Research suggests that as many as 75 percent of menstruating women have some symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. Many of these symptoms are fairly mild and do not need treatment.

A woman’s menstrual cycle (monthly period) is controlled by changing levels of certain hormones. These hormones travel through the blood. Two hormones, estrogen and progesterone, play a big role in the menstrual cycle.

When you're pregnant, you'll need to schedule regular visits with your health care provider, who can monitor your baby’s development.

The healthy choices you make before and during pregnancy can have a lasting impact on you and your unborn child. Experts say one of the most important things a woman or couple can do is to plan for pregnancies.

Most women with healthy pregnancies are able to continue to work until delivery. When discussing your options, your provider will talk with you about your responsibilities at work, your health history and your workplace environment.

If you suspect that you may be pregnant, you have several options to find out for sure. You can buy a home pregnancy test kit from a drugstore, discount store or the Internet, or you can see your health care provider, who can order a pregnancy test.

The symptoms associated with pregnancy tell you one of three things: You're pregnant, your pregnancy is progressing normally, or there may be a problem that requires medical attention.

Some pregnancy changes are caused by hormones. Others are caused by the pressure and weight of your growing baby.

Developing good habits before you get pregnant can give you a head start on having a healthy baby. If you're thinking about having a child, it's best to begin preparing for pregnancy long before you conceive.

If you're planning a family, for example, you'll want to know about any benefit limitations related to prenatal care and childbirth.

At least 90 days before starting to try to conceive, both men and women should take steps to improve their diet and exercise routines, as well as fine-tune any medications they may be taking.