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Women's Health Archive

Articles

Many preventive mastectomies may be unnecessary

Women with early cancer in one breast may opt to remove the other, healthy breast because they overestimate their risk of a second cancer.

Incontinence may reflect body fat, not just weight

The risk of developing stress incontinence or urge incontinence increases along with BMI and body fat percentage. Stress incontinence is also associated with declines in grip strength.

White wine linked to higher risk of certain melanomas

Data from more than 200,000 people indicates that the risk of developing melanoma increases by 13% for every glass of white wine consumed per day. Drinking beer, red wine, or liquor was not associated with increased risk.

Emergencies and First Aid - Bleeding

Bleeding

While a minor cut will eventually stop bleeding, a severe injury may require elevation and direct pressure on the wound. The goals of first-aid treatment are to control bleeding and prevent infection. If disposable surgical gloves are readily available, use them.

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Emergencies and First Aid - Birth of the Placenta

Birth of the Placenta

The placenta, which has provided the fetus with nourishment, is attached to the umbilical cord and is delivered about 20 minutes after the baby. Do not pull on the cord; delivery of the placenta occurs on its own. You can help by gently massaging the womanÂ’s lower abdomen. The uterus will feel like a hard round mass.

Massaging the abdomen helps the uterus contract, which also helps stop bleeding. After the placenta is delivered, place it in a plastic bag to take with the woman and baby to the hospital. It is normal for more bleeding to occur after delivery of the placenta. Continue gently massaging the womanÂ’s lower abdomen.

Emergencies and First Aid - Butterfly Bandage

Butterfly Bandage

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Standard bandages come in a variety of shapes and sizes. The butterfly bandage shown here is used to hold together the edges of a cut.
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Emergencies and First Aid - Direct Pressure to Stop Bleeding

Direct Pressure to Stop Bleeding

A wound that is deep, bleeding heavily, or has blood spurting from it (caused by bleeding from an artery), may not clot and may not stop bleeding.

Immediate care
Call out for someone to get help, or call 911 yourself. Elevate the wound and apply direct pressure.

When You Visit Your Doctor - Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding

Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding

Questions to Discuss with Your Doctor:

  • Do you have regular menstrual cycles?
  • When was your last period?
  • Is your bleeding always heavy or prolonged?
  • How old were you when you started menstruating?
  • How long ago did you develop abnormal bleeding?
  • Are you sexually active?
  • How many times have you been pregnant?
  • What was the outcome of each pregnancy (live births, miscarriages, cesarean sections)?
  • Have you ever had difficulty getting pregnant?
  • What medications are you taking (including over-the-counter drugs and herbal remedies such as ginseng)?
  • Are you taking hormone replacement therapy or birth control pills?
  • Have you ever had medications injected (Depo-Provera or Norplant) for birth control?
  • Have you ever taken estrogen or tamoxifen?
  • Are you taking warfarin or other blood thinners?
  • Have you ever had an abnormal Pap smear?

Your Doctor Might Examine the Following Body Structures or Functions:

  • Blood pressure, heart rate, weight
  • Abdominal examination
  • Pelvic exam

Your Doctor Might Order the Following Lab Tests or Studies:

  • Pregnancy test
  • Blood tests such as complete blood count, coagulation (clotting) studies, and certain hormone tests (such as thyroid stimulating hormone, cortisol, prolactin, follicle stimulating hormone, testosterone)
  • Pelvic ultrasound
  • Pap smear
  • Endometrial biopsy.
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When You Visit Your Doctor - Pregnancy: 1st Trimester

Pregnancy: 1st Trimester

Questions to Discuss with Your Doctor:

  • Your age and how it will affect your pregnancy.
  • Have you been pregnant before? If so, what was the outcome of each pregnancy. Did you have a full-term pregnancy (your baby was born close to your due date)? Did you give birth via a vaginal delivery or a cesarean section ("C-section") surgery? If you had a C-section, what type of C-section was it? Did any of your pregnancies end in miscarriage, voluntary abortion, or an ectopic (tubal) pregnancy?
  • Does this pregnancy come at a good time for you?
  • When was the first day of your last menstrual period?
  • What is the usual length of your menstrual cycle?
  • Do you have any medical problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, thyroid problems, asthma, tuberculosis, epilepsy, or heart disease?
  • Have you ever had any sexually transmitted infections such as gonorrhea, herpes, syphilis, or human papilloma virus (HPV)?
  • Do any medical problems tend to run in your family such as sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, Down syndrome, or hemophilia?
  • Are you taking any medications (including over-the-counter medications)? If so, what are they?
  • Do you smoke? If so, how many packs per day?
  • In an average week, how many alcoholic beverages do you consume?
  • Do you use any recreational drugs?
  • Did you have any problems getting pregnant?
  • Do you eat a well-balanced diet? Are you taking any vitamins, including folic acid (folate)?
  • Do you exercise regularly?
  • What is your home situation like? Who do you live with? Is your partner supportive of this pregnancy? If not, has your partner hit or threatened you?
  • Are you having any problems with morning sickness (that is, nausea and vomiting)?
  • Are you having any bleeding from your vagina?

Your Doctor Might Examine the Following Body Structures or Functions:

  • Temperature, blood pressure, pulse, weight
  • Chest exam
  • Heart exam
  • Abdominal exam
  • Pelvic exam with Pap smear and cervical cultures
  • Leg exam

Your Doctor Might Order the Following Lab Tests or Studies:

  • Confirm pregnancy with blood or urine test
  • Complete blood count and blood type
  • Blood tests for syphilis, rubella antibodies, hepatitis B, HIV
  • Urinalysis
  • Portable Doppler instrument or stethoscope to measure fetal heart sounds
  • Urine culture
  • "Triple screen" (also known as "AFP-3" or "Enhanced AFP"
  • Genetic testing
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