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Sometimes I will be sitting on my couch and sipping tea just thinking. Here is what is on my mind.

1. Sexually transmitted diseases are on the rise. Some have even called the rise an epidemic.  You cannot look at someone and know whether they have a sexually transmitted disease. You might not have symptoms.  Before entering into a new relationship, get tested for the common sexually transmitted diseases. These include chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, syphilis, HIV, hepatitis B, and hepatitis C. You might consider getting a blood test for herpes. Testing for sexually transmitted diseases is one way to stop the rise. The other way is to use condoms.  Usually, your health care provider is supposed to check you if you are 24 years or younger. If you are older, the testing is not automatic especially if you do not have symptoms. If you want to be checked, then ask. Everyone who is sexually active is at risk for contracting a sexually transmitted disease regardless of marital status.

• If you are having sex and not interested in getting pregnant, then you must use birth control. Abortion is not birth control and soon the way things are going, it will not be an option. Unprotected sex will eventually lead to pregnancy. There are so many options available. One size does not fit all. You will need to discuss this with your health care provider. We have birth control with and without hormones. With the Affordable Care Act, all insurance companies are covering birth control. Condom is birth control. Just remember, if there is a condom accident, there is emergency contraception – Plan B. You do not need a prescription; however, it may be cheaper with a prescription.

• Get your Vitamin D level checked. There is so much research that needs to be done when it comes to uterine fibroids; however, there is a correlation between low vitamin D and an increased risk of uterine fibroids. Even if you have been diagnosed with uterine fibroids, it is still important to make sure that your Vitamin D level is normal.