When it comes to birth control, women today have many different options, including condoms. Condoms are affordable, attainable, and relatively effective when used correctly, but there are some important facts every woman should know. Condoms are considered a barrier method birth control. There are two types of condoms: male and female. A male condom is [...]
When you are expecting, you want to do all you can to ensure you bring a healthy child into the world – including making lifestyle changes such as reducing caffeine intake. But when you’re asking the barista to hold that extra shot of espresso from your morning cup of coffee- you may secretly wonder [...]
Purchasing a home pregnancy test is often one of the first things a woman does when she suspects she may be pregnant. These test kits are available without a prescription and are readily available in most drug stores and grocery stores. Home pregnancy tests work by identifying the pregnancy hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin – [...]
Women’s nipples come in all shapes, sizes and colors. It is important to know your own nipples so that you can identify any problems or changes that require medical attention. When it comes to nipples, there is a wide variation in normal. The areola – the colored ring surrounding the nipple – ranges in [...]
Pertussis, commonly known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious infection that can be deadly for infants, especially in their first few months. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has noted an increase in pertussis infections since 2011, with a 24% increase from 2013 to 2014 alone. In the hopes of reducing [...]
If you are pregnant and experiencing fatigue, you are not alone. Fatigue is often one of the first symptoms of pregnancy and may appear even before a woman knows she is expecting. Pregnancy affects every woman differently, however most women are more likely to feel tired during their first and third trimesters. Several factors lead [...]
Bowel leakage or problems with bowel control is known as bowel or fecal incontinence. The problem is more common in women after age 65. Bowel leakage is often the result of the stretching or damage of the rectal muscles that occurs during childbirth. Often, symptoms don’t appear until later. This occurs because the stretched muscles [...]
Exercising while pregnant offers multiple health benefits. It may decrease your risk of gestational diabetes (diabetes that develops during pregnancy) or preeclampsia (a condition leads to high blood pressure in pregnant women). Staying active while pregnant may also reduce back pain, assist in controlling weight gain and promote healthy weight loss after delivery. Before [...]
Bartholin’s cysts commonly occur in women of reproductive age. The Bartholin’s glands, located on either side of the vaginal opening, produce a small amount of fluid that provides moisture to the outer genital region. Injury or infection can lead to an obstruction of the gland, creating a fluid back up and causing a Bartholin’s cyst [...]
For couples that are eagerly awaiting the birth of a child, coping with miscarriage is a difficult challenge. But understanding miscarriage and the reasons it can occur can help parents come to terms with this painful experience. Miscarriage describes pregnancy loss that occurs before 20 weeks gestation, but most miscarriages occur within the first trimester. [...]