A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure to remove your uterus. It’s best known as a method of permanent birth control, but it has a number of other gynecologic benefits — making it one of the most common surgeries for women. If you’re considering a hysterectomy, you might be wondering how...
Endometriosis is a common gynecologic condition, affecting about 11% of women during their reproductive years. If you have endometriosis, the tissue that lines your uterus (endometrium) grows elsewhere in your pelvis — and it can cause symptoms from chronic pain to infertility. Like any health condition, endometriosis ranges in severity....
Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are spread through sexual contact. There are more than 20 types of STDs, but the most common one is human papillomavirus (HPV). About 79 million Americans have HPV, and an estimated 14 million are infected each year. It’s so common that most men and women contract...
Have you had your well-woman exam this year? If not, now’s the time to schedule your next appointment with your gynecologist. No matter your age, taking care of your health is important — and your health needs change as you move through life. It’s easy to take your health for...
Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that form on your ovaries. They’re extremely common, and many women have at least one cyst during their menstrual cycle each month. Most ovarian cysts are small and noncancerous. They typically don’t cause symptoms and they go away on their own. But for about 8%...
Hysterectomy is one of the most common surgical procedures for women, with about 600,000 performed each year in the United States. Hysterectomy might be best-known as a permanent form of birth control, but it can also treat a number of common gynecologic conditions. Your uterus is removed and you can...
Have you scheduled your wellness check this year? Annual well-woman visits might seem like a hassle — especially if you’re feeling good — but these checkups are the best way to maintain your health. Samuel Van Kirk, MD, in Redding, California, makes it simple to get the care you need....
Endometriosis is a reproductive condition affecting about 11% of women during their lives. It’s characterized by pelvic pain and infertility, and it can happen to any woman. Endometriosis develops when endometrial tissue (or tissue that mimics it) travels outside your uterus. The tissue builds up and sheds each month with...
Ovaries are the female reproductive organs that create and release eggs. You have two ovaries, one on each side of your lower abdomen, and each month during your menstrual cycle, one of them releases an egg for fertilization. When an ovary releases an egg, it emerges from a sac called...
One in two sexually active people contract a sexually transmitted infection (STI) by the time they’re 25 years old. STI and sexually transmitted disease (STD) are two terms often used interchangeably. However, an STI typically occurs first, and it may progress to an STD if left untreated. Anyone can get...
About 10% of women of reproductive age have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). It’s a hormonal condition that’s linked to genetics, along with excess androgen and insulin in the body. It’s not clear exactly what causes PCOS, but it has the power to hinder your health and your life. Many women...
Menopause is infamous for producing bothersome symptoms like hot flashes, mood swings, and vaginal dryness. These symptoms have the power to interrupt your daily life, and for many women, menopausal symptoms don’t disappear when their heads hit the pillow at night. Hormonal changes during menopause can contribute to significant sleep...
On average, your menstrual cycle lasts 21-35 days. A new cycle begins on the first day of your period, and periods typically last anywhere from 2-7 days. But when it comes down to it, every woman’s period is different. The length of your period, your menstrual cycle, and the symptoms...
Endometriosis is a very common condition among women 15-44 years old. It develops when the endometrium — the lining of the uterus — begins growing elsewhere in the pelvic area. During your menstrual cycle, the endometrium thickens. During your period, it sheds. Endometrial tissue that grows outside the uterus behaves...
Bothered by hot flashes? You’re not alone. About two-thirds of women going through perimenopause and menopause suffer hot flashes and night sweats. These common symptoms of menopause are triggered by hormonal changes. A hot flash feels like a sudden rush of warmth across your head, neck, and chest, and it...
Eating a balanced, nutritious diet enhances wellness throughout your life. Getting vitamins and minerals from the food you eat is important, but fueling your body the right way is especially important when you’re pregnant. Prenatal vitamins are specially formulated to supplement a healthy diet, giving you the extra nutrients you...
Eating a balanced, nutritious diet enhances wellness throughout your life. Getting vitamins and minerals from the food you eat is important, but fueling your body the right way is especially important when you’re pregnant. Prenatal vitamins are specially formulated to supplement a healthy diet, giving you the extra nutrients you...
Women of all ages live with pelvic pain and heavy menstrual periods. The causes behind female pelvic pain vary widely, but two of the most common conditions are uterine fibroids and endometriosis. Chronic pelvic pain can make life miserable. If you’re one of the 15% of women of reproductive age...
Many women cringe at the word “menopause,” dreading their 40s and 50s and the hot flashes, mood swings, and weight gain that are infamously associated with these decades of life. Menopause is a natural biological change that comes when your fertile years reach their end, but it often brings with...
About 80% of sexually active Americans have contracted human papillomavirus (HPV), making it the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the United States. It’s a viral infection that often disappears on its own — but in some cases, it can lead to contagious warts or certain types of cancer....
Menopause is a biological process that most women experience between the ages of 40 and 60. The transition to menopause begins in perimenopause, when your body stops producing as much estrogen, the female hormone that influences reproduction. Your hormone production can diminish 4-8 years before you have your last period....
The procedure to surgically remove a uterus and end a woman’s ability to menstruate or become pregnant is called a hysterectomy. Sometimes this procedure can also involve the removal of other tissues or organs like the fallopian tubes or ovaries. Hysterectomies are the second-most performed surgery on American women, coming...
Affecting about 11% of American women of reproductive age, endometriosis describes a condition in which the inner lining of the uterus -- the endometrium -- begins to grow outside of its usual location. It could be inside the Fallopian tubes, on the ovaries, or outside of the uterus altogether, and...
Your first pregnancy can be both a magical and overwhelming experience — often at the same time! You might be nervous about all the things you don’t know, and while we understand that the internet is every first-time mom-to-be’s best friend, there are also some things you should probably hear...
During your menstrual cycle, an egg grows inside a sac within your ovaries. If the sac fails to release an egg, or it recloses and fails to shrink after releasing one, it can develop into a fluid-filled ovarian cyst. Ovarian cysts occur frequently, affecting 8-18% of premenopausal and postmenopausal women. ...
PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome, is a more common problem than you might think. In fact, it affects 1 in 10 women of childbearing age. And most women aren’t even aware they have the condition; one study found that 70% percent of women with PCOS had gone undiagnosed. At the...
Here’s the thing about HPV -- it’s the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD) out there. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 79 million Americans have HPV. That’s about a fourth of the population. What’s even more alarming is that of this number, most are in...
Most people eagerly look forward to the return of warmer weather until the heat and humidity kick in. Fortunately, Samuel D. Van Kirk, MD, in Redding, California, has some suggestions to help you stay cool as a cucumber, even if you are pregnant when the mercury soars. Dress smart When...
Endometriosis is more common than you may think, affecting more than 176 million women, worldwide. Because endometriosis can be so painful and life-altering, it’s important to stay educated on its health effects. This is especially true when it comes to getting pregnant. Because endometriosis can impact your pregnancy, Dr. Samuel...
The passage through menopause differs from one woman to the next. Some sail through with ease, while others are plagued with life-altering side effects. Most women fall somewhere in between, with nearly half of postmenopausal women between the ages of 51 and 60 reporting problems with vaginal dryness. This unfortunate...