Take control of birth control

Muscle & Fitness/Hers, Sept-Oct, 2003

If you're unsure which contraceptive method best suits your needs and your body, check out the Association of Reproductive Health Professionals' website at www.arhp.org. Click on "choosing a birth control method" to answer a series of questions regarding your lifestyle and medical history. Use the resulting list of options as a tool to open a discussion with your health-care professional, who can help you make the best choice.

Women who restrict food have higher urinary cortisol--a biological marker for stress. Researchers note that those on stricter weight-loss programs also had more fluctuations in bodyweight.

Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition