Postmenopausal women with overactive bladder may benefit from a low-dose vaginal estrogen ring.

The health risks of women whose mothers were given the drug DES have been documented in a follow-up study.

Should I have my magnesium level checked regularly to make sure I'm getting enough for my bones?

Do vaginal estrogens that are used for vaginal dryness have the same risks as estrogens taken orally or by skin patch?

Evidence suggests that depression is a treatable risk factor for heart disease and stroke.

Harvard Women's Health Watch readers probably know that the leading cause of death in women is cardiovascular disease (CVD) — that is, heart disease and stroke. Nearly 43 million women in the United States have some form of CVD, and every year, nearly 422,000 die of it — that's more than succumb annually to all forms of cancer combined. Heart disease and stroke are also major causes of life-altering disabilities.

Several behaviors and conditions increase the risk of developing CVD — smoking, poor diet, physical inactivity, ...

Don't let foodborne pathogens crash your party.

Most people are aware of the dangers of overeating and overimbibing during the winter holidays, but few worry about a lesser-known risk of year-end celebrations. Every year, 48 million Americans develop foodborne illness (also known as food poisoning or stomach flu), most of which isn't reported to health authorities. Festive dinners and buffets offer more opportunities for contamination than most meals, but you can greatly reduce your risk by taking a few precautions.

Common foodborne pathogens and the illnesses they cause Pathogen

Common sources

Time after ingesting

Symptoms and duration of illness

Campylobacter

...

There are many ways to play it safe while gaining the health benefits of exercise.

Whether it comes after a broken bone or a low bone density reading, a diagnosis of osteoporosis spurs you to rethink your relationship with exercise. Do I need to take it easy or change my current activities to avoid falls and fractures? What exercises will help protect my bones? If I haven't been very active in the past, how should I start?

One thing is clear: exercise is essential, even if you've been relatively inactive until now. You need the recommended amounts of calcium and ...