Women's Health

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Welcome to the Women's Health Channel on BC HealthGuide OnLine. As a woman, you have specific needs and concerns about managing your health. Find information on medical conditions, screening procedures, medications, and more.

• ImmunizeBC - Immunization can save lives. Learn more about common vaccines, who should get them, and why it is so important to get all of your shots on time.
• HPV Vaccine - The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is used for girls and women who are 9 to 26 years of age. It helps protect against two types of HPV virus that cause most cervical cancers and two types of HPV that cause most genital warts. Learn more about the vaccine.
• Tuberculosis (TB) Overview - Learn more about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of tuberculosis (TB), an infection that mainly affects the lungs but may also spread to other body areas.
• Tuberculosis (TB) Disease - Tuberculosis (TB) is an infection that can affect the lungs and other areas of the body. Learn more about TB, how it is spread, how it is treated, and how to protect yourself.
• TB Skin Test - Tuberculosis (TB) can be detected using a simple skin test. Find out why, when and where to get tested, and what the test results mean.
• What's New in Canada's Food Guide? - A new version of Canada's Food Guide is now available, providing more information on portion sizes and food choices from diverse cultures. It also has tools to help you read food labels and plan healthy meals. Learn more about what the new food guide has to offer.
• Heart Healthy Eating - Find out how to eat a heart-healthy diet.
• Food Poisoning and Safe Food Handling - Learn more about food poisoning, symptoms, treatment, and prevention, including safe food handling.
• Women and Coronary Artery Disease - Heart disease is the most common cause of death for women. Learn more about what causes heart disease and what you can do to manage it.
• Feeling Depressed - Depression is a common medical problem. Find out more about depression symptoms and causes that can increase a person's risk.
• Managing Stress - Everyone experiences stress at times. Find information on how you can take charge and manage stress well.
• Emergency Contraception Pills (ECP's) - Emergency contraception pills can stop you from becoming pregnant after having sex. However, they must be taken as soon as possible. Learn about which pills work, where you can get them, and how to use them properly.
• Menopause and Perimenopause - Learn more about the changes that can occur during perimenopause and menopause, and what you can do to cope and manage these well.
• Osteoporosis - Although osteoporosis can affect women at any time in their lives, there are many ways to help prevent or slow down this disease.
• Exposure to Sexually Transmitted Infections - Learn more about sexually transmitted infections, the risks of these infections, and how to prevent them.
• Vaginal Problems - Find out more about vaginal infections and what you should do if they occur.
• Colorectal Cancer - Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths. How can you prevent it?
• Mammography - Prevention goes a long way in the battle against breast cancer and screening tools like a mammogram can be life savers. Read about this useful test here.
• Breast Lumps - Are you concerned about breast lumps? Learn more about the different causes of breast lumps and what you should do if you discover a lump.
• Quit smoking now - If you smoke and want to quit, click on www.quitnow.ca or call 1-877-455-2233. Get 24/7 free information or support on the web and by phone, with counselling services provided by registered nurses. Translation services available in over 130 languages and TTY services for the hearing impaired.
• ActNow BC - Want to make some healthy changes in your lifestyle? The ActNow BC program can help you get started on healthy eating, adding physical activity into your life, reaching a healthy weight, or quitting smoking.
• Dealing with Emergencies - Knowing what to do in an emergency can help you stay calm. Learn how to handle medical emergencies such as heart attacks, strokes, choking and bleeding.
• Health Advice for Travellers - Learn how to stay safe and healthy while travelling.

If you have any questions, call the BC NurseLine toll-free and speak with a registered nurse available 24 hours every day. A pharmacist is available 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. every day.

Get confidential health information and advice at BC NurseLine. Speak to a nurse to help you understand and manage health concerns, answer your questions about health topics, tests and procedures, and find information on resources in your community. Services are available for those who are deaf or hearing impaired. Translation services are available in 130 languages.

Call BC NurseLine

Call Dial-A-Dietitian

If you have nutrition questions call Dial-A-Dietitian to speak with a registered dietitian available Monday to Friday 9:00am to 5:00pm. An allergy dietitian is available Wednesday to Friday 9:00am - 4:30pm. Dietitians offer confidential nutrition information and advice, and guide you to nutrition services in your community. TTY available for deaf and hearing-impaired, and translation services available on request in over 130 languages.

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