What is porn doing to today's kids?The average age of first exposure to online pornography is 13 to 14 years old. Most of that exposure is unwanted. The trick is to have an open line of communication so your teen can discuss things they’ve seen online. Sex education doesn’t cover pleasure or anything beyond reproduction. Where do kids find this information? Online. The examples and information they find doesn’t give an accurate representation of reality. Encourage your child to reduce social media usage and get involved in some form of physical fitness for the dopamine hits that social media provides. Listen as Dr. Bryant Paul joins Dr. Pamela Peeke to discuss the effects of online porn on youth. Sponsor: Smarty Pants Vitamins

What is behind porn and sex addiction?A traumatic past or difficult childhood aren’t required for sex addiction in adults. Chasing online porn may be easier than social interactions. If one feels isolated already, it’s harder to get out into the world and foster real world relationships. Short-term relationships and one-night stands are easier for sex addicts than opening up from their isolation. The modern world is full of triggers. Technology makes sex more accessible. It takes work to recover from sex addiction, but it is possible. If you think you may be a sex addict, visit a sex and love addiction anonymous website and take a quiz about your behavior. Examine your own behavior and see how you use porn and sex in your life. Consider visiting a therapist as needed. Weave together the treatment that works best for you. Listen as Erica Garza joins Dr. Pamela Peeke to share her own journey through sex and porn addiction and recovery. Sponsor: Smarty Pants Vitamins

Periods are no picnic. You’ve probably gathered that by this point in life.Periods are no picnic. You’ve probably gathered that by this point in life. Still, it’s probably not too late to get to know your period. Eggs & Such You’re born with all the eggs you get. Puberty triggers the ripening of eggs in the ovaries. Typically, one egg is released per month. Uterine lining thickens to make a nest in case the egg is fertilized. When it isn’t, menstruation commences. This cycle usually takes about 28 days. Irregular periods are very common during puberty but can happen throughout one’s window of fertility. Stress and thyroid issues could be the culprit. See your provider if you go two or three months without a period. Winding Down Menopause is the phase after going one year without a period. Perimenopause is the hormonal roller coaster leading from regular menstruation into menopause. The ovaries are tiring out. Hormone function is uneven, explaining the unpredictable behavior of individual menstruation. Listen as Dr. Mary Jane Minkin joins Dr. Pamela Peeke to discuss how you can get to know your own period. Sponsor: Smarty Pants Vitamins

Hair loss doesn't negate beauty.Feminine beauty is often associated with long, luxurious locks. How does hair loss affect one’s beauty? Alopecia is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks the hair follicles. Hairlessness can occur in patches or all over the body. It can come on at any point in life. Alopecia can lead to anxiety, doubt about one’s own attractiveness and fear. What will other people think? International burlesque star Michelle L’amour opted to take control of her story with alopecia, inspiring other women with the same disorder. She has proven that sexuality and beauty aren’t exclusive. Listen as Michelle joins Dr. Pamela Peeke to share her story. Sponsor: Smarty Pants Vitamins

Daddy's absence can contribute to his daughter's risky sexual behavior.There’s a link between fathers’ absence from the home and girls’ sexual behavior. These girls tend to have sex at a younger age, have more sexual partners and are more likely to become pregnant as teens. There may be other factors that contribute to the risky behavior beyond absent fathers. There are genetic factors that contribute to risk-taking behavior. Dad may be absent or disengaged because of his risk-taking genetics, and those genes are passed down to his daughter. Factors like parental monitoring and teen social relationships can modify or prevent risky behavior, even if the family structure isn’t made up of genetic father and mother. Providing a home with love or support is the best way to improve the situation. Listen as Dr. Danielle DelPriore joins Dr. Pamela Peeke to discuss the research on absent fathers and risky sexual behavior of daughters. Sponsor: Smarty Pants Vitamins

Find out how healing works and how to support it.Not all healing takes place in the doctor’s office. In fact, 80% of healing takes place elsewhere. Healing is the constant process of becoming whole, repairing and reintegrating. Our body is trying to fix problems as rapidly as possible. You need to create a sanctuary in your home where you can recover. Have a healing environment that relaxes you and reduces your worry makes it easier for you to recover. You deserve a space that nurtures your body and soul. Engage in healthy behaviors. Get regular exercise. Limit alcohol consumption. Don’t smoke. Eat well. Cultivate social support. You should trust and love the people around you while feeling like they support you. Listen as Dr. Wayne Jonas joins Dr. Pamela Peeke to share how you can improve your ability to heal. Sponsor: Smarty Pants Vitamins

Are you a good person? Can you be better?Character is our moral fiber. It leads us to think, act and feel in specific ways. Character can be divided into three traits: virtue, vices and a mix of the two. Virtue includes things like honesty, compassion, courage and loyalty. Vices include dishonesty, cruelty and cowardice. It benefits us to strive to live in a world of virtue and be virtuous. Being virtuous makes the world a better place. We find people of good character as inspiration. Character is plastic and can be changed. Moral reminders help us get back on track. Look to paradigms of living a virtuous life and try to follow that example. Listen as Dr. Christian Miller joins Dr. Pamela Peeke to share how we can improve our character. Sponsor: Smarty Pants Vitamins

Beauty is more than skin deep.Ladies, you’re far too familiar with the unrealistic beauty standards that are shoved in your face at every turn. It’s time to redefine beauty. Five things are more beautiful than conventional looks: Vulnerability. You have your guard down. You have nothing to hide behind. All that you are shines through. Authenticity. Be yourself regardless of what anyone else thinks.  Non-conformity. Don’t give in to today’s fads. Non-pretentiousness. Your beauty speaks for itself. Courage to choose what’s best for you. Your integrity is important. It makes you beautiful. Trust yourself. Listen as photographer and modeling agent Andrea Belluso joins Dr. Pamela Peeke to share how you can redefine beauty and make yourself more beautiful in a way that matters. Sponsor: Smarty Pants Vitamins

Leaking when you work out? This will help.Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) gets in the way of physical activity for women of a certain age. The small release of urine during activity can keep you out of the gym. Your pelvic floor muscles are easy to forget about until they weaken. Putting a pad down to catch the urine doesn’t resolve the muscle weakness. Those muscles need training so they’re strong enough to control urine flow. Kegel exercises are the contraction and relaxation of vaginal and anal muscles. You can do them in your chair a few times a day and no one will be the wiser. There are other exercises for strengthening your pelvic floor. Aligning your breathing with contractions of your pelvic floor may strengthen the muscles even more. You should have a noticeable difference in your pelvic floor in eight to twelve weeks. You have to do the exercises daily. Listen as Dr. Sara Terrell joins Dr. Pamela Peeke to discuss SUI and how to strenghten your pelvic floor muscles. Sponsor: Smarty Pants Vitamins

It takes more than drive to reach your goals.Grit and perseverance can drive you to success. But, many resolutions and goals peter out when willpower alone can’t do it. Emotions like gratitude, compassion and genuine pride help you invest in other people and yourself. You have to forego some pleasure in the moment for future gains. Emotions are a powerful part of motivation. These three emotions lead to connection with others. They make it all worthwhile. As a bonus, social relationships support you as you pursue your dreams. Self-control is easier when you use gratitude, compassion and pride to help you. Listen as Dr. David DeSteno joins Dr. Pamela Peeke to share how you can harness these emotions to achieve success.  Sponsor: Smarty Pants Vitamins