Women’s Health

1. Prevent Pregnancy and Regulate Cycles With Birth Control Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who don’t wish to become pregnant should consider using a low dose birth control pill. Going on the pill can regulate hormone levels, which will…
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Overview Bras are not all created equal, as all women know. This extends itself to the sports bra. A well-constructed athletic brassiere is necessary for all women who want to work out or play sports in comfort and with good…
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Uterine fibroids are the most common benign gynecologic tumors, affecting an estimated 25 percent of adult women. The tumor is an overgrowth of the myometrium, the muscular, middle layer of the uterus, resulting in the distortion of the normal architecture…
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Overview According to Uterinefibroids.org, fibroid tumors–mistakenly referred to as fibroid cysts–are most often benign, or noncancerous, tumors that have developed in the uterus. Uterine fibroids are the most widespread type of gynecological tumor. They generally appear in premenopausal women. About…
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Bartholin’s Gland Cyst What is the Bartholin’s gland? Most women don’t even know they have a Bartholin’s gland, although most had learned about these in school. It is a tiny gland inside each of the labia near the opening of…
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Candida albicans is a naturally-occurring fungus in females that is normally present within the digestive tract, mouth, vagina and along the skin. Under certain conditions, such as pregnancy or normal hormonal fluctuations, this fungus or yeast can grow more rapidly…
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Overview There are many reasons for vaginal bleeding in pregnancy. While many are nothing to worry about, others are quite serious and require a doctor’s immediate attention. Pregnant women should educate themselves about the various causes of early and late…
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Overview A menstrual period normally occurs approximately every 28 days, lasts for four days and discharges about 30 to 80 mL or 2 to 8 tbsp. of blood, according to the MedLine Plus website. If you’re spotting—bleeding between periods—check for…
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The most common cause of an abnormal Pap smear is the presence of the sexually transmitted human papilloma virus, or HPV, according to the United States Department of Health and Human Services. A Pap smear checks for abnormal changes in…
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Herbs can support women through their reproductive years and beyond. Women’s health herbs may contain molecular structures that are similar to the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. This allows them to occupy estrogen and progesterone receptor sites, which gives them…
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A variety of microscopic organisms including the fungus Candida albicans naturally exists inside the vagina; however, the normal balance occasionally teeters of scale and the fungus rapidly multiplies. The condition, labeled Candida vaginitis, is the most common reason for yeast…
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1. Practice Responsible Sexual Behavior By far most cases of cervicitis are caused by sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). STDs are almost entirely preventable by practicing safe sex, which means using a condom 100 percent of the time. Beyond that, it’s…
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Fetal Breast Development Breast tissue begins growing long before we ever see the light of day. In the sixth week of fetal development, hormonal release causes male and female fetuses to grow small breasts. Infants of both sexes are born…
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Overview Although body type is partially predetermined by genetics, alterations in your body’s composition can be achieved through determination and a basic knowledge of exercise physiology. It’s important to note that women build muscle and lose body fat differently than…
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1. Irregular or Complete Absences of Menstruation The single most common symptom of polycystic ovary syndrome is an irregular menstrual cycle that may include several months without a period. This can be tougher to detect in young girls, as irregular…
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Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy can mimic the symptoms of a period. It is important for women to understand, however, that bleeding while pregnant is not an actual period. Menstruation occurs when a woman does not conceive; therefore, no fertilized egg…
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Changes in a woman’s breasts due to various reasons like hormonal fluctuations and injuries to the tissue prove common, and lumps do not always signify cancer. Though it can be scary to feel a lump in the breast during breast…
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Pap tests, done every three years as a preventative measure in women 21 years old or younger, depending on when they became sexually active, diagnose early cancers or cellular changes that might become cancerous. Cells scraped from the cervix’s surface…
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If you are looking to incorporate maca herb into your diet, you should also be aware of the potential side effects associated with the supplement prior to consumption. According to the University of Michigan Health System, maca herb is traditionally…
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There are multiple causes of bleeding during pregnancy, most of which are not life-threatening. Mothers are naturally anxious about the prospect of pregnancy loss, complications or preterm birth. Small amounts of bleeding after sex or vaginal exams may be normal….
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Overview In the United States, hysterectomy or removal of the uterus is one of the most frequently performed surgeries for women, according to the Mayo Clinic. A woman might need a hysterectomy because of uterine cancer, uterine fibroids, chronic pelvic…
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Bleeding during pregnancy is frightening for expectant mothers. As the Mayo Clinic explains, though, it is common, especially during the first 12 weeks. Regardless of its commonality, vaginal bleeding during pregnancy should not be taken lightly. Anyone who experiences this…
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Vaginal odor is an embarrassing part of life that many women are forced to deal with at some point. While most vaginal odors only cause embarrassment in an intimate setting, some are more obvious. Luckily, most of the common vaginal…
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Vaginal thrush (vulvovaginal candidiasis)–called a vaginal yeast infection in the United States–is a type of infection caused by the overgrowth of a fungus called Candida albicans. This type of infection proves quite common–almost half of all women experience more than…
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Overview HCG or human chorionic gonadotropin, a naturally occurring hormone found in women during pregnancy will also help with infertility disorders. According to Drugs.com, an online drug resource, HCG, a gonadotropins classified drug, will induce ovulation and increase sperm counts….
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Overview Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are caused by bacteria infecting the urethra and traveling up the urinary tract. These infections can ascend to cause an infection of the bladder (cystitis) and the kidney (pyelonephritis). Most urinary tract infections are more…
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According to the Mayo Clinic, menstrual cramps are dull, throbbing or cramping pains in the lower abdomen. Many women experience menstrual cramps just before and during their menstrual periods. For some women, the discomfort is merely annoying. For others, it…
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Breast tenderness occurs for pathological and non-pathological reasons. While most times the reason is obvious and self-limiting, a sudden change in breast tissue not related to normal hormonal changes always deserves investigation. Sudden tenderness and redness may indicate a serious…
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Overview Menopause involves more than just the cessation of your period—it also causes interruptions in your sleep patterns. An estimated 61 percent of women ages 45 to 51 report difficulty sleeping at least one night a week, according to the…
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Many people experience mood swings, or periods of highs and lows, throughout their lives. Possible causes for mood swings include changes in hormone levels, especially during pregnancy and menopause; mental illness such as bipolar disorder or seasonal affective disorder; and…
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