Your Health: Can the Pill change a woman's taste in men?

Pill perceptionCan the Pill change women's taste in men?A study by the University of Sheffield says that women taking the oral contraceptive drug had a greater preference for more feminine features such as thinner jaws and less prominent eyebrow ridges.The theory is that without the pill, women's preferences tend to be for more masculine features at ovulation, and for more boyish faces and caring personalities at other times in the month.The researchers, in the journal "Ecology Evolution," speculated that the change may have contributed to the popularity in recent years of baby-faced male movie stars like Johnny Depp or Zac Efron rather than tough guys like Sean Connery.Six full monthsThe lives of nearly 900 babies would be saved each year, an analysis has found, if 90 percent of U.S. women breast-fed their babies for the first six months.The study, led by an internist and instructor at Harvard Medical School and published in the journal "Pediatrics," noted breast milk antibodies fight infections; that also can affect insulin levels, which may make babies less likely to develop diabetes and obesity throughout their lives.Breast-feeding can help prevent stomach viruses, ear infections, asthma, juvenile diabetes, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and even childhood leukemia.About 43 percent of U.S. mothers do at least some breast-feeding for six months, but only 12 percent follow guidelines for only breast milk for six months.Skin careWith so many skin-care options, it's hard to know what works best. Chicago doctor Victoria Holloway Barbosa, co-author of a new book, "The Reader's Digest Guide to Skin Care," offers a few tips:bull;Dark circle under the eyes can be caused by poor drainage of blood from the area, sometimes worsened by nasal congestion. Retinoids or alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) can be used to plump the skin and creams with vitamin K, kojic acid and vitamin C might help decrease pigmentation.bull;Pore size is determined by genetics and cannot be changed. Exfoliation and topical creams can help clear clogged pores to improve their appearance.bull;Make your own exfoliators at home with an oatmeal and water paste, baking soda and facial cleanser, or equal parts sea salt, sugar, or coffee grounds with olive or almond oil.H1N1 hangoverSpring is here, but flu season isn't over yet - and neither is health officials' campaign to get you vaccinated.The H1N1 flu virus has made a comeback in the southeastern part of the country, in states like Georgia and South Carolina.About 3,000 people have been hospitalized for H1N1 since last year in Illinois, and 107 people have died, most of whom have had an underlying illness. By the end of January, only about one-third of people had been vaccinated in the high-priority target group - pregnant women, people under 24, caregivers for infants and people with health problems.So get in now - while there are no lines.Women's healthThe Women's Health Foundation invites you to "Talking the Taboo," a seminar on such subjects as sexual health, incontinence, prolapse and pelvic pain.It's from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, May 12, in the Greenbelt Cultural Center, 1215 Green Bay Road, North Chicago. Call Kerry Robinson at (773) 697-4283 or see womenshealthfoundation.org.