What is prenatal care? Prenatal care describes the medical care women get during their pregnancy. As part of your prenatal care, the doctor will: Figure out when your baby is due Talk to you about nutrition, physical activity, work, and common pregnancy complaints, such as morning sickness, heartburn, and backache Talk to you about things […]
What is preventive health care? Preventive health care is any medical treatment or test that you can have to prevent a health problem. Some of the most important preventive steps you can take are listed below. Lead a healthy lifestyle – People don’t tend to think of lifestyle changes as a form of “treatment.” But the […]
What is birth control? Birth control is a term used to describe ways to prevent pregnancy. Another word for birth control is contraception. Different types of birth control include medicines, devices, and procedures. Some types of birth control are used by women, and others are used by men. Some types need to be used every […]
What is pelvic organ prolapse? Pelvic organ prolapse is a condition that only affects women. It happens when tissues that support the organs in the lower belly relax. These tissues are sometimes called the “pelvic floor.” When they relax too much, the organs drop down and press against or bulge into the vagina. If the […]
What are ovarian cysts? Ovarian cysts are little sacs of fluid that form on or in a woman’s ovary. Each woman has two ovaries, one on each side of her belly. In women who are still having their monthly period, the ovaries release an egg about once a month. Ovarian cysts can cause pain or […]
What is minimally invasive surgery? Minimally invasive surgery is a type of surgery that uses special tools designed to decrease the size of incisions and reduce how much the body’s tissues can become damaged. One kind of minimally invasive surgery involves the use of a “scope,” a viewing device that allows surgeons to look inside […]
What happens during labor? Labor is the way a woman’s body prepares to give birth. This involves having contractions, which is when the uterus tightens. Contractions can be painful and make your belly feel hard. During labor, your cervix softens, thins out, and opens up, or “dilates.” As you get closer to giving birth, your […]
What is an intrauterine device? An intrauterine device (IUD) is a type of birth control. It is a small, T-shaped device that a doctor or nurse puts in a uterus by going through the vagina and cervix. These devices are made of flexible plastic and have two thin plastic strings that hang out of the […]
INTRODUCTION Infertility is a common condition with important psychologic, economic, demographic, and medical implications. Demand for infertility services has grown substantially, even though the prevalence of infertility has been stable. This phenomenon may be due to entry of the “baby boom” generation into the reproductive age group during a period of highly publicized technologic advances […]
What is urinary incontinence? “Urinary incontinence” is the medical term for when a person leaks urine or loses bladder control. It is often called “incontinence.” Incontinence is a very common problem. If you have this problem, there are treatments that can help. There are also things you can do on your own to stop or […]
