Detailed information on amenorrhea, including causes, diagnosis, and treatment
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is eating disorder that is a form of self-starvation. A person with AN has abnormally low body weight, a distorted body image, and an intense fear of gaining weight.
Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases are characterized by pain, swelling, and limited movement in joints and connective tissues in the body.
Detailed information on asthma, including triggers of an asthma attack, symptoms, diagnosis, management, and treatment
Binge eating disorder is an illness that resembles bulimia nervosa and is characterized by episodes of uncontrolled eating or bingeing. It differs from bulimia because its sufferers do not purge their bodies of the excess food.
Bulimia nervosa is defined as uncontrolled episodes of overeating (bingeing) usually followed by self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, enemas, or medications in an attempt to control weight.
During the first few weeks after your baby is born, you need to take good care of yourself to rebuild your strength. Take naps when the baby naps, to compensate for sleep lost during night feedings.
Cervical cancer develops from abnormal cells on the surface of the cervix that spread deeper or to other tissues or organs. This type of cancer occurs most often in women older than 40.
The cholesterol in your blood comes from the foods you eat and your liver—but your liver makes all of the cholesterol your body needs.
Detailed information on chronic fatigue syndrome, including symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
Detailed information on cluster headaches including causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
Nausea and vomiting are common in the first trimester, as is fatigue. Other common discomforts are hemorrhoids and heartburn.
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.
Depression involves the body, mood, and thoughts, and affects the way a person eats and sleeps, feels about himself or herself, and thinks about things.
Diabetes affects the cardiovascular system, but many problems aren't apparent until a person has a heart attack or stroke.
To diagnose a breast condition, your doctor will examine your breasts and may order imaging tests or a biopsy.
Dysmenorrhea is a menstrual condition marked by severe and frequent menstrual cramps and pain. Dysmenorrhea can be either lifelong or caused by another medical condition.
What's behind the rise in eating disorders? For one thing, experts' growing awareness may lead to more diagnoses. Another reason: A weight-obsessed culture bombarded by media "thin" messages.
Cancer of the endometrium is a disease in which cancerous cells are found in the lining of the uterus. It is highly curable when found early.
Women with endometriosis develop tissue that looks and acts like endometrial tissue outside the uterus, usually on other reproductive organs inside the pelvis or in the abdominal cavity.
Fibrocystic lumpiness seems to become more obvious as a woman approaches middle age and the milk-producing glandular tissue gives way to softer, fatty tissue.
Gastroesophageal reflux is the return of acidic stomach juices, or food and fluids, back up into the esophagus.
Gestational diabetes is a condition in which a pregnant woman has elevated glucose levels and other symptoms of diabetes—but did not have diabetes before she became pregnant.
Pregnancy-induced hypertension is also called toxemia or preeclampsia. It occurs most often in young women with a first pregnancy.
Although group B streptococcus infection usually causes no problems in healthy women before pregnancy, it can cause serious illness for the mother and baby during pregnancy and after delivery.
A heart attack occurs when one or more areas of the heart are deprived of oxygen. Symptoms of a heart attack can differ between women and men.
Hemorrhoids are blood vessels normally present in and around the anus and lower rectum that have become swollen because of stretching under pressure. Hemorrhoids are very common in both men and women.
It is important that women avoid contracting herpes during pregnancy, because a first episode during pregnancy creates a greater risk of transmission to the newborn.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, increases the risk for coronary heart disease (heart attack) and stroke (brain attack).
AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus, which kills or impairs cells of the immune system and progressively destroys the body's ability to fight infections and certain cancers.
Many different factors and problems can cause infertility, including problems in the female reproductive system, the male reproductive system, or a combination of the two.
Interstitial cystitis is a complex, chronic disorder marked by an inflamed or irritated bladder wall. It can lead to scarring and stiffening of the bladder and decreased bladder capacity.
Low back pain can range from mild, dull, and annoying to persistent, severe, and disabling.
A nutritious, well-balanced diet and exercise can keep your body fit and able to resist disease, and exercise is an excellent way to elevate your mood.
Menorrhagia is the most common type of abnormal uterine bleeding characterized by heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding.
A migraine headache is unique among headaches because it includes symptoms other than pain. Nausea and vomiting, lightheadedness, and sensitivity to light are common with a migraine.
Ultrasound is usually used to diagnose miscarriage. If the fetus is no longer in the uterus, or there is no longer a fetal heartbeat, miscarriage is diagnosed.
Detailed information on multiple sclerosis, including causes, symptoms, evaluation procedures, treatment, and rehabilitation
Osteoporosis causes a loss of bone mass and destruction of bone tissue. The bones most often affected are the hips, spine, and wrists.
Ovarian cancer can develop in one of three types—the first, on the surface of the ovary; the second, in the cells that form the eggs; the third, in the cells that produce female hormones.
Obesity is a serious, chronic disease that can inflict substantial harm to a person’s health. Learn about obesity causes and obesity health effects.
Stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is disrupted. The disruption is caused when either a blood clot or piece of plaque blocks one of the vital blood vessels in the brain or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts.
Untreated, PID can cause infertility and can also lead to chronic infection or even peritonitis.
Planning ahead and taking care of yourself before becoming pregnant is the best thing you can do for you and your baby.
This syndrome results from several related factors, including insulin resistance. This can lead to obesity and type 2 diabetes and affect fertility.
Most females experience some unpleasant or uncomfortable symptoms during their menstrual cycle. The type and intensity of symptoms vary.
Vaginal bleeding and discharge are a normal part of your menstrual cycle. If you notice anything different or unusual, talk with your health care provider.
Factors that appear to raise a woman's risk for breast cancer include advancing age, family history, benign breast conditions, and a late menopause.
STDs are among the most common infectious diseases in this country—the United States has the highest rates of STDs in the industrialized world.
Detailed information on sinusitis, including anatomy of the sinuses, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment
Detailed information on sleep apnea, including characteristics, who is at risk, causes, diagnosis, and treatment
Detailed information on snoring, including causes, prevention, and treatment
Most people who have lupus are young women. The effects of the disease can range from mild to severe.
Detailed information on muscular contraction and tension headaches
Chlamydia is the most frequently reported infectious disease in the United States. Anyone who has sex is at risk for chlamydia.
Detailed information on thyroid disorders in women
Detailed information on toxic shock syndrome, including symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention
Urinary incontinence is often caused by specific changes in body function that may result from diseases, use of medications, and/or the onset of an illness.
Urinary tract infections are a serious, but common, health problem that affects millions of people each year. Women are especially prone to urinary tract infections.
Some estimates say that 20 to 50 percent of women of reproductive age have fibroids, although not all are diagnosed. In most cases, fibroids are benign.
Vaginitis is a common problem for women of all ages. Bacteria, yeast, viruses, and chemicals in creams or sprays can cause it.
Chances are, you know someone who has asthma -- or even have it yourself. This brief summary can serve as an introduction or a review of the facts about asthma.