Under-eye Darkness, Thyroid and Vaginal Odor: Top ASKs this Week

This week we saw a wide variety of questions come into our community. Women asked about thyroid, vaginal odor and water consumption. Our moderators provided resources and answers to these health questions as well as many others. Do you have a health question you need an answer for? Post it to our community, and we promise to respond within 24 hours.

Here are some of our top ASKs in the EmpowHER community this week.

1. What foods are unsafe to eat with an under active thyroid?

Via Pixabay

A: Some foods may affect your ability to absorb levothyroxine.Consuming a large amount of soy products, foods high in iron and a high fiber diet may impact absorption. Cruciferous vegetables that are rich in fiber like broccoli, cabbage, spinach, kale, and Brussels sprouts can inhibit thyroid drug absorption. Reducing the amounts of such produce in your diet may help.

2. What are some home remedies for dealing with vaginal odor?

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A: A woman's genitals should not smell bad if she cleans herself everyday, wears fresh cotton underwear every day and maintains good genital hygiene in general. So you need to find the cause for why you have a bad odor so that you can treat that issue, rather than the smell itself. The smell is simply a symptom, not a cause. Sometimes a bad smell can be due to an infection. You should see a gynecologist to see if this is the case with you.

3. What can I do to treat dark under-eye circles?

Via Pexels

A: Unfortunately there is not a lot a doctor/dermatologist can do about your doctor circles. Sometimes dark circles are genetic, others are due to tiredness or poor diet. One thing, however, a doctor (plastic surgeon) can do is laser therapy. This may help. It helped me somewhat. Bear in mind, your dark circles are not considered a medical condition in and of themselves. A fresh diet with lots of water can help make circles lighter/ Get as much sleep as possible- this will help greatly.

Read the full answer here.

4. Is bad to drink too much water?

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A: Too much water is not a good thing in our bodies. While proper hydration is necessary, too much can cause "water intoxication" that causes your salt levels to drop seriously low and could, in worst case scenarios, cause death. However, this is a rare occurrence as a person would have to drink an almost impossible amount of water for this to happen.

5. What exercises can be safe for me after I've torn a muscle?

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A:Using a treadmill is a great way low impact way to strengthen your the quadriceps. Any exercises that are low impact and improve your flexibility and range of motion your knee is good