Sexual and Reproductive Health

Decades ago hormonal birth control, according to Contracept.org, referred only to oral contraceptive pills, also known as birth control pills. Today many different hormonal birth control options exist. These methods all use the same hormones, either a combination of estrogen…
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Hormonal contraceptive methods have been used since the early 1960s, according to Contracept.org. They are very effective in preventing pregnancies in patients and even provide other health benefits. However, these birth control methods do have risks associated with them. Birth…
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Overview Ultrasound options in pregnancy are no longer limited to the grainy, still 2-D images. As of 2010, 3-D and 4-D images are available that give a better picture of the unborn child’s features and behavior. Sometimes called dynamic 3-D…
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Morning sickness is nausea that occurs during pregnancy, primarily in the morning, during the first trimester of pregnancy. The term “morning sickness” is somewhat misleading because morning sickness can occur any time of day. According to the Mayo Clinic, 50…
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Pregnancy tests have evolved tremendously over the years, though many women still rely on the basic pregnancy tests that feature two lines if you’re pregnant, one line if you’re not. Another type of basic pregnancy test with lines displays a…
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Overview Pregnancy changes your body in a myriad of ways. Your hormones change, your muscles change, even your bone density can change. After pregnancy, it can take months for your body to completely recover. While you may not have control…
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AIDS is a chronic incurable disease that is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV is contracted through sexual contact, contaminated blood or blood products, contamination through intravenous needle sharing and via mother-to-child transmission during childbirth. By damaging your…
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If you or a loved one has been infected by the human immunodeficiency virus–HIV for short–you may be concerned about how this virus is transmitted to other people. The bodily fluids that contain HIV include blood, semen, vaginal fluid and…
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Overview Abdominal cramping occurs frequently in pregnancy. Some abdominal cramping carries no risk to the pregnancy, while other types of cramping could be a sign of a problem with the pregnancy that could threaten you or the baby. Abdominal cramping…
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1. Snack Frequently An empty stomach can increase the feeling of nausea that accompanies pregnancy. Keeping some whole-wheat crackers or rice cakes and nibbling on them before getting out of bed in the morning can help alleviate morning sickness. Also,…
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Stress, illness, hormone fluctuations and fatigue can all reduce a person’s libido. Men and women of all ages may struggle with sexual disinterest, problems with orgasm or difficulty becoming aroused. Fortunately, several medicinal herbs can help to improve sexual response…
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Rapid changes take place during pregnancy. This is especially true in the first few weeks. The frustrating truth is that you may not notice these changes, and if you do, most of the earliest symptoms of pregnancy can easily be…
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While a pregnancy is technically not post-term until 42 weeks, some obstetricians and midwives feel the need to induce labor before then. Possible reasons include low amniotic fluid, suspected fetal distress or large baby. If natural methods of labor induction—sex,…
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Men and women of all ages experience a loss of sexual interest. Everyday factors like stress, fatigue and relationship problems can hinder a person’s sexual response. Several medicinal herbs can help to increase sexual interest, performance and sensitivity. Some herbs…
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Interpreting the results on a home pregnancy test can be much more difficult than identifying one line or two. Blood pregnancy tests are the most accurate method for determining pregnancy although home pregnancy tests provide convenience and privacy. Despite the…
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Bacteria have a variety of weapons that they can use to invade the human body. Some have enzymes which help them escape from the immune system, while others are part of the normal flora, just waiting for the opportunity to…
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Each year, an estimated 19 million people in the United States are diagnosed with an STD, or sexually transmitted disease, report health officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Common STDs include chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, genital warts…
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Flomax, or tamsulosin, is a prescription medication that is used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which basically means an enlarged prostate. The prostate, a reproductive gland next to the urethra, begins to enlarge and cause health problems as men…
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Trying to conceive is an exciting time for parents-to-be. You may begin having pregnancy symptoms as early as one to two weeks after conception. Many women already have signs and symptoms by the time they miss their period. Remember that…
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If you suspect that you are pregnant, your physician may order a blood test to confirm it. First, it is important to know that pregnancy tests, both blood tests and urine tests, work the same way. They measure the presence…
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Urban myths abound regarding the causes of HIV and AIDS. Many are living nearly as long lives with earlier detection and treatment. However, a cure has not been found for HIV. AIDS remains deadly because HIV destroys the immune system…
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1. High- and Low-Risk HPV You may contract genital warts from contact with the human papillomavirus (HPV). There are more than 100 different types of HPV, but only 20 to 30 types spread through sexual contact and cause genital warts….
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Most women desire to lose weight after their pregnancies. Though weight gain during the pregnancy is very normal and healthy, it’s not always easy to lose the weight once the baby comes. Some women try diet pills and other unsafe…
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1. Wash Skin Regularly and Avoid Wart Contact There is no concrete method of preventing warts. However, you can take simple measures to reduce your risk of contracting them. Shower regularly, scrubbing your feet and exfoliating your skin. Wash your…
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Overview Women use Kegel exercises for a variety of reasons. They can enhance your sex life and reproductive health, among other things. Kegel exercises are easy to understand and perform. Even if you have no specific need in mind, Kegel…
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The reproductive system is a group of organs that together function to produce offspring. The male and female reproductive systems consist of several organs, glands and ducts that work intricately together to produce sex cells and hormones while maintaining optimal…
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A premature birth is one that takes place before 37 weeks of gestation, three weeks or more before the baby’s due date. Premature babies can develop a range of health problems, which are more severe the younger the baby is…
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Pregnancy lasts approximately 38 to 42 weeks in humans. Babies born earlier than 37 weeks are considered premature. Depending on how early they arrive, these children may have lungs, a liver and a circulatory system that are unprepared for life…
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Approximately 75 to 80 percent of couples having unprotected sexual intercourse will become pregnant within a year, according to BabyCenter.com. However, many couples who decide to start trying to conceive want to have their bundle of joy sooner rather than…
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Many new moms want to lose “baby fat,” or the weight they gained during pregnancy. Women usually take nine months to gain their weight during pregnancy, but it can take nine months or even longer to lose the weight after…
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