Women's Health
Women have many unique health concerns — menstrual cycles, pregnancy, birth control, menopause — and that's just the beginning. A number of health issues affect only women and others are more common in women. What's more, men and women may have the same condition, but different symptoms. Many diseases affect women differently and may even require distinct treatment.
We tend to think of breast cancer and osteoporosis as women's health diseases, but they also occur in men. Heart disease in a serious concern to both men and women, but risk factors and approaches to prevention are different. Women may also have specific concerns about aging, caregiving, emotional health issues, and skin care.
Women's Health Articles
Women should avoid alcohol if they are pregnant or if they have a personal or family history of breast cancer, liver disease, or alcohol abuse. For other women, one drink a day is generally healthy.
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New guidelines suggest that women get annual screenings for urinary incontinence, and that women 30 to 65 get either a cervical cytology (Pap) test every three years, or a test for human papillomavirus every five years, or a combination of both tests every five years.
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The FDA recently issued a warning on vaginal laser therapy, but while caution may be warranted, you shouldn’t necessarily abandon the treatment.
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HPV testing may provide a better cervical screening strategy compared to testing cells sampled from the cervix.
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Melasma is sometimes referred to as the mask of pregnancy, because hormones can trigger these dark areas on the face. But the condition isn’t limited to pregnancy, and without treatment, it may last for many years. One of the best ways to help reverse melasma is by being diligent about protecting your skin from the sun.
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For years, many doctors thought that heart attacks that weren’t caused by a major blockage were less serious than those that were. New research shows, however, that people who have this type of heart attack—known as a myocardial infarction with nonobstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA)—are at higher risk for future cardiovascular events, and doctors should treat the condition aggressively.
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Women who deliver a baby before the 37th week of pregnancy and experience rising blood pressure in the years that follow are more likely to develop signs of coronary artery disease, raising their risk of heart attack and stroke. Preterm delivery should be considered a potential risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
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Researchers linked consumption of certain foods to age at menopause. They found that women who consumed more oily fish and legumes went through menopause later, while those who ate more refined pasta and rice began the change earlier. Regardless of any potential effect on age at menopause, adopting a healthful diet is always a good idea.
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Different women experience different types of vaginal discharge. There is a wide range of “normal.” However, some symptoms like postmenopausal bleeding do warrant a closer look from the doctor.
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Unexplained pelvic plain is common in women of all ages and is sometimes related to problems with the muscles in the pelvic floor, a condition called myofascial pain. Tight pelvic floor muscles can cause chronic pain, and pelvic physical therapy is a potential treatment that may help to relieve this pain.
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