Before 1980, the British royal family amounted to little more than dusty figures in history books and Shakespeare plays in the minds of most Americans.

Women commonly experience abdominal cramps in late pregnancy. While this is understandably concerning, there are many possible causes. Most causes are harmless, such as digestive system problems or illnesses such as the "stomach flu."

The belief that you might be pregnant can trigger a host of conflicting emotions, ranging from joy and excitement to uncertainty and fear. Whatever you’re feeling, if you suspect you might be pregnant, you’ll probably be watching your stomach closely for signs of fetal growth.

A late menstrual period can be source of great concern for a woman, whether or not she is sexually active. The medical term for a delayed or missed period is amenorrhea. Amenorrhea can be caused by a number of factors.

During your fifth month of pregnancy, which is in the middle of the second trimester, your goal shouldn’t be dieting but rather about providing a bounty of nutritious foods for you and your growing baby.

Many women experience an irregular menstrual cycle sometime in their lives. This may last for a short time or may be a lifelong feature of their cycles. Causes include polyps, breastfeeding, chemotherapy, stress and drug use. Diet pills fall in this last category, and often knock menstrual cycles off kilter.

Pregnancy is typically a time filled with anticipation and excitement as you wait for the new arrival. But if you develop left-sided abdominal pain, it can be worrisome and interfere with your sense of well-being.

Pregnancy requires many body systems -- including your cardiovascular system -- to make major changes, including elevation of your heart rate. However, elevated heart rate can also indicate an underlying problem.

Gynecologists (GYNs) perform many tests to diagnose problems within the female reproductive system; some are done yearly, others are done only if needed. Many diseases can be diagnosed by tests done in the gynecologist's office; most tests involve removing a small amount of tissue and sending it to the lab for testing.

Drinking caffeine may actually exacerbate uncomfortable symptoms of a woman’s menstrual cycle. According to Dr.

An oophorectomy is a surgical procedure that removes one or both of your ovaries. In certain cases, you might also have your uterus or fallopian tubes removed at the same time.

Many conditions or injuries can cause pain above the breasts. According to the Family Doctor website, chest pain, including pain above the breasts, can signal a serious underlying condition. However, some causes of pain above the breasts are benign and self-resolve or may be treated with conservative methods.