When news broke that researchers identified the presence of lead, arsenic, and other heavy metals in tampons, panic broke out — understandably. After all, many women go through thousands of tampons throughout their lives, and they’re literally inserting them into their bodies. Obviously, the prospect of inserting an item that contains lead and arsenic into your vagina repeatedly can be a terrifying one. But it may not need to be — because while the study did establish that tampons had measurable concentrations of the 16 heavy metals that were assessed in this particular research, the study...

For many women, that "time of the month" can be uncomfortable and painful. If you've ever wondered whether your period was normal, then you're not alone. According to the National Institute of Health, 14 to 25 percent of women have irregular menstrual cycles.  According to Dr. Heather Jones, a board-certified OB/GYN, a normal menstrual cycle is defined as a period every 21-35 days that can last up to 7 days. "As OB/GYNs, we define a normal flow as less than 80 mL(think of 5-6 tablespoons)," she says. "Abnormal uterine bleeding(AUB) is bleeding outside of normal volume,...

Welcome to 2024, when we are still *checks notes* reducing a woman’s value to whether or not she’s married with children by a certain age. Proof that this is still happening exists all around us, both in our own lives as well as in pop culture. Take, for example, that viral Harrison Butker speech, in which he told a group of college graduates that even if the women in the class may “go on to lead successful careers in the world”, their lives would truly begin when they found their “vocations” as wives and mothers. And...

When we think of diapers, our minds usually jump to babies and toddlers. But what if we told you that diapers are making a splash in the world of menstrual care? That's right, period diapers are becoming increasingly popular among women of all ages, and today we're diving into this innovative product that's reshaping how we manage our monthly cycles.  First things first, let's address the elephant in the room. The term "period diaper" might sound a bit strange or even off-putting at first. But trust us, these aren't your baby's diapers. They're specially designed, comfortable,...

It’s summer, which means you’re probably on the go more than usual, with travel, parties, and spontaneous outings at every turn. It’s all so much fun, but maybe you’ve noticed something unusual happening with your body this season. For example, maybe your cycle’s patterns have been off. We’ve all heard that certain factors — like stress or hormonal shifts — can mess with your menstrual cycle. But what about the things you may be doing in the summer, like traveling, eating differently, and socializing more? Could they be responsible for changes you’re noticing? Potentially — especially...

People love to slam women who are on their periods. We’ve seen this time and time again. When a woman stands up for herself and someone asks if it’s “that time of the month." When a significant other talks about being “afraid” of their partner when she’s on her period. When a certain politician remarked that there was “blood coming out of her wherever” when an interviewer challenged him. This is such a societal touchstone, women even do it themselves. Think about it: Have you ever joked about becoming possessed by a demon when it’s that...

If you’ve ever had an “oops” moment after having unprotected sex or a slip-up with your regular form of birth control, you might be familiar with Plan B, aka the “morning-after pill.” This form of emergency contraception can be a lifesaver as a backup method for preventing pregnancy, and it’s readily available at most drugstores, with no ID required.  We know this little pill can save you from a lot of worry, but could Plan B make your period late? Let’s start at the beginning. Let’s talk about periods Most people typically get their first period...

If you ask “the interwebs” if ovarian cysts cause infertility, you’ll be led down a windy, confusing road of Yes…No…Maybe? Truthfully, it is impossible to answer this question with a simple yes or no because the definition of “cyst” is so broad. A cyst is a fluid-filled sack. Some are completely benign and don't cause any negative symptoms, while others can be problematic due to their size, impact on hormones, or even malignancy.  To help us understand the different types of cysts and how they can affect fertility, we spoke to Levica H. Narine, MD,...

Whether you’ve Googled this late at night or texted a friend in a panic, we’ve all tried to find the quick and easy answer to this question at one point or another.  The short answer: 8 hours. Why? Because after 8 hours, your risk of infection increases. To err on the side of caution, however, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends you change your tampon every 4-6 hours.  What happens if you leave a tampon in for too long? Just as we’ve all wondered about how long we can keep a tampon in, we’ve...

Let’s say it a few times together and get it out of the way: Butt cramps. Butt cramps. Butt cramps! Whew. Okay. We all know that menstrual cramps are an expected (if unpleasant) part of having a period. As many as 80% of women experience period cramps in their lifetime, with 5-10% of women experiencing cramps so painful that it disrupts their ability to go to work or school.  Although cramps feel different to everyone and can range in severity, most people experience dull, throbbing cramps in their lower abdomen during their luteal phase, just...