Sexual and Reproductive Health

Sexual Questions Part 1 1. Why do Depo-Provera shots stop periods? If you’ve gotten your injections on time, the absence of periods does not mean you’re pregnant and is not something to worry about. Periods stop because Depo-Provera causes a…
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Today, almost any woman undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) can use egg donation to conceive. Egg donation is most often used by women who have been unable to conceive with their own eggs. Donor eggs can also help women who…
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The sexual response known as an orgasm is the point during sexual contact when tension is suddenly released in a series of involuntary and pleasurable muscular contractions. Although orgasm varies for males and females, the four phases of the orgasm…
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Overview Premature ejaculation is a very common sexual disorder. When a male frequently ejaculates before he or his partner would prefer, this is considered premature ejaculation. Infrequent cases of this are normal, especially in young men. Although the causes of…
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Pain in the abdomen is a common symptom that can be caused by a variety of problems. Difficulties within the intestines, gallbladder, pancreas and female reproductive organs can all cause it. The exact location of the pain and the way…
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Overview Pregnancy symptoms are often difficult to understand because each symptom may be related to something other than pregnancy. Some women experience pregnancy symptoms within a week of conception while other women develop symptoms over a few weeks or never…
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Latex allergy is a reaction which occurs after coming into contact with the rubber protein in latex. The allergic reaction can range from a mild skin rash to a more life threatening reaction, including hives, chest tightness or difficulty breathing….
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Overview Masturbation can be defined as self-stimulation to cause sexual excitement. The use of the word masturbation suggests that the person is manipulating his or her genitals to the point of intense pleasure or orgasm. An orgasm is a period…
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Overview A common misconception about the hymen is that it is inside the vagina. It is actually a mucous membrane that is part of the vulva, the external genital organs. It is formed from a layer of tissue that develops…
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Annulling a marriage is an alternative to divorce that allows a marriage to be wiped from the records. The most common reasons for individuals seeking an annulment is due to the discovery of information or circumstances that, if known beforehand,…
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Couples who want to prevent pregnancy have a number of options available. While abstinence is the only method that proves 100 percent effective, some other methods come close. However, couples should also consider things like side effects, availability, cost and…
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Overview Kegels are a series of exercises which can help tighten up the pubococcygeal muscles (PC muscles), muscles that originate from your pubic bone, go under your genitals and attach to your tail bone. All men and women have PC…
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Symptoms during pregnancy can be different from one pregnancy to the next, even from a woman’s first to her last. The earliest signs of pregnancy go unrecognized by some women, especially in the first pregnancy. Women who are trying to…
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Home should be a safe, secure place for adults and children. But it can present some serious dangers for kids of all ages. Simple modifications to your home will increase the safety of your children. Teaching your kids basic safety…
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Overview The penis is a male organ that functions as a part of the reproductive and urinary systems. As a young man reaches puberty, the penis and testicles grow larger, and he begins to grow pubic hair. The size and…
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When a woman is nearing labor, her cervix will begin to dilate and thin. She will also begin experiencing regular contractions that get closer together and stronger over time. When things seem to have stalled, there are a number of…
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When prenatal screening identifies features of a genetic syndrome or there is a family history of genetic disease, a woman’s health care provider may suggest prenatal genetic testing. Baby’s DNA, obtained by chorionic villus sampling–commonly referred to as CVS–or amniocentesis…
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Urinary incontinence is a term used to describe the loss of bladder control which results in the leakage of urine. Adult women commonly develop urinary incontinence but many men are also affected by the disorder. Kegel exercises are commonly prescribed…
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According to the American Pregnancy Association, a baby born before 37 weeks’ gestation is considered premature. Medical factors may contribute to prematurity, but in some cases, the cause of prematurity is unknown. The earlier a baby is born, the more…
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A woman at nine days past ovulation is approximately three weeks and two days pregnant. At this point, a woman may begin to experience early signs and symptoms of pregnancy. It is important to remember that not all women will…
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Only 6 to 8 percent of pregnancies are considered high-risk, according to the UCSF Medical Center. Occasionally, these situations involve bed rest and other lifestyle modifications for the pregnant mother. However, with proper, highly specialized care for both mother and…
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A pregnancy is considered full-term after the 37th week, but induction of labor is not typically done until some time after the 40th week. Every birthing facility and practitioner is different, but waiting until the 41st week to begin a…
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Overview HPV (human papillomavirus) is a group of viruses that can be spread through sexual contact. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that more than 50 percent of sexually active individuals get HPV during their lifetime, but the…
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In many cases, the reasons for birth prior to 37 weeks gestation are not known. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), premature birth occurs more frequently in blacks than whites and is more common in women who are…
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Morning sickness, the nausea and vomiting experienced during pregnancy, affects many pregnant women. Despite being called morning sickness, it can occur at any time of the day or night. Numerous remedies are proposed by pregnancy health-care providers, veteran mothers and…
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Barrier contraception is a method of birth control that prevents pregnancy by trapping sperm inside the barrier device. This method of contraception does not contain hormones like some other forms of birth control and can be used as needed to…
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Kegel exercises, or Kegels, are a great way to strengthen your pelvic muscles, which control the opening of the vagina. Women use Kegels to prevent incontinence, aid in pregnancy and childbirth and increase sexual pleasure. Once you’ve identified your PC…
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Mirena is an intrauterine device that contains levonorgestrel, a type of hormone, and is indicated to prevent pregnancy in women. This intrauterine device is inserted into the uterus by a medical professional and can provide effective birth control for up…
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Overview Diabetes is a condition in which the body cannot adequately process glucose in the blood into energy, either due to a lack of insulin or a problem with the usage of insulin in the body. Diabetes that develops during…
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Drug testing is the practice of screening urine or blood samples for the presence of illegal drugs. These screening tests are routinely performed by schools, parents and companies for the purpose of determining if those tested are abusing substances such…
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