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Reproductive Health

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April is STI Awareness Month

Reproductive Health

Any update on sexually transmitted infection prevention? Well as a matter of fact, yes there is! There is an exciting update on sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention. And sexually transmitted infection prevention is one of the things that makes this Nerd go all starry-eyed! 🤩 ✨ Medication prevention for chlamydia and syphilis (less effective for Read more…

Is the Glucola test necessary?

Reproductive Health

The Glucola test is given to pregnant people to test for gestational diabetes and is both necessary and safe. Untreated gestational diabetes can have serious health consequences for both the pregnant person and the baby. What is gestational diabetes? Gestational diabetes occurs when a person has elevated blood sugar levels during pregnancy. In gestational diabetes, Read more…

Ok, just what IS the difference between sex and gender? !

Reproductive Health

Q: Ok, just what IS the difference between sex and gender?! A: To answer this question we need to discuss three different things: 1ļøāƒ£ Biological sex (body characteristics), 2ļøāƒ£ Gender expression (how we communicate our gender to the world), and 3ļøāƒ£ Gender identity (our sense of self). 1ļøāƒ£ Biological sex refers to the different types Read more…

Abortions are not just surgical procedures.

Reproductive Health

As a matter of fact, most abortion care in the U.S. is safely provided with the help of two medications (also called ā€œabortion pillsā€): mifepristone and misoprostol. Recent court challenges and ballot measures on abortion care have put the availability of mifepristone at risk (more on that below). Mifepristone is a hormone-blocking medication used for Read more…

A recent study finding lead and other metals in tampons has raised concern on social media. However, there is not yet convincing evidence showing that these metals in this context pose any real health concern. You could certainly use one of many available alternative menstrual products until more information is available if the possibility of Read more…

My breast cancer screening journey has finally ended …for now.

Nerdy Notes Reproductive Health

This is another in our new series: Nerdy Notes: Science in Story & Verse In these posts, our Nerdy Girl scientists and clinicians will share personal stories, insights, poetry, and more. While these posts may be lighter in terms of numbers and figures, they will still be rooted in our tradition and commitment to providing Read more…

Did you know that the over-the-counter emergency contraception pill, also known as Plan BĀ®, has a shelf life of 4 years?

Reproductive Health

According to the makers of Plan BĀ®, this over-the-counter emergency contraception pill typically is good for four years when stored correctly. Think of a dry, dark place that stays around room temperature. (So not the bathroom šŸ˜‰). Folks thinking about buying Plan BĀ® for future use should check the expiration date on the outside of Read more…

What types of hormone therapy can help with hot flashes and other menopause symptoms?

Aging General Health Reproductive Health

What types of hormone therapy can help with hot flashes and other menopause symptoms? Medications that deliver estrogen into your bloodstream can help relieve bodywide symptoms related to menopause. You can take a pill or wear a patch, but those aren’t the only FDA-approved options. Menopause marks the one-year anniversary of your final menstrual period. Read more…

Is emergency contraception the same as abortion?

Reproductive Health

TL, DR: No. Emergency contraception prevents pregnancy. It does not end a pregnancy. For a person who doesn’t want to be pregnant, it helps *prevent* the need for abortion. There are two types of emergency contraception, pills and IUDs (intrauterine devices). The hormonal pills that contain only the hormone levonorgestrel are available over the counter Read more…

there’s blood on the newspaper

Nerdy Notes Reproductive Health

This is the second in our new series: Nerdy Notes: Science in Story & Verse In these posts, our Nerdy Girl scientists and clinicians will share personal stories, insights, poetry, and more. While these posts may be lighter in terms of numbers and figures, they will still be rooted in our tradition and commitment to Read more…

How much iron should I take?

General Health Reproductive Health

Your iron supplement dose depends on how much iron you need and how well you tolerate iron. Taking your iron pill every other day and combining it with vitamin C may help you get the most benefit from your supplement. AboutĀ 2 in 3 peopleĀ worldwide don’t get enough iron, including roughlyĀ 1 in 7Ā American adults. People who Read more…

Which iron supplement is best?

General Health Reproductive Health

Which iron supplement is best? There is no ā€œbestā€ type of iron supplement. Inexpensive supplements are widely available and generally work just as well as more expensive iron formulations. The human body usually does a pretty good job of keeping iron in balance. Despite this, iron deficiency is common, especially inĀ people who menstruate. It’s also Read more…

Why I Went Back to my Midwife for Menopause Advice

Nerdy Notes Reproductive Health

Welcome, Nerds to our new series: Nerdy Notes: Science in Story & Verse In these posts, our Nerdy Girl scientists and clinicians will share personal stories, insights, poetry, and more. While these posts may be lighter in terms of numbers and figures, they will still be rooted in our tradition and commitment to providing accessible Read more…