VA Womens Health Home
Yes, they show up about every 30 days, they are uncomfortable or sometimes painful, can give you headaches and slow you down, and can transform you into the wicked witch of the east every month before they start. No wonder they’re known as the “curse.” Yes, the decades of having your period affect your life in various ways, but don’t let periods rule your life. Some side effects are normal, but some are definitely not. Let’s look at ways you can gain some control.
Medical technology continues to improve and innovate the way surgeons can perform surgery. Robotic surgery was approved by the FDA in 2005 and is a relatively new less-invasive technique, but different from both laparoscopic and open surgery. Before undergoing any kind of surgery for gynecologic cancer, discuss with Virginia Women’s Health these 5 things to know about robotic surgery for gynecologic cancer.
Continue reading “5 Things to Know About Robotic Surgery For Gynecologic Cancer”
Noticing a few spots of blood between periods can be worrisome, and although women may see spots in their underwear or on toilet tissue, there are usually benign reasons for these occurrences. Here are seven conditions that can cause sporadic spotting between periods in addition to when you should be concerned enough to seek medical advice.
Continue reading “7 Conditions That Can Cause Sporadic Spotting Between Periods”
If you have been confused in the past by changes in breast cancer screening guidelines, buckle up! Recently, more changes have been passed down as guidelines, so it’s important to make sure you’re knowledgeable.
Continue reading “New Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines You Should Know”
Not every woman with fibroids needs surgery or prescription medications. Those non-cancerous tumors known as fibroids can be asymptomatic or can compromise a woman’s quality of life. If you are among the latter, there are 5 little habits to manage your fibroid pain.
Continue reading “5 Little Habits to Help Manage Your Fibroid Pain”
Cervical cancer was once one of the most common cancers affecting women. In past years, medical researchers have reported a significant decrease in incidences of cervical cancer, which has been attributed to increase in regular Pap tests being performed. Pap tests are a crucial part of preventing cervical cancer since they can detect precancerous lesions and abnormal cell growth before cancer develops.
Most cervical cancer cases are related to the human papillomavirus (HPV). This sexually transmitted infection can influence the development of cervical cancer as it aids in the abnormal growth of cervical cells.
These cells do not always develop in the same way, which is why there are 3 discernible types of cervical cancer.
Continue reading “3 Types of Cervical Cancer and What You Should Know About Them”
Cancer is the leading cause of death around the world. Every year, approximately 12.7 million people are diagnosed with cancer and 7.6 million of them will die from the disease.
For World Cancer Day in 2017, individuals and organizations are adopting the “We can. I can” approach to cancer. This means that organizations and individuals will both do their part to reduce the global burden of cancer.
As women, we face unique health challenges. In order to maintain long-term health, prevention and early detection of medical conditions and diseases is key. Depending on your stage of life, the following exams are recommended.
While most people are aware that breast cancer is an issue, many still don’t take the necessary steps to detect the disease in its early stages. Every October, doctors, nurses and organizations use this month to raise awareness for the detection of breast cancer.
Ovarian cancer occurs when cells that are not normal grow in one or both of your ovaries. It most often affects women who are past menopause. Ovarian cancer may cause early symptoms such as bloating, pain in your belly or pelvis, trouble eating, or urinary problems. Continue reading “Understanding Ovarian Cancer”