There are five main types of cancer that affect a woman’s reproductive organs: cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar. What Is Ovarian Cancer? Ovarian cancer is the 5th leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women ages 35-74. It’s a disease in which malignant (cancerous) cells are found inside, near or on the outer layer of ovaries. Affecting nearly 20,000 women…
Yoga is a Hindu spiritual discipline that is widely practiced for health and relaxation purposes due to its breathing, mediation and bodily posture techniques. There are many types of yoga. Hatha is a more physical type of yoga rather than a still, meditative form, focusing on pranayamas (breath-controlled exercises) followed by a series of asanas (yoga postures), which end with…
What is Breast Cancer? Breast cancer occurs when cells in the breast divide and begin to grow beyond their normal control. The cells form a tumor, which tends to grow slowly. Though often seen by an x-ray, tumors large enough to feel as a lump may have been growing for as long as 10 years. According to the National Cancer…
Intimate partner violence (also known as domestic violence) is a type of abuse perpetrated by a current or past spouse or partner. Domestic violence can refer to violence against a child, elderly relative, or other family member. Since most people don’t report it, it’s hard to know how common intimate partner violence is but national studies indicate 1 in 4…
Pregnancy is an exciting time. But it can bring up a lot of questions and concerns about what foods you can eat or how medicines will affect your baby. Not all foods and medicines are safe when you are pregnant. Even common headache or pain medicine may not be safe during certain times in your pregnancy. FDA’s Office of Women’s…
Do you know there are seven easy ways to help control your risk for heart disease? Manage your heart risk by understanding “Life’s Simple 7.” 1. Get active Daily physical activity increases your length and quality of life. If you get at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity each day (like brisk walking), five times per week, you can almost…
Americans pay a high price in illnesses and deaths due to tobacco use. Unfortunately, even though smoking rates have declined over the years—from 20.9% in 2005 to 15.1% in 2015—tobacco use still results in far too many deaths, disabilities, and smoking-related illnesses in the United States. For every person who dies because of smoking, at least 30 people live with…
Drinking alcohol during pregnancy can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, and a range of lifelong physical, behavioral, and intellectual disabilities.These disabilities are known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, or FASDs. People with FASDs can have learning disabilities, hyperactivity, difficulty with attention, speech and language delays, low IQ, and poor reasoning and judgment skills. They can also have problems with their organs, including…
Getting started with breastfeeding and finding a routine that is comfortable for you and your new baby takes time and patience. Both during pregnancy and after birth, your midwife can provide the education, information, and support you need to successfully breastfeed, if that is your plan. Before your baby is born, your midwife may talk with you about your…
Before your baby’s birth, you will need to find a health care provider for your baby. With a midwife as a partner in your care, you have an excellent resource to help you choose a provider. Your midwife can provide well newborn care for the first month, and there are many options available for long term care as your child…