The vagina is the opening that connects the uterus to outside the body. It expands for sexual intercourse and the birthing process. Medical conditions such as bacterial infections, yeast infections and atrophy due to menopause or chemical...
The Mirena intrauterine device (IUD) is used to prevent pregnancy. It is inserted into the uterus by a health care provider. The device is T-shaped and made of plastic. It contains levonorgestrel, a synthetic female hormone that helps in...
Spotting occurs when a minimal amount of blood is passed out of the vagina, according to the Mayo Clinic. A woman may notice a few drops of pink, red or brown blood on her underwear or toilet paper immediately after urination or a bowel movement....
During your pregnancy, you may have limited the amount of time exercising. After childbirth, it's time to regain strength in your buttocks and pelvic floor muscles. Before you exercise to rebuild strength and endurance, you'll need to consult your...
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...
A female condom is worn inside of a woman's vagina. It can also be worn by either men or women inside the anus for protection during anal sex. Female condoms are made out of either latex or polyurethane and nitrile. The purpose of the female...
A sexually transmitted disease, trichomoniasis commonly occurs in women ages 16 to 35, according to MedlinePlus. Caused by the bacterium Trichomonas vaginalis, trichomoniasis can survive in the penis or vagina, but not in the rectum or mouth. In...
A vaginal yeast infection occurs when there is an irritation to the vagina and vulva (opening to the vagina). It is caused by the fungus Candida albican, which is normally found in small amounts in the vagina. However, if too much of this bacteria...
The G spot, or Grafenberg spot, was discovered in the 1950s by Ernest Grafenberg, a German-born medical doctor. It is the spongy tissue of the paraurethral gland found on the inside wall of the vagina. For women who have discovered their G spot,...
Sexual Questions Part 1 1. Why do Depo-Provera shots stop periods? If you've gotten your injections on time, the absence of
The vulva is the external portion of the vagina, including the labia, mons pubis, clitoris and the vaginal opening. Vulvodynia means painful vulva. Women with this condition experience pain in the genital area. Two types of the condition have...
Vaginal lubrication is naturally produced. The cells in the vagina produce healthy bacteria that keep the vaginal area moist. Some degree of vaginal lubrication is normally present even without sexual arousal. Engorgement of blood vessels from...
The vulva comprises the area around the opening of the vagina, including the opening itself, the clitoris, the vaginal lips or labia, and mons pubis, the pad of fatty tissue over the pubic bone. Vestibulitis means irritation or inflammation of the...
Vulvodynia is a condition peculiar to women, characterized by chronic pain and/or burning of the tissue located near and around the opening to the vagina. The Mayo Clinic defines the vulva as "the pad of fatty tissue at the base of your abdomen...
A hysterectomy is a type of surgery in which the uterus is removed. Depending on the reason for the hysterectomy, the surgeon may also remove the Fallopian tubes and/or the ovaries as well. There are a few different types of hysterectomy. Each one...
The external portion of the female genitals, called the vulva, includes the opening to the vagina and urethra, the inner and outer labia, and the clitoris. Some women may experience pain in the vulvar region, also called vulvodynia. The pain...
Overview A common misconception about the hymen is that it is inside the vagina. It is actually a mucous membrane that is part of the vulva, the external...
Males and females each have separate organs that, when combined, create a pregnancy. The reproductive system is complex and differs greatly between the sexes. Females have reproductive organs contained on the inside of the pelvis. Most of the male...
Bartholin's Gland Cyst What is the Bartholin's gland? Most women don't even know they have a Bartholin's gland, although most had learned about these in school. It is a tiny gland inside each of the labia near the opening of the vagina, one...
HIV is a disease that weakens the immune system. If it is not treated, it can develop into AIDS. HIV is transmitted through blood, semen, vaginal fluids and breast milk. HIV can enter the body through your veins, your mouth, the lining of your...
Cephalexin is in a group of drugs called cephalosporin antibiotics and is used to fight bacteria, according to Drugs.com. It works by interfering with the bacteria's cell wall formation thus weakening the wall, causing it to rupture, and killing...
Toxic shock syndrome is a potentially deadly complication of two common bacterial infections. Though most often associated with tampon use, only a little more than 1/2 of cases are related to tampon use, according to MedlinePlus. Anyone can...
Kegel exercises, or Kegels, are a great way to strengthen your pelvic muscles, which control the opening of the vagina. Women use Kegels to prevent incontinence, aid in pregnancy and childbirth and increase sexual pleasure. Once you've identified...
The cervix is the lower portion of the uterus. It protrudes into the upper end of the vagina and its opening connects the uterus to the vagina. The cervix is lined with a mucous membrane, but, unlike the vagina's membrane, the cervical mucous...
According to the McKinley Health Center of the University of Illinois, a healthy vagina emits normal secretions that regulate and keep it clean. These discharges can range from clear to yellowish or cloudy white. McKinley Health Center also states...
Squatting exercises can help build muscle and play a part in staying healthy, but they also can be therapeutic for someone with bladder prolapse. If you have this condition, you need to know proper precautions to take in order to control symptoms...
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...
A spontaneous abortion, also known as a miscarriage, is the term used when a pregnancy ends on its own within the first 20 weeks. Approximately 10 to 25 percent of pregnancies end in miscarriage, according to the American Pregnancy Association....
People expect sexual intercourse to be pleasurable and enjoyable. The last thing they correlate with sex is pain. Painful intercourse, a condition known as dyspareunia, typically affects women, although men may experience it, too. Patients may...