Female Orgasm
Overview Orgasm is the point at which all sexual tension is suddenly released in a series of involuntary and pleasurable muscular contractions that may be...
What Are the Main Functions of the Female Reproductive System?
When it comes to making babies, women do the heavy lifting. The parts of the female reproductive system work together in a symphony of function that starts with fertilization and culminates in the birth of a baby.
Birth Control Myths
Birth Control Myths: There are birth-control methods that are medically proven to be effective in preventing an unwanted pregnancy. There are also many other methods that some people think will work to avoid pregnancy, but don't. It's great that...
Herbs to Boost Fertility
The potential for you to get pregnant can weight heavily on your mind when you and your partner want a baby. Understanding how to boost your fertility may improve your chances of conceiving, whether you turn to pharmaceuticals and other...
Evening Primrose & Fertility
Alternative medicine practitioners utilize evening primrose oil, often shortened to EPO, as a fertility aid. The oil, obtained from the seeds of the wildflower, has been used medicinally by a number of cultures. The Internet abounds with anecdotal...
Birth Control Decisions
Do You Trust Your Birth Control? Everyone has heard horror stories about a condom breaking or a woman getting pregnant despite being on the Pill. While no method of contraception offers a 100 percent guarantee, being familiar with the reasons...
Family Planning & Contraception
Family planning involves making a decision about the number of children you and your partner want and devising a plan that will allow you to carry out your decision. Contraception, or birth control, is frequently used as a tool to allow pregnancy...
The Process of Conception
Conception occurs when a man's sperm fertilizes a woman's egg. Preparations for pregnancy actually begin in a woman's body about two weeks before conception occurs. After a woman's menstrual period ends, levels of the female hormone estrogen begin...
Conception Process
A woman's body must prepare for conception. It must nurture and release the egg that will become fertilized. The process by which a woman's ovaries release an egg is known as ovulation, and it marks the only time frame during the menstrual cycle...
Activities That Increase a Woman's Risk for Bacterial Vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis is a female medical condition caused by an overgrowth of the bacteria that normally occur within the vagina. Symptoms of bacterial vaginosis include abnormal vaginal discharge, irritation and a fish-like odor. Though the cause...
Differences Between Contraception & Natural Family Planning
Effective contraception is important if you are not planning to have a family or if your family is already complete. There are several different contraception options on the market that work to block ovulation or conception. Natural family...
Alternative Forms of Contraception
Contraception, also known as birth control, includes medications and devices used to prevent pregnancy. The National Institutes of Health recommends choosing a contraception method based on reliability, ease of use and effectiveness, and cost....
How Intrauterine Devices Prevent Pregnancy
There are only two types of intrauterine devices (IUDs), available for women, for use as contraception. Both devices are T-shaped and are inserted into a woman's uterus. While in place, the IUD keeps sperm from making its way to a woman's egg. If...
Male Condoms
Overview
Condoms are excellent for preventing the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, including
How Does a Girl Get Pregnant?
The first step toward getting pregnant is ovulation--the release of an egg. A woman must be ovulating in order to get pregnant. The other times of the month, she will not become pregnant because there is no egg present to be fertilized. Ovulation...
How Does Contraceptive Foam Work?
Contraceptive foam is an agent that is inserted into the vagina to prevent conception. There are different methods of application and the foam may be used with other forms of birth control, such as a diaphragm, or on its own. The foam may come in...
3 Ways to Use the Withdrawal Method for Birth Control
The withdrawal method of birth control involves removing the penis from the vagina just before ejaculation. This method isn't very effective in preventing pregnancy because males often forget to pull out before they orgasm or they can misjudge...
5 Things You Need to Know About Female Condoms
Instead of the male wearing a condom during sex, it's possible for the woman to use one to protect against STDs and conception. Female condoms are made from polyurethane and measure approximately 6- to 7-inches long. One end of the female condom...
What Are the Safest Contraceptives?
It may be difficult trying to decide which method of contraception is the right choice for you and your partner. Learning about the different types of contraception, associated risks and side effects, and efficacy is important. No method of...
How to Find Your Conception Date
According to the American Pregnancy Association, a baby's estimated conception date is between 11 to 21 days after the first day of the menstrual period in a woman who has regular periods. Calculating a conception date only provides a rough...
List of Birth Control for Boys
Many birth control options are available for couples wanting to prevent pregnancy, but most of these options are the sole responsibility of the woman. This can be frustrating for men that want to have more control over the family planning process....
How to Get Pregnant Without IVF
Ovulation (the release of a mature egg) only occurs once per cycle. If the egg is not fertilized within a few days of being released, conception will not occur. Although some couples decide to try IVF treatments (where the egg is fertilized...
How the Reproductive System Works
As puberty hits, the production of certain hormones increases. For women, this begins in the ovaries, located on either side of the uterus. During puberty, the ovaries begin to produce more estrogen. The estrogen kick-starts the menstrual cycle...
Ways Of Insemination
Insemination usually describes an artificial method of mixing sperm with an egg for fertilization. Insemination can be done in several ways, and is usually done with the assistance of a fertility center. Insemination is always done around the time...
Information About Birth Control
Birth control refers to the gamut of techniques used to prevent pregnancy while still having sexual intercourse. The range of products and procedures is likely to provide everyone an option that fits their lifestyle. Factors that may influence...
Signs of Sterility in Males
When a couple is unable to conceive after a year of unprotected sex, infertility is likely the problem. Men are as likely to be sterile as women are, according to the University of California, San Francisco Medical Center. Certain factors can...
How Is Artificial Insemination Performed?
Artificial insemination is a fertility treatment that involves placing sperm near the cervix, in the cervix or in the fallopian tubes. The process of artificial insemination begins with monitoring a woman's menstrual cycle through a combination of...
Traditional Methods of Family Planning
Several family planning methods pre-date the emergence of modern birth control. Before the advent of condoms and hormone-altering drugs, men and women utilized primitive methods for preventing conception. Although some of these techniques are...
Diet for Conceiving a Girl
If you're hoping to get pregnant with a baby girl, you may have to work a little harder to achieve your goal. More boys than girls are born each year in the United States, although the difference is slight: around 1.04: 1 in favor to boys. A...