Women’s Health

woman in post-operative recovery after surgery with abdominal laparoscopic robotic incisions healing

Practical Post-Surgery Recovery Tips for Busy Women

Stephanie Joyce MD July 9, 2026

Post-operative recovery is a whole-body journey that goes far deeper than a healing incision. For the modern woman, balancing surgical restrictions with career demands and household expectations can be overwhelming, especially without a partner to lean on. This guide offers practical advice to help you prep ahead, delegate tasks, and protect your energy so you can navigate your post-surgery recovery smoothly and without complications.

doctor writing patient notes in their office with a stethoscope on desk

How to Self-Advocate at a Doctor Appointment (and a list of resources)

Kai Dallas MD July 2, 2026

Self-advocating for your health is hard. When a doctor has only fifteen minutes to see you, it is not always a lack of empathy on their part, but rather a structural constraint that forces them to sprint through a checklist. It is far from ideal, but unfortunately, the reality of a broken system. To make sure your concerns are heard and taken seriously, you have to approach your appointment with a strategy. Here are some practical tips to help navigate your next visit to the doctor’s office. (And a list of healthcare resources at the end!)

osteoporosis of the spine spinal column with bone loss

The Modern Woman’s Guide to Preventing Osteoporosis

Jackie Dallas MD June 29, 2026

Osteoporosis is often called a silent disease because you cannot feel your bones getting weaker. There are no early warning signs, no throbbing aches to tell you that your bone density is slipping away. For far too many women, the very first symptom is a fracture that happens from something as simple as a minor trip, a sudden twist or a clumsy bump into something solid. This is why preventing osteoporosis is so important, because by the time you realize it has happened, it may already be too late.

woman placing a transdermal estrogen hormone replacement therapy hrt patch on her leg upper thigh

The Best Age to Start Hormone Replacement Therapy

Jackie Dallas MD June 23, 2026

The real secret to unlocking the protective benefits of hormone replacement therapy for menopause isn’t just about whether you take it, it is entirely about when you start it. Medical experts call this the “Timing Hypothesis,” and it is the single most important concept to understand if you want to protect your long-term health. HRT is a strategic tool that can protect your heart, skeleton, and brain before the rapid acceleration of biological aging takes hold.

Urethral bulking filler device cystoscope bulkamid urology

Urethral Bulking: Treating Stress Urinary Incontinence

Alexandra Dubinskaya MD June 19, 2026

Urethral bulking is a procedure designed to help women who experience stress urinary incontinence, which happens when the muscles supporting the urethra aren’t as strong as they used to be. This weakness can cause leaks when there’s extra pressure on your bladder, like when you cough or lift something heavy.

Painful Urination: Another UTI or something else?

Guest Expert June 15, 2026

That frustrating, burning sensation when you pee is something so many women know all too well. Your first thought is almost certainly that it is just another urinary tract infection, or perhaps it is a vaginal infection caused by yeast, bacteria or trichomoniasis. But if the antibiotics aren’t helping, what if your painful urination is something more, like interstitial cystitis?

My 8 Favorite Products for Hot Flashes

Jackie Dallas MD June 12, 2026

Summer is in full swing, but when you are navigating the unpredictable waves of perimenopause or menopause, the soaring outdoor temperatures can make hot flashes and night sweats feel absolutely unbearable. While we cannot change the seasonal weather, we can definitely change how we handle the heat. I have put together a list of eight of my absolute favorite, highly rated products that provide fast, practical relief so you can cool down quickly and finally enjoy your summer in comfort.

woman curled in fetal position in bed from pain

Why Endometriosis is More Than Just Pain

Katherine Choi MD June 10, 2026

Endometriosis is not just a “bad period”. It is a complex inflammatory condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows in other areas of the pelvic cavity. Even though this tissue is in the wrong place, it still responds to your monthly hormonal cycle, causing significant inflammation, internal scarring, and adhesions that can make your organs stick together. This is why the pain can feel so multifaceted, presenting as a constellation of symptoms that can shift throughout your cycle, and often overlaps with other conditions.

woman at doctor office for pap smear test examination doctor holding speculum

The Pap Smear: The Life Saving Screening Test for Cervical Cancer

Jackie Dallas MD June 2, 2026

Few routine medical appointments cause as much collective anxiety as the annual woman’s wellness exam, specifically when it is time for a Pap smear. But demystifying exactly what happens on that exam table, and why the screening test is so important, can help transform an anxiety-inducing chore into a powerful, straightforward act of self-care.

gloved hand holding an intrauterine device IUD

What You Need to Know Before Getting an IUD

Jackie Dallas MD May 28, 2026

Getting an intrauterine device (IUD) is one of those topics that comes with a lot of noise. If you search for it online, you will run into a wild mix of horror stories about the pain and glowing reviews from women who say it changed their lives. Let’s cut through the noise and talk about exactly what an IUD is, how it works, what your choices are, and what the insertion procedure looks like step by step. We are also going to talk very honestly about pain management, because those concerns are very real, have been ignored for too long and you deserve to know your options.

Hello! I am Jackie Dallas

A doctor, actress, and women's health advocate, Jackie is the founder of Her Health 101, a platform empowering women through evidence-based health education

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