Having a baby is exciting, but pregnancy after age 34 (35 years or older and otherwise known as Advanced Maternal Age) requires taking steps to protect your health and that of your baby. If you already have known health issues and you become pregnant after age 34, you should be monitored even more closely. When [...]
Depression is a very real condition likely caused by a combination of biological, environmental, psychological and genetic factors. Severity ranges from mild to moderate or even severe. More than just feeling down or blue, depression is a serious illness requiring professional treatment. Simply being female increases the risk of depression, since women are twice as [...]
Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are very common in women, with an estimated 50 percent of females experiencing at least one UTI in their lifetime. One reason urinary tract infections occur so often is the structure of the female anatomy. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body [...]
The dangers of tobacco, alcohol and drug use during pregnancy are many. These harmful chemicals are easily passed from mom to fetus, affecting development and posing serious health risks. Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of preterm birth and can also interfere with the way the placenta attaches to the uterus. Nicotine and carbon monoxide [...]
Painful sex is a problem that affects an estimated 75 percent of women at some time during their lives. Dyspareunia, the medical term for painful intercourse, describes pain that occurs immediately before, during or after sex. If you are experiencing painful sex, it may be an indication of a gynecologic problem. Ovarian cysts, endometriosis and [...]
Am I in Labor? This is a question often asked by expectant mothers. After a long pregnancy, most mothers-to-be are eager for baby’s arrival, but many wonder what to expect when labor begins. Such curiosity (and a little anxiety) is normal, especially if this is your first baby. Labor is the term used to describe [...]
Birth control pills have been around for over 50 years and are now the contraceptive of choice for many women. The pill is over 99 percent effective at preventing pregnancy when taken correctly and is easy to use. Birth control pills are a form of hormonal contraception and work by preventing ovulation. They also thicken [...]
Breastfeeding offers many advantages to both your baby and you. This important function increases mother-baby bonding, and the skin-to-skin contact and cuddle time is soothing to the baby. There are also numerous health benefits associated with breastfeeding your baby. Colostrum, the thick yellow liquid produced for 3 to 5 days after birth, is full of [...]
Although most women are familiar with the female hormones of estrogen and progesterone, they may be surprised to learn testosterone also plays a vital role in a woman’s health and wellbeing. The ovaries and adrenal glands produce a only small amount of testosterone, but the hormone is so important that even small changes in testosterone [...]
Lichen simplex chronicus is a condition that produces extreme itching and skin thickening. It develops in response to repeated scratching and rubbing of the affected skin. Over time, it leads to skin thickening, bleeding, cracking and possible infection. The condition, which is a severe form of atopic dermatitis or eczema, affects the outer female genitalia [...]