In the pursuit of love and companionship, it's easy to overlook warning signs that may signal the beginning of an abusive relationship. While the initial stages of romance may seem enchanting, it's crucial to remain vigilant and attuned to any signs of toxicity that could potentially harm our well-being. At Glow, we understand the importance of prioritizing self-care and empowering individuals to recognize and address unhealthy relationship dynamics.

Here are 10 early warning signs of abusive relationships that everyone should be aware of:

1. Excessive Jealousy and Possessiveness: While jealousy can be a normal emotion, it becomes problematic when it escalates into controlling behavior. If your partner constantly accuses you of infidelity or tries to isolate you from friends and family, it could be a red flag.
2. Controlling Behavior: Abusers often seek to control every aspect of their partner's life, from what they wear to whom they talk to. If you find yourself constantly having to ask for permission or feeling like you're walking on eggshells, it's time to reassess the dynamics of your relationship.
3. Isolation: Abusers may try to isolate their partners from their support networks, making it harder for them to seek help or leave the relationship. Pay attention if your partner discourages you from spending time with friends or insists on knowing your every move.
4. Verbal Abuse: Words can be just as damaging as physical actions. If your partner regularly belittles, insults, or humiliates you, it's a clear indication of an unhealthy dynamic.
5. Threats of Violence: Any form of threat, whether explicit or implicit, should never be taken lightly. If your partner threatens to harm you, themselves, or others, it's imperative to seek help immediately.
6. Gaslighting: Gaslighting is a manipulative tactic used to make the victim doubt their own perceptions and reality. If your partner denies things they've said or done, shifts blame onto you, or makes you feel like you're going crazy, it's a sign of psychological abuse.
7. Unpredictable Mood Swings: Abusers often exhibit unpredictable mood swings, oscillating between extreme affection and intense rage. This can create a sense of instability and fear within the relationship.
8. Physical Violence: Physical abuse is never acceptable under any circumstances. If your partner resorts to violence or threatens physical harm, it's crucial to prioritize your safety and seek help immediately.
9. Financial Control: Controlling access to finances or withholding money as a form of punishment is a common tactic used by abusers to maintain power and control. If you're not allowed to work or have limited access to money, it's a warning sign.
10. Manipulative Behavior: Manipulation can take many forms, from guilt-tripping to playing the victim. If your partner frequently manipulates situations to their advantage or disregards your feelings and boundaries, it's a sign of emotional abuse.

At Glow, we believe in empowering individuals to take control of their health and well-being, both physically and emotionally. That's why we're proud to partner with Nurx, a revolutionary healthcare platform that provides convenient and confidential access to essential services, including birth control, STI testing, and PrEP.

By leveraging Nurx's services, individuals can take proactive steps to protect themselves and prioritize their reproductive health, regardless of their circumstances. Whether you're in a healthy relationship or navigating the complexities of an abusive dynamic, Nurx offers a safe and accessible solution to address your healthcare needs.

Remember, recognizing the warning signs of an abusive relationship is the first step towards reclaiming your power and autonomy. If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse, don't hesitate to reach out for support. You deserve to be in a relationship built on love, respect, and equality. With the right resources and support system, you can break free from the cycle of abuse and embark on a journey towards healing and self-discovery.

The post Recognizing Red Flags in Relationships: A Vital Step Towards Empowerment and Self-Care first appeared on Glow.

1. Optimistic Beginnings

When couples first decide to start trying for a baby, the mood is often filled with excitement and optimism. There's a sense of embarking on a new journey together, and the anticipation of welcoming a new life into the world can be exhilarating.

2. Getting to Know Your Cycle

Most couples, especially women, will find themselves diving into the world of menstrual cycles, ovulation, and fertile windows. This can involve tracking menstrual cycles, monitoring basal body temperature, and using ovulation predictor kits.

3. Lifestyle Changes

TTC often brings about various lifestyle changes. This can include healthier eating, more regular exercise, reducing stress, cutting down on caffeine and alcohol, and quitting smoking. Both men and women may need to make these changes as lifestyle can affect fertility in both sexes.

4. The Two-Week Wait

Often referred to as the "TWW" in TTC communities, the two-week wait is the period between ovulation and the time when a pregnancy test can be taken. This period can be filled with hope, anxiety, and impatience as couples wait to see if conception has occurred.

5. Disappointment and Setbacks

Not every cycle will result in pregnancy, and dealing with disappointment is a common part of the TTC journey. It's important to remember that it's normal for conception to take several months, and each setback is an opportunity to learn more about one's body and fertility.

6. The Medical Check-Up

If pregnancy doesn't occur after several months of trying, many couples will seek medical advice. This can involve fertility tests for both partners and consultations to discuss any potential issues and possible treatments.

7. The Emotional Rollercoaster

The TTC journey can be an emotional one, with highs and lows. There may be feelings of hope, frustration, anxiety, disappointment, and joy. It's important to acknowledge these feelings and support each other through the process.

8. The Effect on Your Relationship

TTC can put a strain on relationships. It can change the dynamics of intimacy and bring stress and anxiety. However, it can also bring couples closer together as they navigate this journey as a team.

9. Deciding When to Share

Deciding when and whom to tell about TTC can be a difficult decision. Some couples choose to keep it private until they conceive, while others may seek support from family and friends during the process.

10. The Joy of a Positive Test

Finally, seeing a positive pregnancy test can be an incredibly joyful and emotional moment. All the waiting, hoping, and trying suddenly seems worth it, and a new chapter begins.

Remember, every couple's TTC journey is unique and can take longer than expected. It's okay to ask for help and seek support during this time. After all, it's not just about the destination, but also the journey towards creating a new life.

The post 10 things all hetero-couples go through while TTC 😮😱🤔 first appeared on Glow.

1. Consent: The Foundation of Healthy Sex

Consent is the cornerstone of any sexual activity. It refers to the voluntary agreement to participate in a sexual act. It must be explicit, enthusiastic, and ongoing - meaning it can be withdrawn at any point. The absence of a 'no' does not imply a 'yes'. Both partners must feel free to express their comfort levels and boundaries without fear of judgment or retaliation.

Consent also involves understanding and respecting your partner's wishes, which may change over time or vary depending on the situation. Discussing consent openly and regularly can significantly contribute to a healthy and respectful sexual relationship.

2. Communication: Enhancing Intimacy and Pleasure

Communication is a vital component of healthy sex. Open and honest dialogue about sexual desires, expectations, and concerns can lead to greater sexual satisfaction and intimacy. This includes discussing sexual histories, preferences, and boundaries. It also involves providing feedback during sexual activities to guide your partner about what feels good and what doesn't.

Remember, communication should not be limited to the bedroom. Regular conversations about sex can help maintain a strong sexual connection and address any potential issues before they escalate.

3. Safety: Protecting Your Physical Well-being

Safety in sex refers to the measures taken to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancies. This involves using protection, such as condoms or dental dams, and getting regularly tested for STIs if you're sexually active with multiple partners. Additionally, if applicable, discuss birth control options with your partner and healthcare provider to choose the most suitable method for you.

Safety also extends to physical comfort during sex. Ensure that any sexual activity does not cause unnecessary pain or discomfort. If it does, it's important to communicate this to your partner and seek medical advice if needed.

4. Pleasure: A Crucial Component of Healthy Sex

Healthy sex should be pleasurable for all parties involved. It's important to understand that pleasure does not solely derive from orgasm but from the entire sexual experience. This can include foreplay, intimacy, and even post-sex cuddling.

Understanding your body and what brings you pleasure is a key step toward having satisfying sexual experiences. This could involve self-exploration or the use of sex toys. Moreover, remember that everyone's sexual preferences and paths to pleasure are unique – there's no 'normal' when it comes to sexual satisfaction.

5. Emotional Well-being: The Psychological Aspect of Healthy Sex

Healthy sex is as much about emotional well-being as it is about physical satisfaction. It should contribute positively to your mental health, and not cause undue stress or anxiety. This involves having a positive body image, feeling good about your sexual identity, and being in a sexual relationship that is respectful and fulfilling.

If you find that sexual activities are causing emotional distress or impacting your mental health, consider seeking help from a healthcare professional or a sex therapist. It's okay to ask for help, and addressing these issues can significantly improve your sexual health.

The post Promoting Wellness in Intimacy: A Comprehensive Guide to Healthy Sex first appeared on Glow.

1. A fulfilling sex life can bolster the immune system, improve blood flow, and help partners sleep better.
2. Studies show that female orgasms may help with sperm transport.
3. The sexual position has no correlation with becoming pregnant.
4. Scientists believe that an active sex life with a regular partner can keep you looking young.
5. A woman is born with all the eggs she’ll ever have.

The post 5 Facts about Sex and Fertility first appeared on Glow.

9. You completely lose it when your partner masturbates during your fertile window. (Thanks a lot dude, maybe that bunch of wadded-up tissues or your computer mouse will get pregnant now.  Good job.)

8. Your iPhone’s camera roll is filled with pictures of ovulation tests, taken through multiple filters. (If it’s a boy, Amaro.  If it’s a girl we’ll name her Juno, Valencia, or X-Pro II after my grandmother).

7. Seeing a glass of apple juice makes you have an uncontrollable urge to test it for pregnancy.

6. You think it is totally normal to describe the consistency of your cervical mucus to your menstrual cycle buddy.  

5. You have a menstrual cycle buddy. (Also, if you both enjoy talking about cervical mucus while bike riding, you have a menstrual cycle CYCLE buddy ….sorry for that joke, we’ll see ourselves out.)

4. You see TTC acronyms everywhere you look…DPO, CM, BBT…

3. You check Glow more often than you check Facebook. 

2. You have dozens of creative ‘pinned’ ideas for how you’re going to announce your BFP… (hiring that skywriter to draw a pair of baby shoes in the sky is going to be expensive but SO WORTH IT.)

1. …but what you will really do is sit there speechless, cry, and then take another pregnancy test!  

The post Things you can totally relate to when trying to get pregnant 😺 first appeared on Glow.

Huh? Online TTC (Trying To Conceive) communities basically have their own language, which is totally confusing and overwhelming when you’re a newbie trying to figure out what the heck is going on.  (She’s a Single Anemic Hufflepuff Mormon and OMG, please help me with the rest of this sentence...)

Not to worry though, we’ve cracked the code for you since we know you’ve got better things to deal with besides trying to decipher online message board acronyms. Check out our alphabetized list below that will help you keep up with all the topics TTC’ers are talking about.

AF: Aunt Flo, your period (This one is particularly confusing since AF means something quite different in another context)

Baby dust: This is kind of like fairy dust for conception, typically used as a way to wish someone good luck! (i.e. no not dust that accumulates on babies if they lay in one spot for too long, if you are moving your baby around regularly that should not be a thing)

BD: Baby dance (having intercourse for conception purposes or by extension any form of insemination)

BFN: Big fat negative (on a pregnancy test)

BFP: Big fat positive (on a pregnancy test)

CD: Cycle day (Also, if  you still think “compact disc” let us introduce you to the wonderful world of digital music, welcome to the future!)

CL: Coverline

CM: Cervical mucus, a.k.a. cervical fluid

CP: Cervical position

DH, DD, DS: Dear Husband, Dear Daughter, Dear Son

DPO: Days past ovulation (i.e. Not the name of a Star Wars robot)

EWCM: Egg-white cervical mucus (same as egg-white cervical fluid)

FSH: Follicle stimulating hormone

HPT: Home pregnancy test  

IUI: Intra-uterine insemination

IVF: In-vitro fertilization

LH: Luteinizing hormone (whatever that is?)

LMP: Last menstrual period (the first day of your last period)

LP: Luteal phase (NOT a phase of the moon)

M/C: Miscarriage

OPK: Ovulation Predictor Kit (totally fine if the first 4 times you read it you immediately think “Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries” but no, they are very different)

POAS: Pee on a stick (preferably a pregnancy test and not an actual stick but hey, you do you)

Rainbow baby: The baby you are trying for after a pregnancy loss

RE: Reproductive Endocrinologist- Fertility Specialist

TTC: Trying to conceive

2WW: Two-week wait (The time btwn ovulation and when you can take a pregnancy test!)

The post 🤓 📖 Learn the talk behind baby-making 📖 🤓 first appeared on Glow.