Heavy Menstrual Period (Menor... : In Depth - Reference Lib...
Print
Email
SaveHealthline's Premium Tools
Healthline Part D Plan Selector
Medicare's drug plans are subsidized by the US federal government and offered through insurers.
Advertisement
Marketplace
Licensed from
 |
Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that mainly affects young women. It can threaten your health, your well being, and even your life. Much about anorexia isn't fully understood. But it can be treated.
|
 |
Most breast conditions are noncancerous. But if you notice any breast changes that aren't normal for you, see your healthcare provider.
|
|
Bulimia nervosa is a disorder in which food intake gets out of control. Having this eating disorder is nothing to be ashamed of. Talk to your doctor or another person you trust. You may find it's a relief just to tell someone.
|
|
Chlamydia infection is a very common STD. Because most people do not have symptoms, chlamydia may not be noticed until it causes severe problems. Left untreated, this STD can cause women and men to become sterile.
|
 |
If you have diabetes, you are two to four times more likely to have heart disease than someone without diabetes. You can control your health risks by making some changes in your life.
|
 |
The innner lining is the most common place in the uterus for cancer to begin. Cancer can interfere with the working of the uterus and may invade nearby organs. Endometrial cancer may also spread to other parts of the body. This spread is called metastasis. The more cancer spreads, the harder it is to treat.
|
 |
Do your breasts ever feel "lumpy,” sore, or tender? If so, you may have fibrocystic breasts. This is a very common condition. It is not a disease, and it is not cancer.
|
 |
The more you regularly rely on something external to lift you up, relax you, or help you feel better, the closer you move toward addiction. If you decide you are on the path to addiction, you can take action to keep it under control or find caring people to help you.
|
 |
Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection that is transmitted sexually. Many women and some men who have gonorrhea do not have any signs or symptoms. If not treated, gonorrhea can cause swollen and painful joints and permanent damage to your reproductive organs.
|
|
Treatment includes IV antibiotics (medications that help stop infections). If complications develop, other specialized treatments may be needed. Early treatment gives the best chance of a happy outcome.
|
 |
In rare cases, a woman who has group B strep can infect her baby during the birth. Infection can cause serious illness in the newborn.
|
 |
Sinus headaches are caused by colds or allergies that make the nasal passages inflamed or infected. The pain most often gets worse in the afternoon and evening. You may also run a fever.
|
 |
Tension headaches cause a dull, steady pain on both sides of the head and in the neck and the back of the head. The eyes may also feel tired. Tension headache can be caused by lack of sleep, poor posture, eyestrain, stress, and other factors.
|
 |
With a migraine, you may have nausea and vomiting and be sensitive to light and sound. You may also have warning signs, such as flashing lights or loss of vision, before the pain starts. Cluster headaches recur in groups for days, weeks, or months.
|
|
If you have herpes, you're not alone. Millions of Americans have it. Herpes has no cure. But you can control it and learn how to protect yourself and others from outbreaks.
|
 |
A person with HIV can look and feel perfectly healthy. But that person can give HIV to others as soon as he or she is infected with the virus.
|
 |
Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic and painful condition of the bladder. People with IC have a bladder wall that is tender and easily irritated, leading to uncomfortable symptoms. Although IC currently has no cure, the symptoms can be managed to help you feel better and live more comfortably.
|
|
Miscarriage is common, but finding its cause may not be easy. If a cause can be found, it's likely to be a problem with the baby or the structure of the uterus.
|
 |
Pelvic organ prolapse is when one or more of the organs inside the pelvis (found between the waist and thighs), slip from their normal positions. Normally, muscles and tissues in the pelvic region support the pelvic organs and hold them in place.
|
 |
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) causes harmless cysts in the ovaries and also causes other symptoms. PCOS is caused by certain hormones being out of balance.
|
 |
You've just had a baby. You know you should be excited and happy. But instead you find yourself crying for no reason. You feel sad, tired, and hopeless most of the time. You may even feel ashamed or guilty.
|
 |
People don't talk as much about syphilis today as they did in the past. But people still become infected with syphilis, and it can cause very serious problems.
|
 |
When you have hypothyroidism, your thyroid gland doesn't produce enough hormone. With hyperthyroidism, the thyroid gland produces too much hormone. A goiter is the enlargement of the thyroid gland.
|
 |
Women can get different kinds of urinary tract infections (UTIs). Knowing which kind of infection you have may help you prevent future UTIs.
|
 |
Avoid using douches (unless recommended by your health care provider), vaginal sprays, scented toilet paper, or scented tampons. They contain chemicals that can irritate your vagina.
|
|
Cancers of the colon and rectum together are among the most common cancers
affecting Americans, according to the National Cancer Institute. They occur most often in people over 50 years
old. Test your knowledge of colorectal cancer by taking this multiple-choice quiz.
|
|
More than 3,700 American women died from cervical cancer in 2005, but death rates from this cancer are dropping. This is because more women are being screened for it. To learn more about cervical cancer and prevention, take this quiz, based on information from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the American Cancer Society (ACS).
|
|
Multiple sclerosis is a disease of the central nervous system, the brain and spinal cord. Its symptoms can range from benign to severe. Find out more about this mysterious illness by taking this quiz, based on information from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS).
|
|
PMS symptoms occur one to two weeks before your period and may be severe enough to interfere with your normal daily activities.
|
 |
Abdominal ultrasound is an imaging test that uses sound waves to form pictures of your abdominal organs. It can help detect organ problems, such as gallstones, kidney stones, or liver disease.
|
 |
It can show whether your fetus has signs of some birth defects. This test is done between weeks 15 and 20 of pregnancy.
|
 |
First, the fetus is located with ultrasound. A thin needle is then inserted into your belly. The doctor keeps the needle from touching the fetus by watching the screen.
|
 |
A bone density study helps diagnose osteoporosis (bone thinning). Scans of your lower back, hip, or forearm are taken to measure the amount of calcium (density) in your bones. Calcium is the mineral that makes up your bones.
|
 |
A bone scan is an imaging test that uses a special camera to form images of your bones. It is used to diagnose bone problems, such as fractures, cancer, or infections, and joint problems such as arthritis. It is also used to check joint replacements.
|
 |
Percutaneous breast biopsies can be done in a doctor's office or in an outpatient setting. A needle or special probe is used to remove samples through the skin.
|
 |
During a sentinel node breast biopsy, your surgeon removes the first lymph node or nodes that cancer could reach. These are screened to see if cancer cells have traveled out of the breast.
|
 |
Several surgical procedures are used to treat breast cancer. The goal of each is to remove the cancer. Based on medical factors and your own feelings, you and your surgeon will decide which approach may be best for you.
|
 |
Your yearly checkup should include a clinical breast exam. This exam may be done by a gynecologist, family doctor, nurse practitioner, or specially trained nurse. Yearly breast exams help to ensure that breast conditions are found early.
|
 |
A flap procecure uses your own tissue to form the shape of a breast. There are two kinds of flap procedures: the TRAM flap and the LD flap.
|
 |
Your surgeon can help you decide whether to have reconstructive surgery. You will be advised to wait if now is not the best time for you.
Breast reconstruction can be done during or after a mastectomy. One kind of reconstruction is the breast implant. A sac of fluid is inserted during surgery to re-form the shape of a breast.
|
 |
A cone biopsy is a quick outpatient surgery used to find and treat a problem in the cervix. Your doctor may do a cone biopsy if one or more Pap tests and a colposcopy (microscope) exam showed abnormal cells on your cervix.
|
|
Colposcopy is a procedure that gives your healthcare provider a magnified view of the cervix. It is done using a lighted microscope called a colposcope. In most cases, a sample of cervical cells is taken during a biopsy.
|
|
Many reproductive organ surgeries are done using laparoscopy. Most often, the goal of surgery is to detect and sometimes treat a problem. The following are common reasons for doing laparoscopy.
|
 |
Cervical cryotherapy (also called "cryosurgery” or "cryoablation”) is a procedure that removes abnormal cells from the cervix. It's most often done in the doctor's office, and only takes a few minutes. During cryotherapy, tissue that includes the abnormal cells is frozen. This tissue is destroyed.
|
 |
CVS is a test that helps you learn if a fetus has health problems. The test is most often done between weeks 9 and 11 of pregnancy.
|
 |
Endometrial ablation is an outpatient surgery that can reduce or stop heavy uterine bleeding. Treatment takes less than an hour, and you can go home later that day.
|
 |
Endometrial biopsy is a procedure used to study the lining of the uterus. It is usually done in your healthcare provider's office.
|
 |
Epidural is a kind of anesthetic (medication to block pain). It is commonly used during labor and delivery. During an epidural, anesthetic is injected into the area around your lower spine. An anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist starts the epidural and monitors you throughout your procedure.
|
 |
A hysterectomy is an operation to remove a woman's uterus. It can relieve such symptoms as severe pain and bleeding. If you have cancer, it may save your life.
|
 |
Among the conditions where hysterectomy is used are endometriosis, fibroids, pelvic relaxation and cancer.
|
|
HSG is an X-ray test used to view your reproductive organs. This can help diagnose why you are unable to get pregnant.
|
|
Hysteroscopy is a procedure that allows your healthcare provider to see inside your uterus. Diagnostic hysteroscopy can help find the causes of problems in the uterus.
|
 |
Collagen implants are one method to help treat incontinence due to a weak sphincter. Collagen is a protein naturally found in the body of animals and humans. Implantinganimal collagen into your urethra may help close the sphincter and restore most or all of your control over urine flow.
|
 |
Many different types of treatment are available to help manage IC symptoms and relieve pain. Some may work well for one person and not for another, so several types of treatment may be tried before you and your doctor determine the plan that's best for you.
|
 |
If you decide on hysterectomy, your doctor may suggest using a type of surgery called laparoscopy. This method has many benefits compared to open surgery. These include a faster recovery and less time in the hospital.
|
 |
Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure is an effective outpatient treatment for abnormal cell growth. A fine wire loop with a special high-frequency current allows your doctor to precisely remove the abnormal tissue from your cervix.
|
 |
Lumpectomy is surgery to remove cancer. It's a breast-conserving surgery, which means your breast remains intact. If you're having a lumpectomy, you'll probably also have radiation therapy.
|
 |
Schedule the test for one week after your period, when your breasts are less tender. Make sure your clinic gets your last mammogram if it was done somewhere else. This lets the doctor compare the two.
|
 |
Remind your technologist that you have breast implants. Also mention if you are or think you might be pregnant, have had a breast biopsy or surgery, are breastfeeding or have moles on or near your breasts.
|
 |
Mastectomy is surgery to remove the breast. The most commonly done mastectomies are called simple and modified radical. During these procedures, the chest muscle is not removed. As a result, arm strength remains. Keeping the chest muscle also makes reconstruction easier.
|
 |
Myomectomy is a surgical procedure to remove uterine fibroids. This procedure may preserve your uterus and your ability to have children.
|
 |
Nonstress and contraction stress testing checks whether your baby is getting enough oxygen and nutrients from your blood.
|
 |
For 48 hours before the test, do not douche, use vaginal medications or creams. For 24 hours before, do not have sexual intercourse.
|
 |
When your Pap test is sent to the lab, the lab studies your cell samples and reports any abnormal cell changes. Your healthcare provider can discuss these changes with you. In some cases, an abnormal Pap test is due to an infection.
|
 |
Cystocele is when the bladder sags into the vagina. The goal of surgery is to repair the problem and relieve your symptoms. Your surgery may include one or more repairs.
|
 |
Urinary incontinence (urine leakage) can be treated during pelvic organ prolapse surgery. The goal of surgery is to hold the urethra and bladder firmly in place to prevent leakage and relieve your symptoms.
|
 |
Rectocele is when the rectum bulges into the vagina. Enterocele is when the small intestine bulges into the vagina. The goal of surgery is to repair the problem and relieve your symptoms.
|
 |
Uterine prolapse is when the uterus drops into the vagina. In severe cases, the uterus can protrude from the vagina. The goal of surgery is to repair the problem and relieve your symptoms.
|
 |
Vaginal vault prolapse is when the walls of the vagina fall in on themselves. This can happen after the uterus has been removed.
|
 |
Pelvic ultrasound is an imaging test that uses sound waves to form pictures of your organs. It can help assess pain or other symptoms within your pelvis. And in pregnant women, it is used to check the health of the fetus.
|
 |
During ultrasound, high-frequency sound waves pass through your body and your baby. You can't hear the sound waves, but the ultrasound equipment can.
|
 |
If you have Rh negative blood, your fetus may be at risk for health problems. This is true only if the fetus has Rh positive blood. A simple test followed by treatment can help prevent problems.
|
 |
Stereotactic breast biopsy is used to take tiny samples of your breast tissue that can be studied under a microscope. This procedure uses x-rays to find the tissue to be removed.
|
 |
A surgical breast biopsy requires an incision in the skin. This allows your doctor to take a large sample of tissue from the breast. In fact, the whole lump is often removed.
|
 |
Transvaginal ultrasound uses a special probe that is placed directly into the vagina. This gives a clearer picture of the uterus, ovaries, and other pelvic organs. This test can be used to assess symptoms such as pain and to check for problems. In pregnant women, it is used to check the fetus.
|
 |
 |
Home | About | Health Experts | Careers | Site Map | Feedback | Help | Health Tools | Tell a Friend
Advertise | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
Advertise | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2005 - 2008 Healthline Networks, Inc. All rights reserved.