The following table lists the different types of birth control methods and how they work to help prevent pregnancy. How birth control methods prevent pregnancy Method How it prevents pregnancy Hormonal Prevents ovulation. Thickens mucus at the cervix so sperm can't pass through. Changes the environment of the uterus and...

Discusses natural family planning or periodic abstinence as a form of birth control. Covers using one of six basic methods to either get pregnant or avoid getting pregnant. Covers how each method works and what could affect the method.

Briefly discusses things that may affect the normal menstrual cycle, such as health conditions, hormone changes, stress, or weight changes. Offers interactive tool to help decide when to seek care. Also offers home treatment tips.

Identifies a variety of techniques for relaxing your mind and body. Includes links to more information on many techniques.

The following tables list some pros and cons of using hormonal birth control methods. Combination pills, skin patch, or vaginal ring (estrogen plus progestin) Pros Cons No interruption of foreplay or intercourse. Reduced bleeding and cramping with periods, which lowers the risk of anemia. Fewer or no periods. Reduced...

Discover some cooking methods as well as tips for how to use each method.

Covers birth control methods, including the pill, skin patch, Depo-Provera shot, condoms, cervical cap, and diaphragm. Provides questions to help you decide the right birth control method for you. Covers emergency contraception (the morning-after pill).

Has info on female and male genital problems, birth control, and STI testing. Also links to topics on exposure to STIs and sexuality/physical changes with aging.

The basal body temperature (BBT) is a person's at-rest temperature. Natural cyclic changes in female hormones usually cause a woman's basal body temperature to go down slightly just before an egg is released (ovulation) and then go up sharply 24 hours after ovulation. By carefully measuring BBT every morning before...

Cryotherapy destroys abnormal tissue on the cervix by freezing it. This treatment destroys some normal tissue along with the abnormal tissue. Your doctor will put a tool called a speculum into your vagina. It opens the vagina a little bit. A special fluid may be put on your cervix to make the tissue easier to see...

Covers long-lasting skin problem that is also known as atopic dermatitis. Looks at symptoms like dry skin, itching, and a red, raised rash. Covers treatments including using moisturizing creams and medicines. Notes that there are no known prevention methods.

Birth control is any method used to prevent pregnancy. If you have vaginal sex without birth control, you could get pregnant. The only sure way to not get pregnant is to not have vaginal sex. But finding birth control that works for you can help...

Discusses vision problems caused by cataracts, a painless, cloudy area in lens of eye. Covers symptoms like fuzzy vision, glare from lamps or sun, and frequent changes to eyeglass prescription. Discusses treatment with surgery. Also discusses vision aids.

A genetic test checks the DNA of your cells. It can find changes in your genes or chromosomes that may cause a genetic illness. The results may tell you about your ancestry, your health, or your risk for certain diseases. Testing can be done on a single gene, selected genes, or all of your genes (your genome). The test...

How well each birth control option works is given as a percentage. The closer the percentage is to 100%, the better that option works to prevent pregnancy. This is during the first year of typical use. Using no birth control works about 15% of the...

After surgery, you will need to take care of the incision as it heals. Caring for your incision may help lower the risk of problems like infection. Your doctor may have used stitches, staples, skin glue, or tape strips to close the incision. You will need to keep the area clean, change the bandage according to your...

What is cerebral palsy (CP)? Cerebral palsy (CP) is a problem that makes it hard for a child to control movement. It's caused by injury to the brain. Usually this injury happens before birth. The brain injury that causes CP doesn't get worse over time, but symptoms may start, change, or become more severe as a child...

A living will, also called a declaration, tells your loved ones and doctor your wishes when you can't speak for yourself. It's used to describe treatment you want as you near the end of your life or if you get seriously hurt or ill. You can change...

Suicide rates increase with age and are highest among white men age 65 and older. Divorced and widowed men in this age group have the highest suicide rates, and their most common method of suicide is firearms. The following warning signs may be...

What is postpartum? The days and weeks after your baby is born are called the postpartum period. After childbirth, your body will start to heal and go through many changes as it recovers. Some of these changes happen over several weeks. So rest whenever you can, ask for help from friends and family, and eat well. What...

Name: ___________________________________. Partner's name: _____________________________. Doctor or midwife's name: __________________________. Today's date: _____________________. This birth plan is a guide for my labor and delivery. Since childbirth does not always go as planned, some of this birth plan may change...

If you're trying to reach a weight that's healthy for you, using a journal or an app to track what you eat can help you discover your eating patterns. Then you can look at those patterns and see what might get in the way of reaching your goals. Here is one method for tracking. Keep a healthy eating journal for 1 week...

Spinal and epidural pain relief methods are used to block pain from an entire region of the body. They use numbing medicine given near the spinal cord. They can be used for either a vaginal birth or a cesarean delivery (C-section). They partly or fully numb your belly and lower body.

During childbirth, breathing in a rhythm can help distract you from pain. It can also help relax your muscles and your mind. As your due date gets closer, you can learn and practice different ways of doing focused breathing, such as belly breathing and pant-pant-blow breathing. Childbirth classes can also teach you...