Ovarian cancer runs like a submarine: silent and deep, not ready to strike the death knell until it is on top (or, in the metaphor’s case, directly beneath) the woman. Caused by tumorous growths in a woman’s reproductive system, some ovarian cancer warning signs often go undetected until a full-blown malignancy is underway. Some symptoms that may be detected early are often waved off as something much more benign. In any case, any of the following symptoms, after nagging one for two-or-three weeks, should be discussed with a medical doctor. Read more »

That time of your life has finally arrived, you know, the one your mom and grandmother told you about: The Big Change. But their stories were nothing compared to the real experience of entering menopause, and one of the major symptoms that most women would admit they can go without is the hot flash. These sudden warming sensations that cover the face, neck and chest can leave you sweating like you’re in a sauna or chilled like an April ocean. For years women have sought hot flash remedies, and while there’s never a cure for a biological event, there are ways to alleviate these irksome irritants. Read more »

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths that appear during a woman’s childbearing years. They are neither cancer-causing, nor do they increase a woman’s risk of cancer. Scientists and researchers have been trying to determine what causes fibroids for years, and the answer can be as elusive as the most microscopic cell. Read more »

One sure-fire way to end up on the table undergoing a hysterectomy is the presence of fibroid tumors. Symptoms include heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain and pressure, urinary incontinence, or, most commonly, none at all. Read more »

Doctors of patients who have had a hysterectomy are often asked, “Is white discharge normal after hysterectomy?” If you’ve had a hysterectomy you may have experienced some kind of discharge in the weeks afterwards as your body heals and you recover from the procedure. It’s important to understand why you have discharge, and if it’s normal.
In a hysterectomy, a woman’s uterus is removed. This may also involve removal of the cervix, the ovaries, and is often performed to remove tumors in the reproductive area. It is one of the most commonly performed surgeries in women, and can often be recommended for completely benign conditions, such as fibroids.
The surgery requires that internal stitches be placed after the uterus has been removed. These wounds, as they heal, may cause some discharge, but it will be brown due to the dried blood. White discharge is normal after hysterectomy, as long as it is not foul-smelling. If discharge is yellow in color, or does not smell good, it may indicate some complications. Infections in the area that is healing or urinary tract infections can lead to abnormal discharge that should prompt you to visit the doctor.
If you have any discharge after your hysterectomy, make sure to note when it started and any other symptoms that may accompany it. You should also be careful to record to how much activity you are doing, any medications you are taking, or changes to your diet. These could all be significant when you discuss your condition with your doctor, and may aid in diagnosis.
If you have any suspicions about the discharge, you ought to contact a medical professional to have it examined. Because your body is healing after major surgery, and the recovery time is already fairly long (up to 12 weeks), allowing an infection or surgical complication to linger could be dangerous. You want to take every precaution with your health after a major surgery. However, since discharge is fairly common after hysterectomy, if you find yourself wondering, “is white discharge normal after hysterectomy?” you can rest assured you aren’t the only one.

Hysterectomy menopause can occur suddenly following the surgical procedure to remove parts of the female reproductive system. Read more »

Hot flashes are perhaps one of the most common symptoms of menopause, about 75% of US women report having hot flashes. A hot flash is simply a sudden surge in body temperature, the skin of the upper torso and the face can become bright red and you will sweat profusely. Sometimes women report their clothes becoming drenched in sweat due to hot flashes. The first time a woman experiences a hot flash can be frightening, some women report feeling like they may be having a heart attack or stroke, which can be very scary indeed. Read more »

I think most women are familiar with most of the more common signs of menopause like hot flashes, mood swings, vaginal dryness, etc, these are fairly common complaints and widely discussed in articles on menopause. There is a whole category of “weird” symptoms that are also associated with menopause that is not discussed as frequently, they are more rare, but not totally uncommon. It may help to just know that these symptoms are not just “in your head”, they are real. Read more »