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We lead busy lives—we work, spend time with our children or grandchildren, exercise, and even squeeze in date nights with our partners. There are only 24 hours in a day, and sometimes it's hard to fit in regular health screenings. However, those appointments could catch gynecologic cancers early on—when it's most treatable. There are five types of gynecological cancers: cervical, uterine, ovarian, vaginal and vulvar. Risk factors for these cancers include contracting HPV, being 60 or older, family histo...
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Black and orange may not be the only colors you associate with October. Chances are you'll also see friends, family and co-workers donning pink ribbons for breast cancer awareness this month. Though we usually associate pink with women, it's important to know that breast cancer affects people of all genders. In America, 264,000 women and 2,400 men are diagnosed with breast cancer annually. To make sure you "think pink," here are three ways to take care of yourself. Know the Risks Those at higher risk in...
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In the 2001 movie Wit , Emma Thompson's character deals with far more than teaching poetry. She has late-stage ovarian cancer. While you may watch movies to escape reality and not focus on a total bummer, it is important to consider your gynecological health at least once a year. And what better time to talk about ovarian, cervical, uterine, vaginal and vulvar cancers than during September, which is Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Month. The American Cancer Society estimates that 19,680 women will be diagn...
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In a recent yogurt commercial, a former NFL player (in a grandpa costume) claimed his yogurt made him strong enough to karate chop a picnic table in half with his bare hands. While you likely won't be smashing any furniture (because why would we want to?), there are five surprising ways adding yogurt to your diet can benefit your health. Hint: Most of the benefits come from probiotics. Yogurt can: Improve Digestion . Yogurt contains live microorganisms called probiotics that help to balance the bacteria...
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Don't let misinformation make waves. Knowing the facts about breast health can help keep you afloat in a sea of information. Myth: Only women have to worry about breast cancer. Fact: Though breast cancer is less common in men, it is more likely to be fatal. The CDC reported 2,300 new cases of male breast cancer in 2017. Myth: You can find all lumps with a self-exam. Fact: Breast cancer doesn't always cause lumps, and if bumps do develop, it could mean cancer has spread to your lymph nodes. While y...
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As a new mother, it can be hard to find your footing. According to the Pew Research Center, 45 percent of moms with kids younger than 6 years say parenting is tiring all or most of the time. How can you make the adjustment easier? You took breastfeeding and prenatal classes, read every book you could get your hands on, and soaked up all the advice you could get from friends and family. However, all of that pales in comparison to the reality of caring for a newborn. How can you handle this new world of m...
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Every year, over one million American women experience menopause. While you may associate that with hot flashes or mood swings, there's another symptom of "the change" you might not know about—brain fog. According to a 2021 study, 44% to 62% of women experienced cognitive difficulties during the menopause transition. Some women have reported brain fog so severe they feared they were developing dementia. And hormone changes appear to be the primary cause. Estrogen stimulates the brain and aids in cell gr...
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May is a great month to celebrate women. While powerful and compassionate, we sometimes forget to make time for ourselves or think of ourselves last. So, commit to taking better care of yourself this month—including your mental and physical health. Not only do you deserve it, but the unfortunate reality is that there are conditions women are at higher risk of developing, such as: Alzheimer's . Of the 6 million people in the United States with Alzheimer's, 4 million are women. While researchers aren't su...
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After nearly two years of pandemic life, many now call our shared experience "communal grief," a collective stressor and other names. We might feel isolated, be out of work, battling long COVID-19, grieving those we've lost or reminiscing about what "normal" used to feel like. Perhaps you don't even realize where feelings of sadness, anxiety, worry or sleeplessness might be coming from. If that describes your current situation, know that you're not alone. Signs of Distress A Kaiser Family Foundation pol...
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According to the American Urological Association, more than 15 million Americans experience urinary incontinence, a condition characterized by the inability to control urine. One study estimates it could affect as much as 36% percent of the nation. Most common in people age 50 and older, urinary incontinence may be caused by a variety of factors, including: Muscle weakness in the pelvis Overactive bladder syndrome Urinary tract infection (UTI) There are five different categories of incontinence: Functio...
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