Indian-origin researcher's website for teens seeking sexual health advice

Washington, Sept 13 (ANI): An Indian-origin researcher has launched a website named 'Ask A Doc RI' to provide a platform for teenagers seeking reliable information on reproductive health.
"My thought was to bring the information to where the teenagers are, which is on the Internet," says Vinita Goyal, MD, MPH, of Women and Infants' Centre for Women's Primary Care.
"Ask A Doc RI contains a variety of information on contraception and local clinical resources where youth can seek health care."
In addition, the website, which includes links to Healthy Kids Rhode Island and Women and Infants, fields anonymous questions on sexual health from teenagers.
The questions are answered by one of five participating Women and Infants physicians, and the answers are posted online within 72 hours.
In addition to fielding questions on Ask A Doc RI, there are sections on the website containing general information on all available contraceptive options and frequently asked questions about contraception, as well as contact information on local health centres for teens interested in making an appointment or meeting face to face with a provider.
Unique to Ask A Doc RI will be a section with current contraceptive issues brought up by local and national media. Complete information will be supplied so teenagers can make the best decision for their sexual health. (ANI)

Mood Swings in Men: Causes, Myths and Prevention

Have you ever experienced an uncertainty about the state of your mind?
That myriad emotions cloud inside your head and you swing like a pendulum between happiness, sadness and anger? And have you ever ended up hurting someone unintentionally? To be honest, these are the signs of mood swings.

Women are Not the Only Ones
First of all, let's bust a myth here. If you thought such things only happened to the members of the fair sex, you're in for a rude shock. Doctors, scientists and sociologists (both male and female) would beg to differ. Guys also have their world of emotional ups and downs and can experience mood swing. Changes in men's hormonal balance can also result in physiological changes, which eventually results in psychological changes.
Men's mind conforms to the changes in the physiology of men, that is, things like puberty and mid-life crisis. The rise and fall of certain chemicals has a significant effect on a man's emotions. It's true that women can experience more severe mood swings as the hormonal imbalance in them during PMS and menopause is much more acute. Their emotional imbalances can last for longer periods of time. A man's mood swings are less dramatic and their shelf life is lesser depending on how much testosterone has decreased.
Depression vs Mood Swings

It would be erroneous to confuse long-term depression with mood swings as they are two entirely different stories. Depression is normally triggered by the impact of external factors such as physical trauma, demise of a loved-one, getting fired from a job etc. Mood swings on the other hand, are triggered from what goes on inside the body and the chemical mumbo-jumbo happening inside the brain.
Men, too, are Emotional Beings

Another myth which has been doing the rounds since ages is that men are not - rather should not be - emotional. While women generally tend to be more emotional than men, saying that men are emotionless is nothing but gibberish. Society has been teaching men to hide emotions as the display of emotions reflects weakness. So most of our emotional baggage comes in gushes.
There's nothing wrong with men experiencing emotional ups and down, sometimes even as strong as the ones which women experience. They are a very healthy part of their lives. But what really happens is that men don't exhibit their mood swings as much as women do.
As the saying goes, “excess of everything is bad” and the same applies to these mood swings. They need to be control if they occur quite frequently. But how do you know that you've crossed the mark?
1. Signs that you are too emotional:
2. Envious of people every now and then
3. Sessions of extreme anger and fury
4. Sleeplessness due to worry/anxiety
5. Acute paranoia or fear
6. Obsessed with something or someone
7. Sheer lack of rational thinking
Go by the heart a lot more than going by your head
Taming those Mood Swings

Any form of general and regular exercise can help keep the testosterone levels balanced. This will help in reducing the aggressive and fickle mood swings. Sex can also help in regulating mood swings. Another way to control your mood swings is through the “questioning” method. Ask yourself “why” before acting strongly on your emotions. This way, you can compel your brain to start thinking rationally about the problem, rather than acting abruptly and aggressively in that situation. This may not be as easy as it sounds but with some constant practice and patience, you can eventually be a master of this technique.
However, if the situation spirals out of control and nothing seems to be working out, then DO NOT hesitate from seeking clinical advice from a qualified psychiatrist. (MensXP.com)

Also read: MensXP's Guide to Mental Health, A Simple Guide to Anger Management

England win series, inflict more misery on Indians

London, (AFP): England won the one day series with India on Sunday after they tied the fourth One-Day International leaving the world champions still winless in all forms of cricket on their tour this summer.

Ravi Bopara made 96 as England chased India's 280-5 but when he was the eighth man out with England on 270 and rain bought the teams off they were tied on the Duckworth Lewis method. England hold an unassailable 2-0 lead with just one game remaining.

Bopara was attempting to reach his first one-day international hundred with a big shot but was caught on the deep midwicket boundary. Ironically if he had just knocked the ball for a single England would have won on the DL method by a single run.

India looked all over the winners when England were 173-5 but Bopara's innings and good supporting roles from Graeme Swann, who made 31 and Tim Bresnan with 27, eased England up to their target. However the first time the teams went off for rain India were ahead on the DL method and eager to get off the pitch.

They were less eager to get back on for another over and by the time that had been bowled England were ahead before they went off one more time with the teams tied on DL.

Earlier Ian Bell had made 54 but when he and Ben Stokes were out in quick succession England needed a cool head and to steady the ship and Bopara provided it before going for one big shot too many.

India's innings had been dominated by a fifth wicket stand of 169 between Suresh Raina and captain MS Dhoni. Raina hit 84 while Dhoni ended unbeaten on 78 in a partnership that was the highest for the fifth wicket for India in one-day internationals against England.

Dhoni faced 71 balls, hitting six fours and three sixes, whilst Raina, who accelerated late in his innings faced 75 balls and hit seven fours and two sixes. But it looked like it would be a different story when India were 110-4 in 26th over.

Swann had just dismissed Virat Kholi and Rahul Dravid in his first over and one more wicket would have exposed the Indian tail. But Raina and Dhoni got their side to a score well above the average first innings one-day total here with aggressive batting which delighted the hordes of Indian supporters at the ground.

They helped their side to add 109 off the last ten overs with both batsmen hitting the English bowlers high into stands as India finally enjoyed themselves after a dismal summer in England.

In a bad session for England Stuart Broad went off without completing the final over holding his arm and Steve Finn was called on to bowl the rest of the over.

Earlier, Broad had dismissed both openers Parthiv Patel for 27 and Ajinkya Rahane for 38 but Finn, playing his first match of the series, went wicketless despite bowling well. He eventually snared Raina when he was asked to replace Broad when the batsman was superbly caught by Stokes in the deep.

Ways to Keep Your Brain Healthy and Maintain a Good Memory

Many of us don't bother a lot about our fading memory. A startling observation has come out in a study carried out by the University of Virginia in the US. Memory problems can surface as early as in somebody's 20s.

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Researchers noted that by the age of 27, brain-speed, puzzle solving capabilities and abstract reasoning take a hit in most people. There's no need to ring the alarm bells on reading, it wouldn't happen that you'll forget your girl's name but at the same time it's important that you realise that brain is a vital part of the body and needs your constant attention. Here's how you can keep it fit:

Stay Active

Staying physically fit is favourable for the brain as well. It is very likely to magnify the size of your hippocampus - the region of the brain connected to long-term recall. Jogging and swimming are a boon for the brain, however, anything that gets you blood flowing can be handy.

Eat Healthy

What's good for your heart is good for your head - this may not hold otherwise but it makes perfect sense if you care for your brain. Experts advise an anti-oxidant-rich diet, coupled with omega-3 fatty acids to maintain a healthy brain.

Organise and Visualise

Get involved in various mental exercises. Teach yourself mental prompts. If you need to remember numerous different items, try organisinf them into smaller bunches. Take your credit card number. You probably know it by heart as it is already arranged into groups of four.

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Play and Relax

Contrary to what some people say, video games don't ruin your brain. In fact, there are several games which help to strengthen and train your brain. Relaxing is also big stressbuster.

Djokovic stays alive with marathon tiebreak win

Top-seed Novak Djokovic had to fight through the longest tiebreak of his career on Monday to begin the second week of the US Open by overcoming his opponent and a testing wind into the quarterfinals.

The Serb overcame former tennis tyke Alexandr Dolgopolov of the Ukraine, who grew up on the ATP as the child of a coach, 7-6 (16-14), 6-4, 6-2.

Djokovic will next play Davis Cup teammate Janko Tipsarevic after the Serb put out Spanish veteran Juan Carlos Ferrero 7-5, 6-7 (3-7), 7-5, 6-2.

Djokovic admitted that the huge first set tiebreaker determined the outcome of his match.

“It took nearly half an hour, it was very important to win it. It had to be the longest tiebreak I’ve ever played and it was a turning point,” he said. “After winning that one, there was a better performance from my side.” Djokovkic admitted that he was jittery as he played on the minor showcase Armstrong court for the first time in years.

“The wind made for tricky condition. My opponent knows how to play well in those conditions,” he said. “I was a bit confused on the court at the start by his game.” Djokovic finished with 13 winners in the demanding contest. He and Tipsarevic are good friends off the court.

“At least one Serb will be in the semis, which is great for our country,” said Djokovic. “I’ve never played Janko in a Grand Slam.

But it’s a quarterfinal and we both want to win.”

Facebook Pages and Groups Against Anna Hazare

Democracy is the freedom to wear an I Am Not Anna T shirt in the public and not get beaten up.
TV news didn't give you all the facts - it was clearly fighting for TRPs, byte for Anna byte, to offer viewers counterpoints to the Jan Lokpal, or even to Anna himself.
Neither did the newspapers, if the headlines of two of India's leading English newspapers during the Anna fest are counted.
For a readymade platform of dissent against Anna, the simplest, and fastest way of getting the trickle-downs from all over the internet, all on one page is Facebook.
And the only stand we take at MensXP.com is for people who stand up and be counted.
Anna Hazare is NOT India

Anna Hazare is NOT India
Former fighter pilot Shashank Shukla created 'Anna Hazare is NOT India' to speak out against the dangerous precent that Anna Hazare set at Ramlila Maidan.
His page talks bout the “Jan Lokpal Bill and the current Anna Phenomenon”.According to him:“…the issue is correct, the methods being employed by Anna ji of undermining (the) authority of parliamentary democracy sets a very dangerous precedent”
Shashank even planned a“counter-sit-in” on Thursday near the Maidan against Team Anna's protest.Shashank has also mentioned the ignorance of Lokpal supporters when it comes to understanding the Bill.
I am for a non-corrupt democracy, not an Anna Hazare dictatorship.

DemocracyNotAnna
The Facebook Page URL for this page is actually shorter - Facebook.com/DemocracynotAnna. The most happening Anna-dissent destination on Facebook is also the most thought provoking. Members give perspective to the media hype of #Anna, present individual inquiry into the workings of Lokpal bill, and both Fans and the Page Admin post analytical content from the internet. If Anna was hype, DemocracyNotAnna is a just a few carefully considered Likes, longer, carefully thought comments and a regular eye on the going-ons of the Anna-verse.
Why I Hate Anna Hazare and Co.

Not about hate, but the logical opposite of hate - an indifference to Anna's popstar appeal. A bit of rightful scorn though - it seems to be a cathartic notepad for those who can't speak against Anna in the public domain. Users question the reality of his 12 day fast, the pasts of Team Anna members, and the necessary LOLs that every Facebook Page needs.

Also, busting the few myths floating around on SMS - including the implementation of Lokpal bill in Singapore (its a myth!).
And the Page Admin has agreed to argue against every point you write for the bill.
Against Anna JanLokPal Bill

There's only 45 members right now, but with regular links presenting different perspectives on Anna's protests, an active admin and a critical focus on the Jan Lokpal Bill and Anna Hazare, it is necessary Liking for the Anna-athiest.
THE JOKE OF LOKPAL

There's always people here willing to argue you out of your belief of the Lokpal Bill. Armed with the kind of Lokpal IQ that would give the most righteous Anna fans a pause, comments are supplemented with news, links to other Anti-Anna/Lokpal Facebook pages and Notes breaking down the Bill and it's flaws.
Democracy or Hazare ?

Find like-minded people on one the biggest Anti-Anna Groups on Facebook. Question Mr. Hazare's unwillingness to run in the elections and specific examples of how the media overstepped the ethics of journalism in supporting Anna for TRPs. Pro-Anna posts aren't abused, but thoughtfully critiqued.

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Lionel Messi

Star footballer Lionel Andrés Messi is touring India with his national team Argentina for a FIFA friendly match against Venezuela (on Friday), the first such match being held in India.
This is expected to give Indian football a much-need thrust.
Lionel Messi is arguably the best footballer in the world at the moment. He's won every trophy on offer at the club level. and is adored by millions of fans worldwide for the magic he creates on the field. He is often compared to football legends like Pele and Maradona and it won't be a surprise if he overtakes them soon in terms of "greatness", as he is just 24 right now.
As India, especially Kolkata, prepares to be bowled over by Leo Messi, we tell you 10 interesting facts about his life:

1. His family is of middle-class Italian origin. While his father Jorge was a factory worker, his mother Celia was a part-time cleaner.
2. He was detected with a growth hormone deficiency at the age of 11. His parents could not afford his treatment, which was $900 a month.
3. Messi shares his birthplace with the Argentinian revolutionary Che Guevera. Both were born in Rosario, Argentina.
4. Barcelona officials were quick to spot his footballing skills. They offered to pay for Messi's medical bills and the family shifted to Spain.

5. Messi's first contract with Barcelona was detailed out on a paper napkin! FC Barcelona sporting director Carles Rexach was so impressed with Messi's skills that he wanted to make a contract immediately and there was no paper available at that time.
6. He was offered a place in the national team by Spain which he did not accept. He wanted to wear blue-and-white Argentinian jersey, a chance he first got in 2004.
7. Messi holds two passports - Argentina's and Spain's. He became a Spanish citizen in September 2005.

8. Messi inherited the No. 10 Barca jersey from another great footballer Ronaldinho in the summer of 2008.
9. Messi supports a number of charities through his Leo Messi Foundation. He also works for people suffering from Fragile X Syndrome (a disease related to autism). He is also a a goodwill ambassador for UNICEF.

10. He is featured on the front covers of the video games Pro Evolution Soccer 2009 and Pro Evolution Soccer 2011 and is also involved in promotional campaigns for the games.