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
- Bartholin Gland Cyst
- Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Charting
- Bed Rest for Preterm Labor
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
- Bioidentical Hormones
- Birth Control
- Birth Control for Teens
- 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 Vaginal 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 Self-Examination
- Breast-Conserving Surgery 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 Toddler
- Cancer Treatment and Infertility
- Carbon Dioxide Laser Surgery for Abnormal Cervical Cell Changes
- Cervical Cancer
- Cervical Cancer Screening
- Cervical Cap for Birth Control
- Cervical Cerclage to Prevent Preterm Delivery
- Cervical Insufficiency
- Cervical Polyps
- Cesarean Section
- Charting Your Basal Body Temperature
- Chlamydia
- Choosing a Prosthesis After Breast Cancer Surgery
- Chronic Female Pelvic Pain
- Circumcision
- Cleaning Your Young Son's Natural (Uncircumcised) Penis
- Closure of the Vagina (Vaginal Obliteration)
- Combining Breastfeeding and Bottle-Feeding
- Cone Biopsy (Conization) for Abnormal Cervical Cell Changes
- Congenital Hydrocele
- Congenital Syphilis
- Contraceptive Sponge for Birth Control
- Cryosurgery for Prostate Cancer
- Cryotherapy (Cryosurgery) for Genital Warts
- Cryotherapy for Abnormal Cervical Cell Changes
- 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)
- Erection Problems: Relationships and Life Events Matter
- Erection Problems: Talking With Your Partner
- Exercises After Mastectomy
- Fallopian Tube Procedures for Infertility
- Family History and the Risk for Breast or Ovarian Cancer
- Female Genital Problems and Injuries
- Fertility Problems
- 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) for Infertility
- Genital Herpes
- Genital Injuries: Urinary Problems
- Genital Self-Examination
- Genital Warts (Human Papillomavirus)
- Getting Pregnant After Stopping Birth Control
- Gonorrhea
- Heavy Menstrual Periods
- HELLP Syndrome and Preeclampsia
- High-Risk Sexual Behavior
- 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 for Infertility
- Induction Abortion
- Infertility Tests
- Infertility Treatment for Women With PCOS
- Infertility: Emotional and Social Concerns
- 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 for Infertility
- Interactive Tool: What Is Your Due Date?
- Interactive Tool: When Are You Most Fertile?
- Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection for Infertility
- Intrauterine Device (IUD) for Birth Control
- IUD Insertion
- 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's 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
- Lymphadenectomy for Endometrial Cancer
- Male Genital Problems and Injuries
- Mastectomy (Removal of the Breast) for Breast Cancer
- Mastitis While Breastfeeding
- Medical Abortion Care
- Medical and Other Transition Options for Transgender People
- 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
- Menopause: Wild Yam and Progesterone Creams
- 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
- Myomectomy
- Nipple Discharge
- Nipple Shields for Breastfeeding Problems
- Normal Menstrual Cycle
- Normal Vaginal Discharge
- Object in the Vagina
- Oophorectomy
- Open Prostatectomy for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
- Orchiectomy for Prostate Cancer
- Orchiectomy for Testicular Cancer
- Orchiopexy for Undescended Testicle
- Other Health Problems Caused by Herpes Simplex Virus
- Ovarian Cancer
- Oxytocin
- Pap Test: Classification of Cell Changes
- 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
- Placenta Abruptio
- Placenta Previa
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- Poor Let-Down While Breastfeeding
- Postpartum: First 6 Weeks After Childbirth
- Preeclampsia
- Preeclampsia: Expectant Management
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy: Choosing a Health Professional
- Pregnancy: Prenatal Exam Schedule
- Pregnancy: Ways to Find Your Due Date
- Pregnancy-Related Problems
- Premature Ejaculation
- Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)
- Preterm Labor
- Preterm Labor and Short Cervix
- Preterm Labor: Testing for Fetal Fibronectin
- 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
- Psychotherapy for Erection Problems
- 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
- Relieving Menstrual Pain
- Repair of Rectocele or Enterocele
- Repair of Vaginal Wall Prolapse (Vaginal Vault Prolapse)
- Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection
- Safer Sex
- Saw Palmetto
- Sensual Exercises for Erection Problems
- Sex After Childbirth
- Sex During Pregnancy
- Sex Therapy for Erection Problems
- Sexual Abuse: Signs and Symptoms
- Sexual Problems in Women
- Sexuality and Physical Changes With Aging
- Sexuality While Breastfeeding
- Sexually Transmitted Infection Testing
- Sexually Transmitted Infections
- Sexually Transmitted Infections: Genital Exam for Men
- Sexually Transmitted Infections: Symptoms in Women
- Sexually Transmitted Infections: Treatment
- Smoking: Sexual and Reproductive Problems
- Spermatocele (Epididymal Cyst)
- Spermicide for Birth Control
- Sports Hernia
- Stages of Syphilis
- Storing Breast Milk
- Surgery for Chronic Pelvic Pain
- Surgery for Ovarian Cysts
- Surgical Abortion Care
- 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
- Thinking About Bilateral Mastectomy for Early-Stage Breast Cancer
- 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) for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
- Trichomoniasis
- Tubal Ligation and Tubal Implants
- Tubal Ligation Reversal
- Undescended Testicle
- Urinary Problems and Prostate Cancer
- Urinary Symptoms After an Injury in Children
- Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)
- Uterine Fibroids
- Vacuum Aspiration for Abortion
- Vacuum Devices for Erection Problems
- Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)
- Vaginal Dryness During and After Menopause
- Vaginal Fistula
- Vaginal Pessaries
- Vaginal Rashes and Sores
- Vaginal Yeast Infection During Pregnancy
- Vaginal Yeast Infections
- Vaginitis
- Varicocele Repair for Infertility
- Vasectomy
- Vasectomy Reversal (Vasovasostomy)
- 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
- Breast Biopsy
- Breast Ultrasound
- Cancer Antigen 125 (CA-125)
- Chlamydia Tests
- Clinical Breast Examination
- Colposcopy and Cervical Biopsy
- Contraction Stress Test
- Digital Rectal Examination (DRE)
- Endometrial Biopsy
- Estrogens
- Fertility Awareness
- Follicle-Stimulating Hormone
- Gonorrhea Test
- Herpes Tests
- Home Pregnancy Tests
- Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Test
- Hysterosalpingogram
- Hysteroscopy
- KOH Preparation
- Laparoscopy
- Luteinizing Hormone
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Abdomen
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Breast
- Mammogram
- Pap Test
- Pelvic Examination
- Pelvic Ultrasound
- Progesterone
- Prostate Biopsy
- Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)
- Semen Analysis
- Sonohysterogram
- Sperm Penetration Tests
- Syphilis Tests
- Testicular Biopsy
- Testicular Examination and Testicular Self-Examination
- Testicular Scan
- Testicular Ultrasound
- Testosterone
- Tests for Bacterial Vaginosis
- 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 Injection Treatments?
- 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?
- Pap Test: Should I Have Colposcopy if My Pap Test Shows Minor Cell Changes?
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse: Should I Have Surgery?
- PMS: Should I Try an SSRI Medicine for My Symptoms?
- 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?
- Testicular Cancer: Which Treatment Should I Have for Stage I Nonseminoma Testicular Cancer After My Surgery?
- Testicular Cancer: Which Treatment Should I Have for Stage I Seminoma Testicular Cancer After My Surgery?
- Uterine Fibroids: Should I Have Surgery?
- Uterine Fibroids: Should I Have Uterine Fibroid Embolization?
- Uterine Fibroids: Should I Use GnRH-A Therapy?
- Vaginal Yeast Infection: Should I Treat It Myself?
Current as of: June 29, 2020
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine