Depo-Provera- a progestin only birth control given every three months in the form a shot- may affect a woman’s ability to become pregnant for 6-18months after discontinuation.
-Planned Parenthood

Hysterectomy is not the only treatment for fibroids. There are other surgical procedures that can remove or shrink fibroids. Some of them even allow you to remain fertile. There are also alternative treatments to reduce the symptoms caused by fibroids.
-For more information check out the National Women’s Health Network Fact Sheet on fibroids at
http://www.womenshealthnetwork.org/healthinfo/detail.cfm?info_id=5&topic=Fact%20Sheets .

For women who do not want to take hormonal birth control, there are other options.
• Female Condom- a new model is also in the works
Condom – the ever popular
IUD – copper ion- long term, effective and you don’t have top remember to take it
Diaphragm – yes they are still available
Cervical Cap (FemCap)- the diaphragms little buddy
-For more information check out Planned Parenthood’s website at http://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-topics/birth-control-4211.htm.

Hot Flashes can be controlled by methods other than hormone therapy. Some alternative strategies are dietary, paced breathing, staying cool and herbs.
For more information check out the National Women’s Health Network Fact Sheet on Hot Flashes at http://www.nwhn.org/healthinfo/detail.cfm?info_id=7&topic=Fact%20Sheets


Although African-American women tend to have higher bone density than women of other races, this does not mean that they are not at risk for osteoporosis. In fact, Black women are more likely to die after a hip fracture than White women.
-http://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/black-women-and-osteoporosis

Vaginal hysterectomies which remove the cervix carry a higher risk of shortening the vagina than abdominal hysterectomies. This is especially true for laparoscopically assisted vaginal hysterectomies (LAVH), because there is less visibility of the pelvic cavity than during a traditional abdominal hysterectomy. It is important to seek a specially trained surgeon for LAVH.
-Women’s Health Action Trust, http://www.womens-health.org.nz/index.php?page=hysterectomy

Although breast lumps are often associated with cancer, more than 80% of lumps are non-cancerous and turn out to be cysts or fibroadenomas. The majority of lumps in the breast appear and disappear throughout a woman’s cycle for hormonal reasons.
-Our Bodies, Ourselves: A New Edition for a New Era.

Chlamydia and gonorrhea are the most common preventable causes of infertility. Untreated, up to 40% of women with Chlamydia or gonorrhea will develop pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID can lead to infertility and potentially fatal tubal (ectopic) pregnancy.
-CDC at http://www.cdc.gov/std/infertility/default.htm