Catch-Up...*

Image not related.

Women across the world now consume nearly as much alcohol as men, a new research shows that the gender gap in drinking habits is closing.

'Sex convergence', is most evident among young adults, according to researchers from University of New South Wales in Australia.


Historically, men have been far more likely than women to drink alcohol, and to consume it in quantities that damage their health, with some figures suggesting up to a 12-fold difference between the sexes.

All the studies included explicit regional or national comparisons of men's and women's drinking patterns across at least two time periods.

The researchers used the following criteria to inform their data search: lifetime and/or current alcohol misuse or dependence; alcohol related problems; treatment for alcohol issues; and the timeframe of use and the development of related problems.

I have to start catching up to the ladies... Just a thought.

We Don't Talk Anymore...

Gramps...*

Cardio...

         

Comedian Ralphie May died of natural causes.

The 45-year-old comedian, who passed away in Las Vegas in October, suffered from heart disease and high blood pressure, TMZ reported.

Clark County Coroner John Fudenberg told the website the official cause of death was hypertensive cardiovascular disease and that May's weight was a contributing factor in his death.

Cut Short...*

Ideally, birth control should be a decision equally handled by all parties involved. But too often, the physical and financial responsibility is left to the person who is actually at risk for becoming pregnant.

There are many possible reasons for this imbalance, not the least of which is the extreme lack of contraceptive options available to men. Generally, they can choose between the unreliable methods of withdrawal and condoms, or the all-or-nothing option of vasectomy.

A study launched in 2008, and published by The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology, tested hormonal birth control shots in men that proved to be almost 96% effective at preventing pregnancy. (By contrast, condoms are, in real life, about 82% effective.)

But the study was cut short when participants reported side effects including mood disorders, acne and changes in libido.       [Jillian Vandiveer, Brooklyn College]

  Just a thought.

Live Life...*

Researchers from Harvard Medical School looked at 89,571 Caucasian women and 46,399 Caucasian men to see how much a healthy lifestyle could reduce cancer risk.

16,531 women and 11,731 men had a healthy lifestyle pattern and were determined to be low risk. These healthy patterns included moderate or no drinking, a BMI between 18.5 and 27.5, weekly physical activity that included at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity, and either never having smoked or currently not being a smoker.

The authors then studied cancer rates among the high- and low-risk groups. They found that overall, 20 percent to 40 percent of carcinoma cases and about half of carcinoma deaths can be potentially prevented through lifestyle modification. Carcinomas form in the lining of certain tissues or organs and is the most common form of cancer.

"We have no other option. We have to work on prevention more than treatment. Just a thought.

Left-Over...

Fines...

Husbands who attempt "instant divorce" could be sentenced to three years in prison under draft legislation being considered in India. The traditional practice involves a man saying "talaq" (divorce) three times - in any form, including email or text message.

It was declared unconstitutional by India's Supreme Court in August, but officials say it has continued since. The proposed law also provides for fines and support for affected women.

The draft Women Protection of Rights on Marriage Bill has now been sent to regional governments for consultation.

It would explicitly ban "triple talaq", in line with the Supreme Court ruling, and lay out procedures legal procedures for a "subsistence allowance" and custody arrangements, the Press Trust of India said.

Whom...

Me...**

Flibanserin's developer and some women's groups, accuse the F.D.A. of gender bias for approving Viagra and other drugs to help men have sex, but none for women.

"Women have waited long enough. Gender equality should be the standard when it comes to access to treatments for sexual dysfunction."

The drug has been rejected by the F.D.A. on the grounds that its very modest effectiveness was outweighed by side effects like sleepiness, dizziness and nausea. 

Chairwoman of Even the Score, said the side effects of flibanserin, like sleepiness and dizziness, were not so serious. By contrast Viagra and some other drugs for men can cause blindness, penile rupture and other serious side effects.

Women on the drug trial said they had experienced less distress and a meaningful change. And some have said the drug had a big effect. Just a thought.