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If you are running to the bathroom more often than usual, feeling pressure in your lower abdomen or pain when passing urine, you may have cystitis. The bladder, urethra, ureters and kidneys make up the urinary system. Also called the urinary tract, this system produces, stores and eliminates urine. However, it is prone to infection. Such infections are called cystitis or urinary tract infections (UTIs).
Screening for Cervical Cancer - Guidelines have changed
For over 25 years, Pap smears have been used to test for cancer of the cervix. Women accept and use the test. Most now believe that they need an annual pap smear. Afterward, many women feel comfort in having done the right thing. For some, it feels almost preventive – as if having the test done will prevent cancer.
Put Your Best Face Forward - five common cosmetic procedures
The quest for clear, smooth, youthful skin is not new. For thousands of years we have used products to improve our skin. Still, compare Cleopatra and her sour milk baths to the current multi-billion dollar skincare industry. We are exposed daily to magazine ads, billboards, commercials, and now extreme makeover television promoting a youthful appearance.
Estrogen's Effect on the Brain
Estrogen is a hormone that occurs naturally in the body. Women become very familiar with the word estrogen as they learn about the beginning, middle and end of their reproductive years. Some women continue to hear about the hormone when they use it in the form of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) around the time of menopause.
Endometriosis - a benign but sometimes painful condition
Endometriosis is a word many women have heard. It describes a condition from which many women suffer. The fact that they have heard the word or have company in their discomfort, however, is little relief to those who have endometriosis.
Fibroids - a common concern for women
Patricia is 42. She has noticed her periods are getting heavier and her bladder seems to be shrinking while her lower abdomen has enlarged. Her family doctor examined Patricia and told her she had a large fibroid on the front of her uterus. Several questions entered her mind.
Fear of Fracture - Assess your chance of having a break
For older adults, a fractured (broken) bone is more than just an inconvenience. It can mean the difference between independence and being forced to rely on others. For some, a bad break can even lead to early death. For this reason, medical and public health efforts are focusing more on preventing fractures.
Genetic Risks for Breast Cancer
Breast cancer accounts for 32 per cent of all female cancers. This is the most common cancer for women with eight per cent of women having the disease sometime in their lives. The risk of a woman dying from breast cancer is 3.6 per cent.
Could it be a heart attack? - a woman's problem too
Cardiovascular disease, which includes both heart disease and stroke, takes the lives of more of Canada’s mothers, sisters, and daughters than any other condition. What’s more, it is striking more often. Over the past 30 years, the number of deaths it caused in women rose, while dropping in men. In 2004, cardiovascular disease killed more women than men in Canada.
Heavy Menstrual Periods - what are the causes?
In ancient times, the Greeks named the uterus or womb the hustera. They attributed all women's problems to their uterus. The name forms part of the term hysterectomy, referring to the operation to remove the uterus.
Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)
Doctors often recommend hormone replacement therapies (HRT) to women who are at or beyond the time of menopause. Understanding the benefits and risks of HRT will assist you when you discuss this issue with your doctor.
The IUD - an effective method of birth control
Many women use an IUD (intrauterine device) as a method of birth control. It is safe, easy to use, and relatively inexpensive. It has a low rate of side effects and a low failure rate (in other words, few women using the IUD get pregnant).
Menopause - a natural part of a woman's life
At a certain point in a woman's life, hormone changes stop the process of menstruation. This phase, called meno pause, usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55 although the timing varies. Understanding this process and related changes can help a woman cope with moving into the next phase of her life.
Managing Menopause - Should you consider bioidentical hormone replacement therapy?
At a certain point in a woman's life, hormone changes stop the process of menstruation. This phase, called meno pause, usually occurs between the ages of 45 and 55 although the timing varies. Understanding this process and related changes can help a woman cope with moving into the next phase of her life.
r. Today, many myths still exist about menstruation.
Third-Generation Birth Control Pills - the "new" pill
It is hard to imagine any medication that has influenced the lives of women more than “the pill." Oral contraceptives were introduced in the early 1960s. They are now used by more than 65 million women worldwide, about six per cent of women of child-bearing age.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition where the bones have become thin (osteo = bone,
porosis = porous). Thin bones are weak and more likely to break. Sometimes this may occur even without any apparent cause, such as a fall or a blow.
Painful Menstruation - common causes and treatments
Many women suffer from painful menstruation (dysmenorrhea) at some time in their lives. For some, it is a problem of the teenage years, while for others it comes with older age.
The Pap Test - An essential part of a woman's annual physical
A Pap test screens for changes in the cells of the cervix. Finding changes early makes it easier to catch cancer in the 'precancerous' stage and treat the condition before it becomes serious.
Premenstrual Syndrome - help is available
If you have ever suffered from premenstrual syndrome (PMS), take heart. You are one of about 70 to 90 per cent of women who have some PMS symptoms. About 10 per cent of women are affected severely enough to disrupt their lives. Although the cause of PMS is still uncertain, several measures may ease the symptoms.
Ovarian Cancer - what women must know to get help early
Until very recently, finding and treating early cancer of the ovaries seemed next to hopeless. Only a third of cases were diagnosed before the cancer spread. Thankfully, this is changing. We know much more about early symptoms and better understand who is at risk. More dependable screening is now available, with improvements still to come. With earlier detection, treatment is more effective. More women are now expected to survive ovarian cancer.
Ovarian Cysts - questions and answers
Naturally, many questions come to mind when a woman discovers she has an ovarian cyst. What is a cyst? What does it mean to have one on an ovary? Can it be harmful? How is it diagnosed? Before answering these questions, it is necessary to understand the role of the ovaries.
Screening for Breast and Cervical Cancers - it may save your life
Prevention and early detection can save lives, particularly when it comes to cancer of the breast or cervix. Many provinces encourage screening for these common women's diseases. Screening is often done in partnership with the provincial cancer board, through programs for all eligible women. What does this mean to you if you are in the eligible age groups?
Unwanted Hair (Hirsutis) - when and how it should be treated
Body hair can be a source of pride for men and a source of shame for women. Smooth, hairless faces stare out from glossy women's magazines. Bodies that have been shaved and depilated with waxes and creams are the picture of femininity.
Urinary Incontinence
After toilet training in childhood, the thought of losing bladder control later in life is unthinkable for most people. Yet, in fact, the unthinkable is not only thinkable. It is common. This loss of bladder control is called incontinence. Thirty-five per cent of women are incontinent at some time in their adult lives and about six per cent of Canadians (over a million and a half people) suffer from this problem on a regular basis.
Vaginitis - distressing but rarely serious
Most women have been to a doctor at least once to see about an annoying discharge from the vagina (birth canal). It may have been mild or quite severe, and may have had a foul smell or irritated the surrounding skin.
Yeast Infections - identifying and treating this common problem
Yeast – it’s in all of us. Young or old, male or female, we all carry yeast in our bodies. Most of the time, we live peacefully with our yeast. We are not aware of its constant presence in our lives. However, sometimes yeast can grow out of control and cause unwanted problems. Sometimes, yeast takes hold in the woman’s vagina. A vaginal yeast infection results. Here are answers to some of the most common questions about vaginal yeast infections.
Your Pelvic Floor - understanding a woman's anatomy
Today there is a growing tend towards fitness and well-being, especially among women. More than ever, we are aware of the benefits of healthy diet and regular exercise. Some may exercise at home or go to a gym, while others are active in sports. You may religiously work out your arms and legs, your abdominal muscles and your buttocks. Have you ever thought about exercising those little muscles tucked around the genital region which form the pelvic floor? These muscles need to be cared for along with the rest of your body.
Menopause - what men should know
Men whose partners are at or beyond the time of menopause may want to support and understand their partner as she experiences this natural process commonly called "the change of life". It is not a disease and for the most women the transition to the end of reproductive life is fairly smooth.