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Adolescence
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If you are between the ages of 8 and 14, you're probably starting puberty. This stage of your life is when you change from a girl into a young woman. Puberty will last a few years. During puberty, your body will go through some amazing changes. An...
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Each part of your body has its own job to do. You have special parts that are protected on the inside of your body. When the time comes, they help create and support a growing baby. Some of your special parts are on the outside. They are called ge...
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Having a period is a normal, healthy part of becoming and being a woman. A period is the result of a cycle that takes place inside a girl's body. This menstrual cycle makes it possible for women to have babies. The cycle begins with ovulation, whe...
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When you first get your period, it's normal to be confused and wonder what's happening to you. If all your questions aren't answered here, talk to your mom or someone else you trust.
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If your daughter had grown up 150 years ago, the experts say, she could have expected her first period at age 16-1/2. Begin naming body parts by age 8, says Dr. Kastner. "Kids should be learning the plumbing.";If your child doesn't begin asking qu...
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Breasts change over time. Their size and texture may vary with shifts in your body weight. Breasts also change as you go through different stages of your life.
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Child-Bearing Years
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Having a period (menstruation) is a normal, healthy part of being a woman. It's also part of the menstrual cycle, a process that makes it possible for women to become pregnant.
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A woman's menstrual cycle (monthly period) is controlled by changing levels of certain hormones. These hormones travel through the blood. Two hormones, estrogen and progesterone, play a big role in the menstrual cycle. They are produced in the ova...
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From conception (fertilization) until after the birth of your child, you and your baby will change every day. To help you understand what is happening, we've outlined how pregnancy begins and some of the changes you may notice. Your uterus expands...
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Labor is the series of uterine contractions that dilate (open) and efface (thin) your cervix for birth. Your due date is a guide to when labor will begin, but babies often come days or weeks before or after due dates. Even so, labor need not take ...
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Your urinary tract helps to get rid of urine (your body's liquid waste). The kidneys collect unneeded chemicals and water, making urine. Urine travels through the ureters to the bladder. The bladder fills with urine, holding it until you're ready ...
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The reproductive system is the part of the body involved in sexual function. In women, this system is also responsible for nourishing and supporting a baby as it develops. Below are the main parts of the female reproductive anatomy.
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Breasts change over time. Their size and texture may vary with shifts in your body weight. Breasts also change as you go through different stages of your life.
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Most breast conditions are benign (noncancerous), causing no serious harm to you. But all women are at some risk for breast cancer. This risk increases as they become older. So if you notice any breast changes that aren't normal for you, see your ...
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Menopause and After
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Baby boomers are handling menopause differently from earlier generations, according to Dr. Sheryl Kingsberg, Ph.D., assistant professor of reproductive biology and psychiatry at Case Western Reserve University. Periods are very heavy, gushing or a...
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Menopause -- when estrogen and progesterone production, ovulation and menstruation stop -- is a natural part of a woman's life. The average age that women reach menopause is 51. Dress in layers and wear loose clothing.;Drink plenty of water.;Do we...
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Perimenopause is the time in a woman's life when her body makes the transition between having monthly menstrual periods and entering menopause, the permanent end of her reproductive ability. Menopause is defined as the time when a woman has not ha...
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Menopause occurs when the ovaries stop making estrogen and progesterone. It's defined as not having a period or spotting for 12 or more months. The average age of natural menopause in the United States is 51. It can occur anytime between ages 40 a...
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Diet and Exercise
Eating Well
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Eating a diet that can reduce your risk for disease and increase your longevity doesn't have to be difficult. Add vegetables to (almost) everything you eat. Add pureed carrots or red roasted peppers to pasta sauce. Replace some of the oil in nut b...
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Evidence is mounting that a healthy diet can help protect you from some diseases. What you eat -- or don't eat -- may help prevent heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis and type 2 diabetes. Your diet should include foods from all major foods groups,...
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You've heard the news that much of America -- including its kids -- is overweight or obese. If you are in that crowd and want to lose the extra pounds, the first step is to know what and how much you're eating.
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Protein helps make up bone, muscle, skin, hair and other parts of your body. The body makes protein from amino acids in protein-rich foods, but it can't store amino acids -- so you have to eat protein every day. Carbohydrates - 45-65 percent of ca...
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Having plenty of zip to meet the demands of your job and personal life starts with your diet.
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Good nutrition is a cornerstone of good health. A low-fat, low-cholesterol diet can reduce your risk for heart disease, certain cancers, diabetes, stroke and other diseases. Go for seconds -- on non-starchy vegetables. Reminder: A typical vegetabl...
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Can you really lose weight if you eat only grapefruit? Will the inches come off if you feast only on foods high in protein? Do those "miracle diets" you see advertised really work?
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Being Active
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Making exercise part of your daily life isn't hard if you make it a priority. To do that, you need to develop goals and an exercise plan that matches your needs and interests. Make exercise a priority. When you plan your week, schedule time for ex...
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Most women between ages 35 and 55 find it difficult to avoid gaining weight, especially inches that tend to settle around their waistlines. Pregnancy. Weight gain during pregnancy is normal and necessary for a healthy baby, but most women don't lo...
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A small minority of girls who take part in sports face a threat unique to women: the female athlete triad.
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Teen girls who are athletes face unique obstacles when it comes to their bodies and how well they perform. Strengthen leg muscles, particularly the hamstrings.;Learn how to land properly after jumping, with knees bent and hips flexed forward.;Stre...
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Healthy Pregnancy
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Planning to have a baby? There are steps you can take before you ever become pregnant to help ensure a smooth pregnancy and a healthy outcome for you and your infant.
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So, you're having a baby! Once the shock of that news begins to wear off, it's important to think about your lifestyle and health habits during pregnancy. Visit your health care provider regularly throughout your pregnancy.;Don't take any medicati...
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You need to take care of yourself for a new reason. Your health can affect your baby's growth. You may have mixed feelings. A motherly instinct may be stirring within you. Or, you may feel like you don't know where or how to start. One thing is su...
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A birth plan is an outline of your wishes for your labor and birth. This plan helps your healthcare providers know what you want and expect. But be aware that labor is a series of changing conditions. Work with your healthcare provider to create a...
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Having a baby is a life-changing experience, and there's no way to know just how exhilarating and challenging the first few months can be. From the wealth of new emotions you'll be feeling, to the physical recovery you face after giving birth, the...
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Well Being
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Stress exists in your mind -- but it's also evident in your stomach, heart, muscles and even your toes. Recognize your stress signals. Once you're aware of your stressors, you'll have a better idea of when you're stressed and can take steps to red...
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Does something about your body bug you? Maybe you believe you'd be happier if only you were thinner, taller, shorter, more muscular -- whatever. Women either love their bodies or hate them. Men feel either positive or neutral.;Women look at their ...
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Everyone gets down in the dumps from time to time. But you may suffer from clinical depression if a feeling of sadness or loss of interest in life and friends lingers for two weeks or more. Depression can occur at any age and occurs in both men an...
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It's normal to feel stressed or anxious now and then. But it's time to call for help if emotional issues interfere with your life, your job, or your personal relationships. Feeling unable to cope with your day-to-day problems, work assignments, or...
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As a woman, your body is much more sensitive to the effects of alcohol and more easily damaged than a man's body. Because women have less water in their body than men, alcohol doesn't dilute as much and more of it gets absorbed into the blood. Tha...
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You expect to grieve when a loved one dies, but grief also can occur following a divorce, a move from a beloved family home, being downsized from your job or any other loss that makes a major impact on the quality of your life and happiness.
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Office politics include not only the hierarchy of command in companies, but also the manipulative tactics people use to be more powerful at work. Your coworker tries to take credit for your innovative idea.;Your boss tries to undermine your succes...
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Physical violence is just one form of domestic abuse. If you have a partner who verbally humiliates you, demands all your attention, blames you for everything that goes wrong or threatens to harm you or your children, you're also being abused. You...
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Anger is an emotion that says something is wrong. It can be expressed to tell others about your personal limits, values, rules and boundaries. Learning how to express anger assertively and constructively can improve your personal interaction and y...
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Alcoholism is often called a family disease because it affects the person with alcoholism and his or her family. But it's also a workplace disease. Talk with the person at your company assigned to handle problems like this. It might be someone wit...
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Sexual Health
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When it comes to sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), you may not have any warning signs. If you are sexually active, find out the facts about STDs, and learn how to protect yourself. Problems in the anal or genital area, such as a sore, a rash, ...
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Some people are so fearful of infection by HIV, the virus that can cause AIDS, they won't shake hands with someone who is HIV-positive. Find out all you can about HIV and AIDS, so you can protect yourself. Share your knowledge with family members ...
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Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis. Chlamydia is the most frequently reportedbacterial STD in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is k...
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About half of all pregnancies in this country are unplanned, according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. For a woman who wants to plan when she becomes pregnant, however, there are many choices. Combination pills prevent ...
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The human papilloma virus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted diseases in the United States, with more than 25 million women currently infected, according to the American Cancer Society.
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Perimenopause is the time in a woman's life when her body makes the transition between having monthly menstrual periods and entering menopause, the permanent end of her reproductive ability. Menopause is defined as the time when a woman has not ha...
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Preventive Care
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Schedule your test for a time when you will not be having your period. If you're menstruating at the time of your appointment, call your healthcare provider to ask if you should reschedule. Do not douche.;Do not use vaginal medications, creams, or...
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You run two miles every other day and lift weights twice a week.
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You have mom's hair and dad's height. That's great, but genes can also pass down chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. Learn your family health history to help gauge your risk for disease. Then do all you can to head ...
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You don't want to spend this winter battling a runny nose, a nagging cough, or a fever.
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Reading and understanding the information labels on over-the-counter (OTC) medications can help you take them safely and effectively. Active Ingredient. This is the first item on the Drug Facts label. The active ingredient is the therapeutic subst...
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It's good to step back now and then and ask yourself: Are my habits reducing or increasing my health risks? Is there more I could be doing to reduce my risk for diabetes, cancer or heart disease? A BMI below 18.5 is underweight.;18.5 to 24.9 is a ...
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Using the Healthcare System
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When you check into a hospital or see a doctor for the first time, you may be given a copy of the "Consumer Bill of Rights and Responsibilities." To strengthen consumer confidence by assuring that the health care system is fair and responsive. It ...
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In some medical situations, there's a clear right answer regarding which treatment is best. Ask your doctor to recommend and explain the most effective treatment options for your condition.;Learn about your condition and the recommended treatments...
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You don't have time to choose a hospital if you have a health emergency. But if you're facing surgery or treatment for a particular health condition, taking time to find a hospital that meets your needs is well worth the effort, according to the A...
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Health care spending continues to rise at the fastest rate in our history, from 7 to 14 percent a year, depending on the study.
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Out-of-pocket health costs are just that—the amount of cash you pull out of your pocket to pay for health care beyond what your insurance covers. No one likes unexpected expenses. But you have more control over your costs than you may think. $360 ...
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If you have a nasty cut on your finger, need surgery, or have the flu and want immediate treatment, where do you go for care?
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Health can be confusing, regardless of gender. But women have an added disadvantage. In the past, medicine was dominated by a male point of view. And early medical research focused on—you guessed it—men. Asthma.Women also are more likely to be hos...
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To get the best medical care you can, you should be an informed patient who works closely with your health care provider. Start with open communication. Don't assume your doctor has all the information he or she needs. If you think of a detail you...
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The best way to reduce your prescription drug costs is to follow a healthier lifestyle. Improving your diet, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight and quitting smoking can improve your health enough that you may be able to give up or ...
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If you've ever bought a coveted pair of shoes at a sale price or cashed in a stock just before the price took a dive, you know the difference good timing can make on your quality of life.
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Breast Cancer
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Health care providers agree that mammograms, along with clinical breast exams, are your best defense against breast cancer. Beginning in their early 20s, women should be told the benefits and limitations of breast self-examination (BSE).Any new br...
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It's important to remember that every woman should consider herself at risk for breast cancer. A woman's best tool in fighting this disease is knowledge of her body through clinical breast exams and mammograms, her family history and other risk fa...
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Researchers are continually finding ways to treat breast cancer. Women diagnosed with it now have more hope for survival than ever before. Type, size, and location of the tumor in your breast;Results of lab tests, such as hormone receptor tests;Ex...
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With so much information out there about breast cancer, sometimes it's difficult to separate myth from reality. But, without a realistic picture of the disease, you may not recognize whether you're at risk and take steps to protect yourself. That'...
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Except for non-melanoma skin cancer, breast cancer remains the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women. Cancer experts say there is reason to feel encouraged by the current breakthroughs in detection and treatment.
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Heart Disease
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Surveys show fewer than one in 10 women perceive heart disease as their greatest health threat. But it's the nation's number one killer, and women are its prime target. One in 10 women ages 45 to 64 has some form of heart disease, and this increas...
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Heart attacks often feel different to a woman than to a man. Women are more likely than men to have "silent" or unrecognized heart attacks, called myocardial infarctions. Not all heart attacks begin with sudden, crushing chest pain, the way they a...
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For many women, a heart attack may feel like a strange discomfort in the back or some other easily ignored sign, instead of crushing chest pain. Any chest pain, pressure, tightening, or squeezing;Unexplained pain in your jaw, shoulder, back, or ar...
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Obesity & Type 2 Diabetes
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If you think you need to lose a few pounds, join the club. According to federal guidelines, more than half of all adult Americans are members.
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There is an epidemic of obesity in this country, health experts say. But what is obesity? How is it measured? Find out the answers to these questions and others by taking this quiz, based on information from the National Institute of Diabetes and ...
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True or false? Most overweight people got that way because they're self-indulgent weaklings without the will power to say no to super-sized french fries and fudge-slathered ice cream. Ask your family physician or the staff at your local health cli...
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High blood cholesterol is one of the major risk factors for heart attack, the leading cause of death in America. Cholesterol is a waxy substance your body produces to help it function properly. Because your liver makes all the cholesterol your bod...
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The connection between obesity and cancer was researched for 29 years in Sweden. The study that resulted from the research, published in the January 2001 issue of Cancer Causes and Control, evaluated the relationship between obesity and cancer ris...
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Heart disease is primarily caused by atherosclerosis, or thickening and hardening of the arteries. If an artery narrows too much, you can feel chest pain. A heart attack occurs if an artery closes all the way or narrows so much that a blood clot b...
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High blood pressure, or hypertension, is the most common chronic adult illness in the United States. There is no cure for high blood pressure, but it can be controlled. Losing weight. Being overweight increases your risk of developing high blood p...
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Diabetes occurs when there are high levels of glucose (sugar) in the blood. All three types of diabetes involve problems with insulin, a hormone that removes glucose from the blood and allows it to enter the body's cells. (The cells use it for ene...
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The number of Americans who should think seriously about diabetes has nearly doubled. About 18 million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes, about 17 million of them have type 2 diabetes. Being overweight or obese; a body mass index (BMI) o...
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Take this quiz to find out how to cut your risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
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If you are overweight or obese, you should work with your doctor to decide on a healthy weight for you. Type 2 diabetes;Heart disease and stroke;Cancer;Sleep apnea;Osteoarthritis;Gallbladder disease;Fatty liver diseaseBody mass index (BMI);Waist c...
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Research shows that if you are overweight or obese, a little weight loss goes a long way toward reducing your risk for disease and protecting your health. A person who is obese is at higher risk for breathing problems such as sleep apnea and asthm...
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Are the following three statements myth or fact? Fad diets work for permanent weight loss.;Skipping meals is a good way to lose weight.;Low-fat or no-fat means no calories.Aerobic activity for 30 to 60 minutes most days of the week;Strengthening a...
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Research clearly shows that dieting to loose weight without exercising doesn't work. Even those of us who lose weight on a diet generally regain most or all of the weight within a couple of years. Eating is only half the equation. Lifetime weight ...
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Many people know a lot about physical fitness and exercise, but there are still many misconceptions that keep them from exercising.
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Osteoporosis
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The body has a natural system for maintaining bone. Understanding this system can help you learn how to maintain your bones.
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The strength of bones is measured by their density (thickness). High bone density means bones are less likely to fracture. If you are at risk for bone loss, your healthcare provider may refer you for bone density testing. Peripheral tests are used...
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Your body needs calcium to build and repair bones. But it can't make calcium on its own. That's why it's important to eat calcium-rich foods. Some foods are naturally rich in calcium. Others have calcium added (fortified). It's best to get calcium...
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Certain factors can speed up bone loss or decrease bone growth. For example, alcohol, cigarettes, and certain medicines reduce bone mass. Some foods make it hard for your body to absorb calcium. Alcohol is toxic to bones. It is a major cause of bo...
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If you have osteoporosis, you can do a lot to reduce its effect on your life. Knowing how to prevent fractures and spinal curvature can help you live more comfortably and safely with this disease. Get regular exercise. Try walking, swimming, or we...
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Check with your health care provider before starting any new exercise program.; Use weights only as instructed.; Stop any exercise that causes pain.
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Robert Heaney, M.D., an internationally recognized calcium and bone health expert and professor of medicine at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., says that you can take steps to preventosteoporosis. Although the disease is most prevalent among p...
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Personal Safety
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A sexual assault changes your life. Although your body may heal quickly, the emotional scars may last much longer. There is no easy way to recover from an assault. But getting the medical care and support you need is a good place to start. Rape, A...
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After a sexual assault, it's normal to feel angry, afraid, and even ashamed. But try not to let these feelings keep you from getting medical care. Medical treatment can help you recover physically as well as emotionally. Sexually transmitted disea...
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Through domestic violence, an abuser establishes power and control over another person. Such behavior occurs when the abuser feels entitled to control his or hervictim. Although the most common form of abuse ismales abusing female partners, female...
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Abuse tends to get worse and occur more often over time. If you are being abused, plan ahead to get out for good. But don't feel discouraged if it takes more than one try. With courage and help from others, you can change your life. Go on record: ...
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Many people believe that intimate partner violence -- also called domestic violence -- is a concern, yet do not understand the full scope of the problem. About 1.5 million women and 835,000 men are raped and/or physically assaulted by an intimate ...
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According to researchers at the American Psychological Association (APA), nearly 50 percent of American working women will experience on-the-job sexual harassment at some point in their careers. Unwelcome sexual advances.;Requests for sexual favor...
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