The co-hosts on The View like to discuss hot topics -- please, oh please, let the election be over so they can stop fighting about that hot mess -- and on Wednesday, they hit on the topic of New York calorie counts. You know, the whole thing where New York restaurants must post calorie counts on their menus -- yep, if you're in the Outback and are about to chow down, you're going to be faced with the cold, hard facts about your favorite Bloomin' Onion: 2,275 calories.

The calorie-count mandate was effective this past April, but the buzz is still buzzing: Some like it, some don't, and co-host and comedienne Joy Behar -- well, she's on the not-liking-it side (she doesn't like John McCain either, by the way). Here's exactly what she says about in-your-face calorie counts: Listing calories on a menu is like listing STDs at a brothel. No beating around the bush for this gal. The way she sees it, when you walk into McDonald's you know what you're going to get: Lots of calories. When you walk into a brothel, well same thing, except for the calorie part.

What do you think? Do you like calorie counts? Not like them? Or do you not really care?

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I typically like to address my Stress Less installments to everyone, but this one is for parents of preschoolers who are potty training. That's because I've noticed potty training tends to cause the most stress amongst my fellow parental cohorts. I'm not going to offer magic tricks for how to get your kids to use the potty. But I will aim to ease minds about doing so in public restrooms.

I actually find it strange that parents allow their kids to romp without a care on pesticide laden grass in public parks, identified as such with those handy little flags, but freak out if their child touches anything in a public restroom. Fifty percent of American women won't sit on a seat and they teach their kids to do the same. But in an ABC News test, the toilet turned out to be the cleanest thing in the public restroom. As the subsequent report points out, you're not going to get germs from your backside. You're going to get them from your hands.

There really is little need to worry anyway. At least not about genital herpes or HIV. But you might worry about staph infections. It's possible to contract an infection from potty seats, but it's not as likely as you might think. The bottom line: as long as you wash your hands after a trip to the bathroom, you and your kids will likely never acquire anything by way of the public potty.

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California's State Board of Education has determined that students as young as fifth grade should learn about sexually transmitted diseases. The decision is timely, as recent reports have stated that as many as one in four teenage girls has an STD. But the decision wasn't rash, the Board of Education has held discussions regarding sex education standards for two years.

The new standards will present important information and teach the skills necessary to practice safe sexual behavior. Abstinence will be included in the curriculum, but California state law prevents abstinence only sexual education. The sex ed classes will be integrated into existing health classes.

What do you think?

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A national study of teenage girls has determined that one in four has a sexually transmitted disease. The study monitored four different STDs -- HPV, chlamydia, herpes simples type 2, and trichomoniasis. Almost 50% of African-American girls in the study and 20% of Caucasian girls were infected with at least one of the STDs. 15% had more than one STD. The most common conditions were HPV and chlamydia.

Education, prevention, and even vaccination are so important for young girls who may become sexually active. I'm not a parent to a girl, but I do have a young boy. He's only 10, but I don't think it's too soon to discuss these issues. Right now, I keep it age-appropriate and talk a lot about respecting others, how to treat girls with respect, and the importance of privacy. For tips on how to talk to teens about sex, click here.

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If you had a cold, you'd know about it, right? If you had an ear infection, you'd know about that as well, correct? But, what about Chlamydia -- if you had it, would you know?

According to an article featured on WebMD, you may not know. Some sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea, have symptoms that are often confused with signs of a bladder infection, while Chlamydia, as mentioned, may not show any symptoms at all.

Here is a list of the six most common sexually transmitted diseases in women, all of which are linked to more detailed descriptions of symptoms and treatments from the WebMD site.

1. Chlamydia

2. Gonorrhea

3. Genital Herpes

4. HPV and Genital Warts

5. Trichomoniasis

6. HIV/AIDS

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Unplanned parenthood happens every day. Remember that whenever there is sperm and eggs there is a chance for pregnancy no matter what birth control measures you take. There is not a single birth control method on the market that is 100 percent effective from preventing pregnancy. Not even tying your tubes or hysterectomies are full proof. The only full proof method of not getting pregnant is to not have sex.

Birth control pills, one of the most effective types of birth control, can not be effective if you forget a dose. And even if you take it correctly you still have a slight chance of getting pregnant. Another traditional form of birth control are condoms. Latex and vinyl condoms will prevent STDs, including HBV and HIV/AIDS from passing from one partner to another and prevent sperm from gaining access to the female reproductive tract. Male condoms can be faulty and most packages warn of 85 to 98 percent effectiveness. Female condoms are another choice but are 79 to 95 percent effective but they will also protect against STDs, including HBV and HIV/AIDS. Spermicide, whether foam or film, only has up to 80 percent effectiveness and that is with perfect use.

Get to know your birth control options and facts. Here is a link to a chart produced by Advocates For Youth on the effectiveness of contraceptives.

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Many health problems can get in the way of having a good sex life. Side effects from prescription medication, depression and sexually transmitted diseases cuts down on the amount of pleasure and activity. Consult with your physician if you are not satisfied with your sex life or if you do not have any sex drive at all. The University of Michigan released a report on 9 health issues that can effect your sexual satisfaction.

Many common drugs can have side effects that impact sexual health, including medications that treat blood pressure, heart conditions and depression. Heart attacks or cardio problems don't have to end your sex life. A physician can give you the go ahead to return to a sexual relationship not long after surgery or pacemaker implants. People with sexually transmitted diseases were encouraged not to sustain from sex but to increase protection from spreading the disease. Lowering alcohol consumption can increase sexual pleasure. Poor body image and self esteem especially in women decreased the desire to have sex. Menopause and pregnancy were two other issues for women and can easily be treated with lubricants and topical estrogen creams. And stress, oh yes that hidden killer that is believed to contribute to heart attacks and other poor health issues, is a killer of sexual desire also.

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As a ten year old girl I knew what HIV, AIDS, and homosexuality was. My uncle had been a victim of the disease from the 80's and passed away in the early 90's. From that moment when my mother walked into the room and told me her youngest brother had left us, knots of sadness and sorrow ran throughout my body. He was the first close relative to die in my lifetime and he departed in such immeasurable blind pain. What seemed to have been a virus people knew very little about and was brought to light because of its big impact on the gay male community has turned its course since the first reported cases some 25 years ago.

Last night as I watched the ABC News Primetime special report with Terry Moran, Out of Control: AIDS in Black America, I felt the same sadness, sorrow and even anger swell and boil inside. The statistics took my breath away, each commercial break catching my breath only to have it stolen again. The hour-long show questioned why black leaders and celebrities aren't doing enough to address the AIDS issue right here at home. Africa's AIDS community has been a focal area for many while the virus among black Americans has been far too hush-hush. The show touches on how AIDS has evolved away from being perceived as a "homosexual disease" and states some very disturbing factors at why so many black women are at risk. According to their report, almost 70 percent of all newly-diagnosed women with HIV in the United States are black women and they are 23 times more likely to be diagnosed with AIDS than white women. The infection rate among black Americans as a whole is eight times the rate of whites.

What I experienced watching Terry Moran, Peter Jennings, T.D. Jakes and other reputable figures in the black community talk about was upsetting, but it was a very well-done piece on the ignorance that has lead so many people to this point. And it provided some knowledge to hopefully keep them from continuing. My only regret is that I didn't live blog this one, but I'm hoping several people caught this show. If not, check out ABS News online for a summary with facts on AIDS in Black America. For additional information I also recommend visiting the Black AIDS Institute online. Another good general site to check out is this brief history and timeline on AIDS/HIV.

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