As women, we may think strength and empowerment means going it alone. However, overcoming our physical and mental challenges requires support. And the best people to offer you encouragement on your journey to better health are all around you: your friends.

Our closest relationships provide the encouragement we need to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Friends can help us sort social media and try out new beauty tips. And there’s nothing better than partnering with a buddy to get fit. The power of friendships to uplift us even in challenging times cannot be overstated.

There are few experiences more life-changing than becoming a mother. Welcoming your newborn into the world is a time of immense joy and excitement, but it can leave new moms feeling exhausted and insecure.

Postpartum depression is the most common psychological condition following childbirth, with as many as 1 in 7 new mothers suffering from this affliction. While some women suffer minor baby blues, others are plagued by crippling depression and anxiety. There are many ways to treat this condition, and having some solid coping mechanisms always helps—even if you’re not hit with a bad case of the blues post-birth.

Women live with a range of health conditions and wellness needs. For example, 1 in 4 women live with a disability. Ten million experience menorrhagia or heavy menstrual bleeding. And many more go through intimate partner violence.

We all have health needs we must accommodate and wellness goals we’re trying to achieve. But it’s hard to do either when you don’t have a supportive healthcare team, wellness resources, or the confidence to pursue what you need.

Protecting your own health and wellness can be especially empowering. With that self-empowerment, you can build a supportive healthcare team and a list of wellness resources that fuel good health.

Let’s discuss this and how better to protect your health and wellness in more detail below.

Each year Glamour Gowns Suit Up takes time to make the youth of Los Angeles feel special and seen! This year, during the weekend of March 3rd, we had the privilege and honor of being a part of that special event and sharing in the good feeling of doing something impactful within our community. As stated on their website page hosted by CASA LA. 

“From…uncertain placements to online learning in what can be crowded group homes, youth in LA County's foster care system deserve the opportunity to dress up and feel the[ir] best. We are returning to what we love most: providing complimentary, brand new formal attire and accessories to high schoolers in the Los Angeles foster care system.”

Each year Glamour Gowns Suit Up takes time to make the youth of Los Angeles feel special and seen! This year, during the weekend of March 3rd, we had the privilege and honor of being a part of that special event and sharing in the good feeling of doing something impactful within our community. As stated on their website page hosted by CASA LA. 

“From…uncertain placements to online learning in what can be crowded group homes, youth in LA County's foster care system deserve the opportunity to dress up and feel the[ir] best. We are returning to what we love most: providing complimentary, brand new formal attire and accessories to high schoolers in the Los Angeles foster care system.”

It seems that nearly everywhere you look, women’s healthcare issues are in the political spotlight. In 2021 alone, we’ve seen sweeping changes to abortion law in Texas and elsewhere, as well as new laws put in place that eliminate sales tax on period products and similar essentials. And in 2020, Scotland became the first nation in the world to offer period products, free of charge, to every citizen who needs them, the BBC reports.

Yet changes to laws and policies.....

Nannocare Team

Empower, a verb that means to make stronger and more confident, especially in controlling their life and claiming their rights. What does this mean to you when you read that definition and hear that word?  

For us, here at Nannocare, we know that empowerment is something we not only embody and exude but something that we want to relay to others and give them the support and courage to implement in their lives. We do this through education, philanthropy and overall support of one another in our community and abroad. We work hard to let it crossover into our lives personally and professionally and foster not only the feeling but the ability to turn that into action.

Samantha. M

Image source

As a dad with a daughter, you may feel a bit anxious as she nears puberty. It can be especially difficult for dads who have no personal experience with things like menstruation. From a dad’s point of view, periods and the hormonal changes that women experience during puberty can be downright mystifying. Naturally, talking about these things may be something that you are not looking forward to.

You probably don’t even want to think about your little girl growing up, but it’s happening. And her first period will happen, too. This event is challenging for both dads and daughters, but it is one that you will both survive. Periods can be awkward, painful, and even frightening. Your daughter’s first period also signals the beginning of a very important time in her life, and while the topic may be uncomfortable, periods aren’t inherently a bad thing.  

If you have a daughter who is between the ages of 9 and 15 or so, the big day could come at any time. Take some time to prepare yourself so that you’ll know exactly what to do the first time Aunt Flo stops by for a visit. Keep reading for some helpful advice regarding your daughter’s first period from a dad’s point of view.

Kaitlyn Luckow

Every day, 830 women die from maternal mortality throughout the world. That’s approximately 290,500 women a year who die from complications of giving birth.

According to the World Health Organization, maternal mortality occurs when a woman dies while pregnant or within 42 days of the termination of the pregnancy. The majority of maternal deaths occur due to severe bleeding, infection, high blood pressure, complications from delivery, and unsafe abortions. 

You Are More Than Beautiful

Rupi Kaur

I want to apologize to all the women

I have called pretty.

Before I’ve called them intelligent or brace.

I am sorry I made it sound as though

Something as simple as what you’re born with

Is the most you have to be proud of

When your spirit has crushed mountains

From now on I will say things like,

You are resilient

Or, you are extraordinary.

Not because I don’t think you’re pretty.

But because you are so much more than that.

Kaitlyn Luckow

I met my best friend, Sam, 23 years ago after she met my brother in her kindergarten class. Since then, we’ve literally been through all of life together: great loves, loses, the birth of her daughter, personal traumas, career changes, big moves, and great celebrations. She was the first person that ever made me feel comfortable in my own skin (weirdness and all) and the first person to make me realize my worth.

Kaitlyn Luckow

“That’s what she said!”  

Someone that shouts that joke every chance he gets may not seem like he would be feminist icon material. You might be thinking, Kaitlyn, are you kidding me? Michael Scott is probably the last T.V. character I would label as a feminist.

However, after binging The Office far too many times than I care to admit, I’ve come to the realization that this is, in fact, the case. 

Kaitlyn Luckow

Male masturbation is usually the brunt of jokes, it’s assumed that all guys do it, and it’s totally fine to talk about and admit.

However, I have found that when women talk about masturbating, people are shocked and it is seen as something dirty or embarrassing. It’s something that is hushed, it’s not talked about, and it makes women afraid of their own bodies.

To be honest (and this is a little embarrassing), I didn’t even know that females could masturbate until I was well into puberty.  

There is a lot of misinformation out there about female masturbation and it causes a lot of myths to rise up around the subject. This can make learning about the female body confusing for a lot of young women and even daunting.   

I wanted to clear the air here. Yes, women masturbate. Yes, it’s awesome. Yes, we can talk about it.

Here are some common myths surrounding female masturbation and the truth behind the lies.

Kaitlyn Luckow

Imagine living in poverty and having to choose between feeding your family or buying feminine hygiene products.

This is a reality for more than 16.3 million women in living in the United States. According to the National Women’s Law Center, women are 38% more likely to live in poverty than men, and women of color experience poverty at a much higher rate than white women.

Women and girls who are living in poverty often have to sacrifice buying menstrual products in order to help pay for other necessities. This is largely due to the high price of menstrual products and the fact that they are taxed as “luxury items”. However, menstrual products are just as necessary as food, water, shelter, and other hygiene-related products.

Kaitlyn Luckow

February is the month of love: Valentine’s Day and Galentine’s Day are holidays that celebrate the special people you love in your life, but they’re largely forgetting the most important person in your life: YOU!

While you’re busy trying to plan a perfect date for your significant other or plan the perfect night to celebrate your besties, you can’t forget about yourself. But, let’s be real, most of us do.  

Kaitlyn Luckow

Let’s be real, reading the news hasn’t been the most joyful activity for a lot of people recently. Good news stories are hard to come by, especially when they’re stories about women’s rights.

However, there’s always some light in the world, and recently there’s a whole beam of light in regards to news stories about women’s rights around the world. There are some major shifts taking place and new leaders emerging who are determined to make a difference in this world.

 So, let’s take a few minutes to celebrate some historical wins for women that have happened recently.

Kaitlyn Luckow

With a new year comes a storm of people declaring their New Year’s goals on social media and a lot of them were to read more books.

If you’re someone who is looking to read more in 2019, I have some book recommendations for you. These books are perfect if you need a little empowerment in your life--especially if you’re a woman.

These books will make you celebrate your womanhood and make you feel like you can take on the world--because you can.

Kaitlyn Luckow

With the new year came millions of social media posts with people talking all about how they were going to do this and that in the new year. That is all fine and dandy. Having goals is a beautiful thing, but I want to take today to make realistic goals for you to implement throughout the year. All of these goals are about self-love and shifting toxic mindsets that may be bringing you down.

There has been a lot of hope out there for 2019 and I want to make sure that you’re applying that hope to yourself and your mental health as well—because you’re worth it. 

Here are some things that you should think about and remind yourself of as often as possible in the new year:

J.B.

How often have you heard (or said) “they grow up so fast”?  It’s true.  Kids do grow up quickly and, in terms of the onset of menstruation, it’s speeding up.

According to Sandra Steingraber, the average menstruation onset age has been steadily lessening over the last number of decades.  90 years ago, the average age was 14; 50 years ago the average was 13-1/2 years old; these days it’s 12-1/2 years old.  And it is not unheard of for girls as young as 8 or 9 to get their period.  She claims that, furthermore, half of the girls in the United States now show signs of breast budding before their tenth birthday. 

The exact reasons for this have not been established.  It is held by some “experts” that lowered rates of disease and better nutrition are factors.  But others claim that endocrine-disruptive chemicals in food, drinking water and even the air along with hormonally active agents found in a vast array of consumer items such as hair tonics, pesticides, packaging materials and building products are affecting hormonal balance.  Still, others link it to obesity.

Victoria. M

With the year coming to an end, it is a time when everyone reflects on what they have accomplished, what they are working on and what to plan for. Don’t let another year or day go by without making yourself and your health a priority. 
 
With the daily grind always on GO; it is easy to let taking care of yourself fall by the wayside. From stopping at a fast food restaurant for a quick bite, skipping a workout or picking up an item at the store that you would not normally use because you don’t have time to hit your favorite health store. 
 
Take time to slow down and remember that planning and time management go hand in hand. If you can give yourself a few moments to plan your morning, week or even an evening shopping trip it will save you the trouble of backtracking and thinking of how you could have done it better!

Kaitlyn Luckow

While the holidays are known for being a time of joy and cheer, oftentimes we can also feel a strong sense of sadness and loneliness. We can feel it because we miss family members, we can feel it because of the trauma dealing with family causes, or even just because there’s not as much sunlight during the day.

Whatever the reason, seasonal and holiday sadness is a very real thing and shouldn’t be pushed aside. It can be even more hostile towards individuals who already have a mental illness such as depression.

Although it may not be possible to avoid entirely, here are some ways that can help you survive seasonal sadness this holiday season:

Victoria M.

Did you know that globally - pads are the most common form of feminine hygiene protection? In some countries, pads are the only form of hygiene products used and many women opt for even more natural options such as reusable cloths or undergarments.

In an effort to not only be more health conscious but eco-friendly- many companies are creating products that are biodegradable, compostable, all natural and made with organic cotton. We applaud all of these innovators (and give ourselves a pat on the back too) as there has not been any true innovation in decades!

A timeline of feminine hygiene products shows that many of the antiquated stances still held true but there are so many boundaries being broken and left behind, which is great!

Here are some eye-opening and interesting facts about menstruation around the world:

Kaitlyn Luckow

Image via Daiga Ellaby

Chances are high that you, or someone you know, is a victim of violence against women. As women, violence has become a part of our lives—whether that’s living in the fear or it, currently experiencing it, or living with the trauma of it.

Due to its frequency, violence against women has become normalized. But violence is not normal. Violence is a crime and it’s about time that it is treated as such.

Violence against women is an endemic in our world today. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, 1 in 4 women in the United States have experienced violence from a partner, 2 out of 3 children are exposed to violence, and 1 in 5 women are sexually assaulted in college.

Kaitlyn Luckow

Image by Tim Marshall

Imagine having to pay for something that was natural and completely out of your control.

Guess what?

We’re doing it.

Over the past few years, news and social media campaigns have brought light to the issue of the “tampon tax”, also known as the “pink tax”  in America as well as the rest of the world. Perhaps like you, I had no idea that this tax even existed until a few years ago. And I was just as taken aback as many people–and remain confused even today.

People are outraged and are demanding change because of this tampon tax, but do we fully understand what the tampon tax is?

Victoria. M

Do you know why Nannocare was started? It was to help women globally have access to a holistic and all natural solution to discomfort that occurs monthly. We want each and every one of you to know that we share in your quest for something better- and we are working every day to bring it to you directly!

Not only do we take health seriously; we also know everything is about balance. Periods are no fun, but they are necessary and a part of our lives so with that said- we want to make sure you can make the most of every day, period. Menstrual health is a thing, and it is at the forefront of the industry now more than ever.

Nannocare also wants to make period talk the norm! Every young adolescent gets “the talk” but periods are often left out. It is important for both boys and girls to be comfortable with the change in their bodies and not feel awkward about what is happening. Moms, Dads, Sisters, Uncles, Aunts, Grandparents – we want you to know it is ok to tell young girls about how their bodies will change and how menstruation will affect them. We also want you to be knowledgeable about the products out there that are good for them.

Here are some helpful tips for the new and even experienced who want to delve deeper into menstrual health:

Kaitlyn Luckow

Image by Toa Heftiba

Today is the International Day of The Girl Child, which is a day founded by the United Nations back in 2012.

According to the U.N., “Adolescent girls have the right to a safe, educated, and healthy life, not only during these critical formative years, but also as they mature into women.”

During this day, there is a Day of the Girl Summit at the United Nations headquarters in order to bring together organizations to focus on advancements for the opportunities for girls.

Each year, the UN dedicates this day to focus on a specific theme for girls around the world. This year, the UN dedicated October 11 to the theme of “With Her: A Skilled GirlForce”.

Today is all about providing girls around the world with the opportunity and the tools to transition into the workforce and gain the skills for their desired career.

Victoria M.

Image source: David Hoffman

What does it mean to minimize discomfort and maximize life? Well, here at Nannocare – it means a vast array of things. Life encompasses happiness, love, family, friends, success, education and runs the whole gamut of what we all truly value. While it is different for everyone – the underlying component that always remains the same is the need and want to maximize it. We all have our own version of it and that changes daily, hourly and sometimes within seconds.

Kaitlyn Luckow

Photo by Matteo Grassi

Just like most things, different cultures and different countries view certain aspects of life in unique manners.

The same can be said for how menstruation and periods are viewed throughout the world. In some cultures, menstruation has long been celebrated, whereas in others even talking about periods is still seen as taboo.

I wanted to take a look at how different countries and cultures view menstruation in today’s world and to take a look at how these mentalities are affecting individuals who menstruate.