Women's Health Archive

In the past, people with lupus were advised to avoid pregnancy because doctors believed it was too risky. That’s no longer true: in most cases, following expert guidelines can make a successful pregnancy possible. It’s wise to think ahead, and to be aware of some important issues.

There are many reasons you might want or need to see a gynecologist or seek gyn care from your health care team. It helps to understand who will provide your care, what to expect during the visit, what to discuss, and how to have a positive experience during the visit.

A study found that women who were vaccinated against COVID-19 experienced a slight, temporary increase in the number of days between menstrual periods after getting the shot. Experts say the variation is not harmful and does not affect fertility.

Among US women ages 60 or older, the prevalence of urge incontinence (a sudden, unprovoked need to urinate) and stress incontinence (leaking urine with physical activity or pressure on the bladder) appeared to increase between 2005 and 2018. Treatments for urge incontinence include lifestyle modifications (such as avoiding caffeinated drinks or scheduling bathroom breaks), pelvic floor exercises, medications, and Botox injections. Treatments for stress incontinence include pelvic floor exercises, weight loss, vaginal pessaries, bulking agent injections, and bladder sling surgery.

Choosing to become pregnant and parent without a partner is increasingly common and more widely accepted than in the past, but deciding to pursue this path can be lonely. Additionally, there are important questions about financial security and the support of family and friends that a prospective single parent needs to consider.

New parents might want to wait awhile before considering having another child, and breastfeeding prevents ovulation, so some people use it as a natural birth control method during the early months of an infant’s life. However, it's effective only if a mother is breastfeeding frequently and an infant is receiving only breast milk as food.

Menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats can last for years after menstrual periods stop. Strategies such as wearing layered clothing that can be removed easily, keeping a small fan nearby, and sleeping in a cool room can help manage symptoms.