Women often have excess gas during pregnancy in addition to morning sickness and fatigue. Gas can cause uncomfortable bloating, cramps, and abdominal pain. This article discusses the causes of gas in the…
Real contractions follow a consistent pattern, while Braxton-Hicks contractions vary in duration and frequency. Braxton-Hicks contractions also tend to be less painful and usually only cause discomfort in the front of the…
There are many different causes of swollen ankles. In most cases, swelling is due to injury or edema. The term edema means swelling due to the accumulation of excess fluid. It is…
Breast changes are a normal part of pregnancy and occur as a result of hormonal fluctuations. Changes to the breasts can occur as early as 1 week after conception, and they can…
An obstetrician-gynecologist, or OB-GYN, is a healthcare professional that specializes in female reproductive health. People trained as OB-GYNs specialize in both obstetrics and gynecology: obstetrics involves working with pregnant women, including delivering…
Most people describe round ligament pain as sharp, triggered by movement, and located deep within one or both sides of the lower abdomen or groin. Round ligament pain is a common pregnancy…
Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States, but its exact causes are poorly understood. A new study uncovers how a common acne drug alters the balance of bacteria…
In this Spotlight, we will discuss six examples of self-surgery. The stories that follow are gruesome and unusual. Although they are not for the fainthearted, they are fascinating. Self-surgery is uncommon, thankfully….
A missed period is when menstruation does not occur or does not follow its usual pattern. A gassy stomach may occur at any time. However, when gas or pressure appears in the…
Some pregnant women use marijuana, and researchers are still unsure how the drug can affect a fetus. As a result, most medical experts recommend refraining from smoking weed during pregnancy. Marijuana is…
Intestinal worms, or parasitic worms, are simple organisms that feed off the human body. Many people recognize the more common varieties, such as tapeworms and hookworms, but may be less aware of…
La varicela es una infección bastante contagiosa causada por el virus varicela-zóster. Aunque resulta muy incómodo, la mayoría de las personas la superan en 1 o dos semanas. Se produce una erupción…
A breast infection occurs when bacteria invade the breast, resulting in inflammation. Inflammation of the breast is called mastitis. While many people associate this condition with breastfeeding, people who are not breastfeeding…
High blood pressure is called a “silent killer” because it rarely causes symptoms until it severely damages a person’s health. High blood pressure, or hypertension, affects around 1 in 3 American adults….
Having a cesarean section is a risk factor for endometriosis. Endometriosis following a cesarean delivery remains relatively rare, but it is a potential complication that women should discuss with their doctors. A…
Venous insufficiency occurs when the valves in a person’s veins do not work properly. This means that the veins are less able to transport blood back to the heart. Venous insufficiency is…
LEEP stands for loop electrosurgical excision procedure. Doctors perform them to detect or treat cervical cancer. During a LEEP, an electrical current passes through a loop of wire. A doctor uses the…
A woman can develop high blood pressure, or hypertension, at any point during pregnancy. High blood pressure is affecting more and more pregnant women. According to the Centers for Disease Control and…
Endometriosis is a condition that occurs when tissue similar to the endometrial tissue that lines the uterus grows in other areas of the body. It commonly develops on the pelvic organs, such…
Female ejaculation is when a female’s urethra expels fluid during sex. It can happen when a female becomes sexually aroused, but there is not necessarily an association with having an orgasm. Scientists…
Some women with Crohn’s disease may worry whether being pregnant will affect their condition, while others fear that disease or the medications they are taking will harm the fetus. Crohn’s disease is…
Some research suggests a link between low vitamin D levels and a person’s risk of developing schizophrenia. New evidence indicates that this notion may be correct. A new study has investigated the…
Although all pregnancies are different, certain symptoms tend to occur in each trimester. For some women, the second trimester means the end of morning sickness and fatigue, but it also means the…
The typical pregnancy has three trimesters and lasts around 40 weeks from the first day of a woman’s last period. In each trimester, the fetus will meet specific developmental milestones. While 40…
Several different types of support garment are available for pregnant women and new mothers. It can be confusing to determine which products are most suitable for each pregnancy stage and postpartum phase….
Infertility can be distressing, and many people experience bouts of stress, sadness, or feelings of hopelessness. Some people with infertility become depressed. Research from 2015 found a high prevalence of major depressive…
Fertility drugs can treat many issues, increasing the chances of conceiving and carrying the baby to term. These drugs treat specific problems, so a person should take them only at a doctor’s…
Laparoscopy is a surgical procedure that allows a doctor to see inside the body. When the procedure is part of fertility testing, the doctor is evaluating the structures of the reproductive system,…
Throughout the menstrual cycle, cervical mucus changes. This type of discharge is healthy and a sign of regular ovulation. One method of fertility monitoring uses changes in cervical mucus to predict ovulation….
Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to the uterine lining grows elsewhere in the body. Pelvic pain is the most common symptom of endometriosis, but some women with the condition…