Women's Healthcare Topics

WebMD Health Headlines H1N1 Swine Flu Wave Peaking in U.S.? This wave of the H1N1 swine flu may have peaked. New cases are declining in most of the U.S., although deaths and hospitalizations are still rising. Photo of a Loved One Reduces Pain A new study shows that just looking at a picture of a loved one can help reduce pain. Green Tea May Prevent Kidney Stones A new study shows compounds in green tea extract make it more difficult for certain kidney stones to form. Seasonal Flu Vaccine May Cut Swine Flu Risk Military personnel who got last year's seasonal flu shot were 42% less likely to get mild H1N1 swine flu and 62% less likely to be hospitalized with the pandemic flu. Drug May Boost Women's Sexual Desire An investigational drug that didn't perform well as an antidepressant appears to slightly boost sexual desire as well as the number of satisfying sexual encounters in women with lagging libidos, a study shows. ©2005-2008 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

WebMD Health - Pregnancy Beauty Product Safety When You’re Pregnant: Makeup, Sunscreen, Hair Dye, and More WebMD discusses how you can alter your beauty regimen when you’re pregnant to avoid chemicals in common skin care and beauty products. U.S. Gets 'D' in Preterm Birth Report Card Seven states improved their grades and two dropped a letter to "F" in the 2009 March of Dimes Premature Birth Report Card, in which the U.S. as a whole earned a "D" for the second straight year, a new report says. Preemies Raise U.S. Infant Mortality Rate The high percentage of preterm babies is the main cause of the high infant mortality rate in the U.S., the CDC says in a new report. Artificial Insemination Works Better This Way Patients who undergo artificial insemination who lie on their backs for 15 minutes after the procedure may increase their chances of getting pregnant, according to a new study. Progress in Quest for Group B Strep Vaccine Researchers are a step closer to developing a vaccine to protect pregnant women against a serious bacterial infection that is a leading cause of death and disability in newborns. ©2005-2008 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

WebMD Health - Genital Herpes Condoms Help Cut Risk of Genital Herpes Condom use reduces, but does not eliminate, the risk of contracting genital herpes, according to a new review of research. ©2005-2008 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

WebMD Health - Getting Pregnant 8 Ways to Boost Your Fertility Trying to get pregnant? Pay attention to simple things -- diet, timing of sex, even your lubricant -- and you may conceive faster. A Healthy Beginning for Pregnancy Why managing your health, your weight, and your habits is so important before conception. The Truth About Sexual Positions and Getting Pregnant Myths abound when it comes to sexual positions and conception. Getting Pregnant After Birth Control How soon can you get pregnant after stopping birth control? Get the facts in this article. ©2005-2008 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

WebMD Health - Healthy Sexuality How to Use Your Immune System to Stay Healthy Do you seem to always catch whatever illness is going around? Maybe you need to strengthen your immune system. These healthy habits can boost your immunity for a lifetime. Why Foreplay Matters When it comes to sex, taking the time to let things heat up can be key to satisfaction. Women Over 35 Embrace Healthy Sexuality A new online survey of 500 women aged 35 to 49 showed that 76% of women are interested in maintaining a healthy sex life and almost 50% say they initiate sex with their partner. A Woman's Guide to Reviving Sex Drive As baby boomers age, more and more women report they've lost their sex drive. But experts say it may just be matter of knowing where to look. Chronic Illness and Relationships: Communicating and Managing Stress WebMD has tips for helping your marriage survive a chronic illness. Find out how to manage stress and emotions that wreak havoc on relationships. ©2005-2008 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

WebMD Health - Healthy Women Mammograms Cut Risk of Breast Cancer Death Three-fourths of deaths due to breast cancer occur among women who do not undergo regular screening mammograms, a large study shows. Comic Susie Essman's new Book Takes on Anger, Menopause, More In What Would Susie Say, comic Susie Essman shares her thoughts about anger, menopause, raising teens, and way, way more. Women's Weight Tied to Healthy Aging For women, the odds of being healthy at age 70 are best for those who don't gain a lot of weight between ages 18 and 50 and who aren't obese at 50, a new study shows. Padma Lakshmi's Secrets How does Top Chef co-host Padma Lakshmi manage to stay so svelte, slim, and healthy? Lakshmi's secrets may surprise and inspire you. Health Evaluations When You’re Buying a Home Is the new home you are about to buy safe and healthy? Find out which home inspections you need for mold, radon, CO2, and other health hazards. ©2005-2008 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

WebMD Health - Infertility_Reproduction Getting Pregnant: Easy Ways To Encourage Fertility Having trouble getting pregnant? Standard fertility treatments can usually help, but so can a host of other, less costly techniques -- some of which couples can try on their own. Gene Discovery May Inspire Male Contraceptive Researchers have found mutations on the CATSPER1 gene that are linked to male infertility and may inspire development of a male contraceptive. Octuplets' Birth Sparks Fertility Debate As the mother and grandmother of the two-week-old California octuplets squared off on competing morning talk shows, infertility specialists continue to voice their dismay over the fertility treatment that led to the birth of the eight babies. Common Chemicals May Affect Fertility Exposure to a type of chemical found in everyday items such as clothing, carpets, and food packaging may be adversely affecting women's fertility, delaying the time it takes them to become pregnant, according to a new study. New Estimates for IVF Live Birth Rates Although many statistics on in vitro fertilization focus on the number of resulting pregnancies, a new study sheds light on the likelihood of IVF resulting in a live birth. ©2005-2008 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

WebMD Health - Menopause How to Whittle Your Middle After Menopause Losing weight once you're past menopause can be harder than when you were in your 20s. But it's not impossible. Fertility Drug May Be New Hot Flash Treatment Women suffering severe postmenopausal hot flashes get relief from daily injections of the fertility drug Cetrotide, a small Dutch study shows. HRT Is Linked to Deaths From Lung Cancer Hormone replacement therapy may raise women's risk of dying from lung cancer, a study shows. Hormones Raise Risk of Lung Cancer Death The hormone replacement therapy taken by millions of women to relieve hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause may raise the risk of dying from lung cancer, researchers say. Too Young for Menopause What causes premature menopause and what can you do? Get information about early menopause here. ©2005-2008 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

WebMD Health - Sexual Conditions Penis Spray Makes Men Last Longer Men suffering premature ejaculation -- less than a minute after penetration -- last 5 to 6 times longer if they use an experimental penis spray 5 minutes before sex. Teen Girls' Chlamydia Drives STD Rate Up U.S. chlamydia cases increased 9.2% last year, with highest rates in teen girls and young women. Study: High BPA Linked to Sex Problems in Men Workers exposed to very high levels of the chemical bisphenol A (BPA) were four to seven times as likely to report sexual function problems as workers with no occupational exposure to the chemical in a new study. New Cure for 4-Hour Erections? Men suffering penis pain and damage from priapism -- erections lasting over 4 hours -- may benefit from a drug used in kids with a severe immune disorder, mouse studies suggest. A Woman's Guide to Erectile Dysfunction (ED) WebMD explains to women what erectile dysfunction is, how it affects the man in your life (and you!) and how you and your partner can work together to find ways to cope. ©2005-2008 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

WebMD Health - Womens Conditions Drug May Boost Women's Sexual Desire An investigational drug that didn't perform well as an antidepressant appears to slightly boost sexual desire as well as the number of satisfying sexual encounters in women with lagging libidos, a study shows. FDA OKs Menstrual Drug Lysteda The FDA has approved Lysteda tablets (tranexamic acid), the first non-hormonal product cleared to treat heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia). Healthy Lifestyle Tips After a Hysterectomy Find 15 tips and simple ways to nurture your health after a hysterectomy – and keep weight and stress under control. A Fresh Look at Hysterectomy For quicker hysterectomy recovery, many women are choosing laparoscopy. Just make sure your surgeon is skilled. Here’s what women should know about hysterectomy. When Your Period Signals a Problem Pain, bleeding, and missed periods may be signs that something is wrong. ©2005-2008 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.

WebMD Health - Breast Cancer New Mammogram Screening Guidelines FAQ The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force is recommending that women who aren't at high risk of breast cancer start getting mammograms at age 50, a decade later than previously recommended. Experts answer questions about the new mammogram guidelines. Panel: Screening Mammograms Should Start at 50 A government appointed expert panel is calling for huge changes in breast cancer screening in the United States, but a leading cancer group is highly critical of the move. Chronic Pain After Breast Cancer Surgery A study shows that almost half of women who underwent breast cancer surgery reported they were still experiencing pain two to three years later. Quick Radiation Works for Breast Cancer A shorter, cheaper, and more convenient three-week course of radiation appears to work just as well as the traditional six-week schedule for some women with early-stage breast cancer, a new study suggests. Too Many Mastectomies? Maybe Not Doctors recommend breast-conserving surgery for 3 in 4 women with early breast cancer. Second opinions rarely differ, so surgeon advice doesn't raise mastectomy rates. ©2005-2008 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.