Bindi Irwin, the conservationist, and daughter of the late Steve Irwin, recently put endometriosis in the spotlight as she took to social media to share her journey. Irwin describes that she battled with “insurmountable fatigue, pain & nausea for ten years.” A doctor even told her that her pain “was simply something you deal with as a woman.” 

International Women's Day is a day to celebrate the achievements of women throughout history and across nations. This year's theme is #EmbraceEquity, which calls for a more gender-equal world. Ms.Medicine is proud to join the global celebration of International Women's Day by recognizing the contributions of women to medicine and healthcare.

When it comes to health and wellness, red wine and dark chocolate are two of the most beloved indulgences. Rich in antioxidants, both of these treats provide various health benefits ranging from cognitive stimulation to improved heart health.

Did you know February 13th is recognized as Galentine’s Day? On this special day of love, we are reminded of the importance of celebrating the wonderful women in our lives. As Leslie Knope famously said, “Oh, it’s only the best day of the year!” 

One in four women in the U.S. will die from heart disease – the leading cause of death in women. This is an important statistic as for years, heart disease was considered a “man’s” issue; women needn’t worry. We now know this is not true, and women need to be educated and proactive in managing their risks and preventing heart disease.

Most women have experienced some degree of pelvic pain in their lifetime. For many of us, we have had painful periods our whole life, and the periods are becoming more and more unbearable.  Dysmenorrhea (or pain with periods) is such a common finding for women, so how do we know when our pain is beyond what is expected?

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women. According to the American Cancer Society data, one in eight women and 1 in 833 men will develop breast cancer. There are many variables that come into play in the development of breast cancer. Most of us are motivated to do anything to prevent or diminish the risk of developing it.

Let’s talk about bone health. Osteoporosis is a common problem that causes bones to be thinner and weaker than they should be and increases the risk of fractures (broken bones). Although both men and women can develop osteoporosis, we are going to focus on bone health in women, especially women who are past menopause. This group is at a particularly high risk of weak bones and fractures, especially at the hip and spine.

Did you know October is recognized as Menopause Month? We thought we’d answer some common questions about Menopause.

Nearly half of all women have dense breasts – something that increases a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer and makes it more difficult to detect cancer in screenings. Despite how widespread dense breasts are, there still isn’t the clarity and knowledge women need around this issue.

It’s estimated that about 41% of women experience sexual dysfunction, compared to 31% of men. So, then, why are there at least six brand name drugs to treat erectile dysfunction in men but…

There’s more and more conversation around a woman’s heart health – and for good reason. While men are twice as likely to have a heart attack compared to women, heart disease is still the leading cause of death among women. And thanks to our busy lives, we may not realize (or want to admit) when we may be experiencing a heart attack.

Did you know that more than 11,000 women in the United States develop cervical cancer each year?

As a woman approaching midlife, there are five health issues you should be thinking about and discussing with your doctor. We know starting the conversation isn’t always easy so be sure to check out our free printable questionnaire for your next doctor’s appointment!

Did you know that strokes are more common in women compared to men? In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that one in five women will have a stroke in her lifetime.

Even more concerning is that women tend to experience less noticeable signs of a stroke than men.

WHAT IS INFERTILITY?

In general terms, a woman is considered “infertile” if she has been sexually active monthly for more than a year without achieving pregnancy. “Infertility issues” refer to the inability to achieve conception, achieve a viable pregnancy after conception or maintain a developing pregnancy. So much focus is on the ability to conceive, but the term “infertility” pertains to everything from a woman’s ability to ovulate, conceive and maintain a pregnancy.