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Metrorrhagia, now commonly called intermenstrual bleeding, is vaginal bleeding that occurs at irregular intervals not associated with the menstrual cycle. While the blood comes from the uterus as it does during menstruation, the bleeding does not represent a normal period. There are several causes of metrorrhagia, some of which are harmless. In other cases, metrorrhagia can be a sign of a more serious condition. Symptoms When bleeding occurs outside the expected timeframe of the menstrual cycle, it is sometimes referred to as abnormal or dysfunctional uterine bleeding....

Minocycline is a medication used to treat inflammatory acne. It is typically prescribed to people 12 years and older who have moderate to severe symptoms. Minocycline for acne offers significant benefits, although it may take up to two months to see improvements. Minocycline belongs to a group of antibiotics called tetracyclines. The acne treatments doxycycline and tetracycline also belong to this group. Minocycline is also is used to treat respiratory and urinary tract infections as well as some sexually transmitted infections....

Until now, the mechanisms behind long COVID have yet to be understood. Now, a new study is helping us understand who may be at risk for these prolonged symptoms a bit more. Key Takeaways Researchers investigated more than 300 cases of COVID-19 and found four potential risk factors for long COVID.These factors include high viral load early in the disease, reactivation of the Epstein-Barr virus, type 2 diabetes, and autoantibodies.More studies are needed to understand what causes long COVID and how it can potentially be prevented....

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is recognized as the most disabling type of arthritis. While they both fall under the “arthritis” umbrella and share certain similarities, these diseases have significant differences. Osteoarthritis is caused by the breakdown of cartilage that cushions your joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease in which your immune system attacks your body’s own tissues in the joints. OA and RA: Key Comparisons More than 30 million people in the United States are believed to have osteoarthritis, which is a degenerative joint disease....

Phalloplasty is a very complex surgery and is often done in multiple stages, depending on treatment aims. Given the scope and scale of this work, complete recovery is a long and extensive process that can take anywhere from 12 to 18 months. Many changes occur during this time, and successful outcomes may require significant lifestyle and health adjustments. If you’re considering phalloplasty, it’s absolutely essential to understand what’s involved in long-term care after the procedure....

Radial aplasia is a condition that occurs when the radius bone in the forearm does not fully develop. This condition is also called radial club hand or congenital longitudinal deficiency. Radial aplasia is a birth defect that ranges from a mild shortening of the bone to a complete absence of the bone. In some cases, the thumb is also missing. This article discusses radial aplasia—its symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment....

Stress occurs for everyone. When you have a challenging experience, your body produces both physical and mental responses. These responses can range from aches and pains to feeling anxious and restless. In this article, we’ll examine the causes of stress, its symptoms, and techniques to help you alleviate the symptoms and provide relief. Prevalence of Stress Every year, the American Psychological Association (APA) surveys people in the United States concerning stress, its causes and intensity, and how people respond to stressors....

Transgender men and other transmasculine individuals may use testosterone to masculinize their bodies in order to align their bodies with their gender identity. Unlike transfeminine people who need to use a testosterone blocker in order for gender-affirming hormone therapy to be effective, there is no need to block the production of estrogen when taking testosterone. Testosterone is a more biologically effective hormone, and it will induce changes when taken on its own....

Work hard, play hard. You snooze you lose. In many modern societies, these sayings are commonplace. But it turns out, placing productivity above leisure can take a toll on your mental health. Key Takeaways Many see leisure as a missed opportunity for productivity, which researchers say correlates with lower happiness and poorer mental health. However, true leisure can offer many mental health benefits.To enjoy leisure time try starting off by incorporating it slowly into your daily life....

General anesthesia makes you unconscious and is used during many surgical procedures. Anesthesia is defined as a medication for preventing pain. Multiple types are available. Some allow you to be alert and oriented during a medical procedure, while others make sleep so you’re blissfully unaware of what’s going on. The type of anesthesia you get depends on the nature of the procedure being performed, your age and overall health, and the preferences of the surgeon and anesthesia provider....

If you have an intrauterine device (IUD), you will eventually have to get it removed. If you’re nervous about having it taken out, know that an IUD removal is often easier, less painful, and quicker than an IUD insertion. This article will cover why you might want or need to have your IUD removed. It will also go over what happens during the procedure, including the potential complications you should know about....

There are a number of well-recognized triggers that can precipitate migraine episodes. While you might not have a problem with all of them, it is a good idea to be aware of the possibilities and try to pinpoint which may apply to you. Avoiding the factors that contribute to your migraines can reduce the number of attacks you have and reduce your need for medication. Many of these 10 migraine triggers may already be familiar, as they are commonly reported by migraine patients....

Diabetic retinopathy, a condition caused by damage to blood vessels in the eye, is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. However, it often goes undiagnosed until symptoms, such as vision changes, occur. By then, it may be too late for effective treatment. Diabetic retinopathy screenings are essential. Screening can tell you if you need treatment to slow the progression of vision loss. Read more about what diabetic retinopathy is, how screenings work, and the diagnostic and treatment process....

Anemia is a medical term that means your body doesn’t have enough red blood cells. One of the most common types of anemia is caused by iron deficiency, which may happen if you don’t get enough iron from the food you eat or if your body can’t absorb it well. The anemia diet focuses on foods that can help correct (and prevent) iron deficiency while avoiding those that can inhibit iron absorption....

Aspiration pneumonia is a type of pneumonia caused by the accidental infiltration of food or other substances from the mouth or stomach into the lungs. The condition can be caused by bacteria that normally reside in the mouth or nasal passages, or triggered by non-infectious toxins that damage lung tissue. Chest X-rays and other tests can help differentiate aspiration pneumonia from other types of pneumonia. Bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics, while chemical pneumonia may require steroids and nonsteroidal drugs to bring down the inflammation....

Autologous chondrocyte implantation, or ACI, is a procedure that treats isolated areas of cartilage damage in the knee. Surgeons remove cartilage cells, grow them in a lab, and then implant them in the area where cartilage is needed. This procedure requires two surgeries several weeks apart. It generally shows good long-term results in repairing cartilage and allowing patients to return to their usual activities. But is it right for you?...

In short, yes—you can get pregnant if you miss one pill. But the degree of risk depends on what medication you take, how many active (hormone-containing) pills you missed, and how long it has been since your last dose. Missing one active combination (estrogen+progestin) birth control pill slightly increases your odds of pregnancy, but not by a whole lot. Some level of medication will still be in your system even when you miss an active pill or take it at the wrong time....

Costochondritis is rib pain caused by inflammation of the cartilage (flexible connective tissue) in the rib cage. In this case, it connects the ribs to the sternum (the breastbone between the ribs). Pregnancy can cause costochondritis as the uterus grows and presses on the rib cage, causing it to expand. You may notice that deep breaths, coughing, or specific movements make it worse. Though costochondritis is not life-threatening, it can be scary....

Cowden syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that most noticeably causes hamartomas (benign, or noncancerous, tumors) on various parts of the body and an increased risk for certain types of cancer, especially breast, uterine, and thyroid cancers. People with Cowden syndrome also typically have a larger-than-average head size and may experience developmental or learning delays. Experts estimate that Cowden syndrome affects roughly one in 200,000 people. First described in 1963, Cowden syndrome (also called Cowden’s disease) is named after the family with the initial reported symptoms....

Diabetes can often cause nausea and vomiting. These symptoms may be related to blood sugar, diabetes treatments, or complications related to your condition. Low and high blood sugars, diabetic ketoacidosis, pancreatitis, gastroparesis, and low blood pressure can all cause you to feel nauseous or vomit. Even some diabetes medications can have these same effects. Most of these conditions can be managed with self-monitoring or guidance from your healthcare provider. However, some conditions like diabetic ketoacidosis or extremely low blood sugar that is untreated can lead to hospitalization....