If you’ve ever dealt with bacterial vaginosis (BV), you know how uncomfortable it can be. That weird foul-smelling discharge, the not-so-fresh feeling, and the way it keeps coming back, no matter how many times you’ve taken the prescribed antibiotics — it’s enough to make you want to scream. BV is incredibly common, affecting one-third of reproductive aged women, and for many, it feels like a never-ending cycle. But what if we’ve been missing a crucial piece of the puzzle? A recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine suggests that the secret to stopping BV...

STIs — sexually transmitted infections — come with a lot of misconceptions. One of the biggest? That you can only get one through penetrative sex. The truth is, while sex is the most common way these infections spread, it’s not the only way. So, if you’re wondering, can you get an STI without having sex? It's a valid question, especially if you're not sexually active or in a committed relationship. The truth is, while sex is the primary way STIs spread, it's not the only way. So, let's dive into this topic and clear up some...

One of the many things nobody told me about the postpartum period was how I would need a ton of those super-thick, hospital-grade maxi pads after bringing home my baby daughter. (I should’ve grabbed as many as my arms could carry more before being discharged!) Turns out I was clueless about something called “lochia” — which I simply referred to at the time as my six-week-long abnormal period. This was a three-stage bleeding cycle that required way more than my usual moderate-flow maxi pads. While I certainly wasn’t familiar with lochia, it turns out this kind of...

Kristen Dalhgren was living her dream as an NBC correspondent when she felt a dent in her breast ahead of her 47th birthday.  “A few years earlier I [had done] a story about how 1 in 6 women don’t have a lump when they get breast cancer and I knew this was something I needed to get checked out,” Dahlgren tells Rescripted. “The day after finding the dent I went on an assignment for NBC to cover a hurricane. I called an imaging center and asked if there were mammogram cancellations from people evacuating. I went...

Imagine enduring years of unexplained pain, uncertainty, and frustration while searching for answers about your health. This is the reality for many women living with endometriosis, a condition affecting millions worldwide but often taking years to diagnose.  Traditionally, confirming endometriosis has required laparoscopic surgery — an invasive and daunting prospect. But what if getting answers didn’t have to mean going under the knife? Thanks to advancements in medical science, new non-surgical methods are offering hope and transforming the diagnostic journey for endometriosis. But first, what is endometriosis? Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar (but not identical) to...

Living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) can feel like riding a hormonal rollercoaster. From unpredictable periods to stubborn weight gain, PCOS throws a lot of curveballs. Many women find themselves navigating a maze of treatment options, with medications like metformin and Ozempic often coming up in conversations with healthcare providers. Let's dive into the world of PCOS treatments and explore these two contenders, helping you make sense of the options available. (Not sure if you have PCOS or waiting on a diagnosis? Good news: there’s an at-home testing kit that can provide insight into hormone levels...

Women are having heart attacks as young as in their thirties, according to research. And the leading cause of younger women having heart attacks, especially related to pregnancy and postpartum, is a condition called spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD).  Taelur Littlejohn was just 27 when she gave birth to her third son and experienced a heart attack. All three of her pregnancies were relatively normal, but toward the end of the third pregnancy, she noticed significant heartburn, fatigue, and swelling in her legs and feet. Right before she delivered, she had some flu-like symptoms and was...

Pregnancy can be an equally joyful and stressful time: There’s the excitement of welcoming a cuddly new baby into your life, and, of course, the relentless planning that comes with it. The last thing anyone needs during this period is one more thing to worry about, but sometimes, extra stress is unavoidable. Like, say, finding out during your latest prenatal care visit that you have high blood pressure. High blood pressure, or hypertension, occurs when the heart has to work harder to pump blood because the force of the blood pushing against the artery walls is...

Perimenopause can be a wild ride. Along with the hot flashes and mood swings, you might notice another unwelcome change — thinning hair or increased shedding. As hormones fluctuate, your hair may start to lose volume, making this transition even more frustrating.  But here’s the good news: You don’t have to just sit back and accept it. Understanding what’s causing these changes and knowing how to manage them can make all the difference.  Programs like Hers offer access to treatments such as topical minoxidil, biotin supplements, and thickening shampoos to help support regrowth. With online consultations,...

Let's talk about something that many women experience but few feel comfortable discussing: yeast infections. These pesky intruders can wreak havoc on our most intimate areas, causing discomfort, itching, and sometimes even more alarming symptoms like bleeding. If you've ever wondered, "Can a yeast infection cause bleeding?" you're not alone. This question pops up frequently in women's health discussions, and it's time to shed some light on this topic. Yeast infections are incredibly common, with most women experiencing at least one in their lifetime. They occur when there's an overgrowth of Candida, a type of fungus...