ARTICLES RELATED TO:
Teen Health

Parents with teen daughters often describe the same experience: their daughter receives a diagnosis of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and suddenly a constellation of symptoms — irregular periods, persistent acne, unexpected weight changes — finally has a name. There’s relief in that moment, but still some confusion. And now, you may start hearing a new name: polyendocrine metabolic ovarian syndrome (PMOS). This new name is far more than a simple rebranding, however. It signals a profound evolution in how clinicians understand what’s actually happening in the bodies of millions of girls and women living with this condition. For parents especially, the new name can help make sense of symptoms that may have felt disconnected from one another. Whether your daughter has already received a PCOS diagnosis or you’re still searching for answers, here’s what this change means, and what you need to know. Why is PCOS now called PMOS? For […]

Every year, 13 million Americans — including teenagers — contract HPV. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly every sexually active person will get an HPV infection at some point in their life. Most infections clear up, but some persist and develop into cancer. The HPV vaccine can prevent this, yet many parents remain uncertain about whether or not to vaccinate their children. For some, it’s fear of side effects. For others, it’s concerns about why it needs to be given so young, and even the implication of saying yes. If you’re a parent trying to make the best decision for your child, here are answers to the most common questions and concerns about the HPV vaccine. What is HPV? HPV (human papillomavirus) is a group of viruses transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, such as vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Some strains of HPV cause warts, and […]

As the world changes and technology develops, kids have more and more access to the internet and social media. In fact, 50% of 11-year-olds have a cell phone and upwards of 90% of 14-year-olds have one. It can be incredibly challenging to figure out how to navigate tech, especially when many parents of teens didn’t even have social media to use at that age. But there’s no opting out of dealing with social media for teens. As a parent, you may have read some of the recent books and articles about the dangers of creating anxiety or affecting teen mental health by allowing kids to have phones. The data is pretty clear that kids who have increasing use of social media, especially Snapchat, tend to have higher levels of depression and anxiety. Parents are looking for answers to understand, and somehow remedy: How does social media affect mental health? Still, […]

There is so much information constantly flowing into families’ lives about the state of the world, with daily news headlines that have the potential to create distress. Children hear about what’s going on in the world through social media, friends, or adult conversations. But news headlines aren’t always about news; they’re often about what will get the most attention, ranging from uplifting stories to scary events. It’s important that you leave the door open to have conversations with your child about trending news and social media — and other things they may hear about the news. Starting a Discussion About a Current Event It’s often best to start with finding out what your child already knows. You can ask your kids questions to see if they know about a current event. For school-age kids and teens, you can also ask what they have heard at school or on social media. Try […]

People often assume that natural products are harmless or non-addictive. However, natural products can have side effects just like pharmaceuticals. In March 2025, Botanic Tonics’ CEO reported that Feel Free had surpassed a quarter of a billion dollars in annual sales profitability during its third year. According to NielsenIQ data, as of July 2024, Feel Free held the No. 1 spot for eight consecutive quarters in the ‘Shelf Stable Energy & Supplements in Convenience’ category. By August 2025, Botanic Tonics stated it had sold over 129.7 million servings of Feel Free. Yet, despite its commercial success, some users have begun to question the product’s true cost, with some even referring to it as “Feel Trapped” due to concerns over dependency or side effects. What are the ingredients in Feel Free CLASSIC? Unlike pharmaceuticals, natural products like Feel Free aren’t subject to rigorous regulation, leaving consumers uncertain about their actual composition. […]

Adolescents are at a point in their lives where everything is (or simply feels like) it’s changing all around them. They’re gaining new skills as they learn and grow; they’re taking on new responsibilities as they gain more independence; and they’re navigating new social challenges — within their families, at school, and among friends as their peer group members also mature and grow. Meanwhile, their bodies are undergoing rapid physical, mental, and emotional development. When you put it all together, this can often lead to that feeling of uncertainty that most of us experienced growing up. This adolescent uncertainty leads to three core questions that almost every teenager goes to bed wondering: These questions are fundamental to an adolescent’s development and health, which is why there are differences in pediatric and adolescent medicine. Pediatrician checkups begin to change to include more questions about mental, emotional, and social well-being. Our goal […]