Womens reproductive health issues include pregnancy, birth control, regular visits to the gynecologist, and infertility. Hormonal birth control options prevent pregnancy by delivering estrogen and progestin to prevent ovulation. Non-hormonal methods of birth control  are also still available.

Infertility affects men and women at approximately the same rate. Common causes of female infertility are ovulation problems or blocked fallopian tubes. Couples younger than 35 who have failed to conceive after a year of unprotected sex should consult their doctor, while couples over the age of 35 should a doctor sooner. Womens reproductive health problems are often linked to environmental hormones and sometimes chemical exposures.

Pregnancy is a physically demanding but generally rewarding experience for women, the most rewarding in a lot of women’s minds.  Womens reproductive health must be in top shape for conception, pregnancy, and birth to occur seamlessly.

What's new in the area of women's reproductive health?

Many new hormonal birth control options are available to women today. Like the pill, these new forms prevent pregnancy by delivering estrogen and progestin to prevent ovulation. The recently approved Seasonale® pill delivers a lower dose of estrogen and progestin over 84 days than the pill's delivery over 21 days, resulting in menstruation only four times a year. Pregnancy can also be prevented by the hormone patch placed on the skin weekly, by monthly intramuscular injection (Lunelle®), or by monthly insertion of a vaginal ring (NuvaRing®). Non-hormonal methods of birth control including intrauterine devices and barrier methods are still available.

Infertility, a problem for many couples, affects men and women at approximately the same rate. The most common causes of female infertility are ovulation problems or blocked fallopian tubes. Couples younger than 35 years of age who have failed to conceive after a year of unprotected sex should consult their doctor, while couples over the age of 35 should see their doctor sooner. Infertility problems can usually be overcome with medical intervention.

Pregnancy is a physically demanding but usually highly rewarding experience for women. Healthy women of normal weight who become pregnant should gain between 25 to 35 pounds during pregnancy, while overweight women should gain slightly less and underweight women should gain slightly more. Cesarean or c-sections are performed in approximately 25% of all births in the U.S (MedicineNet.com). Vaginal delivery after c-section (VBAC) is successful in most women (www.abcbirth.com/hVBAC.html).