Health & Lifestyle Sexuality Women's Health
Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacteria that is usually found on moist surfaces of the body, such as the lining of the vagina. Most of the time they are not harmful. However sometimes these bacteria get into the bloodstream through cuts, abrasions, open wounds, burns or insect bites. While in the bloodstream they release toxins (poisons). TSS is the body's life-threatening reaction to these toxins. The body goes into 'shock'. Blood pressure drops dramatically and blood flow to vital organs is not what it should be. Death can occur. TSS is rare nowadays.
Polycystic ovarian syndrome is known by a variety of names. It is also called polycystic ovaries, polycystic ovarian disease, sclerocystic ovarian disease, ovarian syndrome and Stein-Leventhal Syndrome. The ovaries tend to be enlarged with multiple cysts on the surface. The cysts are due to an accumulation of many immature ova, which have not fully developed due to an abnormality in the levels of circulating hormones.
Menstruation, or having periods, is part of the female reproductive cycle. While the average interval between periods is 28 days, many women will have cycles that are either longer or shorter than this. During a period, the lining of the womb, which is no longer required if a pregnancy has not occurred, is shed and bleeding occurs through the vagina. This bleeding usually lasts between three and seven days.
Strictly speaking, cystitis means an inflammation of the bladder, but in reality it can often be used to indicate an infection of the urine which may form in any part of the urinary system and not just in the bladder alone.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in the developed world at present. Breast cancer begins with the development of abnormal cells, in one or both breasts, that replace normal healthy tissue. The cancer usually starts as a small lump (tumour), which, if untreated, can spread to the muscle, skin and lymph nodes under the arm.
