Bacterial vaginosis is a condition in women wherein the number of normal bacteria in the vagina is altered, disrupted and replaced with an overgrowth of another type of bacteria, as described in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Bacterial vaginosis is considered the most common vaginal disease in America.

Menstrual cramps may make the week of your period miserable and uncomfortable. Cramps occur because your uterus contracts in order to expel your uterine lining and can be quite painful, reports Iris F. Litt, author of "Taking Our Pulse: The Health of America's Women."

Many women experience fluid retention in the few days before their period starts. Fluid retention, which occurs because of hormone changes associated with the menstrual cycle, can cause breast tenderness, uncomfortable swelling in your hands and feet, abdominal bloating and weight gain.

During a typical monthly menstrual cycle, a woman ovulates and her uterine lining thickens to prepare for conception. If pregnancy does not occur, the built-up tissue of the uterine lining is shed with the menstrual flow and a new cycle begins.

A Pap smear is a gynecological test used to evaluate cervical cells in women. During this cervical cancer screening test, which is also called a Pap test, a small number of cells are removed from your cervix using a tiny brush. These cells are then examined in a laboratory for any type of abnormalities.

Most women suffer from menstrual cramps--some cramps are severe, while others may be mild. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, University of Maryland Medical Center and The American Family Physician all recommend acupressure, or pressure point therapy, to relieve menstrual cramps.

Human chorionic gonadotropin is usually considered the pregnancy hormone, although even women who are not pregnant produce small amounts. Women transitioning into menopause often have higher levels of hCG than the average woman, making the hormone a useful marker for the life change.

If you ever experience itching or discomfort "down there," you might find that wearing different fabrics alleviates your symptoms. Depending on the circumstances, your doctor may recommend wearing cotton panties on a daily basis.

A woman's vagina and cervix normally produce a small amount of mucoid fluid, or discharge, that appears clear to slightly white. Brown or reddish-brown discharge, commonly referred to as spotting, usually indicates the presence of blood in the fluid. In many cases, this doesn't signal a significant medical problem.

Implantation occurs about six to 12 days after conception, according to the American Pregnancy Association. Implantation is the term used to describe the attaching of the fertilized egg to the woman's uterus, an important first step in the process of developing the fetus into a baby.

Claritin is a brand name of the medication loratidine, an over-the-counter antihistamine. It is used to treat symptoms of seasonal allergies, such as runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes and a scratchy throat. Claritin is often preferred over other antihistamines because it does not usually cause drowsiness.

Menopause is a part of life that all women eventually experience. Although many are happy to be free of menstrual periods, menopause brings other symptoms that are difficult to manage. Women might see an increase in bowel changes, causing discomfort and embarrassment.