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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.
• Birth Control.
• Fertility Problems.
• Pregnancy.
• Labor and Delivery.
• Postpartum: First 6 Weeks After Childbirth.
• Menopause: Should I Use Hormone Therapy (HT)?.

• Health Topics
• Medical Tests
• Make a Wise Decision
• Take Action

Open/close information sectionHealth Topics

• Abnormal Pap Test
• Abnormal Pap Test While Pregnant
• Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
• Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding
• Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy
• Adenomyosis
• Adult Immunization Schedule
• After Childbirth: Coping and Adjusting at Home With Your Baby
• After Childbirth: Pelvic Bone Problems
• After Childbirth: Urination and Bowel Problems
• Alcohol or Drug Use During Pregnancy
• Anemia During Pregnancy
• Antiphospholipid Syndrome and Pregnancy
• Anxiety During and After Pregnancy
• Artificial Rupture of the Membranes
• Asthma During Pregnancy
• Baby Blues
• Back Pain During Pregnancy
• Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Tracking
• Bed Rest for Preterm Labor
• Bed Rest in Pregnancy
• Bioidentical Hormones
• 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-Conserving Surgery (Lumpectomy) for Breast Cancer
• Breastfeeding and Your Milk Supply
• Breastfeeding at Work
• Breastfeeding Multiple Infants
• Breastfeeding Positions
• Breastfeeding When You Have Diabetes
• Breastfeeding: Choosing a Breast Pump
• 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
• Carbon Dioxide Laser Treatment for Abnormal Cervical Cell Changes
• Cervical Cancer Screening
• Cervical Cell Changes on a Pap Test
• Cervical Cerclage
• Cervical Effacement and Dilatation
• Cervical Insufficiency
• Cervical Polyps
• Cesarean Section
• Childbirth Classes
• Childbirth Pain Relief Options
• Childbirth: I.V. Medicines
• Childbirth: Is Planning a C-Section a Good Choice?
• Childbirth: Laboring in Water and Water Delivery
• Childbirth: Perineal Massage Before Labor
• Childbirth: Pudendal Block
• Childbirth: Strep Infections During Delivery
• Cholestasis of Pregnancy
• Choosing a Prosthesis After Breast Cancer Surgery
• Chronic Pelvic Pain
• Contractions During Pregnancy: What to Expect
• Cryotherapy for Abnormal Cervical Cell Changes
• Dense Breasts
• Dental Care During Pregnancy
• Depression During Pregnancy
• Dilation and Curettage (D&C)
• 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
• Effects of Diethylstilbestrol (DES) Exposure
• Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer
• Endometriosis
• Episiotomy and Perineal Tears
• Excisional Biopsy for Abnormal Cervical Cell Changes
• Exercise During Pregnancy
• External Cephalic Version for Breech Position
• Fallopian Tube Procedures for Infertility
• Family History and the Risk for Breast or Ovarian Cancer
• Fatigue During Pregnancy
• Female Genital Problems and Injuries
• Find Your Ovulation Day
• First-Trimester Exams and Tests
• Fitz-Hugh-Curtis Syndrome
• Functional Ovarian Cysts
• Gestational Diabetes
• Getting Enough Calcium and Vitamin D
• Getting Pregnant After Stopping Birth Control
• Health Screening: Finding Health Problems Early
• Healthy Habits to Prevent Osteoporosis
• Heartburn During Pregnancy
• Heavy Menstrual Periods
• HELLP Syndrome
• High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
• High-Risk Pregnancy
• Hormone Treatment for Breast Cancer
• How Pregnancy (Conception) Occurs
• Hysterectomy
• Infertility Tests
• Infertility: Emotional and Social Support
• 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
• Interactive Tool: From Embryo to Baby in 9 Months
• Interactive Tool: When Are You Most Fertile?
• Labor and Delivery
• Labor Induction and Augmentation
• Laparoscopic Ovarian Drilling (Ovarian Diathermy) for PCOS
• Laparoscopic Surgery for Endometriosis
• Leg Cramps During Pregnancy
• Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP) for Abnormal Cervical Cell Changes
• Low Amniotic Fluid
• Low Bone Density
• Low-Lying Placenta Versus Placenta Previa
• Lymph Node Removal Surgery (Lymphadenectomy) for Endometrial Cancer
• Making a Birth Plan
• Managing Emotional Changes During Pregnancy
• Massage Therapy During Pregnancy
• Mastectomy (Removal of the Breast) for Breast Cancer
• Mastitis While Breastfeeding
• Medicines for Bone Loss
• Medicines That Can Cause Changes in Menstrual Bleeding
• Medicines That May Cause Vaginal Symptoms
• Menarche
• Menopause and Your Risk for Other Health Concerns
• Menstrual Cramps
• Menstrual Cups
• Menstrual Diary to Monitor Premenstrual Symptoms
• Military Sexual Trauma
• Milk Oversupply
• Miscarriage
• Molar Pregnancy
• My Birth Plan
• Myomectomy
• Nipple Discharge
• Nipple Shields for Breastfeeding Problems
• Nitrous Oxide Pain Relief for Childbirth
• Normal Menstrual Cycle
• Normal Vaginal Discharge
• Nutrition During Pregnancy
• Obstetric Panel
• Osteoporosis
• Osteoporosis Risk Factors
• Osteoporosis Risk in Younger Women
• Osteoporosis Screening
• Ovarian Cancer
• Overactive Bladder
• Partner Support During Pregnancy
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: Tubo-Ovarian Abscess
• Pelvic Organ Prolapse
• Physical Abuse
• Placenta Previa
• Placental Abruption
• Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
• Polyhydramnios
• Postpartum Bleeding
• Postpartum Depression
• Post-Term Pregnancy
• Preeclampsia
• Preeclampsia: Creatinine Clearance Test
• Preeclampsia: Expectant Management
• Pregnancy
• Pregnancy After Age 35
• Pregnancy After Weight-Loss (Bariatric) Surgery
• Pregnancy and Chronic High Blood Pressure
• Pregnancy and Your Weight
• Pregnancy: Blood Clots
• Pregnancy: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Pregnancy: Changes in Bowel Habits
• Pregnancy: Chemicals, Cosmetics, and Radiation
• Pregnancy: Choosing a Doctor or Midwife
• 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: Stretch Marks, Itching, and Skin Changes
• Pregnancy: Varicose Veins
• Pregnancy: Vegetarian Diet
• Pregnancy: Work and School Issues
• Pregnancy-Related Problems
• Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
• Preparing for a Healthy Pregnancy
• Preterm Labor
• 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 or Vaping During Pregnancy
• Radiation for Early-Stage Breast Cancer
• Recurrent Vaginal Yeast Infections
• Repair of Bladder Prolapse (Cystocele) or Urethra Prolapse (Urethrocele)
• Repair of Rectocele or Enterocele
• Retropubic Suspension Surgery
• Rh Sensitization During Pregnancy
• Safety Plan: Preparing to Leave a Violent Relationship
• Screening for Gestational Diabetes
• Second-Trimester Exams and Tests
• Self-Catheterization (Female)
• Sleep Problems During Pregnancy
• Sleep, Rest, and Breastfeeding
• Smoking: Problems With Pregnancy
• Spinal and Epidural Pain Relief for Childbirth
• Staying Safe: After You Leave a Violent Relationship
• Staying Safe: If You Are in a Violent Relationship
• Stillbirth
• Storing Breast Milk
• Stress Incontinence
• Subchorionic Hemorrhage
• Surgery for Ovarian Cysts
• Swelling During Pregnancy
• Testosterone
• Thinking About Bilateral Mastectomy for Early-Stage Breast Cancer
• Thinking About Oophorectomy
• Third-Trimester Exams and Tests
• Tissue Flap Surgery for Breast Reconstruction
• Toxoplasmosis During Pregnancy
• Travel During Pregnancy
• Tubal Ligation Reversal
• Types of Intimate Partner Violence
• Umbilical Cord Blood Donation and Private Banking
• Unwanted Hair in Women
• Urethral Sling Surgery
• Urge Incontinence
• Urinary Incontinence
• Urinary Incontinence: Keeping a Daily Record
• Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)
• Uterine Fibroids
• Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)
• Vaginal Closure Surgery (Vaginal Obliteration)
• Vaginal Dryness
• Vaginal Fistula
• Vaginal Pessaries
• Vaginal Prolapse Surgery
• Vaginal Yeast Infection During Pregnancy
• Vaginal Yeast Infections
• 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
• Your Baby's Movements During Pregnancy

Open/close information sectionMedical Tests

• Bacterial Vaginosis Tests
• Biophysical Profile (BPP) Test
• Bladder Stress Test in Women
• Bone Density
• Breast Biopsy
• Breast Cancer (BRCA) Gene Test
• Breast Exam
• Breast Self-Awareness
• Breast Ultrasound
• Chlamydia Tests
• Colposcopy
• Contraction Stress Test
• Coombs Test
• Electronic Fetal Monitoring
• Endometrial Biopsy
• Estrogen Test
• Fertility Awareness
• Fetal Fibronectin Test
• Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Test
• Home Pregnancy Tests
• Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Test of the Cervix
• Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)
• Hysteroscopy
• Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Test
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Breast
• Mammogram
• Nonstress Test
• Pap Test
• Pelvic Exam
• Progesterone Test
• Prolactin Blood Test
• Quad Screening for Birth Defects
• Sonohysterogram
• Sperm Penetration Tests
• Testosterone Test
• Vaginal Self-Examination (VSE)
• Vaginal Wet Mount
• Vitamin D Test

Open/close information sectionMake a Wise Decision

• Abnormal Uterine Bleeding: Should I Have a Hysterectomy?
• Breast Cancer: Should I Have Breast Reconstruction After a Mastectomy?
• Breast Cancer: Should I Have Breast-Conserving Surgery or a Mastectomy?
• 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?
• Endometriosis: Should I Have a Hysterectomy and Oophorectomy?
• Hysterectomy: Should I Also Have My Ovaries Removed?
• Menopause: Should I Use Hormone Therapy (HT)?
• 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?
• Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Should I Have Surgery?
• Pregnancy: Should I Have an Epidural During Childbirth?
• Pregnancy: Should I Try Vaginal Birth After a Past C-Section (VBAC)?
• Uterine Fibroids: Should I Have Surgery?
• Uterine Fibroids: Should I Have Uterine Fibroid Embolization?

Open/close information sectionTake Action

• Breastfeeding: Planning Ahead
• Depression: Managing Postpartum Depression
• Exercises After Breast Cancer Surgery
• Gestational Diabetes: Checking Your Blood Sugar
• 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
• Nutrition While Breastfeeding
• Pregnancy and Diabetes: Planning for Pregnancy
• Pregnancy: Dealing With Morning Sickness

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Current as of: April 30, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.