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Women's Health
Learn about women's health
There is so much to know about the woman's body. And as your body changes with time, you are bound to have questions you never thought of before.
You can come here to explore a range of women's health issues. Get help with decisions and common concerns on topics such as:
- Abnormal Pap Test
- Abnormal Pap Test While Pregnant
- Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
- Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding
- Abortion
- Abortion: Emotional Recovery
- Acupressure for Morning Sickness
- Adenomyosis
- Adult Immunization Schedule
- After Childbirth: Coping and Adjusting
- After Childbirth: Pelvic Bone Problems
- After Childbirth: Urination and Bowel Problems
- Alcohol or Drug Use During Pregnancy
- Anemia During Pregnancy
- Antihistamines for Morning Sickness
- Antiphospholipid Syndrome and Pregnancy
- Asthma During Pregnancy
- Baby Blues
- Back Pain During Pregnancy
- Bacterial Vaginosis
- Bartholin Gland Cyst
- Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Charting
- Bed Rest for Preterm Labor
- Bed Rest in Pregnancy
- Bioidentical Hormones
- Birth Control
- Birth Control Hormones: The Implant
- Birth Control Hormones: The Mini-Pill
- Birth Control Hormones: The Patch
- Birth Control Hormones: The Pill
- Birth Control Hormones: The Ring
- Birth Control Hormones: The Shot
- Birth Control Pills: Missed or Skipped Periods
- Birth Control: How to Use a Diaphragm
- Birth Control: How to Use the Patch
- Birth Control: How to Use the Vaginal Ring
- Birth Control: Myths About Sex and Pregnancy
- Birth Control: Pros and Cons of Hormonal Methods
- Black Cohosh for Menopause Symptoms
- Bladder Pain Syndrome (Interstitial Cystitis)
- Boric Acid for Vaginal Yeast Infection
- Braxton Hicks Contractions
- Breast Cancer
- Breast Cancer Screening
- Breast Cancer Types
- Breast Cancer, Metastatic or Recurrent
- Breast Cancer: Lymph Node Surgery for Staging Cancer
- Breast Changes During Pregnancy
- Breast Engorgement
- Breast Enlargement
- Breast Implant Surgery for Breast Reconstruction
- Breast Lumps
- Breast Pain (Mastalgia)
- Breast Problems
- Breast Reduction
- Breast Self-Examination
- Breast-Conserving Surgery for Breast Cancer
- Breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding After a C-Section
- Breastfeeding After Breast Surgery
- Breastfeeding and Your Milk Supply
- Breastfeeding as Birth Control
- Breastfeeding at Work
- Breastfeeding During Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding Multiple Infants
- Breastfeeding Positions
- Breastfeeding When You Have Diabetes
- Breastfeeding With Inverted Nipples
- Breastfeeding Your Newborn and an Older Child
- Breastfeeding: Baby's Poor Weight Gain
- Breastfeeding: Choosing a Breast Pump
- Breastfeeding: Exercise and Weight Loss
- Breastfeeding: How to Use a Breast Pump
- Breastfeeding: Sore Nipples
- Breastfeeding: Using Medicines Safely
- Breathing Techniques for Childbirth
- Breech Position and Breech Birth
- Caffeine During Pregnancy
- Cancer During Pregnancy
- Cancer Treatment and Infertility
- Carbon Dioxide Laser Surgery for Abnormal Cervical Cell Changes
- Cervical Cancer
- Cervical Cancer Screening
- Cervical Cap for Birth Control
- Cervical Cerclage to Prevent Preterm Delivery
- Cervical Effacement and Dilatation
- Cervical Insufficiency
- Cervical Polyps
- Cesarean Section
- Charting Your Basal Body Temperature
- Childbirth Afterpains
- Childbirth Classes
- Childbirth Planning: How to Partner With Your Doctor
- Childbirth: Epidurals
- Childbirth: Is Planning a C-Section a Good Choice?
- Childbirth: Laboring in Water and Water Delivery
- Childbirth: Opioid Pain Medicines
- Childbirth: Perineal Massage Before Labor
- Childbirth: Pudendal and Paracervical Blocks
- Childbirth: Strep Infections During Delivery
- Chlamydia
- Choosing a Prosthesis After Breast Cancer Surgery
- Chronic Female Pelvic Pain
- Closure of the Vagina (Vaginal Obliteration)
- Cone Biopsy (Conization) for Abnormal Cervical Cell Changes
- Contraceptive Sponge for Birth Control
- Contractions During Pregnancy: What to Expect
- Cryotherapy for Abnormal Cervical Cell Changes
- Dense Breasts
- Dental Care During Pregnancy
- Depression During Pregnancy
- Diabetes: Preparing for Pregnancy
- Diaphragm for Birth Control
- Dilation and Curettage (D&C)
- Dilation and Evacuation (D&E)
- Domestic Abuse
- Domestic Violence
- Domestic Violence: Checklist of Things to Take When You Leave
- Domestic Violence: Getting a Protective Order
- Doulas and Support During Childbirth
- Eclampsia (Seizures) and Preeclampsia
- Ectopic Pregnancy
- Effects of Diethylstilbestrol (DES) Exposure
- Emergency Contraception
- Emotional Changes During Pregnancy
- Emotions and Menopause
- Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer
- Endometrial Ablation
- Endometriosis
- Episiotomy and Perineal Tears
- Exercise During Pregnancy
- Exercises After Mastectomy
- External Cephalic Version (Version) for Breech Position
- Fallopian Tube Procedures for Infertility
- Family History and the Risk for Breast or Ovarian Cancer
- Fatigue During Pregnancy
- Female Condoms
- Female Genital Problems and Injuries
- Fertility Problems
- Fetal Monitoring During Labor
- Fever During Pregnancy
- Fibrocystic Breasts
- Find Your Ovulation Day
- First-Trimester Exams and Tests
- Fitz-Hugh-Curtis Syndrome
- Functional Ovarian Cysts
- Gamete and Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT and ZIFT) for Infertility
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) During Pregnancy
- Genital Self-Examination
- Genital Warts (Human Papillomavirus)
- Gestational Diabetes
- Getting Enough Calcium and Vitamin D
- Getting Pregnant After Stopping Birth Control
- Ginger for Morning Sickness
- Groin Pain
- Health Screening: Finding Health Problems Early
- Healthy Habits to Prevent or Reduce Problems From Osteoporosis
- Heart Attack and Stroke in Women: Reducing Your Risk
- Heavy Menstrual Periods
- HELLP Syndrome and Preeclampsia
- High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
- High-Risk Pregnancy
- Hormonal Birth Control: Risk of Blood Clots
- Hormone Treatment for Breast Cancer
- Hot Flashes and Menopause
- How Birth Control Methods Prevent Pregnancy
- How Pregnancy (Conception) Occurs
- How to Take Birth Control Pills
- Hysterectomy
- Hysterectomy for Endometrial Cancer
- Hysterectomy for Ovarian Cancer
- In Vitro Fertilization for Infertility
- Indirect Coombs Test
- Induction Abortion
- Infertility Tests
- Infertility Treatment for Women With PCOS
- Infertility: Emotional and Social Concerns
- Infertility: Problems With Fallopian Tubes
- Infertility: Problems With Ovulation
- Infertility: Problems With the Uterus and Cervix
- Infertility: Questions to Ask About Medicine or Hormone Treatment
- Infertility: Setting Limits on Testing
- Inflammatory Breast Cancer
- Insemination for Infertility
- Insemination Procedures for Infertility
- Interactive Tool: From Embryo to Baby in 9 Months
- Interactive Tool: What Is Your Due Date?
- Interactive Tool: When Are You Most Fertile?
- Intermittent Catheterization for Women
- Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection for Infertility
- Intrauterine Device (IUD) for Birth Control
- IUD Insertion
- IUD Removal
- Labor and Delivery
- Labor Induction and Augmentation
- Laparoscopic Ovarian Drilling (Ovarian Diathermy) for PCOS
- Laparoscopic Surgery for Endometriosis
- Laparoscopic Tubal Ligation
- Leg Cramps During Pregnancy
- Levonorgestrel (LNg) IUD
- Light to Heavy Vaginal Bleeding
- Local Anesthesia for Childbirth
- Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP) for Abnormal Cervical Cell Changes
- Low Amniotic Fluid
- Low Bone Density
- Low-Lying Placenta
- Lymphadenectomy for Endometrial Cancer
- Massage Therapy During Pregnancy
- Mastectomy (Removal of the Breast) for Breast Cancer
- Mastitis While Breastfeeding
- Medical Abortion Care
- Medicines for bone loss
- Medicines That Can Cause Changes in Menstrual Bleeding
- Medicines That May Cause Vaginal Symptoms
- Menarche
- Menopause and Perimenopause
- Menopause and Your Risk for Other Health Concerns
- Menopause: Wild Yam and Progesterone Creams
- Menstrual Cramps
- Menstrual Cups
- Menstrual Diary to Monitor Premenstrual Symptoms
- Menstruation: Not Having a Period by Age 15
- Military Sexual Trauma
- Milk Oversupply
- Miscarriage
- Missed or Irregular Periods
- Missed Periods and Endurance Training
- Molar Pregnancy
- Multiple Pregnancy: Twins or More
- My Birth Plan
- Myomectomy
- Nipple Discharge
- Nipple Shields for Breastfeeding Problems
- Nonstress Test
- Normal Menstrual Cycle
- Normal Vaginal Discharge
- Nutrition During Pregnancy
- Nutrition While Breastfeeding
- Obesity and Pregnancy
- Object in the Vagina
- Obstetric Panel
- Oophorectomy
- Osteoporosis
- Osteoporosis Risk Factors
- Osteoporosis Risk in Younger Women
- Osteoporosis Screening
- Ovarian Cancer
- Overactive Bladder
- Pap Test: Classification of Cell Changes
- Partner Support During Pregnancy
- Passing Tissue During Pregnancy
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: Tubo-Ovarian Abscess
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse
- Physical Abuse
- Placenta Abruptio
- Placenta Previa
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- Polyhydramnios
- Poor Let-Down While Breastfeeding
- Postpartum Bleeding
- Postpartum Depression
- Postpartum: First 6 Weeks After Childbirth
- Post-Term Pregnancy
- Postural Management for Breech Position
- Preeclampsia
- Preeclampsia: Checkups and Monitoring
- Preeclampsia: Creatinine Clearance Test
- Preeclampsia: Expectant Management
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy After Age 35
- Pregnancy After Bariatric Surgery
- Pregnancy and Chronic High Blood Pressure
- Pregnancy: Belly, Pelvic, and Back Pain
- Pregnancy: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Pregnancy: Changes in Bowel Habits
- Pregnancy: Chemicals, Cosmetics, and Radiation
- Pregnancy: Choosing a Health Professional
- Pregnancy: Deciding Where to Deliver
- Pregnancy: Dropping (Lightening)
- Pregnancy: First Prenatal Visit
- Pregnancy: Hair Changes
- Pregnancy: Healthy Weight Gain
- Pregnancy: Hemorrhoids and Constipation
- Pregnancy: Hot Tub and Sauna Use
- Pregnancy: Kick Counts
- Pregnancy: Nosebleeds and Bleeding Gums
- Pregnancy: Pelvic and Hip Pain
- Pregnancy: Prenatal Exam Schedule
- Pregnancy: Relationship Changes
- Pregnancy: Stretch Marks, Itching, and Skin Changes
- Pregnancy: Vaginal Discharge and Leaking Fluid
- Pregnancy: Varicose Veins
- Pregnancy: Vegetarian Diet
- Pregnancy: Ways to Find Your Due Date
- Pregnancy: Work and School Issues
- Pregnancy-Related Problems
- Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
- Preparing for a Healthy Pregnancy
- Preterm Labor
- Preterm Labor and Short Cervix
- Preterm Labor: Testing for Fetal Fibronectin
- Preterm Prelabor Rupture of Membranes (pPROM)
- Preventing Mastitis
- Primary Ovarian Insufficiency
- Problems After Delivery of Your Baby
- Quick Tips: Healthy Pregnancy Habits
- Quick Tips: Successful Breastfeeding
- Quitting Smoking and Avoiding Smoke During Pregnancy
- Radiation for Early-Stage Breast Cancer
- Recurrent Vaginal Yeast Infections
- Reducing Cancer Risk When You Are BRCA-Positive
- Relactation
- Relieving Menstrual Pain
- Repair of Bladder Prolapse (Cystocele) or Urethra Prolapse (Urethrocele)
- Repair of Rectocele or Enterocele
- Repair of Vaginal Wall Prolapse (Vaginal Vault Prolapse)
- Retropubic Suspension for Urinary Incontinence in Women
- Rh Sensitization During Pregnancy
- Rupture of the Membranes
- Safer Sex
- Safety Plan: Preparing to Leave a Violent Relationship
- Screening for Gestational Diabetes
- Second-Trimester Exams and Tests
- Sex After Childbirth
- Sex During Pregnancy
- Sexual Abuse or Assault (Rape)
- Sexual Problems in Women
- Sexuality While Breastfeeding
- Sexually Transmitted Infections: Symptoms in Women
- Sleep Problems During Pregnancy
- Sleep, Rest, and Breastfeeding
- Smoking: Problems With Pregnancy
- Soy for Menopause Symptoms
- Spinal Block for Childbirth
- Staying Safe: After You Leave a Violent Relationship
- Staying Safe: If You Are in a Violent Relationship
- Stillbirth
- Storing Breast Milk
- Subchorionic Hemorrhage
- Surgery for Chronic Pelvic Pain
- Surgery for Ovarian Cysts
- Surgical Abortion Care
- Swelling During Pregnancy
- Symptoms of Pelvic Infection
- Symptoms of Pregnancy
- Tension-Free Vaginal Tape for Stress Incontinence in Women
- Testosterone
- Thinking About Bilateral Mastectomy for Early-Stage Breast Cancer
- Third-Trimester Exams and Tests
- Tips for Pregnant Parents
- Tissue Flap Surgery for Breast Reconstruction
- Toxoplasmosis During Pregnancy
- Travel During Pregnancy
- Triple or Quad Screening for Birth Defects
- Tubal Ligation and Tubal Implants
- Tubal Ligation Reversal
- Types of Domestic Abuse
- Umbilical Cord Blood Donation and Private Banking
- Unwanted Hair in Women
- Urethral Sling for Stress Incontinence in Women
- Urinary Incontinence in Women
- Urinary Incontinence: Keeping a Daily Record
- Urinary Problems During Pregnancy
- Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)
- Uterine Fibroids
- Vacuum Aspiration for Abortion
- Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)
- Vaginal Bleeding During Pregnancy
- Vaginal Dryness During and After Menopause
- Vaginal Fistula
- Vaginal Pessaries
- Vaginal Rashes and Sores
- Vaginal Yeast Infection During Pregnancy
- Vaginal Yeast Infections
- Vaginitis
- VBAC: Labor Induction
- VBAC: Participation During Birth
- VBAC: Uterine Scar Rupture
- Violent Behavior
- Vitamin B6 for Morning Sickness
- Vulvodynia
- Week 12 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
- Week 16 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
- Week 20 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
- Week 24 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
- Week 28 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
- Week 32 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
- Week 36 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
- Week 40 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
- Week 8 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
- What Increases Your Risk of Becoming a Victim of Domestic Abuse or Violence?
- What to Do About Missed or Skipped Birth Control Pills
- Your Baby's Movements During Pregnancy
- Bone Density
- Breast Biopsy
- Breast Cancer (BRCA) Gene Test
- Breast Ultrasound
- Chlamydia Tests
- Clinical Breast Examination
- Colposcopy and Cervical Biopsy
- Contraction Stress Test
- Coombs Antibody Test (Indirect and Direct)
- Endometrial Biopsy
- Estrogens
- Fertility Awareness
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone
- Home Pregnancy Tests
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Test
- Hysterosalpingogram
- Hysteroscopy
- Luteinizing Hormone
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Breast
- Mammogram
- Pap Test
- Pelvic Examination
- Progesterone
- Prolactin
- Sonohysterogram
- Sperm Penetration Tests
- Testosterone
- Tests for Bacterial Vaginosis
- Vaginal Self-Examination (VSE)
- Vaginal Wet Mount
- Vitamin D Test
- Abnormal Uterine Bleeding: Should I Have a Hysterectomy?
- Breast Cancer Screening and Dense Breasts: What Are My Options?
- Breast Cancer Screening: When Should I Start Having Mammograms?
- Breast Cancer: Should I Have Breast Reconstruction After a Mastectomy?
- Breast Cancer: Should I Have Breast-Conserving Surgery or a Mastectomy?
- Breast Cancer: Should I Have Chemotherapy for Early-Stage Breast Cancer?
- Breast Cancer: What Should I Do if I'm at High Risk?
- Breastfeeding: Should I Breastfeed My Baby?
- Depression: Should I Take Antidepressants While I'm Pregnant?
- Diabetes: Should I Get Pregnant?
- Endometriosis: Should I Have a Hysterectomy and Oophorectomy?
- Endometriosis: Should I Use Hormone Therapy?
- Fertility Problems: Should I Be Tested?
- Fertility Problems: Should I Have a Tubal Procedure or In Vitro Fertilization?
- Hysterectomy and Oophorectomy: Should I Use Estrogen Therapy (ET)?
- Hysterectomy: Should I Also Have My Ovaries Removed?
- Menopause: Should I Use Hormone Therapy (HT)?
- Miscarriage: Should I Have Treatment to Complete a Miscarriage?
- Multiple Pregnancy: Should I Consider a Multifetal Pregnancy Reduction?
- Osteoporosis: Should I Have a Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) Test?
- Osteoporosis: Should I Take Bisphosphonate Medicines?
- Ovarian Cancer: Should I Have My Ovaries Removed to Prevent Ovarian Cancer?
- Pap Test: Should I Have Colposcopy if My Pap Test Shows Minor Cell Changes?
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Should I Have Surgery?
- PMS: Should I Try an SSRI Medicine for My Symptoms?
- Pregnancy: Should I Have an Early Fetal Ultrasound?
- Pregnancy: Should I Have an Epidural During Childbirth?
- Pregnancy: Should I Try Vaginal Birth After a Past C-Section (VBAC)?
- Stress Incontinence in Women: Should I Have Surgery?
- Uterine Fibroids: Should I Have Surgery?
- Uterine Fibroids: Should I Have Uterine Fibroid Embolization?
- Uterine Fibroids: Should I Use GnRH-A Therapy?
- Vaginal Yeast Infection: Should I Treat It Myself?
- Breastfeeding: Planning Ahead
- Depression: Managing Postpartum Depression
- Gestational Diabetes: Checking Your Blood Sugar
- Gestational Diabetes: Counting Carbs
- Gestational Diabetes: Dealing With Low Blood Sugar
- Gestational Diabetes: Giving Yourself Insulin Shots
- Healthy Eating: Taking Calcium and Vitamin D
- Lymphedema: Managing Lymphedema
- Menopause: Managing Hot Flashes
- Menstrual Cycle: Dealing With Cramps
- Pregnancy and Diabetes: Planning for Pregnancy
- Pregnancy: Dealing With Morning Sickness
Current as of: June 29, 2020
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:Adam Husney MD - Family Medicine & Martin J. Gabica MD - Family Medicine
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