Jennifer McCurdy

If you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex, then you can get a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Knowledge and prevention about these infections are important safety measures. Many STIs are never detected since there are often no symptoms.  According to the CDC, approximately one in five people in the U.S. had an STI in 2018. […]

Everyone’s experience with labor is different, as is everyone’s experiences with a cesarean delivery (C-section). Whether it’s an emergency C-section with high stress, or a planned C-section with low anxiety, recovery is a whole different story. Some women can recover from a Cesarean within a matter of weeks, some a matter of months. And while […]

If you’ve been noticing some mysterious odors coming from your vaginal area and can’t seem to determine the cause, a vaginal pH imbalance might be the culprit. To help you better understand vaginal pH, let’s start by breaking things down: your vaginal pH refers to the acidity of the vagina and can be affected by […]

Pelvic organ prolapse is where one of the pelvic organs—the bladder, uterus, rectum, small intestine, or vagina—drops down from its usual position and pushes against the walls of the vagina. Up to one-third of women experience pelvic organ prolapse or a similar pelvic disorder at some point in their lives. The experience can be embarrassing, […]

Menopause may be more openly discussed now than it was in past generations. However, for many modern women there is still confusion and a lack of information about menopause treatments. Menopause marks the end of female reproduction, and it can be a challenging time for women. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) reports that three out of four women […]

Birth control pills have been on the market since 1960. This form of contraception has always been very popular and highly successful among women. And, it’s known to have positive effects on other aspects of your health. Here are eight ancillary benefits of taking birth control pills: More Manageable Endometriosis Hormone treatments may help slow […]

Maybe you’re suddenly experiencing a lack of interest in sex, or maybe you’ve never had that strong of a sex drive. Either way, experiencing low or fluctuating libido can be confusing and may even make you feel like something is wrong. Sex drive varies greatly among women. However, if you experience limited or no sexual […]

If you’re considering birth control options after giving birth, an intrauterine device or IUD is a great option. IUDs are safe to use while breastfeeding. Plus, you don’t need to remember to take a pill at the same time each day. This is something many busy and tired new moms appreciate. Here’s everything you need […]

Stay-at-home mom depression is a real thing. Being a stay-at-home mom is a tough job anytime, but especially these days. Being a stay-at-home mom comes with many rewards, but the job—yes, being a stay-at-home mom is definitely a job—can be challenging, lonely and isolating, and some women even feel a loss of identity. Sometimes, being a […]

Have you been experiencing sharp or nagging pelvic pain to the point where you’re starting to wonder what’s going on? Pelvic pain in women, occurring in the lower abdomen below the belly button, presents in many different ways and can be sharp, dull, aching, sudden, or recurrent. This pain can have many different causes, some […]

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a medication used to replace estrogen that your body stops producing in menopause. Due to changing hormone levels, women commonly experience a variety of symptoms during menopause. Symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, pain during sex, chills, mood changes, and difficulty sleeping. For some women these symptoms are […]

Osteoporosis is a health condition that weakens our bones and leaves us at high risk for fractures. Osteoporosis causes the spaces inside the bones to lose strength and density, and the bone becomes thin and weak. Hip, spine, and wrist fractures are among the most common. As you get older, your risk of osteoporosis increases. […]

Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women in the United States. Yet, there are numerous basic facts about heart health that many women are in the dark about. In fact, many women regularly make mistakes in day-to-day life that have a negative impact on heart health. Here are a few mistakes you […]

During and following pregnancy, severe bleeding (hemorrhage) and abnormally high blood pressure (hypertension) are leading causes of maternal mortality. About 700 pregnancy-related deaths occur in the United States each year. Every pregnancy-related death is tragic, especially because about two thirds are preventable. Health Disparities Black, American Indian, and Alaska Native women are three times more likely to die from […]

With most medical conditions, it’s best to catch problems early before they develop into larger issues. Many problems are silent in their early stages and show no symptoms, so regular health screenings and annual exams are vital for remaining proactive about your health. The following guide will help you determine when it’s time to schedule […]

As life goes on, our sexual needs and interests inevitably change. You may find yourself more or less interested in sex, or completely indifferent to sex all together. The fact is, at any point in life there are many factors that might influence your sex life or libido. These include your health, age, past illnesses, […]

Even though COVID-19 is milder among children than adults, this is still a high-stress time for parents. COVID-19 in children has been on the rise, with children recently making up 24% of all reported U.S. COVID-19 cases. A new Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) Series prepared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) finds that […]

Pregnant women with COVID-19 are at higher risk for complications, severe illness and negative impacts on the fetus. Furthermore, new research shows the pandemic poses risks to babies, especially boys. Risks During Pregnancy Pregnant women infected with the coronavirus are more likely to develop respiratory complications. Especially those with underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes. […]

Pregnancy can be quite the venture; however the payoff of a beautiful baby is well worth the journey. During pregnancy, certain tests are offered to check for birth defects and deficiencies. Early indications of certain defects during pregnancy is many times nothing to fret about. While these tests might be stress-inducing for new moms, they are […]

Did you know that over 50% of women over age 75 are still getting annual mammograms? Should this life-saving practice be discontinued at a certain age if it no longer decreases mortality from breast cancer? What is a Mammogram and Why is it Important? A mammogram is a special type of breast x-ray that allows medical professionals […]

Women over the age of 35 who become pregnant may be considered high risk due to advanced maternal age. This simply means they are more likely to have certain conditions and complications for mother and baby. For many women, fertility begins to decrease slowly around age 32 and then much more rapidly around age 37. […]

Do you wonder if your vagina is “normal” in appearance? If so, you’re definitely not alone—this is a common concern among women. Many women find it reassuring to learn that healthy vaginas come in many shapes, sizes, and variations. While a “normal” vagina doesn’t exist, there are some common similarities. But before we get into […]

Explore the link between hormonal fluctuations and the phenomenon of hormonal headaches in our comprehensive guide at Women’s Health Arizona, uncovering how hormones might be triggering your headache symptoms and providing insights into effective relief treatments. What is a Hormonal Headache? Hormonal headaches, also known as menstrual or PMS headaches, are common among women and occur […]

The health of your gut impacts the body in ways that extend far beyond the gut itself. Wondering how that’s possible? To start, you’ll need to understand that the human gut (or digestive tract) contains trillions of bacteria. These bacteria are commonly referred to as gut flora or gut microbiota. They’re also part of something […]