Top of the pageLearning Center
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
- Acute Prostatitis (NIH Category I)
- Adenomyosis
- Antiphospholipid Syndrome and Pregnancy
- Bacterial Vaginosis
- Barrier Methods of Birth Control
- Bartholin Gland Cyst
- Basal Body Temperature (BBT) Charting
- Bed Rest for Preterm Labor
- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
- Bioidentical Hormones
- Birth Control
- Birth Control Pills: Missed or Skipped Periods
- Birth Control: How to Use the Patch
- Birth Control: How to Use the Vaginal Ring
- Blood Tests for Preeclampsia
- 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 (Lumpectomy or Partial Mastectomy) for Breast Cancer
- Breastfeeding
- Breastfeeding After Breast Surgery
- Breastfeeding and Your Milk Supply
- Breastfeeding as Birth Control
- Breastfeeding During Pregnancy
- Breastfeeding With Inverted Nipples
- Breastfeeding Your Newborn and an Older Child
- Breastfeeding: Avoiding Toxic Substances
- Breastfeeding: Baby's Poor Weight Gain
- Breastfeeding: Choosing a Breast Pump
- Breastfeeding: Exercise and Weight Loss
- Breastfeeding: Hindmilk
- Breastfeeding: How to Use a Breast Pump
- Breastfeeding: Sore Nipples
- Breastfeeding: Tobacco, Alcohol, and Drugs
- Breastfeeding: Waking Your Baby
- Breastfeeding: Weaning a Toddler
- Breastfeeding: When Baby Doesn't Want to Stop
- Cancer Treatment and Infertility
- Carbon Dioxide Laser Surgery for Abnormal Cervical Cell Changes
- Cervical Cancer
- Cervical Cancer Screening
- Cervical Cancer: Radical Trachelectomy
- Cervical Cap for Birth Control
- Cervical Cerclage to Prevent Preterm Delivery
- Cervical Insufficiency
- Cervical Polyps
- Cesarean Section
- Chemical Exposure and Miscarriage
- Chlamydia
- Choosing a Prosthesis After Breast Cancer Surgery
- Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis (NIH Category II)
- Chronic Female Pelvic Pain
- Chronic Prostatitis/Pelvic Pain Syndrome, Inflammatory (NIH Category IIIA)
- Chronic Prostatitis/Pelvic Pain Syndrome, Noninflammatory (NIH Category IIIB)
- Circumcision
- Circumcision: Gomco Clamp
- Circumcision: Mogen Clamp
- Circumcision: Plastibell Device
- Cleaning Your Young Son's Natural (Uncircumcised) Penis
- Closure of the Vagina (Vaginal Obliteration)
- Cone Biopsy (Conization) for Abnormal Cervical Cell Changes
- Congenital Hydrocele
- Contraceptive Sponge for Birth Control
- Cryosurgery for Prostate Cancer
- Cryotherapy (Cryosurgery) for Genital Warts
- Cryotherapy for Abnormal Cervical Cell Changes
- Dense Breasts
- Diabetic Neuropathy: Treatment for Sexual Problems
- Diaphragm for Birth Control
- Dilation and Curettage (D&C)
- Dilation and Evacuation (D&E)
- Draining a Breast Abscess
- 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
- Enlarged Prostate: Laser Therapies
- Enlarged Prostate: Other Surgeries
- Enlarged Prostate: Transurethral Needle Ablation
- Epididymitis
- Erection Problems (Erectile Dysfunction)
- Erection Problems: Questions Your Doctor May Ask
- Erection Problems: Surgery on Penile Blood Vessels
- Erection Problems: Talking With Your Partner
- 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
- Fournier's Gangrene
- 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
- Hormonal Factors in Erection Problems
- Hormone Tests to Check for Undescended Testicles
- Hormone Therapy for Prostate Cancer (Androgen Deprivation Therapy, or ADT)
- Hormone Treatment for Breast Cancer
- How Cystic Fibrosis Affects the Reproductive System
- How Erections Occur
- How Pregnancy (Conception) Occurs
- Hydrocele
- Hypospadias
- Hysterectomy
- Hysterectomy for Endometrial Cancer
- Hysterectomy for Ovarian Cancer
- Hysterectomy Questions
- Hysterectomy: Concerns About Sex
- Hysterectomy: Emotional Reactions
- Hysterectomy: Types of Surgical Incisions
- In Vitro Fertilization for Infertility
- Induction Abortion
- Infected Prostate Stones
- Infertility Tests
- Infertility Treatment for Women With PCOS
- Infertility: Aging Egg Supply
- 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: Questions to Ask About Surgery
- Infertility: Setting Limits on Testing
- Infertility: Setting Limits on Treatment
- Inflammatory Breast Cancer
- Inguinal Hernia
- Inguinal Hernia: Surgery in Adults
- Inguinal Hernia: Surgery in Children
- 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
- Laparotomy for Pelvic Problems
- 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 and Other Transition Options for Transgender People
- Medicines for Erection Problems: Reactions With Nitrate
- Menarche
- Menopause and Perimenopause
- Menopause and Your Risk for Other Health Concerns
- Menopause: Wild Yam and Progesterone Creams
- Menstrual Cramps
- Menstruation: Not Having a Period by Age 15
- Milk Oversupply
- Miscarriage
- Miscarriage: Vacuum Aspiration
- Missed or Irregular Periods
- Missed Periods and Endurance Training
- Molar Pregnancy
- Multiple Pregnancy: Twins or More
- Myomectomy
- Nipple Discharge
- 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
- Ovarian Cancer
- Oxytocin
- Pap Test: Classification of Cell Changes
- Pap Test: Collecting Cells in Liquid
- Parkinson's Disease and Sexual Problems
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
- Pelvic Inflammatory Disease: Draining an Abscess
- 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
- PMS: Ways to Record Your Symptoms
- Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)
- 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 Premature Rupture of Membranes (pPROM)
- Preventing Mastitis
- Primary Ovarian Insufficiency
- Problems After Delivery of Your Baby
- Prostate Cancer
- Prostate Cancer, Advanced or Metastatic
- Prostatitis
- Prostatitis: Pre- and Post-Massage Test
- Psychotherapy for Erection Problems
- Pudendal Neuralgia
- Questions About Inguinal Hernia Surgery
- 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
- Removing a Bartholin Gland Cyst
- Repair of Rectocele or Enterocele
- Repair of Vaginal Wall Prolapse (Vaginal Vault Prolapse)
- Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection
- Risks of Multiple Pregnancy
- Safer Sex
- Saw Palmetto
- Sensual Exercises for Erection Problems
- Sex During Pregnancy
- Sex Therapy for Erection Problems
- Sexual Abuse: Signs and Symptoms
- Sexual Dysfunction Causes: Medical Conditions
- Sexual Dysfunction Causes: Medicines
- Sexual Problems in Women
- Sexual Problems: Questions About Your Sexual History
- 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
- Sickle Cell Disease: Home Treatment for Priapism
- Smoking: Sexual and Reproductive Problems
- Spermatocele (Epididymal Cyst)
- Sports Hernia
- Stages of Endometriosis
- Stages of Syphilis
- Stopping Breastfeeding Suddenly
- 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
- Syphilis: Chancre
- Taking Birth Control Pills With Other Medicines
- Tension-Free Vaginal Tape for Stress Incontinence in Women
- Testicular Cancer
- Testicular Cancer Screening
- Testicular Prosthesis
- Testosterone
- The Bethesda System (TBS)
- 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
- Undescended Testicle: Fertility Problems
- Undescended Testicle: Risk for Testicular Cancer
- Urinary Problems and Prostate Cancer
- Uterine Fibroid Embolization (UFE)
- Uterine Fibroids
- Vacuum Aspiration for Abortion
- Vacuum Devices for Erection Problems
- Vaginal Birth After Cesarean (VBAC)
- 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: Type of Past Incision
- VBAC: Uterine Scar Rupture
- Vulvodynia
- What to Do About Missed or Skipped Birth Control Pills
- Yeast Infection While Breastfeeding
- 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
- 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
- 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 for Early-Stage Cancer?
- Breast Cancer: Should I Have Chemotherapy for Early-Stage Breast Cancer?
- Breast Cancer: What Should I Do if I'm at High Risk?
- 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?
- 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: October 9, 2017
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine & Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine
