Women may experience a stray chin hair from time to time, but facial hair, such as mustaches and beards, is not normal and can indicate an underlying disease or condition. If you notice excess facial hair, it is important to see your doctor so...
Spironolactone is a medication used to treat edema (fluid buildup) and hyperaldosteronism (a condition characterized by an imbalance of salt and water in your body). This medication works to get rid of this excess water and sodium in the form of...
It is common for females who are first starting puberty or approaching menopause to have abnormal bleeding or spotting. In addition, women who have relatively normal cycles may experience an abnormal period from time to time, due to stress or...
According to "Nutrition and You" by Joan Salge Blake, iron is the most abundant mineral on Earth and in the human body. Approximately two-thirds of the iron in the body is found in hemoglobin, which is a protein that forms red blood cells. Women...
Cortisol, also known as "the stress hormone," is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, usually released in times of stress. Cortisol helps regulate many bodily functions and processes, including regulating blood pressure, cardiovascular...
The Alli weight loss pill, medically referred to as orlistat, is used as part of an overall health plan that is aimed at those who are trying to lose weight. The manufacturers of the Alli claim that the pill will help users to lose 50 percent more...
Late symptoms of ovarian cancer, also referred to as stage IV, are characterized by tumor activity that has spread to both ovaries or other organs and body systems. Novartis Oncology United States suggests that the majority of women who develop...
The adrenal glands are a pair of small organs that are located just above both kidneys. The adrenal gland is divided into two main parts: the adrenal medulla and the adrenal cortex. The adrenal cortex is responsible for producing hormones that are...
The thyroid is a butterfly shaped gland located at the lower front of the throat. This gland's function is to produce thyroid hormones, which are carried to most tissues in the body. Once in the tissues it increases cellular activity and regulates...
Fibroids are characterized by benign growths forming on the interior muscular walls and the exterior of the uterus. Fibroids not only affect the uterus, but sometimes the cervix as well. According to the National Uterine Fibroid Foundation,...
Tamoxifen is a prescription drug commonly used to treat certain types of cancer, particularly cancer of the breast. Both men and women may develop breast cancer, but the vast majority of cases diagnosed are in women. Exactly how tamoxifen works is...
Your body requires iron to make red blood cells because iron circulates in your cells and attracts oxygen. Maintaining a proper iron balance is important in your diet because an iron deficiency can be harmful to your health. Having excess iron in...
Androstenedione is a steroid hormone and a precursor to the hormones androgen and estradiol. It used to be a legal supplement taken by athletes seeking to increase muscle mass, though the American Cancer society reports that there's no evidence...
Acne is the most common skin condition known in the United States, and nearly everyone will get pimples at some point in their lives, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Hormone fluctuations can cause acne flares, which is why...
Most people consider acne a teenage issue, and with good reason: about 85 percent of teens suffer from it each year, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). But adults--especially adult women--also get acne in large numbers, states...
Acne is the most common skin condition in the United States, affecting up to 50 million people, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Hormones, among other factors, play a role in the development of acne. Certain herbs may help balance...
People with thyroid disease have a variety of symptoms with a variety of causes. The unique butterfly-shaped gland, located in the mid-lower region of the neck, produces thyroid hormones responsible for regulating growth and metabolism. Too much...
Unexplained or sudden weight gain can be an alarming occurrence for women -- and it does not always signify you have been eating too many high-fat foods. A hormonal imbalance can result in excess testosterone production and subsequent weight gain...
Hormones are chemicals in your body that affect body functions. Your hormones regulate everything from your metabolism to your growth. If your hormones are not properly balanced, you can experience a variety of symptoms, one of which is difficulty...
A nutrient deficiency occurs when your body does not contain adequate amounts of a specific vitamin or mineral to perform its physiological functions. Over time, a lack of a specific nutrient can lead to disruptions in body processes and the...
In American culture, being thin is generally considered desirable, but there is such a thing as being too skinny. The health risks associated with being too skinny are not highlighted nearly as much as the health risks of being overweight, but...
Levothyroxine is the generic form of Synthroid, a synthetic thyroid hormone. It is a replacement for a hormone that is naturally produced by your thyroid gland to regulate the body's energy and metabolism. Levothyroxine is used to treat...
Starting at puberty, women have menstrual periods roughly one week out of every month until menopause. For some women, menstrual bleeding can be extremely light. Other women have it so heavy that they have to take time off from work. Menstrual...
An IUD, or intrauterine device, is a T-shaped plastic birth control mechanism that is inserted into a woman's uterus and fallopian tubes. IUDs have a near 100 percent success rate in preventing pregnancy, according to The University of Maryland...
Abnormal menstrual cycles can occur at any point in a woman's reproductive years. These periods of abnormality can occur for any reason, from stress to influenza. However, some events that happen in a woman's life, such as childbirth, can cause...
Adolescent females and women experience vaginal bleeding because of hormonal changes, according to the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Each woman has her own pattern of cramping, premenstrual syndrome and vaginal bleeding....
The menstrual cycle is a completely natural and healthy event that occurs once a month in every woman's life from puberty until menopause. Though most women view the process as a menace, the National Women's Health Information Center states that...
Adrenal hyperplasia, which is more commonly referred to as congenital adrenal hyperplasia, is a genetic disorder that affects the normal function of the adrenal gland. Adrenal hyperplasia symptoms typically arise during early childhood, though...
If you are wondering whether exercise will decrease the length of your period, the short answer is yes. The long answer, however, depends on a number of factors. How regularly you work out, the type of exercise you get and the underlying cause of...