Women's Health

Your sex life will change—for the better.   What's not to love about intrauterine devices (IUDs)? Once that little T-shaped contraceptive is implanted in your uterus, you can finally stop worrying about forgetting to take your pill or wondering if the condom broke. But, uh, will that little device affect your sex life in...other ways? (Like, will your partner be able to  feel  it?)  Here's what you need to know about having sex with an IUD. 1. Your IUD probably won't affect your sex drive. "There are two types of IUDs: non-hormonal and hormonal, neither of which should have an impact on your sexual desire or how you feel during sex," says Jaime Knopman, M.D., fertility expert at the New York outpost of the Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine. "You shouldn't feel your IUD during sex at all." TBH, you probably won't even know your IUD is there, says Knopman. "Since the IUD is placed in the uterine cavity, you can't see it or feel it,...

  An ob-gyn talks postpartum preeclampsia, hemorrhage, and endometritis. There are some conditions that can happen after childbirth that I explain to all my patients. They can come on suddenly and get worse quickly. Without prompt and timely treatment, they can cause serious and sometimes life-threatening issues. The good news is that most women recover without serious problems when they and their ob-gyns recognize and treat symptoms quickly. Three of these conditions are postpartum preeclampsia, a serious blood pressure disorder postpartum hemorrhage, heavy bleeding after delivery postpartum endometritis, an infection of the uterus Here’s what to know about these conditions and the signs to watch for. 1. Postpartum Preeclampsia Preeclampsia can affect all the organs in a woman’s body. You have preeclampsia when you have high blood pressure and other signs that your organs aren’t working normally. Most often, symptoms of preeclampsia happen during pregnancy. But some women who...

  Most women gain weight as they age, but excess pounds aren't inevitable. To minimize menopause weight gain, step up your activity level and enjoy a healthy diet. As you get older, you might notice that maintaining your usual weight becomes more difficult. In fact, many women gain weight around the menopause transition. Menopause weight gain isn't inevitable, however. You can reverse course by paying attention to healthy-eating habits and leading an active lifestyle. What causes menopause weight gain? The hormonal changes of menopause might make you more likely to gain weight around your abdomen than around your hips and thighs. But, hormonal changes alone don't necessarily cause menopause weight gain. Instead, the weight gain is usually related to aging, as well as lifestyle and genetic factors. For example, muscle mass typically diminishes with age, while fat increases. Losing muscle mass slows the rate at which your body uses calories (metabolism). This can make it more...

  Regular physical activity is crucial for women facing menopause. Consider what physical activity can do for you. Menopause is an important transition in women's lives. Use it as a reminder to take good care of yourself. Start by considering these fitness tips for menopause. Why is fitness important during menopause? Exercise during and after menopause offers many benefits, including: Preventing weight gain.  Women tend to lose muscle mass and gain abdominal fat around menopause. Regular physical activity can help prevent weight gain. Reducing the risk of cancer.  Exercise during and after menopause can help you lose excess weight or maintain a healthy weight, which might offer protection from various types of cancer, including breast, colon and endometrial cancer. Strengthening your bones.  Exercise can slow bone loss after menopause, which lowers the risk of fractures and osteoporosis. Reducing the risk of other diseases.  Menopause weight gain can have serio...

  Women's life stages are based on the reproductive cycle, beginning with menstruation and continuing through menopause. To understand these stages, start with the biology. When menstruation begins during puberty, an egg is released from the ovary during ovulation each month. It travels down the fallopian tube, where it might be fertilized by a sperm. If fertilized, it implants in the lining of the uterus, and pregnancy begins. If not, the egg and lining are shed during menstruation. This continues until perimenopause — the time when your body begins the transition to menopause. Specific symptoms often mark different life stages in women. Those symptoms may include menstrual cramps, menstrual bleeding, mood swings, hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain and sexual changes, among others.  Learn how healthy lifestyle choices can help you feel your best at any stage. Understand your birth control options, hormonal therapy options and what measures can be taken to improve your qua...

  Surgical menopause is caused by the removal of the ovaries — and it can have lasting health impacts beyond just your reproductive system Helen Kemp had a complicated gynecological history. When she was 41 years old, endometriosis, ovarian cysts and fibroids led to the surgical removal of her uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. She was completely unprepared for what she would go through after surgery, as she went into early menopause. “Immediately after surgery, hot flashes kicked in, coupled with insomnia, anxiety and mood swings,” she recalled. “In the following weeks and months, I started to experience panic attacks and daily bouts of nausea and morning sickness.” Even now, nine years later, she said, “I can still be stopped in my tracks by a crushing fatigue, which seems to be a common legacy of going through a surgical menopause.” In one word, Kemp describes her experience as “brutal.” What is medically induced menopause? Medically induced menopause refers to the e...