Women's Health Archive

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.

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.

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.

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.

Climate change has made summers hotter, and the struggle to stay cool has led to more cases of heat-related illness. Don't wait until you're overheated to figure out how to cool down; use these ideas to get you started.

Blood in the urine is often due to a urinary tract infection or kidney stones, but it might also indicate a more serious problem. To determine the cause, doctors start by analyzing a urine sample. Other tests may include imaging scans or cystoscopy to look inside the bladder.

A 2024 study suggests that hormone therapy for women under 60, including micronized progesterone and estrogen taken through the skin, effectively treats menopause symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats while posing few health risks.

A 2024 study suggests that women in perimenopause are significantly more likely to experience depression than either before or after this stage.

Women with osteoporosis have many options for preserving bone strength and preventing fractures. The mainstays of treatment are bisphosphonate drugs.

Artificial intelligence, or A.I., has been used in women's health care for decades. A.I. helps detect and track breast cancer, endometriosis, fibroids, cervical precancers, and other conditions. A.I.-driven mammography software may reveal more breast cancers than radiologists detect alone. A.I. may soon streamline women's breast cancer risk assessment scores to aid screening. Experts once predicted that A.I. would replace radiologists, but that hasn't happened and isn't likely, according to Harvard specialists.