Know the Common Causes of Breast Pain

Women of all ages report having breast pain, also known as mastalgia. Pain can occur both before and after the menopause. However, breast pain is most common in younger menstruating women.

While nearly 70 percent of women report breast pain at some point during their lives, only around 15 percent require medical treatment.

The severity and location of breast pain can vary. Pain can occur in both breasts, one breast, or in the underarm. Severity can range from mild to severe and is typically described as tenderness, sharp burning, or tightening of the breast tissue.

Hormonal changes due to events such as menstruation, pregnancy, lactation, and menopause can also have an effect on the type of breast pain experienced.

Read more: Common Causes of Breast Pain

Breast pain can sometimes occur alongside changes in the menstrual cycle. Oral hormonal contraceptives
can lead to breast pain in some cases.

Source: medicalnewstoday

Birth Control Without a Doctor's Visit? There's an App for That

Access to birth control is improving, but there are a few things to be aware of before proceeding.

While the issue of whether to allow hormonal contraceptives to be sold over the counter continues to be a political lightning rod, an access-improving development has quietly taken root without attracting controversy: An array of new apps and websites now make it possible for women to obtain prescription contraceptives in many states without having to schedule a doctor’s appointment. 

Thanks to game-changing program offerings from Nurx, Maven, Lemonaid, Virtuwell and Prjkt Ruby, women can answer questions about their health online or by video; the information is then reviewed by a doctor or nurse practitioner who will write a three-month prescription for oral contraceptives that patients can pick up at a nearby pharmacy or in some cases have delivered right to their homes.

Read more: Birth Control Without a Doctor's Visit? There's an App for That

Source: HealthUSNews

A novel device claims to be an 'off switch' for painful menstruation.

It’s estimated that nine out of 10 women suffer from period pain each month, and an unfortunate 10 percent of those will get it so bad, they could be incapacitated for up to three days. 

Other than using contraceptives to skip their period altogether (just like astronauts do), menstruating women have precious few options to beat this thing and get on with their lives. Some over-the-counter pain-killers and a strategically placed hot water bottle is about it.

But there’s another option behind secret door #3, and early reports are saying this thing actually works. Dubbed Livia, this new medical device claims to be an"off switch for menstrual pain".

Okay, so first thing’s first: how does this supposed 'miracle cure' actually work? 

As the Livia website explains, the device comes with two electrodes, which you need to place on the painful areas on your abdomen. Switch the device on, and these electrodes will start delivering imperceptible electric pulses to your nerves, which will settle the pain.

Read more: A novel device claims to be an 'off switch' for painful menstruation.

Source: sciencealert