Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsReasons for Heavy PeriodsDoes It Work?TypesFrequently Asked Questions Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Reasons for Heavy Periods Does It Work? Types Frequently Asked Questions If left untreated,heavy menstrual bleeding(previously called menorrhagia) can lead to iron deficiency anemia. One commonly used option for treating heavy menstrual bleeding is birth control. It is estimated that about 20% of people who haveperiods experience heavy bleeding....

Birth controlis a way for women and men to prevent and plan the timing of pregnancy. There are many different birth control methods, includinghormonal contraception, non-hormonal contraception, and OTC methods. Birth controleffectivenessis an important and common concern in yourdecision to choosea birth control method. People have beenusing birth controlfor thousands of years. Today, we have many safe and effective birth control methods to choose from. Birth control effectiveness depends on different factors....

Eric Audras / ONOKY / Getty Images Secondary Hypertension There are two types of high blood pressure. Although the exact cause of the first type, primary hypertension, isn’t known, the condition is associated with certain risk factors, including eating too much salt (for folks who are sensitive to sodium), and stress. Any of these can increase blood pressure in people with primary hypertension. The tricky thing about both forms of hypertension is that they rarely produce any symptoms, even when blood pressure becomes dangerously high....

Key TakeawaysEstrogen can enhance the effects of the immune system.Individuals who take the birth control pill may be less likely to develop severe COVID-19.Post-menopausal people showed higher predicted rates of COVID-19 and hospitalization. Key Takeaways Estrogen can enhance the effects of the immune system.Individuals who take the birth control pill may be less likely to develop severe COVID-19.Post-menopausal people showed higher predicted rates of COVID-19 and hospitalization. New research has found that estrogen-containing birth control may help lower infection rates and reduce the severity of symptoms in those infected with COVID-19....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesSide EffectsWho Should Avoid Black Cohosh?DosageInteractionsStorageSimilar SupplementsSources Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Uses Side Effects Who Should Avoid Black Cohosh? Dosage Interactions Storage Similar Supplements Sources Blackcohoshis an herbal remedy used for hot flashes, night sweats, and other menopausal symptoms. Some also turn to it to treattinnitus(ear ringing) andheart palpitations, among other conditions.There’s limited research evidence, and more study is needed to understand whether and how black cohosh increases estrogen levels and treatsmenopause symptoms....

Key Takeaways In a Love Letter to the Black Community, a team of Black doctors and nurses is urging all Black people to get vaccinated against COVID-19. TheBlack Coalition Against COVID(BCAC) released the letter as one part of their plan to encourage the Black community to get vaccinated. “Our colleagues across healthcare know that we are urging our community to take safe and effective vaccines once available,” the letter states. “However, for this to be successful, they must do more to earn your trust—now and in the future....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsBite AppearanceOther SymptomsWhen to See a ProviderHome TreatmentWays to Prevent Bites Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Bite Appearance Other Symptoms When to See a Provider Home Treatment Ways to Prevent Bites Black flies are small insects closely related to mosquitoes that bite and suck the blood of livestock and humans. The bites can be painful and long-lasting. Black flies are also called “buffalo gnats,” because they have a small hump behind their head, similar to a bison or buffalo....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesTreatmentDiagnosisWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderFrequently Asked Questions Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Symptoms Causes Treatment Diagnosis When to See a Healthcare Provider Frequently Asked Questions Like skin color, gums come in a variety of shades. People with moremelanintend to have darker gums. Therefore, black gums may be perfectly normal for some people. On the other hand, if black gums are not your natural shade, they could be indicating a health condition, a side effect from medication, or damage from smoking....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsOverviewSide EffectsInflammationFoods to AvoidWhen to Get Help Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Overview Side Effects Inflammation Foods to Avoid When to Get Help Black pepper (Piper nigrum) allergy is possible but rare. The protein in black pepper that triggers allergic reactions is called piperine.A reaction occurs when the immune system mistakenly identifies piperine as a harmful substance and releases chemicals calledhistaminesin response....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhy Are Flame Retardants Concerning?How Do Flame Retardants Wind Up in Kitchen Utensils?What Can You Replace Black Plastics With? Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Why Are Flame Retardants Concerning? How Do Flame Retardants Wind Up in Kitchen Utensils? What Can You Replace Black Plastics With? There’s yet more evidence that exposure to plastics can be harmful to health. Recent research indicates that black plastic found in items like food containers, kitchen utensils, and toys often contains toxic flame-retardant chemicals....

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesWhen to See a ProviderComplicationsDiagnosisTreatmentPrevention Table of ContentsView All View All Table of Contents Symptoms Causes When to See a Provider Complications Diagnosis Treatment Prevention A black toenail can happen because of an injury that produces a bruise called asubungual hematoma, though it can also have other causes such as a fungal infection, a vitamin deficiency, or a medical condition like diabetes or cancer. Black toenails can be painful, but they often go away on their own....

Key TakeawaysRecent research shows Black women are less likely to be offered hypofractionated radiation therapy as an option for breast cancer treatment.Black women face several inequalities that start from the moment they seek a diagnosis.Access to breast cancer treatment can depend on trust, awareness, and financial resources.Improving healthcare for Black women with breast cancer will require a collaborative approach. Key Takeaways Recent research shows Black women are less likely to be offered hypofractionated radiation therapy as an option for breast cancer treatment....

Key TakeawaysBlack women are at greater risk of dying from breast cancer than people of other races and ethnicities.Screening Black women for breast cancer starting at 42 years old could help clinicians identify cancer cases and reduce deaths, according to a new study.There are many causes for disparities in breast cancer outcomes, but promoting earlier screening for Black women could be a valuable first step, the authors say.Black women younger than 50 are nearly twice as likely to die from breast cancer as their White counterparts, despite having a 4% lower incidence of the disease....