Erin Andrews' recent revelation that she was diagnosed with cervical cancer four months ago is alarming — especially since cervical cancer usually gets much less press than its commonly diagnosed counterparts, like breast cancer. Unless you're regularly visiting an OB-GYN (and stats indicate you're not), you're probably not hearing much about it — even if you are regularly seeing your general practitioner.

Which is a damn shame, because cervical cancer, according to board-certified OB-GYN and female pelvic medicine specialist Antonio Pizarro, M.D., is "100% preventable." As in, none of the 250,000 cases of women living with cervical cancer in the United States have to happen.

That's not to say current cancer patients could have necessarily prevented their own cancers (I swear I'm not blaming the victim here!) — rather, the science, detection and prevention methods now available should be sufficient to eradicate the cancer going forward, so new and future cases don't occur. Great news, right?

More: Your Pap smear isn't enough to detect cervical cancer

Here's the thing, though: There still seems to be a disconnect between patient education and prevention measures, and women still don't seem to understand the critical importance of female pelvic health. In fact, a recent survey published by the Foundation for Women’s Cancer at Genentech found that women are more likely to have a regular hairstylist than OB-GYN, and only a small majority of survey respondents thought a regular OB-GYN visit is essential to good health.

Sorry, ladies, that's not good enough.

Women need to be visiting an OB-GYN or women's health specialist regularly because it's unlikely that other physicians will specifically bring up cervical cancer, Pap smears or other pelvic health issues. In fact, the survey indicates cervical cancer is one of the least likely topics to be discussed during a doctor's appointment, and even Pap smears are only brought up 61 percent of the time.

Pizarro explains it this way, "I talk about cervical cancer all the time. All women's health specialists and those who do preventive screening evaluations for women should discuss cervical cancer routinely with their patients, but I wouldn't fault health care providers for not discussing cervical cancer if their specialty does not intersect with this disease." See? If you're a woman, and you care about women's health issues, you need to be visiting a doctor with the expertise and knowledge to discuss and address women-specific health.

Cervical cancer detection and prevention

There are three things I hope you take from this article: 

1. You need to schedule a regular OB-GYN visit.
2. Pap smears are specifically designed to detect cervical cancer and changes to the cervix that might indicate cervical cancer. They're your early detection tool — make sure you're getting a Pap test regularly!
3. Human papillomavirus is the virus that leads to cervical cancer — the HPV vaccine is incredibly effective at preventing the spread of the virus and is the key to eradicating future cancers. If you're still young enough to get the vaccine — get it. If you're not, make sure you're getting your children vaccinated.

Know that just because you go to an OB-GYN and have a pelvic exam, doesn't mean you've had a Pap done, "Unfortunately, many patients report that they underwent a Pap test even if only a pelvic exam was performed," Pizarro says. As the patient, you need to confirm your doctor is performing the appropriate screenings — don't just assume they're covering all the bases.

More: Young breast cancer survivor bares her scars and her soul in powerful photos

Also, you need to know that boys and girls can be vaccinated against HPV. This is critical information because HPV is sickeningly widespread, and early vaccination is the tool we have to prevent future contractions. According to Pizarro, "The CDC reports that around 30% of American women ages 14-29 carry the high risk form of HPV."

That's a lot of women, folks — 1 in 3.

Parents may want to avoid the HPV vaccine because it implies their children could become sexually active, but news flash — your children will become sexually active. According to Pizarro, "Most American children — 61% — will have become sexually active by age 18." But even if your child practices safe sex or remains abstinent until later in life, getting them vaccinated now is a crucial step to protecting them and their future partners down the line.

The vaccine is available for girls and boys from ages 9 to 26, and it can prevent the contraction and spread of this damaging disease. While boys may not be subject to cervical cancer, they can carry and transmit the infection to the women they have sex with. By vaccinating yourself, your daughters and your sons, you're taking an important step toward kicking cervical cancer's ass.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Originally published July 2016. Updated January 2017.

The results are in for the 2017 Oscar nominations, and holy smokes, it's going to be a heck of a race this year. Predictably leading the Oscars pack is La La Land, with 14 nominations, including Best Actress, Best Director and two nods for Best Original Song. The paean to Hollywood Golden Age musicals has now officially tied All About Eve and Titanic for most nominations ever accrued by a single film; hats off to them.

But the biggest standout? It appears the 2017 Oscars is intent on making #OscarsSoWhite a thing of the past.

Ever since the #OscarsSoWhite controversy of 2015, a keen focus has been placed upon The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences when it has come time to announce their Oscar nominations. It is implied, by mere fact of being nominated, that those films, performers and creators in each category are the best of the best for that year in film; thus, in regards to race, any person or film noticeably included or excluded from the conversation gets noticed.

More: #OscarsSoWhite: How this year's nominee diversity compares to previous years

The case was no different this year, but in a more positive manner. It should be noted right off the bat that while the 2017 nominees have greater racial diversity than in years past, there is still plenty (and I mean plenty) of room for improvement. Still, it's important to make note of those films nominated that center on portrayals and conversations around race, the performers who make them awards-worthy, and the people behind them who contributed their vision, words, music and art to make the films the beloved gems they are today.

Films about people of color won big

Fences, Loving, Lion, Moana, Hidden Figures, Moonlight, 13th, O.J.: Made In America, and I Am Not Your Negro are all the 2017 Oscar-nominated films wherein people of color involved in the film and the film's themes centered around race have contributed to their nominee status. It is important to note that, especially for those films centered on black life in America, there is not a single slave-related narrative (think 12 Years A Slave, a darling of the recent past). As for Kubo & The Two Strings, which takes place in Japan, the characters are voiced by white actors, nullifying any kind of progressiveness in the area of portrayals of Asian life and peoples in film.

Notably, stories about black men and women exploring their queerness, their careers in STEM, their gender roles and their position in the American social and political hierarchy, respectively, were all in the mix. Audiences got a refreshing break from seeing black bodies used as slaves, maids, meaningless love objects, cannon fodder for white causes, and the like. If anything, the attention showered upon those films centered on black life in America portrayed necessary aspects of the black experience that are needed if we are going to expand the conversation on the intersection between race and film going forward.

Actors of color are making history & getting noticed

This season, you'll probably see a lot of focus given to the actors nominated in the Best Actor/Actress and Best Supporting Actor/Actress categories. Here, Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Dev Patel, Mahershala Ali, Naomi Harris, Octavia Spencer and Ruth Negga comprise the nominated actors of color. The Best Supporting Actress category was stacked in favor of women of color: three of the five female nominees are black. This is not only history-making, it is a sign that good things are happening and possible for actors of color.

More: There are 16 movies getting a ton of Oscar buzz right now

It's a year of firsts for directors & creatives of color

Ava Duvernay has nabbed her second nomination by way of her timely and much-loved documentary 13th. Speaking of directors, there's some big firsts happening in the 2017 Oscars. When it comes to filmmakers and film creatives of color working behind the lens on project, there's some biggies. Roger Ross Williams, director of the doc Life, Animated, and Raoul Peck, for I Am Not Your Negro, have scored their first respective nominations in the Best Documentary Feature category.

Barry Jenkins, director and co-writer of Moonlight, was nominated for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay (along with his co-writer, playwright Tarrell Alvin McCraney). Similarly, the late playwright August Wilson got a posthumous nomination for Fences in the Best Adapted Screenplay category.

Two other big firsts go to other creators in less prominent categories. Lin-Manuel Miranda is nominated for Best Original Song with "How Far I'll Go," from Moana. This brings Miranda very close to EGOT glory, so I obviously have my fingers crossed very, very hard for him. Additionally, Moonlight's editor Joi McMillon became the first black woman to be nominated in the Best Film Editing Category. Arrival's Director of Photography Bradford Young, who also worked on previous Oscar fave Selma, could be the one accepting the Oscar for Best Cinematography. Can I get a "Hell yes"?

There is still room for improvement, though

But for all the joys and noteworthy first people of color in Hollywood are getting, there are still some major shortcomings. No women, let alone women of color, were nominated in the directing and writing categories. Duvernay, while attached to 13th, is not the sole nominee and thus, disqualified from this superlative; McMillon's nom is a laudable exception. This indicates that the Academy, while making bigger strides towards inclusivity and progressiveness in its racial politics with this year's nominees, still has a long way to go.

More: 2016 Oscars: Best excerpts from the winners' acceptance speeches

For now, though, I think we should celebrate the achievements and subsequent nominations of those people of color who were actually nominated for the 2017 Oscars. Without question, this is their time to shine.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

There are in my life those friendships that run deep and rich and pure and true. And I have done absolutely nothing to make them happen.

So here's something that may come as a surprise because apparently when it happened news outlets mostly just ignored it: brand-new Oscar nominee Casey Affleck has been accused of doing some really bad shit to women.

More: Constance Wu presenting at the Emmys really fired up viewers

In 2010, when Affleck was filming I'm Still Here, the film's cinematographer, Magdalena Gorka, claimed that he climbed into bed with her uninvited, constantly tried to talk her into having sex with one of her camera assistants and just generally making the set a terrible place for her to be because of his weird obsessions with her love life. Amanda White, one of the film's producers, echoed Gorka's complaints, saying Affleck sexually harassed her as well and even grabbed her after she refused to stay the night in his hotel room.

Here's the big kicker, though: Both women sued Affleck and he settled with them out of court, and still this is a thing that isn't common knowledge.

Now that Affleck has been nominated for an Oscar for his role in Manchester by the Sea, though, actress Constance Wu is going in on the Academy for honoring Affleck despite his reputation for treating women like shit on set. In a tweetstorm that, honestly, is perfectly justified, Wu is calling out all of Hollywood for doing a really crappy job of taking care of women who get abused regularly behind the scenes.

Even after she was told to shut up because her tweets might affect her career, Wu did not give up, and good for her because fuck anyone who tries to keep a woman quiet about sexual assault.

More: People are outraged by the double-standard for Nate Parker & Casey Affleck

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Once upon a Bachelor night, the ladies were all cozied in their beds, while visions of Nick Viall danced in their heads. When up in Corinne's room, the house awoke to a groan – the Taylor 'tude had sprung to life, and stolen Corinne's phone! She scrolled through the texts, expecting to find inappropriate sexts, when suddenly she let out a yell, "I've got her messages to Raquel!"

More: Bachelor Nation is trying to raise $100,000 to free Corinne's Nanny

More: Corinne's mom refuses to believe her daughter got naked on The Bachelor

OK, OK, obviously Corinne didn't actually sneak her phone in (that we know of), Taylor didn't steal it and we made all this up. But you can still totally see this happening though, right? Life hasn't been easy for Corinne while vying for Viall's heart, and while some are trying to "free" Raquel from Corinne's tyranny, we think she should just make a visit The Bachelor house.

New petition, anyone?

More: The Bachelor's Corinne actually had a point about that Taylor 'tude

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Last week we heard Betsy DeVos, Trump's nominee for Secretary of the Department of Education, suggest that states be allowed to decide whether or not they would abide by laws concerning students with disabilities. Yesterday, The Boston Globe published a story about a disabled 5-year-old girl that shows us just what that would look like.

More: Hillary Clinton's fight for disability rights is a fight for me too

Harper Oates was born with a spinal cord injury that left her a quadriplegic. Though physically disabled, Harper's doctors found that cognitively, she tested one to two years ahead of other children her age. So when it was time for her to start school, her parents, Dawn and Justin Oates, applied to The Park School in Brookline, Massachusetts, an elite private school serving children from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Harper's father went to Park and her 6-year-old twin siblings are currently enrolled there.

Considering her above-average intelligence and her family's relationship with the school, Harper's admission should have been a sure thing. That's why her parents were shocked when she was denied admission because, as the school put it in their letter to the family, "[Harper] would have required additional accommodations that would have fundamentally altered our educational model."

More: Calling my son developmentally delayed pretends that he can "catch up"

That's some BS. Here's why: Harper doesn't need any special accommodations, a fact that her parents emphasized when she applied. She has a full-time aide that would be with her throughout the school day. The school, however, stated in their letter that they decided Harper would also need "occupational and physical therapists as well as speech-language pathologists," changes that they were "not required or equipped to make."

And therein lies the issue. In an interview with The Boston Globe, Stan Eicher, the director of litigation at the Disability Law Center, said that schools can't deny applications just because "the person would require extra staffing or a modification of their rules and policies." The modifications necessary would have to cause "an undue burden or fundamentally alter how they operate." The Park School is claiming that this is the case, but Harper's parents, the family's lawyer and the pediatrician who has seen Harper since she was 10 months old all disagree with the school.

Making accommodations that satisfy the requirements of the ADA, particularly in schools that have never done so before, can be hard. But you know what's harder? Being a disabled child who wants and deserves a quality education but is being told by schools that it would be too much work to accept them. Disabled children have the same right to a good education as every other child in America. That's something that shouldn't have to be said. But given that our possible head of the Department of Education seems to disagree with that premise, we may have to say it more often and more loudly in order to fight for kids like Harper (who was, by the way, subsequently accepted to another private school just a mile away from Park.)

As Harper's mom Dawn said, "I'm not looking for easy... I'm just looking for possible."

More: The best educational websites for kids who won't stop stealing mom's tablet

We know how important a good night's sleep is. Not getting enough sleep is linked to weight gain, fatigue, depression, fertility problems and a greater risk of heart disease and diabetes. But how do we know whether we're actually getting quality shut-eye?

Help is here in the form of new guidelines from the National Sleep Foundation. A panel of experts analyzed 227 scientific studies, and the results, published in the journal Sleep Health, is the Foundation's first ever official list of indicators of sleep quality.

More: Doctors told me I was "too highly educated" to be sick

According to the guidance, the following are signs of poor-quality sleep.

1. Waking up more than once a night.
2. Taking longer than 20 minutes to get back to sleep after waking during the night.
3. Sleeping for less than 85 percent of the time in bed.
4. Taking longer than 30 minutes to fall asleep. (A time lag of 45 to 60 minutes is classed as poor sleep quality.)
5. Napping during the day for more than 100 minutes at a time.

It's a different approach to improving the nation's sleep quality. "In the past, we defined sleep by its negative outcomes including sleep dissatisfaction, which were useful for identifying underlying pathology. Clearly this is not the whole story. With this initiative, we are now on a better course towards defining sleep health," said Dr. Maurice Ohayon, director of the Stanford Sleep Epidemiology Research Center.

More: When picking your skin makes your anxiety visible to everyone

If you recognize one or more of the above in your own sleep habits, you're not alone. The NSF's Sleep Health Index 2014 revealed that as many as 27 percent of people take longer than 30 minutes, on average, to fall asleep at night.

The good news is, there's plenty you can do to improve the quality of your slumber.

1. Keep your sleep environment cool — 18.5 degrees C/65 degrees F is the recommended temperature.
2. Exercise in the morning or afternoon.
3. Restrict daytime naps to 30 minutes.
4. Banish all computers and TVs from your bedroom.
5. Keep hands and feet warm in bed (use an electric blanket and wear socks if necessary.)
6. Stay away from phones and tablets before bed.
7. Don't allow pets on or in the bed.
8. Practice a soothing pre-bed routine — try aromatherapy, stretching, positive thoughts and calming music.
9. Don't rely on "catching up" on sleep over the weekend.

Put these tips into practice and hopefully, you won't have sleepless nights over, um, having sleepless nights.

More: I drank sleep-inducing water to try to cure my insomnia

It's always a good day when a new voice comes out to fight against taboos and for equality by sharing a truth about themselves. Today, it's Belgian model Hanne Gaby Odiele, who has revealed in an exclusive interview with USA Today that she is intersex.

More: First intersex birth certificate has been issued in the U.S.

For those who are unclear about what being "intersex" means, here's how the Intersex Society of North America defines it: "'Intersex' is a general term used for a variety of conditions in which a person is born with a reproductive or sexual anatomy [or chromosomes] that doesn't seem to fit the typical definitions of male or female." In Odiele's case, for example, was born with Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome, which means that she has the XY chromosomes typically found only in men. She was also born with internal, undescended testicles. Approximately 1.7 percent of the population is born intersex, which is, as the article points out, about the same amount of people who are born redheads.

"It is an important part of my life to talk about this... At this point, in this day and age, it should be perfectly alright to talk about this," Odiele told USA Today.

Of particular importance to the model is the issue of surgeries performed on intersex children before they are old enough to understand what it means and what they want. Odiele's parents were told that her internal testes were a cancer risk, and so she had surgery at the age of 10 to have them removed. Many intersex girls will have this surgery as infants. The ISNA argues that since "testicular cancer is rare before puberty," girls should be allowed to make this decision for themselves later in life.

More: 6 body image issues I don't want my daughter to inherit from her beauty queen grandmother

That surgery was difficult for Odiele, as was the second operation she had at 18 to reconstruct her vagina. "It's not that big of a deal being intersex," she said, "If they were just honest from the beginning... It became a trauma because of what they did... I am proud to be intersex, but very angry that these surgeries are still happening."

When a child is born with a difference, the instinct of many parents is to "fix" it so that their child will not have to bear the pain of being different. I was born with a physical disability, and my mother also received suggestions from doctors for surgeries that might make me more "normal." Thankfully, she said no to them all. To know that you were operated on with your parent's consent in order to change you must be a painful feeling, especially when the reason is cosmetic or unnecessary. We all want to feel that we have always been loved unconditionally. Our bodies are our most precious and personal possessions, and it can feel like a violation to have it altered — even if it was thought to be in our best interest — without our full consent.

Odiele and other intersex advocates hope that her story will help raise awareness about what it means to be intersex and make parents think differently about agreeing to unneeded and potentially emotionally scarring surgeries for their intersex children.

More: Talking to your kids about their sexuality

Vaginal itching is enough to drive anyone insane; you’re irritated in a place you can’t (and to keep things clean shouldn’t really) scratch. If you find yourself with a bothersome feeling down south, you might be suffering from one of several common and easily treatable conditions.

Vaginal yeast infections

Vaginal yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of candida, a bacterial fungus that also commonly affects the skin and mouth. According to Women’s Health, roughly 75 percent of women are affected by yeast infections (also called candidiasis) at least once, suffering from symptoms like burning around the vulva, severe itching of and around the vagina and an abnormally thick, cheesy white discharge.

More: 6 causes of vaginal odor — because yes, it happens to all of us

Women who have yeast infections may also experience pain during sexual intercourse, redness around the vulva and painful urination. Typically, your vagina is able to regulate its own bacteria and pH levels. If things get off-kilter, your vagina may become the breeding ground for too much yeast.

The Mayo Clinic explains that “broad-spectrum antibiotics, which kill a range of bacteria, also kill healthy bacteria in your vagina,” which is why doctors often recommend women taking antibiotics begin taking a probiotic or eating probiotic-rich foods like yogurt and kefir. Though yeast can grow at any time, wearing a wet bathing suit or sweaty leotard for too long, wearing dirty underwear, sleeping in underwear and having sex with someone with a yeast infection are all potential causes.

If you think you might have a yeast infection, you should make an appointment to see a doctor or nurse, who will perform a painless culture and send in the sample for testing. If you do have an infection, you’ll likely be prescribed a one- or two-dose pill to knock it out, and your symptoms should clear up within a day or so. To prevent future yeast infections, it’s important to keep your vagina clean and dry, wear cotton underwear, sleep underwear-free and take supplements or probiotics to promote healthy self-cleaning.

Bacterial vaginosis

Another common cause for itchiness is bacterial vaginosis, a condition similar to candidiasis. Research conducted by the CDC found that bacterial vaginosis is more likely to affect women who are sexually active, though it isn’t technically sexually transmitted. The direct causes of BV are unknown, but the bacteria cannot be passed through surfaces like toilets or through hot tubs or swimming pools.

According to Dr. Beverly Whipple in an article for Everyday Health, women who douche often disrupt the vagina’s self-cleaning processes and “flush out the normal bacteria” necessary to prevent infections. Typically, bacterial vaginosis and the uncomfortable symptoms that accompany it subside on their own within a couple of days. In cases when the infection is more severe, recovery may take longer and require treatment.

More: 8 things your vagina is telling you

To diagnose BV, a doctor will perform a standard vaginal exam followed by either a wet mount, whiff test or pH exam. None of the tests are invasive or painful — a wet mount test requires a discharge swab, which is then mixed with saline and examined, and a whiff test, according to WebMD, is performed by combining “potassium hydroxide [and a] sample of vaginal discharge to find out whether a strong fishy odor is produced.” If the infection is severe enough, a doctor will prescribe antibiotics to speed the healing process along.

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis, also known as trich, is an easily treated STI that affects over 3.5 million Americans. Planned Parenthood explains trich as an often symptomless infection “caused by protozoan — a microscopic, one-cell animal.” Women with trich often notice a foamy-looking discharge, bad vaginal odor and swelling, in addition to itchiness.

Spread most commonly through sexual contact, trich is easy to diagnose and to treat. As with many other vaginal infections, if you think you might have trich, you should see a doctor who will perform a vaginal exam and a swab to test for infection. Trich can be prevented by using condoms and exercising caution with sexual partners and is most frequently treated with antivirals.

Cervicitis

Cervicitis, or cervical inflammation, can often cause itchiness in addition to yellow or bloody discharge and pelvic pain. According to the Merck Manual, cervicitis is often caused by other infections, including chlamydia, gonorrhea and herpes, though it can also be the result of cervical injuries that sometimes occur after tampon use or medical procedures.

Cervical inflammation often causes discharge that looks and feels like pus and is frequently characterized by vaginal bleeding. If a doctor thinks you might be suffering from cervicitis, they’ll perform a full pelvic exam and then perform a cervical swab to test. If there’s reason to think you might have another cervical condition, your doctor may follow up by performing a Pap smear or a colposcopy to look more closely at the cervix and surrounding areas.

Antibiotics and antiviral medications are typically the quickest way to heal from cervicitis, as they’re likely to treat the STI that may be the underlying cause. If left untreated, cervicitis can increase a woman’s likelihood of developing pelvic inflammatory disease or other more serious pelvic problems, so seeking medical attention quickly is advised.

More: 8 things you should probably know about your vagina

Vaginal itching can be caused by a wide variety of infections — both sexually transmitted and otherwise — and, ultimately, you should seek medical attention if you’re bothered for more than a few days. Whether you’re sexually active or not, you may have an infection that requires treatment before it can clear up and you can be comfortable again.

By Emma Miller

Originally published on HelloFlo.

OMG. You guys. You need to sit down: A teen just had a baby.

OK, so it's Jenelle Evans of 16 and Pregnant and Teen Mom 2 notoriety, which maybe makes for better news than if it were, you know, your next-door neighbor, the sweet Goth teen who promised to teach you how to apply liquid eyeliner.

Evans surprised fans today on Instagram with a family photo taken shortly after the birth of daughter Ensley. The caption? "She has arrived," Evans wrote of the photo of Ensley, her and Ensley's dad, David Eason (also of Teen Mom 2, doncha know).

More: We can't believe Jenelle Evan's pregnancy news came out like this

Evans also took to Twitter immediately after Ensley's birth to post: "Let the collection of baby girl bows begin! she's so precious and beautiful. I'm so in love with her already! Happy and healthy!"

Jenelle, darling, we command you: FOR THE LOVE OF GOD PUT DOWN YOUR PHONE AND TAKE A NAP AND STOP RAVING ABOUT BABY BOWS.

More: Jenelle Evans confirms pregnancy, announces baby name

Together Evans and Eason can easily fill a Suburban: Eason already has one daughter, Maryssa, and a son, Kaden. And Evans has two sons, Jace (with ex Andrew Lewis) and Kaiser (with ex Nathan Griffith). Whew. Good thing Evans and Eason are young and spry, the spring chickens. We're putting on another pot of coffee just thinking about this posse.

More: Jenelle Evans' custody battle takes an unexpected turn

Baby Ensley will have every minute of her newborn days documented on the current season of Teen Mom 2. We can't imagine all the weird lighting guys wandering around will help her parents get much rest, but hey, maybe we're all just jealous we didn't have a camera crew on cute baby video duty 24/7.

For most of us, being on our period is no joke — and we've all gone to great lengths to figure out how to relieve cramps. The pain is very real, and can even cause us to miss out on school or work. While it seems like a hopeless situation that we're doomed to live with, there are actually some healthy ways to get rid of heinous cramps that don't include popping a pill.

More: How I cured my menstrual cramps using weed — without getting high

Next time you're in agony give these a try.

1. Eat right

Yes, when you're PMSing hardcore, all you want to do is reach for potato chips and sweets, but that will only makes things worse.

Eating the right foods, such as those heavy in fiber, can make all the difference. The Mayo Clinic reports that a number of studies have indicated that vitamin E (found in sunflower seeds, almonds and spinach), omega-3 fatty acids (load up on salmon), vitamin B1/thiamine (try green peas, asparagus, and Brussels sprouts), vitamin B6 and magnesium supplements may help to significantly reduce cramps.

If you're really jonesin' for chocolate, just make sure it's over 70 percent cocoa. Studies have shown that dark chocolate can actually help relax muscles.

And don't just start eating right when your period starts. If you know you're due for that time of the month, get ahead of the game and get feel-good nutrients into your body beforehand.

2. Heating pads

According to the Mayo Clinic, heat can be just as effective as popping over-the-counter painkillers when it comes to nipping cramps in the bud. Soak in the tub or place a hot water bottle on your lower abdomen to ease pain.

Most drugstores carry heating pads that are easily placed on the skin and fit under clothes — which are a lifesaver when you just can't miss work no matter how bad your cramps are. ThermaCare has heat wraps specially designed for menstrual cramps, and they retail for around $6 for a pack of three.

Try laying on the floor on your back with your legs up on a wall perpendicular to your body while you have the heating pad on. Trust me, it works.

3. Say buh-bye to caffeine

Coffee might be lifeblood on a normal day, but caffeine can actually enhance your cramps. Not only that, caffeine ups tension and anxiety, which is already higher than normal while you are on your period. Not good.

4. Get movin'

It's probably the last thing you want to do when you are in excruciating pain, but exercise releases beta-endorphins — chemicals in the brain that boost mood, help relieve pain and relax muscles. They're pretty much the body's natural painkillers according to Kotex.

And we're not talking about running a marathon, here. A brisk walk, a bike ride or some light yoga are all helpful in releasing endorphins.

5. Try essential oils

Not only do essential oils smell amazing, but they're also wicked painkillers too.

A triple-blind study published in the Caspian Journal of Internal Medicine found that ingesting thyme oil worked better for reducing cramps than ibuprofen. The researchers explained that thyme was so effective because of its analgesic and antispasmodic effects. As an added bonus, it also has fewer side effects than traditional over-the-counter painkillers.

Want to give it a try? The study used 25 drops of essential thyme oil diluted to only 2 percent, meaning it was diluted with another oil. It also should be noted that just because something is natural doesn't mean that there are no side effects. As always, be careful and ask your doctor if you feel off.

Essential oils can also be applied topically to help bring relief, says holistic health coach Lauren Birgitta.

"My favorite is doTERRA's Serenity scent blended from lavender, sweet marjoram, Roman chamomile, ylang-ylang, Hawaiian sandalwood and vanilla bean," Birgitta said. She suggests applying the oil with a spoon of coconut oil across the belly or lower back.

More: Miracle device zaps period cramps away — literally

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Originally published August 2011. Updated January 2017.

If I had a dollar for every time I sat down with my morning coffee, clicked on a headline and said to myself (out loud, no less), "What the fuck, Scientologists," I wouldn't need a job that pays me to write about Scientologists anymore.

More: Scientology's attempt to destroy Leah Remini is comical, but it won't work

In today's "What the fuck, Scientologists" news, a precinct in Los Angeles went red in November's presidential election for the first time in the better part of two decades, and it's apparently because L. Ron Hubbard's loyal followers are all about Donald Trump. Of LA's 1,700 precincts, this one was one of only seven that voted Republican, and it's also home to Scientology's "Big Blue" complex. According to the Los Angeles Times, around 1,100 registered voters live in that precinct, and half of them live on property owned by the Church of Scientology.

What do the Scientologists even want with Trump, though? Is it because he's a celebrity and so they consider him sort of like one of them? Or maybe because Scientologists just love them some conspiracy theories, and they know Trump is going to provide fuel for those in spades for as long as he remains in office? Who even knows. TBH, I can't figure out why any thinking person would vote for Trump or join Scientology so there's a theme here.

Oh, and just for the record, the Church wants everyone to know that it definitely, without question, did not make its members vote for Trump.

"The Church remained neutral in the presidential election as we always do," a church spokeswoman said in an email to the Times. " We support this country’s electoral process and America’s representative form of government, and respect the right of parishioners, our staff and clergy to vote for the candidate of choice."

Riiiiight.

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

There are some celebrities we can count on to fight the good fight, and Ewan McGregor is one of them. The actor — who reprised his role as Mark Renton in the new release T2 Trainspotting — was due to appear on U.K. morning news show Good Morning Britain until he realized Piers Morgan was one of the hosts.

More: Why it is significant that the Sister Wives were at the Women's March

McGregor was completely transparent about his reasons for swerving the loudmouthed TV personality, tweeting, "Was going on Good Morning Britain, didn't realise @piersmorgan was host. Won't go on with him after his comments about #WomensMarch."

True to form, Morgan had delivered a scathing account of Madonna's anti-Trump speech during the Women's March protest. The star told a crowd of more than half a million that she had "thought an awful lot about blowing up the White House" — a comment that prompted Morgan to label her a "bitter, cynical Vinegar Girl."

More: We can rest assured, Madonna doesn't actually want to bomb the White House

Many people will agree with Morgan that Madonna's comment was uncalled for and didn't further the cause, which saw millions of women, men and children all over the world come out in peaceful protest against President Trump. But his takedown wasn't restricted to Madonna. He helpfully gave his readers his personal definition of feminism: "striving to be so good at what you do that your gender is irrelevant, then making sure you are rewarded in the same way as a man."

Hmm. So after centuries of gender inequality, Morgan has decided that women simply aren't as good at what they do as men. This comes from a man who assures us that, despite everything he says and writes on the subject, he is a feminist.

Some people have expressed disappointment that McGregor didn't take the chance to call Morgan out on his comments, but really, what's the point when you're dealing with someone who calls women "feminazis" and tweets stuff like this?

More: The 2017 Oscar nominees are less white, but there's still a long way to go

In a move that surprised no one, Jill Duggar led a protest against Planned Parenthood exactly one day after millions of women marched on all seven continents for, among other things, protecting access to reproductive health.

More: Pregnant Jill Duggar booze-shamed for Valentine's Day photo (PHOTO)

What is also not surprising is the level of trolling happening on the Instagram post Duggar made to call for volunteers for her protest.

"Join us today at 2:30 for the March for Life and/or at 3:30 at the support for life rally!" she wrote. And instead of joining in her protest like they were invited to, other Instagrammers started dropping hilariously sick burns in the comments.

Warning: These responses are riddled with typos.

"I think u just wanted attention @jillmdillard," one person wrote. "Well.You.got it...You harass women not empower them and then you don't a an intelligent response for anyone on here..Let alone a response."

Another added, "For a family that preaches love this is an incredibly hateful thing to take part in. Who are you to judge another woman for her choices? You have no idea what they are going through, nor is it any of your business. I hope you educate yourself. I'm thankful to be Canadian, here we don't have to deal with this needless harassment while obtaining birth control like a responsible woman," and then ended the comment, "There's more to life than just endlessly procreating, it's too bad you'll never know that for yourself."

Oof. I ain't no Duggar fan, and even I wouldn't be that harsh.

Meanwhile, while Duggar was getting relentlessly bashed for protesting Planned Parenthood, Halsey was writing the organization a fat check.

The singer tweeted that for every retweet she got, she would donate a dollar to Planned Parenthood up to $100,000. It only took a few hours for the tweet to surpass 100,000 retweets.

The internet has clearly taken a side here, and sorry, Jill, but it ain't yours.

More: Singer Halsey shares her struggle with endometriosis on Twitter

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

My husband used to accuse me of not knowing how to have fun. And he was right, sort of, in the sense that his ways of having fun and mine were (and are) very different. Now, as I stumble toward the age when the only fun consists of waving my cane at children and telling them to stay off my lawn, I have begun to rethink the whole concept of fun.

And I think fun is overrated. Or at least what is passed off as fun in popular culture.

Brushing your teeth is brushing your teeth. There's nothing inherently fun about it. It's just necessary, boring, and repetitive. But apparently we think that if we put Star Wars characters on the toothbrush handles, toothbrushing becomes FUN (how, I don't know) and kids "may be brushing longer," a claim that is never backed up by statistics.

Fun flavors like bubble gum also seem to be preferable to good old mint. I enjoy the flavor of mint, but I don't think it's fun. And I suspect that associating the act of brushing one's teeth with the flavor of bubble gum is counterproductive. Just sayin'.

More: I'm totally fine with my child being average

I know, I know. These are tricks of the advertising trade. FUN equals more sales, If ordinary activities are lifted above the ordinary, they will have more appeal to consumers. This is especially true of children who influence purchase decision-making — which is basically all of them. And fun is apparently the only value that kids value. What other satisfactions are there? Except companionship, warmth, friendship, accomplishment, health, adventure, and satisfaction itself, I mean. But all of those have more than three letters.

But FUN rules not just in advertising. Education is another field rife with fun. Multiplication tables aren't much fun by themselves, so let's add clowns and elephants. Then students can put their final reports into their Ninja Turtle backpacks and take them home.

More: When is it OK to let your kids quit an activity?

I'm not advocating going back to the days of skill, drill, and kill, but I am of the opinion that genuinely engaging activities such as project-based learning will teach students skills in a manner that is genuinely satisfying, memorable, and indeed fun, without the need for stickers, banners, and class parties.

Preparing students, young adults, and even older adults for constant FUN is unrealistic. Taking out the trash isn't fun. Polishing the floors isn't fun (unless you've got a Roomba and a cat). Creating spreadsheets isn't fun. Taking out an appendix isn't fun (I assume).

Much of adult life and work will turn out to be not-fun. For those of us who don't care to wear bright yellow, and sing and dance while taking our vitamins. For us, it's just a gulp, a swallow, and gone.

More: I'm using baby dolls to teach my daughter about racial bias

Can you even imagine being Kellyanne Conway right now? I like to think that Conway took a job with Donald Trump's campaign thinking, like so many of us did, there was no way in hell he'd win the presidency. She figured she'd make good money for a few months, talk shit TV, do some damage control whenever he opened his mouth (or his Twitter app) and when Nov. 9 rolled around, take a long vacation somewhere with palm trees and little drink umbrellas.

More: Kellyanne Conway suggests that moms shouldn’t work in the White House

I like to think she was so shocked when Trump won, that she said yes to a job in his administration without really realizing what she was doing. And now, the poor woman is in so far over her head, she can't escape this nightmare that she's inadvertently made into her own reality.

Under that much pressure, it's no wonder she finally snapped.

According to an anonymous attendee of Trump's inauguration ball, Conway full-on punched someone in the face in the middle of the event. And she didn't even just clock him once. Nope, not twice either. Three times.

The guy who got punched was in an argument with another guy at the ball when Conway "apparently punched one of them in the face with closed fists at least three times," the onlooker told New York Daily News. No word on why she only punched one of them, or who he was, or really any details other than that Conway finally got to blow off a little steam after months of needing it.

Fox News reporter Chris Gasparino confirmed that Conway took out her months of suppressed rage on the guy.

"Inside the ball we see a fight between two guys in tuxes and then suddenly out of nowhere came Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway who began throwing some mean punches at one of the guys," he wrote in a Facebook post. "Whole thing lasted a few mins no one was hurt except maybe the dude she smacked. … Now I know why Trump hired her."

More: Samantha Bee is spot on with her Kellyanne Conway and Cersei Lannister comparison

Then again, maybe she's actually on Team Trump and that is why he hired her. I'm going to go ahead and stick with my #alternativefacts though.

Paris Jackson believes her father, Michael Jackson — maybe you’ve heard of him — was murdered. And she doesn’t beat around the bush about it, either. "Absolutely," she told Rolling Stone in a new interview. "Because it's obvious. All arrows point to that. It sounds like a total conspiracy theory and it sounds like bullshit, but all real fans and everybody in the family knows it. It was a setup. It was bullshit."

Wow. Though Michael’s doctor, Conrad Murray, was convicted of involuntary manslaughter — not technically murder — after Michael’s death at the age of 50, Paris thinks her dad’s untimely passing was premeditated. Murray’s conviction was based on the fact that Michael was addicted to the anesthetic drug propofol, which Murray was held responsible for since he was the one writing out the prescriptions.

More: Paris Jackson's 18 years old and can do whatever she wants with her body

What’s more, Michael had apparently been vocal about his fears about being murdered. "He would drop hints about people being out to get him," Paris said. "And at some point he was like, 'They're gonna kill me one day.'" Paris is only 18 right now, which means that she was 11 when her father passed away; we won’t unpack how inappropriate it is for a full-grown adult to tell a 11-year-old about his worries in regard to being murdered, but suffice it to say that the phenomenon could be filed under bad parenting practices.

Paris added that “a lot of people” wanted Jackson dead — and that she wants her father’s death avenged. “Of course,” she said, her “eyes glowing,” according to the RS interview. "I definitely do, but it's a chess game. And I am trying to play the chess game the right way. And that's all I can say about that right now." Well, then.

More: Paris Jackson's trip to Neverland Ranch has created quite a buzz

All of that said, Paris has nothing but good things to say about her father and his parenting — which has been the case ever since she spoke publicly about his death shortly after it happened. As RS pointed out, at his televised memorial service on July 7, 2009 — 12 days after Jackson’s death — Paris stepped out of the private eye and up to a microphone. "Ever since I was born," she said, "Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine, and I just wanted to say I love him so much."

For much, much more about Paris Jackson and the Jackson family, head over to Rolling Stone.

More: Paris Jackson's coming out of her shell and onto a TV screen (maybe)

What is it with kids and slime? Since the dawn of time (OK, maybe just the dawn of Nickelodeon), kids have been obsessed with the goopy grossness.

We really shouldn't complain, however, because slime is an excellent way to spark imagination — and it has the magical ability to keep children occupied for hours on end. Instead of getting the store-bought stuff, set up shop in the backyard (or put down a tarp inside), gather a few ingredients, and let the slimy fun commence.

1. Borax-based slime

Found at your favorite craft store or the laundry detergent aisle of your grocery store, Borax powder not only helps you make your own Nickelodeon slime for your kids, but offers a fun way to sneak in some science lessons too!

What you'll need:

• white glue
• 2 5-ounce paper cups
• food coloring (optional)
• water
• Borax powder
• popsicle stick
• measuring spoons

What you'll do:

1. Fill 1 paper cup with water and add one tablespoon of Borax powder and mix well. Set aside.
2. Take the other paper cup and add glue until the cup is filled about an inch high.
3. Add 3 tablespoons of water to the glue and stir.
4. Add food coloring to the glue concoction in the hue of your choice and mix.
5. Take your Borax solution and add 1 tablespoon of the liquid to your glue mixture and combine well. In less than a minute your slime will be oozing with Nickelodeon-style fun for your fingers!

More: 18 freebies little kids can earn just for going to school

2. Glowing PVA-based slime

Make your own Nickelodeon slime glow with a secret ingredient that will surprise your youngster when the lights go down!

What you'll need:

• polyvinyl alcohol
• water
• disposable cups
• glow-in-the-dark paint
• Borax powder
• zip-close sandwich bag
• measuring cup
• measuring spoons

What you'll do:

1. Mix 3/4 teaspoon of polyvinyl alcohol and 1/2 cup of water in a disposable cup to create a PVA solution; set aside.
2. Add 2 tablespoons of PVA solution to a sandwich bag and mix in 1/8 teaspoon of glow paint. Zip closed and squish around to combine well.
3. In a separate bag, combine 3/4 teaspoon of Borax powder with 1/2 cup of warm water, zip closed and mix by squishing until the powder won't dissolve any further.
4. In a new sandwich bag, combine two tablespoons of PVA solution with 2 teaspoons of Borax solution, zip closed and knead with fingers to combine.
5. To make your goo glow, hold the bag up to the light, let it charge up and when the lights go off you'll watch your DIY slime light up the night!

Next Up: Moldable slime

Originally published March 2013. Updated January 2017.

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3. Moldable slime

Similar to Nickelodeon's Floam, this shapeable DIY slime is the perfect way for your kids to get their slime on while crafting a Nickelodeon award or any creation!

What you'll need:

• disposable cups
• water
• Borax powder
• white glue
• food coloring (optional)
• 1 cup polystyrene beads (or Styrofoam block and a cheese grater)
• zip-close gallon bags
• measuring spoons

What you'll do:

1. Combine 1/4 cup white glue and 1/4 cup water in a cup.
2. Add a few drops of food coloring into the glue mixture and stir. Set aside.
3. In a separate cup, mix 2 teaspoons of Borax powder with 1/2 cup of water. Set aside.
4. In the plastic bag, pour the glue solution and polystyrene beads, and 3 tablespoons of the Borax solution, zip closed and squish to combine thoroughly.
5. Now that your formable slime is ready to play, you can let your creations air dry for a keepsake or return to an airtight bag and store in the refrigerator for next time!

4. Cornstarch-based slime

One of the easiest ways to make your own Nickelodeon slime at home, this DIY slime recipe uses materials you probably have in your cupboard. Make this recipe for slime and you can host your own Nickelodeon awards at home — slime and all!

What you'll need:

• water
• cornstarch
• bowl
• food coloring
• measuring spoons

What you'll do:

1. In a bowl, combine 1 cup of water with 1 cup of cornstarch and mix with fingers until you reach a slimy, smooth consistency.
2. Add in a few drops of food coloring and your DIY slime is ready for fun!

Moscow mules are a perfect year-round cocktail. They're refreshing enough to sip on when it's hot out, but also substantial enough to keep you warm while you're trying to survive the last couple freezing winter months. Plus, you get to serve them in rosy-copper mugs that are so gorgeous it's impossible not to be in a good mood when you drink one.

We've got the step-by-step guide on how to make a traditional Moscow mule, as well as 7 more not-so-traditional variations. Because who hasn't had a hankering for a Moscow mule Jello shot, right?

1. Moscow mule

The trick to making a great Moscow mule is using ginger beer, not ginger ale, which is much sweeter and lacks the spicy ginger kick of ginger beer.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• 2 ounces vodka
• 4-6 ounces ginger beer
• Plenty of ice

Directions:

1. Mix all the ingredients together, pour over ice and serve in a copper mug if possible.

2. Skinny mule

This is the slender, aromatic sister to the original. Omitting the ginger beer cuts out the sugar, and adding fresh ginger provides flavor as well as a host of health benefits.

Ingredients:

• 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• Lime wedges
• 2 ounces vodka
• 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
• Soda water
• Ice

Directions:

1. Peel and grate the fresh ginger. Muddle with the lime juice and 1-3 wedges of lime.
2. Stir in the vodka and serve over ice.
3. Top off with sparkling water. Garnish with lime.

Adding fresh berries boosts the existing flavors and creates a beautiful color. I like to cut back on the ginger beer to allow the berries to really shine through.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• Fresh berries (about 4-6 per drink)
• 2 ounces vodka
• 3 ounces ginger beer
• Soda water
• Ice

Directions:

1. Muddle the berries with the lime juice. (I used blackberries and raspberries, but I've also made this with strawberries and blueberries; just use whatever you've got on hand or whichever fruits seem the ripest.) The berries should break down quickly as you muddle them creating a syrup-like texture.
2. Add the ginger beer and vodka.
3. Pour over ice and top off with sparkling water.

4. Spicy mule

I used about 3-4 slices of jalapeño per cocktail, but I'm a wimp when it comes to spicy food so feel free to adjust the heat level to your liking.

Ingredients:

• Jalapeño pepper (1 makes about 6 drinks)
• 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• 4 ounces ginger beer
• 1/2 ounce orange liqueur (such as Grand Marnier or Cointreau)
• 2 ounces vodka
• Ice

Directions:

1. Thinly slice the jalapeno and muddle a few slices with the lime juice and orange liqueur.
2. Stir in the vodka and ginger beer. Serve over ice.

5. Long Island mule

Inspired by the Long Island iced tea, this mule packs a punch. It is definitely strong, but it's surprisingly light and delicious.

Ingredients:

Directions:

6. Lavender mule

This drink is sophisticated and whimsical at the same time. I love the combination of lavender, lemon and elderflower; it's floral, fragrant and delightful! Remember to use culinary lavender or you'll wind up with something that tastes more like soap than food. You can find lavender syrup in some specialty markets, but making your own is really easy.

Ingredients:

• 1 ounce lemon juice
• 2 ounces vodka
• 1 ounce elderflower syrup
• 2 ounces ginger beer
• Lavender syrup
• Lavender ice cubes (optional)

For the lavender syrup

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons dried culinary lavender

Directions:

For the lavender syrup

1. Combine the sugar and dried food-grade lavender in a heat-proof bowl.
2. Pour boiling water over the sugar and lavender, and stir for a few seconds until the sugar is dissolved. Let the lavender steep for 10-15 minutes.
3. Strain the lavender out and let the syrup come to room temperature, then refrigerate.

For the lavender ice cubes

For the cocktail

1. Combine all the ingredients, stir and serve over lavender ice cubes.

7. Citrus mule

The combination of juices creates a tart and refreshing drink; feel free to switch in other types of citrus like blood oranges, clementines or Meyer lemons depending on the season.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
• 1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice
• 1 ounce fresh grapefruit juice
• 1 ounce orange liqueur (such as Grand Marnier or Triple Sec)
• 2 ounces ginger beer
• 2 ounces vodka
• Ice
• Mint for garnish

Directions:

1. Stir together all the ingredients, serve over ice and garnish with grapefruit and mint.

8. Moscow mule Jello shots

Here's one more way of enjoying Moscow mules: a grown up "Jello shot." I made these for a party six months ago and I'm still getting requests for them. Get the recipe here.

More: 10 Super-easy beer cocktails with 5 ingredients or less

Before you go, check out our slideshow below.

Originally published May 2015. Updated January 2017.

A Rolling Stone article about Mike Pence confirmed what we already knew about our new vice president:

Where his heart should be there’s just a pile of old teeth

His soul is a washtub full of garter snakes

He’s a reincarnated possum

… He’s not a good guy.

On top of everything we know about him — his virulent anti-LGBTQ stance, his aversion to women’s rights — we learn that he was a horrible, very bad, no-good governor. You should read the article to appreciate fully how terrible Mike Pence is: how he used campaign funds to pay his mortgage; how he defied the Constitution to turn away refugees; how he “dragged his feet” during an HIV outbreak as well as a lead-poisoning crisis.

Among his many deadly sins, however, is one that I feel called to address posthaste: 

Mike Pence calls his wife “Mother.” 

No. NO. This will not stand.

From the article: 

While Mike Pence was governor, his relationship with the Democratic minority in the legislature was crap. Someone on his staff suggested having the Democratic leaders over to the governor's mansion for dinner. The table was set for 20, but there were only around seven in attendance. One unlucky legislator stuck next to Pence tried to make conversation, but found even at dinner she couldn't shift Pence off his talking points. Gov. Pence shouted to his wife, Karen, his closest adviser, at the other end of the table.

"Mother, Mother, who prepared our meal this evening?"

The legislators looked at one another, speaking with their eyes: He just called his wife "Mother."

Maybe it was a joke, the legislator reasoned. But a few minutes later, Pence shouted again.

"Mother, Mother, whose china are we eating on?"

Mother Pence went on a long discourse about where the china was from. A little later, the legislators stumbled out, wondering what was weirder: Pence's inability to make conversation, or calling his wife "Mother" in the second decade of the 21st century.

Listen. Here are the rules: You can only call your wife "Mother" if you’re a 19th century potato farmer. Yes, only potatoes. I don’t make these rules, folks. So unless you are a ghost from Idaho, you have no business calling the woman you’ve dedicated your life to, the one you bang on the regular (I hope), “Mother.” 

(If you have a husband and you’re calling him “Father,” I have one question for you: Do you need help? Mouth the word “cinnamon” if he’s holding you against your will.) 

More: Mike Pence scares the bejesus out of women and he should

I'm pretty judgmental, so it's not hard for me to find all kinds of terms of endearment offensive. If my husband called me "Mama," I would divorce him immediately with zero explanation. Fortunately, he knows this about me, and this is what keeps us together. As for me, I have pledged for all eternity that I would never call my beloved or refer to him as any of the following: Hubby, Hubs, the Hubster or that most loathsome of terms, DH.

In other words, sure, maybe I'm extra-picky. But you have to admit that "Mother," especially from someone who seems to have so little respect for, oh, mothers, is more than weird: It's downright chilling.

More: Politicians are using kids like my son to ban abortion