Sexual health is an important part of a woman’s overall physical and emotional well-being. Yet many women experience problems with sexual desire, arousal, orgasm, or pain during sex and may hesitate to discuss them. Female sexual dysfunction is common, treatable, and nothing to be ashamed of. If sexual difficulties are affecting your relationship, confidence, emotional health, or quality of life, talking to a healthcare professional can be the first step toward finding the ri

Having a baby is a life-changing experience. Your body, hormones, emotions, sleep, and relationship can all change after childbirth. So, if sex feels different after having a baby, you are not alone—and it does not mean something is wrong with you or your relationship. Many women experience pain during sex, vaginal dryness, reduced sexual desire, difficulty becoming aroused, or simply feel that sex is “not the same” after childbirth. The good news is that most postpartum sexu

Have you ever wanted to have intercourse but found it painful, frightening, or simply impossible? You are not alone—and it is not your fault. What is vaginismus? Vaginismus is a condition in which the muscles around the vagina tighten involuntarily when penetration is attempted. This can make sexual intercourse painful or difficult, and in some women, penetration may not be possible at all. The tightening happens automatically. It is not something you are doing deliberately.

A reminder that some obstetric emergencies reveal themselves only when we are prepared for them Pregnancy after two previous Caesarean sections always deserves careful monitoring. When placenta previa is also present, the pregnancy becomes one that requires a high degree of vigilance and preparation. This is the story of one such patient. She had undergone two previous Lower Segment Caesarean Sections (LSCS) and was now pregnant again. During this pregnancy, she was diagnosed

“Doctor, I am only six weeks pregnant… and I have an 8 cm fibroid. What should I do?” Those were the words of a young woman who came to me in the very early weeks of her first pregnancy. She was a primigravida—pregnant for the first time—and understandably, she was frightened. Along with the excitement of seeing her pregnancy on the ultrasound, she had also been told that she had a large uterine fibroid measuring about 8 cm. For a first-time mother, hearing the words “8 cm fi

Noticing blood clots during your period can sometimes be worrying. You may see dark red, bright red, or jelly-like clumps of blood on your sanitary pad, tampon, menstrual cup, or when using the toilet. The reassuring news is that small blood clots during menstruation can be completely normal, particularly during the first few days when menstrual flow is heavier. However, frequent or large period blood clots, especially when accompanied by heavy bleeding, severe pain, tirednes

Have you ever noticed that your period is late during a particularly stressful month? You are not alone. Stress can affect your menstrual cycle and, in some women, may cause a delayed period, irregular periods, lighter or heavier bleeding, or even a missed period. But how does stress affect your menstrual cycle? And when should a delayed period be taken seriously? Let’s understand what actually happens to your body. Can stress delay your period? Yes, stress can delay your per

Pregnancy can bring happiness, excitement, worry and fear. These mixed emotions are normal. A positive attitude cannot guarantee a particular pregnancy outcome, but emotional well-being can help you manage stress, follow healthy habits and communicate with your healthcare team. Caring for your mental health is part of caring for yourself during pregnancy. What Does a Positive Attitude Mean? Being positive does not mean feeling happy all the time or never worrying. It means: A

Swelling of the feet, ankles and legs after delivery is common. In most new mothers, it is temporary and improves as the body gradually gets rid of the extra fluid retained during pregnancy. However, some types of postpartum leg swelling can be a warning sign of a medical problem. Knowing what is normal—and when to seek medical attention—is important for every new mother. When Should You Seek Urgent Medical Help? Contact your doctor promptly if you develop: Sudden or severe

Cervical Polyps: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment and When to See a Gynecologist Cervical polyps are common growths on the cervix and are usually benign (non-cancerous). Many women may have a cervical polyp without experiencing any symptoms, while others may notice abnormal vaginal bleeding or bleeding after intercourse. Although most cervical polyps are harmless, it is important to have them examined by a gynecologist because abnormal bleeding can have several causes. What is a C

When Priya visited her gynecologist, she had two ongoing concerns: painful periods that interfered with her daily life and the challenge of remembering to take her contraceptive pill at the same time every day. She often worried about missing a dose, especially on busy mornings, while traveling, or during stressful days. Her menstrual cramps were severe enough to affect her concentration, work, social plans, and overall comfort. She wanted reliable contraception but preferred

“Doctor, I have fever. Will my baby be okay?” This is a common concern during pregnancy. Let’s take the example of Meena, 28 weeks pregnant. One evening, she developed a fever of 101°F along with body ache and tiredness. She initially thought it was just a viral infection and decided to wait. But the next morning, the fever continued. Meena called her doctor. Her doctor explained, “Fever during pregnancy should not be ignored. Most fevers are treatable, but we need to find ou

An NT scan, or Nuchal Translucency scan, is an important first-trimester ultrasound performed during pregnancy. It helps assess the risk of certain chromosomal conditions and can provide valuable information about your baby’s early development. For many expectant parents, the first trimester is filled with excitement as well as questions. One common question is: “Why is an NT scan important?” Understanding what the scan looks for and when it is performed can help you make inf

How to Interpret Your Dual Marker Test Report: A Simple Guide for Pregnant Women If you are pregnant and have recently received your dual marker test report, you may be wondering what all those numbers and terms mean. Words such as PAPP-A, free beta-hCG, MoM, risk ratio, and Trisomy 21 can be confusing. The good news is that the dual marker test is a screening test, not a diagnostic test. Its purpose is to estimate whether your pregnancy has a higher or lower chance of certai

Having a baby is a major life change. While your attention naturally turns toward caring for your newborn, contraception after delivery is also important—even if your periods have not returned. Many women are surprised to learn that ovulation can occur before the first period after childbirth. This means pregnancy is possible soon after delivery. Choosing the right postpartum contraception can help you plan the timing of your next pregnancy and give your body time to recover.

Many women today choose to start their families after 35 because of education, career, relationships, financial planning, or personal circumstances. While pregnancy after 35 is common and many women have healthy pregnancies, fertility does change with age. Understanding these changes can help you plan your pregnancy and seek medical advice at the right time. Does fertility really decline after 35? Yes. Female fertility gradually declines with age and the decline becomes more

Finding an Ovarian Cyst: Do You Need Surgery? Understanding Ovarian Cysts Finding an ovarian cyst on an ultrasound does not necessarily mean you need surgery. In fact, many ovarian cysts are harmless, temporary, and can disappear on their own without treatment. If you have recently been diagnosed with an ovarian cyst, you may be wondering: “Do I need surgery for an ovarian cyst?” The answer depends on the type of ovarian cyst, its size, ultrasound appearance, symptoms, age, a

A Cesarean section (C-section) is a major abdominal surgery, and recovery takes time. After delivery, a new mother needs adequate rest, nutritious food, wound care, emotional support, and regular medical follow-up. Knowing what to expect after a C-section can help you recover safely and confidently while caring for your newborn. What to Expect After a C-Section During the first few days, it is normal to experience: Pain or tenderness around the incision Tiredness and weakness

Swelling of the feet, ankles and legs during pregnancy is very common. Many pregnant women notice that their shoes feel tighter or that their ankles look puffy, especially towards the end of pregnancy. In most cases, mild swelling is a normal part of pregnancy and improves after delivery. However, sudden or excessive swelling during pregnancy can sometimes be a warning sign of a medical problem and should not be ignored. Why Do Legs Swell During Pregnancy? Leg swelling during

A real-life obstetric case that highlights the importance of close monitoring in high-risk pregnancy Pregnancy is usually a beautiful journey, but certain warning signs can quickly change the course of care. This case involved a woman with one previous LSCS (caesarean delivery) and a history of severe pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) in her previous pregnancy, which ended in delivery at 36 weeks. Because of this history, her current pregnancy was monitored closely. A new