meetara-lab/vectorstore-women_health huggingface dataset:
•   Corpus luteum cysts. Once the follicle breaks open 
and releases the egg, the empty follicle sac shrinks 
into a mass of cells called corpus luteum. Corpus 
luteum makes hormones to prepare for the next 
egg for the next menstrual cycle. Corpus luteum 
cysts form if the sac doesn’t shrink. Instead, the 
sac reseals itself after the egg is released. Then 
fluid builds up inside. Most corpus luteum cysts 
go away after a few weeks, but they can grow to 
almost four inches wide. They also may bleed or 
twist the ovary and cause pain.
Q: What causes ovarian cysts?
A: The most common causes of ovarian cysts include:

www.womenshealth.gov

 | 800-994-9662

  •   Hormonal problems. Functional cysts usually go 

away on their own without treatment. They may be 
caused by hormonal problems or by drugs used to 
help you ovulate.
| 800-994-9662

  •   Hormonal problems. Functional cysts usually go 

away on their own without treatment. They may be 
caused by hormonal problems or by drugs used to 
help you ovulate. 

  •   Endometriosis. Endometriosis happens when the 
lining of the uterus (womb) grows outside of the 
uterus. Women with endometriosis can develop a 
type of ovarian cyst called an endometrioma. The 
endometriosis tissue may attach to the ovary and 
form a growth. These cysts can be painful during 
sex and during your period. 

  •   Pregnancy. An ovarian cyst normally develops in 

early pregnancy to help support the pregnancy until 
the placenta forms. Sometimes, the cyst stays on 
the ovary until later in the pregnancy and may need 
to be removed. 

  •   Severe pelvic infections. Infections can spread to the 
ovaries and fallopian tubes and cause cysts to form.
•   Severe pelvic infections. Infections can spread to the 
ovaries and fallopian tubes and cause cysts to form. 

Q: What are the symptoms of ovarian cysts?
A: Most ovarian cysts are small and don’t cause symp-
toms. If a cyst does cause symptoms, you may have:

  •   Pressure.

  •   Bloating.

  •   Swelling.

  •   Pain in the lower abdomen on the side of the cyst. 
This pain may be sharp or dull and may come  
and go. 

If you have more severe symptoms like sharp pain with 
nausea and vomiting, see a doctor right away. 

A FACT SHEET FROM THE OFFICE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH
Q: How are ovarian cysts found?
A: If you have symptoms of ovarian cysts, your doc-
tor may do a pelvic exam to feel for swelling of a cyst 
on your ovary. 

If a cyst is found, your doctor will either watch and 
wait or order tests to help plan treatment.  
Tests include:

•  Ultrasound, which uses sound waves to create

images of the body. With ultrasound, your doctor
can see where and how big the cyst is.
•  Ultrasound, which uses sound waves to create

images of the body. With ultrasound, your doctor
can see where and how big the cyst is.

•  Pregnancy test to rule out pregnancy.

•  Hormone level tests to see whether there are

hormone-related problems.

Ovarian Cysts

2

•  Blood test. If you are past menopause, your doc-
tor may give you a test to measure the amount of
cancer-antigen 125 (CA-125) in your blood. The
amount of CA-125 is higher with ovarian cancer.
In premenopausal women, many other illnesses or
diseases besides cancer can cause higher levels of
CA-125.

Q: How are cysts treated?
A: Your doctor may want to perform surgery to
remove the cyst if you are past menopause or if  
your cyst doesn’t go away, gets larger, looks odd, 
or causes pain.

For more information… 
on ovarian cysts, call the OWH Helpline at 800-994-9662 or contact the following organizations:
For more information… 
on ovarian cysts, call the OWH Helpline at 800-994-9662 or contact the following organizations: 

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, HHS 
800-370-2943 (TDD: 888-320-6942) • www.nichd.nih.gov 

American Academy of Family Physicians
800-274-2237 • familydoctor.org

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
800-673-8444 • www.acog.org 

This fact sheet was reviewed by: Cheryl B. Iglesia, M.D., FACOG, Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Georgetown University 
School of Medicine; Director, Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery, MedStar Washington Hospital Center; Food and Drug 
Administration Advisory Committee 

All material contained in this fact sheet is free of copyright restrictions and may be copied, reproduced, or duplicated without permission of the 
Office on Women’s Health in the Department of Health and Human Services. Citation of the source is appreciated.
Content last updated: November 19, 2014.

Content last reviewed: August 18, 2014.

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www.twitter.com/WomensHealth

www.youtube.com/WomensHealthgov

www.womenshealth.gov

 | 800-994-9662
A  FACT  SHEET  FROM  THE  OFFICE  ON  WOMEN’S  HEALTH

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is an infection of a 
woman’s reproductive organs. Usually PID is caused 
by bacteria from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). 
Sometimes PID is caused by normal bacteria found in 
the vagina. If left untreated, PID can cause problems 
getting pregnant, problems during pregnancy, and 
long-term pelvic pain. 

Q: Who gets PID? 
A: PID affects about 5 percent of women in the 
United States. Your risk for PID is higher if you: 

•  Have had an STI

•  Have had PID before

•  Are younger than 25 and have sex. PID is most 

common in women 15 to 24 years old. 

•  Have more than one sex partner or have a partner 

who has multiple sexual partners

•  Douche. Douching can push bacteria into the 

reproductive organs and cause PID. Douching can 
also hide the signs of PID.

•  Recently had an intrauterine device (IUD)
•  Douche. Douching can push bacteria into the 

reproductive organs and cause PID. Douching can 
also hide the signs of PID.

•  Recently had an intrauterine device (IUD) 

inserted. The risk of PID is higher for the first  
few weeks only after insertion of an IUD. PID  
is rare after that time period. Getting tested for 
STIs before the IUD is inserted lowers your  
risk for PID. 

Q: What are the signs and symptoms of PID?  
A: Many women do not know they have PID,  
because they do not have any signs or symptoms. 
When symptoms do happen, they can be mild or  
more serious. Signs and symptoms include:

•  Pain in the lower abdomen (this is the most  

common symptom)

www.womenshealth.gov | 800-994-9662

•  Fever (100.4° F or higher)

•  Vaginal discharge that may smell foul

•  Painful sex

•  Pain when urinating

•  Irregular menstrual periods 

•  Pain in the upper right abdomen (this is rare)

If you think that you may have PID, see a doctor  
or nurse as soon as possible.
•  Pain when urinating

•  Irregular menstrual periods 

•  Pain in the upper right abdomen (this is rare)

If you think that you may have PID, see a doctor  
or nurse as soon as possible.

Q: How is PID treated? 
A: Your doctor or nurse will give you antibiotics to 
treat PID. Most of the time, at least two antibiotics are 
used that work against many different types of bac-
teria. You must take all of your antibiotics, even if 
your symptoms go away. This helps to make sure the 
infection is fully cured. See your doctor or nurse again 
two to three days after starting the antibiotics to make 
sure they are working.

Q: How can I prevent PID?
A: You may not be able to prevent PID. It is not 
always caused by an STI. Sometimes, normal bacte-
ria in your vagina can travel up to your reproductive 
organs and cause PID. 

But you can lower your risk of PID by not douching. 
You can also prevent STIs by not having vaginal, oral, 
or anal sex.
But you can lower your risk of PID by not douching. 
You can also prevent STIs by not having vaginal, oral, 
or anal sex.

If you do have sex, lower your risk of getting an STI 
with the following steps: 

•  Use condoms. Condoms are the best way to  

prevent STIs when you have sex. Because a man
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

2

does not need to ejaculate (come) to give or get 
STIs, make sure to put the condom on before the 
penis touches the vagina, mouth, or anus. Other 
methods of birth control, such as birth control 
pills, shots, implants, or diaphragms, will not  
protect you from STIs. 

•  Get tested. Be sure you and your partner are 

tested for STIs. Talk to each other about the test 
results before you have sex.

•  Be monogamous. Having sex with just one 

partner can lower your risk for STIs. After being 
tested for STIs, be faithful to each other. That 
means that you have sex only with each other 
and no one else.
partner can lower your risk for STIs. After being 
tested for STIs, be faithful to each other. That 
means that you have sex only with each other 
and no one else.

•  Limit your number of sex partners. Your risk of 
getting STIs goes up with the number of partners 
you have.

•  Do not douche. Douching removes some of  

the normal bacteria in the vagina that protect you 
from infection. Douching may also raise your risk 
for PID by helping bacteria travel to other areas, 
like your uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. 

•  Do not abuse alcohol or drugs. Drinking too 
much alcohol or using drugs increases risky 
behavior and may put you at risk of sexual 
assault and possible exposure to STIs.

The steps work best when used together. No single 
step can protect you from every single type of STI.

For more information…
For more information about PID, call the OWH Helpline at 800-994-9662  
or contact the following organizations:
For more information…
For more information about PID, call the OWH Helpline at 800-994-9662  
or contact the following organizations: 

National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP), CDC, HHS 
800-232-4636 • www.cdc.gov/nchhstp

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), NIH, HHS   
866-284-4107 • www.niaid.nih.gov

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists  
800-673-8444 • www.acog.org

American Sexual Health Association 
919-361-8400 • www.ashastd.org

This fact sheet was reviewed by:  

Songhai Barclift, M.D., Lieutenant Commander, HIV/AIDS Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration, and Centers for Disease  
Control and Prevention (CDC) staff.

All material contained in this fact sheet is free of copyright restrictions and may be copied, reproduced, or duplicated without permission  
of the Office on Women’s Health in the Department of Health and Human Services. Citation of the source is appreciated.
Content last updated: August 31, 2015. 

Content last reviewed: March 25, 2014.

www.facebook.com/HHSOWH

www.twitter.com/WomensHealth

www.youtube.com/WomensHealthgov

www.womenshealth.gov | 800-994-9662
A  FACT  SHEET  FROM  THE  OFFICE  ON  WOMEN’S  HEALTH

Sexually Transmitted Infections,  
Pregnancy, and Breastfeeding

Some sexually transmitted infections (STIs)  
can pass from mother to baby during pregnancy  
and breastfeeding.

Q: How do STIs affect pregnant women?
A: STIs can cause many of the same health prob-
lems in pregnant women as in women who are not 
pregnant. But having an STI also can hurt the unborn 
baby’s health. 

•  Pneumonia

•  Infection in the baby’s blood

•  Brain damage

•  Lack of coordination in body movements

•  Blindness

•  Deafness

•  Acute hepatitis

•  Meningitis

Having an STI during pregnancy can cause:

•  Chronic liver disease, which can lead to scarring 

•  Premature labor (labor before 37 weeks of preg-
nancy). Early (preterm) birth is the number one 
cause of infant death and can lead to long-term 
developmental and health problems in children.

•  Infection in the uterus (womb) after birth
•  Infection in the uterus (womb) after birth

Q: Can I pass an STI to my baby?
A: Yes. Some STIs can be passed from a pregnant 
woman to the baby before and during the baby’s birth. 

•  Some STIs, such as syphilis, cross the placenta 

and infect the baby in the womb. 

•  Other STIs, like gonorrhea, chlamydia, hepatitis 
B, and genital herpes, can pass from the mother 
to the baby as the baby passes through the  
birth canal. 

•  HIV can cross the placenta during pregnancy  

and infect the baby during delivery.

Q: What are the harmful effects 
of passing an STI to a baby?
A: The harmful effects to babies may include:
•  Low birth weight (less than 5 pounds)

•  Eye infection

www.womenshealth.gov | 800-994-9662

of the liver (cirrhosis)

•  Stillbirth
•  Eye infection

www.womenshealth.gov | 800-994-9662

of the liver (cirrhosis)

•  Stillbirth

Q: I’m pregnant. What can I do to 
prevent problems from STIs?
A: You can prevent some of the health problems 
caused by STIs and pregnancy with regular prenatal 
care. Your doctor will test you for STIs early in your 
pregnancy and again closer to childbirth, if needed. 

•  STIs caused by bacteria, such as chlamydia and 

gonorrhea, can be cured with antibiotics. 

•  STIs caused by viruses, such as genital herpes 

and HIV, have no cure. 

• 

• 

If you have herpes, antiviral medicine may 
help reduce symptoms. If you have symptoms 
of herpes or active genital herpes sores at the 
start of labor, you may need a cesarean section 
(C-section). This can help lower the risk of 
passing the infection to your baby.
If you have HIV, antiviral medicines can lower 
the risk of giving HIV to your baby to less 
than 1 percent. You also may need to have a 
C-section.
Sexually Transmitted Infections, Pregnancy, and Breastfeeding

2

Q: Can I breastfeed if I have an STI?
A: Maybe. Some STIs affect breastfeeding, and some 
don’t. The following are some general guidelines, but 
talk to your doctor, nurse, or a lactation consultant 
about the risk of passing the STI to your baby while 
breastfeeding: 

•  If you have HIV, do not breastfeed. You can pass 
the virus to your baby. In countries where clean 
water is available, such as the United States, 
using a breastmilk substitute like formula is 
recommended. 

•  If you have chlamydia, gonorrhea, or human  
papillomavirus (HPV), you can breastfeed  
your baby. 

•  If you have trichomoniasis, you can take the  

antibiotic metronidazole if you are breastfeeding. 
You may need to wait 12 to 24 hours after taking 
the medicine to breastfeed.
•  If you have trichomoniasis, you can take the  

antibiotic metronidazole if you are breastfeeding. 
You may need to wait 12 to 24 hours after taking 
the medicine to breastfeed. 

•  If you have syphilis or herpes, you can breastfeed 
as long as your baby or pumping equipment does 
not touch a sore. 

For more information…
For more information about STIs, pregnancy, and breastfeeding, call the  
OWH Helpline at 800-994-9662 or contact the following organizations:  

Food and Drug Administration (FDA), HHS 
888-463-6332 • www.fda.gov

National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP), CDC, HHS 
800-232-4636 • www.cdc.gov/nchhstp

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), NIH, HHS 
866-284-4107 • www.niaid.nih.gov

American Sexual Health Association 
800-227-8922 • www.ashastd.org

This fact sheet was reviewed by:
American Sexual Health Association 
800-227-8922 • www.ashastd.org

This fact sheet was reviewed by: 

Jill E. Long, M.D., M.P.H., FACOG, Commander, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, Medical Officer, Sexually Transmitted Diseases 
Branch, Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), and Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention (CDC) staff.

All material contained on this fact sheet is free of copyright restrictions and may be copied, reproduced, or duplicated without permission of  
the Office on Women’s Health in the Department of Health and Human Services. Citation of the source is appreciated.

Content last updated: August 31, 2015. 

Content last reviewed: March 25, 2014.

www.facebook.com/HHSOWH

www.twitter.com/WomensHealth

www.youtube.com/WomensHealthgov

www.womenshealth.gov | 800-994-9662
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

  •   Organ damage

  •   Certain types of cancer, such as cervical cancer

  •   Death

Q:  What are the signs and symptoms of STIs?
A: Many STIs have only mild symptoms or no  
signs or symptoms at all. When women have 
symptoms, the symptoms may be mistaken for 
something else, such as a urinary tract infection or 
yeast infection. It is important to get tested so that you 
can be treated for the correct infection. 

Q:  Do I need to get tested for STIs?
A: If you are sexually active, talk to your doctor or 
nurse about STI testing. Which tests you will need and 
how often you need to get them will depend on you 
and your partner’s sexual history. 

Q:  If I have an STI, does my partner have it too?
A: Maybe. If tests show that you have an STI, your 
doctor might want your partner to come in for testing. 
Or the doctor may give you a medicine to take home 
for your partner.
The STI may have spread to you or your partner from 
a former sex partner. This is why it is important to 
get tested after each new sex partner. Also, if you test 
positive for certain STIs (HIV, syphilis, or gonorrhea), 
some cities and states require you (or your doctor) to 
tell any past or current sex partners. 

An STI is an infection passed from one person to 
another person through sexual contact. STIs are  
also called sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs. 
STIs are usually spread by vaginal, oral, or anal sex. 
More than 9 million women in the United States are 
diagnosed with an STI each year. Women often have 
more serious health problems from STIs than men, 
including infertility. 

Q: How do you get STIs?
A: STIs are spread in the following ways:
  •   Having unprotected (without a condom) vaginal, 
oral, or anal sex with someone who has an  
STI. It can be difficult to tell if someone has an 
STI. STIs can be spread even if there are no signs 
or symptoms.
•   During genital touching. It is possible to get  

some STIs, such as syphilis and herpes, without 
having sex.  

  •   Through sexual contact between women who 

have sex only with other women 

  •   From a pregnant or breastfeeding woman to  

her baby

Q:  Can STIs cause health problems?
A: Yes. Each STI causes different health problems for 
women. Certain types of untreated STIs can cause or 
lead to:

  •   Problems getting pregnant or  

permanent infertility

  •   Problems during pregnancy and  

health problems for the unborn baby

  •   Infection in other parts of the body

www.womenshealth.gov | 800-994-9662

A FACT SHEET FROM THE OFFICE ON WOMEN’S HEALTHA FACT SHEET FROM THE OFFICE ON WOMEN’S HEALTH
Q:  How can I prevent an STI?
A: The best way to prevent an STI is to not have 
vaginal, oral, or anal sex.

If you do have sex, lower your risk of getting an STI 
with the following steps: 

  •   Get vaccinated. There are vaccines to protect
If you do have sex, lower your risk of getting an STI 
with the following steps: 

  •   Get vaccinated. There are vaccines to protect 

against HPV and hepatitis B.

  •   Use condoms. Condoms are the best way to 
prevent STIs when you have sex. Because 
a man does not need to ejaculate (come) to 
give or get some STIs, make sure to put the 
condom on before the penis touches the vagina, 
mouth, or anus. Other methods of birth control, 
such as birth control pills, shots, implants, or 
diaphragms, will not protect you from STIs.

  •   Get tested. Be sure you and your partner are 

tested for STIs. Talk to each other about the test 
results before you have sex.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

2

  •   Be monogamous. Having sex with just one 

partner can lower your risk for STIs. After being 
tested for STIs, be faithful to each other. That 
means that you have sex only with each other 
and no one else.
partner can lower your risk for STIs. After being 
tested for STIs, be faithful to each other. That 
means that you have sex only with each other 
and no one else.

  •   Limit your number of sex partners. Your risk of 
getting STIs goes up with the number of partners 
you have.

  •   Do not douche. Douching removes some of the 
normal bacteria in the vagina that protects you 
from infection. This may increase your risk of 
getting STIs.

  •   Do not abuse alcohol or drugs. Drinking too 

much alcohol or using drugs increases risky 
behavior and may put you at risk of sexual 
assault and possible exposure to STIs.

The steps work best when used together. No single 
step can protect you from every single type of STI.

For more information…
For more information on STIs, call the OWH Helpline at 800-994-9662 or contact  
the following organizations: 

National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP), CDC, HHS 
800-232-4636 • www.cdc.gov/nchhstp
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP), CDC, HHS 
800-232-4636 • www.cdc.gov/nchhstp 

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), NIH, HHS  
866-284-4107 • www.niaid.nih.gov  

American Sexual Health Association 
800-227-8922  • www.ashastd.org  

This fact sheet was reviewed by:

Jill E. Long, M.D., M.P.H., FACOG, Commander, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, Medical Officer, Sexually Transmitted  
Diseases Branch, Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) 

And 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) staff

All material contained in this FAQ is free of copyright restrictions and may be copied, reproduced, or duplicated without permission of the Office on 
Women’s Health in the Department of Health and Human Services. Citation of the source is appreciated.

Content last updated: August 31, 2015.
Content last updated: August 31, 2015.

Content last reviewed: March 25, 2014.

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www.twitter.com/WomensHealth

www.youtube.com/WomensHealthgov

www.womenshealth.gov | 800-994-9662
OVARIAN CANCER

About Gynecologic Cancer

There are five main types of cancer that affect a woman’s 
reproductive organs: cervical, ovarian, uterine, vaginal, 
and vulvar. As a group, they are referred to as gynecologic 
(GY-neh-kuh-LAH-jik) cancer. (A sixth type of gynecologic 
cancer is the very rare fallopian tube cancer.) 

This fact sheet about ovarian cancer is part of the Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Inside Knowledge: 
About Gynecologic Cancer campaign. The campaign helps 
women get the facts about gynecologic cancer, providing 
important “inside knowledge” about their bodies and health.

What is ovarian cancer?

Cancer is a disease in which cells 
in the body grow out of control. 
Cancer is always named for the 
part of the body where it starts, 
even if it spreads to other body 
parts later.
Cancer is a disease in which cells 
in the body grow out of control. 
Cancer is always named for the 
part of the body where it starts, 
even if it spreads to other body 
parts later. 

When cancer starts in the ovaries, 
it is called ovarian cancer. Women 
have two ovaries that are located in 
the pelvis, one on each side of the 
uterus. The ovaries make female 
hormones and produce eggs.

When ovarian cancer is found  
in its early stages, treatment is  
most effective. 

Who gets ovarian cancer?

All women are at risk for ovarian cancer, but older women are more 
likely to get the disease than younger women. About 90 percent of 
women who get ovarian cancer are older than 40, with the greatest 
number of ovarian cancers occurring in women aged 60 years or older. 

Each year, approximately 21,000 women in the United States get ovarian 
cancer. Among women in the United States, ovarian cancer is the eighth 
most common cancer and the fifth leading cause of cancer death.