Preterm Labor and Preterm Birth

FAQ087

What is preterm labor? Preterm labor is defined as regular contractions of the uterus resulting in changes in the cervix that start before 37 weeks of pregnancy. Changes in the cervix include efface...

Ultrasound Exams

FAQ025

What does ultrasound show? Ultrasound creates pictures of the internal organs of the body from sound waves. There is no radiation involved. The sound waves are directed into a specific area of the b...

Sterilization by Laparoscopy

FAQ035

What is sterilization? Sterilization is a permanent method of birth control. It is the most popular form of birth control worldwide. FAQ035 What is sterilization? Sterilization is a permanent ...

Postpartum Sterilization

FAQ052

What is sterilization? Sterilization is a permanent method of birth control. Sterilization for women is called tubal sterilization. In tubal sterilization, the fallopian tubes are closed off. Tubal ...

Hormone Therapy

PFS003 Hormone Therapy The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Women’s Health Care Physicians patient education Fact Sheet PFS003: Hormone Therapy APRIL 2013 The average age wh...

Endometrial Ablation

FAQ134

What is endometrial ablation? Endometrial ablation destroys a thin layer of the lining of the uterus and stops the menstrual flow in many women. In some women, menstrual bleeding does not stop but i...

A Fathers Guide to Pregnancy

FAQ032

How long does pregnancy last? Pregnancy lasts about 40 weeks, which is equal to 9 months. The 9 months of pregnancy are divided into three 3-month periods called trimesters. FAQ032 How long does pr...

Laparoscopy

FAQ061

What is laparoscopy? Laparoscopy is a way of doing surgery without making a large incision (cut). A thin tube known as the laparoscope is inserted into the abdomen through a small incision. The lapa...

Treating Infertility

FAQ137

What is infertility? Infertility is defined as not having become pregnant after 1 year of having regular sexual intercourse without the use of birth control (see the FAQ Evaluating Infertility). Inf...

You and Your Sexuality

FAQ042

What happens during puberty? When puberty starts, your brain sends signals to certain parts of the body to start growing and changing. These signals are called hormones. Hormones make your body chan...