Sexual and Reproductive Health

Long before the development of barrier and hormone-based contraceptives, natural methods were used to prevent pregnancy. Such methods can be quite reliable when used correctly. These methods are often free as they don’t require any tools or devices and a…
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The birth control pill is one of many methods of preventing pregnancy. It works by providing hormones to a woman on a continuous basis. Some contain one hormone, progestin, and others contain progestin and estrogen. The hormones in the pill…
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Overview As a father, you possess specific rights when it comes to visitation with your children following a divorce, legal separation or paternity case. Although these rights vary slightly from one state to another, the laws associated with a father’s…
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The term “natural family planning” typically refers to particular techniques of avoiding pregnancy. Some forms of this kind of birth control are known as fertility awareness–based methods. Another form is the lactational amenorrhea method. The Catholic Church promotes the use…
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Calcium carbide is a compound that is made from a combination of lime–an inorganic material with a high concentration of calcium–and coke–a carbon fuel made from coal that is low in sulfur and ash content. According to the Environmental Protection…
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The Depo-Provera shot is an injectable form of birth control for women that contains medroxyprogesterone acetate, a man-made hormone that mimics the naturally occurring hormone progesterone. Health officials at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration warn that this form of…
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The whole of a person’s DNA, called the genome, consists of components called nucleotide bases. The bases link together to form a series of base pairs, and the sequence of base pairs codes for thousands of genes required for growth…
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Any type of pregnancy test, including urine and blood, work by measuring a specific hormone in a woman’s body that is only present during pregnancy. WomensHealth.gov, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website, calls this hormone the pregnancy…
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Next time you reach for a bottle of olive oil be assured that you’re adding more than just delicious flavor, texture and aroma to your meal. Olive oil should be one of the first food items you consider when it…
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Overview There have never been more birth control options available than there are today. Contraceptives work by either preventing the sterilization of the female egg or by blocking its implantation in the uterus. Methods of contraception include hormonal options, intrauterine…
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1. What Is HPV? HPV has over 100 different strains or types, of which 40 are sexually transmitted. HPV is responsible for 99 percent of cervical cancers and genital warts. There are high risk strains that cause cervical cancer, and…
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Overview Period pain, otherwise known as menstrual cramping or dysmenorrhea, is a common complaint in women of childbearing age. According to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, more than half of women experience pain with their monthly cycle. When…
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Overview As a pregnant woman, you have specific nutritional needs for both yourself and your baby, but fulfilling them doesn’t have to be complicated. One surprising fact is how few extra calories you need at this time–about 300 more calories…
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The skin is a complex organ made up of a number of tissue types, which work together to maintain the integrity of the skin and form a barrier between the environment and the rest of the body. Skin contains thousands…
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Overview You have been thinking about your lost relative and wanting to resume contact with her. You want to find out what made her decide to break contact with your family so you can try to help heal any emotional…
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Many women suffer from menorrhagia, or prolonged menstruation. While no medicinal herb can reliably halt a menstrual cycle, several products can shorten or lighten menstrual flow. However, few scientific studies have researched most medicinal herbs, so the potential side effects…
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Cramp bark is a tall bush commonly cultivated as an ornamental plant. Traditional healers value this attractive plant for its many potential health benefits. As of 2010, few scientific studies have investigated the benefits traditionally attributed to health bark, but…
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In 1948, Dr. Arnold Kegel developed the exercises that bear his name in an effort to help women control incontinence after giving birth. Medline Plus says the exercises are designed to strengthen pelvic floor muscles and are still recommended today…
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Fetal development begins before a pregnancy may even be noticed, and the fetus undergoes rapid development in the 40 weeks of gestation spent in the mother’s uterus. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, the three main stages of…
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Overview AIDS, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, is the disease that results from a human immunodeficiency virus infection. The virus HIV can remain in the body for years before becoming AIDS and can be transmitted to others even if the infected…
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Overview Amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS) are two types of invasive tests administered to pregnant woman to gain information about the health of the fetus. These tests could potentially harm the fetus or jeopardize the pregnancy, so doctors generally…
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Overview The delivery of a baby has been called one of life’s most treasured events. In reality, while marking the event of a new life in the world, childbirth can also be painful and can bring the possibility of complications…
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The brand-name oral contraceptive Demulen 30, known generically as ethynodiol and ethinyl estradiol, may be prescribed for the prevention of pregnancy. Estrogen and progestin make up this oral contraceptive, according to Drugs.com. While contraceptives taken orally may prevent pregnancy more…
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It is a well-known truism that the largest sexual organ humans possess is between their ears. The brain controls many aspects of sexual stimulation for men and women. However, the act of intercourse is physical, and there are a number…
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Overview The United States has the highest teen pregnancy rate in the industrialized world. The Center for Disease control says that one-third of girls get pregnant before the age of 20. Teenpregnancy.org, a site managed by the National Campaign to…
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Overview You and your baby discover a new world during her first few months. As she adapts to life outside your womb, you learn to parent, meeting her needs for food, sleep, comfort and care. MedlinePlus emphasizes the importance of…
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The National Institutes of Health suggests that up to 10 percent of women experience vaginal bleeding at some point during pregnancy. The bleeding most often occurs during the first trimester. Bleeding in the first half of pregnancy can often be…
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Overview Most women orgasm from stimulation of the clitoris. Others can only orgasm from vaginal penetration, also known as G-Spot stimulation. However, there is no wrong or right way to masturbate because everyone responds differently. Before Your Masturbate It is…
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Sexual Questions Part II 1. What is an erection? An erection is a hardening of the penis that occurs when tubes in the penile tissues fill up with blood. Usually, an erection causes the penis to enlarge and stand away…
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In order for you and your partner to reach orgasm, the conditions must be correct for you and your partner. In addition, both partners must be relaxed and in a comfortable setting. The psychological aspect of sex is also important…
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