How many of these behaviors do you exhibit?
Nail-biting is sometimes used to relieve stress, in times of excitement, or to help combat boredom. This habit usually dies down the older a woman gets, and nail-biting after age 30 is more uncommon.
This happens more frequently as women grow older. As a study found, "Hair tended to increase on the face and disappear from all other sites with advancing years."
"Prostaglandins signal the uterus to contract to push out the uterine lining, but it's likely that some non-conformist prostaglandins head over to the bowels and make them contract too,” explains Anna Rothschild, host of PBS' ‘Gross Science.’
Well, given the extra time spent in the bathroom, it kind of makes sense, right? But there’s more to it. Two chemicals, in fact: prostaglandins and progesterone.
The tweezer is a must-have tool in any woman’s beauty arsenal. Many of them, in fact, use them to pluck rogue facial hair that appears in areas like the chin.
Nail biting is not a healthy or indeed sanitary habit, but many women do it. And not only is it bad news for the nails and jaw, it is also a way to be exposed to germs.
Most women refrain from doing so in public, of course, but this doesn’t mean they don’t do it at all.
In addition, the levels of progesterone, which may trigger slight constipation, drop during this time of the month. But ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatories (which are often taken for abdominal cramps) reduce the release of prostaglandin, so some women don’t experience this increase in bowel movements.
Digging for gold is more common among teenagers, but adults do it, too. It's not, however, good for your health, as it can increase the chances of contracting a bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus.
Who has never given their partner’s clothes a good whiff, right? Scents are really important in a couple’s attraction, so sometimes women like to sniff the clothes of their beloved.
Research has shown that doing this can actually reduce stress in women. Or as one study put it, “Perceived stress was reduced in women who were exposed to their partner’s scent.”
Another reason is to not share the snacks with their kids and/or partner. In fact, two-thirds of American moms who participated in a poll confessed to this.
Desperate times call for desperate measures, and sometimes that comes in the form of what’s available at hand when a woman’s period unexpectedly appears. This is usually toilet paper.
Some women hide (the bedroom and the bathroom are among the favorites) to eat snacks. More often than not, this behavior is triggered by embarrassment and the shame of doing so.
To be fair, both men and women do it. Though peeing while standing can actually affect pelvic floor function in women.
"Unfortunately, those of us who were assigned female at birth and have that anatomy were not designed to pee standing up. Even in this Captain Morgan pose [one leg up high] your pelvic floor isn't going to relax appropriately, which means that you aren't going to be emptying your bladder super well," explains Dr. Alicia Jeffrey-Thomas.
This can lead to irritation and even bacteria developing. So bottom line is: always carry a spare tampon or pad in your bag.
Layering toilet paper may do the trick in an emergency, but it’s not very good for women’s health. "The reason is even though it looks like it's really firm, the minute it gets moist it's going to [tear] apart and there's no way you're going to get it all out of you," explains obstetrician-gynecologist Dr. Lauren Streicher.
We all know how a lot of women struggle with body image and how much pressure there is for them to look the 'right size.' But according to a study, body dysmorphia is real, even among women with a supposedly healthy weight.
In the study, a group of women who were determined to have a healthy weight were asked to look in the mirror and pick one adjective to describe them, from a list of 12. A whopping 34% picked the word "fat."
First, let’s clarify that we mean the legal type of "stalking," e.g. looking up an ex or that cute guy from the office.
The washing machine is not great news for bras, and forget about the dryer, so washing bras can indeed be time-consuming. That’s why some women end up wearing them for longer than they should.
Plus, the process of hair washing can be time-consuming. We’re talking about shampoo, conditioner, masks, oils—you name it. But hey, dry shampoo to the rescue!
Most men wash their hair when they shower. Some women, however, don’t. This is not a matter of poor hygiene, and it’s actually good for the hair, as it won’t strip it of much-needed natural oils.
According to gastroenterologist Dr. Purna Kashyap, women pass gas an average of 10-20 times per day. Flatulence is normal and a sign of a healthy gut.
Most bras are delicate to wash, some requiring handwashing. Not washing them regularly, however, is not great for their longevity, or indeed women’s hygiene.
Women are curious, and social media feeds that curiosity. This may include spending hours analyzing pictures, likes, comments, etc.
Sources: (The List) (The Telegraph) (Time) (Cosmopolitan) (Mayo Clinic)
Yes, women fart, even if many don’t admit to it. They may not fart as much as men do, but they do fart nonetheless, of course.
In this gallery, we delve into the world of female behavior and bring you a list of things that most women secretly do, but never admit to. Click on for the scoop!
Revealing women's favorite secret habits
But maybe it's time to let go of the shame
LIFESTYLE Women
All women do things in private that no one else knows about, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. But some of these behaviors are kept secret because women are mostly embarrassed to admit to them, and also because they're not considered to be 'ladylike' in some cultures.
In this gallery, we delve into the world of female behavior and bring you a list of things that most women secretly do, but never admit to. Click on for the scoop!