Up to 1 in 10 women of reproductive age suffers from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). PCOS is a hormonal imbalance that interferes with ovulation, and it commonly causes irregular menstrual periods and infertility. But the condition doesn’t just affect your reproductive health. Many women notice appearance changes — from weight gain to facial hair growthContinue reading “PCOS and Appearance Changes: Causes and Treatments”
Your bones are made up of living tissue. They’re much harder than muscles or organs, but cells in bones grow, change, and repair just like tissue in every other part of your body. Bones are made of collagen and calcium phosphate, among other minerals. When you’re young, your bones have a high density, which meansContinue reading “When to Consider a Bone Density Test”
Menopause is a natural biological process that occurs when a woman is in her 40s or 50s, and the symptoms last an average of 4-5 years. Although menopause marks the end of your reproductive years, the average American woman’s life expectancy is 81 years, which means that many women live a third of their livesContinue reading “Sexual Health After Menopause: What to Expect”
Involuntary urine leakage, or urinary incontinence, is an embarrassing problem. It’s one of those topics that many women are hesitant to discuss at the doctor’s office, but not bringing it up could mean you’re suffering unnecessarily. Urinary incontinence affects over 33 million Americans, two-thirds of whom are women. It’s an extremely common issue, and it’sContinue reading “Urinary Incontinence — It’s Common and Treatable”
Over 3.8 million women in the United States have received a breast cancer diagnosis. It’s the second-most common type of cancer affecting women, and an estimated 1 in 8 women will have breast cancer in her lifetime. Advancements in cancer research mean that more women are beating breast cancer than ever before, but early diagnosisContinue reading “It’s Breast Cancer Awareness Month — Are You in the Know?”
Expecting a baby? Congratulations! Pregnancy is an exciting time, but it can be stressful, too. From family and friends quick with pregnancy advice to decorating the nursery, being pregnant can quickly become overwhelming. That’s why it’s such good news that you don’t have to do it alone. Pregnancy is the perfect time to spend aContinue reading “The Many Benefits of Good Prenatal Care”
Hot flashes affect two-thirds of women in perimenopause and menopause. These bouts of intense warmth across your face, neck, and chest are often accompanied by perspiration, and they’re considered one of the most bothersome symptoms of menopause. Hormonal changes during menopause trigger hot flashes. It’s a natural biological process, but don’t assume that you haveContinue reading “Handling Hot Flashes in the Heat”
An average menstrual period lasts 2-7 days, with the complete menstrual cycle lasting 21-35 days. Most women don’t look forward to their periods, because they can cause cramps, bloating, mood swings, and more. But a “normal” period can vary greatly from woman to woman. Some women experience painful cramps every month, while others suffer crampsContinue reading “Heavy Periods: Could It Be Endometriosis?”
Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled growths that develop on one or both of your ovaries. They’re common — in fact, most women have at least one cyst during their reproductive years. Cysts often develop during ovulation, but most of the time they’re painless and go undetected. Occasionally, however, a cyst causes bloating, pelvic pain, and otherContinue reading “The Best Treatment for Ovarian Cysts”
Breast cancer is the second-most common cancer affecting American women. In fact, 1 in 8 women receives a breast cancer diagnosis in her lifetime. To protect your health, preventive care is important. Women over 45 and those with a family history of breast cancer should get mammogram screenings regularly. Mammograms are one of the bestContinue reading “Dense Breasts and Breast Cancer Risk”
