I participated in an Influencer Activation on behalf of Influence Central for Depend. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for my participation.

 

As females, we often don’t like talking about certain personal health topics. I admit there are a lot of topics that I don’t feel comfortable openly talking about. However, I’m learning that opening up to friends about some of my issues is helping me see that I am not alone. The latest topic is bladder leakage! I am currently 35 and for the last few months, I have noticed that I sometimes leak! I admit I was mortified the first few times. I didn’t want anyone to know let alone talk to anyone about it! So, I started doing what I do best, which was research! I found many females my age experiencing the same issue! The truth is there are many common causes of bladder leakage in women, including pregnancy, childbirth, and even diabetes. But did you know that bladder leakage is actually more common than you think? In fact, 1 in 4 Americans between the ages of 20-85 experiences bladder leakage.

I admit I really thought only older people had this issue so it was a big eye opener. My mom has been dealing with this issue for the last couple of years now. It got so bad that she now has to wear daily protection. This was very hard for her to deal with emotionally. She hated the super bulky adult diapers and underwear that she currently was buying. She felt that she was too young to wear those and well the pads weren’t protecting her like she needed. So, when I had seen the Depend Silhouette Briefs for Women, I picked her up a box, and she loved them. She hasn’t used another brand since. They look and feel like real underwear which fits smother under her clothes so nobody can tell she has them on. However, personally, I don’t think that my own bladder issue is enough to even use those.

So, when I heard about the brand new Depend Silhouette Active Fit Briefs, I felt that they might be what I am looking for. This new moderate-absorbency brief feature a thin design for complete comfort and the trusted protection of Depend. They have a lower rise and come in black or beige for a more stylishly look.

When the package arrived, I was actually impressed with how thin and stylish they were! The fact that they provide discreet bladder protection without sacrificing comfort, and style were a big plus!

These are perfect for the active busy lifestyle many women like myself have. I admit I don’t have to wear them often but when I know I will be out all day I am going to wear them for sure! I also gave a couple of pairs to my mom and she loved them! She already went out and bought her own pack. She prefers to wear them when she is going out on short shopping trips or doctor appointments.

So, ladies know that if you are dealing with bladder leakage, at any age you ARE NOT ALONE!

 Join the movement:

The Depend brand is entering two years of Underwareness, This is a social movement and charitable cause to break down the stigma around bladder leakage.

Depend is encouraging everyone to show their support for women with bladder leakage. For every photo or video shared on social media using the hashtag #Underwareness, Depend brand will donate $1, up to $3 million, through 2016 to help fund charities that advance the research and education of bladder leakage.

Try them today:

Join the movement and request your free sample of Depend Silhouette Active Fit at www.underwareness.com *while supplies last*

Money Saving coupons:

Save with Depend Coupons & special offers by clicking here.

Stay connected:

For all the latest news and updates be sure to follow Depends on these social networks. Facebook | Twitter| YouTube | Instagram

 

 

This post was sponsored by GOJO Industries, the makers of PURELL® Advanced Hand Sanitizer. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience. 

 

Recently, I shared with you that our family is taking the 30-day PURELL Challenge. I am happy to share that the challenge is going far better than I thought it would! My kids have really impressed me over the last couple of weeks. As I shared with you in my last post, I have challenged my family to use PURELL products at least three times per day. To make the process easier for the kids, I have attached the take along the 1-oz. bottle with carrier on each of their backpacks for easy access. The kids love them and have even started encouraging their friends to use it! I have also found myself using hand sanitizer more during this challenge! I usually tend to use it on the go, but now I reach for it at home more. I have bottles set out all through the house for easy access.

Last week, a bunch of my daughter’s classmates seemed to be passing around a 24-48-hour bug that led to many of the kids missing a couple of days of school. I have to admit that I was worried Jada would be next since she usually gets sick every single year around this time! I am happy to report that she has not shown any signs of illness. However, I still make sure that I reminded her each morning to use her Purell throughout the day. I love the fact that PURELL products can help reduce the spread of illness-causing germs. After I heard about some of her classmates getting sick, I sent in two big bottles of PURELL Hand Sanitizer and two canisters of the wipes for the teacher to use in the classroom. I also sent an email encouraging her to get the whole class involved! That’s right there is a challenge for classrooms also! So, if you are a teacher be sure to check out PURELL 30-day classroom challenge kit!! It even has writing, and math prompts to help students understand the importance of hand hygiene.

I feel that as parents, we should try to do any and everything we can to reduce spreading germs. So, I am all about sharing and encouraging everyone to do the same!

Get involved!

It’s not to let to for you and your family to join the challenge! Just head on over to www.purell.com/purell-30-day-challenge to get started today!

 

Stay Connected:

For the latest news, updates and tips be sure to visit the PURELL Website and follow them on Facebook & Twitter. 

 

 

 

It’s no secret that we’ve been actively trying to conceive so we can add to our family before it gets too late. Unfortunately, I still don’t have any good news to share! My emotions have been all over the place. I feel if it’s meant to be it will happen. However, the other night I had a light bulb moment, why am I the only one preparing and making sure I’m healthy! Let’s face it I can’t do this alone! As a female we always put so much pressure and blame on ourselves when trying to conceive!
It’s time for the men in our life to step it up and understand that we are in this together! The truth is that men also deal with fertility issues just as we do! Did you know that it’s actually reported that One-third of infertility cases can be attributed to male problems!

So, this month I have decided instead of writing more tips about what females should do when TTC that I need to address the men instead!

Lose those extra pounds! Studies show that being overweight does affect sperm quality and that overweight men are more likely to have lower sperm counts compared to males that are normal weight.

Exercise: working out boosts testosterone which actually helps produce sperm. But keep in mind that over-exercising can actually deplete vitamins and stored hormones that are essential to make healthy sperm so be sure to keep your workouts in moderation.

Avoid smoking:  Smoking increase stress on your body which can damage sperm and reduce sperm counts.

Get enough sleep and stress less: Not getting enough sleep along with stress can also effect sperm! Aim for 8 hours of sleep per night and try to avoid any extra stress that you can.

Start taking vitamins. Recent studies have found that males might improve low sperm counts by taking a combo of a zinc and folic acid.

Try Astroglide TTC™ (Trying to Conceive) a sperm-friendly personal lubricant designed to help support fertility. Water-based, natural feeling formula offers both comfort and confidence for couples who want to become pregnant.

Learn more about Astroglide:

Be sure to check out Astroglide website to see if it’s a good fit for you and while you are there be sure to check out their great fertility support section, where you can find helpful articles and expert advice.

Where to Buy: Click here 

Stay Connected: Be sure to follow Astroglide on Facebook and Pinterest today!

 

Is it time to see a urologist? If you and your partner have been TTC for 6 months or more with no results its time to really consider seeing a urologist.  During the evaluation for male infertility, your partner will need to provide a sample of semen for analysis.

Astroglide TTC™ sponsored this blog post. The opinions and text are all mine

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This post was sponsored by GOJO Industries, the makers of PURELL® Advanced Hand Sanitizer. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.

I don’t know about your family, but cleanliness and sanitizing is extremely important to my family! We like to sanitize as much as we can but it can be difficult to remember all the time! We wanted to be better about staying sanitized so we decided to take the Purell 30-Day Challenge as a family. It has been proven that having poor hand hygiene is the leading cause of illnesses among people because if you have germs on your hands you are prone to touch your mouth or eyes, which gives a gateway for the illness to get into your body. With Fall and Winter approaching us as well as the Back to School season, illnesses are much more common and it takes more effort to prevent sickness.

Studies show that with school that use and encourage the use of Purell Advanced Hand Sanitizer in their classrooms, there was 20% less absenteeism that were caused by illnesses. It is extremely important to use sanitizer multiple times a day and it is really great to have around the house. Some of my favorite spots to keep a bottle of sanitizer are in the hallway outside the bathroom, in the kitchen, in the living room, and even in all of our cars so that there are common places for everyone in the family to have easy access to them! It is important to sanitize your hands at least 3 times a day, anytime you’ve touched unsanitary things or anytime you are about to eat. With the use of Purell Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer in our everyday lives, there has been several improvements with overall health in various school environments as well as work environments. There has been 20% reduction in absenteeism in a workplace setting and 50% reduction in absenteeism in schools! That is such a vast improvement in our health by the simple use of hand sanitizer every day!

I encourage everyone in my family to use hand sanitizer by attaching mini sizes of sanitizers onto purses, back packs, and even belt loops of pants or we like to bring along the Purell Hand Sanitizing Wipes when we are on the go! The wipes are such a great product because they are really easy to use, and easy to carry along! My family and I are working to keep each other accountable and remind each other to sanitize daily!

Join the  Challenge

You can improve your health too and join my family and I in the Purell 30 day Challenge as well! Just head on over to www.purell.com/purell-30-day-challenge to get started.

Save now:

Be sure to head on over and grab these great PURELL coupons today to help you get started in 30 day challenge.

Stay Connected:

For the latest news, updates and tips be sure to visit the PURELL Website and follow them on Facebook & Twitter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last month, I shared with you; I have decided that I wanted to add to our family and about some of the ways; I’m trying to successfully conceive with products like Astroglide Trying To Conceive™. Astroglide TTC supplements the body’s natural lubrication and creates a more sperm-friendly environment for conception than traditional lubricants. While others may impede the motility of sperm, studies have actually shown that TTC allows sperm to travel freely through the reproductive tract.

However, over the last few weeks, I must admit my emotions have been high and low. So, I have decided to touch base on the emotional roller costar that many women face privately while trying to conceive that usually doesn’t get talked about often enough.

The Emotional Merry-go-Round

Do you remember the familiar merry-go-round you played on as a little child? The dizzying spins, and circles are a lot like the emotions you may feel on your journey of conception. The truth is mood swings are common even more so when hormonal methods are involved, and you might be dismayed to find that certain issues you’ve worked hard to overcome — like envy of expecting friends, resentment towards your circumstances and pessimism — keep coming back around. You can’t control what you feel but keeping a journal is a wonderful way to document your ups and downs, revealing what triggers your bad moods and what follows your joyous breakthroughs. Your very own conception journal will help you identify and manage just what you’re feeling.

Shame and the Cycle of Guilt

In our polite society, there is a significant amount of pressure reinforcing what is “appropriate” to talk about. Though you may have a close support network, you feel you can trust, these societal pressures may push you to internalize thoughts such as these:

• Is it my fault?
• Is it my partner’s fault?
• Are these thoughts normal?
• Am I a bad person for these thoughts?
• Is my experience normal?

Did you recognize any of the above questions? That’s because these are exceedingly common thoughts when trying to conceive. They transcend cultures and genders. When you realize that there are no good or bad thoughts, you can let go of the shame and start working through your issues. Don’t be afraid to share with someone, whether at a clinic, via message board or confiding in your partner. I admit the last few weeks I have been feeling isolated in until I stumbled on a great Facebook support group of ladies who are dealing with the same thing I am! I felt so much better being able to talk about my feelings and venting to women who understand what I am feeling without being judged!

Feeling Isolated or Alone

When you’re trying to conceive, it’s easy to slip into the mindset that your problems are too unique to be understood, or that no one can possibly share your experience. To an extent, there is a grain of truth here; after all, your body, your mind and your heart only truly know what you want and need. However, you may be surprised to know just how understandable your emotions really are. Visiting a trusted fertility clinic or fertility specialist will give you instant access to experienced professionals who have seen it all. When you feel alone, just know that you don’t have to keep carrying the world on your shoulders — seek advice and share your concerns to lift your mood.

So, if you are struggling emotionally please know that you are not alone! After my post last month, I was shocked that I received so many emails offering support, encouragement, and thanks from readers for sharing my struggles. It has been very eye opening because the truth is I wasn’t even sure I wanted to publicly share my story or struggles. Now that I have that support system I can’t tell you how much better I feel about this journey.

Learn more about Astroglide:

Be sure to check out Astroglide website to see if it’s a good fit for you and while you are there be sure to check out their great fertility support section, where you can find helpful articles and expert advice.

Where to Buy: Click here

Stay Connected: Be sure to follow Astroglide on Facebook and Pinterest today!

Astroglide TTC™ sponsored this blog post. The opinions and text are all mine

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