Women's Health Archive

Vaginal dryness and discomfort can affect intimacy and daily life. See which options may ease symptoms linked to changing estrogen levels.

In January 2026, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services issued cervical cancer screening guidelines that, for the first time, include an option for women to perform an at-home human papillomavirus (HPV) test. HPV causes about 95% of cervical cancers.

Women’s reproductive history, including first period, pregnancy, and menopause, influences their lifetime exposure to estrogen, which appears to shape brain aging and dementia risk. Menopause is believed to be the strongest reproductive factor, with later menopause tied to lower dementia risk.

A 2026 study suggested that menopausal women who used estrogen-only hormone therapy were less likely than women who didn’t use hormone therapy to develop Alzheimer’s-related brain changes or be diagnosed with dementia.

Each year, about 600,000 American women undergo hysterectomy—surgery to remove the uterus and sometimes other reproductive organs as well—most often to alleviate symptoms rather than to save lives. Women opt for hysterectomy for conditions such as excessive uterine bleeding, pelvic pain, and fibroids.

While starting hormone therapy to curb menopause symptoms is considered safest before age 60 and within 10 years of menopause, there’s no defined age at which women need to stop using it. Various factors should be considered when deciding whether to continue, including age, overall health, and medical history.

Stress can disrupt the menstrual cycle, but it isn’t the only possible cause of a late period. Find out what to consider before assuming why.

A bile flow problem can cause noticeable changes in the skin, urine, stools, and comfort, with treatment depending on the underlying cause.

Blood type compatibility matters during transfusions, and an Rh mismatch can create risks that may not appear immediately.

Fibroids may change over time, even when they cause no symptoms. Find out what doctors know about their growth, symptoms and long-term outlook.