There are numerous bodily and emotional changes that can occur during the week prior to the onset of menses (period) and resolve within the first few days of menses. Bodily symptoms can be numerous including bloating, fatigue, water retention, and breast tenderness. Emotional changes include anger, increased tension, irritability, sadness, and anxiety. Several different organizations, […]
Perimenopause refers to the years preceding menopause (peri = “around”). Roughly coinciding with ages 35-52, this transition period from reproductive life to post reproductive life is caused by a change in the way the ovaries produce their hormones which leads to menstrual cycle changes. The ovary of a reproductive aged woman, under the pituitary gland’s […]
The IUD is a small device inserted into the cavity of the uterus at an in-office visit. It can remain there for five to ten years depending on the type. This method of birth control is long lasting and essentially maintenance free. When choosing a birth control method it is important to consider how easy […]
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a sexually transmitted virus which can infect both the cells of the skin and mucosal surfaces of the genital area. For many years, HPV has been known to cause genital warts. With the advent of DNA technology and years of research, HPV has been proven to be the cause of many […]
In 2002, both women’s and the medical community’s perception of hormonal replacement was turned upside down due to risks published through a study called the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) . The study led to great panic and an immediate squelching of the widespread use of hormones. Since 2002, many studies have evolved. Studies have reinforced […]
Fibrocystic changes are the most common form of breast lumps in women age 30 to 50. The condition is benign (non-cancerous). Physicians in our practice do not like to refer to this as “fibrocystic disease” since it occurs in over 50% of women in this age group. We like to refer to it as “fibrocystic […]
The aggressiveness by which a patient pursues pregnancy will differ from person to person based on individual desires and age. I believe it is also of utmost importance to consider the many medical factors which can impact the patient’s ability to conceive in order to properly help direct her. Important things to keep in mind: […]
Any pregnancy which grows outside of the uterine cavity, where it shouldn’t grow, is called an Ectopic Pregnancy. The most common place an ectopic pregnancy can grow is within the fallopian tube. Because the tube cannot expand adequately and will eventually rupture open and cause bleeding, it needs to be dissolved by proper medication or […]
In the United States today, between 1% and 3% of women will request an elective C-section as her method of delivery. Although a great deal of controversy exists concerning the subject, the consensus opinion from both the medical community and patient advocacy groups is that once properly informed of the pros and cons, the patient […]
The sooner a patient is up and moving after surgery the faster normal bowel and breathing functions return to normal. In addition, she is less likely to develop a potentially life threatening blood clot. A recent study demonstrated that patients who had abdominal binders applied immediately after surgery ambulated sooner with less pain medication needed. […]
