St. John's wort: traditionally used as a muscle relaxant to relieve menstrual problems, as a mild tranquilizer and as a treatment for depression and insomnia.

(See also: St. John's wort, Herbal Therapy, Alternative Medicine, Body Mind and Soul)

Osteopathy: This form of medicine works with the musculoskeletal system to treat joint problems, chronic pain, menstrual problems, arthritis and many other conditions. Doctors use joint manipulation and physical therapy to stimulate the body’s healing capabilities.

(See also: Osteopathy, Alternative Health, Body Mind and Soul)

Spironolactone can cause gastrointestinal problems fairly often. Since it also affects steroid receptors elsewhere in the body, it can cause gynecomastia, menstrual irregularities and testicular atrophy. Other side effects include ataxia, impotence, drowsiness and rashes. A carcinogenic effect has been demonstrated in rats. ...

See also:

Spironolactone, Spironolactone - Mechanism of action, Spironolactone - Pharmacokinetics, Spironolactone - Side effects

Read more here: » Spironolactone: Encyclopedia II - Spironolactone - Side effects

Herbalism: Herbs, Plants, Oils - A list of herbs and their purposes, including old folklore usages

This is a list of some of the thousands of herbs that I have found, there are many more. They are in alphabetical order so just scroll down the list.

From The Busy Witch.

Read more here: » Herbs, Plants, Oils: A list of herbs and their purposes

The Native American Sweat Lodge, Temazcal, is an ancient practice from the native indians of America; a sacred ritual for Healing and Purification. Participants at the Oneness Festival will be able to experience this very powerful ritual both at day time, and, when it is as most powerful, at night time.

Read more here: » Sweat Lodge: Temazcal II/III - Mexican Method of Sweat Baths for Curative Purposes

The menstrual cycle is the set of recurring physiological changes in a female's body that are under the control of the reproductive hormone system and necessary for reproduction. In women, menstrual cycles occur typically on a monthly basis between puberty and menopause. Besides humans, only other great apes exhibit menstrual cycles, in contrast to the estrus cycle of most mammalian species. During the menstrual cycle, the sexually mature female body releases one egg (or occasionally two, which might result in dizygotic, or non ...

Including:

• Menstrual cycle - The normal menstrual cycle in humans
• Menstrual cycle - Menstruation
• Menstrual cycle - Follicular phase
• Menstrual cycle - Ovulation
• Menstrual cycle - Luteal phase
• Menstrual cycle - Menstrual symptoms
• Menstrual cycle - The fertile window
• Menstrual cycle - Hormonal control
• Menstrual cycle - Hidden ovulation
• Menstrual cycle - The ovary as an egg-bank
• Menstrual cycle - The anovulatory menstrual cycle
• Menstrual cycle - Cycle abnormalities
• Menstrual cycle - Frequency
• Menstrual cycle - Flow
• Menstrual cycle - Duration
• Menstrual cycle - The birth control pill
• Menstrual cycle - Etymology and the lunar month
• Menstrual cycle - Menstrual products
• Menstrual cycle - Debate
• Menstrual cycle - Culture and menstruation
• Menstrual cycle - Mysticism
• Menstrual cycle - Religion
• Menstrual cycle - Menstruation in other mammals
• Menstrual cycle - Notes

Read more here: » Menstrual cycle: Encyclopedia - Menstrual cycle

Amenorrhoea (BE) or amenorrhea (AmE) is the absence of a menstrual period in a woman of reproductive age. Physiologic states of amenorrhoea are seen during pregnancy and lactation (breastfeeding). Outside of the reproductive years there is absence of menses during childhood and after menopause. Amenorrhoea - Etymology and definition. The term is derived from Greek: a = negative, men = month, rhoia = flow. Derived adjectives are amenorrhoeal and amenorrheic. The oppo ...

Including:

• Amenorrhoea - Etymology and definition
• Amenorrhoea - Overview
• Amenorrhoea - Classification
• Amenorrhoea - Causes
• Amenorrhoea - Primary amenorrhoea
• Amenorrhoea - Secondary amenorrhoea
• Amenorrhoea - Treatments
• Amenorrhoea - History

Read more here: » Amenorrhoea: Encyclopedia - Amenorrhoea

Pregnancy is the carrying of one or more embryos or fetuses by female mammals, including humans, inside their bodies. In a pregnancy, there can be multiple gestations (for example, in the case of twins, or triplets). Human pregnancy is the most studied of all mammalian pregnancies. Human pregnancy lasts approximately 40 weeks between the time of the last menstrual cycle and birth (38 weeks from fertilisation). The medical term for a pregnant woman is genetalian, just as the medical term for the unborn is embryo (e ...

Including:

• Pregnancy - Detection and dating
• Pregnancy - Timeline of a typical pregnancy
• Pregnancy - First trimester
• Pregnancy - Second trimester
• Pregnancy - Third trimester
• Pregnancy - Medical aspects of pregnancy
• Pregnancy - Birth
• Pregnancy - Postnatal Period
• Pregnancy - Terms and definitions
• Pregnancy - Technical
• Pregnancy - Colloquial
• Pregnancy - Reference

Read more here: » Pregnancy: Encyclopedia - Pregnancy

Virginal breast hypertrophy (VBH) is a rare medical condition which causes excessive growth of the breasts during puberty. The condition is caused by over-sensitivity to the female hormone, estrogen. The symptoms of VBH are hypertrophy (enlargement) of the breasts. VBH always starts at puberty, soon after the girl's first menstrual period. The degree of hypertrophy varies from woman to woman and in severe cases it is possible for women to have breasts that weigh well in excess of 20 lb (9 kg) each. With VBH, enlar ...

Read more here: » Virginal breast hypertrophy: Encyclopedia - Virginal breast hypertrophy

A contraceptive patch is a transdermal patch applied to the skin that releases synthetic estrogen and progestin hormones to prevent pregnancy. They are thought to have the same effectiveness as the contraceptive pill. Currently the only publicly available contraceptive patch is marketed under the brand name Ortho Evra. Use of this relatively new contraceptive is increasing rapidly, likely because it combines the high effectiveness of contraceptive pills with a more convenient and easy method of administration. Contraceptive patches ar ...

Including:

• Contraceptive patch - Method of use
• Contraceptive patch - Backup contraception
• Contraceptive patch - Mechanism of action
• Contraceptive patch - Interactions and Contraindications
• Contraceptive patch - Side effects
• Contraceptive patch - Lawsuit
• Contraceptive patch - Religion & the patch

Read more here: » Contraceptive patch: Encyclopedia - Contraceptive patch

Shiatsu (Japanese 指圧) - is a massage technique originating in Japan. Shiatsu follows similar principles to western massage using the principles of anatomy and physiology. The thumbs, palms, and fingers (no knees or elbows are used in the foundation form of shiatsu therapy) are used to apply pressure to designated areas of the body. All qualified Shiatsu Therapists in Japan have to go through a government-regulated program which covers mostly the traditional form of Shiatsu Therapy. This traditional form, now commonly practi ...

Including:

• Shiatsu - Time Line
• Shiatsu - Characteristics
• Shiatsu - Intended treatments

Read more here: » Shiatsu: Encyclopedia - Shiatsu

A cramp is an unpleasant sensation caused by contraction, usually of a muscle. It can be caused by cold or overexertion. Illness or poisoning can also cause cramps, particularly in the stomach, which is referred to as colic if it fits particular characteristics. Menstruation also is highly likely to cause cramps of varying severity in the abdomen. Most of this is attributable to the passing of coagulated blood through the cervix. Menstrual cramps can be treated with ibuprofen, stretching exercises or the application of heat thr ...

Including:

• Cramp - Smooth muscle
• Cramp - Skeletal muscle

Read more here: » Cramp: Encyclopedia - Cramp

Bromelain is not a single substance, but rather a collection of enzymes and other compounds. It is a mixture of sulfur-containing protein-digesting enzymes, called proteolytic enzymes or proteases. It also contains several other substances in smaller quantities, including peroxidase, acid phosphatase, protease inhibitors, and calcium. It is primarily produced in Japan, Hawaii, and Taiwan, and most research has been conducted in the first two regions. However, Germany has recently taken a great interest in bromelain research, where bromelain is curr ...

Read more here: » Bromelain: Encyclopedia - Bromelain

Also unlike most other animals, human females are fertile all year rather than just at certain times of the year. Unlike other animals which are fertile all year, scientists do not believe that humans evolved this trait in order to allow greater numbers of offspring to be produced. In a hunter-gatherer environment, a human female can only support about one offspring every four years. Until the beginnings of agriculture, breastfeeding and low nutrition levels caused a natural fertility suppression. Concealed ovulation - T ...

Including:

• Concealed ovulation - Theories for causation
• Concealed ovulation - The Engels theory
• Concealed ovulation - Theories for behavioral implications
• Concealed ovulation - Conclusion
• Concealed ovulation - Footnotes
• Concealed ovulation - Discussion of the claim that women do not know when they are fertile

Read more here: » Concealed ovulation: Encyclopedia - Concealed ovulation

Artificial insemination (AI) is when sperm is placed into a female's ovarian follicle (intrafollicular), uterus (intrauterine), cervix (intracervical), or fallopian tubes (intratubal) using artificial means rather than by natural copulation. Modern techniques for artificial insemination were first developed for the dairy cattle industry to allow many cows to be impregnated with the sperm of a bull with traits for improved milk production. Artificial insemination - Artificial Insemination for Animals. Artifi ...

Including:

• Artificial insemination - Artificial Insemination for Animals
• Artificial insemination - Human Artificial Insemination
• Artificial insemination - History

Read more here: » Artificial insemination: Encyclopedia - Artificial insemination

Addison's disease (also known as chronic adrenal insufficiency, or hypocortisolism) is a rare endocrine disorder, first described by British physician Thomas Addison. It is estimated that it affects about 1 to 2 in 100,000 people. It occurs when the adrenal glands, seated above the kidneys, fail to produce enough of the hormone cortisol and, sometimes, the hormone aldosterone. Addison's disease refers specifically to primary adrenal insufficiency, in which the adrenal glands themselves malfunc ...

Including:

• Addison's disease - Signs and symptoms
• Addison's disease - Early signs
• Addison's disease - Addisonian crisis
• Addison's disease - Diagnosis
• Addison's disease - Pathophysiology
• Addison's disease - Treatment
• Addison's disease - Famous patients
• Addison's disease - In animals
• Addison's disease - Reference

Read more here: » Addison's disease: Encyclopedia - Addison's disease

Oral contraceptives are chemicals taken by mouth to inhibit normal fertility. All act on the hormonal system. Female oral contraceptives have been on the market since the early 1960s, and enjoy great popularity. They are used by millions of women around the world, though the acceptance varies by region: approximately one-third of sexually active women in the United Kingdom, but much less in countries such as Japan. Male oral contraceptives remain a subject of research and development, and are not widely available to the public. Including:

• Oral contraceptive - Principles
• Oral contraceptive - Use
• Oral contraceptive - Mechanism of action
• Oral contraceptive - Effectiveness
• Oral contraceptive - Packaging
• Oral contraceptive - Drug interactions
• Oral contraceptive - Side-effects
• Oral contraceptive - Formulations
• Oral contraceptive - Effects on sexuality
• Oral contraceptive - Cautions and contraindications
• Oral contraceptive - Benefits
• Oral contraceptive - History
• Oral contraceptive - Invention
• Oral contraceptive - France
• Oral contraceptive - Japan

Read more here: » Oral contraceptive: Encyclopedia - Oral contraceptive

Sports medicine or sport medicine is an interdisciplinary subspecialty of medicine which deals with the treatment and preventive care of athletes, both amateur and professional. The team includes specialty physicians and surgeons, athletic trainers, physical therapists, coaches, other personnel, and, of course, the athlete. Sports medicine - History. The origins of sports medicine lie in a well ancient Greece and ancient Rome where physical education was a necessary aspect of youth – training and a ...

Including:

• Sports medicine - History
• Sports medicine - Sports medicine today
• Sports medicine - United States
• Sports medicine - First olympic sports medicine team
• Sports medicine - The future of sports medicine

Read more here: » Sports medicine: Encyclopedia - Sports medicine

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) is a common herb found throughout North America and Eurasia. It has finely divided, almost feathery leaves, and tiny white or yellow flowers that form a flat-topped cluster. It grows in fields and urban waste places, flowering throughout the summer. Yarrows can be planted to combat soil erosion due to the plant's resistance to drought. The herb is purported to be a diaphoretic, astringent, tonic, stimulant and mild aromatic. It contains isovalerianic acid, salicylic acid ...

Including:

• Yarrow - Human uses
• Yarrow - Medicinal Uses
• Yarrow - Historical Uses and Folklore
• Yarrow - Caution

Read more here: » Yarrow: Encyclopedia - Yarrow

Congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) refers to any of several autosomal recessive diseases resulting from defects in steps of the synthesis of cortisol from cholesterol by the adrenal glands. Most of these diseases involve excessive or defective production of sex steroids and can pervert or impair development of primary or secondary sex characteristics in affected infants, children, and adults. Only a small minority of people with CAH can be said to have an intersex condition, but this attracted American public attention in the late 1990s and ...

Including:

• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia - Overview of the multiple types of CAH
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia - Genetics
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia - Biochemistry
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia - History

Read more here: » Congenital adrenal hyperplasia: Encyclopedia - Congenital adrenal hyperplasia