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What is dysmenorrhea? Dysmenorrhea is a medical term that means “painful periods.” Unfortunately, 50%-90% of menstruating women experience it every month. Ironically, such an essential and life-giving biological function can have a profoundly detrimental impact on us, both physically and emotionally. There are several ways to decrease menstrual pain and increase the quality of life, allowing for a more pleasant monthly visit from Aunt Flo. What causes menstrual cramping? Dr. Vicky Scott is the founder of Asheville Gynecology and Wellness, an integrative GYN practice in Asheville, N.C. She is board-certified in obstetrics, gynecology, lifestyle medicine, and integrative and holistic medicine. She explains that as women approach their period, the body begins producing prostaglandins, which are inflammatory compounds that cause the uterus to contract and shed its lining. This can cause cramping. Cramps can also occur with an imbalance of estrogen and progesterone, mainly when estrogen lev...

Both males and females have breasts. The structure of the male breast is nearly identical to that of the female breast, except that the male breast tissue lacks the specialized lobules, as there is no physiologic need for milk production by the male breast (although there have been some documented instances of male lactation). Our breast size is constantly changing. You might notice that your breasts shrink when you lose weight. That is because your breasts are made of fat. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, menopause, birth control pills, and even sex can cause your breasts to swell. Your breasts can also grow as much as a full cup size during your menstrual cycle. However, days after your period, your hormone levels drop, and your bustline is at its smallest. As humans, we grow breasts before puberty, and they continue growing and changing throughout our lives. We are the only primates with permanent breasts. Other primates' breasts grow only when they are breastfeeding. The average breas...

Our Beautiful Biology Throughout history, the female breast has been a locus of art, sexuality, eroticism, fertility, abundance, and nurturance. The symbolism and politics of this sacred anatomy have evolved to fit the standards and beliefs of each time and culture. Ancient Egyptians, for example, represented breasts in their art, typically for religious purposes, while showing female deities breastfeeding pharaohs as proof of their divine status. The Ancient Romans were more liberal in expressing the sensuality of the female body in their masterpieces. At the same time, the Middle Ages, shaped by strict religious discipline, held more modest representations of the female body. Despite the varying, often objectifying, representations of the female breast in art and culture, breasts are an evolutionary powerhouse. With their complex system of glands, ducts, and high concentrations of estrogen receptors, breasts are responsible for fascinating anatomical functions, such as helping pubert...