HigherDOSE PEMF GO Mat Review

Reviewing the HigherDOSE PEMF GO Mat for people who want relaxation, pain relief, and improved sleep. I’m sharing how I use it for all three at the same time! If you’re interested in getting one of your own, check out the link here and use FITNESSISTA15. I’m also a huge fan of the HigherDOSE sauna blanket and the red light face mask. 

Hi friends! How are you? I hope you’re having a wonderful morning! I’m packing up for a little upcoming trip and getting everything ready to go. Ready for some (more) California beach air!

For today’s post, I figured it was time I did a full review for something I use every.single.day: the infrared PEMF Go Mat. I’ve posted about it quite a bit and many friends on IG agreed that it’s worth the hype and one of the best things ever. When I first ordered the mat over a year ago, I knew I wanted something to bring me pockets of relaxation but also energy throughout the day. That’s exactly what it does for me, and today, I’m sharing all the details!

Friendly reminder to check with your doctor before using any new wellness gadgets to make sure it’s a fit for you! This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

PEMF technology promotes rest and digest, which can have a calming effect on the mind.

PEMF technology was originally used by NASA to promote health of the astronauts while in space. PEMF stands for Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy, and is designed to mimic the vibrations found in nature. These vibrations interact with our organs and tissues to help promote healing and relaxation. It’s been scientifically shown to potentially reduce aches, pains, inflammation, improve circulation, and other ailments. It’s been FDA approved for decades and is used in animals as well as humans. You may have seen PEMF used by doctors, surgeons, physical therapists, and chiropractors. Thankfully, they now have lower-cost and portable versions like this, so you can get the benefits at home!

Some studies regarding PEMF technology:

Successful application in post-COVID fatigue regarding mental wellbeing and energy

Effectiveness with neck pain improvement

Improved pain, stiffness, and function

How PEMF can potentially improve anxiety and depression

While it can have all of these internal healing capabilities, it also feels AMAAAAAZING. I feel relaxed yet energized, present, and focused whenever I use my mat.

Features

When you receive your mat, you get a simple instruction guide and safety information (treat it like many other electronic devices). The set-up takes less than 5 minutes. You just attach the plug to the base, plug it in, and set up wherever you’d like.

Benefits

– This particular infrared PEMF mat is the Go size (about 2/3 the size of a yoga mat), which makes it very easy to transport and move around. I can use it on the floor to meditate, or also put it on my desk char for longer work sessions. They have a full-size option here, which you can use if you’d like to practice gentle yoga on the mat or lie down and have your entire body be on the surface of the mat.

– In addition to the PEMF therapy, it also includes infrared heat. It gets up to 70 degrees celsius, and you can wear whatever you’d like when you’re using the mat. I find that if you want the heat cranked up, it’s better to wear more clothing as a barrier.

– Layers of healing tourmaline crystals, charcoal, and clay. These help to produce negative ions which can neutralize free radicals and improve mood.

– Low EMF. I’m always wary of electronic devices emitting extra radiation and was glad to discover that it’s low EMF.

Disadvantages

– The fabric is a little bumpy. I’v heard you can practice yoga on the mat, but I don’t think I would because the surface has ridges.

– No sweating. When I use infrared heat, I like to SWEAT. However, I can’t walk around like a sweaty beast all day and don’t always have time to shower, so this is helpful when I want the benefits without the full commitment.

How do you use it?

– Set it up where you’d like to use the mat. Plug it in, and adjust the PEMF frequency depending on your goal. It has level 1-4, with 4 being the highest frequency.

Here are the different settings (from their website) and levels of Hz frequency:

Level 1 | 3hz – Delta Brain Wave

3 Hz is for deep relaxation and can help with falling asleep and staying asleep. When we are in a very deep sleep, our brains are typically in Delta. This can occur throughout the night, but it is typically the most intense in the hour after we’ve fallen asleep. Often times, this is the deepest sleep we get into during the night and this allows the brain to slow down dramatically – ultimately giving the body a chance catch up, facilitating healing and regeneration of tissues.

Level 1 can be used before sleep to help you drift off and keep you in this body-brain nurturing state. In the waking hours, level 1 can also be helpful if you are feeling anxious and want a boost back to equilibrium. 

Level 2 | 7.8hz – Theta Brain Wave + Schumann Resonance

The Earth’s natural frequency, also known as the Schumann Resonance, is 7.8 Hz! When you’re feeling disconnected or overstimulated from computer and cell phone usage, or can’t get outside, use Level 2 to recharge and reconnect. 

7.8hz is in the Theta brain wave, which can also be accessed during sleep. This portion of our night is known as dream sleep which only accounts for about one third of the total sleep time.  

When our brains are in Theta, we can experience deep creative insights, enhanced learning and memory, and improved stress tolerance.

Level 3 | 10hz – Alpha Brain Wave

Alpha falls right in the middle of the brain wave spectrum and is predominately known for being present during meditation and wakeful relaxation. Using Level 3 at 10hz can promote mindfulness and open-mindedness, as well as reduce the physical effects stress and increase tissue regeneration. 

Level 4 | 23hz – Beta Brain Wave

Beta brain wave is present during our waking hours when we are most alert, focused, and involved in daily living and decision making. By using level 4, Beta waves are stimulated and promote improved mental function, increased concentration, and improved memory. This is especially helpful if you find yourself hitting a mid-day slump, or feel sluggish. Hit the PEMF Mat for an instant recharge!

Avoid using level 4 before bedtime, or if you are feeling anxious.

*The mat’s PEMF cycle is 20 minutes long with 100-minute breaks in between. This cycle repeats 4 times before shutting off completely. 

– I use the level 3 setting for meditation or after intense workouts, Level 2 if I’ve been on the computer for too long, Level 4 if I hit a slump during a workday, and Level 1 before sleep!

– For the heat, it can get very toasty. I like it at a level 4.

How do you clean it?

Since I don’t get sweaty at all on this mat, I just use a soft towel to wipe away dust. It’s super easy clean-up.

How much does the Higher Dose PEMF Go Mat cost?

Right now, it’s $599 but you can get a discount with this link and with my code FITNESSISTA15

Final verdict:

100% worth it. It’s one of the tools in my wellness kit that I genuinely miss when I travel, and use every single day. It helps me with mental focus, clarity, relaxation, and takes my meditation and devotional time to the next level.

So, tell me, friends: what’s one of your favorite wellness essentials? If you could pick one, would you go with the sauna blanket or PEMF Go Mat?

xo

Gina

More:

HigherDOSE Infrared Sauna Blanket review

Red Light Face Mask review

Fitness gear that’s worth the hype (and what’s overrated)

The post HigherDOSE PEMF GO Mat Review appeared first on The Fitnessista.

from The Fitnessista https://ift.tt/XHbkNRV
https://ift.tt/VwrDQSZ

Juice Concentrate 101: All the Juicy Deets You Need to Know

Easy 3-Ingredient Recipes You Can Pull Off No Matter How Exhausted You Are

Three. It’s a magic number. The number of wishes from the genie in the bottle. The types of medals at the Olympics. The best Harry Potter movie installment (arguably). 

But in this case, it’s the maximum ingredients (with exceptions for water, salt, and pepper — let’s be reasonable here) required to make a variety of delicious recipes.

That’s right, the mind-blowing selections featured below are prepared with only three (count ’em!) components, which makes them ideal any time grocery shopping is particularly stressful. Not only do they deliver on flavor, but by keeping things minimal, they’ll save on money, cooking time, and clean-up.

So let’s dive into your new favorite, couldn’t-be-easier meals. They’re as simple as 1, 2, 3.

3-ingredient main dishes

Cacio e pepe

Parents of picky eaters, pay heed. Cacio e pepe is a simple crowd-pleaser that not only appeals to skeptical youngsters’ palates, but is also a satisfying meal for adults. Think of it as the peppier, more upscale version of buttered noodles.

Get our cacio e pepe recipe.

Baked cracker-crusted chicken fingers

Here’s another family-friendly favorite that’s so easy to make you can put your kids on (supervised) cooking duty. The chicken is coated in crunchy whole-wheat crackers and then baked, which makes this a healthier but no less tasty alternative to your standard fried finger.

Get our baked cracker-crusted chicken fingers recipe.

Grilled chicken thighs with soy marinade

Keto eaters can get on board with this Asian-inspired chicken dish. A minimum 4-hour bath in soy and garlic will infuse your thighs with plenty of flavor. Noodles or rice are optional. 

Get our grilled chicken thighs with soy marinade.

Grilled sweet chili and lime shrimp kebabs

Shrimp on the barbie gets an extra kick with a brush of sweet chili sauce. A squeeze of lime at the finish adds welcome brightness (and you can skip the cilantro).

Get our grilled sweet chili and lime shrimp kebabs recipe.

Ham and cheese quesadillas

This meaty, melty ‘dilla will take you back to the time in high school when you couldn’t decide between taking Spanish or French. Apparently the best solution was a combination of both. Now the question is: Which cheese is speaking your language? 

Get our ham and cheese quesadillas recipe.

3-ingredient gnocchi

If you don’t count salt, this homemade gnocchi has just two ingredients: whole wheat pastry flour and Russet potatoes. Not bad for when you’re watching your grocery budget! Add a simple jarred sauce and dinner is served.

Get the 3-ingredient gnocchi recipe.

Egg in a nest

Eggs in a nest. Toad in a hole. Whatever you want to call it, this slice of toast with an egg center is a great way to start the morning — or end the day. Be careful to ensure your yolk is a little runny so the bread can sop up all that liquid gold.

Get our egg in a nest recipe.

3-ingredient side dishes

Crispy Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus

Crispy prosciutto-wrapped asparagus

At its peak in spring, asparagus is delicious roasted, but even better when wrapped in cured pork. Bacon is a totally acceptable substitute here if you don’t have prosciutto. Either way, the meat mummy treatment makes even out-of-season stalks taste good.

Get our crispy prosciutto-wrapped asparagus recipe.

Roasted broccolini

The thin, tender florets on broccolini are well suited for the oven. The stalks slightly soften but still have snap, and when gently brushed with olive oil, the leaves develop a satisfying crispiness. Although they’re just fine without it, consider adding a squeeze of lemon for extra zing.

Get our roasted broccolini recipe.

Jalapeño poppers

It’s 5 o’clock somewhere and these happy hour favorites are calling out your name. Peppers. Cream cheese. Salt. Boom!

And yeah, we know they’re really good deep-fried, but that’s an unnecessary hassle at home when they’re so easy to make in the oven, not to mention way healthier (and still damn tasty).

Get the jalapeño poppers recipe.

Perfect baked potatoes

There’s a baked potato. And then there’s a perfect baked potato. Follow these steps to achieve spuds nirvana, then consider taking things to the next level with a fully loaded baked potato bar.

Get our perfect baked potatoes recipe.

Deviled eggs

For a tasty one-ingredient snack, you can’t go wrong with a hard-boiled egg. Even better, add a touch of mayo and sprinkle of paprika for a devilish upgrade.

Get the deviled eggs recipe.

3-ingredient extras

Homemade Ricotta Cheese

Homemade ricotta cheese

Whole milk, salt, vinegar or lemon juice — that’s all that’s required to make ricotta from scratch.

That said, you will need some extra hardware, including cheesecloth, a fine mesh strainer, and an instant-read thermometer. The investment is worth it to have fresh, fluffy cheese for your toast, pizza, or lasagna. Pass the stuffed shells!

Get our homemade ricotta cheese recipe.

Fall herb butter

Though these herbs are technically seasonal to fall, you should be able to find them year-round at your grocery store. Pick out a couple of your favorites, then mince and mash with room temperature butter.

Spread the tasty mixture on bread or let it melt atop a sizzling seared steak. Either way, make a large batch ‘cuz it keeps in the fridge for as long as unseasoned butter and freezes well, too.

Get our fall herb butter recipe.

3-ingredient desserts and treats

Banana Ice Cream

3-ingredient crème brûlée

This crème brûlée hack is a make-ahead dish perfect for dinner parties. Prep the custard in the afternoon, refrigerate, and when you’re ready to serve a fancy dessert later that evening, just gently caramelize sugar in a small pan, pour, and you’re golden.

Get the 3-ingredient crème brûlée recipe.

Dalgona coffee

Like 3-ingredient crème brûlée, this caffeinated beverage inspired by South Korean Dalgona candy earned viral status on TikTok. Its 15 minutes of frothy glory on social media may be over, but it’s still a fun treat to whip up when you can’t get to your favorite coffee shop. Instant coffee, sugar, and milk (plus hot water) are all you need.

Get the dalgona coffee recipe.

2-ingredient banana ice cream

This frozen delight is essentially blended bananas (with no added dairy) so vegans can feel free to indulge. Foster-ize with a drizzle of caramel sauce and consider adding a sprinkle of fleur de sel — a little goes a long way.

Get our 2-ingredient banana ice cream recipe.

Toasted cashew and bacon brittle

Nuts, bacon, and sugar are all it takes to make this crunchy confection (we’re letting water and salt slide since they’re always on hand). Make sure you own a reliable candy thermometer to ensure optimal consistency.

Get our toasted cashew and bacon brittle recipe.

Easy lemonade

Don’t settle for the artificial stuff. Just as its name suggests, this recipe is oh-so-easy to prepare. Simply combine simple syrup, water, ice, and an obscene amount of lemons, and you’ll be quenching your thirst all summer long.

Since water doesn’t officially count as an ingredient, throw in some iced tea or perhaps a shot or two of vodka to hit the ingredient trifecta.

Get our easy lemonade recipe.

tl;dr

Great meals, sides, snacks, and desserts don’t have involve a mountain of ingredients to be a work of art. And these days, with grocery prices through the roof, it’s nice to know you can whip up something tasty with just a trio of elements. These 3-ingredient recipes prove the old adage that, sometimes, simple is best.

from Greatist Health RSS Feed https://bit.ly/3CPKQoj

5-minute skincare and 5-minute makeup routine

Sharing an updated skincare and makeup routine that’s perfect for beginners.

Hey friends! How’s the day going? I hope you had a wonderful weekend. P had a soccer game, I taught a barre class, we watched a movie and roasted a chicken, and met up with the fam for dinner. Today, I’m spending the morning studying for IHP (I’m more than halfway through Level Two!) and taking a hot yoga class.

For today’s post, I wanted to share my most recent skincare and makeup routine. I’ve had some recent requests and I feel like I’ve found a groove with products and so many of these have been faves for the past few years. It’s funny because I went to write this post thinking that I’m a major minimalist, but after writing everything down, it feels like a lot of products! So while I use a lot of *stuff*, everything has a purpose, and my routine is SPEEDY. It has to be with juggling kids’ pickup/dropoffs/activities/work/life. I also try to pick products that have safer ingredients with decent EWG ratings.

Here’s what it looks like right now! It changes and evolves over time with new products I find or like, but these are a lot of my tried and true faves.

5-minute skincare, 5-minute makeup routine

Daily 5-minute skincare

Nightly:

Makeup eraser. This little thing is a true wonder. It works SO well and helps remove a majority of makeup, including eye makeup.

Blueberry bounce cleanser. My skin is super sensitive and this is one of the few I can use on my entire face (even around my eyes) without irritation.

Toner. This toner is brightening without being drying. I also will use this one once or twice a week.

Serum. I switch out serums fairly often and this is my latest fave for bedtime, and this is my favorite morning serum.

Moisturizer. I’ll also swap out daily moisturizers and will typically rotate between Eminence and Beautycounter Supreme Cream.

Jade roller and gua sha. I LOVE these and notice a difference in my skin’s texture with regular use. This IG account has lots of good tutorials on how to use gua sha.

Rosewater spray. This is hydrating and smells gorgeous. One of my fave homemade facial sprays is here!

The routine breakdown:

– Warm up the water as I put on a headband and put my hair into a messy bun.

– Wet the makeup eraser and use it to completely clean my face and neck.

– Add the blueberry bounce cleanser to my hands, clean my face, rinse, and dry.

– Use my fingers to gently press in toner, then serum, then moisturizer.

– Jade roll and gua sha.

– Mist with rosewater spray.

DONE in 5 minutes.

Every couple of nights:

Facial oil. I’ll add this to do a lymphatic massage or gua sha on my face and neck as the last step. I also like pure argan or rosehip oil.

Overnight peel. This is one of my holy grail beauty products. I’ll use this after cleansing and before adding moisturizer. I use this instead of toner on these nights.

Frownies! My natural Botox option 😉 I was so skeptical about trying these but I’ve noticed a huge difference in the WTF lines in my forehead with regular use. I can’t use them daily or I’ll break out, but every couple of days or so, I’ll cover my forehead in these.

Red light face mask! This thing feels SO relaxing and I love listening to a podcast while I lie in bed with it on. (If you want one, wait until Wednesday to buy it! Link is here and use FITNESSISTA15.)

Weekly:

Charcoal face mask, AHA mask, or Rose sheet mask (from Thrive Market). I’ll pop on a mask before cleansing my face, usually while I get the girls ready for bed. On these nights, I just rinse, clean my eye makeup, and top with moisturizer and/or facial oil. (No toner.)

Dermaplane: I’ll do this on dry skin about once a week. It took me a long time to get the hang of it – and I’ve learned NOT to do above my lip or it feels prickly and weird- but I think I finally got it. It’s SO satisfying to get all the lil peach fuzzies off my face.

When I get around to it (every few months up to yearly):

Facial with charcoal cleanse and turmeric treatment. I recently got a facial after it had been over a year, and decided I would make it a part of my quarterly routine. While I would LOVE to go monthly, it’s not realistic time-wise but I could totally make it happen every few months or so.

BBL laser: I’ve done this a handful of times and highly recommend! I’m prone to little discolorations and small moles, and this zaps them off. I haven’t found a spot I *love* yet here in Tucson (the last lady just spent a lot of time telling me I need filler and Botox lol), so if you have any recs, please send them my way!

After BBL (ignore my eyebrows lol)

(After you get it done, the spots turn darker like coffee grounds and slough off)

Skin check! Worth mentioning here that you should get a head to toe skin check by a dermatologist every year, and sooner if you notice any changes with your skin. It’s a pain, but it’s worth it. Do it!!

Daily 5-minute makeup:

Everyday products:

Tarte bb cream. It’s a little on the thick/matte side but has good coverage and I’ll mix it with the SPF

Skin Medica SPF. Decent ingredients and works well.

Anastasia brow pencil or Beautycounter brow gel

Tarte eyeliner. This one is my fave!

Tarte concealer. I might be the only person who hates Shape Tape and always come back to this primer. I’ve also been using it as an eyeshadow primer since Tarte stopped making the eye primer stick.

Tarte eyeshadow (amazing deal on these right now! These are the most reecent palettes I’ve bought and I LOVE them.) Tarte makes the best eyeshadows I’ve found for my sensitive eyes. SO many palettes make my eyes itch, and this is one of the few brands that doesn’t.

NARS bronzer

Beautycounter or this blush

Color intense lipstick (usually in Brunch), this balm tint (in Hang Ten), or lip gloss (in any color) – or a combo of all of them.

Special occasion or date night extras:

Highlighter

Eyelash primer and mascara. I don’t wear mascara daily – I think it makes my eyelashes thinner with daily use and it looks way better when I actually do wear it – but the primer is a must-have. It makes a huge difference in length and fullness

Eyelashes! I wear these on my outer lashes for a little extra something, but appreciate that they still look natural

Darker colors from one of my Tarte palettes

WHEW. And that’s it!

So, tell me, friends: what’s your favorite beauty or skincare essential right now? Please share the goods in the comments section! I always love to hear your recs for amazing products you love!

xo

Gina

The post 5-minute skincare and 5-minute makeup routine appeared first on The Fitnessista.

from The Fitnessista https://ift.tt/ldvzaqQ
https://ift.tt/0CsvWz4

Stairway to *Workout* Heaven: Best StairMaster Benefits

Armpit Fat: Causes, Exercises, and Surgery

Creatine While Cutting: Shed Fat Without Losing Muscle

Friday Faves

Hellooooo! Happy Friday! How was the week? I hope you had a great one. It was a quick one over here and I’m looking forward to some fun time this weekend. With school and the kids’ activities I feel like the week is such a blur, so it feels nice to just slow down a bit and enjoy. We’re having family dinner on Saturday night, I’m teaching a barre class, and we’re hoping to hit up the Gem Show on Sunday.

A highlight from the week: my third round of the EquiLife detox! We’ve been doing this as a community, and I love that it resets my nutrition settings, ups my energy, and I feel great. This was the first time I’ve slept terribly during the detox, but during the day, I’ve felt productive and centered.

One of my lunches from this week:

I made this lentil coconut curry soup and it was SO delicious.

In the Instant Pot, I added:

– 1 sweet onion

– 4 cloves of garlic

– 2 chopped zucchini

– Most of a bag of chopped cauliflower

– 3 small chopped and peeled carrots

– 1 knob of ground ginger

and sauteed it for about 5 minutes.

Then I seasoned it up with about a tablespoon of curry powder, 1/2 teaspoon garam masala, 1 teaspoon turmeric and salt and pepper. I stirred in half a can of crushed tomatoes, a whole standard size box of chicken stock, and 6 oz sprouted lentils (from Thrive Market). After cooking on the soup setting for 20 minutes, I added two big handfuls of spinach, a can of coconut milk, and a squeeze of lemon juice.

It was SO GOOD and so easy! It’s been freezing around here (in the 20s in the morning. My Arizona soul is suffering), so this was very warming and deeeeelicious.

Check out this amazing check-in from our community FB page!

(You can order a detox here if you want to try it out and use the code FITNESSISTA20 for 20% off)

It’s time for the weekly Friday Faves party! This is where I share some of my favorite finds from the week and around the web. I love hearing about your faves, too, so please shout out something you’re loving in the comments section below!

We took the fam to see Bluey’s Big Play the other night. While it was definitely geared towards younger kids, it was super cute.

Friday Faves

Fitness, health, and good eats:

I’ve revamped my Facebook page. One of my goals for 2023 is to share some more content in a smaller environment with my close reader friends, so if you’d like to join, the link is here!

15 things I wish someone would have told me when I first started cooking.

Perfect if you’re looking for weeknight meal inspiration.

Lower body barre with weights.

Fashion + beauty:

Been wearing this heart sweater lately! I took a break from RTR Unlimited and am giving Nuuly another chance after a couple of iffy experiences with it.

(Skinny jeans foreverrrr)

How to edit your closet.

Loving this blush lately. I wear the color Encourage.

After my last facial, I bought to this moisturizer to change things up a bit! I feel like my skin gets *used* to different products, so I rotate every now and again. It’s so hydrating and doesn’t make me break out. It’s on Gilt here at a better price. 🙂

Read, watch, listen:

Daily habits that made me a more positive person.

YAY for this incredible Tucson chef. (If you visit Tucson, definitely add Tumerico to your list.)

For my Colleen Hoover fans.

Happy Friday, lovely friends!

xo

Gina

The post Friday Faves appeared first on The Fitnessista.

from The Fitnessista https://ift.tt/ColzVBS
https://ift.tt/09yIWd1

Double Chin Surgery: Results, Risks, and Costs

Organic Milk vs. Regular Milk: Which Should Be Your Moo-Thang?

Sleep Addiction: Is It for Real?

Sleep addiction isn’t *really* an addiction. Our bodies are naturally dependent on sleep.

If you had a dollar for every time you thought, “I just wanna be in my bed!”, you’d probably be retired. Alas, most of us aren’t retired… just tired. But could your sleepiness stem from a sleep addiction?

Read on to learn about if sleep addiction is for real. We’ll also go through some other reasons why you might be so tired all the time.

Is sleep addiction real?

So, is it possible to be addicted to sleep? The short answer is no.

According to the American Society of Addiction Medicine, addiction is a chronic medical disease involving complex interactions among brain circuits, genetics, the environment, and an individual’s life experiences. Addiction often leads to compulsive behaviors, despite harmful consequences.

Unlike addictive substances, sleep is a necessary biological function. So we can’t really be addicted to it since we’re naturally dependent on it.

The National Sleep Foundation recommends most adults get 7 to 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep a night. But, the average person gets less than 7 hours. While skipping out on a couple of ZZZs doesn’t seem like a big deal, one study shows it takes four days to make up for one hour of sleep.

When you don’t get enough sleep on the reg, it can lead to a sleep deficit. This might make a person feel like they have a sleep addiction. But in actuality, they’re just super tired.

Other causes of chronic sleep

There could be several reasons why Sleeping Beauty has become your spirit animal.

When you’re tired and craving sleep, your body is telling you it needs to recharge and repair itself. If you find you’re craving a nap despite having slept a lot the night before, it might be because your sleep quality is poor.

You can improve your sleep quality by avoiding sleep disturbances and adjusting your bedtime habits or sleep schedule. But, it could also result from an underlying medical condition or sleep disorder. 

People who sleep the recommended 7 to 9 hours a night and feel excessive sleepiness during the day could have from hypersomnia. Hypersomnia, also known as excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), can be a condition on its own or a symptom of another condition. 

Hypersomnia conditions include:

• Sleep apnea. Snoring isn’t just an annoying habit – It can also be a severe medical condition. Sleep apnea is when the body’s breathing becomes interrupted during sleep, which usually causes aggressive snoring. 
• Narcolepsy. This neurological disorder affects the brain’s ability to control sleep-wake cycles. While excessive sleepiness is the main symptom, others may include muscle weakness (cataplexy), sleep paralysis, visual hallucinations and “sleep attacks”. 
• Kleine-Levin syndrome. With this rare disorder, recurrent episodes of excessive sleep and cognitive or mood changes. Episodes can last from a few days to a few weeks. In some cases, people can sleep up to 20 hours a day.  
• Idiopathic hypersomnia. This uncommon disorder causes you to be very sleepy throughout the day, even after a whole night’s sleep. People suffering from this may even have a hard time waking up from slumber.
• Dysania. Aka, the overwhelming inability to get out of bed, this is different from “clinomania,” an obsession with staying in bed.

Sleep disorder signs

Let’s try to bring some order to this disorder.

The National Institute of Health reports that 50 to 70 million Americans suffer from chronic sleep disorders. Additionally, a 2013 study reported that 19.5 percent of American adults suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS).

If you oversleep regularly and still feel like you’d find yourself on the dead side of a zombie apocalypse, there is a chance you could have a sleep disorder like hypersomnia. 

Here are the telltale signs you may have become a hypersomniac zombie:

• tiredness
• difficulty waking up after a long sleep
• crankiness
• the need to nap
• memory difficulties
• brain fog

Some other side effects you could experience are:

• sluggishness
• fatigue
• headaches
• migraine
• loss of appetite
• restlessness
• hallucinations
• suicidal ideation
• memory loss

If hypersomnia is left untreated, it could lead to a number of negative health, psychological and social issues in the long run. With the help of a doctor, it’s possible to kiss your zombie self goodbye and get that pep back in your step. 

Sleep addiction and mental health

Carpe diem? More like carpe die-not. 

Let’s face it, we have all had days where we just don’t want to get out of bed and face the day. But feeling addicted to sleep or not being able to get out of bed could also be a sign of a mental health condition. 

A 2008 study showed that 40% of depressed adults experienced excessive daytime sleepiness.

A 2015 study showed that individuals with both short (under seven hours) and long (over nine hours) sleep duration reported significantly more depressive symptoms than normal sleepers.

Excessive sleeping is a common symptom of a sign of major depressive disorder. Peeps with depression and anxiety may find it difficult to sleep well and additionally, struggle to get out of bed in the morning. This is because sleeping may be seen as a relief from emotional pain and a form of self-management.

If you experience excessive daytime sleepiness coupled with feelings of sadness, hopelessness, etc. it’s important to speak with a mental health professional and get support right away. You’re not alone.

Sleep addiction vs. sleeping pill addiction

Snoozin’ too much is not considered an addiction, and some may even take sleep aids to help them catch some quality ZZZs. But a word of caution to those who turn to sleep aids, it’s possible to become addicted to sleeping pills.

When taken as prescribed, sleeping pills are helpful for short-term insomnia. But what’s no chill is that your body can build up a tolerance and form a dependence on the pills. You may not realize this is happening to you until you stop using the medication and your body experiences withdrawal.

Signs and symptoms of sleeping pill addiction can include:

• coordination problems
• fatigue and daytime drowsiness
• lack of focus
• memory problems
• sleep disorders

Natural sleep aids are a popular, non-addictive alternative to sleeping pills. Not only do they work, but they do not have the negative side effects pharmaceutical sleeping pills have. Natural supplements you can use to support your sleep quality include:

• melatonin
• chamomile
• valerian root
• kava
• lavender

P.S. Just because natural supplements have less known side effects than pharmaceutical sleeping pills, that doesn’t mean they don’t have any. Def check with your doctor before adding any new supplements to your regime.

If you experience any signs of addiction to sleep medication, don’t quit it “cold turkey”. This can increase the risk of severe withdrawal symptoms. Talk to your doctor for a step-by-step recovery plan.

A list of sleep aids with strings attached

Wondering if your sleep meds have you hooked? Here is a list of commonly-used chill pills that can become addictive over time.

• diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
• eszopiclone (Lunesta)
• quetiapine (Seroquel)
• survorexant (Belsomra)
• temazepam (Restoril)
• trazodone
• zaleplon (Sonata)
• zolpidem (Ambien or Edluar)

PSA: Not all of these medications cause physiologic dependence since they aren’t controlled substances. But, you can get psychologically dependent on them. If you have any addiction-related questions about medications, you should talk to a healthcare provider.

When to talk to a doctor about sleep addiction

If excess sleep is affecting your daily life and you can’t kick the habit, it’s probably time to call the doc.

Discussing your symptoms with your doctor will help determine if you have hypersomnia and whether or not it could be related to another health issue. This also would be the time to discuss with your doctor if natural or pharmaceutical sleeping aids would be right for you.

Takeaway

Good news for our sleepy babes out there – your need for sleep is not an addiction.

Excessive sleepiness patterns could be a result of hypersomnia. Hypersomnia, a medical condition that causes excessive daytime sleepiness, can also be a symptom of other sleep or mental disorders. 

If you currently take sleep medication and find yourself wanting to sleep the day away, you could have a sleeping pill addiction.

It’s important to talk to your doctor if you’re experiencing extra sleepy symptoms so you can create the right plan to get that zest back in your life.

from Greatist Health RSS Feed https://bit.ly/3Jj1Rgw

What Is the Difference Between Pesto and Chimichurri?

Kasia Pohl/EyeEm/Getty Images

Pesto and chimichurri are both herby, green sauces with a fair amount of olive oil — but they’re not as similar in flavor as they might appear. So how exactly are they different?

How they’re alike: easy and herby

Taken at face value, these two could practically be twins. (In fact, with just a visual test, you might not be able to tell which is which.) Both recipes call for fresh herbs, olive oil, and garlic — yielding a bright green color to rival a leprechaun’s britches.

Pesto and chimichurri can both be made in the food processor or blender, and both are excellent either as a dipping sauce or for slathering on your favorite chicken, fish, steak, or veggies. So yeah… you could say they’ve got a lot in common.

Then again, the two sauces are more fraternal than identical twins.

Where they diverge

For one (big) thing, the herbs that give each of these sauces their shamrock-green color are different. Pesto, which traces its roots back to Genoa, the capital city of Italy’s Liguria region, is made with basil.

Chimichurri, meanwhile, is of Argentine descent, and is typically a blend of parsley and oregano. Cilantro often gets in on the fun too.

Both include garlic, but as for the liquid that gives them their saucy texture, there’s a bit of separation between the oil and vinegar — literally.

Pesto calls on olive oil to bind together its classic combo of basil, garlic, parmesan and pecorino cheeses, and pine nuts. Chimichurri also uses a little oil (either vegetable or olive), but, crucially, adds in white vinegar to give the sauce its signature puckery tang.

Both are easy to riff on (pesto in particular is often modified to sub in greens like kale and arugula or swap walnuts for pine nuts) and play nicely in a wide range of recipes.

Chimichurri recipes

Here are some of our favorite ways to use these two like-minded sauces, from the traditional (think: chimichurri and grilled meat; pesto and pasta) to the more creative (no spoilers, keep reading).

1. Easy chimichurri sauce

We couldn’t start without this vid that shows you the basics of chimichurri. The bright, textured parsley- and oregano-based sauce is the perfect partner to grilled steak or chicken, both of which can be repurposed the next day in tacos.

If meat isn’t your jam, this versatile salsa is also pretty sensational with grilled seafood (try thicker cuts like salmon or swordfish, or juicy jumbo shrimp) or on grillable veggies like corn on the cob. 

2. Argentinian chimichurri butter burger

Most often, the sandwich side of the love affair between beef and chimichurri results in a lot of steak sandwiches. No hate, of course, but how dare we overlook the OG of beef sandwiches, the burger?

This drool-worthy rendition features a double patty design that’s bound together with a chimichurri compound butter that oozes out as it cooks.

Get the Argentinian chimichurri butter burger recipe.

3. Kale, mushroom, and chimichurri baked eggs

Think “chimichurri” and “breakfast” and your brain might immediately turn to tacos — but as this recipe proves, it’s not the sauce’s only morning meal application.

Here, the herb-driven sauce is mixed with savory mushrooms and hearty kale to create good-for-you base for runny-yolk baked eggs. This has “Impressive Brunch Menu” written all over it.

Get the kale, mushroom, and chimichurri baked eggs recipe.

4. Fries with chimichurri and gorgonzola

Well, whaddya know, chimichurri is as good on carbs as it is on protein (actually not surprising given that it’s classic pairing with empanadas). Instead of using the sauce for dipping, the tangy-fresh mixture is drizzled over the top of homemade fries alongside crumbled gorgonzola.

Get the fries with chimichurri and gorgonzola recipe.

5. Chimichurri chicken salad with peaches

The chimichurri in this quick chicken salad swaps the traditional oregano for cool mint, which works especially nicely with the pieces of juicy, sweet peach.

Get the chimichurri chicken salad with peaches recipe.

Pesto recipes

You can experiment with pesto, but you might want to start with a classic basil version and expand from there.

1. Easy basil pesto

It may not have the A-list celebrity status of marinara, but pesto is still one of the most iconic Italian sauces. A delightfully simple combination of fresh basil, garlic, olive oil, pine nuts, and Parmesan, it’s got that little-black-dress quality that allows it to go with just about anything.

Tossed with pasta, slathered on pizza, schmeared on toast, mixed in with soup or rice or even eggs — the possibilities are endless. Guess it is easy being green.

Get our easy basil pesto recipe.

2. Classic pesto pasta salad

Pasta is pesto’s most frequent culinary companion, and this recipe is a versatile starter for pairing the two made-for-each-other components. Add different veggies if you like, or give it some oomph with a protein like diced chicken or canned chickpeas. And, of course, we won’t tell if you sprinkle on some extra parm.

Get our classic pesto pasta salad recipe.

3. Summer squash pizza

Vibrant pesto replaces the typical tomato sauce in this light, healthy summer pie featuring sliced seasonal squash, red onion, and fresh mozzarella.

Get our summer squash pizza recipe.

4. Dutch baby pesto breakfast pizza

The gauntlet has been thrown, ladies and gentlemen. This is what it looks like when your brunch dish game is on point: Savory, fluffy dutch baby base, bold pesto, torn pieces of salty prosciutto, creamy burrata, crisp strips of shaved asparagus, and baked eggs. Boom.

Get the Dutch baby pesto breakfast pizza recipe.

5. Risotto with kale pesto and bacon

The classic Italian rice dish is reimagined in this recipe with a non-traditional pesto that adds walnuts, kale, chives, and parsley to the typical basil-parm-garlic base. And of course chopped pieces of crisp, salty, fatty bacon are mixed in, because why not?

Get the risotto with kale pesto and bacon recipe.

tl;dr

Between pesto and chimichurri, there’s certainly not a bad choice for your meats, seafoods, and sandwiches. It all depends on whether you feel like layering your meals with some Italian gusto or some Argentine sabor. Either way, you’ll get a green sauce that elevates mealtimes in just moments.

from Greatist Health RSS Feed https://bit.ly/3Dkg35n

The Ultimate Guide to Sugar Substitutes and Alternative Sweeteners

Yaroslav Danylchenko/Stocksy

For years, there’s been a tug-of-war over sugar substitutes — are they a boon for health issues like weight loss and diabetes management or an industrial scourge that’ll hand you a one-way ticket to cancer? Clearly, there’s a lot to break down around these foods.

Whether you’re going keto, trying to reduce your refined sugar intake, or just can’t find your usual supplies at the store right now, here’s a guide to all your options for replacing sugar, including commercial alternative sweeteners and natural swaps.

Artificial sweeteners vs. natural sweeteners

Sugar substitutes and alternative sweeteners can be separated into two main groups: natural sweeteners and artificial sweeteners.

Artificial sweeteners are synthetic sugar substitutes that are very low in calories or contain no calories at all. Natural sweeteners are made from a range of different trees, fruits, and plants. Some are rich in carbohydrates and calories, while others are just as low in calories as artificial sweeteners.

Artificial sweeteners

Sucralose

You’ve probably heard of sucralose but by a different name: Splenda®. Sucralose is a very popular artificial sweetener that’s made from sucrose (sugar). Unlike sucrose, though, it has 0 calories.

Huh? How can it have no calories if it’s made from the same ingredient as sugar? A chemical process replaces hydrogen-oxygen groups with chlorine atoms, eliminating its calories.

Despite being 600 times sweeter than sugar, sucralose and sugar taste very similar. You can find sucralose in a range of different foods, including commercially prepared baked goods, dairy products, and drinks.

You can use sucralose in your own baked goods, too, at a ratio of 1:1 for regular sugar — but it might make things bake faster, so check them for doneness a little earlier than the recipe indicates.

Saccharin

First discovered in 1879, saccharin was the first artificial sweetener to be commercialized. It’s now used to make popular brand name products like Sweet Twin®, Sweet’N Low®, and Necta Sweet®. Saccharin is a zero-calorie sweetener that’s 200-700 times sweeter than sugar.

You’re likely to find it in beverages, processed foods, and certain medicines, like chewable aspirin. It’s stable at cooking temperature so you can use it in baked goods, but be careful about how much saccharin you add when cooking. It’s known for having a bitter, metallic aftertaste when used in large amounts.

Aspartame

Aspartame tastes similar to sugar but is 200 times sweeter. Brands like Nutrasweet®, Equal®, and Sugar Twin® are all made with this artificial sweetener.

You’ll find aspartame in desserts, dairy products, breakfast cereals, and diet drinks like Diet Snapple, Coke Zero, and Minute Maid Light.

You won’t find this artificial sweetener in any baked goods, though, since it loses its sweetness when heated. Still, you can feel free to use smaller quantities to taste in un-heated recipes like lemonade, iced tea, or even pudding.

Like sugar, aspartame has 4 calories per gram. (It’s the only FDA-approved high-intensity sweetener that adds calories to your food.) However, it’s still considered to be a low-calorie sweetener, given how little of it is required to sweeten food.

Advantame

Advantame is a fairly new artificial sweetener that’s derived from aspartame. However, it’s 70-120 times sweeter than aspartame and — get ready for it — around 20,000 times sweeter than sugar, making it one of the highest-intensity artificial sweeteners you can find.

Unlike aspartame, advantame can be heated and used in cakes, cookies, and other baked goods. In fact, it can be found in any type of food product except meat and poultry. Unlike other artificial sweeteners, it’s not sold as a brand name product, so you can’t experiment with it at home.

Acesulfame potassium

Acesulfame potassium is the artificial sweetener used to make Sunett® and Sweet One®. But on nutrition labels, you might see it listed as acesulfame K or Ace-K.

This artificial sweetener is 200 times sweeter than sugar. It has a strong, bitter flavor like saccharin, so you’re unlikely to find it used on its own. It’s usually combined with sweeteners like sucralose and aspartame. Because of this bitter aftertaste, you also can’t use it 1:1 for regular sugar in baking.

You can find acesulfame potassium in lots of different foods and beverages, including Coke Zero, Fanta Zero, Minute Maid Light, Pedialyte, and Yoplait Light. You’re also likely to find it in candies, baked goods (since it doesn’t lose sweetness when heated), and frozen desserts. 

Neotame

Commonly known as Newtame®, neotame is 7,000-13,000 times sweeter than sugar. This zero-calorie sweetener is good at masking bitter flavors. It’s often used alongside other popular artificial sweeteners, like sucralose, aspartame, and acesulfame potassium.

Neotame is commonly used in supermarket-brand chewing gums, dairy products, and baked goods. You’ll find it mixed into salt substitutes and used in brand name items like Goya diet nectar and Mrs. Butterworth’s Sugar Free Syrup. But it’s not easy to come by for home use.

Natural sweeteners

Stevia

Stevia sweeteners come from the leaves of the stevia plant, Stevia rebaudiana, which is native to South America. However, the FDA doesn’t allow stevia leaves or “crude” extracts to be sold as sweeteners. (In animal studies, high dosages led to fertility problems.)

Only high-purity isolates of the stevia plant, known as steviol glycosides, can be integrated into your food.

There are several different types of steviol glycosides, including Rebaudioside A, Rebaudioside D, and Stevioside. However, most nutrition labels only state the words stevia leaf extract, stevia powder, or stevia liquid. They don’t usually specify which steviol glycosides were used.

Stevia sweeteners are around 200-400 times sweeter than sugar and have 0 calories. They’re also extremely ecologically friendly compared to other natural alternative sweeteners, thanks to the plant’s low carbon and water footprint.

A 2015 study found that, compared to beet sugar (the kind usually used to make the standard granulated white crystals), stevia had an 82% lower overall carbon footprint and a 92% lower water footprint.

For many people, the main downside of stevia is its aftertaste, which some describe as licorice-like. Beverages like Blue Sky Zero Sugar Cola and Suja Organic Energy drinks tend to blend it with other alternative sweeteners.

When stevia is sold as a sugar substitute, manufacturers also tend to mix it with other alternative sweeteners. It’s often mixed with sugar alcohols, dextrose (a simple sugar that comes from corn), maltodextrin (a highly processed starch), or cane sugar.

Popular stevia sugar alternatives like Stevia In The Raw®, Truvia®, and PureVia® all mix their stevia with ingredients like these, which makes them suitable for baking and cooking.

You can also find stevia blends with brown sugar and stevia confectioner’s sugar. If you’re keen on pure stevia, it’s most likely to be sold as a liquid concentrate or powder.

Sugar alcohols

Sugar alcohols (also known as polyols) are a member of the carbohydrate family, but have fewer calories per gram than sugar and other carbs. This is because they’re not completely digestible and your gut can’t fully absorb them.

There are multiple types of sugar alcohols on the market, but they’re pretty easy to identify. You can think of them as the “-ols.” With a few exceptions, like isomalt, most of them have names that end in -ol, like erythritol, sorbitol, and xylitol.

Sugar alcohols are naturally found in a variety of fruits, vegetables, and other plants. They can also be made from sugars and starches. The resulting products are about as sweet or a bit less sweet than sugar.

In their processed form, sugar alcohols generally taste a lot like sugar, but have a cooling, minty aftertaste. Part of the sweet-yet-cooling sensation associated with toothpaste and many chewing gums is because of sugar alcohols!

These alternative sweeteners are also used to make candy, cough drops, soft drinks, and a range of other products. And (yay!) unlike sugar, they’re good for your teeth.

Unfortunately, despite their low calorie content and health benefits, most sugar alcohols need to be consumed in limited amounts. They can cause gastrointestinal issues and act as laxatives when consumed in large amounts.

If you’re keen to cook with a sugar alcohol, consider using erythritol. Some research has shown that it’s less likely to cause these unpleasant side effects.

Monk fruit

Monk fruit, also known as Siraitia grosvenorii (Swingle) C. Jeffrey (yes, that’s all one name, and no, we don’t know who C. Jeffrey is) or luo han guo, is native to southern China. Extracts from this plant are 100-250 times sweeter than sugar.

Monk fruit sweeteners are similar to stevia: They have 0 calories and are typically only sold as extracts. They’re also not likely to cause any gut issues (though they can when consumed in large quantities).

The main complaint you’ll generally hear about monk fruit extract is its fruity undertone. It may work well in your fruit smoothie or yogurt, but you might not enjoy it in drinks like coffee.

Many monk fruit sweeteners, like Monk Fruit in the Raw® and ZenSweet, mix their monk fruit extract with erythritol, dextrose, or maltodextrin, which can be used in baked goods and other recipes. Luckily, it’s also possible to buy pure monk fruit extract from vendors like Purisure® and Lakanto®.

Inulin and plant-based sweeteners

Inulin is a prebiotic fiber found in various plant-based products. It can also be extracted from certain plants and added into foods. Some sweeteners, like SweetLeaf Stevia®, mix inulin into their stevia rather than incorporating ingredients like maltodextrin or dextrose.

Some alternative sweeteners, like yacón syrup and artichoke syrup, contain naturally-occurring inulin.

Yacón syrup is a fruity liquid derived from a South American tuber called (you guessed it) the yacón. Artichoke syrup, made from Jerusalem artichokes, has a flavor similar to light molasses. Other popular natural sweeteners like pure maple syrup, coconut syrup, and coconut sugar also contain inulin.

All of these syrups have distinct flavors, since they’re made from different plants. They also have different amounts of inulin. Despite their sweetness, they tend to have slightly less sugars and fewer calories per gram than table sugar.

If you’re after a plant-based natural sweetener, make sure that you’re buying the real deal rather than a flavored product. For example, pure maple syrup can be a lower-glycemic alternative to sugar, but maple-flavored syrup is likely just some type of corn syrup or refined sugar. 

And in baking, you can use 1 cup of maple syrup for every cup of sugar, but should reduce the other liquid in the recipe by 1/4.

Honey

Similar to plant-based sweeteners (but not vegan since it comes from bees), honey is another natural option you’re probably sweet on already.

Honey contains both sucrose and glucose. In baking, you can use it in place of sugar at a ratio of 3/4 cup honey for every cup of sugar, but should also reduce the amount of liquid in the recipe and add 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda (if there isn’t already baking soda in the recipe).

The darker the honey, the stronger its flavor, so you may want to stick to clover and other light honeys for baking. It has slightly more calories than sugar, but is a bit lower on the glycemic index, meaning it won’t spike your blood sugar to the same degree as white sugar.

Takeaway

The world of alternative sweeteners, both natural and artificial, continues to expand. By now, there’s a baker’s dozen (or more!) options for sweetening up your homemade treats — and store-bought ones too. Sprinkle, scoop, sip, and snack your way through this list to see which ones are your favorites.

from Greatist Health RSS Feed https://bit.ly/3JhcKzs

Hip Dips Surgery: Is It Worth It?

Let’s Talk: How Much Does an IUD Cost?

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are one of the most effective forms of birth control.  

When inserted into your uterus, these tiny, T-shaped pieces of plastic are 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. Another plus is that a hormonal IUD can last up to 8 years and a copper IUD can last up to 10 years before you need a replacement. 

There’s no doubt that IUDs offer some pretty impressive benefits when it comes to preventing pregnancy long-term. But how much do they cost?

How much does an IUD cost?

If you have health insurance, chances are that your plan will cover an IUD. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, most health insurance plans must cover prescription birth control, including hormonal birth control pills and IUDs, at no additional cost to you. You should be able to get free birth control through your insurance without paying a copay or other fees.

That said, you may have to pay for some of the IUD costs out of pocket, depending on your health insurance plan and the brand of IUD you choose. 

Plus, depending on your insurance plan, you may have to pay additional fees for doctors’ visits, including your insertion and removal appointments. 

The best way to find out whether your insurance plan covers the entire cost of an IUD is to contact the insurance company directly. Your doctor’s office may also be able to help you find out whether you’re covered. 

What if I don’t have insurance?

If you don’t have health insurance and you’re paying for an IUD out of pocket, the prices can be pretty steep. 

According to Planned Parenthood, out-of-pocket costs for IUDs can range from $500 to $1,300.

But don’t worry! If you don’t have insurance, there are assistance programs that can help with IUD costs.

How do you buy an IUD?

In order to get an IUD, you’ll need a prescription from a doctor. 

This means that if you’re interested in getting an IUD, you’ll need to make an appointment with a healthcare professional like a gynecologist or primary care physician.

If you don’t have insurance, you can visit a health clinic that offers programs that significantly reduce or totally cover the cost of your care. 

Where do you go to get an IUD inserted?

A licensed medical professional, such as a doctor or nurse, must insert an IUD. This usually happens at a doctor’s office or clinic. 

The process is quick, usually taking just a few minutes, but the insertion can cause some symptoms, such as cramping and pain. 

If you have questions about IUD insertion, ask your doctor for more information. They can walk you through the process and tell you more about what to expect. 

Different types of IUDs and their cost

There are currently five brands of IUD that the Food and Drug Administration has approved for use in the United States.

IUDs are divided into two types: hormonal IUDs and copper IUDs.

The available hormonal IUDs are Mirena, Liletta, Kyleena, and Skyla.

They work by releasing a small amount of progestin — a form of the sex hormone progesterone, which is naturally found in your body. This induces changes in your body, such as cervical mucus thickening and thinning of the uterine lining, which make it harder for you to become pregnant. 

Paragard is a copper IUD that prevents pregnancy by interfering with sperm’s ability to move, essentially blocking the sperm from reaching and fertilizing an egg.   

Here’s how much each IUD costs on average if you pay out of pocket: 

• Mirena: $1,272 
• Liletta: $934
• Kyleena: $1,101
• Skyla: $982
• Paragard: $1,071

How to save money on an IUD

If you have health insurance, you should be able to get an IUD for free. However, depending on your plan and the type of IUD you’re interested in getting, you may have to cover some of the costs. 

If you don’t have health insurance, there are plenty of ways to save money on an IUD.

Most IUD manufacturers offer assistance programs that can cover part or all of the cost of an IUD. 

For example, Mirena offers a Copay Savings Program that helps lower out-of-pocket copay costs for Mirena IUDs. For those who don’t have health insurance, Bayer — the manufacturer of Mirena — offers The Bayer US Patient Assistance Foundation, which helps eligible people who don’t have insurance get products such as IUDs for free.  

Health clinics also offer programs that can help make birth control more affordable to people who don’t have medical insurance. 

Resources

If you have questions about IUDs or aren’t sure whether an IUD is the right choice for you, you can consult a trusted healthcare professional, such as your gynecologist or primary care physician.

They can help you narrow down the best birth control options, and their office can even help you contact your health insurance company to find out about coverage.

If you don’t have health insurance, you can make an appointment at a health clinic. Some offer financial assistance programs that can help you get affordable or free birth control, including IUDs.

The bottom line

Most insurance plans cover IUDs, but there still may be some costs involved, depending on your health insurance and the type of IUD you’re interested in getting. 

If you don’t have insurance, there are ways to make getting an IUD more affordable. 

Health clinics and manufacturers of IUDs such as Mirena offer assistance programs that can help you get an IUD at a lower cost and sometimes for free.

from Greatist Health RSS Feed https://bit.ly/3kKGvyl