Women's Health Archive

Articles

Sexual violence can cast a long shadow on health

The experience of sexual violence may have later effects on both physical and emotional health. Being aware of these possibilities can help you identify and respond to them promptly.

Depression around time of pregnancy may raise risk of cardiovascular disease

A 2024 study suggested that women with perinatal depression, which can occur during or just after pregnancy, have significantly higher risks of developing later cardiovascular disease.

Double mastectomy offers no survival benefit for women with breast cancer

A 2024 study found that in women who had a breast cancer diagnosis in only one breast, the odds of dying from breast cancer didn't change if they had the other breast removed as a precaution.

What's the difference between osteoporosis and osteopenia?

Osteopenia and osteoporosis both involve a decline in bone density. Osteoporosis is more severe, significantly increasing the risk of fractures. Both conditions can be diagnosed with DEXA scanning, which measures calcium and other minerals in bone.

Do menopause testing kits work?

Over-the-counter menopause test kits detect levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) in a urine sample. But FSH levels can be high just before ovulation as well as when menopause is approaching, making test results ambiguous.

Harvard Health Ad Watch: New drug, old song, clever tagline

A new type of nonhormonal medication to prevent hot flashes and night sweats due to menopause, Veozah, was approved by the FDA in 2023. An ad for the drug has useful information, but some key questions are not answered.

Menopause supplements: Effective relief or empty promises?

Dozens of over-the-counter supplements are marketed to women in the menopause transition that purportedly help relieve bothersome symptoms such as hot flashes, low libido, brain fog, or mood shifts. But because these products don't require FDA approval or rigorous testing, women should be wary about their effectiveness. Women who consider menopause supplements should avoid blended products, stop taking them if they experience side effects, and try healthy lifestyle changes such as diet, exercise, and weight control to allay symptoms.

Should I worry about abnormal Pap test results?

Abnormal Pap test results don't always indicate cervical cancer. Most abnormal findings result from the presence of human papillomavirus, or HPV. Typically, the next step is a colposcopy, a test that enables the doctor to look closely at areas that appear abnormal.

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