Women's Health Archive

Men may expect sex to last a certain length of time based on what they’ve seen in media. Research indicates the average man climaxes five to six minutes after vaginal penetration. Premature ejaculation is loosely defined as ejaculating in under two minutes.

Fibroids can change as hormone levels shift, but bleeding patterns and new symptoms after menopause still deserve careful medical attention.

Vaginal dryness and discomfort can affect intimacy and daily life. See which options may ease symptoms linked to changing estrogen levels.

In January 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued cervical cancer screening guidelines that, for the first time, include an option for women to perform an at-home human papillomavirus (HPV) test. HPV causes about 95% of cervical cancers.

Women’s reproductive history, including first period, pregnancy, and menopause, influences their lifetime exposure to estrogen, which appears to shape brain aging and dementia risk. Menopause is believed to be the strongest reproductive factor, with later menopause tied to lower dementia risk.

A 2026 study suggested that menopausal women who used estrogen-only hormone therapy were less likely than women who didn’t use hormone therapy to develop Alzheimer’s-related brain changes or be diagnosed with dementia.

Each year, about 600,000 American women undergo hysterectomy—surgery to remove the uterus and sometimes other reproductive organs as well—most often to alleviate symptoms rather than to save lives. Women opt for hysterectomy for conditions such as excessive uterine bleeding, pelvic pain, and fibroids.

While starting hormone therapy to curb menopause symptoms is considered safest before age 60 and within 10 years of menopause, there’s no defined age at which women need to stop using it. Various factors should be considered when deciding whether to continue, including age, overall health, and medical history.

Stress can disrupt the menstrual cycle, but it isn’t the only possible cause of a late period. Find out what to consider before assuming why.

A bile flow problem can cause noticeable changes in the skin, urine, stools, and comfort, with treatment depending on the underlying cause.