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Overview Bartholin's cyst The Bartholin's (BAHR-toe-linz) glands are located on each side of the vaginal opening. These glands secrete fluid that helps lubricate the vagina. Sometimes the openings of these glands become obstructed, causing fluid to back up into the gland. The result is relatively painless swelling called a Bartholin's cyst. If the fluid within the cyst becomes infected, you may develop a collection of pus surrounded by inflamed tissue (abscess). A Bartholin's cyst or abscess is common. Treatment of a Bartholin's cyst depends on the size of the cyst, how painful the cyst is and whether the cyst is infected. Sometimes home treatment is all you need. In other cases, surgical drainage of the Bartholin's cyst is necessary. If an infection occurs, antibiotics may be helpful to treat the infected Bartholin's cyst. Symptoms If you have a small, noninfected Bartholin's cyst, you may not notice it. If the cyst grow...

Hyperhidrosis Overview Hyperhidrosis (hi-pur-hi-DROE-sis) is abnormally excessive sweating that's not necessarily related to heat or exercise. You may sweat so much that it soaks through your clothes or drips off your hands. Besides disrupting normal daily activities, this type of heavy sweating can cause social anxiety and embarrassment. Hyperhidrosis treatment usually helps, beginning with prescription-strength antiperspirants. If antiperspirants don't help, you may need to try different medications and therapies. In severe cases, your doctor may suggest surgery either to remove the sweat glands or to disconnect the nerves responsible for the overproduction of sweat. Sometimes an underlying cause may be found and treated. Symptoms Most people sweat when they exercise or exert themselves, are in a hot environment, or are anxious or under stress. The excessive sweating experienced with hyperhidrosis far exceeds such normal sweating. The type of hyperhidro...

Overview Abdominal aortic aneurysm An abdominal aortic aneurysm is an enlarged area in the lower part of the major vessel that supplies blood to the body (aorta). The aorta runs from your heart through the center of your chest and abdomen. The aorta is the largest blood vessel in the body, so a ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm can cause life-threatening bleeding. Depending on the size of the aneurysm and how fast it's growing, treatment varies from watchful waiting to emergency surgery. Symptoms Abdominal aortic aneurysms often grow slowly without symptoms, making them difficult to detect. Some aneurysms never rupture. Many start small and stay small; others expand over time, some quickly. If you have an enlarging abdominal aortic aneurysm, you might notice: Deep, constant pain in your abdomen or on the side of your abdomen Back pain A pulse near your bellybutton When to see a doctor If you have pain, especially if pain is sudden and seve...

Antidepressants: Safe during pregnancy? Taking medications during pregnancy can have risks and benefits. Get the facts about antidepressant use during pregnancy. Antidepressants are a primary treatment option for most types of depression. But there are benefits and risks to consider when taking antidepressants during pregnancy. Here's what you need to know. Why is treatment for depression during pregnancy important? If you have untreated depression, you might not seek optimal prenatal care or eat the healthy foods you and your baby need. Experiencing major depression during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of premature birth, low birth weight, decreased fetal growth or other problems for the baby. Unstable depression during pregnancy also increases the risk of postpartum depression and difficulty bonding with your baby. Are antidepressants an option during pregnancy? Yes. A decision to use antidepressants during pregnancy, in addition to counseli...

Could an abortion increase the risk of problems in a subsequent pregnancy? Generally, elective abortion isn't thought to cause fertility issues or complications in future pregnancies. However, some studies suggest a possible link between pregnancy termination and an increased risk of premature birth and low birth weight. Risks may depend on the type of abortion performed: Medical abortion.  Medication is taken in early pregnancy to abort the fetus. Medical abortions do not appear to increase the risk of future pregnancy complications. Surgical abortion.  A surgical procedure removes the fetus from the uterus through the vagina. It's typically done using suction and a sharp, spoon-shaped tool (curet). Rarely, this can cause scarring of the uterine wall (Asherman syndrome), which may make it difficult to get pregnant. Women who have multiple surgical abortion procedures may also have more risk of trauma to the cervix. If you have had an abortion and you are conce...

Symptoms of pregnancy: What happens first Do you know the early symptoms of pregnancy? From nausea to fatigue, know what to expect. Could you be pregnant? The proof is in the pregnancy test. But even before you miss a period, you might suspect — or hope — that you're pregnant. Know the first signs of pregnancy and why they occur. Classic pregnancy signs and symptoms The most common early signs and symptoms of pregnancy might include: Missed period.  If you're in your childbearing years and a week or more has passed without the start of an expected menstrual cycle, you might be pregnant. However, this symptom can be misleading if you have an irregular menstrual cycle. Tender, swollen breasts.  Early in pregnancy hormonal changes might make your breasts sensitive and sore. The discomfort will likely decrease after a few weeks as your body adjusts to hormonal changes. Nausea with or without vomiting.  Morning sickness, which can strike at any time of the da...

Preparing for pregnancy when you have diabetes Pregnancy and diabetes doesn't have to be a risky combination. By preparing for pregnancy, you can boost the odds of delivering a healthy baby. Here's how. If you have diabetes — either type 1 or type 2 — and you're thinking about having a baby, you might worry about possible risks. To put your mind at ease, start preparing. Managing your blood sugar levels and making healthy lifestyle choices before pregnancy is good for your health and can give your baby a healthier start too. Start with a checkup The first step in preparing for pregnancy is to talk to your health care provider. He or she might recommend: Changing medications.  If you take diabetes medication besides insulin, you might need to switch to something that's safer for use in pregnancy or make other changes to your diabetes treatment plan before you conceive. If you also have high blood pressure, your blood pressure medications may need to b...