HealthyLife Articles

Category: Women’s Health

Uterine Cancer

Women’s Health

The uterus (womb) is a hollow, pear- shaped organ in a female’s lower abdomen between the bladder and the rectum. Cancer of the uterus most often affects the endometrium, the lining of the uterus, so is also called endometrial cancer. It is the most common reproductive cancer in women. Most women diagnosed with uterine cancer are between the ages of 50 and 70. When found and treated early, though, more than 90% of cases can be cured.

Signs & Symptoms

* Abnormal bleeding, spotting, or discharge from the vagina is the most common symptom.

* Any vaginal bleeding or spotting after menopause. The bleeding can begin as a watery, blood-streaked discharge. Later it can contain more blood.

{Note: Some cases of uterine cancer can be detected by a Pap test, but this is used to detect cervical cancer. Even if you have had a recent normal Pap test, see your doctor if you have post menopausal vaginal bleeding.}

Cancer of the uterus does not often occur before menopause. It can occur around the time menopause begins, though.

When bleeding stops and starts up again, let your doctor know. If you are on hormone therapy, you may have regular cyclic bleeding.

Causes, Risk Factors & Care

The risk for uterine cancer is greater if you have had increased exposure to estrogen from one or more of the following:

* Late menopause or early menstruation

* Irregular periods or ovulation

* Polycystic ovarian disease. The ovaries become enlarged and contain many cysts due to hormone imbalances.

* Obesity. Women who are obese make more estrogen.

* Estrogen therapy. {Note: Estrogen therapy increases the risk for uterine cancer. Giving progestin with estrogen can dramatically reduce the risk.}

Other risk factors include:

* A history of infertility

* A history of endometrial hyperplasia. This is abnormal thickening of the endometrium.

* A history of breast, colon, or ovarian cancer

* Diabetes

Treatment includes one or more of the following:

* Surgery. Most women have a total hysterectomy. This removes the uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, and ovaries.

* Radiation therapy

* Chemotherapy

* Hormonal therapy

* Clinical trials

Self-Care

Medical care, not self-care, is needed for uterine cancer.

When to Seek Medical Care

Contact Doctor When

* You have any “Signs & Symptoms” of uterine cancer.

* You need to schedule your yearly pelvic exam.

Resources

National Cancer Institute

1-800-4-CANCER (422-6237)

www.cancer.gov

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Plan For A Healthier, Happier Menopause

Women’s Health

Some women dread menopause, associating the change of life with hot flashes, painful intercourse, mood swings, and the specter of old age. As with menstruation and childbearing, menopause is a rite of passage that has some discomforts. But you can help to prevent or alleviate many of them.

* To maintain a positive outlook, share your feelings with friends, stay active, and take an interest in others in your community.

* To lessen mood swings, cut down on caffeine, alcohol, and sweets.

* To help maintain hormonal balance, do regular exercise. Lose weight if you are overweight.

Kegel exercises (named for the individual who invented them) can help to keep your pelvic and vaginal muscles toned, preventing a prolapsed uterus or poor bladder control, both of which sometimes accompany menopause. To feel these muscles at work, stop and start your urine flow in midstream the next time you use the toilet. Then practice the two exercises that follow.

* Squeeze the pelvic/vaginal muscles for 3 seconds, then relax them for 3 seconds. Do this ten times, three times a day.

* Squeeze and relax the same muscles as quickly as possible. Repeat ten times, three times a day.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Urinary Problems

Women’s Health

Common urinary problems in women are urinary incontinence, overactive bladder (OAB), and urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Signs & Symptoms

Urinary incontinence means you lose bladder control or can’t store urine like you should. Although there are many types, the most common ones in women are stress incontinence and urge incontinence.

For Stress Incontinence

Urine leaks out with a sudden rise in pressure in the abdomen. This can occur when you cough, sneeze, lift, jump, run, or strain to pass stool.

For Urge Incontinence

Urine is released before you can get to the toilet due to a sudden and intense urge to urinate.

For Overactive Bladder

You urinate often (8 or more times during the day and at least 2 times during the night) and you have a sudden and urgent need to urinate.

For Urinary Tract Infections

Bladder Infection Symptoms

* You urinate more often than usual. It burns or stings when you urinate.

* Your urine is bloody or cloudy.

* You have pain in the abdomen or over your bladder.

* Confusion or other change in mental status, especially if you are over age 70.

Kidney Infection Symptoms

* Fever and shaking chills. Nausea and vomiting

* Pain in one or both sides of your mid back.

Sometimes, there are no symptoms with a UTI.

Causes & Risk Factors

For Urinary Incontinence

Problems occur with bladder muscles and nerves that help you hold or release urine and structures that support the bladder. This can be due to many factors:

* Physical changes due to aging or injury.

* Pregnancy and childbirth.

* Menopause.

* Multiple sclerosis.

* Spinal cord injury.

For Overactive Bladder

Abnormal nerves send signals to the bladder at the wrong time. This causes spasms in the bladder muscles to squeeze without warning.

For Urinary Tract Infections

Bacteria infect any part of the urinary tract – the kidneys, bladder, and ureters (tubes that connect the kidneys to the bladder).

Treatment

For Incontinence:

* Bladder training, pelvic floor muscle training, or Kegel exercises.

* Medications.

* Medical treatment, such as an electric or magnetic stimulation device.

* Surgical procedures.

For Overactive Bladder

Medications that help relax muscles of the bladder and prevent bladder spasms.

For Urinary Tract Infections

An antibiotic is prescribed to treat the specific infection. Pain relievers are taken as needed.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

For Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

* Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. Drink juice made from unsweetened cranberry juice concentrate. Take cranberry tablets.

* For pain, take acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen sodium, or Uristat®, an over-the-counter medicine for bladder infection pain.

* Wear cotton underwear and loose-fitting slacks.

* Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and spicy foods.

For Urinary Incontinence

* Avoid caffeine. Limit or avoid fluids 2 to 3 hours before bedtime.

* Limit carbonated drinks, alcohol, citrus juices, greasy and spicy foods, and artificial sweeteners.

* Empty your bladder before you leave the house, take a nap, or go to bed.

* Try to urinate often, even if you don’t feel the urge. When you urinate, empty your bladder as much as you can. Relax for a minute and try to go again.

* Keep a diary of when you leak urine. If you do this every 3 hours, empty your bladder every 2 hours. Use an alarm clock or wristwatch with an alarm to remind you.

* Wear absorbent pads or briefs, as needed.

* Ask your doctor if your type of incontinence could be managed by using self-catheters. These help to empty your bladder all the way. A doctor needs to prescribe self-catheters.

Kegel Exercises

Kegel exercises are pelvic floor exercises. These help treat or cure stress incontinence. Follow these steps:

1. Start to urinate, then hold back and try to stop. If you can slow the stream of urine, even a little, you are using the right muscles. You should feel muscles squeezing around the anus and the urethra (the tube through which urine is passed).

2. Relax your body. Close your eyes. Imagine that you are going to pass urine and then hold back from doing so. You should feel the muscles squeeze like you did in step 1.

3. Squeeze the muscles for 3 seconds. Then relax them for 3 seconds. When you squeeze and relax, count slowly. Start out doing this 3 times a day. Gradually work up to 3 sets of 10 contractions. Hold each one for 10 seconds at a time. You can do Kegel exercises when you lie down, sit, and/or stand.

4. When you do these exercises do not: Tense the muscles in your belly or buttocks; hold your breath; clench your fists or teeth; or make a face.

5. Squeeze your pelvic floor muscles right before and during whatever it is (jumping, etc.) that causes you to leak urine. Relax the muscles once the activity is over.

6. You can also use pelvic weights prescribed by your doctor. You insert a weighted cone into the vagina and squeeze the correct muscles to keep it from falling out.

Do pelvic floor muscles daily. It may take several months to benefit from them. Get help to do them from:www.medicinenet.com/kegel_exercises_for_women/article.htm.

FYI: Interstitial Cystitis (IC)

Note: Symptoms of a condition called Interstitial Cystitis (IC) mimic those of an acute UTI. Intense pain and pressure in the lower abdomen come with the need to urinate. (This can be more than 50 times a day.) Nine out of 10 persons who have IC are women. Antibiotics do not give relief, because bacteria is not present with IC. This condition needs medical diagnosis and treatment.

Resources

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)

www2.niddk.nih.gov

National Association for Continence (NAFC)

800.BLADDER (252.3337)

www.nafc.org

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Headaches 3

Women’s Health

Headaches are a common health complaint in women.

Signs, Symptoms & Causes

For Tension or Muscular Headaches

* A dull ache in your forehead, above your ears, or at the back of your head.

* Pain in your neck or shoulders.

Common causes are tense or tight muscles in the face, neck, or scalp, concentrating hard for long periods of time, stress, and lack of sleep.

For Sinus Headaches

* Pain in your forehead, cheekbones, and nose. The pain is worse in the morning.

* Increased pain when you bend over or touch your face.

* Stuffy nose.

A sinus headache occurs when fluids in the nose aren’t able to drain well and a buildup of pressure occurs in the sinuses. A cold, allergies, dirty or polluted water, and airplane travel can cause a sinus headache.

For Migraine Headaches

* One side of your head hurts more than the other.

* You feel sick to your stomach or vomit.

* Light hurts your eyes. Noise bothers you. The headache is worse with activity.

* After the headache, some people have a drained feeling with tired, aching muscles; others feel great.

Migraines can occur with or without an aura. With an aura, spots or flashing lights or numbness occur 10 to 30 minutes before the headache. Ten percent of all migraines are this type; 90% occur without an aura.

Migraine headaches happen when blood vessels in your head open too wide or close too tight. They tend to run in families and affect nearly 30% of women at some time during their lives. They occur more often in women than in men.

Migraines occur less often during pregnancy (especially the second half) and often disappear during menopause. Some women, though, may get migraines for the first time during menopause.

Certain things trigger migraine headaches:

* Changing hormone levels. Menstruation.

* Use of birth control pills or the patch.

* Change in sleeping patterns.

* Stress.

* Aged cheeses. Cured meats. Red wines.

Other Causes of Headaches

* Analgesic rebound from regular or repeated use of over-the-counter or prescribed pain relievers.

* Eating or drinking something very cold, such as ice cream. {Note: To prevent ice cream headaches, warm the ice cream for a few seconds in the front of your mouth.}

* Caffeine withdrawal.

* Low blood sugar, hunger, or sensitivity to certain foods and drinks.

* A symptom of a health problem. Examples are allergies, depression, high blood pressure, dental problems, and a pinched nerve in the neck.

* Cigarette smoke, pollution, etc.

* Uncorrected vision problems.

Treatment

Self-care can treat headaches caused by tension, fatigue, and/or stress. Certain over-the-counter medicines and prescribed medicines can treat sinus headaches and migraine headaches.

Biofeedback has helped many people who have suffered from headaches.

Headaches that are symptoms of health problems are relieved when the condition is treated with success.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Don’t smoke. If you smoke, quit!

* Try to stop the headache when it starts.

* Take an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine for pain as directed on the label.

* Rest in a quiet, dark room with your eyes closed.

* Massage the back of your neck with your thumbs. Work from the ears toward the center of the back of your head. Also, rub gently along the sides of your eyes. Gently rub your shoulders, neck, and jaw. Get a massage.

* Place a cold or warm washcloth or hot or cold pack, whichever feels better, over the area that aches.

* Take a warm bath or shower.

* Relax. Picture a calm scene in your head. Meditate or breathe deeply.

* Keep a diary of when, where, and why headaches occur.

* Get enough rest.

* Eat 5 to 6 small meals instead of 3 large meals. To ward off low blood sugar, don’t skip meals. Avoid sweets.

* Keep regular sleeping times as much as you can.

* When lying down, use a pillow that supports the neck. Sleep on your back.

* Avoid scents, foods, and beverages that trigger headaches.

* To help prevent headaches and nausea caused by a hangover, try an OTC product, such as Chaser-Freedom From Hangovers.

* For a hangover: After drinking alcohol, take an OTC pain reliever. Eat solid foods. Rest or sleep. Have 2 or more glasses of water before you go to sleep. Drink 2 or more glasses of water when you wake up.

Foods and Drinks that May Cause Headaches

* Alcoholic beverage, especially red wine

* Aspartame (the artificial sweetener in NutraSweet®)

* Bananas (if more than 1/2 banana a day)

* Caffeine from coffee, tea, cola soft drinks, chocolate, or some medications

* Lack of caffeine if abruptly stopped, such as stopping coffee intake

* Citrus fruits (if more than 1/2 cup a day)

* Cured meats, such as frankfurters

* Food additives, such as monosodium glutamate (MSG)

* Hard cheeses, such as aged cheddar or provolone

* Nuts and peanut butter

* Onions

* Sour cream

* Soy sauce

* Vinegar

Resources

National Headache Foundation

888.NHF.5552 (643.5552)

www.headaches.org

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026
Vaginal Infections

Women’s Health

Vaginal infections are the most common reason American females see their doctors. Vaginal infections result in vaginitis (swelling of the vagina).

Signs, Symptoms & Causes

For Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

Nearly half of females with clinical signs of BV report no symptoms. When present, symptoms include:

* A thin, gray, or milky white vaginal discharge. This has a fishy odor, which is more noted after intercourse.

* Mild vaginal irritation or burning.

Bacterial vaginosis results when certain bacteria outnumber normal and protective bacteria in the vagina. The exact cause is not known.

Risk factors for BV include douching, using an IUD, and a change or an increase in sexual partners.

For Vaginal Yeast Infections

Vaginal yeast infections are also called Monilia, Candida, and fungal infections. Signs and symptoms range from mild to severe. They include:

* Thick, white vaginal discharge that looks like cottage cheese and may smell like yeast.

* Itching, irritation, and redness around the vagina.

* Burning and/or pain when urinating or with sex.

Vaginal yeast infections result from the overgrowth of the fungus Candida. This is normally present in harmless amounts in the vagina, digestive tract, and mouth.

Risk Factors for Vaginal Yeast Infections

* Hormonal changes that come with pregnancy or monthly periods. Taking hormones or birth control pills.

* Antibiotic use, especially “broad spectrum” ones. Corticosteroid medicine use.

* High blood sugar. This can occur when diabetes is not controlled.

* Sex that irritates the vagina a lot.

* Using douches. Using feminine hygiene sprays.

* Using hot tubs and jacuzzis a lot.

Chronic vaginal yeast infections can be one of the first signs of diabetes, STIs, and HIV.

Diagnosis

Different vaginal infections have the same symptoms. This makes it hard to tell one from another. A doctor may need to diagnose the cause. A sample of vaginal fluid is taken and tested. Often, this takes less than 3 minutes.

Treatment

For Bacterial Vaginosis

Prescribed antibiotic creams, gels, or pills are needed. Male sex partner(s) may also need treatment. Feminine hygiene sprays that mask vaginal odor should not be used. Nor should OTC medications, such as ones for vaginal yeast infections. These do not treat BV.

For Vaginal Yeast Infections

Prescribed and OTC vaginal creams or suppositories get rid of the Candida overgrowth. Oral medicines, such as Diflucan®, may be prescribed.

Questions to Ask

Self-Care / Prevention

* Take medications, as prescribed.

* For a repeat vaginal yeast infection, use an over-the-counter (OTC) antifungal vaginal medication, such as Monistat. Use it as directed. {Note: Stop using any OTC product for a vaginal yeast infection at least 24 hours before a vaginal exam.}

* Ask your pharmacist about an OTC cream for itching and burning to help with symptoms during treatment.

* Bathe or shower often. Clean the inside folds of the vulva. Dry the vaginal area well.

* Wipe from front to back after using the toilet.

* If your vagina is dry, use a water soluble lubricant, such as K-Y Liquid®, when you have sex.

* Wear all-cotton underwear. Don’t wear garments that are tight in the crotch. Change underwear and workout clothes as soon as possible after you sweat.

* Don’t use bath oils, bubble baths, feminine hygiene sprays, or perfumed or deodorant soaps.

* Don’t sit around in a wet bathing suit. Shower after you swim in a pool to remove the chlorine from your skin. Dry the vaginal area well.

* Eat well. Limit sugar and foods with sugar. Eat foods, such as yogurt, that contain live cultures of “lactobacillus acidophilus.” If you can’t tolerate yogurt, take an OTC product that has this.

* Let your doctor know if you are prone to getting yeast infections whenever you take an antibiotic. You may be told to also use a vaginal antifungal product.

* If you still menstruate, use unscented tampons or sanitary pads and change them often.

© American Institute for Preventive Medicine

January 23, 2026