About Women's Health

New Pap Smear Guidelines

2009-11-23T13:42:41Z

Just as we hear that mammograms are no longer necessary before age 50, we learn that the ACOG has changed their guidelines for Pap Smear frequency and age at first Pap. According to the New York Times, Pap smears are unnecessary before age 21. Prior guidelines suggested that first Pap Smears be performed at age 21, unless sexually active when Pap smears were recommended� starting three years after becoming sexually active. One reason for this change is that having Pap smears earlier may lead to difficulty maintaining a pregnancy later in life.

The recommendations also advise women over 30 only need a Pap smear every three years when they have a three year history of normal Pap smears.

Additionally, women who have had a hysterectomy for a non-cancer reason can stop having Pap smears altogether. Of course, this includes only women who have had both their uterus and cervix removed -- women who have opted to keep their cervix during hysterectomy will need to follow their doctor's recommendation on future Pap smears. The sad fact is that 15 million unnecessary Pap are performed annually in the US on women who have had hysterectomies that included removal of the cervix.

Another recommendation is for women between ages 65 to 70, who can stop having Pap smears if they have had normal Pap smears for three consecutive years and no abnormal Pap smears over the last ten years.

See: How To Prepare For Your Pap Smear

What do you think about these new guidelines? Will these new guidelines affect the frequency of your Pap smears?

New Pap Smear Guidelines originally appeared on About.com Women's Health on Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 13:42:41.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

US Preventive Services Task Force Says Mammograms Not Necessary Until 50

2009-11-23T10:03:05Z

The USPSTF said last week that screening mammograms should not be performed yearly on women aged 40 to 49. They also recommended not teaching breast self exam. According to them, women should only have mammograms every two years between the ages of 50 and 74, unless there is a special circumstance such as a family history of breast cancer. This decision has raised a great deal of controversy among women, their doctors, and cancer organizations.

However, the USPSTF is alone in their recommendation. Both the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Cancer Society recommend that women continue practicing breast self-exam and having a screening mammogram every one to two years beginning at age 40.

5 Reasons Young Women Should Practice Breast Self Exam

Will this new recommendation change how often you will have a screening mammogram for breast cancer? Will you continue practicing monthly breast self exam? If you have daughters, will you teach them to perform monthly breast self exam?

US Preventive Services Task Force Says Mammograms Not Necessary Until 50 originally appeared on About.com Women's Health on Monday, November 23rd, 2009 at 10:03:05.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

12 Ways To Prevent Vaginal Discharge

2009-11-19T19:07:14Z

Many factors can play a role in the occurrence of vaginal infections and discharge. What can you do to reduce your risk of vaginal infections? Practicing these simple tips significantly reduces your risk of getting a vaginal infection.

12 Ways To Prevent Vaginal Discharge originally appeared on About.com Women's Health on Thursday, November 19th, 2009 at 19:07:14.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Chlamydia - The Silent Epidemic

2009-11-13T11:59:14Z

Chlamydia is the most prevalent sexually transmitted disease diagnosed� in the US. Approximately four million new cases of this disease occur each year and up to forty percent of women infected with this disease may be unaware of its existence. Learn the facts about chlamydia.

Chlamydia - The Silent Epidemic originally appeared on About.com Women's Health on Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 11:59:14.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Things You Need To Know About Vaginitis

2009-11-09T13:21:49Z

Vaginitis is a condition that occurs in the vagina causing vaginal discharge, inflammation, and irritation, as well as vulvar or vaginal itching. You might be surprised to learn that vaginitis is frequently caused by one of the three most common vaginal infections women experience.

Things You Need To Know About Vaginitis originally appeared on About.com Women's Health on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 13:21:49.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Does DHEA Improve Sexual Problems?

2009-11-05T10:10:33Z

There's been a lot of talk about the hormone dehydroepiandrosterone or DHEA and how it affects our sexuality, as well as our mental and physical health. Does DHEA provide effective relief for sexual problems, mental health issures, or physical health issues? Or is buying DHEA a waste of your money? Learn the facts about DHEA.

Does DHEA Improve Sexual Problems? originally appeared on About.com Women's Health on Thursday, November 5th, 2009 at 10:10:33.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

How To Prevent Heart Disease

2009-10-28T10:57:45Z

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women in the United States. While it's true that the majority of women still believe that breast cancer is the leading cause of death in women, the truth is that more women die of heart disease each year than die of all types of cancer combined. Find out what you can do now to prevent heart disease later.

How To Prevent Heart Disease originally appeared on About.com Women's Health on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 10:57:45.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

What To Know About Vaginal Douches

2009-10-20T10:01:47Z

A vaginal douche is a process of rinsing or cleaning the vagina by forcing water or another solution into the vaginal cavity to flush away vaginal discharge or other contents. Vaginal douches are available over-the-counter and are made in a variety of fragrances by several manufacturers; they are also available by prescription to treat certain conditions or prepare for certain procedures. Are vaginal douches a good thing?

What To Know About Vaginal Douches originally appeared on About.com Women's Health on Tuesday, October 20th, 2009 at 10:01:47.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

Less Genital Warts Associated With HPV Vaccine

2009-10-16T13:15:07Z

Australian researchers saw a significant reduction in the number of new cases of genital warts in women under 28 who have received Gardasil, the vaccine that protects against HPV which is the leading cause of cervical cancer. The Australian government began providing free vaccinations with Gardasil in 2007 for girls and women ages 12 to 26. Before the beginning of the free vaccination program, new cases of genital warts rose about 2% each quarter. During 2008, new cases of genital warts declined 25% each quarter in women under 28. The rate of new cases of genital warts in women over 28 did not decline. Gardasil provides protection against HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18. HPV types 6 and 11 are associated with genital warts, while types 16 and 18 are associated with cervical cancer.

Source: Health Day News. http://www.womenshealth.gov/news/english/631916.htm. Accessed 10/6/09

Less Genital Warts Associated With HPV Vaccine originally appeared on About.com Women's Health on Friday, October 16th, 2009 at 13:15:07.

Permalink | Comment | Email this

When Your Doctor Says "LEEP"

2009-10-13T08:51:01Z

If your doctor has told you that you need to have a LEEP procedure, it's because your annual Pap smear indicated the presence of abnormal cervical cells, or cervical dysplasia. While the loop electrosurgical excision procedure, or LEEP procedure, may make you wonder if your doctor wants you to jump. The LEEP procedure has nothing to do with jumping. The LEEP procedure is one of several procedures your doctor has available to help diagnose and treat abnormal cervical cells. Find out what happens during the LEEP procedure.

When Your Doctor Says "LEEP" originally appeared on About.com Women's Health on Tuesday, October 13th, 2009 at 08:51:01.

Permalink | Comment | Email this