Contraception and birth control Archive

People with a family history of heart disease and high LDL cholesterol should consult their doctor about lowering their LDL levels to less than 70 milligrams per deciliter, which often means taking a statin, eating a healthier diet and exercising regularly.

Women receive less information about perimenopause compared with the earlier milestones of puberty and pregnancy. Some women deal with an array of symptoms they don't connect to perimenopause and aren't aware that lifestyle changes can offset them. The menopause transition often involves weight gain from both shifting hormones and aging. Regular exercise and strength training can mitigate weight gain. Healthy eating habits and sounder sleep can also offset perimenopausal symptoms.

Men can overcome the barrier of back pain in the bedroom by trying different sexual positions and adjusting their intensity and frequency.

Marketed as a natural remedy for an enlarged prostate, saw palmetto is a top-selling dietary supplement. By one estimate, more than a third of all US adults who take supplements use saw palmetto. But experts at Harvard say men should view its supposed benefits for prostate health skeptically.

Women officially reach menopause a year after periods end. Any vaginal bleeding after menopause should be evaluated. Bleeding can come from vaginal dryness or atrophy, medication side effects, various infections, endometrial thickening, or cancer.

During midlife and later, men often experience a lower energy level, sour mood, and decline in sex drive. These changes have been tagged with the term "male menopause." A low testosterone level may be a factor. Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, increasing exercise, and following healthy sleep patterns, can help raise low levels. Another option is testosterone replacement therapy, but men need to weigh the possible benefits versus the risks.

The FDA added a boxed warning in December 2024 to fezolinetant (Veozah), a nonhormonal drug that reduces hot flashes and night sweats in menopausal women. The drug may cause rare but serious liver injury.

An estimated six in 10 women will at some point experience symptoms from pelvic floor weakness. Risk factors include pregnancy (especially with vaginal delivery), chronic constipation, family history, smoking, aging, menopause, obesity, chronic coughing, and occupations involving heavy lifting. Women with pelvic floor weakness may experience signs such as leaking urine, having trouble using a tampon, being unable to fully empty their bladder or rectum, and feeling a bulge in their vagina.