Contraception and birth control Archive

Coffee, tea, and soda all contribute to daily caffeine intake. Too much could affect miscarriage risk, as well as the baby's size.

For men, night sweats can signal anything from room temperature issues to infections, sleep apnea, medications, hormonal problems, or something else.

Charts offer BMI ranges and waist targets, but they aren't the whole story. Learn how height, belly fat, diet, and activity shape "healthy" weight.

Vaginal infections are highly common and often involve symptoms such as vaginal itching, burning, irritation, discharge, and odor. The most prevalent vaginal infections include bacterial vaginosis, yeast infection, trichomoniasis, herpes simplex virus 2, gonorrhea, and chlamydia.

Insulin resistance is when the pancreas makes insulin but the body's cells don't use it efficiently. It becomes more common in women after age 50 due to hormonal shifts that change the way the body stores fat. It is a key step in the process of developing prediabetes and diabetes.

An endometrial biopsy is the only way to rule out endometrial (or uterine) cancer. Any vaginal bleeding a year or more after a woman's final period raises the possibility of uterine cancer. The biopsy involves using a suction tube to gather cells from the uterine lining.

Vaginal probiotics contain live microorganisms and come in oral and suppository forms. Some ads claim these products can prevent or treat infections. But the vagina regulates its own bacterial mix, so vaginal probiotics aren't necessary.

Saw palmetto is a popular "natural" choice for urinary symptoms from an enlarged prostate, but high-quality studies show little or no real benefit. Men are urged to talk with a doctor first, both to rule out serious causes and avoid misplaced hope.

After menopause, women develop heart failure at rates similar to men. But women tend to develop heart failure with preserved ejection fraction, which leads to more frequent hospitalizations. Women also have different risk factors for heart failure than men.