Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a condition that occurs when a person’s ovaries fail earlier than average. Your ovaries are small glands located on both sides of your uterus that produce and release eggs during ovulation. Your ovaries also make important hormones for menstruation, pregnancy and other bodily functions. The usual age for egg production to stop, known as menopause, is around 51. For some …

Premature ejaculation (PE) is a type of sexual dysfunction that occurs when a person has an orgasm and ejaculates sooner than they or their partner would like. It often happens before or shortly after penetration during intercourse. Premature ejaculation can be a frustrating experience for both you and your sexual partner and make your sex lives less enjoyable. PE can be lifelong, meaning you’ve had it …

A preterm, premature or “preemie” baby is a baby born too early, or about three weeks before their due date. A full-term pregnancy (fetal development) lasts about 40 weeks. Preterm birth occurs when a baby is born at 37 weeks or earlier. Premature or early birth can pose serious health risks to a newborn baby. That’s because many organs like …

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare genetic condition that affects your child’s metabolism and causes changes to their body and behavior. They have severe low muscle tone and poor feeding during early infancy, followed by a tremendous appetite that develops between 2 and 6 years of age. This can lead to severe obesity if excessive eating isn’t managed. PWS typically …

Pouchitis is inflammation inside an ileal pouch. It’s a common condition that can happen to people who’ve had ileal pouch surgery. You might have an ileal pouch if you had to have your whole colon and rectum removed (total proctocolectomy) due to disease. After a proctocolectomy, you need a new way to hold and pass poop from your body. An ileal pouch is …

A small number of men who get vasectomies develop chronic pain in their testicles after the procedure. Your healthcare provider may diagnose post-vasectomy pain syndrome (PVPS) if the pain lasts for three months or longer. The pain may develop immediately after the procedure or months to years later. What is a vasectomy (male sterilization)? A vasectomy (also called male sterilization) is a …

PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) is a mental health condition that some people develop after they experience or witness a traumatic event. The traumatic event may be life-threatening or pose a significant threat to your physical, emotional or spiritual well-being. PTSD affects people of all ages. People with PTSD have intense and intrusive thoughts and feelings related to the experience that last …

Post-polio syndrome (PPS) is a condition that causes gradual muscle weakness and muscle atrophy (loss) that can affect people who’ve had polio. PPS usually happens 10 to 40 years after you’ve recovered from the initial polio infection. Polio (poliomyelitis) is a disease caused by the poliovirus. It causes mild or no symptoms in most people. But it can sometimes cause paralysis or death. There are …

Postpartum preeclampsia is a rare but serious condition related to high blood pressure after you give birth. It’s most common within 48 hours of delivery but can occur up to six weeks after your baby is born. Postpartum preeclampsia can lead to strokes, seizures and other complications if not promptly treated. Postpartum preeclampsia is different than preeclampsia, a condition that occurs while …

Posterior cortical atrophy is a rare, progressive neurodegenerative disorder. In posterior cortical atrophy, you lose neurons (brain cells) in the part of your brain that manages what you see. Early symptoms include vision issues, like having trouble reading, bumping into things or judging distances. As the disease gets worse, you may develop other symptoms, including memory loss. Neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s …