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:
Health Topics
- Abnormal Pap Test
- Abnormal Pap Test and Watchful Waiting
- Abnormal Pap Test While Pregnant
- Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding
- Abortion
- Abortion: Emotional Recovery
- Acupressure for Morning Sickness
- Adenomyosis
- After Childbirth: Coping and Adjusting
- After Childbirth: Pelvic Bone Problems
- After Childbirth: Urination and Bowel Problems
- Anatomical Incontinence in Women
- Antibiotics to Treat and Prevent Infection During Preterm Labor
- 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
- Bioidentical Hormones
- Birth Control
- Birth Control Pills, Hormone Therapy, and Coronary Artery Disease
- 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
- Black Cohosh for Menopause Symptoms
- Blood Tests for Preeclampsia
- Boric Acid for Vaginal Yeast Infection
- Braxton Hicks Contractions
- Breast Cancer
- Breast Cancer Classification
- Breast Cancer Screening
- 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-Feeding
- Breast-Feeding a Sick Baby
- Breast-Feeding as Birth Control
- Breast-Feeding More Than One Child
- Breast-Feeding Positions
- Breast-Feeding: Choosing a Breast Pump
- 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 Cancer: Radical Trachelectomy
- Cervical Cap for Birth Control
- Cervical Cerclage to Prevent Preterm Delivery
- Cervical Effacement and Dilatation
- Cervical Polyps
- Cesarean Section
- Chemical Exposure and Miscarriage
- Childbirth Classes
- Childbirth: Forceps Delivery and Vacuum Extraction
- Childbirth: Laboring in Water and Water Delivery
- Childbirth: Opioid Pain Medicines
- Childbirth: Perineal Massage Before Labor
- Childbirth: Pudendal and Paracervical Blocks
- Childbirth: Reasons for Cesarean Delivery
- Childbirth: Strep Infections During Delivery
- Childbirth: Vaginal Exams During Labor
- 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
- Continuous Support During Childbirth
- Contraceptive Sponge for Birth Control
- Contractions During Pregnancy: What to Expect
- Counseling for Women's Sexual Problems
- Cryotherapy for Abnormal Cervical Cell Changes
- Depression During Pregnancy
- Diabetes: Preparing for Pregnancy
- Diaphragm for Birth Control
- Dilation and Curettage (D&C) for Bleeding During Menopause
- Dilation and Curettage (D&C) for Miscarriage
- Dilation and Evacuation (D&E) for Abortion
- Domestic Abuse
- Domestic Violence
- Domestic Violence: Checklist of Things to Take When You Leave
- Domestic Violence: Getting a Protective Order
- Draining a Breast Abscess
- Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding
- Eclampsia (Seizures) and Preeclampsia
- Ectopic Pregnancy
- Ectopic Pregnancy: Managing Methotrexate Side Effects
- Effects of Diethylstilbestrol (DES) Exposure
- Electrical Stimulation for Urinary Incontinence
- 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
- Expectant Management in Ectopic Pregnancy
- 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
- 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 Warts (Human Papillomavirus)
- Gestational Diabetes
- Gestational Diabetes: Safe Exercise
- Gestational Diabetes: Target Blood Sugar Levels
- Getting Pregnant After Stopping Birth Control
- Ginger for Morning Sickness
- Heavy Menstrual Periods
- HELLP Syndrome and Preeclampsia
- High-Risk Pregnancy
- Hormonal Birth Control: Risk of Blood Clots
- 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
- Hysterectomy Questions
- Hysterectomy: Concerns About Sex
- Hysterectomy: Emotional Reactions
- Hysterectomy: Types of Surgical Incisions
- Indirect Coombs' Test
- Infertility Treatment for Women With PCOS
- Infertility: Aging Egg Supply
- Infertility: Factors That Affect Treatment Success
- Infertility: Problems With Fallopian Tubes
- Infertility: Problems With Ovulation
- Infertility: Problems With the Uterus and Cervix
- Infertility: Using Ultrasound in ART
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease During Pregnancy
- Inflammatory Breast Cancer
- Insemination 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?
- Interactive Tool: Which Health Screenings Do You Need?
- Intermittent Catheterization for Women
- Intrauterine Device (IUD) for Birth Control
- IUD Insertion
- Labor and Delivery
- Labor Induction and Augmentation
- Laparoscopic Ovarian Drilling (Ovarian Diathermy) for PCOS
- Laparoscopic Surgery for Endometriosis
- Laparoscopic Tubal Ligation
- Laparotomy for Pelvic Problems
- 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-Lying Placenta
- Lymphadenectomy for Endometrial Cancer
- Male Condoms
- Manual and Vacuum Aspiration for Abortion
- Massage Therapy During Pregnancy
- Mastitis While Breast-Feeding
- Mechanical Devices for Urinary Incontinence in Women
- Medical Abortion Care
- Menarche
- Menopause and Perimenopause
- Menopause: Wild Yam and Progesterone Creams
- Menstrual Cramps
- Menstruation: Not Having a Period by Age 15
- Military Sexual Trauma
- Miscarriage
- Miscarriage: Expectant Management for Incomplete Miscarriage
- Miscarriage: Vacuum Aspiration
- Missed or Irregular Periods
- Missed Periods and Endurance Training
- Molar Pregnancy
- Multifetal Pregnancy Reduction
- Multiple Pregnancy: Twins or More
- Myomectomy
- Nipple Discharge
- Normal Menstrual Cycle
- Normal Vaginal Discharge
- Nutrition and Weight Gain During Pregnancy
- Nutrition While Breast-Feeding
- Obesity and Pregnancy
- Obstetric Panel
- Oophorectomy
- Osteoporosis
- Osteoporosis Risk in Younger Women
- Other Health Problems Caused by Herpes Simplex Virus
- Ovarian Cancer
- Pap Test: Classification of Cell Changes
- Pap Test: Collecting Cells in Liquid
- Passing Tissue During Pregnancy
- Pelvic Floor (Kegel) Exercises for Urinary Incontinence in Women
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: Criteria for Diagnosis
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: Draining an Abscess
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: Tubo-Ovarian Abscess
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse
- Physical Abuse
- Placenta Abruptio
- Placenta Previa
- PMS: Ways to Record Your Symptoms
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- Postpartum Bleeding
- Postpartum Depression
- Postpartum: First 6 Weeks After Childbirth
- Post-Term Pregnancy
- Postural Management for Breech Position
- Preeclampsia and High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
- 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 and High Blood Pressure: Questions for Your Doctor
- Pregnancy: Avoiding Papaya
- 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: Headaches and Preeclampsia
- 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: Tips for Dealing With Bed Rest
- 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
- Premature Ovarian Failure
- Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
- Preparing for a Healthy Pregnancy
- Preterm Labor
- Preterm Labor
- Preterm Labor and Short Cervix
- Preterm Labor: Testing for Fetal Fibronectin
- Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes (pPROM)
- Preventing Mastitis
- Problems After Delivery of Your Baby
- Quick Tips: Healthy Pregnancy Habits
- Quick Tips: Successful Breast-Feeding
- Quitting Smoking and Avoiding Smoke During Pregnancy
- Radiation Exposure: Risks and Health Effects
- Radiation Therapy for Endometrial Cancer
- Recurrent Vaginal Yeast Infections
- Relieving Menstrual Pain
- Removing a Bartholin Gland Cyst
- 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
- Risks of Multiple Pregnancy
- Safer Sex
- Safety Plan: Preparing to Leave a Violent Relationship
- Scalp Problems
- Screening for Gestational Diabetes
- Second-Trimester Exams and Tests
- Sex After Childbirth
- Sex During Pregnancy
- Sexual Abuse: Signs and Symptoms
- Sexual Problems in Women
- Sexual Problems: Questions About Your Sexual History
- Sexually Transmitted Infections: Symptoms in Women
- Sleep Problems During Pregnancy
- Sleep, Rest, and Breast-Feeding
- Smoking: Problems With Pregnancy
- Soy for Menopause Symptoms
- Spinal Block for Childbirth
- Stages of Endometriosis
- 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
- Taking Birth Control Pills With Other Medicines
- Tension-Free Vaginal Tape for Stress Incontinence in Women
- The Bethesda System (TBS)
- Third-Trimester Exams and Tests
- Tips for Pregnant Parents
- Tissue Flap Surgery for Breast Reconstruction
- Toxoplasmosis During Pregnancy
- Travel During Pregnancy
- Treating Tuberculosis in Pregnant Women
- Triple or Quad Screening for Birth Defects
- Tubal Ligation and Tubal Implants
- Tubal Ligation Reversal
- Types of Domestic Abuse
- Types of Hysterectomy
- Umbilical Cord Blood Banking
- 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 Molar Pregnancy
- Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)
- Vaginal Bleeding After Delivery
- Vaginal Bleeding During Pregnancy
- 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: Type of Past Incision
- VBAC: Uterine Scar Rupture
- Violent Behavior
- Vitamins B6 and B12 for Morning Sickness
- Vulvodynia
- What Increases Your Risk of Becoming a Victim of Domestic Abuse or Violence?
- What to Do About Missed or Skipped Birth Control Pills
- Women and Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injuries
- Women and Coronary Artery Disease
- Yeast Infection While Breast-Feeding
Medical Tests
- Breast Biopsy
- Breast Cancer (BRCA) Gene Test
- Breast Ultrasound
- Clinical Breast Examination
- Colposcopy and Cervical Biopsy
- Contraction Stress Test
- Endometrial Biopsy
- Estrogens
- Fertility Awareness
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone
- Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG)
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Test
- Hysterosalpingogram
- Hysteroscopy
- Luteinizing Hormone
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Breast
- Mammogram
- Pap Test
- Pelvic Examination
- Postcoital Test
- Progesterone
- Sperm Penetration Tests
- Tests for Bacterial Vaginosis
- Vaginal Self-Examination (VSE)
- Vaginal Wet Mount
Medications
- Alprazolam for PMS-Related Anxiety
- Antibiotics for Bacterial Vaginosis
- Antibiotics for Mastitis While Breast-Feeding
- Antibiotics for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Anticholinergics for Urinary Incontinence in Women
- Antidepressants for Hot Flashes
- Antidepressants for Urinary Incontinence
- Aromatase Inhibitors for Breast Cancer
- Birth Control Pills, Patch, or Ring
- Bisphosphonates for Osteoporosis
- Bromocriptine or Cabergoline for Infertility
- Calcitonin for Osteoporosis
- Clonidine for Treating Hot Flashes
- Danazol for Endometriosis
- Danazol for Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD)
- Denosumab for Osteoporosis
- Estrogen Therapy (ET)
- Estrogen Therapy for Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding
- Gabapentin for Hot Flashes
- Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonist (GnRH-a) for Severe PMS
- Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Agonist (GnRH-a) Therapy for Endometriosis
- Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Analogue (GnRH-A) Therapy
- Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Analogues for Infertility
- Hormone Therapy (HT)
- Hydralazine for High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
- Indomethacin for Slowing Preterm Labor
- Insulin for Gestational Diabetes
- Labetalol for High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
- Low-Dose Vaginal Estrogen for Dryness and Atrophy
- Magnesium Sulfate for Preterm Labor
- Magnesium Sulfate for Seizure Prevention During Pregnancy
- Metformin (Glucophage) for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
- Methotrexate and Misoprostol for Abortion
- Methotrexate for Ectopic Pregnancy
- Methotrexate for Trophoblastic Cancer
- Methyldopa for Chronic Hypertension During Pregnancy
- Mifepristone and Misoprostol for Abortion
- Minoxidil for Hair Loss
- Misoprostol
- Nifedipine for High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
- Nifedipine for Preterm Labor
- Nystatin for Yeast Infections While Breast-Feeding
- Oral Medicines for Vaginal Yeast Infections
- Parathyroid Hormone for Osteoporosis
- Progestin for Chronic Pelvic Pain
- Progestin for Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding
- Progestin for Emergency Contraception
- Progestin for Endometriosis
- Progestin Hormone Therapy for Endometrial Cancer
- Progestin-Only Hormonal Methods (Mini-Pills, Implants, and Shots)
- Raloxifene
- Rh Immune Globulin
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) for PMS and PMDD
- Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) for Postpartum Depression
- Spironolactone for PMS
- Spironolactone for Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- Terbutaline for Slowing Preterm Labor
- Testosterone for Women
- Tricyclic Antidepressants (TCAs) for the Treatment of Chronic Pelvic Pain
- Tricyclic Antidepressants for Postpartum Depression
- Tricyclic Antidepressants for Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
- Ulipristal for Emergency Contraception
- Vaginal Medicines for Vaginal Yeast Infections
Make a Wise Decision
- 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 for Early-Stage Cancer?
- Breast Cancer: Should I Have Chemotherapy for Early-Stage Breast Cancer?
- Breast Cancer: What Should I Do if I'm at High Risk?
- Depression: Should I Take Antidepressants While I'm Pregnant?
- Diabetes: Should I Get Pregnant?
- Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding: Should I Use Hormone Therapy?
- Endometriosis: Should I Have a Hysterectomy and Oophorectomy?
- Endometriosis: Should I Use Hormone Therapy?
- Fertility Problems: Should I Have a Tubal Procedure or In Vitro Fertilization?
- HPV: Should My Child Get the Vaccine?
- 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 X-Ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) Test?
- Osteoporosis: Should I Take Bisphosphonate Medicines?
- 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: 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?
Take Action
- Breast-Feeding: 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
- Lymphedema: Managing Lymphedema
- Menopause: Managing Hot Flashes
- Menstrual Cycle: Dealing With Cramps
- Osteoporosis: Taking Calcium and Vitamin D
- Pregnancy and Diabetes: Planning for Pregnancy
- Pregnancy: Dealing With Morning Sickness
Last Revised: May 6, 2012
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
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