Reproductive Health

Q: What are Dense Breasts? – Christine from Washington, D.C. A: We say breasts are dense if they have more fibrous and connective tissue. Less dense breasts have more fat and less fibrous tissue. Tissue is typically graded from A through D in terms of density. A is almost entirely fat, while D is almost Read more…

How does intimate partner violence impact pregnancy? TL;DR: Survivors of intimate partner violence during pregnancy, both parents and infants, experience long-term emotional trauma and chronic health problems, and timely support can help prevent it. *If you or anyone you know needs help, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE) or 1-800-787-3224 (TTY). Read more…

A: Tons, actually! From natural processes such as menstruation to medical procedures such as abortions, the goings-on of our reproductive systems – particularly in those of us assigned female at birth – may make us more susceptible to infections. And when reproductive healthcare systems do not provide the proper education, screening, pain management, treatment, and Read more…

Current data support that vaginal estrogen is very safe and effective for most people, yet many clinicians are under-informed about and overly reluctant to prescribe treatment for menopausal symptoms. “I’m struggling with post-menopausal vaginal symptoms, and my clinician only recommended a moisturizer, which doesn’t help much.  Why didn’t they prescribe an estrogen cream?” – Becca Read more…

Girls are getting their first period at younger and younger ages, especially girls of color and of low socioeconomic status.  Potential reasons include both higher BMI and stress, but it’s still not fully understood.  This change is important, as earlier sexual maturation brings with it concerns for both physical and social health. A recent study of over Read more…

Black Maternal Health Awareness Week is wrapping up. What do we need to know about Black Maternal Health? During pregnancy, childbirth, or the first 42 days after delivery of a living child, Black people are dying at almost three times the rate (CDC, 2021) as white people. More than 80% of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable Read more…

A: Yes, either a lot or a little depending on your situation, but most people feel it’s totally worth it. Getting an IUD is an awkward, uncomfortable sometimes painful and miserable experience, but the vast majority of people who get them say it was totally worth it. In a survey that I did with a Read more…

‘Tis the season once again when many of us prepare to see our loved ones for the holidays. And once again, many of us might find ourselves anxiously anticipating invasive questions about, well, everything. This is especially true for people who identify as women or gender minorities, who may feel distinct pressures to have relationships, Read more…

A: Potentially, yes! Semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro and Zepbound) may reduce birth control effectiveness and may increase risk of birth defects if taken during pregnancy. The new GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs have been a breakthrough in treating obesity and Type 2 diabetes. They significantly improve blood glucose levels and lower body weight. Read more…

TL;DR Folic acid is a type of folate- one of the B vitamins (B9). A total of 600 mcg of folic acid is recommended daily for anyone who is pregnant or could become pregnant. This can be difficult to get from food sources alone, SO a prenatal vitamin or standalone supplement containing at least 400 Read more…

Transgender Awareness Week is a time to protect, advocate for, celebrate, uplift, understand, and honor our trans community. Why is this important? There are many reasons to celebrate and cultivate awareness of issues around the transgender experience. Let’s start with a crucial goal of public health efforts: investigating and addressing health *hazards* and root causes. Read more…

A:  Potentially, yes!  Semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro and Zepbound) may reduce birth control effectiveness and may increase risk of birth defects if taken during pregnancy. The new GLP-1 receptor agonist drugs have been a breakthrough in treating obesity and Type 2 diabetes.  They significantly improve blood glucose levels and lower body weight.  Read more…