Are you planning to get pregnant within the next year? Your first step should be a full checkup from your gynecologist. He or she will be able to tell you if there's anything that should be addressed before you get pregnant, so you'll be ready when the time comes.
An OB/GYN is the one physician who a woman knows must be a good fit for her. After all, the nature of their work means that they will be privy to some of your most private and sometimes embarrassing facts, so you want to be able to trust them implicitly.
I have been scheduled for a colposcopy. Is that very painful? The colposcopy itself – an examination with the help of a high-powered microscope – usually takes 15 minutes or less and is not painful at all. However, if your gynecologist needs to conduct a biopsy, there could be some discomfort.
MRI helps doctors get a close look at organs of the chest and abdomen that are otherwise impossible to examine in a non invasive way. Some organs include the heart, liver, kidneys, adrenal glands, and the reproductive organs such as the uterus and ovaries in women who might be having difficult pregnancies and other reproductive concerns, among other issues.
So how exactly does a bone density test work? This type of screening uses x-rays to measure how many grams of calcium and other bone minerals are packed into a segment of bone. The bones that are most commonly tested are located in the spine, hip, and forearm.
So what is a false positive test when it comes to a Pap smear? Here, a woman is told she has abnormal cervical cells when in fact they are really normal. Essentially, when you hear the term “false positive,” it means there is no problem.
There are certain risk factors that may cause your gynecologist to recommend more frequent Pap smears, regardless of your age. These include an earlier abnormal Pap smear, exposure to DES before birth, or a weakened immune system due to another medical issue.
Good nutrition is critical for a healthy pregnancy. It’s recommended you add 300 to 500 calories a day to your diet while pregnant and drink 6 to 8 glasses of water.
What should I expect if my gynecologist suspects I have endometriosis? According to experts, a pelvic exam and ultrasound are very likely. The best way to make a conclusive diagnosis is with the help of a laparoscopy. This procedure requires general anesthesia, as a tube is placed inside the patient to examine cysts or other growths up close.
An ultrasound is an imaging technique that uses sound waves to produce an image on a monitor of the abdominal organs, such as the uterus and kidneys. Doctors will schedule regular ultrasounds during pregnancy to monitor the baby’s growth.
When you first visit a new gynecologist, part of your appointment will consist of answering questions about your reproductive history and current activities. It's important to be truthful and complete in your answers, since this information is vital to making sure you get the highest-quality care.
Babies help make the world go around. Care to guess how many babies are born every day across the globe? If you guessed 353,000, you're right. That translates to around 4.3 deliveries every second.
If my doctor concludes I have endometriosis, is surgery inevitable? Not at all. It depends on your specific symptoms, and, in some cases, pain medication is all that is required. In more serious cases, hormone therapy can help to reduce the pain, and there are many pharmaceutical options for you and your gynecologist to consider.
One of the main advantages of ultrasound is that it's noninvasive and the procedure has been safely performed on millions of pregnant women. In addition to revealing the baby's health, the images themselves provide an enduring and reassuring keepsake.
Around age 70, a woman with a history of normal pap smears and no new sexual partners can typically stop regular gynecological visits.
It’s important to remember that certain medical conditions can be problematic during pregnancy. We can discuss with you your options.
National guidelines recommend that if a woman has a Pap test each year for three years in a row, and the test results show that there are no problems, she may then only need to have the test once every 2-3 years.
Although nothing can prove that a woman is pregnant until a blood test or ultrasound proves it, there are signs you may be pregnant that you can detect before you take a pregnancy test. One of these signs is sore breasts, which some women experience just two weeks after conception.
What is cervical dysplasia? That is a condition in which cells on the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus, appear abnormal. It is very rare for this condition to develop into cancer as long as it is properly treated.
Did you know that relaxation and meditation techniques can help to relieve premenstrual symptoms such as depression and anxiety? It may also help to reduce caffeine and salt intake and to eat healthy well balanced meals.
If you see your primary care doctor for annual checkups, you may wonder if you also need to see a gynecologist each year. The answer is a definite yes. Since gynecologists specialize in women's health, they will be able to address more complicated issues better than a general physician.
You may already know nearly 4 million babies are born in the U.S. every year. Care to guess how many of those babies are born each and every day? That would be 10,829.
It’s important to remember that many women can lose their periods for a time once they start a new diet as a result of increased activity and fewer calories. If you’re not pregnant and you haven’t started a new diet, you may want to consider scheduling an appointment to discover why your cycle is suddenly irregular.
Finding the right OB/GYN is essential for your health. Studies have shown that if you feel comfortable with your doctor, you’re more likely to make and keep appointments.