Women's Health Guide

While a variety of effective birth control methods exist today, only abstinence can be guaranteed 100 percent effective and reversible, with no side effects.

According to the National Cancer Institute, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women. Between birth and age 90, a woman has about a one in nine chance of developing the disease.

Expectant couples often attend childbirth education classes as a means of preparing for labor and delivery. The purpose of these classes is to give accurate information about childbirth and teach relaxation, muscular control, and breathing techniques.

Having access to an intensive care unit for newborns is especially important for mothers experiencing a high-risk pregnancy, or when problems are known to be present in the fetus.

Before your baby is born, you may want to take a class to learn how to feed and bathe your baby, as well as how to change diapers. After your baby is born, there are things you can do to help your child develop emotionally and to feel more comfortable.

Not only is a healthy diet vital for proper growth and function, but scientists now know that it can affect your chance of developing many diseases.

Osteoporosis is the gradual loss of calcium stored in the bone, resulting in bone and spine degeneration. The condition affects about half of postmenopausal women.

Because it's vital to correct any health problems in their earliest stage, you should see your doctor for routine checkups on a regular basis.

Get the facts about sexually transmitted diseases and protect yourself.

Amenorrhea is the absence of menstrual periods. There are two types of amenorrhea, primary and secondary. In primary amenorrhea, menstruation has never occurred at all. Learn about this and many other women's health concerns in this section.

Many symptoms associated with menopause are due to naturally declining levels of estrogen; therefore, the most common treatment is hormone replacement therapy, or HRT.