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Contraception and birth control Archive

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Women gain heart protection with far less exercise than men

A 2025 study suggested that women are less likely to develop coronary artery disease even when engaging in less moderate-to-vigorous exercise than men.

Women face barriers to cardiac rehab despite proven benefits

A 2025 scientific statement from the American Heart Association indicated that women with cardiovascular disease are far less likely than men with the condition to take part in cardiac rehabilitation programs, despite the proven benefits.

Dealing with a sluggish sex drive

Men and women can experience many age-related changes and health conditions that can cause their sex drives to decline. Couples who deal with mismatched or missing sex drives should communicate about how they can work together to get back in sync. Both partners should share what they enjoy before and during sex, what issues may be hindering their sex drive, and what strategies they can try, such as recreating dating, planning time for intimacy, and exploring new ways to create romantic moods.

The head-scratching dilemma of itchy nipples and breasts

Itchiness of the breasts or nipples isn't common, but can signal conditions both harmless and serious. Minor reasons for itchiness across the bra area include eczema, psoriasis, exposure to soaps or detergents, trapped moisture, and pregnancy and breastfeeding. More serious causes include infections, breast surgery, radiation treatment, and certain rare forms of breast cancer. Any skin changes on the breast that don't improve over weeks should be evaluated by a doctor.

Lifestyle counseling may help men eat healthier and reduce their risk for diabetes

Overweight or obese men diagnosed with prediabetes who received counseling on healthy eating habits and online support significantly improved their diets and reduced their risk for developing diabetes, according to a 2025 study.

Men and urinary tract infections

Although urinary tract infections (UTIs) are far more common in women, men can also get them. Signs and symptoms include frequent urination, burning or tingling during or just after urination, cloudy urine with a strong odor, or blood in the urine. UTIs can be treated with antibiotics.

How does prostate cancer treatment affect mental health?

The long-term outlook for men diagnosed with prostate cancer continues to improve. These medical advances, however, have also drawn attention to the mental health challenges many survivors encounter. It's still common for survivors to struggle with loss of masculine self-esteem and changes in body image.

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