A gynecological exam alone is not enough to detect cervical cancer or precancerous cells. The cervix, which is the lower, narrower end of the uterus, is where your doctor collects cells for a Pap smear. If detected early, cervical cancer is one of...
There are a number of different ways to perform a hysterectomy, including via cuts in the abdomen (abdominal hysterectomy) and a laparoscopic hysterectomy, which uses a small incision and a tiny tube and camera. A vaginal hysterectomy requires an...
Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is the most common type of sexually transmitted infection in the United States, according to the Baby Center website. Women are screened during an annual gynecological exam for abnormal cells on the cervix, which are...
Pap smears are commonly done during gynecological exams. This test involves the gynecologist using a swab to get a sample of some of the cells which are on the surface of the cervix. These cells can then be examined to see if they are abnormal....
There is only one way to contract neurosyphilis, and that's by letting a syphilis infection go untreated for as long as 15 to 20 years. In this day and age, syphilis can be easily treated through the use of common antibiotics, such as penicillin...
Doctors do not yet know exactly why some women have uterine fibroids and others do not. Consequently, there is no sure way to prevent uterine fibroids. You can, however, prevent your fibroids from progressing to the point where you experience...
ParaGard® is a brand of contraceptive intrauterine device, or IUD. It is shaped like a “T” and is composed of several lengths of copper wire that make the environment inside the uterus inhospitable to sperm, therefore blocking egg...
Sexual FAQs - VIII
Q. I want to go on the birth-control pill, but I'm nervous about going for a gynecological exam. Could you describe what it's like, please?
A. For information about your first gynecological exam, read GYN Exam. Here is the...
The Pap smear test, a way for doctors to check for signs of cervical cancer, is a routine part of most gynecological annual exams. Since the Pap smear test began to be implemented 50 years ago, it has greatly reduced the cases of cervical cancer...
Pap smears are generally done during a gynecological exam. Once the vagina has been spread using a device called a speculum, a small, sterile brush is used to gather cells from inside the cervical opening and a small spatula to obtain cells from...
Cervical dysplasia, also known as cervical intrapithelial neoplasia, describes the presence of precancerous cells on the surface of the cervix. The classification of the precancerous cells can be mild, moderate or severe. According to the Women's...
A Pap smear offers women the only way to detect early cervical cancer, which is the most preventable of the female malignancies and curable when caught early. You should have a Pap smear within three years of having sexual intercourse for the...
Pap smears are generally done as part of a routine gynecological exam. With this test some of the cells on the surface of the cervix are removed using a swab and later examined using a microscope. This test looks for abnormal cells which could...
According to Cover the Uninsured, a project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, nearly 20 percent of the uninsured in the United States are children. Children with health insurance have better health outcomes and are more likely to receive...
Vaccines are not without side effects, and that includes the cervical cancer vaccine, Gardasil. Cervical cancer has been linked to certain strains of the Human papilloma virus (HPV), and the Gardasil vaccine protects against HPV. Essentially, the...
Breast cancer is a tumor that develops from any of the cell types within the breast. There are several types of breast cancer that differ in their originating cell type, invasiveness and aggressiveness. Breast-cancer screening is a preventive...
The vulva is the skin and fatty type of tissue area in women located about an inch or so below the pubic hairline towards the anus. This particular type of cancer usually affects the skin folds around the vagina called the labia. This area is...
The human papillomavirus is a viral infection that can affect both men and women. This virus can lead to the formation of genital warts as well as a predisposition to develop certain kinds of cancer. At the forefront of these risks is cervical...
For a healthy lifestyle, eating nourishing food and exercising regularly should lead your top 10 list of things to do. But developing other good habits can go a long way in helping you feel good, stay healthy and remain safe.
Running is an exercise that benefits almost every system in your body -- it helps you lose or maintain body weight, strengthens your leg muscles and improves your cardiovascular fitness. Like any exercise worth the time, however, it entails lots...
Most women get a bone density test as part of a regular gynecological exam. They are expected to experience bone loss and osteoporosis. But men get it too. There are more than two million men diagnosed with the degenerative bone disease in the...
While the intrauterine device, or IUD, may have more upfront costs than other forms of birth control, the less than 1percent failure rate and five- to 10-year effectiveness makes it an appealing option for many women. The IUD is inserted into your...
A Pap smear test is used to screen women for cervical cancer; it looks at cells on the surface of the cervix. It is normally performed as part of a routine gynecological exam. The cervix is at the back of the vagina and connects the vagina and the...
As your daughter goes through her teens, your relationship with her doctor will change. She will become more responsible for her health, and her checkups become focused on the issues and health concerns affecting teenagers. Encourage your...
Exercise is not something you would normally associate with uterine cramps unless it is near the time you expect your period to start. However, cramps may be a sign of a medical condition. If so, exercise might be triggering the cramps or making...
The vulva is the skin and fatty type of tissue area located about an inch or so below the pubic hairline to the anus. This cancer usually affects the skin folds around the vagina called the labia. This area is mostly epithelial skin, which makes...
Contracting anal cancer is rare, but increasing. Anal cancer forms in or on the tissue of the anus, located at the end of the rectum. The combination of cells that comprise the anus result in several forms of cancer, the most common, squamous...
A Pap smear is a screening method used to identify cervical cancer in women. It is typically done every year during a woman's annual gynecological exam, but can be done more frequently in women who have previously had abnormal results. Having a...