Gary Roberts13 said:Regrettably, your information is quite accurate; a condom only offers about a 25% reduction in the risk of a Pfizer infection. To put it plainly, even with protection, you are still facing a significant statistical likelihood of transmission when encountering an infected partner. The primary issue isn't necessarily that the virus "permeates" the latex itself, but rather the anatomical reality that a condom cannot possibly shield every inch of skin or mucosal tissue susceptible to infection. It only takes minimal contact between the skin or sensitive membranes to facilitate transmission. However, if you found my previous mention of oral sex intriguing, there is a silver lining: using a condom does serve to decrease the overall viral load or "concentration," which inherently lowers the risk compared to having no protection at all.
In any case, Hannah Sanders13, I would suggest being more selective with your partners. Is it not true that the consequences differ vastly when you contract something from someone you care for versus catching a disease during a fleeting encounter that leaves you regretting a single night for the rest of your life? And please, do remember—better safe than sorry. 😉
That's incorrect. Condoms actually provide about 70% protection. The rest of what was said is fine.
I was thinking we should put our heads together and compile a master list of products we’ve flagged for containing GMOs. 🙂
Let's be honest, squinting at tiny fine print on labels is an absolute chore, so if we build this ourselves, we can save some precious time, protect our eyesight, and stop wasting money. Personally, I usually just toss whatever I find out later—once I realize it's full of GMOs, the whole thing just loses its appeal to me.
Here is my starting list (I'll keep adding to it as I go):
*Fruit-based probiotic cultures—not the plain ones *Processed cheese slices for toast—pretty much every single one I've grabbed so far *Pringles chips *Heinz ketchup and mayo *Dannon mousse and fruit yogurts *Pretty much all those frozen microwaveable dinners *Uncle Ben's sauces *Canned corn *Ben & Jerry's ice cream
I was checking out the nutrition facts, and it turns out that skim milk and whole milk both pack the same 120 mg of calcium per 100 ml. Obviously, the low-fat version is lower in calories.
So, which one is actually better for you? Does drinking the higher-fat milk offer any real health benefits, or is it all just about the flavor profile?
1) I don't see what all the fuss is about; Gardasil offers about 70% protection against HPV, which is pretty much on par with using a condom. 2) Nobody is making the definitive claim that HPV is the sole cause of cervical cancer. We still haven't uncovered the true root cause of the disease. The blame was simply shifted toward HPV because researchers found its DNA frequently—though certainly not always—integrated into the genetic makeup of cervical cancer cells. About thirty years ago, people were making similar arguments regarding herpes simplex.
A clean diet, getting enough sleep, staying active, and keeping stress levels down will do significantly more for you than three shots in the arm. When it comes to any illness, including cancer, the real key to prevention and recovery lies within the immune system itself.🙂
What scares me most is happiness and success in anything. 😠 I know it sounds miserable, but my life hasn't exactly been a string of happy moments up to this point, so I kind of got used to "suffering." Then suddenly everything changed... and I didn't know how to act when I wasn't unhappy. 😠 I'm still learning, and sometimes I overdo the drama myself. But if you don't risk it, you don't profit. Later on, I ended up regretting all the good opportunities I passed up in my life—and there were plenty. Don't let that happen to you. Try to take a risk and just relax a little... Of course, only if you truly want to and if the "right one" actually shows up. 😁
It's the exact same story for me; things finally started looking up, but instead of enjoying it, I just lost my mind even more. For a while there, I was practically manifesting illnesses, doing anything I could just to feel miserable again.🤣 Happiness is a curse if it catches you unprepared. I know deep down I’ll eventually regret being such an idiot, but I can't help it. I'm still learning, and I am constantly fighting this intense urge to over-dramatize and invent problems where none actually exist.😠
Lately, I've been telling myself that it's better to regret something I actually did than to live with the regret of things I never tried. Try saying that to yourself too. Maybe it might actually help us.🙂
Honestly, I really don't know. Ask yourself: do you actually want a relationship? And if so, why? If not, what's the reason? Maybe you just haven't come across the right kind of person yet—someone who actually fits what you're looking for. Stop worrying about everyone else and quit comparing yourself to them. Like, everyone seems to have a boyfriend or something... Everyone's happy. I'm actually super friendly with all the guys I'm not interested in, but the second someone catches my eye? I immediately shut them down or just totally ignore them.😠 I've actually realized that I don't want a relationship right now. I still have so many life goals I haven't checked off yet, and I honestly feel like being with someone would just hold me back. I'm worried all my dreams would just end up falling through. I’ve come to realize that I’m actually afraid of myself. Is it just that I don't know how to function properly in a relationship? Maybe I just don't want the commitment or the feeling that I have to answer to someone else. Look, I’ll admit it—now you have to figure out for yourself what it is you're actually afraid of.🙂
SENDING THIS TO YOU FOR COURAGE. 🙏 🙏 👍 👍 👍
I think my issue is that I loathe change. I've carved out this little routine within the chaos of my current life, and I'm terrified of anything disrupting my comfort zone, even if it's something good. It feels pathetic, but I'm scared of happiness too, because I have no idea who I'd become if things actually went well.😢
Other people have never been my benchmark; I don't care if they're in relationships while I'm flying solo. Just like you, I have no desire for obligations or feeling like I owe someone an explanation for my actions. That kind of restriction would be suffocating. As for finding high-quality partners, I haven't met anyone worth giving a chance to—someone capable of accepting me exactly as I am.
Oh, believe me, I know that feeling all too well. It’s practically my default setting. I find myself hunting for any tiny flaw or inventing a million ridiculous reasons why we just won't work out—and sometimes, even when I actually like a guy, I just sit there acting completely indifferent, giving these hollow, polite answers just to get through the conversation. 🤣
Thanks for the advice. 😘 Actually, this is a brilliant idea: just play hard to get and make it crystal clear from the jump that we aren't going to be one of those "perfect" couples everyone else is obsessed with. As long as that's understood, let's see where it goes.
I honestly thrive in long-distance relationships... whether they're romantic or just solid friendships. I get exactly as much interaction as I can handle, provided I have enough notice to mentally prep—and the same goes for how much I give. everyone stays happy <-> satisfied (A friend once told me: "You’d be the perfect pilot—they fly in, out, and always maintain a high-class standard!" To which I replied: "Well, long-haul captains aren't exactly easy to find either!" 🤣 )
My longest actual relationship—get this—was a grand total of three months, 🤣 and even that was long-distance. 😬 I have no clue how to break this cycle. I genuinely want a standard, functional relationship where you actually see your partner once or twice a week in person. 😢
So, what's the move? Does anyone have any real advice?
mellowbear72 said:I’ve always struggled to really fit in with social circles. I try to be friendly with everyone, but I never seem to forge those deep, lasting friendships. Because of that, I’ve spent my whole life trying way too hard—trying to be nice to everyone, trying to make them like me, and basically playing people along just to eventually win them over as friends. I know now that it doesn't work that way, so lately, I’ve started adopting this almost ruthless, cynical, and "toxic" attitude instead... Everything I’ve ever experienced in terms of affection has just been shallow flirting. Honestly, the thought of getting into a real relationship or having to "answer" to someone scares the hell out of me. It gets to the point where I feel like telling guys the second I get to know them that I'm only interested in sex, not love. I just can't wrap my head around being permanently tied to another person, whether it's a friend or a boyfriend. I have this nagging feeling that doing that would just end up suffocating me as an individual. I absolutely loathe the idea of "depending" on anyone, which is why I actually feel most comfortable right now while I'm alone. But at the same time, I can't ignore that basic human need for security and protection—I miss having someone to lean on! How do I help myself?
Count me in on that club if you're accepting new members. 😛 The only difference between us is that I don't bother socializing with everyone; I just have a handful of close friends who don't crowd my space. I don't go out of my way to impress people I don't even like just to feel like I belong to a group.
But when it comes to relationships? I couldn't agree more... 😳
I've had this nagging, stabbing pain right under my right ribs all day long. Can stress actually mess with your liver like that? Is this just something that'll blow over on its own, or should I be looking into some herbal tea to settle things down?