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Less PMS. Besides being period-free, women who take birth control pills continuously (by skipping the placebo week or using an extended regimen) may have fewer headaches, less pelvic pain and milder mood swings than those whose Pill plan results in monthly bleeding, a study in Contraception shows. The nonstop dose keeps hormones steadier. Want to try it? Talk to your gyno first.

Breast assured. Consulting a genetics counselor may help relieve anxiety for women with a family history of breast cancer, a review of five studies in The Cochrane Library finds. Plus, these women gain a more accurate perception of their risk than those who don't seek advice. You can find an advisor at the National Society of Genetic Counselors website (NSGC.org).

Allergy buster. Doing laundry in hot water (at least 140 degrees Fahrenheit) kills all dust mites, experts from Yonsei University in Seoul, South Korea, reveal.

Self-heeling. Killer heels can trigger urinary tract infections. Wearing the shoes puts pressure on nerves in your lower back—which can interfere with the bladder's ability to fully empty, says Larrian Gillespie, M.D., a urologist in Beverly Hills, California.

Testing, testing?. Many docs aren't routinely screening for chlamydia, an often symptomless sexually transmitted disease that can lead to infertility, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists in Washington, D.C., reports. If you have a new partner or are not in a mutually monogamous relationship, request the test!

Rude awakenings. Waking multiple times during the night appears to alter the body's natural pain-control mechanisms, contributing to backaches, headaches and muscle soreness, a study in Sleep notes. It's time to see a specialist if you've had sleep troubles or daytime sleepiness for more than a month. Find one at SleepFoundation.org.

Crush, don't flush. Meds flushed down the toilet are finding their way into the water supply, potentially harming the environment. Some pharmacists collect unused pills; otherwise, you can crush most drugs (so animals can't eat them) and toss them with the rest of the trash, the American Pharmacists Association in Washington, D.C., suggests.