The oral contraceptive pill, commonly referred to as “the pill,” is a form of hormonal contraception taken by approximately 12 million women in the United States each year to prevent pregnancy. Check out the common birth control pill side effects to help you make a decision. The pill is a highly effective method of birth control when […]
What To Expect In Your 5th Week Of Your Pregnancy
You are now 5 weeks pregnant and have entered what is called the embryonic period of development; during this time your baby’s major organ systems and structures will develop. You will likely have missed your period and a pregnancy test should be taken. You may also be noticing some early symptoms of pregnancy including mood swings, breast […]
Study Shows Noninvasive Prenatal Testing Could Detect Maternal Cancer
A new study has revealed that genetic testing designed to detect chromosomal abnormalities in fetuses could also detect underlying conditions such as cancer in pregnant women. The study, published in JAMA, analyzed the cases of eight women who received noninvasive prenatal screening and had abnormal results. Further analysis of the results demonstrated that the abnormal findings […]
Study Shows Smoking And Preterm Birth Combine To Triple Risk Of Maternal CVD
A combination of smoking and giving birth preterm can more than triple the risk of cardiovascular disease faced by mothers, according to the findings of a new study published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology. The study authors wanted to find out whether the coexistence of smoking and preterm birth would combine to result in […]
Clinical Trail Shows 300 Minutes A Week Of Exercise Will Cut Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Risk
Doubling the amount of weekly moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise, to 300 minutes instead of 150 minutes a week, had a better effect on body fat in a trial of 400 inactive postmenopausal women. Reducing total fat and other adiposity measures, especially for obese women, was more effective with the greater exercise during a 1-year […]
Study Shows Epilepsy ‘Increases Risk Of Death’ Among Pregnant Women
Pregnant women may have greater risk of adverse complications and death during delivery if they have epilepsy, according to a new study published in JAMA Neurology. Epilepsy is brain disorder characterized by abnormal nerve cell activity that causes seizures. It is estimated that around 3 million adults and children in the US have the condition, with around 150,000 […]
In Study Scientists Use ‘Arousometer’ To Measure What Turns Off Women Most
Scientists have taken the first biological measure of sexual arousal in women experiencing disgust, and found that feelings of disgust are a bigger turn-off than feelings of fear. Using a device inserted into women to measure genital blood flow as a gauge of sexual arousal, Diana Fleischman, PhD, an evolutionary psychologist at the UK’s University […]
Diaphragm Birth Control Pros And Cons
A diaphragm is a shallow, dome-shaped rimmed cup that is placed in the vagina to cover the cervix, which blocks the uterine opening to prevent pregnancy. This method of birth control requires the use of spermicide to stop the sperm from moving and fertilizing an egg. What is a diaphragm and is it effective? When used correctly and […]
Study Shows Prenatal DDT Exposure Linked To Increased Risk Of Breast Cancer
During the 1960s, the pesticide DDT was in widespread use around the globe. Though the chemical is now banned from use in the US and many other countries due to health concerns, a new study finds women who were exposed to higher levels of the chemical in utero more than 50 years ago may be […]
Study Shows Overweight Postmenopausal Women At Increased Risk Of Breast Cancer
Researchers analyzing breast cancer risk in postmenopausal women have reported that those who are overweight or obese have an increased risk of invasive breast cancer in comparison with women of normal weight. Women in the study with a BMI higher than 35 had a 58% greater risk of invasive breast cancer than women with a BMI […]
