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Sexual and Reproductive Organs
Learn about your sexual and reproductive organ health
Some sexual and reproductive organ problems are fairly common, like a vaginal yeast infection in women or an enlarged prostate in men. Problems like these may only need home treatment. But other problems, like pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), can be more serious and need a doctor's care. Certain tests, such as a follicle-stimulating hormone test, can help you be aware of your sexual and reproductive organ health. Our topics can connect you with information on sexual and reproductive organ symptoms, tests, and treatments.
Start learning about your sexual and reproductive organ health with these topics:
- Abdominal Pain, Age 12 and Older
- Abnormal Pap Test
- Abnormal Pap Test While Pregnant
- Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
- Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding
- Abortion
- Abortion: Emotional Recovery
- Active Surveillance for Prostate Cancer
- Adenomyosis
- Antiphospholipid Syndrome and Pregnancy
- Bacterial Vaginosis
- Balanitis
- Bartholin Gland Cyst
- Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Tracking
- Bed Rest for Preterm Labor
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
- Bioidentical Hormones
- Birth Control
- Birth Control for Teens
- Birth Control Hormones: The Mini-Pill
- Birth Control Hormones: The Pill
- Birth Control Hormones: The Ring
- Birth Control Pills: Missed or Skipped Periods
- Birth Control: How to Use a Diaphragm
- Birth Control: How to Use the Patch
- Birth Control: How to Use the Ring
- Birth Control: Myths About Sex and Pregnancy
- Birth Control: Pros and Cons of Hormonal Methods
- Boric Acid for Vaginal Yeast Infection
- Braxton Hicks Contractions
- Breast Cancer
- Breast Cancer in Men (Male Breast Cancer)
- Breast Cancer Screening
- Breast Cancer Types
- Breast Cancer, Metastatic or Recurrent
- Breast Cancer: Lymph Node Surgery for Staging Cancer
- Breast Changes During Pregnancy
- Breast Engorgement
- Breast Enlargement
- Breast Implant Surgery for Breast Reconstruction
- Breast Lumps
- Breast Pain (Mastalgia)
- Breast Problems
- Breast Reduction
- Breast-Conserving Surgery (Lumpectomy) for Breast Cancer
- Breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding After a C-Section
- Breastfeeding After Breast Surgery
- Breastfeeding and Your Milk Supply
- Breastfeeding as Birth Control
- Breastfeeding During Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding Multiple Infants
- Breastfeeding Positions
- Breastfeeding With Inverted Nipples
- Breastfeeding Your Newborn and an Older Child
- Breastfeeding: Baby's Poor Weight Gain
- Breastfeeding: Choosing a Breast Pump
- Breastfeeding: Exercise and Weight Loss
- Breastfeeding: How to Use a Breast Pump
- Breastfeeding: Sore Nipples
- Breastfeeding: Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drugs
- Breastfeeding: Waking Your Baby
- Breastfeeding: Weaning a Baby
- Cancer Treatment and Infertility
- Carbon Dioxide Laser Treatment for Abnormal Cervical Cell Changes
- Cervical Cancer
- Cervical Cancer Screening
- Cervical Cap for Birth Control
- Cervical Cell Changes on a Pap Test
- Cervical Cerclage
- Cervical Insufficiency
- Cervical Polyps
- Cesarean Section
- Charting Your Basal Body Temperature
- Chlamydia
- Choosing a Prosthesis After Breast Cancer Surgery
- Chronic Pelvic Pain
- Circumcision
- Cleaning Your Young Child's Natural (Uncircumcised) Penis
- Combining Breastfeeding and Bottle-Feeding
- Congenital Hydrocele
- Congenital Syphilis
- Contraceptive Sponge for Birth Control
- Cryosurgery for Prostate Cancer
- Cryotherapy for Abnormal Cervical Cell Changes
- Cryotherapy for Genital Warts
- Dense Breasts
- Diaphragm for Birth Control
- Dilation and Curettage (D&C)
- Dilation and Evacuation (D&E)
- Eclampsia (Seizures) and Preeclampsia
- Ectopic Pregnancy
- Effects of Diethylstilbestrol (DES) Exposure
- Electrocautery for Genital Warts
- Emergency Contraception
- Emotions and Menopause
- Endometrial (Uterine) Cancer
- Endometrial Ablation
- Endometriosis
- Enlarged Prostate: Bathroom Tips
- Enlarged Prostate: Herbal Therapy
- Epididymitis
- Erection Problems (Erectile Dysfunction)
- Estrogen and Anti-Androgen Hormone Therapy for Gender Affirmation
- Excisional Biopsy for Abnormal Cervical Cell Changes
- Fallopian Tube Procedures for Infertility
- Family History and the Risk for Breast or Ovarian Cancer
- Female Genital Problems and Injuries
- Female Sexual Problems
- Feminizing Surgeries for Gender Affirmation
- Fibrocystic Breasts
- Find Your Ovulation Day
- First-Trimester Exams and Tests
- Fitz-Hugh-Curtis Syndrome
- Functional Ovarian Cysts
- Gamete and Zygote Intrafallopian Transfer (GIFT and ZIFT)
- Genital Herpes
- Genital Injuries: Urinary Problems
- Genital Warts (Human Papillomavirus)
- Getting Pregnant After Stopping Birth Control
- Gonorrhea
- Heavy Menstrual Periods
- HELLP Syndrome
- Hormone Therapy for Prostate Cancer (Androgen Deprivation Therapy, or ADT)
- Hormone Treatment for Breast Cancer
- How Pregnancy (Conception) Occurs
- How to Take Birth Control Pills
- Hydrocele
- Hypospadias
- Hysterectomy
- Hysterectomy for Endometrial Cancer
- Hysterectomy for Ovarian Cancer
- In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)
- In-Clinic Abortion Care
- Induction Abortion
- Infertility
- Infertility Tests
- Infertility Treatment for Women With PCOS
- Infertility: Emotional and Social Support
- Infertility: Ethical and Legal Concerns
- Infertility: Factors That Affect Treatment Success
- Infertility: Problems With Fallopian Tubes
- Infertility: Problems With Ovulation
- Infertility: Problems With the Man's Reproductive System
- Infertility: Problems With the Uterus and Cervix
- Infertility: Questions to Ask About Assisted Reproductive Technology
- Infertility: Questions to Ask About Medicine or Hormone Treatment
- Infertility: Setting Limits on Testing
- Infertility: Setting Limits on Treatment
- Inflammatory Breast Cancer
- Inguinal Hernia
- Inguinal Hernia: Surgery in Adults
- Insemination for Infertility
- Insemination Procedures
- Interactive Tool: What Is Your Due Date?
- Interactive Tool: When Are You Most Fertile?
- Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI)
- Intrauterine Device (IUD) for Birth Control
- Intrauterine Device (IUD) Insertion
- Intrauterine Device (IUD) Removal
- Kegel Exercises
- Klinefelter Syndrome
- Labor and Delivery
- Laparoscopic Ovarian Drilling (Ovarian Diathermy) for PCOS
- Laparoscopic Surgery
- Laparoscopic Surgery for Endometriosis
- Laparoscopic Tubal Ligation
- Laser Surgery for Genital Warts
- Leriche Syndrome
- Levonorgestrel (LNg) IUD
- Light to Heavy Vaginal Bleeding
- Living With More Than One Health Problem
- Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP) for Abnormal Cervical Cell Changes
- Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure (LEEP) for Genital Warts
- Low-Lying Placenta Versus Placenta Previa
- Lymph Node Removal Surgery (Lymphadenectomy) for Endometrial Cancer
- Male Genital Problems and Injuries
- Masculinizing Surgeries for Gender Affirmation
- Mastectomy (Removal of the Breast) for Breast Cancer
- Mastitis While Breastfeeding
- Medical and Nonmedical Options for Gender Affirmation
- Medicines That Can Cause Changes in Menstrual Bleeding
- Medicines That May Cause Vaginal Symptoms
- Menarche
- Menopause and Perimenopause
- Menopause and Your Risk for Other Health Concerns
- Menstrual Cramps
- Menstrual Diary to Monitor Premenstrual Symptoms
- Menstruation: Not Having a Period by Age 15
- Milk Oversupply
- Miscarriage
- Missed or Irregular Periods
- Missed Periods and Endurance Training
- Molar Pregnancy
- Multiple Pregnancy: Twins or More
- My Birth Plan
- Mycoplasma Genitalium
- Myomectomy
- Nipple Discharge
- Nipple Shields for Breastfeeding Problems
- Normal Menstrual Cycle
- Normal Vaginal Discharge
- Object in the Vagina
- Orchiectomy
- Orchiectomy for Prostate Cancer
- Orchiopexy for Undescended Testicle
- Other Health Problems Caused by Herpes Simplex Virus
- Ovarian Cancer
- Oxytocin
- Parkinson's Disease and Sexual Problems
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: Tubo-Ovarian Abscess
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse
- Penile Implants for Erection Problems
- Personal Stories About Choosing Birth Control Methods
- Peyronie's Disease
- Pill Abortion Care
- Placenta Previa
- Placental Abruption
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- Poor Let-Down While Breastfeeding
- Postpartum: First 6 Weeks After Childbirth
- Preeclampsia
- Preeclampsia: Expectant Management
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy: Ways to Find Your Due Date
- Pregnancy-Related Problems
- Premature Ejaculation
- Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
- Preterm Labor
- Preterm Labor and Short Cervix
- Preterm Prelabor Rupture of Membranes (pPROM)
- Preventing Mastitis
- Primary Ovarian Insufficiency
- Problems After Delivery of Your Baby
- Prostate Cancer
- Prostate Cancer, Advanced or Metastatic
- Prostatitis
- Pudendal Neuralgia
- Quick Tips: Successful Breastfeeding
- Radiation for Early-Stage Breast Cancer
- Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer
- Radical Prostatectomy
- Rashes or Sores in the Groin
- Recurrent Vaginal Yeast Infections
- Relactation
- Repair of Rectocele or Enterocele
- Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection for Testicular Cancer
- Safer Sex
- Saw Palmetto
- Sensual Exercises for Erection Problems
- Sex After Childbirth
- Sex During Pregnancy
- Sexual Abuse: Signs and Symptoms
- Sexual Problems: How to Talk With Your Partner
- Sexuality and Physical Changes With Aging
- Sexuality While Breastfeeding
- Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening
- Sexually Transmitted Infections
- Sexually Transmitted Infections: How a Male Genital Exam Is Done
- Sexually Transmitted Infections: Symptoms in Women
- Sexually Transmitted Infections: Treatment
- Simple Prostatectomy for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
- Smoking: Sexual and Reproductive Problems
- Spermatocele (Epididymal Cyst)
- Spermicide for Birth Control
- Sports Hernia
- Stages of Syphilis
- Storing Breast Milk
- Subchorionic Hemorrhage
- Surgery for Chronic Pelvic Pain
- Surgery for Ovarian Cysts
- Surgical Removal of Genital Warts by Excision
- Symptoms of Pelvic Infection
- Symptoms of Pregnancy
- Syphilis
- Tension-Free Vaginal Tape for Stress Incontinence in Women
- Testicular Cancer
- Testicular Cancer Screening
- Testicular Prosthesis
- Testosterone
- Testosterone Hormone Therapy for Gender Affirmation
- Thinking About Bilateral Mastectomy for Early-Stage Breast Cancer
- Thinking About Oophorectomy
- Third-Trimester Exams and Tests
- Tissue Flap Surgery for Breast Reconstruction
- Toxic Shock Syndrome
- Transurethral Incision of the Prostate (TUIP) for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
- Transurethral Microwave Therapy (TUMT) for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
- Transurethral Prostatectomy for Prostatitis
- Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)
- Trichomoniasis
- Tubal Ligation Reversal
- Tubal Ligation Surgery
- Undescended Testicle
- Urinary Problems and Prostate Cancer
- Urinary Symptoms After an Injury in Children
- Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)
- Uterine Fibroids
- Vacuum Aspiration
- Vacuum Devices for Erection Problems
- Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)
- Vaginal Closure Surgery (Vaginal Obliteration)
- Vaginal Dryness
- Vaginal Fistula
- Vaginal Pessaries
- Vaginal Prolapse Surgery
- Vaginal Rashes and Sores
- Vaginal Yeast Infection During Pregnancy
- Vaginal Yeast Infections
- Vaginitis
- Varicocele Repair Surgery
- Vasectomy
- Vasectomy Reversal
- VBAC: Labor Induction
- VBAC: Participation During Birth
- VBAC: Uterine Scar Rupture
- Vulvodynia
- What to Do About Missed or Skipped Birth Control Pills
- Antisperm Antibody Test
- Bacterial Vaginosis Tests
- Biophysical Profile (BPP) Test
- Biopsy of Genital Warts (Human Papillomavirus)
- Breast Biopsy
- Breast Exam
- Breast Self-Awareness
- Breast Ultrasound
- Cancer Antigen 125 (CA-125) Test
- Chlamydia Tests
- Colposcopy
- Contraction Stress Test
- Digital Rectal Examination
- Electronic Fetal Monitoring
- Endometrial Biopsy
- Estrogen Test
- Fertility Awareness
- Fetal Fibronectin Test
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Test
- Gonorrhea Test
- Herpes Tests
- Home Pregnancy Tests
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Test of the Cervix
- Hysterosalpingogram (HSG)
- Hysteroscopy
- KOH Preparation
- Laparoscopy
- Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Test
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Abdomen
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Breast
- Mammogram
- Nonstress Test
- Pap Test
- Pelvic Exam
- Pelvic Ultrasound
- Progesterone Test
- Prostate Biopsy
- Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test
- Semen Analysis
- Sonohysterogram
- Sperm Penetration Tests
- Syphilis Tests
- Testicular Biopsy
- Testicular Examination and Testicular Self-Examination
- Testicular Scan
- Testicular Ultrasound
- Testosterone Test
- Tests for Erection Problems
- Vaginal Self-Examination (VSE)
- Vaginal Wet Mount
- Abnormal Uterine Bleeding: Should I Have a Hysterectomy?
- Breast Cancer Risk: Should I Have a BRCA Gene Test?
- Breast Cancer Screening and Dense Breasts: What Are My Options?
- Breast Cancer Screening: When Should I Start Having Mammograms?
- Breast Cancer: Should I Have Breast Reconstruction After a Mastectomy?
- Breast Cancer: Should I Have Breast-Conserving Surgery or a Mastectomy?
- Breast Cancer: Should I Have Chemotherapy for Early-Stage Breast Cancer?
- Breast Cancer: What Should I Do if I'm at High Risk?
- Breastfeeding: Should I Breastfeed My Baby?
- Circumcision: Should I Keep My Son's Penis Natural?
- Endometriosis: Should I Have a Hysterectomy and Oophorectomy?
- Endometriosis: Should I Use Hormone Therapy?
- Enlarged Prostate: Should I Have Surgery?
- Enlarged Prostate: Should I Take Medicine?
- Erection Problems: Should I Take Medicine?
- Erection Problems: Should I Try Inserted or Injected Medicines?
- Fertility Problems: Should I Be Tested?
- Fertility Problems: Should I Have a Tubal Procedure or In Vitro Fertilization?
- HPV: Should I Get the Vaccine?
- HPV: Should My Child Get the Vaccine?
- Hysterectomy and Oophorectomy: Should I Use Estrogen Therapy (ET)?
- Hysterectomy: Should I Also Have My Ovaries Removed?
- Infertility: Should I Have Treatment?
- Inguinal Hernia: Should I Have Surgery Now, or Should I Wait?
- Menopause: Should I Use Hormone Therapy (HT)?
- Miscarriage: Should I Have Treatment to Complete a Miscarriage?
- Ovarian Cancer: Should I Have My Ovaries Removed to Prevent Ovarian Cancer?
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Should I Have Surgery?
- Prostate Cancer Screening: Should I Have a PSA Test?
- Prostate Cancer: Should I Choose Active Surveillance?
- Prostate Cancer: Should I Have Radiation or Surgery for Localized Prostate Cancer?
- STI Testing: Should I Get Tested for a Sexually Transmitted Infection?
- Uterine Fibroids: Should I Have Surgery?
- Uterine Fibroids: Should I Have Uterine Fibroid Embolization?
- Uterine Fibroids: Should I Use GnRH-A Therapy?
Current as of: November 27, 2023
Author: Healthwise Staff
Clinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.