HealthyLife Articles

Category: Women’s Health

Ovarian Cysts & Cancer

Women’s Health

The ovaries are two almond-sized organs. One is found on each side of the uterus. Growths called cysts or tumors can form in, on, or near the ovaries.

Cysts are sacs filled with fluid or semisolid matter. Ovarian cysts are common in women before menopause. Rarely are these cysts cancer.

Tumors are solid masses. Most often, tumors in the ovary are benign. Malignant tumors are ovarian cancer. This type of cancer occurs most often between the ages of 50 and 75. It can occur at other ages, too.

Signs & Symptoms

For Ovarian Cysts

When symptoms occur, they include:

* A feeling of fullness or swelling of the abdomen.

* Weight gain.

* A dull, constant ache on either or both sides of the pelvis.

* Pain during sex.

* Delayed, irregular, or painful periods.

* Growth of facial hair.

* A cyst that bleeds, breaks, or twists can cause sharp, severe abdominal pain, fever, and vomiting.

For Ovarian Cancer

In many cases, the cancer has spread by the time it is found. When symptoms appear, they are vague problems and are often ignored. These symptoms, even in early-stage ovarian cancer, last almost daily for more than a few weeks:

* Bloating.

* Pain in the abdomen or pelvis.

* Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly.

* Urgent need to pass urine or passing urine often.

Other symptoms can include:

* Back pain. Pain with intercourse.

* Constipation. Indigestion.

* Fatigue.

* Menstrual irregularities.

Causes & Risk Factors

For Ovarian Cysts

* Some cysts are due to normal changes in the ovaries.

* Some cysts result from cell growth. Most of these are benign, but need medical treatment. Examples are:

– Dermoid cysts. These are growths filled with many types of tissue. Examples are fatty material, hair, teeth, bits of bone, and cartilage.

– Polycystic ovaries. These are caused by a buildup of multiple small cysts from hormone problems. Irregular periods, body hair growth, and infertility can result.

{Note: Taking hormones does not cause ovarian cysts.}

Risk Factors for Ovarian Cysts

* Being between the ages of 20 and 35.

* Endometriosis. Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). The eating disorder bulimia.

* Obesity.

Risk Factors for Ovarian Cancer

* Not having children. Having children at an older age.

* Not ever taking birth control pills.

* Menopause after age 55.

* Family history of ovarian, colon, breast, prostate, or lung cancer.

* Personal history of breast, uterine, colon, or rectal cancer.

* Being Caucasian.

* Increasing age.

Treatment

Growths on ovaries are diagnosed with a pelvic exam and medical tests. Ways to detect growths include yearly pelvic and rectal exams and an ultrasound. No completely reliable test exists for ovarian cancer. A CA-125 blood test can detect the progression of ovarian cancer. It is not a reliable screening test.

For Ovarian Cysts

Treatment depends on the size and type of cyst(s); how severe symptoms are; the woman’s health status; and her desire to have children.

Some cysts resolve without any treatment in 1 to 2 months. For others, hormones in birth control pills may suppress the cyst. Sometimes, surgery may be needed to remove it. The ovary and fallopian tube may need to be removed, too.

For Ovarian Cancer

The sooner the cancer is found and treated, the better the chance for recovery. Treatment includes:

* Surgery. The ovaries, uterus, and fallopian tubes are removed. If the cancer has spread, the surgeon removes as much of the cancer as possible.

* Chemotherapy.

* Radiation therapy.

* Clinical trials.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

For Ovarian Cysts

* Limit caffeine.

* Have regular pelvic exams, as advised by your doctor.

* Take an over-the-counter medicine for pain as directed.

For Ovarian Cancer

* Medical care, not self-care, is needed. Follow your doctor’s advice.

* Ask your doctor for advice if you have a family history of ovarian cancer.

Resources

National Women’s Health Information Center

www.womenshealth.gov

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Fainting

Women’s Health

Fainting is a brief loss of consciousness. It can last from seconds to 30 minutes.

Signs & Symptoms

Just before fainting, a person may feel a sense of dread and feel dizzy. She may see spots and have nausea. Her face may turn pale, she could go into a cold sweat, and she could fall over.

If a person falls and can’t remember the fall itself, she has fainted.

Causes

Fainting is due to a sudden drop in blood flow or glucose supply to the brain. This causes a temporary drop in blood pressure and pulse rate. Medical reasons for this include:

* Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This is common in early pregnancy. It can also occur in diabetes, in persons on severe diets, etc.

* Anemia.

* Any condition that causes a rapid loss of blood. This can be from internal bleeding, such as with a peptic ulcer, a tubal pregnancy, or a ruptured cyst.

* Heart and circulatory problems, such as abnormal heart rhythm, heart attack, or stroke.

* Eating disorders.

* Toxic shock syndrome (TSS).

* Seizures.

Other Causes of Fainting

* Any procedure that stretches the cervix, such as having an IUD inserted.

* Extreme pain.

* A sudden change in body position, such as standing up too fast.

* Sudden emotional stress or fright.

* A side effect of some prescription drugs, such as some that lower blood pressure.

* Recreational drugs or excessive alcohol.

* Being in hot, humid weather or being in a stuffy room.

Know what to do when someone faints.

Dos

* Catch the person before she falls.

* Lie the person down with her head below the level of the heart. Raise the legs 8 to 12 inches to promote blood flow to the brain. If the person can’t lie down, have her sit down, bend forward, and put her head between her knees.

* Turn the person’s head to the side so the tongue doesn’t fall back into the throat and to prevent choking on vomit.

* Loosen any tight clothing, but keep the person warm, especially if the surroundings are chilly.

* Apply moist towels to the person’s face and neck.

Don’ts

* Don’t slap or shake anyone who’s just fainted.

* Don’t try to give the person anything to eat or drink, not even water, until she is fully conscious.

* Don’t allow the person who’s fainted to get up until the sense of physical weakness passes. Then be watchful for a few minutes to be sure she doesn’t faint again.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* When you feel faint, lie down and elevate both legs. Or, sit down, bend forward and put your head between your knees.

* Get up slowly from bed or from a sitting position.

* Follow your doctor’s advice to treat any condition which may lead to fainting. Take prescribed medicines, but tell your doctor about any side effects, so he or she can monitor your condition.

* Don’t wear tight clothing around your neck.

* Avoid turning your head suddenly.

* Stay out of stuffy rooms and hot, humid places. If you can’t, use a fan.

* If you have fainting spells often, avoid activities that can put lives in danger, such as driving a car.

* Drink a lot of fluids, but drink alcoholic ones in moderation, if at all. Eat small, frequent meals.

When Pregnant

* Get out of bed slowly.

* Keep crackers at your bedside and eat a few before getting out of bed.

* Eat small, frequent meals instead of a few large ones. With each meal, have a good source of protein, such as lean meat, low-fat cheese, milk, etc. Avoid sweets. Don’t skip meals or go for a long time without eating. Drink plenty of fluids.

* Don’t sit for long periods of time. Elevate your legs when you sit.

* When you stand, as in a line, move your legs to pump blood up to your heart.

* Take vitamin and mineral supplements, as your doctor prescribes.

* Don’t lay on your back during the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of your pregnancy. Lie on your left side. When you can’t, lie on your right side.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (Pid)

Women’s Health

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection that goes up through the uterus to the fallopian tubes. Both females and males carry the organisms that cause PID. These can be passed on to someone else. This occurs even when no symptoms are noticed.

Signs & Symptoms

When symptoms are present, they can vary from woman to woman. PID can be acute or chronic.

Symptoms of Acute PID

* Pain in the abdomen or back. The pain can be severe.

* Vaginal discharge with a foul odor.

* Pain during sex.

* The abdomen is tender and/or bloated.

* Menstrual cramps are very painful.

* High fever.

Symptoms of Chronic PID

* Pain in the abdomen or back is less severe. This often occurs halfway through the menstrual cycle or during a pelvic exam.

* Skin on the abdomen is sensitive.

* Vaginal discharge. Change in menstrual flow.

* Nausea.

* Low grade fever.

Causes

* Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as gonorrhea and chlamydia. The organisms that cause these STIs spread into the internal reproductive organs. Many times, PID is caused by more than one of these organisms.

* Having had PID in the past.

* Recently having vaginitis.

* Bacteria normally found in the intestines can get into the pelvic cavity. Times this can happen:

– After sex, especially having vaginal intercourse right after having anal intercourse.

– With high risk sexual practices that increase the risk of infection. Examples are having multiple sex partners or having sex with a person who has many partners.

– After an intrauterine device (IUD) is put in or adjusted. This is a low risk, though.

Diagnosis

The symptoms of PID are a lot like those of other conditions, such as endometriosis and urinary tract infections. This can make it hard to diagnose PID from symptoms alone. Most of the time your doctor can diagnose PID with an exam and simple laboratory tests. Rarely, your doctor may need to do a laparoscopy. This is a minor surgical procedure which allows your doctor to see all the structures inside your abdomen. An ultrasound may also be done.

Treatment

Antibiotics treat diagnosed PID. If the infection is severe, bed rest and antibiotics given through an IV may be needed. Treatment for an infected sex partner is also needed. This prevents getting the infection again.

When PID is not treated, the infection can spread to other parts of the body. If it spreads to the blood, it may threaten life.

Scarring from the infection can cause damage to a woman’s reproductive organs. It can cause infertility. Also, a woman who has had PID is at increased risk for:

* A tubal pregnancy.

* Premature labor and birth.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Wipe from front to back after a bowel movement to keep bacteria from getting into the vagina.

* When you menstruate, change tampons and/or pads often.

* Don’t have vaginal sex right after anal sex.

* Don’t have sex with anyone who has not been treated for a current case of PID or an STI or with anyone who has partners that haven’t been treated.

* Use barrier birth control methods with spermicides. These reduce the risk of getting PID from an infected partner. These include the male or female condom, cervical cap, or diaphragm. Use these even if you use other forms of birth control, such as the pill.

* Don’t use an IUD if you are at risk for STIs. If you use an IUD, have your doctor remove it if you become pregnant and then miscarry. If it is left in, your risk for PID goes up.

* Don’t smoke.

* Don’t use douches. These can spread bacteria further up the vagina.

* After childbirth, wait until you stop bleeding to have sex. After a D & C, abortion, or miscarriage, wait 1 week to have sex. Use a latex or polyurethane condom for 2 weeks after having an IUD put in.

* If you are at risk for PID, get tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea every 6 months.

Resources

National Women’s Health Information Center

www.womenshealth.gov

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Fatigue & Autoimmune Diseases

Women’s Health

Fatigue is being very tired, weary, and lacking energy. Often, it is a symptom of other health problems.

Signs & Symptoms

* Feeling drained of energy.

* Feeling exhausted.

* Having a very hard time doing normal activities.

* Having low motivation.

* Feeling inadequate.

* Having little desire for sex.

Causes

Causes that need medical care include anemia, depression, heart disease, and chronic fatigue syndrome (the fatigue lasts at least 6 months). Fatigue is also a common symptom of autoimmune diseases. These include diabetes, low thyroid, multiple sclerosis, and lupus (the systemic type).

Other physical causes include lack of leisure activities or lack of sleep; poor diet; side effects from allergies, chemical sensitivities or drug or alcohol addiction; being in hot, humid conditions; and prolonged effects of the flu or a bad cold.

Possible emotional causes are burnout, boredom, and a major life change (e.g., divorce, retirement, etc.).

Treatment

Treatment for fatigue depends on the cause(s). Keep track of any other symptoms that occur with the fatigue. This helps find out both physical and emotional causes.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

If fatigue is due to a medical condition, follow your doctor’s or health care provider’s guidelines for rest, diet, medication, etc.

* Get regular physical activity. Exercise can give you more energy, especially if you sit all day at work. Exercise can calm you, too.

* Cool off. Working or playing in hot weather can drag you down. Rest in a cool, dry place as often as you can. Drink plenty of water.

* Rest and relax. Get a good night’s sleep. Relax during the day if you can, too. Practice deep breathing or meditation.

* Eat well. Eating too much and “crash dieting” are both hard on your body. Don’t skip breakfast. Limit high-fat and/or rich, sugary foods. Eat whole-grain breads and cereals and fruits and vegetables every day. Have 5 to 6 light meals a day, instead of 3 large ones. Take vitamin and mineral supplements, as advised by your doctor.

* Change your routine. Do something interesting each day. If you do too much, plan for some quiet time.

* Lighten your work load. Assign tasks to others when you can. Ask for help when you need it.

* Do something for yourself. Plan time to do things that meet only your needs.

* Avoid too much caffeine and alcohol. Don’t use illegal drugs. These trigger fatigue.

Resources

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome & Fibromyalgia Information Exchange Forum (Co-Cure)

www.co-cure.org

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Plan For A Healthy Pregnancy

Women’s Health

To help a pregnancy get off to a good start, take these steps before you get pregnant:

* Get a medical checkup. Discuss your medical history and your family medical history with your doctor.

* Do you have a chronic medical problem, such as asthma, diabetes, or high blood pressure? If you do, ask your doctor if changes need to be made in your treatment plan.

* Find out what medicines you can take. Ask which ones you should not take. Tell or show your doctor all prescribed and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbal products, etc. that you take. Ask if you need to change any of these while you try to get pregnant.

* Take 400 to 800 micrograms (.4 to .8 milligrams) of folic acid every day. This B vitamin can help prevent serious birth defects of the brain and spine. Make sure you take folic acid for at least one month before you get pregnant. Women who have had a baby with a serious problem of the brain or spine should take the amount of folic acid their doctors advise.

* Discuss current and past birth control methods. Ask what method you should use until you decide to get pregnant.

* If you or your partner has a family history of sickle-cell disease, Tay-Sachs disease, etc., get genetic counseling. Do this, too, if you are older than age 35 or if your partner is age 60 or older.

* Do you smoke? Do you take street drugs? If so, now is the time to quit. Get help if you need it.

* Stop or limit alcohol use. This will make it easier to go without it when you are pregnant.

* Get vaccines, as advised by your doctor.

* Avoid exposure to X-rays.

* Caffeine is okay for women planning to get pregnant, but limit it to 400 milligrams a day. This is the amount in about two 8-ounce cups of coffee. Follow your doctor’s advice for caffeine during pregnancy.

* Get regular exercise.

* If you are overweight, lose weight before you get pregnant.

* Eat healthy foods. These include:

– Fruits and vegetables.

– Whole grain breads and cereals.

– Low-fat dairy foods and other calcium-rich foods.

Resources

March of Dimes

www.marchofdimes.com

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Fibroids

Women’s Health

Fibroids are benign (not cancerous) tumors made mostly of muscle tissue. They are found in the wall of the uterus and sometimes on the cervix. They can range in size from as small as a pea to more than 6 inches wide. With larger fibroids, a woman’s uterus can grow to the size of a pregnancy more than 20 weeks along. About 20% to 25% of women over the age of 35 get fibroids.

Signs & Symptoms

Some women with uterine fibroids do not have any symptoms. When symptoms occur, they vary due to the number, size, and locations of the fibroid(s). Symptoms include:

* Abdominal swelling, especially if they are large.

* Heavy menstrual bleeding, bleeding between periods or after intercourse, or bleeding after menopause.

* Backache, pain during sex, pain with periods, etc.

* Anemia from excessive bleeding.

* Pelvic pressure.

* Passing urine often from pressure on the bladder.

* Chronic constipation from pressure on the rectum.

* Infertility. The fallopian tubes may be blocked or the uterus may be distorted.

* Miscarriage. If the fibroid is inside the uterus, the placenta may not implant the way it should.

Diagnosis

Fibroids are diagnosed with a medical history and a pelvic exam. Your doctor can also do other tests, such as an ultrasound and hysteroscopy to confirm their presence, location, and size.

Causes & Risk Factors

Reasons a Woman is More Likely To Get Fibroids

* She has not been pregnant.

* She has a close relative who also had or has fibroids.

* She is African American. The risk is three to five times higher than it is for Caucasian women.

The exact cause is not known, but fibroids need estrogen to grow. They may shrink or go away after menopause.

Treatment

“Watchful waiting”

Your doctor will “watch” for any changes and may suggest “waiting” for menopause, since fibroids often shrink or disappear after that time. If you have problems during this “waiting” period, you may decide that you do not want to “wait” for menopause, but choose to have something done to treat your fibroids. Problems include: Too much pain; too much bleeding; an abdomen that gets too big; the need to take daily iron to prevent anemia; and other abdominal problems.

Medication

One type is called GnRH agonists. These block the production of estrogen by the ovaries. This shrinks fibroids in some cases, but is not a cure. The fibroids return when the medicine is stopped. Shrinking the fibroids might allow a minor surgery (with less blood loss) to be done instead of a major one. GnRH agonists are taken for a few months, but not more than six, because their side effects mimic menopause and may lead to osteoporosis. In some cases, GnRH agonists can be used longer with “Add Back Therapy.” This uses low dose estrogen to make side effects milder.

Surgery Methods Include:

* Myomectomy. The fibroids are removed. The uterus is not. This can be done using a laparoscope and a laser (laparoscopy). The fibroids could also be cut out using a resectoscope (hysteroscopy). Fibroids can be removed under direct vision during abdominal surgery (laparotomy). Myomectomy methods may allow fibroids to grow back. The more fibroids there are to begin with, the greater the chance they will grow back.

* Procedures to destroy the uterine lining. These do not remove fibroids or the uterus, but stop or lighten menstrual flow from then on. The uterine lining can be destroyed using a laser, heat, or ultra cold.

* Uterine artery embolization. A catheter is inserted in a large blood vessel in the groin and sent to the level of the uterine arteries. A substance is given that blocks blood flow to the uterine arteries that nourish the fibroids. This treatment shrinks the fibroids.

* Hysterectomy. This surgery removes the uterus and the fibroids with it. This method is advised when the fibroid is very large or when other treatments don’t stop severe bleeding. It is the only way to get rid of fibroids for sure. A women can no longer get pregnant after the surgery. This treatment is also advised if the fibroid is cancerous. This rarely occurs.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Take medications as advised.

* Maintain a healthy body weight. Follow a diet low in fat. The more body fat you have, the more estrogen your body is likely to have. This promotes fibroid growth.

* Do regular exercise. This may reduce your body’s fat and estrogen levels.

Resources

National Women’s Health Information Center

www.womenshealth.gov

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Premenstrual Syndrome (Pms)

Women’s Health

Four out of 10 menstruating women have premenstrual syndrome (PMS). A syndrome is a group of signs and symptoms that indicate a disorder.

Signs & Symptoms

As many as 150 symptoms are linked to PMS. The most common ones are:

* Abdominal bloating. Weight gain.

* Anxiety. Depression.

* Breast tenderness.

* Fatigue.

* Feelings of hostility and anger.

* Feeling cranky.

* Food cravings, especially for chocolate or sweet and/or salty foods.

* Headache.

* Mood swings.

* Tension.

For some women, symptoms are slight and may last only a few days before menstruation. For others, they can be severe and last the entire 2 weeks before every period. Also, other problems women have, such as depression, may be worse with PMS. This is known as “menstrual magnification.”

Causes

The exact cause or causes for PMS are not known. A female’s response to normal monthly changes in estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone appear to be involved. So do changes in the level of seratonin, a brain chemical. With PMS, symptoms must occur within 2 weeks before the menstrual period and go away shortly after the period begins. Symptoms are not present between days 4 and 12 of the menstrual cycle. True PMS usually stops with menopause.

Treatment

* Self-care measures.

* Regular exercise. This includes 20 minutes of aerobic exercise, such as walking or aerobic dance, at least 3 times a week.

* Medications. These include:

– A water pill called spironolactone.

– An anti-anxiety medicine.

– An antidepressant medicine, such as an SSRI (e.g., fluoxentine or sertraline). This is taken a week or 2 before the menstrual period.

– Birth control pills.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Get emotional support.

* Do aerobic exercises. Swim. Walk. Bicycle.

* Rest. Take naps if you need to.

* Learn to relax. Try deep breathing. Meditate. Do yoga. Take a warm bath. Get a massage.

* Eat carbohydrate-rich foods. Examples are whole grain breads and cereals, fruits, and vegetables.

* Have good sources of calcium, such as skim milk, nonfat yogurt, collard greens, and kale. Choose cereals and juices that have added calcium. Get good sources of magnesium, too. These include spinach; other green, leafy vegetables; and whole grain cereals.

* Try to avoid stress when you have PMS.

* Limit or avoid caffeine, alcohol, and cigarettes 2 weeks before your period is due.

* Limit salt, fat, and sugar.

* If you need to satisfy a food craving, do so with a small serving. For example, if you crave chocolate, have a small chocolate bar or add chocolate syrup to skim milk. If you crave salt, eat a small bag of pretzels.

* The vitamin and minerals listed below seem to help some females with PMS. Ask your doctor if you should take any of them and in what amounts.

– Calcium.

– Magnesium.

– Vitamin E.

Resources

National Women’s Health Information Center

www.womenshealth.gov

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Getting Help For Violence And Abuse

Women’s Health

Violence uses force, power, or threats to cause physical or emotional harm on purpose.

Abuse is one form of violence. It can be emotional, physical, financial, and/or sexual.

It may not be easy to admit that you are the victim of abuse. You may be confused about what to do or how to find a way out.

Time to Get Help When

It is time to get help if the person you love, live with, or work with does any of these things:

* Puts you down in public.

* Criticizes you for little things.

* Keeps you from seeing or talking to family, friends, or co-workers.

* Monitors what you are doing all of the time.

* Keeps accusing you of being unfaithful.

* Destroys things you own or care about.

* Gets angry when he or she drinks alcohol or uses drugs.

* Blames you for his or her angry outbursts.

* Threatens to hurt you, children, or animals. Beats, chokes, hits, kicks, pushes, shoves, or slaps you or them, or hurts you in any way.

* Says it is your fault if he or she hurts you, then promises that it will not happen again.

* Threatens to or uses weapons against you.

* Forces you to have sex against your will. {The Department of Veterans Affairs uses the term military sexual trauma (MST) for sexual assault or repeated, threatening sexual harassment that occurred while a Veteran was in the service.}

Causes

Violence and abuse are ways to gain and keep control over others. Persons who commit violence or abuse come from all ethnic groups and backgrounds. Often, they have these problems:

* Poor skills to communicate.

* Past family violence. They may have been abused in the past. They may have seen one parent beat the other.

* Alcohol or drug problems.

Regardless of the cause, no one deserves to be abused! Most often, persons who abuse others or commit violence, find it hard to change their behavior without expert help. If you are a victim of violence or abuse, get help and support.

Getting Help

* If you are assaulted or threatened or need emergency help, call 911!

* If you are not in immediate danger, have a plan for times you feel unsafe or in danger or when you decide to leave the abusive setting.

– Decide who you will call (e.g., police, neighbors, relatives, and a shelter). Make a list of these telephone numbers. Memorize the numbers, too.

– Decide where you will go. If you have children, plan how you will take them with you. Have a plan for where they should go if you can’t get away. Practice these safety plans with your children. Plan how you will take your pets, too, if you can.

* To help recover from sexual assault or trauma, contact your doctor or health care provider for proper counseling and treatment. {Note: Veterans can receive free treatment for military sexual trauma (MST) at all VA health care facilities.}

Be prepared to leave an abusive setting. Keep important items in a safe place (unknown to the person who is abusing you) until you are ready to leave or if you have to leave quickly. Get these items together ahead of time.

* Extra keys to your car, house, and safety deposit box.

* Cash. Credit cards and ATM card. Checkbook, bankbooks, and investment records or their account numbers.

* Jewelry or other small objects that you can sell in case you need money.

* Cell phone, a phone calling card, and phone numbers that you need.

* Personal papers for you and your children. These can be the original forms, copies of them, or information, such as numbers and dates written on paper. Items include:

– Birth certificates and social security numbers.

– Driver’s license, state ID, and passports.

– Car registration, title, and insurance information.

– Medical ID cards and medical records for you and your children.

– Marriage license, divorce papers, legal papers for custody, restraining orders, etc.

– House deed or lease agreement.

Resources

National Domestic Violence Hotline

800.799.SAFE (799.7233)

Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network (RAINN)

www.rainn.org

National Sexual Assault Hotline

800.656.HOPE (656.4673)

National Sexual Assault Online Hotline

https://ohl.rainn.org/online

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Toxic Shock Syndrome

Women’s Health

Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a form of blood poisoning. It rarely occurs, but it can be fatal.

Signs & Symptoms

Symptoms come on fast and are often severe.

* High sudden fever. Sore throat.

* Flat, red, sunburn-like rash on the trunk of the body that spreads. The skin on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet peels. Redness of the lips, eyes, and tongue may also occur.

* Muscle aches. Extreme fatigue and weakness.

* Abdominal pain. Diarrhea. Vomiting.

* Rapid pulse.

* Dizziness. Confusion. Fainting.

Causes

Toxic shock syndrome is caused when certain bacteria release toxins in the blood. It can result from wounds or an infection in the throat, lungs, skin, or bone. Most often, though, it affects women who use super absorbent tampons. These trap and allow bacteria to grow and spread. Though not common, TSS can also occur after surgery, including a C-section.

Treatment

Toxic shock syndrome requires emergency medical care.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Practice good hygiene.

* Keep wounds clean. See your doctor for signs of an infection (increased redness, swelling, and/or pain, pus, and/or fever).

* Don’t use tampons if you’ve had TSS in the past.

* Change tampons and sanitary pads every 4 to 6 hours or more often. When you can, use sanitary napkins instead of tampons. Alternate tampons with sanitary pads or mini-pads during a menstrual period. Lubricate the tampon applicator with a water-soluble (nongreasy) lubricant, like K-Y Jelly®, before insertion.

Resources

National Women’s Health Information Center

www.womenshealth.gov

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
When To See A Gynecologist

Women’s Health

If you experience any of these symptoms, see a gynecologist.

* Heavy, painful, irregular, or missed menstrual periods. Bleeding between menstrual periods.

* Lower abdominal pain or cramping.

* Vaginal irritation, discharge, or painful intercourse. Bleeding after intercourse.

* Lumps, thickening, or tenderness in the breasts.

Also see a gynecologist for a yearly checkup even if you have no symptoms. Have a checkup more often if you are at high risk for cervical cancer.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026