Women's Health

Women's Health Issues See All Breast Health See All Gynecological Health See All Heart Disease and Stroke See All Obesity See All Osteoporosis See All Plastic Surgery See All Conditions of Concern to Women See All Sports Injuries See All  Anatomy of the Breasts in Understanding Breast Health A closer look at the structure of the breast....more  Normal Breast Development and Changes in Understanding Breast Health Breast development happens in certain stages during a woman's life: first before birth, and again at puberty and later during the childbearing years. Changes also happen to the breasts during menstruation and when a woman reaches menopause. ...more  Breast Biopsy in Breast Tests & Procedures A breast biopsy is a small piece of breast tissue that is removed and checked in a lab. This is done to see if cancer or other abnormal cells are present....more  Breast MRI in Breast Tests & Procedures Magnetic resonance imaging creates detailed images of the body using large magnets and a computer. For breast MRI, a woman will lie face down with her breasts positioned through holes in a table. ...more  Breast Pain (Mastalgia) in Common Breast Conditions There are 2 main types of breast pain. The most common type is linked to the menstrual cycle and is almost always hormonal. ...more  Common Benign Lumps in Common Breast Conditions The 2 most common types of benign breast lumps are cysts and fibroadenomas. A cyst is a fluid-filled sac that develops in the breast tissue. Fibroadenomas are solid, smooth, firm, benign lumps that are most commonly found in women in their late teens and early 20s. ...more  Breast Cancer: Risk Factors in Understanding Breast Health, About Breast Cancer A look at specific things that may increase your chance of having breast cancer....more  Breast Cancer: Introduction in About Breast Cancer Breast cancer is 1 of the most common types of cancer in women in the U.S. Once breast cancer occurs, cancer cells can spread to other parts of the body, making it life-threatening. The good news is that breast cancer is often found early, before it has spread. ...more  Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome in Breast Cancer Genetics , Gynecological Cancer People with this syndrome have dark moles around the mouth, nose, and eyes, as well as multiple polyps in the intestines. ...more  Ataxia Telangiectasia (A-T) in Breast Cancer Genetics A-T is a rare childhood disease that affects the nervous system and other body systems....more  Breast Cancer: Treatment Choices in Breast Cancer Treatment The good news is that breast cancer can be treated successfully. Treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, or any combination of these. Here's a closer look at each. ...more  Breast Cancer: Surgery in Breast Cancer Treatment Surgery to remove as much of the cancer as possible is the main treatment for breast cancer. Today, women have many surgical options and choices. ...more  Endometriosis in Gynecological Conditions The tissue that lines the uterus is called the endometrium. Normally, if a woman doesn’t get pregnant, this tissue is shed each month during her period. In endometriosis, tissue that looks and acts like endometrial tissue implants outside the uterus.This can cause pain, heavy periods, and infertility. ...more  Pelvic Pain in Gynecological Conditions Pelvic pain is a challenging condition that can be due to many possible causes....more  Cervical Cancer: Introduction in Gynecological Cancer Cervical cancer develops from abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix that spread deeper or spread to other tissues or organs. ...more  Endometrial Cancer: Diagnosis in Gynecological Cancer Cancer of the endometrium is a disease in which cancer cells are found in the lining of the uterus. It is highly curable when found early. ...more  Hysterectomy in Gynecological Conditions, Gynecology Tests & Procedures Hysterectomy is surgery to remove the uterus. Your healthcare provider may also remove one or both ovaries, and the fallopian tubes. In some cases, he or she may remove other parts of the reproductive system. ...more  Cervical Biopsy in Gynecology Tests & Procedures A cervical biopsy is a procedure to remove tissue from the cervix to test for abnormal or precancerous conditions, or cervical cancer. ...more  Anatomy and Function of the Coronary Arteries in Heart Disease Detailed information and illustrations about the 2 coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscle. ...more  Coronary Heart Disease in Heart Disease A person with coronary heart disease has an accumulation of fatty deposits in the coronary arteries. These deposits narrow the arteries and can decrease or block the flow of blood to the heart. ...more  Stroke in Stroke A stroke, or brain attack, happens when blood flow to your brain is stopped. It is an emergency situation. ...more  Tests to Diagnose a Stroke in Stroke Tests that may be used to help diagnose a stroke include a CT scan or MRI, and an electroencephalogram. ...more  Electrocardiogram in Cardiovascular Tests & Procedures An electrocardiogram (ECG) is one of the simplest and fastest tests used to evaluate the heart. Electrodes (small, plastic patches that stick to the skin) are placed at certain locations on the chest, arms, and legs. When the electrodes are connected to an ECG machine by lead wires, the electrical activity of the heart is measured, interpreted, and printed out. ...more  Exercise Electrocardiogram in Cardiovascular Tests & Procedures An electrocardiogram (ECG) is one of the simplest and fastest tests used to evaluate the heart. For this test, electrodes (small, plastic patches that stick to the skin) are placed at certain spots on the chest, arms, and legs. When the electrodes are connected to an ECG machine by wires, the electrical activity of the heart is measured, interpreted, and printed out. ...more  Overview of Obesity in Understanding Obesity Obesity is a serious, chronic disease that can inflict substantial harm to a person’s health. Learn about obesity causes and obesity health effects. ...more  Finding Out Your Body Mass Index (BMI) in Understanding Obesity Your BMI gives a fairly accurate assessment of how much of your body is composed of fat. ...more  Metabolic Syndrome in Obesity & Other Health Problems Metabolic syndrome is a condition that includes the presence of a cluster of risk factors specific for cardiovascular disease. Metabolic syndrome greatly raises the risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, stroke, or all three. ...more  Type 2 Diabetes in Obesity & Other Health Problems When your body can't make enough insulin or can't use insulin, it is called type 2 diabetes. Insulin helps the cells in the body absorb glucose, or sugar, for energy. Without insulin, glucose builds up in the blood resulting in high blood sugar. ...more  Medical Treatment for Obesity in Treating Obesity Medical treatment can help with weight loss if your own efforts are unsuccessful—or if you have a medical condition that makes it crucial to lose weight. ...more  Maintaining Weight Loss in Treating Obesity Keeping extra weight off needs effort and commitment, just as losing weight does....more  Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Weight-Loss Surgery in Deciding on Surgery Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is a type of weight-loss surgery. Weight-loss surgery is also called bariatric surgery. It's often done as a laparoscopic surgery, with small incisions in the abdomen. ...more  Gastric Restrictive Surgery in Deciding on Surgery Gastric restrictive surgery is a type of bariatric surgery or weight loss surgery. It limits the amount of food you can eat. This surgery may be used to treat severe obesity when diet, exercise, and medicine have failed. ...more  Osteoporosis in Understanding Osteoporosis Osteoporosis is a disease that causes weak, thinning bones. This leaves the bones at greater risk of breaking. The bones most often affected are the hips, spine, and wrists. ...more  Bone Density Test in Understanding Osteoporosis A bone density test measures the strength and density of your bones as you approach menopause and, when the test is repeated sometime later, can help determine how quickly you are losing bone mass and density. ...more  Bone Scan in Orthopedic Tests and Procedures A bone scan is an imaging test used to look at the skeleton. It is done to find areas of physical and chemical changes in bone. A bone scan may also be used to see if treatment of certain conditions is working. ...more  Bone Density Test in Orthopedic Tests and Procedures A bone density test is used to measure the bone mineral content and density. It may be done using X-rays, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA or DXA), or a special CT scan that uses computer software to determine bone density of the hip or spine. ...more  Breast Augmentation Surgery in Breast Tests & Procedures, Plastic Surgery Breast augmentation surgery increases the size or the fullness of the breasts using sacs filled with fluid or gel. These sacs are called breast implants. Learn what to expect before, during, and after this surgery. ...more  Breast Cancer: Breast Reconstruction After Breast Surgery in Breast Cancer Treatment, Plastic Surgery Breast reconstruction surgery involves creating a breast mound that comes as close as possible to the form and appearance of the natural breast. ...more  Anemia Overview in Conditions of Concern to Women Anemia is a common blood disorder. It occurs when you have fewer red blood cells than normal, or not enough hemoglobin in your blood. Here's what you need to know about this condition. ...more  Yeast Infection in Conditions of Concern to Women Yeast is a fungus normally found inside your body and on your skin. When too much yeast grows, it can cause an infection. Antifungal creams or medicines taken by mouth are used to treat it. ...more  Headache in Conditions of Concern to Women, Headache Nearly everyone has suffered from a headache. This article discusses several types of headache, how they are diagnosed and treated. ...more  How a Migraine Happens in Conditions of Concern to Women, Headache A look at what we know about how migraine pain starts....more  Cystocele in Conditions of Concern to Women, Urinary Problems When the wall between the bladder and the vagina weakens, the bladder may drop or sag into the vagina. This disorder in women is called cystocele. ...more  Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) in Conditions of Concern to Women, Urinary Problems Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are infections in any part of the urinary tract. They are a common health problem that affects millions of people each year. Women are especially prone to UTIs. ...more  Exercise in Sports Injuries Physical activity is an important action that people can engage in to improve their health. Experts advise getting at least 150 minutes to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity, aerobic physical activity every week for major health benefits. ...more  Runner’s Knee in Sports Injuries Runner's knee means that you have dull pain around the front of the knee (patella). This is where the knee connects with the lower end of the thighbone (femur). ...more