At 25, you think you have plenty of time. At 30, you think you'll see later. At 35, the question sometimes becomes much more concrete: "Do I still have time?" Between studies, career, relationships, finances and personal projects, there is obviously no universal age to become a mother. But there is a biological reality that is sometimes discussed too late: female fertility declines with age. So, what is the "right" age? There is no perfect age. At 28 or 30, not having childre

When we think about breast cancer, we often spontaneously think of a lump that can be felt under the fingers. So, after a breast self-exam with no obvious abnormality, we reassure ourselves: “I can’t feel anything, so everything must be fine.” It’s not quite that simple. Breast cancer can, particularly at an early stage, be present without a clearly palpable lump. But the opposite is also important: many breast changes are benign. The goal is therefore not to worry about ever

Perfumed soaps. Intimate washes. Vaginal douches. Wipes. Intimate deodorants… We have often been taught that good intimate hygiene means cleaning as much as possible. But what if doing too much is actually the problem? The vagina does not need to be cleaned from the inside. It has its own natural protective system, supported by a complex vaginal ecosystem containing beneficial bacteria, particularly Lactobacillus. The essential rule is much simpler than many people think: Was

"Doctor, there's movement in my stomach." I hear this phrase regularly during consultations. Sometimes a woman is certain of what she feels. Sometimes she is worried. Sometimes she smiles, placing her hand on her stomach. And very often, a question arises quickly: "Is it the worm?" In Cameroon, the famous "worm" is one of the traditional explanations that is still frequently encountered when a person feels something moving in their abdomen. But behind this simple feeling lie

A question comes up frequently: why does a woman’s fertility decrease with age, while a man may still be able to father a child at an advanced age? Is this a biological injustice? The reality is much more complex. Two completely different biological systems The main difference lies in the way reproductive cells are produced. In women, oocytes are formed before birth. A baby girl is born with a limited number of oocytes stored in her ovaries. Throughout her life, she will use

When genetics reveals a forgotten family story… The happiest day of their lives turned into a nightmare. The birth of their child was supposed to be a moment of absolute happiness. But from the very first moments, a question shakes the family. The baby boy is beautiful… but his appearance surprises everyone. Blond hair, fair skin, and physical characteristics that seem very different from those of his parents. Questions quickly arise: “How is this possible?” The young mother

“Can deodorant cause breast cancer?” This is a question I hear regularly during consultations. Recently, a patient told me that her sister, who developed triple-negative breast cancer at a young age despite having no identified genetic mutation, was convinced that deodorant was the cause. When someone close to us develops cancer, especially at a young age, it is completely understandable to search for an explanation. However, it is important to distinguish between hypotheses

For some expectant parents, learning their baby's sex is simply a fun milestone during pregnancy. For others, it is a deeply emotional moment—one they have looked forward to since the very beginning. But why can a baby's sex become such an important issue? Sometimes the Preference Reflects a Personal Story Wanting a girl or a boy is not always about the child's sex itself. It may be connected to personal experiences, childhood memories, relationships with one's own parents, o

Uterine fibroids (also called myomas or leiomyomas) are benign tumors that develop from the muscular layer of the uterus. They are very common: up to 70% of women may develop them during their lifetime. However, their evolution varies greatly: some remain stable for years, others gradually increase in size, while some may even decrease spontaneously. A common question from many patients is: “What makes a fibroid grow? And what can I do to reduce it?” Hormones: the main factor

The story of a medical investigation into genital infections When a vaginal or cervical swab result comes back positive, one question often comes up: “Is this bacteria dangerous? Is it responsible for my symptoms?” With Mycoplasma, the answer is not always straightforward. Because in medicine, detecting a microorganism does not automatically mean that it is causing disease. To understand this better, imagine a police investigation… The story of Mycoplasma and the jewelry stor

Being told that your fallopian tubes are "blocked" can be very worrying. However, an HSG (hysterosalpingography) or a HyFoSy (hysterosalpingo-foam sonography) result does not always mean that there is a true blockage. Before considering surgery or in vitro fertilization (IVF), it is essential to interpret the findings in the context of your individual medical history. How reliable are HSG and HyFoSy? HSG and HyFoSy are the standard tests used to assess whether the fallopian t

The appearance of an unusual discharge, a vaginal infection, or a sexually transmitted infection (STI) often brings up a painful question during a medical consultation: “Does this mean that my partner has cheated on me?” The answer is more complex than a simple yes or no. In medicine, a diagnosis alone cannot prove infidelity. Understanding how different infections behave helps avoid unjustified accusations while also recognizing situations that may deserve an honest couple’s

For months—sometimes even years—you waited for this moment. That little symbol on a pregnancy test that you imagined countless times. You may have tracked every cycle, hoped, doubted, cried, and waited for news that sometimes felt as though it would never come. And then, one day… The test is positive. A moment that should be filled with nothing but joy. Yet many women discover that this is also the beginning of a new chapter: the transition from wanting a baby to becoming a m

During pregnancy, many expectant parents eagerly await the moment they learn their baby's sex. Thanks to modern ultrasound technology, this information can often be determined before birth. However, in rare cases, the sex predicted during pregnancy does not match the baby's sex at birth. How can this happen? Ultrasound Is Highly Accurate—But Not Infallible Ultrasound estimates the baby's sex by examining the external genitalia. Unlike genetic testing, it does not determine th

In clinical gynecology, one recurring question often generates concern: can a pregnancy occur without penetrative sexual intercourse? This issue is frequently raised after intimate situations without penetration, based on the assumption that pregnancy is only possible after full sexual intercourse. From a medical standpoint, this assumption needs important clarification. Biological conditions required for pregnancy A pregnancy requires three essential elements: Ovulation with

This is one of the most common questions women ask: Can you be pregnant and still have your period? The answer is no. A normal pregnancy stops the menstrual cycle. A menstrual period occurs when the lining of the uterus is shed because no pregnancy has occurred. Once pregnancy is established, this lining is maintained to support the developing embryo, so true menstrual periods no longer occur. However, bleeding during pregnancy is relatively common, especially in the first tr

Understanding the basics Uterine fibroids are very common benign tumors of the uterus in women of reproductive age. Key point: They are hormone-dependent (estrogen and progesterone play a role) But their development is mainly influenced by biological and genetic factors Diet and lifestyle may influence the general metabolic environment, but they are not a direct treatment for fibroids. What science really says about diet All available evidence comes mainly from: large populat

The discovery of a decreased ovarian reserve—most often through AMH testing—frequently causes significant concern among patients: “Is there a way to increase my ovarian reserve?” The scientific answer is nuanced: it is currently not possible to create new oocytes or restore a depleted ovarian reserve. However, certain strategies may optimize the function of remaining follicles and improve the chances of pregnancy. This article provides an up-to-date overview for 2026 of what

It is quite common for women to experience symptoms that resemble pregnancy even when a pregnancy test is negative or when no pregnancy is present. These sensations can be confusing and sometimes distressing, but they are often explained by normal hormonal and physiological processes. Hormonal Fluctuations During the Menstrual Cycle The menstrual cycle involves significant changes in hormone levels, particularly estrogen and progesterone. During the second half of the cycle (

There are symptoms that many women experience… but choose to ignore. Because of lack of time, habit, or simply because “it has always been like this.” Yet behind these small signals from the body, there can sometimes be significant gynecological conditions. Here are some of the symptoms most often minimized — although they deserve your full attention. “Normal” period pain that may not actually be normal Many women believe that suffering during menstruation is unavoidable. How