Mara Santilli

Contributor Health

Mara Santilli is a freelance writer and editor who covers women's health, wellness trends and topics related to health equity. She's contributed to Women's Health, Marie Claire, Shape, Cosmopolitan, InStyle, Refinery29, POPSUGAR, Glamour and more. When she's not writing or reading, she's singing, doing theatre or playing the guitar.

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  • 6 Signs Of A Healthy Relationship

    Maintaining a healthy and stable relationship with a partner takes mutual commitment, and according to research, it can have a positive impact on mental health. While unstable romantic relationships may be more likely to trigger symptoms of anxiety and depression,...

  • Kegel Exercises: Benefits, Goals And Cautions

    Everyone has pelvic floor muscles, which provide support for the bladder, uterus and bowels. If you’ve recently given birth, gone through menopause, or had a surgery that involves the bladder and reproductive organs, such as a hysterectomy, prostatectomy, or gender...

  • Depression Statistics In 2023

    About 5% of adults globally have depression. That number is likely even higher as not everyone who has depression obtains an official diagnosis. To draw awareness to the state of mental health in the U.S. and around the world, we’ve...

  • Pregnant Or Starting Menopause: What Are The Signs?

    The symptoms of early pregnancy, perimenopause (the period of years before menopause) and premenstrual syndrome (PMS) can be quite similar, causing some women to wonder what their missed or late period, bloating or mood swings may mean. During the phase...

  • Bobbie Baby Formula Review

  • Menopause Belly (Bloating): Causes And Treatment

    Bloating during menopause may be colloquially referred to as “menopause belly” because of the gut health changes and other physical changes to your midsection that may occur. You may find some foods cause you to bloat that didn’t previously, or...

  • Your Guide To Menopause Treatments

    For individuals who menstruate, menopause is an inevitable stage of life, and it can come with an array of uncomfortable symptoms. Around 85% of people experience symptoms during menopause, including hot flashes, insomnia, anxiety and mood disturbances, according to research....

  • 7 Ways To Ease Anxiety During Pregnancy

    If you’re a soon-to-be parent feeling on edge about everything from the results of your next blood test to what color you’re going to paint the baby’s room, you’re not alone. Research from the Journal of Mental Health and Clinical...

  • 6 Ways To Support A Friend During The Postpartum Period

    Postpartum parents can immensely benefit from a strong support system during those first weeks at home with a new baby. However, it can be challenging to identify the most impactful ways to help out a friend who just gave birth,...

  • Your Guide To IUDs: Types, Benefits And Side Effects

    Intrauterine devices (IUDs) have become a popular form of long-acting contraception—in fact, an estimated 14% of women ages 15 to 44 who used contraception between 2015 to 2017 opted for IUDS, according to data from the Kaiser Family Foundation. This...

  • Roe V. Wade Reversal: Will It Affect Access To Plan B And Contraception?

    On June 24, 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade—the landmark 1973 decision that made abortion access in the U.S. a constiutional right—leaving the legality of abortion up to individual states to decide. As a result of the reversal,...

  • What Is Gender Dysphoria? Definition, Signs And Treatment Options

    Just because we are all assigned a certain biological sex at birth does not mean everyone will necessarily identify with that biological sex as they grow up. Additionally, some people may not be comfortable identifying with a particular gender at...

  • Donor Eggs In Fertility Treatments: What You Need To Know

    There are a number of reasons a person would use donor eggs in fertility treatments to conceive a child. The process of using donor eggs may seem overwhelming and costly, but fortunately, the average success rate of in vitro fertilization...

  • Will A Roe v. Wade Overturn Impact Fertility Treatments? Here’s What Experts Say

    In the coming months, reproductive health care may look a lot different in the U.S. On June 24, the Supreme Court overruled the 1973  Roe v. Wade case that enacted the constitutional right to an abortion. As a result, the...

  • What Is Water Birthing? Everything You Need To Know

    If you’re preparing to have a baby, you’re likely looking into every option before finalizing your birth plan. Birthing situations outside of typical hospital births have become more common— in fact, birthing centers and home births saw a 20% increase...

  • Your Guide To Egg Donations For Fertility Treatment

    There are many ways to become a parent, thanks to innovations in reproductive technology. One method is through egg donation. Perhaps you’re looking into donating your eggs, or are curious about expanding your own family, and considering working with an...

  • 11 Forms Of Birth Control—And Their Side Effects

    If you’re looking to lower your chances of pregnancy (or take certain forms of birth control to reduce the side effects of your period, including cramping and hormonal acne), you have dozens of options. There’s hormonal birth control pills, patches,...

  • What To Expect When Getting Off Birth Control

    If you’re one of the 65% of women between the ages of 18 and 49 who use some form of contraception, there’s a chance you’ll need to stop using your birth control at some point. There’s many reasons people stop...

  • Birth Control Pills: Types, Side Effects And More

    When it comes to birth control, there are many options: hormonal birth control pills, patches, rings, intrauterine devices (IUDs) and even gels. Yet birth control pills are one of the most common forms of contraception in the U.S.: 21% of...

  • Positive Affirmations And How To Use Them

    The repetition of positive, affirming words like “I can do this,” or “I’m worthy,” can often be applied for an extra dose of confidence in difficult situations. Otherwise known as positive affirmations, these phrases can serve as helpful reminders across...

  • What Is Emotional Intelligence? Traits, How To Test And More

    Do you have friends or loved ones who consistently show a sense of empathy and understanding? Do you have co-workers who seem to cause conflict on a regular basis? The difference in these personalities might boil down to emotional intelligence...

  • Frequent Urination In Women: Causes And Treatment

    Whether you find yourself waking up throughout the night to empty your bladder or consistently racing to find a public bathroom when you’re out of the house, you might be wondering, “Do I just have a ‘small bladder,’ or could...

  • Bleeding After Sex: Everything You Need To Know

    It can be unsettling to experience vaginal bleeding after sex—and even more so if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant. There are a variety of reasons why you might have some bleeding after sex. Sometimes, it could be as...

  • How To Stop Overthinking: Causes And Ways To Cope

    It might feel like you’re the only one lying awake at night, dwelling on a decision you made earlier that day or worrying about tomorrow’s to-do list. But you’re not alone—research suggests 73% of 25- to 35-year-olds chronically overthink, along...

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