VA Womens Health VA Womens Health
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”
While ovarian cancer is only the ninth most common cancer in women, it is the leading cause of death for cancers of the female reproductive system. The ovaries are responsible for releasing eggs during ovulation and producing female hormones. Over time, cancerous cells can develop on ovarian tissue.
Continue reading “Did You Know That September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month”
If you’re scheduling your first gynecology visit and are curious what a gynecologist is, you aren’t alone.
Many women have questions when it comes to seeing a gynecologist and when they should schedule an appointment.
Continue reading “What you should know when it€™s time for your first gynecology visit”
March is Endometriosis Awareness month – a good time to learn more about a disease that affects nearly 176 million women worldwide. Continue reading “Could Your Pelvic Pain be Endometriosis?”
Cervical Cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer, yet over 12,000 women in the US are diagnosed with it each year.
Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is one of the most common sexually transmitted infections and is found in about 99% of cervical cancers. While almost 90% of HPV infections resolve on their own within 2 years, high-risk types of HPV may cause cervical cancer.
Regular PAP screenings and HPV tests can help to diagnose pre-cancerous cell changes early and possibly prevent cervical cancer. Continue reading “Did you know that January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month?”
While menstrual flow can vary from person to person, there can be a lot of reasons behind a heavy menstrual flow.
Known as menorrhagia, heavy menstrual bleeding in women can be caused by many things. So what causes heavy flow and what can be done about it? Continue reading “What Do I Need to Know About My Heavy Flow”
If you have pelvic pain that occurs for more than two weeks a month and has been there for more than six months, you might be suffering from Chronic Pelvic Pain, or CPP. Continue reading “Should I Get a Hysterectomy for Chronic Pelvic Pain?”
Women are becoming increasingly interested in the risks and benefits of postmenopausal hormones. In recent years, the use of bioidentical hormones has become a popular topic. It€™s important to be informed about the hormones before considering them. Continue reading “Bioidentical Hormones vs. Natural Hormones”
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. According to breastcancer.org, one in eight women will develop invasive breast cancer over their lifetime.
While some factors that increase your chance of getting breast cancer are out of your control, such as age and family history, there are some things you can do to decrease your chance of developing invasive breast cancer: Continue reading “Breast Cancer Prevention Tips”
Women no longer need to dread their annual pelvic exam! According to the American College of Physicians, a pelvic exam and a pap smear aren€™t necessary to have every year. So what changed and is this the safest decision for women?
Continue reading “Is a Yearly Pelvic Exam or Pap Smear Still Necessary?”