Human chorionic gonadotropin, or hCG, is a hormone made by the placenta to help support the growth of the fetus during pregnancy. During normal pregnancy, hCG levels generally double about every 48 to 72 hours and can be detected by a blood test about 3 weeks from the last menstrual period.

Approximately 50 percent of pregnancies in the United States are unintended, according to a February 2014 report in the American Journal of Public Health. Plan B is one of several methods of emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or a birth control failure.

Magnesium and other minerals are essential to keep your body healthy, and magnesium deficiency may play a role in many diseases, including cardiovascular disease, migraines and depression.

If you’ve ever used essential oil aromatherapy to get rid of your headache, calm an upset stomach or clear up a case of athlete's foot, then you are well aware of the many potential health benefits they provide.

No matter what your fitness goals are, you'll hear a lot about the "core." Personal trainers advise core-strengthening exercises, and articles in fitness magazines come out with a new "core" exercise routine every month.

Rosacea is a chronic skin disorder characterized by skin sensitivity, flushing, itching and burning of the face. Pimples can occur in affected areas, which is why the disorder is sometimes referred to as acne rosacea. Severe cases can lead to a thickening of the skin, particularly on the nose (rhinophyma).

Passionflower is an herb used as an alternative remedy to treat anxiety and sleep disorders, such as insomnia and generalized anxiety disorder. It is also used to calm nausea and digestive upset due to anxiety and to suppress symptoms from narcotic drug withdrawal.

Elderly people often find that they drop the pounds much more easily than they did when they were younger. While this may have been desirable in the past, now it's concerning because too much weight loss poses health risks.

Baby oil is a drugstore product conventionally used for babies. In difficult economic times, however, adults have turned to the product to cure their own skin ailments. Baby oil, which can treat dryness, is sometimes used for acne.

Constipation is one of the well-known banes of pregnancy. Your bowels turn sluggish during pregnancy for a variety of reasons, ranging from pressure on the bowel to usage of medications such as iron supplements.

A healthy lifestyle leaves you fit, energetic and at reduced risk for disease, based on the choices you make about your daily habits. Good nutrition, daily exercise and adequate sleep are the foundations for continuing good health.

The "master gland" of the body, your pituitary gland -- located at the base of your brain -- secretes hormones that control the function of other glands throughout your body. It controls a range of physiological processes, including pubertal development and reproductive health, muscle growth and cellular metabolism.