Women's Self-care Center

En Español (Spanish Version)

General Medicine

Health screenings for women

Prevention is key to living long and living well. Getting regular check-ups and preventive screening tests are among the most important things you can do for yourself. Take time to review these guidelines for screening tests.

Screenings and Vaccinations

• Breast cancer screening: research and guidelines
• Cholesterol
• Colonoscopy
• Human papillomavirus virus (HPV) vaccine
• Mammogram
• Pap test

Cancer screening for women: are you missing opportunities to prevent disease?

Do you know when your last Pap smear was? Does your doctor?

In search of the perfect physician

Who will answer your health questions? The Internet? The news? How about your doctor? Here's how to find a doctor who meets your needs.

Your health may be "all in the family"

Knowing your family medical history can save your life...and your children's and grandchildren's. How does genetics research help diagnose familial diseases early?

Diabetes and cardiovascular disease: what’s the link?

Cardiovascular disease is the leading complication and cause of premature death among people with diabetes. Unfortunately, many people with diabetes do not understand the risk of cardiovascular disease or what they can do to prevent it. Learn more here.

Mental Health

• Anxiety disorders
• Depression
• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder
• Sleep disorders
• Stress management

Nutritional Concerns

• Eating disorders
• Osteoporosis
• Weight management

Exercise

Walk this way to fitness

It's easy, inexpensive, amazingly good for you, and has few undesirable side effects. Yet it's all too often overlooked when people consider which form of exercise is best for them. It's walking. Read more here.

Exercise and pregnancy: a healthy combination

Learn about The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's and the American College of Sports Medicine's exercise recommendations for pregnant women.

Breast Care

• Breast cancer
• Mastalgia

Fibrocystic breast changes: are they normal?

Many women have fibrocystic lumps in their breasts. How can you find out if these lumps are benign? And how can you relieve the pain they may cause?

Mastalgia: benign breast pain

Did you know that only 10% of breast cancers present with pain as a symptom? Find out what does cause breast pain and which treatments may help.

Gynecological Care

• Amenorrhea
• Cervical cancer
• Endometriosis
• Fibroids
• Menopause
• Pregnancy
• Premenstrual syndrome
• Toxic shock syndrome
• Sexually transmitted disease
• Vaginal prolapse
• Vaginal yeast infection
• Vulvodynia

Health and Beauty

Can salons spread infection?

When you sit down to have your fingernails manicured, you're probably more worried about which shade of polish to choose than catching a potentially deadly disease. Read more here.

Understanding hair loss

Women suffer from hair loss too, not just men. Read more here.

Preventing and treating varicose veins

One in ten Americans, predominantly women, will develop varicose veins. Although a very common and usually benign condition, many women seek plastic surgery and laser removal techniques for cosmetic reasons. Learn more here.

The skinny on liposuction

The fashion world has decreed that there is no room for flabby abs, thick thighs, or love handles. In response, droves of average citizens with a little extra flesh here and there are turning to liposuction. Read more here.

Relationships and Health

Domestic violence: recognizing abuse

How can you spot abusive behavior in your relationship, or in your friend's, or your sister's? Know the signs and know what to do.

Sex after a hysterectomy: never better

Besides having the usual worries about undergoing major abdominal surgery, women are concerned about how a hysterectomy will affect their health and lives, especially their sex lives. In fact, studies have shown that concerns about sexual functioning are foremost in women's minds before surgery. Read more here.

A less invasive sterilization option for women

A procedure called Essure allows permanent sterilization for women. Unlike other sterilization procedures for women, no invasive surgery or general anesthesia are required. Learn more here.

True or False?

True or false: eating yogurt can help reduce your risk of vaginal yeast infections

Although yeast infections can be treated with medications, for an unfortunate few they have a tendency to recur despite adequate treatment. Can eating yogurt help avoid repeated infections?

True or false: women who live together tend to have synchronized menstrual periods

There is controversy over whether or not synchronous menstruation is in fact true, and if it is, what is the cause.

Natural and Alternative Treatments

• Alternative treatments for different women's health issues