Women's Health

Learn about women's health

There is so much to know about the woman's body. And as your body changes with time, you are bound to have questions you never thought of before.

You can come here to explore a range of women's health issues. Get help with decisions and common concerns on topics such as:

Abnormal Pap Test.
Birth Control.
Fertility Problems.
Pregnancy.
Labor and Delivery.
Postpartum: First 6 Weeks After Childbirth.
Menopause: Should I Use Hormone Therapy (HT)?.

Health Topics
Medical Tests
Make a Wise Decision
Take Action

Abnormal Pap Test
Abnormal Pap Test While Pregnant
Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding
Abortion
Abortion: Emotional Recovery
Acetaminophen Use During Pregnancy
Adenomyosis
Adult Immunization Schedule
After Childbirth: Coping and Adjusting at Home With Your Baby
After Childbirth: Pelvic Bone Problems
After Childbirth: Urination and Bowel Problems
Alcohol or Drug Use During Pregnancy
Anemia During Pregnancy
Antiphospholipid Syndrome and Pregnancy
Anxiety During and After Pregnancy
Artificial Rupture of the Membranes
Asthma During Pregnancy
Baby Blues
Back Pain During Pregnancy
Bacterial Vaginosis
Bartholin Gland Cyst
Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Tracking
Bed Rest for Preterm Labor
Bed Rest in Pregnancy
Bioidentical Hormones
Birth Control
Birth Control Hormones: The Implant
Birth Control Hormones: The Mini-Pill
Birth Control Hormones: The Patch
Birth Control Hormones: The Pill
Birth Control Hormones: The Shot
Birth Control Hormones: The Vaginal Ring
Birth Control Pills: Missed or Skipped Periods
Birth Control: How to Use a Diaphragm
Birth Control: How to Use the Patch
Birth Control: How to Use the Ring
Birth Control: Myths About Sex and Pregnancy
Birth Control: Pros and Cons of Hormonal Methods
Bladder Pain Syndrome (Interstitial Cystitis)
Boric Acid for Vaginal Yeast Infection
Braxton Hicks Contractions
Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer Screening
Breast Cancer Types
Breast Cancer, Metastatic or Recurrent
Breast Cancer: Lymph Node Surgery for Staging Cancer
Breast Changes During Pregnancy
Breast Engorgement
Breast Enlargement
Breast Implant Surgery for Breast Reconstruction
Breast Lumps
Breast Pain (Mastalgia)
Breast Problems
Breast Reduction
Breast-Conserving Surgery (Lumpectomy) for Breast Cancer
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding and Your Milk Supply
Breastfeeding as Birth Control
Breastfeeding at Work
Breastfeeding Multiple Infants
Breastfeeding Positions
Breastfeeding When You Have Diabetes
Breastfeeding: Choosing a Breast Pump
Breastfeeding: How to Use a Breast Pump
Breastfeeding: Sore Nipples
Breastfeeding: Using Medicines Safely
Breathing Techniques for Childbirth
Breech Position and Breech Birth
Caffeine During Pregnancy
Cancer During Pregnancy
Cancer Treatment and Infertility
Carbon Dioxide Laser Treatment for Abnormal Cervical Cell Changes
Cervical Cancer
Cervical Cancer Screening
Cervical Cap for Birth Control
Cervical Cell Changes on a Pap Test
Cervical Cerclage
Cervical Effacement and Dilatation
Cervical Insufficiency
Cervical Polyps
Cesarean Section
Childbirth Classes
Childbirth Pain Relief Options
Childbirth: I.V. Medicines
Childbirth: Is Planning a C-Section a Good Choice?
Childbirth: Laboring in Water and Water Delivery
Childbirth: Perineal Massage Before Labor
Childbirth: Pudendal Block
Childbirth: Strep Infections During Delivery
Chlamydia
Cholestasis of Pregnancy
Choosing a Prosthesis After Breast Cancer Surgery
Chronic Pelvic Pain
Contraceptive Sponge for Birth Control
Contractions During Pregnancy: What to Expect
Cryotherapy for Abnormal Cervical Cell Changes
Dense Breasts
Dental Care During Pregnancy
Depression During Pregnancy
Diaphragm for Birth Control
Dilation and Curettage (D&C)
Dilation and Evacuation (D&E)
Domestic Abuse
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence: Checklist of Things to Take When You Leave
Domestic Violence: Getting a Protective Order
Doulas and Support During Childbirth
Early Signs of Pregnancy
Eclampsia (Seizures) and Preeclampsia
Ectopic Pregnancy
Effects of Diethylstilbestrol (DES) Exposure
Emergency Contraception
Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer
Endometrial Ablation
Endometriosis
Episiotomy and Perineal Tears
Excisional Biopsy for Abnormal Cervical Cell Changes
Exercise During Pregnancy
External Cephalic Version for Breech Position
Fallopian Tube Procedures for Infertility
Family History and the Risk for Breast or Ovarian Cancer
Fatigue During Pregnancy
Female Condoms
Female Genital Problems and Injuries
Female Sexual Problems
Fibrocystic Breasts
Find Your Ovulation Day
First-Trimester Exams and Tests
Fitz-Hugh-Curtis Syndrome
Functional Ovarian Cysts
Gamete and Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT and ZIFT)
Genital Warts (Human Papillomavirus)
Gestational Diabetes
Getting Enough Calcium and Vitamin D
Getting Pregnant After Stopping Birth Control
Health Screening: Finding Health Problems Early
Healthy Habits to Prevent Osteoporosis
Heart Attack and Stroke in Women: Reducing Your Risk
Heartburn During Pregnancy
Heavy Menstrual Periods
HELLP Syndrome
High Blood Pressure During Pregnancy
High-Risk Pregnancy
Hormonal Birth Control: Risk of Blood Clots
Hormone Treatment for Breast Cancer
How Birth Control Methods Prevent Pregnancy
How Pregnancy (Conception) Occurs
How to Take Birth Control Pills
Hysterectomy
In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
In-Clinic Abortion Care
Induction Abortion
Infertility
Infertility Tests
Infertility Treatment for Women With PCOS
Infertility: Emotional and Social Support
Infertility: Problems With Fallopian Tubes
Infertility: Problems With Ovulation
Infertility: Problems With the Uterus and Cervix
Infertility: Questions to Ask About Medicine or Hormone Treatment
Infertility: Setting Limits on Testing
Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Insemination for Infertility
Insemination Procedures
Interactive Tool: From Embryo to Baby in 9 Months
Interactive Tool: When Are You Most Fertile?
Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
Intrauterine Device (IUD) for Birth Control
Intrauterine Device (IUD) Insertion
Intrauterine Device (IUD) Removal
Labor and Delivery
Labor Induction and Augmentation
Laparoscopic Ovarian Drilling (Ovarian Diathermy) for PCOS
Laparoscopic Surgery for Endometriosis
Laparoscopic Tubal Ligation
Leg Cramps During Pregnancy
Levonorgestrel (LNg) IUD
Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP) for Abnormal Cervical Cell Changes
Low Amniotic Fluid
Low Bone Density
Low-Lying Placenta Versus Placenta Previa
Lymph Node Removal Surgery (Lymphadenectomy) for Endometrial Cancer
Making a Birth Plan
Managing Emotional Changes During Pregnancy
Massage Therapy During Pregnancy
Mastectomy (Removal of the Breast) for Breast Cancer
Mastitis While Breastfeeding
Medicines for Bone Loss
Medicines That Can Cause Changes in Menstrual Bleeding
Medicines That May Cause Vaginal Symptoms
Menarche
Menopause and Perimenopause
Menopause and Your Risk for Other Health Concerns
Menstrual Cramps
Menstrual Cups
Menstrual Diary to Monitor Premenstrual Symptoms
Menstruation: Not Having a Period by Age 15
Military Sexual Trauma
Milk Oversupply
Miscarriage
Missed or Irregular Periods
Molar Pregnancy
Multiple Pregnancy: Twins or More
My Birth Plan
Myomectomy
Nipple Discharge
Nipple Shields for Breastfeeding Problems
Nitrous Oxide Pain Relief for Childbirth
Normal Menstrual Cycle
Normal Vaginal Discharge
Nutrition During Pregnancy
Object in the Vagina
Obstetric Panel
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis Risk Factors
Osteoporosis Risk in Younger Women
Osteoporosis Screening
Ovarian Cancer
Overactive Bladder
Partner Support During Pregnancy
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: Tubo-Ovarian Abscess
Pelvic Organ Prolapse
Physical Abuse
Pill Abortion Care
Placenta Previa
Placental Abruption
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
Polyhydramnios
Postpartum Bleeding
Postpartum Depression
Postpartum: First 6 Weeks After Childbirth
Post-Term Pregnancy
Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia: Creatinine Clearance Test
Preeclampsia: Expectant Management
Pregnancy
Pregnancy After Age 35
Pregnancy After Weight-Loss (Bariatric) Surgery
Pregnancy and Chronic High Blood Pressure
Pregnancy and Your Weight
Pregnancy: Blood Clots
Pregnancy: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Pregnancy: Changes in Bowel Habits
Pregnancy: Chemicals, Cosmetics, and Radiation
Pregnancy: Choosing a Doctor or Midwife
Pregnancy: Deciding Where to Deliver
Pregnancy: Dropping (Lightening)
Pregnancy: First Prenatal Visit
Pregnancy: Hair Changes
Pregnancy: Healthy Weight Gain
Pregnancy: Hemorrhoids and Constipation
Pregnancy: Hot Tub and Sauna Use
Pregnancy: Kick Counts
Pregnancy: Nosebleeds and Bleeding Gums
Pregnancy: Pelvic and Hip Pain
Pregnancy: Stretch Marks, Itching, and Skin Changes
Pregnancy: Varicose Veins
Pregnancy: Vegetarian Diet
Pregnancy: Work and School Issues
Pregnancy-Related Problems
Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
Preparing for a Healthy Pregnancy
Preterm Labor
Preterm Prelabor Rupture of Membranes (pPROM)
Preventing Mastitis
Primary Ovarian Insufficiency
Problems After Delivery of Your Baby
Quick Tips: Healthy Pregnancy Habits
Quick Tips: Successful Breastfeeding
Quitting Smoking or Vaping During Pregnancy
Radiation for Early-Stage Breast Cancer
Recurrent Vaginal Yeast Infections
Reducing Cancer Risk When You Are BRCA-Positive
Repair of Bladder Prolapse (Cystocele) or Urethra Prolapse (Urethrocele)
Repair of Rectocele or Enterocele
Retropubic Suspension Surgery
Rh Sensitization During Pregnancy
Safer Sex
Safety Plan: Preparing to Leave a Violent Relationship
Screening for Gestational Diabetes
Second-Trimester Exams and Tests
Self-Catheterization (Female)
Sex During Pregnancy
Sexual Abuse or Assault (Rape)
Sleep Problems During Pregnancy
Sleep, Rest, and Breastfeeding
Smoking: Problems With Pregnancy
Spinal and Epidural Pain Relief for Childbirth
Staying Safe: After You Leave a Violent Relationship
Staying Safe: If You Are in a Violent Relationship
Stillbirth
Storing Breast Milk
Stress Incontinence
Subchorionic Hemorrhage
Surgery for Ovarian Cysts
Swelling During Pregnancy
Testosterone
Thinking About Bilateral Mastectomy for Early-Stage Breast Cancer
Thinking About Oophorectomy
Third-Trimester Exams and Tests
Tissue Flap Surgery for Breast Reconstruction
Toxoplasmosis During Pregnancy
Travel During Pregnancy
Tubal Ligation Reversal
Tubal Ligation Surgery
Types of Intimate Partner Violence
Umbilical Cord Blood Donation and Private Banking
Unwanted Hair in Women
Urethral Sling Surgery
Urge Incontinence
Urinary Incontinence
Urinary Incontinence: Keeping a Daily Record
Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)
Uterine Fibroids
Vacuum Aspiration
Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)
Vaginal Closure Surgery (Vaginal Obliteration)
Vaginal Dryness
Vaginal Fistula
Vaginal Pessaries
Vaginal Prolapse Surgery
Vaginal Yeast Infection During Pregnancy
Vaginal Yeast Infections
Vaginitis
Vitamin B6 for Morning Sickness
Vulvodynia
Week 12 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
Week 16 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
Week 20 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
Week 24 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
Week 28 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
Week 32 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
Week 36 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
Week 40 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
Week 8 of Pregnancy: What's Going On Inside
What to Do About Missed or Skipped Birth Control Pills
Your Baby's Movements During Pregnancy

Bacterial Vaginosis Tests
Biophysical Profile (BPP) Test
Bladder Stress Test in Women
Bone Density
Breast Biopsy
Breast Cancer (BRCA) Gene Test
Breast Exam
Breast Self-Awareness
Breast Ultrasound
Chlamydia Tests
Colposcopy
Contraction Stress Test
Coombs Test
Electronic Fetal Monitoring
Endometrial Biopsy
Estrogen Test
Fertility Awareness
Fetal Fibronectin Test
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Test
Home Pregnancy Tests
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Test of the Cervix
Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)
Hysteroscopy
Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Test
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Breast
Mammogram
Nonstress Test
Pap Test
Pelvic Exam
Progesterone Test
Prolactin Blood Test
Quad Screening for Birth Defects
Sonohysterogram
Sperm Penetration Tests
Testosterone Test
Vaginal Self-Examination (VSE)
Vaginal Wet Mount
Vitamin D Test

Abnormal Uterine Bleeding: Should I Have a Hysterectomy?
Breast Cancer: Should I Have Breast Reconstruction After a Mastectomy?
Breast Cancer: Should I Have Breast-Conserving Surgery or a Mastectomy?
Breast Cancer: What Should I Do if I'm at High Risk?
Breastfeeding: Should I Breastfeed My Baby?
Depression: Should I Take Antidepressants While I'm Pregnant?
Endometriosis: Should I Have a Hysterectomy and Oophorectomy?
Hysterectomy: Should I Also Have My Ovaries Removed?
Menopause: Should I Use Hormone Therapy (HT)?
Osteoporosis: Should I Have a Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry (DXA) Test?
Osteoporosis: Should I Take Bisphosphonate Medicines?
Ovarian Cancer: Should I Have My Ovaries Removed to Prevent Ovarian Cancer?
Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Should I Have Surgery?
Pregnancy: Should I Have an Epidural During Childbirth?
Pregnancy: Should I Try Vaginal Birth After a Past C-Section (VBAC)?
Uterine Fibroids: Should I Have Surgery?
Uterine Fibroids: Should I Have Uterine Fibroid Embolization?
Uterine Fibroids: Should I Use GnRH-A Therapy?

Breastfeeding: Planning Ahead
Depression: Managing Postpartum Depression
Exercises After Breast Cancer Surgery
Gestational Diabetes: Checking Your Blood Sugar
Gestational Diabetes: Dealing With Low Blood Sugar
Gestational Diabetes: Giving Yourself Insulin Shots
Healthy Eating: Taking Calcium and Vitamin D
Lymphedema: Managing Lymphedema
Menopause: Managing Hot Flashes
Menstrual Cramps: Relieving Pain
Nutrition While Breastfeeding
Pregnancy and Diabetes: Planning for Pregnancy
Pregnancy: Dealing With Morning Sickness

Top of the page

Current as of: April 30, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review Board

All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

Women's Health

Learn about women's health

Contact Lancaster General Health

Check Your Test Results

Read Our Provider Newsletter

Women's Health

Learn about women's health

Open/close information sectionHealth Topics

Open/close information sectionMedical Tests

Open/close information sectionMake a Wise Decision

Open/close information sectionTake Action

Contact Lancaster General Health

Check Your Test Results

Read Our Provider Newsletter