will Survive’ by Gloria Gaynor that can be considered to be one of the ultimate female empowerment anthems. Gaynor expresses that a woman doesn’t need anyone to support her, especially a man, and that being an independent woman is what makes you stronger than ever. 

Preventing STDs: A checklist

A sexually transmitted disease, also known as an STD, is transmitted from one human to another through direct physical touch – such as heavy petting – and through sexual activity. It can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites. It is crucial to stay informed about these kinds of diseases in order to protect yourself. Here are a few ways to prevent getting an STD.

1. Abstinence - Not having sex is the most effective way of preventing infection.

2. Minimize the number of sex partners - If you have more than one sex partner, it is imperative that you and your partners be checked and that you share the test results with each other. 

3. Usage of condoms - The correct and consistent use of male latex condoms is extremely successful in reducing the transmission of STDs.

4. Vaccines - Vaccines are effective, reliable and are recommended for the prevention of hepatitis B and HPV.

1. Mutual Monogamy - One of the most effective ways to prevent STDs is to be in a long-term, mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner.