In the childbirth cycle, the postpartum period begins after a woman gives birth and extends through the first 12 weeks after delivery. During this time, mothers recover from childbirth and may experience varying levels of uterine, perineal, abdominal incision, and breast pain (American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologist [ACOG], 2020). Researchers have found that Black women in the United States experience greater disparities in postpartum pain management compared to Whit

Introduction Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) affects 1 in 8 women, making it one of the most common hormonal conditions. Despite this, many people experience years of symptoms before receiving a diagnosis, leading to frustration, uncertainty and delayed treatment. Following a 14 year international collaboration between researchers, clinicians, charities and those living with the condition, a major change was announced in May 2026. The name PCOS will be replaced with PMOS (

Photo by Anastasiia Chepinska on Unsplash Written by Hannah Simpson, BSN, RN Understanding placental abruption Placental abruption is a condition that can occur during pregnancy. When a woman is pregnant, she grows an organ known as a placenta. The placenta is a temporary organ, and it is located inside the mother’s uterus. It develops throughout pregnancy and is delivered shortly after the delivery of the baby. The purpose of the placenta is to provide oxygen and nutrients

For many people, menstrual pain is something they are taught to expect. Cramps, fatigue, and discomfort are often dismissed as a normal part of the menstrual cycle, making it difficult to recognize when symptoms signal a more serious condition. For those living with endometriosis, however, the pain can extend far beyond what is considered typical, affecting daily activities, relationships, and overall quality of life. Endometriosis occurs when tissue similar to the lining of

Photo by Suhyeon Choi on Unsplash Written by Hannah Simpson, BSN, RN Overview Placenta previa is a problem with the location of the placenta in pregnancy. The placenta is the organ that provides oxygen and nutrition to the developing baby and removes waste during pregnancy. Typically, the placenta is located at the top or the side of the uterus. However, in placenta previa, the placenta covers all or some of the cervix. This is a problem because the cervix is the opening to

Postpartum depression is a condition that happens after delivering a baby, leading a person to feel extreme sadness and extreme mood swings. The exact cause of postpartum depression is currently unknown, but it's said to stem from a variety of factors such as changes in hormonal levels, changing lifestyle factors, and physical changes. Postpartum depression can develop gradually or within the first weeks after having a baby. Women with postpartum depression are usually diagno

Maternal emotions during pregnancy and early infancy don’t just “set the mood”—they can shape how a baby’s brain develops in meaningful, measurable ways. From the initial weeks of pregnancy to the first years of life, a baby’s brain is developing at an extraordinary pace. During this time, the mother’s emotional state plays a powerful role in shaping how that brain grows, organizes, and responds to the world. Insights from Developmental Neuroscience and Prenatal Psychology

What Is Endometriosis? Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) grows outside the uterus. This tissue can be found on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and other pelvic organs. Unlike normal uterine lining, which sheds during menstruation, this misplaced tissue has no way to exit the body, leading to inflammation, pain, and scar tissue formation. Endometriosis affects approximately 1 in 10 women of reproductive age

For many people, the menstrual cycle is seen as a monthly inconvenience. Something to endure and move past. But medically, the menstrual cycle is far more than that. It is a finely regulated hormonal system, and when something goes wrong, the cycle is often the first place the body shows it. Conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, adenomyosis, and broader hormonal imbalances may appear different on the surface, but they are all deeply connected throug

INTRODUCTION: Endometriosis is often described as a painful disease involving intense pelvic pain affecting a considerate percentage of women in reproductive age [1]. The condition Endometriosis is derived from the word ‘Endometrium’ which is the tissue that lines the uterine wall. When a similar tissue grows outside the uterus then this is referred to as Endometriosis. The lining grows and eventually breaks down which leads to bleeding inside the pelvis and resulting in infl

Written by Hannah Simpson, BSN, RN Image from Freepik What is Placenta Previa? Placenta previa is a problem with the location of the placenta in pregnancy. The placenta is the organ that provides oxygen and nutrition to the developing baby and removes waste from the baby during pregnancy. Typically, the placenta is located at the top or the side of the uterus. However, in placenta previa, the placenta covers all or some of the cervix. This is a problem because the cervix is t

Julia Wise Finding out that a baby has a congenital abnormality can be a life-changing experience for parents. The most common of these abnormalities is called anencephaly. Babies with anencephaly do not develop parts of the skull and brain needed to support life. Anencephaly is present in approximately 3 in 10,000 pregnancies (1). While there have been some rare cases of babies with anencephaly living past a year, most do not live past 24 hours following birth (2). Accordin

Introduction Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders affecting women of reproductive age, impacting approximately 6-12% of individuals worldwide. Despite its prevalence, PCOS remains underdiagnosed and frequently misunderstood. Many individuals initially seek care for irregular periods or acne, without realizing these symptoms may be part of a broader systemic condition. PCOS is not solely a reproductive disorder, it is a multifaceted co

By B.L.Sindhuja . Medical Writer | Pharm.D What Really Occurs Post Partum? Giving birth is not only a memorable event in mother's life , but also a major physiological process that involves many changes in the body. That includes progesterone and estrogen levels drastically drop after childbirth, affecting neurotransmitters that regulate moods and emotions in the brain such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine (1). Physiological recovery needs and sleep deprivation cre

Pregnancy is a life-changing journey filled with excitement and anticipation. However, beneath the surface, many women experience ongoing emotional pressure that often goes unnoticed. Chronic stress during pregnancy is not just a mental burden—it can have serious consequences for both mother and baby if left unmanaged. What Is Chronic Stress During Pregnancy? Chronic stress is a persistent state of mental and emotional strain that lasts for weeks or months. Unlike temporary s

Author Micah Sagini * For a long time, cervical cancer has been a global health concern for women globally. Cervical cancer ranks fourth among cancer-related causes of death in women worldwide, with more than 500,000 new cases and around 300,000 deaths each year. Unlike most cancers, cervical cancer is caused by a virus known as human papillomavirus (HPV), which infects the human reproductive system. This virus is responsible for over 95% of cervical cancer cases [1]. The d

It is essential that pregnant women in the United States receive comprehensive medical care throughout the perinatal period, which consist of three trimesters: 1) Prenatal (antepartum) - pregnancy, 2) Intrapartum -labor and birth, and 3) P ostpartum - the first 42 days after the birth. According to 2023 data from the National Center for Health Statistics [NCHS], Hoyert (2023) reported that non-Hispanic Black women in the United States experienced significan

Written by: Olivia Orr, BSN, RN If you live with migraine, it helps to understand how hormonal changes across the lifespan can influence symptoms and frequency. Migraine is linked to fluctuations in estrogen, particularly when estrogen drops. This relationship may explain why women are about three times more likely than men to experience migraine. Many women notice that migraine episodes become more frequent, less predictable, or simply different in their 40s and early 50s. P

Feeling constantly exhausted, lightheaded, or short of breath, even after a full night’s sleep, is something many women brush off as “just stress.” But for millions of women, the real cause may be iron deficiency. Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies worldwide, and women of reproductive age are at especially high risk. Yet it often goes undiagnosed because its symptoms can be subtle or mistaken for everyday fatigue. Here’s what you need to know a

Picture two mid-life women fanning themselves in a waiting room. One leaves her appointment armed with coping tips and a prescription for hormone replacement therapy; the other is met with a shrug and opts to just ride it out. Can you guess what was different about these two women? For something half the population experiences, menopause remains surprisingly misunderstood. And for women from marginalized racial and ethnic groups, it can be both misunderstood and undertreated.