The vagina, also called the birth canal, is a three- to four-inch tube that goes from the cervix to the vulva, the external female genitals. It is lined with layers of cells, and when cancer forms in these layers, it is called vaginal cancer. It...
Estrodiol gel, brand name EstroGel, is a 1.25 gram prescription of topical estrogen. It is low dose and given to reduce the frequency and severity of menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes and night sweats. It is approved for use in the United...
Acne is a skin condition that can affect anyone of any age, but it is more common in teenagers and pregnant, menstruating or menopausal women. Acne is caused by an overproduction of sebum, or oil on the skin, which can clog hair follicles with the...
The Pap test has been in use since the 1950s and is a highly successful screening exam for the prevention of cancer. A Pap test's primary purpose is the detection of premalignant cell changes involving the uterine cervix. According to the Agency...
Spotty bleeding after menopause may indicate a serious health problem. It is critical to seek immediate medical care for this problem. The American College of Gynecologists states: "Spotting after menopause is often a symptom of endometrial or...
Cervical cancer affects the opening to the uterus. This reproductive cancer affects nearly 10,000 women each year and more than 3,000 of those women die from the disease annually. This makes recognizing cervical cancer symptoms as early as...
Women should have a Pap smear test done at least once per year. A doctor, physician assistant, nurse midwife or nurse practitioner administers the exam. Women are asked to remove their clothing or at least undress from the waist down and cover up...
A Pap smear is a routine laboratory diagnostic test used by gynecologists to detect cell changes in a woman's cervix that might indicate a precancerous or cancerous condition. Until 2003, when the American College of Obstetricians and...
It is natural to have a few drops of blood following a pap smear. The Center for Young Women’s Health states that a woman usually has her first pap smear around 21, unless there is a special risk such as immune problems, HIV disease, early...
Trich, also known as trichomoniasis, is a vaginal infection that is caused by small parasites called trichomonas vaginalis. This sexually transmitted disease is most commonly identified during a pelvic exam. As Women'sHealth.gov explains,...
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...
Cervical cancer is a type of cancer that originates on the cervix, which is the opening to the uterus located towards the top of the vagina. Worldwide, cervical cancer is the most common cancer in women, according to "The New York Times." In the...
Women who have become sexually active or over the age of 21 should get an annual Pap smear. During this annual exam, medical professional uses a speculum, which they insert into the vagina, and then wipe the cervix with a sterile swab. This swab...
Human papilloma virus, HPV, is the most commonly spread sexually transmitted infection, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 40 types of this virus can infect the genital area and most do not cause symptoms. HPV...
One method of treating breast cancer involves the use of treatments that affect the actions of hormones. One such treatment is tamoxifen. However, because tamoxifen has effects throughout the body, this form of treatment is not without its side...
A pap smear is a medical test used to examine the skin cells of a woman's cervix-the opening into the uterus-for cervical cancer. Cervical cancer affects 11,000 women per year, according to the National Cancer Institute. The pap test is...
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....
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...
Most women know to get regular pap smears, but many don't know what to make of the results when they come back abnormal. Getting back abnormal pap results can create a lot of anxiety around the fear of having cervical cancer. However, abnormal...
Because vaginal burning can cause a great deal of discomfort, finding a cause is important. This condition can be caused by bacterial infections, viruses, fungal infections, hormonal changes and chemical irritations. Once a cause for vaginal...
Candida albicans is a type of yeast that can cause fungal infections in the mouth, vagina, skin, stomach and urinary tract. If your immune system is compromised due to HIV or other diseases, you may be more prone to candida overgrowth, also known...
The Pap test, or Pap smear, is a screening tool, not a diagnostic test, to examine cells collected from the cervix in order to detect any abnormalities including cancer cells, precancerous cells and non-carcinogenic conditions. The National Cancer...
Abnormal Pap smears and yeast infections are two common findings during routine gynecologic exams, according to the Encyclopedia of Family Health. Although both are common, they can be a source of consternation for women. Even though the Pap smear...
Vaginal bleeding after menopause is considered abnormal, according to HealthCentral.com, a website that empowers woman to improve and take control of their health and well-being. Vaginal bleeding after menopause occurs when irritated vaginal...
Loestrin 24 (Loestrin 24 Fe) is a birth control pill that promises a low dose of estrogen and shorter, lighter periods. Loestrin has less than 20 micrograms of estrogen per pill and is considered a low-dose birth control pill. According to the...
Cervical cancer is normally a type of cancer that progresses slowly, according to the National Cancer Institute (NCI). The NCI estimates that in 2009, more than 11,000 women will be diagnosed with the potentially deadly disease. Education about...
Mirena is a form of birth control that releases daily amounts of the hormone levonorgestrel (a type of progestin) into the uterus. Once the T-shaped plastic intrauterine device (IUD) has been inserted by a health care professional, patients must...
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....
Cervical Cancer is found in women's reproductive organs and is caused by HPV (Human Papillomavirus). Learn more about this cancer in this video and ways to recognize and treat it.