Pregnancy is a process, which causes many fluctuations in the hormones of the woman's body. Estrogen, human chorionic gonadotropin, hCG, and progesterone hormones all increase at various points in the pregnancy. A doctor should monitor hormone...
As soon as sperm meets egg, hormonal changes begin. Before you know you have conceived, your progesterone and estrogen hormones have begun an intricate and complex process that lays the foundation for a healthy pregnancy and birth. Your health...
An autoimmune disease occurs when your body's immune system begins to attack healthy cells in the body for an unknown reason. One kind of autoimmune disease is Graves' disease, which attacks the thyroid gland and causes it to produce too much...
An ectopic pregnancy occurs when an egg is fertilized somewhere other than the lining of the uterus. Approximately 95 percent of ectopic pregnancies occur in the fallopian tubes. Ectopic pregnancies have also been found in the abdomen, ovaries...
In addition to your growing belly, you can expect a lot of changes during pregnancy. From hormonal fluctuations that affect your moods to causing cravings, added hormones also can change the appearance of your hair. Hair typically grows thicker...
The first trimester is a scary time for most women. Studies reveal that 10 to 25 percent of all clinically recognized pregnancies will end in miscarriage, reports the American Pregnancy Association. There is no way to prevent a miscarriage this...
HCG levels measure the amount of human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, in the urine or blood of a pregnant woman. Women who are trying to conceive, particularly those who are using assisted reproductive techniques or seeing the care of a fertility...
HCG, which is short for human chorionic gonadotropin, and progesterone are two of the crucial pregnancy hormones that help a woman's body maintain a pregnancy. Because these hormones are so closely linked to pregnancy, physicians sometimes use...
Having oily hair can cause a variety of hair and skin problems. For example, oily hair can increase your chances of acne formation on the scalp, forehead and neck, as skin oil (sebum) is a major contributing factor for the formation of acne plugs...
Your digestive tract experiences some significant changes during pregnancy. Perhaps the most dramatic occur late in pregnancy when your developing baby compresses your stomach and intestine. Your first trimester, however, isn't without its own...
Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters, correlating roughly to three months in each trimester. At three months of pregnancy, hormone levels are high, and so many of the symptoms of pregnancy at this time are due to hormone changes, although...
When summer comes and the weather heats up, many women and men can feel like they have an oil slick across their face. Constant face blotting, acne and makeup that slides off right after it's put on can be frustrating results of oily skin. There's...
Depression can take many forms, and it is attributed by the Mayo Clinic and others to a blend of social, genetic and environmental triggers. However, the biological components of depression are a major factor influencing the severity, extent and...
During pregnancy, migraine sufferers may experience a change in frequency of headaches. There is no way to predict whether a person will have an increase or a decrease in migraines. Most symptoms of a migraine do not change for pregnant women. The...
You may notice you are passing an increasing amount of gas as your pregnancy progresses. It can be uncomfortable and embarrassing, but it is normal. There are steps you can take to minimize the gas. Always check with your physician prior to making...
During pregnancy, your hCG level is important, as this is the hormone that helps you maintain your uterine lining. HCG signals your body that you're pregnant; without it, you'll have a period, effectively ending your pregnancy. Unfortunately,...
Vitex agnus-castus goes by many names, such as agnus castus, chaste tree, vitex, and chasteberry. Native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean region and cultivated in China, this herb has appeared in literature since ancient times. Women can...
Whether you'd like to conceive or are trying to avoid pregnancy, it's common to scrutinize yourself for signs of early pregnancy--particularly if you've recently missed a period. Early pregnancy causes many changes in a woman's body and in the way...
You hair is officially thinning when you shed hair at a faster rate than you produce it. The older you get, the more likely you are to suffer from this condition. Alopecia affects both men and women. Men and women, however, tend to lose their hair...
Many physical and psychological changes accompany pregnancy. Weight gain, fatigue, morning sickness and hormonal fluctuations are all common symptoms of pregnancy. Changes in the texture, length and speed of growth of hair are experienced...
Acne breakouts occur to most people at some time in their lives, but most commonly appear during puberty, menstruation and pregnancy, when hormone levels are high. While there are many over-the-counter acne products touted to clear the skin, they...
A missed period does not necessarily mean pregnancy. In some cases, you are dealing with something else. Anything from a stressful time in your life to a severe illness can cause a missed period. The only way to know for sure is to see your doctor.
Some women may experience signs and symptoms of pregnancy prior to missing their menstrual period. Once the sperm and egg combine, the rapidly dividing cluster of cells (zygote) travels down the fallopian tube until it enters the uterus. Once...
You may have heard that prenatal vitamins can benefit you even if you're not pregnant--that, for instance, they'll improve your hair and nails, help you lose weight, or balance your hormones and treat hot flashes. Unfortunately, attractive as...
Pregnancy-induced diabetes is referred to as gestational diabetes. Approximately 3 to 8 percent of pregnant women will develop gestational diabetes, according to MedlinePlus. During mid-pregnancy, usually around 24 to 28 weeks, most pregnant women...
Your body goes through many physiological changes during pregnancy to adapt to the growing baby in your belly. These changes can be both physically and mentally stressful on the mother. Prenatal exercise offers benefits that can help reduce...
Whether you're trying to conceive or trying not to, it's not unusual to microanalyze your symptoms around the time of your expected period for signs that you might be pregnant. While diarrhea is indeed a potential early sign of pregnancy, it's not...
Morning sickness is one of the most common pregnancy-related complaints. You may have heard that ginger can help relieve your symptoms and might be wondering whether ginger capsules are a good way to treat your nausea. Though ginger is a...
HCG stands for human chorionic gonadotropin- it's a hormone that you don't normally produce, but if you're pregnant you have it in your bloodstream. HCG comes from tissue in a developing embryo, and it helps to inform your body that you're...
Nausea affects 50 to 80 percent of pregnant women, and morning sickness if often one of the first signs of pregnancy. Learn how to treat pregnancy nausea in this video for pregnant women.
How to use a home pregnancy test. Learn about obstetrics from a doctor in this video on understanding pregnancy.
Morning sickness is one of the first signs of pregnancy. It is caused by the sudden hormone changes. Learn how to combat or prevent morning sickness during pregnancy in this video for pregnant women.
