A self-motivated, SEO-savvy journalist, Gabrielle Kassel has written over 2,500 articles about issues on sex, sexuality, and fitness for brands like Healthline, Greatist, Well + Good, Health, Shape,
Is There a Relationship Between Menopause and Body Odor?
Several factors can contribute to changes in your body odor during menopause and how you perceive your unique scent. These changes usually aren’t cause for concern, but there are ways to prevent unwanted odors.
Hormonal fluctuations are the most common culprit, says Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz, MD, author of “Menopause Bootcamp: Optimize Your Health, Empower Your Self, and Flourish as You Age.”
In particular, increases or decreases in cortisol, estrogen, and testosterone. Although these hormones flu...
Which Way Does Ovarian Cancer Tend to Spread or Metastasize?
Ovarian cancer typically starts in the fallopian tubes. It can spread within the pelvis or beyond the pelvis walls. Metastatic ovarian cancer commonly affects lymph nodes, then the liver, and then the lungs before spreading further into the body.
Ovarian cancer, marked by the growth of cancerous cells in the ovaries, doesn’t follow a single trajectory.
Instead, the trajectory depends on various factors, says Nana Tchabo, MD, a gynecologic oncologist with Atlantic Health System in Morristown, ...
What to Expect from a MRSA (Staph) Infection on the Buttocks
There’s an increased risk of contraction when in spaces that are crowded with sick people, such as hospitals, barracks, and shelters, said Monte Swarup, MD, OB-GYN, founder of the health information site HPV Hub.
How is MRSA of the buttocks diagnosed?
A healthcare professional will swab the affected area and send the sample off to a lab to be tested for the presence of MRSA, said Peskin.
If you don’t have any visible wounds, a healthcare professional will likely recommend a blood or urine tes...
Understanding the Relationship Between Lupus and Fertility
Lupus doesn’t cause infertility directly. But indirect factors may affect your ability to become pregnant or impregnate someone else.
Lupus is an inflammatory autoimmune disease that occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues.
The disease can indirectly affect fertility through various factors, such as:
sex and reproductive organs
certain antibody levels
current lupus activity
medications and treatment
other opportunistic infection(s) or conditions present
The eff...
What to Expect from a Vaginal MRSA (Staph) Infection
MRSA bacteria are often found in the folds of the external genitalia, including the vulva. Internal infections of the vaginal canal are also possible.
MRSA stands for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The bacteria are typically associated with skin infections and are commonly found in the folds of the external genitalia.
“Vagina” refers to the internal canal that connects the uterus to the outside of the body. “Vulva” refers to the external portions of the genitals, like the labia,...
Is a Heavy Menstrual Period Possible After Endometrial Ablation?
Heavy menstruation is unlikely after endometrial ablation. That said, the goal of the procedure is to stop, shorten, or lessen your menstrual flow — not put a stop to your overall menstrual cycle.
Most people experience light vaginal bleeding or spotting the first 1–3 days following surgery, according to Dr. Jill Purdie, a board certified OB-GYN and medical director at Pediatrix Medical Group in Atlanta, Georgia.
You might also notice an uptick in clear vaginal discharge over the next 2–3 wee...
What to Expect from In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) When You Have Endometriosis
IVF may be as effective at helping people with endometriosis become pregnant as it is for those without.
Endometriosis can lead to inflammation, scarring, and atypical growths that affect different organs in the pelvic region. Depending on the location, this can interfere with overall function.
“For some people, these distortions can obstruct the fallopian tubes, making natural conception unlikely,” explains Alex Robles, MD, a fertility expert at Columbia University Fertility Center in New Yo...
Can Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) Cause Hives?
PCOS is often associated with excess body hair, menstrual irregularities, and acne. Hives are a possible, although less common, symptom.
PCOS occurs when the ovaries produce irregular amounts of testosterone and other androgens. This disrupts the menstrual cycle, which can lead to imbalanced levels of:
estrogen
progesterone
follicle-stimulating hormone
luteinizing hormone
The endocrine system — the system responsible for hormone production — helps manage mood, growth and development, organ fu...
Is There a Connection Between Lupus and Herpes?
Herpesviruses use DNA as their genetic material. They don’t cause lupus, but lupus can increase your overall chance of infection.
Lupus is an autoimmune condition, which means that it affects your immune system’s ability to function. Generally speaking, autoimmune conditions can make you more susceptible to infection.
“Lupus, in particular, has been associated with an increased likelihood of several herpesvirus infections,” says Michael Ingber, MD, urologist and female pelvic medicine special...
How to Find a Specialist for Endometriosis
Working with an endometriosis specialist — or an intentional team of informed healthcare professionals — can help you get the care you need to effectively manage your symptoms and improve your overall quality of life.
Endometriosis is a chronic pain condition that affects at least 11% of people assigned female at birth. That’s more than 190 million people worldwide.
Despite its frequent occurrence, many healthcare professionals might need more preparation to diagnose or treat the condition. T...
Understanding the Relationship Between Thyroid Function and Endometriosis
Conditions that affect the thyroid can cause symptoms similar to endometriosis. Part of the endocrine system, the thyroid gland produces hormones that impact every other function in the body.
Endometriosis is not thought to cause thyroid dysfunction, nor is thyroid dysfunction thought to cause endometriosis.
That said, there’s some relationship between thyroid function and endometriosis, explains Bharat Jindal, a board certified OB-GYN.
There have only been a handful of small studies on the t...
Is There a Connection Between Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and Endometriosis?
POTS and endometriosis primarily affect the same demographic. Although preliminary research suggests there may be a connection, further study is needed to understand the potential relationship.
“POTS mainly concerns problems with heart rate and blood pressure control, whereas endometriosis primarily involves symptoms related to the reproductive system and pelvic area,” said family medicine specialist Joel P. Mascaro, DO, chief medical officer at DrNewMed Health & Wellness in Scottdale, Arizon...
What’s the Difference Between Hives and Monkeypox (Mpox)?
Mpox is an infectious viral condition, whereas hives are a symptom of high histamine production or allergic reaction. Both conditions can cause bumps on your skin, but they differ in size, duration, and other associated symptoms.
Mpox is caused by a virus in the orthopoxvirus family. This is the same family of viruses that causes smallpox.
“Any ‘pox’ virus means that it produces boils or lesions on the skin, regardless of their severity,” said Anu Hazra, MD, an infectious disease specialist w...
What’s the Difference Between a Lower and Upper Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)?
bloody urine
What causes a lower or upper UTI?
Youth healthcare professional and medical adviser at Flo Health, Netherlands, Andrea Maduro, MD, explains that UTIs generally occur when bacteria get into the urinary tract.
The urinary tract includes the following:
urethra, a tube that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body
bladder
ureters, the two tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder
kidneys
Bacteria may enter the urethra when wiping after using the bathroom or dur...
Why Do My Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Symptoms Come and Go?
UTI symptoms may come and go before or shortly after starting treatment. Persistent UTI symptoms may result from incomplete or improper treatment, while new or returning symptoms could be a sign of a recurrent infection.
Understanding your chance of UTIs can help narrow down the underlying cause of your symptoms, particularly if you complete a course of antibiotics and your symptoms continue after you think they’ve resolved.
While people with any genital makeup can develop a UTI, people with ...