Even if you’re not sure what it is, there’s a pretty good chance you’ve heard of premenstrual syndrome (i.e. PMS). It’s a special part of the menstrual cycle during which you might feel anywhere from just a little off to so sad that you can’t stop crying for days…and then your period starts and it all kind of makes sense. Read on to find out more about premenstrual syndrome and how it may affect you.

PMS stands for premenstrual syndrome, which is quite literally a syndrome made up of symptoms you might experience before menstruating. PMS occurs specifically during the luteal phase, which starts around two weeks before your period starts. Although we don’t know precisely why it happens the way it does, hormones are involved. 

Approximately two weeks before your period, a peak in oestrogen helps to trigger ovulation, followed by a drop. During the luteal phase oestrogen begins to rise again, while progesterone levels also rise in order to help prepare your uterus to support a potential fertilised egg… or menstruation occurs. But it’s those fluctuations that are thought to cause all the symptoms you might experience. So that’s why it’s called premenstrual syndrome!

If you have ovaries, there is a strong chance you will experience PMS as it is linked to the ovarian cycle. It is believed that most women and people with ovaries will experience PMS at some point during their lives. There is also a chance the symptoms will become more severe as you near menopause and your hormonal cycles transition and change. This is thought to quite often begin as you reach your late 30s or 40s. 

As previously mentioned, you might not experience anything at all, let alone anything too severe. Everyone’s experience is different, and you may also get different symptoms during different cycles. Some people may experience a wide range of symptoms to varying levels, and these can include:

• Mood swings
• Exhaustion or fatigue
• Bloating
• Stomach pain
• Headaches or migraines
• Hormonal acne (causing spots or even cysts)
• Changes to your appetite
• Changes to your libido
• Breast tenderness

These can vary from month to month, but might also stay the same. Natasha, 31, says: “Every single month without fail I have a cystic acne flare-up on my jawline. My skin has been fine otherwise since my early 20s, but that’s how I know my period is coming.” Acne flare-ups are a reasonably common warning sign that your period is on the way, but there really is a wide range of ways that your body might react to your fluctuating hormones in the preceding weeks. Jen, 24, says: “I get persistent leg cramps before it starts! No idea why but it happens every time.” 

You might not even recognise the signs of PMS as you’re experiencing them. Katie, 34, says “I know I feel rubbish right before it starts but it’s been unpredictable all my life.”

Premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD for short, is often thought of as a more severe version of PMS. Like PMS, it occurs during the luteal phase. It can present with the same symptoms as PMS (though potentially significantly heightened), along with additional and more concerning symptoms such as paranoia, insomnia, vomiting, hot flushes, and more. It is a condition that can be disruptive and damaging to your daily life, personally and professionally. If you think that you might be suffering from PMDD, particularly if it is hindering your ability to carry out your routine, it’s a good idea to speak to your GP about treatment options.

For most people, the physical symptoms of PMS can usually be managed with home remedies including hot water bottles, over the counter painkillers and appropriate rest or exercise depending on what feels right for you. To address the emotional and mental symptoms, it may be helpful to engage in exercise, reduce sugar, caffeine, and alcohol intake, and explore other self-care methods. However, if your symptoms are severe and significantly impair your ability to work, study, or socialise as usual, it might be worth considering discussing stronger treatment options with your GP, which could include hormonal contraception. In severe cases, surgery could be an option.

Hormonal contraception can help some people manage PMS symptoms, but it doesn’t work the same for everybody. Contraceptive pills in particular help prevent pregnancy by stopping your ovaries from releasing an egg, thereby preventing ovulation, but people using hormonal contraception can still experience a bleed along with the hormonal fluctuations that cause PMS. 

The monthly hormonal fluctuations associated with the menstrual and ovarian cycles can be unpredictable, complex and vary from person to person. So if you are hoping to use hormonal contraception to treat PMS, you should start by working with your GP to come up with a treatment plan, which may involve the combined contraceptive pill – along with a little trial and error.

There is some overlap between PMS and pregnancy symptoms. Pregnancy-related bloating can be mistaken for bloating before a period. The two also share in common things like mood swings, cramping, and headaches. There is less chance (although it’s not impossible) of feeling nauseous before your period, so that could indicate that it’s worth taking a pregnancy test.

The biggest sign that you might be experiencing pregnancy symptoms rather than PMS? A missing period. If your period is absent, it’s time to take a test. Your period might also be absent due to other factors including stress, but it’s a good place to start. If you have any further concerns or questions, please contact your GP.

Period shaming is real. Have you ever reacted in anger and heard someone rudely chortle “Sounds like it’s your time of the month!” or been brushed off as “hysterical”? It’s frustrating, right? Or when you hear about how women can’t be politicians or run businesses because they get too emotional during their periods, or men accusing each other of having a period when they show any emotion at all. It’s a sad fact of life that PMS is used to put down anyone who might have a period, or even just feelings! 

Unfortunately, this stigma also stops people who need treatment from feeling able to seek out the help that they need. Experiencing PMS does not make your feelings any less valid or give anyone the right to treat you badly, and one way that we can combat this is through proper education. If you think you might have PMS or PMDD and are nervous about approaching your GP to discuss what you’re going through, there are loads of resources online that can help to give you the tools you need.

You can also read more about what might happen to your period while you’re on Hana or whether your menstrual cycle really can “sync up” with your friends on our blog.

Hana® 75µg film-coated tablets contains desogestrel and is an oral contraception for women of child bearing age to prevent pregnancy. Always read the instructions on the package leaflet carefully.

ellaOne® 30mg film-coated tablet contains ulipristal acetate and is indicated for emergency contraception within 120 hours (5 days) of unprotected sexual intercourse or contraceptive failure. Always read the label.

https://www.womenshealth.gov/menstrual-cycle/premenstrual-syndrome

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/premenstrual-syndrome/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20376787 

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/pre-menstrual-syndrome/ 

https://iapmd.org/surgical-menopause 

https://www.femmepowerblog.com/health/about-period-pain 

https://www.mind.org.uk/news-campaigns/news/mind-can-help-you-find-the-words-to-speak-to-your-gp-about-mental-health/ 

https://www.ellaone.co.uk/magazine/features/reclaiming-the-word-hysteria-with-sarah-graham-founder-of-hysterical-women

https://www.hana.co.uk/blog/does-your-menstrual-cycle-sink-up-with-your-friends/

Sexual confidence is a game-changer for a fulfilling sex life, and our Big Sex Survey has some eye-opening insights about how we all feel about sex. Check it out for the full scoop! From body positivity to communication, understanding what boosts our sexual confidence can transform our intimate experiences.

First off, let’s talk about communication. It’s the cornerstone of any healthy sexual relationship. Feeling confident enough to express your desires and boundaries can make all the difference. 

Expressing Desires and Boundaries: Being able to talk openly about what you want and don’t want in bed can vastly improve your sexual experiences. It helps to create a space where both partners feel heard and respected, which is crucial for building trust and intimacy​.

Active Listening: It’s not just about talking; it’s about listening too. Make sure you’re genuinely paying attention to your partner’s needs and concerns. This mutual respect can deepen your connection and enhance your sexual confidence​.

Nonverbal Communication: Sometimes, actions speak louder than words. Nonverbal cues like touch, eye contact, and body language play a huge role in sexual communication. Being attuned to these signals can help you respond more effectively to your partner’s needs​.

Overcoming Barriers: If talking about sex feels awkward, you’re not alone. Many people find this challenging due to societal taboos or personal insecurities. Overcoming these barriers involves practice and patience. Start with small, honest conversations and gradually build up to more in-depth discussions​.

Building a Safe Space: Ensure that both you and your partner feel safe to express yourselves without judgement. This safe space can be physical (a comfortable, private setting) and emotional (an atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding)​.

Feeling good in your own skin really is the foundation of sexual confidence. Here are some tips to boost your body positivity:

Celebrate Your Body: Focus on what you love about your body. It can be anything from your smile, to a random freckle on your chest, to your curves. Celebrating these features can shift your mindset from self-criticism to self-love.

Self-Care Rituals: Pamper yourself with skincare, a relaxing bath, or a new outfit that makes you feel fabulous. Taking care of your body – both inside and out – can improve how you feel about it.

Positive Affirmations: Start your day with affirmations like “I love my body” or “I am confident and beautiful”. It might feel silly at first, but positive self-talk can rewire your brain to appreciate your body.

Understanding your own sexuality is key to feeling confident with others. If you don’t know what you personally like, how is someone else meant to know off the bat? Here are some ways you can explore your sexuality:

Self-Reflection: Spend time thinking about what turns you on and what you enjoy sexually. Journaling can help you understand your desires and boundaries better.

Educational Resources: Read books, listen to podcasts, or watch videos that explore different aspects of sexuality. The more you know, the more confident you’ll feel.

Experiment: Safely explore different sexual activities on your own or with a partner. Discovering what you like can boost your sexual confidence immensely.

Need help feeling more sexy and confident? Try these habits and mindsets:

Dress the Part: Wear clothes that make you feel sexy, even if no one else is going to see them. Remember that scene from Eat Pray Love where Liz (Julia Roberts) is shopping in Italy with her friend and sees a stunning, sexy blue nightdress? Her friend says she should buy it, to which Liz asks: “Per chi?” (“For whom?” in Italian). Her friend says: “For you, Liz, just for you.” Well, be your biggest fan and buy yourself that nightdress – or whatever it may be that makes you feel amazing. Lingerie, a fitted dress, or even a favourite piece of jewellery can make a big difference.

Exercise: Physical activity releases endorphins, which can improve your mood, and can make you feel more attractive. Find a workout you enjoy, whether it’s yoga, pilates or even just dancing around in your room. 

Mindfulness and Meditation: Practising mindfulness can help you stay in the moment during intimate experiences and get out of all the other thoughts running around in your head. Meditation can also reduce anxiety and improve your overall well-being.

Social media and celebrity images can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, they can inspire and empower; but on the other, they can create unrealistic expectations. Follow accounts that promote body positivity and unfollow those that make you feel less confident. Surround yourself with people – both online and offline – who make you feel good about yourself.

Ready to take your sexual confidence to the next level? Check out these 5 ways to transform your sex life and help you start feeling more empowered and connected in your intimate relationships.

Embracing sexual confidence is a journey – and not always a straightforward one – but with the right tools and mindset, you can feel more positive and fulfilled in your intimate life. Here’s to celebrating your unique self and enjoying a more confident, satisfying sex life!

Getting an endometriosis diagnosis can feel like waiting for a bus that never comes. It’s a real issue—some folks wait up to a staggering 7 to 11 years for a diagnosis. Imagine dealing with all that pain and uncertainty for so long! The emotional and physical toll it takes is no joke.

The thing is, endometriosis is a medical chameleon. Its symptoms often cross paths with other conditions like ovarian cysts, IBS, and UTIs, so doctors sometimes end up chasing the wrong clues. Plus, the typical tests like laparoscopy, pelvic exams, and imaging scans can be invasive, expensive, and sometimes they don’t even give a clear answer. Talk about frustrating!

And then, there’s the whole societal attitude thing. In a world where women’s health issues often get the brush-off, and period pain is shrugged off as ‘just part of being a woman’, endometriosis hasn’t gotten the attention it desperately needs. This attitude has been a massive roadblock in getting a timely and accurate diagnosis.

So, what can you do? Be your own advocate! If something feels off, speak up. Don’t be afraid to get a second opinion. And hey, those specialised endometriosis clinics? They might have just the answers you’re looking for.

Endometriosis is a condition that feels like an uninvited guest causing chaos in the pelvic area. Picture this: tissue similar to the lining of your womb decides to go rogue, setting up shop outside the uterus. And just like an unwanted house guest, it causes a whole lot of trouble.

Endo pain is not your usual period cramps; it’s like menstrual pain on steroids. It can be sharp and stabbing, or a dull, throbbing ache. People often describe it as way more intense than regular menstrual cramps. And here’s a twist: the pain varies throughout the menstrual cycle, sometimes getting worse right before and during periods.

The pain from endometriosis is like a rollercoaster, tied closely to the menstrual cycle. It usually kicks in 1-2 days before the period starts, hangs around during, and even lingers a few days after. Real-life accounts describe this pain as sometimes debilitating, to the extent that it can impact daily life​​.

Endometriosis isn’t content just causing pelvic pain; it often invites lower back pain to the party as well. This happens because the endometrial-like tissue can affect pelvic ligaments, causing pain that radiates to the back.

Now, chest pain is a rare guest at this party, but it’s a possibility. Thoracic endometriosis can affect the diaphragm or lungs, leading to chest pain or even trouble breathing during periods. It’s rare but definitely on the endo symptom list.

Endometriosis can mess with your hormones, leading to irregular periods. It’s like having a calendar where the dates keep shifting. This hormonal chaos can affect ovarian function, causing irregularities in your menstrual cycle.

Dealing with endometriosis is like navigating a maze with unexpected turns. The pain varies in type and intensity, and it can pop up in places like the lower back or even the chest. Add irregular periods to the mix, and it’s clear this condition needs attention and understanding. Remember, if you’re experiencing these symptoms, reach out to your doctor. You’re not alone on this journey! 

Endometriosis is a medical condition that occurs when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus – known as endometrium – begins to grow outside the uterus. So what’s really going on here? 

Well, imagine your body throwing a curveball each menstrual cycle. These rogue cells, chilling outside the uterus, still act like they’re home – thickening, breaking down, bleeding – but with no exit strategy. This can lead to pain, scar tissue, and a host of symptoms that can range from “Ugh” to “Why me?” during periods​​​​.

Endometriosis affects about 10% of women of reproductive age globally, translating to approximately 190 million individuals. In the UK, this condition is a significant health issue, with numerous healthcare options available for diagnosis and treatment. The National Health Service (NHS) provides guidelines and support for managing endometriosis, and there are various support groups within the country offering assistance to those affected​​.

When we talk about the common symptoms of endometriosis, we’re looking at a mix of things that can vary quite a bit from person to person. Here’s the lowdown:

• Pelvic Pain: It’s usually at its worst during your period, and you might also feel it in your lower back and tummy. Think of it as an unwanted monthly visitor that overstays its welcome.
• Menstrual Irregularities: We’re talking heavy periods or even surprise bleeding between cycles. Basically, your period starts acting like it’s forgotten the regular schedule.
• Pain During Sex: Yep, this can happen. It might show up during or after getting intimate, which is a bit of a downer.
• Pain with Bowel Movements or Urination: These pains often say ‘hello’ around your menstrual cycle, adding another layer of fun to the whole experience.
• Infertility: Sometimes, endometriosis can throw a wrench into fertility plans.

But here’s a quirky thing: the amount of pain you feel doesn’t always line up with how much endometrial growth you’ve got going on. It’s like your body’s own unique response to the condition.

Now, here’s where it gets interesting. Endometriosis can throw some unusual symptoms your way – like gastrointestinal issues, lower back pain, and even fatigue. It’s like your body’s trying to tell you something, but it’s speaking in riddles. These symptoms can often be overlooked or misdiagnosed, making it a real challenge to figure out what’s up​​​​. 

Diagnosis often involves a detailed description of symptoms, a pelvic exam, and may include imaging tests like ultrasounds or MRIs. In some cases, a definitive diagnosis requires surgery, such as laparoscopy, where a camera is inserted into the abdomen to look for endometrial-like tissue​​.

Endometriosis isn’t always straightforward, and sometimes it throws out symptoms that are easy to miss or mix up with other things. Let’s break them down:

• Gastrointestinal Issues: We’re talking about things like diarrhoea or constipation, and they tend to show up or get worse during your periods. It’s like your digestive system decides to join the period party.
• Lower Back Pain: This one can be sneaky because it doesn’t always feel connected to your menstrual cycle, but it’s part of the endometriosis package for some.
• Fatigue, Bloating, Nausea: These can come along for the ride, too, often getting more noticeable around the time of your period.
• Psychological Impact: Dealing with chronic pain and the other symptoms could take a toll on your mental well-being, leading to things like depression or anxiety.

These symptoms can be tricky because they’re not the first things you might link to endometriosis. But if you’re experiencing them – especially in tandem with the more common symptoms – it’s worth exploring further.

Wrapping it up, endometriosis is a bit of a complex puzzle, isn’t it? It’s one of those conditions that can really fly under the radar but has a big impact on life. Awareness, catching it early, and getting the right treatment are key moves. It’s pretty crucial to get a handle on the variety of symptoms and to reach out for the right healthcare advice if you think you might be affected.

For those in the UK, there’s a bunch of support waiting for you. The NHS and various support groups are there like reliable friends, offering a wealth of information and backing to help you manage endometriosis. So, if you’re navigating this journey, remember it’s all about staying informed, seeking support, and tackling it head-on. You’re not in this alone!

Did you know the 1964 TV show Bewitched featured the first on screen couple to be seen (shock horror!) sharing the same bed? It may sound weird in 2023, but even couples who were married both in real life and on the screen were traditionally shown in twin beds to remove the connotation that they might be having sex. 

Whilst it’s good that we now live in an age where the realities of life – including sex – can be portrayed on the big screen, filming explicit content is complicated and can be detrimental to the cast if not handled correctly. Stars of Game of Thrones (which first aired in 2011) have since spoken out about the chaos, lack of consent and feelings of overwhelm and coercion that they experienced on set. Power dynamics can make standing up for your boundaries difficult, especially if you’re new to the screen and don’t want to mess up your big break.

Since the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements highlighted the lack of and need for consent and agency on and off set, a new role dedicated to making sure intimacy on screen is handled correctly has sprung up. Welcome to the age of intimacy coordinators!

We spoke to Louise Kempton, an intimacy coordinator, movement director and actor, to find out more about what an intimacy coordinator does.

Intimacy coordinators are brought on by productions – whether TV, theatre, or film – as movement specialists to help choreograph and support intimate work. The easiest thing to equate us to is stunt coordinators. We have an understanding of the body, choreography and how people work together, and we are there to mitigate risk. 

So with a fight scene, the stunt coordinator makes sure it is done safely, and with consensus and agreement. They make sure it’s fulfilling the creative vision of the director and the cast, but also staying within the boundaries of the actors and their physical capabilities. It’s the same with the intimacy coordinator. We hopefully help produce something that is beautiful, interesting and serves the narrative of the story, but also acknowledges and respects the boundaries of the cast.

I think the US has had intimacy directors since 2015/2014. I’ve been doing it since 2019, and that was quite early on in the UK. I suppose it was starting to pick up pace after the Me Too movement.  We haven’t reinvented the wheel: intimacy coordination has developed from directors, movement directors, and stunt coordinators. Many people had been working with these best practices, and doing the job before the intimacy coordinator role was specifically made.

Intimacy coordinators are advocates for the cast and crew, because it can be challenging for them. It all depends on experience, and there is as much power and status as with any kind of job. Sometimes more experienced actors don’t have that power struggle with the directors and producers. 

I’m working with a lot of quite young actors right now, actors who are quite new to TV. I’m that middle person. I go to the production, I talk to the director, I try to understand what their vision is and what kind of story the writer wants to tell. And then I meet with the actors and the cast to individually check in with their boundaries. 

Hopefully, they can trust me enough to be able to say no, because if I’m offering them that no. Lots of coordinators talk about how actors are often yes people. So saying no – or pausing for a moment to think – can be difficult. It’s not necessarily the normal procedure. I hope that we allow actors on set to have advocacy and autonomy over their work.  Sometimes it’s more about facilitating the actors’ conversation with the director, so we’re that person in the room to enable those conversations.  We are there to help nurture that collaborative space. And sometimes we are the third party that they can come to independently. 

I think having an intimacy coordinator helps promote the agency of the actor before they even get the job.  Actors can ask what intimate content will be in the show. Is there any nudity? Will my character be expected to have sex? They should be able to ask those questions and then really consider if it’s right for them. I really think that we’re making it a safer, more collaborative space for actors and particularly new or young actors. There’s still more to do. There still needs to be more diversity within the community, but it’s growing and it’s getting better. When I first started intimacy coordination in 2019, no one would know what my role was when I stepped on set. Now everyone knows. Just having that understanding of your role is a massive step up in appreciating the work overall. I think it’s definitely improving. 

Obviously, for children and young actors under 18, there are certain laws around what they can and can’t do, from how many hours you’re allowed on set to child protection and things like that. 

With regards to adult actors, they have agents and lots of productions have legal teams. I help create nudity riders and simulated sex riders. These riders are normally only written for scenes of simulated sex or sexual foreplay, and degrees of nudity and undress. So for example, an actor agrees to full back nudity, including buttocks and gluteal cleft, and absolutely no frontal genitalia. And you do that for each of the scenes that requires that kind of attention. An actor can sign the rider. 

However, if on the day it feels completely out of their comfort zone, something is triggering them or they’re really not happy, then they can still say no. If we’ve already recorded some content, then the production is entitled to use that content. But you can still say no, and producers and directors should be aiming for an environment in which your cast and company can be saying yes freely.  We may not necessarily have laws, but we’ve got lots of protocols and guidelines in place on how to work.

So I get sent the whole script of a series or a film, and I go through the script with a fine-tooth comb. I underline, highlight and draw out anything that is deemed as intimacy, from hand holding intimacy to full on penetrative sex.

Intimacy could look like somebody in the shower or sitting on the toilet, it could be people getting stripped down to their underwear – anything that’s beyond the normal, fully clothed person. It’s important to highlight everything and have the conversations to cover all bases. Some productions may just want you for three intense scenes, and other shows may ask you to weigh in on anything that could be classed as intimacy. So I highlight everything. And I go through and outline whether it’s essential, recommended, suggested or cast preference to have support because that’s where risk assessment comes in. 

Depending on how the director works and how the cast want to work, I can be quite involved with the choreography and the movement. In some scenes I’m creating the whole choreography beat by beat. With other scenes I’m purely there to facilitate how they want to work and I’m just the person in the room doing check-ins, so it really varies project to project. Then I’m there on the day of filming just to make sure that everything that is happening is what has been agreed to.

I also help with the set,  so say there’s a scene of nudity in the shower, you need to work out what is in the shot. Is it going to be frosted glass? Is the curtain see-through? Do we know what body parts we’re going to see?  I find all of that out. Then I liaise with the wardrobe department. Are there any modesty garments that need wearing? 

I work with the makeup department if there’s, for example, tattoos we want covered. I’m often in touch with the location department about temperature. If we’ve got scenes outside, are there tents for privacy? Is there any public access? Do we have that cornered off?

There’s lots of things to think about when you’re doing intimate scenes that people might not realise they need to prepare for. There’s nothing worse than setting up for the day and you suddenly go: “Oh, we’re doing this outside scene, but there’s a whole load of houses there, we need to let them know that something’s happening on the lawn at the front.”

In a scene I was working on recently,  there’s two actors and they’ve got some kissing scenes and a simulated sex scene. In the kissing scene, they are really kissing. There’s lip contact, we’re just not using any tongue. So that is a physical thing that’s actually happening. Whereas with simulated sex, we are finding the physical shapes and finding the physical rhythm. But we will never have genitalia touching.  

How we do that depends on your framing, it depends on the props and the set. Are you in bed? Great! You’ve got covers to cover your genitals, so we can have a cushion or a barrier in between them. Other things are more complicated. So if you’ve got two naked bodies, we have to be clever with body positions, legs, camera angles. They will have a modesty patch at minimum. If they’re under the covers and might be wearing leggings or tracksuit bottoms. 

I think they help make really good moments of storytelling, and they also help an audience feel safe. Audiences are savvy now and they know these intimacy coordinators exist. If you’re going to watch a film or programme, you’re sitting there going: “Oh, are they really doing that” and it can be worrying, but then if the audience sees that they’ve got an intimacy coordinator, they feel more comfortable about it somehow, you know. Like people don’t want to watch a real fight. Everyone wants to watch a real good stage fight. You want to believe the actors are acting. We don’t just help the cast and crew, but it’s the audience on the other side when the show is out there to appreciate the craft and skill of an actor and to appreciate storytelling. 

I’m really proud of a lovely show that’s on Amazon Prime called Fifteen Love. That’s out now, with some fantastic actors.  It’s about a tennis coach taking advantage of his young protege. And about the sort of horror stories that have come up through sports coaches and their and their stars. That was sort of a grey area to do with age, consent and intimate relationships. The whole programme is about their intimacy. So that was a job that I was very much involved in. 

I was also involved in an indie film that’s just come out now called Hoard, directed by Luna Carmoon. I think it’s seriously arty, wicked and something very different to what I’ve worked on before. I’ve had varied experiences with different kinds of intimacy, which is always fun. 

Hana® 75µg film-coated tablets contains desogestrel and is an oral contraception for women of child bearing age to prevent pregnancy. Always read the instructions on the package leaflet carefully.

Louise Kempton does not endorse any products or brands.