Painful sex, known medically as dyspareunia, is far more common than most people realize. Studies estimate that nearly 75% of women will experience pain during intercourse at some point in their lives. Despite how common it is, many women hesitate to bring it up with their doctor. But pain during sex is not something you…
Many expecting parents want to know what choices they have when it comes to how they labor and deliver. Beyond the standard hospital experience, there are a number of alternative labor options that can help you feel more comfortable, more in control, and more connected to the birthing process. Understanding your options is the first…
Menopause brings a lot of changes to your body, but not all of them are noticeable. One of the most significant is bone loss. As estrogen levels drop during and after menopause, your bones can lose density faster than your body can rebuild it. In fact, women can lose up to 20% of their bone…
Feeling your baby move is one of the most exciting parts of pregnancy. Those little flutters, rolls and kicks are more than just sweet moments. They’re actually one of the best ways to check in on your baby’s health between prenatal visits. Fetal movement tracking, sometimes called “kick counts,” is a simple method that helps…
The vagina has a natural scent, and that scent is not supposed to be completely absent. A mild odor is normal and can change depending on hormones, sweat, diet, sexual activity, and where you are in your menstrual cycle. What matters is whether the odor is new, persistent, stronger than your usual baseline, or paired…
During pregnancy, your uterus tightens and relaxes as it prepares for delivery. These tightenings are called contractions, and they can start well before your baby is ready to be born. Some are just practice. Others are true labor contractions. Knowing the difference between Braxton Hicks contractions and true labor can help you feel more confident…
An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac that develops in or on an ovary. Ovaries normally form small cyst-like structures each month as part of ovulation, and most of these are harmless and temporary. Cysts vary in size. Some stay small and never cause symptoms, while others grow large enough to cause discomfort, pressure, or…
Fertility awareness is a category of methods used to track your menstrual cycle and identify when you are most likely to get pregnant. Some women use these methods to avoid pregnancy without hormones, while others use them to time intercourse for conception. You may also hear them called natural family planning. These methods work by…
A birth plan can help you think through what matters most during labor, delivery, and the first hours after birth. It can also feel overwhelming, especially when you see long online templates full of medical terms. The good news is that a strong birth plan does not need to be long. It should be clear,…
Cervical cancer screening helps prevent cervical cancer by finding HPV infections and precancerous cervical cell changes early—often before you have any symptoms. Still, many patients are not sure what a Pap smear is, how it differs from HPV testing, or how often screening is actually needed. What cervical cancer screening can detect Cervical cancer usually…