DEFINITION Anal pain — pain in and around your anus or rectum (perianal region) — is a common complaint. Although most causes of anal pain are benign, the pain itself can be severe because of the many nerve endings in…
DEFINITION Loss of smell — anosmia (an-OZ-me-uh) — can be partial or complete, although a complete loss of smell is fairly rare. Loss of smell can also be temporary or permanent, depending on the cause. Loss of smell is…
DEFINITION Your spine is a column of more than 30 bones (vertebrae) held together by muscles, tendons and ligaments and cushioned by shock-absorbing disks. A problem in any part of your spine can cause back pain. For some people, back…
DEFINITION Groin pain is pain in the area where the inner, upper thigh and lower abdomen meet. CAUSES The most common cause of groin pain is muscle, tendon or ligament strain, particularly in athletes who play sports…
DEFINITION Vaginal bleeding after sex is common and can happen when you’re not menstruating or don’t expect to be menstruating. Although it’s often called “vaginal” bleeding, the term refers to bleeding from the vagina as well as bleeding from other…
DEFINITION Vaginal bleeding during pregnancy can be scary. However, it isn’t always a sign of trouble. Bleeding in the first trimester (weeks one through 12) is common, and most women who experience bleeding during pregnancy go on to deliver healthy…
DEFINITION Your ankle is an intricate network of bones, ligaments, tendons and muscles. Strong enough to bear your body weight, your ankle can be prone to injury and pain. You may feel ankle pain on the inside or outside…
DEFINITION Blood in semen (hematospermia) can be frightening, but the vast majority of time, it’s not cause for serious concern. Blood in semen is uncommon, and, most often, it goes away on its own. CAUSES Semen consists of sperm and…
DEFINITION A brain lesion is an abnormality seen on a brain-imaging test, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or a computerized tomography (CT) scan. On CT or MRI scans, brain lesions appear as dark or light spots that don’t look…
DEFINITION Breast calcifications are calcium deposits within breast tissue. They appear as white spots or flecks on a mammogram and are usually so small that you can’t feel them. Breast calcifications are common on mammograms and they’re…
DEFINITION A breast lump is a growth of tissue that develops within your breast. It may be described as a mass, growth, swelling, thickness or fullness. A breast lump can vary in the way it looks and feels. If…
DEFINITION Breast rash describes redness and irritation of the skin on your breast. A breast rash can also be itchy, scaly, painful or blistered. Other terms used to describe a breast rash include dermatitis and hives. CAUSES Most breast…