Latest posts
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Interstitial Cystitis: Diagnosis, Management and Impact on Daily Life
Interstitial cystitis (IC), also called painful bladder syndrome, is a long-lasting condition that causes pain, pressure, or burning in the bladder, often along with a frequent or urgent need to urinate. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) estimates that between 4 and 12 million people in the United States may…
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Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Symptoms, Staging and Treatment Options
Pelvic organ prolapse happens when the muscles and tissues that hold up the bladder, uterus, or rectum weaken, letting one or more of these organs sag down into the vagina. It is common, especially after childbirth or with age, and it is treatable. Many women live with it quietly because they feel embarrassed, but it…
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Vulvodynia: Diagnosis, Treatment Options and Finding a Specialist
Vulvodynia itself is not an emergency. But some vulvar symptoms need prompt medical attention rather than a wait-and-see approach. Contact a health care provider promptly, or seek urgent care, if you notice any of the following: A new sore, ulcer, growth, or lump on the vulva that does not go away Sudden, severe pain along…
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Sexual Health During Menopause: Vaginal Dryness, Libido Changes and Treatment Options
As estrogen levels drop during menopause, the tissue lining the vagina and vulva becomes thinner, less elastic, and less able to produce natural lubrication. This is a normal, common part of the menopause transition, not a sign that something is wrong with your body. Many people also notice a drop in sex drive around this…
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Menopause Hormone Therapy: Current Evidence, Risks and Shared Decision-Making
Menopausal hormone therapy (sometimes called hormone replacement therapy, or HRT) uses estrogen, often combined with a hormone called progestin, to ease symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness. It can also help protect against bone loss. Whether it is a good choice for you depends on your age, your health history, and how…
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Hysterectomy: Types, Alternatives, Recovery and What to Ask Your Surgeon
A hysterectomy is surgery to remove the uterus. It can treat heavy bleeding, chronic pain, fibroids, or cancer when other treatments haven’t worked. There are several surgical approaches and levels of removal, and the right one for you depends on your condition, your anatomy, and what your surgeon finds during evaluation. After a hysterectomy, you…
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Pelvic Floor Basics: What It Does, Common Problems and When Physical Therapy Helps
The pelvic floor is a group of muscles that supports the bladder, uterus, and rectum. When these muscles get weak, tight, or injured, it’s called pelvic floor dysfunction, and it can cause leaking urine, a feeling of pressure or bulging, or pelvic pain. Pelvic floor physical therapy is an evidence-based, non-surgical treatment for many of…
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Endometrial Biopsy: Why It Is Done, What to Expect and What Results Can Show
An endometrial biopsy is a short office procedure where a provider removes a small piece of tissue from the lining of the uterus, called the endometrium, and sends it to a lab for examination under a microscope. It’s most often used to find the cause of abnormal bleeding, such as heavy, prolonged, or irregular periods,…