Women’s Health

Overview Much of the tissue in the human body is termed soft tissue. This tissue comprises blood vessels, connective tissue and muscle cells. Leiomyosarcoma describes a type of soft-tissue cancer that occurs within smooth muscle cells. This kind of cancer…
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A hysterectomy is surgery to remove all or a portion of the uterus, and may include removal of the ovaries and fallopian tubes, as well. Undergoing a hysterectomy will limit your activity for a while, but some exercises can help…
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Overview A wildflower that grows throughout North America, evening primrose has been used for both its food and medicinal value for centuries. Native Americans would eat the boiled root and use the leads to treat bruises and hemorrhoids. Today, the…
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No herbal supplements have been scientifically endorsed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as being medically effective for treating low sex drive in women, according to the Discovery Channel. But many cultures and medical professionals have used herbal supplements…
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An obstetrician/gynecologist gives a woman a Pap smear during her annual gynecological examination, which checks for abnormalities in her cervix. The American Pregnancy Association recommends that women get their yearly Pap smear by age 21 or within three years of…
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Overview Fibroids are a common problem among women older than 30. In fact, about 30 percent of women get fibroids during or after their third decade, with the uterine growths most often showing up between ages 35 and 45. There…
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Overview Endometrial ablation is a procedure where the lining of the uterus is destroyed to control or stop bleeding; it can be done in a hospital or office setting. It is a good option for women who have heavy periods…
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1. Get Your Pap ASAP A Pap smear offers women the only way to detect early cervical cancer, which is the most preventable of the female malignancies and curable when caught early. You should have a Pap smear within three…
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Overview While some bleeding is common during pregnancy, it can also be a sign that something is wrong or that there is a complication. Understanding the signs and symptoms of pregnancy-related conditions that can lead to abnormal vaginal bleeding are…
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Overview Once menopause occurs, vaginal bleeding normally ceases. Any type of vaginal bleeding that occurs in the postmenopausal period is abnormal and fits into a category sometimes known as dysfunctional uterine bleeding, or DUB. Postmenopausal bleeding can be benign or…
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1. A Simple Exam Isn’t Enough A gynecological exam alone is not enough to detect cervical cancer or precancerous cells. The cervix, which is the lower, narrower end of the uterus, is where your doctor collects cells for a Pap…
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Vaginitis is inflammation of the vagina that causes burning, itching and pain. A vaginal yeast infection is a form of vaginitis caused by the accumulation of candida albicans. According to the Mayo Clinic, three out of four women will have…
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Overview A vaginal hysterectomy is the surgical removal of the uterus by way of the vagina. According to Mayo Clinic, a vaginal hysterectomy provides a quicker recovery time with a shorter stay in the hospital and a lower cost versus…
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Overview At 37 weeks pregnant, a baby has reached the important milestone of being considered full term. A baby born from this point forward is no longer a preemie and shouldn’t need any special care. Of course, gestation averages about…
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Overview Fibroid tumors are non-cancerous tumors of the uterus. They are also called leiomyomas or myomas and are composed of muscular tissue. Fibroids are usually painless but they are capable of causing serious complications; for this reason, many women opt…
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The reproductive system refers to a group of organs necessary for fertility. In women, the reproductive organs consist of the uterus, vagina and ovaries. In men, the reproductive organs consist of the penis and testicles. Sometimes, these organs can become…
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Feminine itch causes run the gamut from simple irritation to infection by organisms such as yeast, bacteria and protozoa. While most causes of feminine itching are simple and easy to treat at home, post-menopausal women experiencing frequent vaginal itching should…
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The uterus is a female reproductive organ that has two parts: the lining, called the endometrium; and the outer layer of muscle, called the myometrium. While the majority of uterine cancers start in the endometrium, some start in muscles of…
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A running bra, or sports bra, is a must-have for every female runner, no matter her bust size. Larger-breasted runners particularly need full support, because they experience greater breast movement during running. According to a review of sports bras in…
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Uterine fibroids are noncancerous tumors of the uterus that cause heavy bleeding and pressure in the pelvis. In many women, fibroids have no symptoms and exist unknowingly. They are discovered during an annual gynecologic exam and confirmed by ultrasound or…
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1. Investigate Acupuncture Many women have found relief from hot flashes through acupuncture, part of an ancient Chinese healing system that involves inserting thin needles into specific points on the body. A 2006 study showed that menopausal women who received…
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1. Record Symptoms in a Diary Premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) is a condition in which women experience severe symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS). It differs from PMS in that the symptoms can be debilitating and have serious effects on personal…
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1. Know the Low-Risk Types of HPV Sexually transmitted HPV can only be transmitted through sexual contact, oral sex and mother-to-child transmission. However, most types of HPV are harmless and lead to viral-induced fatigue syndromes or warts, such as plantar,…
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Approximately 75 percent of women will have at least one yeast infection at some point during their lives, report health officials at the Illinois Department of Public Health in Springfield. Common causes of yeast infections include taking antibiotics, increased heat…
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Women may wish to stop a period if it is unusually heavy or prolonged, or for various other reasons. Although no over-the-counter (OTC) methods can completely stop a menstrual period, some medicinal herbs may temporarily stop or slow the release…
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A menstrual period, the time of the month when a woman’s uterus sheds its lining, can vary greatly from woman to woman. Not only does the length and frequency vary, but the symptoms of a menstrual period differ as well….
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Exercise is essential in pregnancy to keep your body healthy and toned, but some exercise is not appropriate in pregnancy and can cause harm to the mother or the baby. Don’t start any rigorous exercise regime during your pregnancy, and…
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Xanax (generic name, alprazolam) is a commonly prescribed anti-anxiety drug. As a benzodiazepine, Xanax works by “depressing”, or inhibiting, the nervous system. It may also be used to combat depression-related anxiety, as well as panic disorder. Because of the potential…
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1. Treat Breast Pain Many women suffer breast pain during menopause. The breasts may be tender, sore, swollen and generally uncomfortable. Imbalanced hormones, especially the primary sexual hormone estrogen, are the main cause of female breast pain symptom. A healthy…
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When a woman reaches her mid 40s to mid 50s, her ovaries stop producing eggs, triggering hormonal fluctuations and the beginning of menopause. Estrogen and progesterone levels decrease, and menstruation becomes irregular and less frequent. Menopause is a natural process…
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