 Women’s health specialist shares how to manage menopause
Top women’s health experts can help you to deal with the bodily changes that will occur during this stage in your life, every person’s experience with menopause will be different and it may feel both isolating and frustrating. This is the reason why self-care during this time is important. The terms perimenopause and menopause are used interchangeably, however, they both describe changes that are experienced just before or after the last period. Menopause is described as the last menstrual period, and it is confirmed when you haven’t had a period for 12 months consecutively. What will happen during menopause? Early on during their transition, women will often begin to have symptoms that can become disruptive such as mood disturbance and sleeplessness even while periods are still happening during a regular cycle. The higher levels of estrogen that accompany early perimenopause can mean that you will experience heavy bleeding, tender, swollen breasts, and increased premenstrual symptoms. As you approach your late 30’s, your ovaries will begin to produce less estrogen and progesterone, these are the hormones that regulate your menstruation, and your fertility will start to decline. By the age of 40, you will begin noticing your periods start becoming more erratic and less frequent. On average, by your early 50’s, your ovaries will eventually stop releasing eggs and your periods will stop completely. Should you see your doctor? It is important for you to know if you're experiencing light or mild symptoms, that the symptoms of menopause might start to disappear on their own. However, you should see your doctor if your symptoms are beginning to interfere with the quality of your life and interrupt your regular daily activities. The symptoms of menopause are common, however, your quality of life does not have to suffer because of it. To help manage your symptoms, your doctor may prescribe specific treatments. They may also provide you with some extra counseling or guidance in other aspects of your health that can possibly be affected by your menopause. Managing your menopause Your options for managing your menopause will be customized to your own needs and your medical history. One or more of the following may be prescribed by your doctor:
Women’s specialist in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA: outlook for menopause Going through the menopause, as with other major life changes, can leave you feeling slightly unbalanced and unsure of what is going to happen next. The symptoms that are experienced with menopause can last from a few months to years after your last period and can be unpredictable. Your doctor is there to help you no matter wherever you are in the process. Contact your top Alpharetta and Atlanta OBGYN for your obstetrics and gynecology care.
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 Women’s specialist talks about ovarian cysts
Our women’s specialist understands that the word “cyst” can make people a little nervous, but there has been a growth in awareness surrounding ovarian cysts over the years. It is important to learn as much as you can about this benign and relatively common condition if you are concerned that you or a loved one may have an ovarian cyst. What is an ovarian cyst? An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled or solid pocket on or in your ovary. They are common, more so in women who have not gone through menopause or are pregnant. They can be harmless and painless most of the time. You may even have one every month as a part of your monthly menstrual cycle and never know you had one. Usually, they will go away without the need for treatment on their own. When a cyst gets bigger or doesn’t go away is when it becomes a problem. It can start to be painful. Although rare, they can also be cancerous. As you get older, the chances go up. There are several different types of cysts, most don’t require treatment and are noncancerous:
Symptoms of ovarian cysts Most of the time, a cyst will be small and won’t cause any problems. If there are any symptoms, you might feel bloating, pressure, pain, or swelling in one side of your belly. This pain can come and go as well as either be dull or sharp. A cyst will sometimes need emergency attention. You should see your doctor right away if you have:
These are signs that your cyst may have caused your ovary to twist. How an ovarian cyst is treated Without you even knowing it was there, most of the time the cyst will disappear without the need for any treatment. However, you will have two options, should you have a cyst that needs treatment, either watchful waiting or surgery. When a cyst is very large, is causing other symptoms, or it might be cancerous, a doctor will then recommend surgery. Your doctor, if this is the case, might perform surgery to remove the cyst from the ovary, or remove the ovary itself from your body. Most likely, your doctor will carefully monitor a cyst with repetitive ultrasound exams. The ultrasounds will determine whether the size of the cyst or appearance has changed during the exams. Most cysts will resolve themselves without any surgical intervention needed, although it may take time. Women’s specialist in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA A women’s specialist will quickly evaluate and diagnose an ovarian cyst. Depending on the type of cyst, the treatment will be different. Contact your top Alpharetta and Atlanta OBGYN for your obstetrics and gynecology care.  Prenatal care gynecologist: what are the signs of pregnancy?
Prenatal care gynecology ultrasounds and pregnancy tests are the only ways to be sure that you are pregnant, you can also look out for symptoms and signs. A missed period is the earliest sign of pregnancy. Other signs may include a sensitivity to smells, morning sickness, and fatigue. Do all women experience early pregnancy symptoms? Every woman’s experiences of pregnancy are different. Not every woman will have the same symptoms from one another, you may not even have the same symptoms from one pregnancy to the next. However, you may not even realize you are pregnant because the early symptoms often are the same that you may experience right before and during menstruation. What are the early signs of pregnancy? Here we have listed some of the most common early symptoms of pregnancy. Keep in mind that these symptoms can be caused by other issues besides being pregnant. So, noticing some of these symptoms doesn’t mean you are necessarily pregnant. A pregnancy test will be the only sure way to tell. Cramping and spotting: A fertilized egg will attach itself to your uterus wall after conception. This may cause spotting and, sometimes, cramping, these are some of the earliest signs of pregnancy. This can happen anywhere from 6 to 12 days after egg fertilization. Breast changes: Another early sign of pregnancy are breast changes. During conception, your hormone levels will change rapidly. Your breasts may become sore, swollen, or tingly a week or two later because of the changes. They may even feel fuller, heavier, or feel tender to the touch. Your areola may also darken. Fatigue: Feeling very tired early on is normal during pregnancy. You may start feeling unusually tired as early as one week after conception. This is due to a high level of the hormone progesterone, however, other things such as low blood sugar, low blood pressure, and raise blood production can also cause fatigue. Nausea or morning sickness: This is a very famous symptom of pregnancy. However, not every woman will experience it when pregnant. Pregnancy hormones are likely the cause of this symptom although the exact cause isn’t known. Missed period: This is the most obvious pregnancy symptom, this is the one that will prompt most women to have a pregnancy test. However, not all delayed or missed periods are caused by pregnancy. You can also experience some bleeding when pregnant, you should ask your doctor what you need to be aware of with bleeding when you’re pregnant. Prenatal care gynecology in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA Prenatal care gynecology experts will explain to you that many of the pregnancy symptoms and body changes that you experience will begin to dissipate when you reach the second trimester. If you have any symptoms that interfere with your day-to-day life you should speak to your doctor. Contact your top Alpharetta and Atlanta OBGYN for your obstetrics and gynecology care.  Top women’s specialist: are fibroids dangerous?
A women’s specialist will explain to their patients that a fibroid is an abnormal growth that can develop on or in the uterus. Patients can experience heavy periods and severe abdominal pain due to these tumors. Also, no symptoms or signs can be seen at all. Typically, these growths can be noncancerous or benign. However, the cause of a fibroid is unknown. Fibroids can form in many different sizes, from seedlings that are undetectable to the human eye, to big masses that can distort and increase the size of your uterus. There can either be a single fibroid or multiple fibroids. In some cases, multiple fibroids can enlarge the uterus to the point that they will reach the rib cage and add weight. During their lives, many women will experience fibroids. But because they often don’t cause any symptoms, you may not know you have one. Your doctor may accidentally find a fibroid during a prenatal ultrasound or a pelvic exam. How are they diagnosed? Usually, an ultrasound is used to diagnose any fibroids. Fibroids are usually easily seen with ultrasound and are the easiest way to see your uterus. Your doctor may perform an exam where he or she can feel if your uterus is larger than normal and will most likely suspect fibroids. The only way to diagnose a smaller fibroid is often with an ultrasound. To see exactly where the fibroids are located, your doctor may choose to have an MRI of your pelvis. Can a fibroid affect fertility? Many pregnant patients can have fibroids and unless they are interfering with your uterus lining, they should not have any negative effects on your fertility. However, if you are not able to get pregnant and you also have fibroids, having your doctor remove the fibroid can increase your chances of pregnancy. If you have fibroids during your pregnancy, they might prevent your baby from moving into the proper position with the head facing down. In these instances, your baby is most likely to be breached because of the restriction of the baby's movements to get into position because of the fibroid. How are fibroids treated? Usually, you will not need any treatment if you are not experiencing any symptoms while having fibroids. If you are experiencing symptoms, the severity of the symptoms and your condition will determine the recommended treatment. Noninvasive treatments may be of benefit to you when fibroids are interfering with the quality of your life. You can have relief from minor discomfort from acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs. Women’s specialist in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA Top women’s specialists in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA can remove as much of the fibroid that they can see, but this also means that a smaller one can be left behind. This will mean that it will have a larger supply of blood and may increase in size because of it. Contact your top Alpharetta and Atlanta OBGYN for your obstetrics and gynecology care.  The best OB/GYN in Atlanta: what is a colposcopy?
The best OB/GYN in Atlanta may want to perform a colposcopy to monitor any changes in the health of your vagina, cervix, and vulva. The procedure is a lot like a Pap smear and only takes five to ten minutes. The biggest difference is that a special magnifying instrument that is called a colposcope will be used by the doctor. If there have been any abnormal results after having a Pap test, your doctor will use colposcopy to further diagnose any problems. What happens during a colposcopy? Just as you would for a pelvic exam, your doctor will get you to lie down on an exam table. Then the nurse or doctor will put a speculum into your vagina. After opening the speculum, the walls of your vagina will be separated so your doctor can look at your cervix. Using a cleaning solution, they will then wash your cervix making it easier to see any cells that are abnormal. Then, using an instrument called a colposcope, a tool that closely resembles a pair of binoculars with a bright light, the doctor will look at your cervix. The colposcope itself will not touch or go inside you. A biopsy can be performed if the doctor notices something that does not look normal. Meaning that a tiny sample will be taken and sent to a lab. How to prepare You should not be putting anything in the vagina, for example, any creams, before your colposcopy appointment. You should call your doctor to see if you need to reschedule if you are experiencing any heavy vaginal bleeding during your menstrual cycle on the day of your appointment, but a colposcopy can be done at any time during your cycle. You will also need to notify your doctor in advance if you are taking any medications to prevent blood clots, such as warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel, or heparin. If you have a biopsy during the colposcopy, these medications can increase the bleeding. Although many doctors usually don’t perform a biopsy of the cervix while the patient is pregnant, a colposcopy is safe during pregnancy, you should still let your doctor know if you're pregnant or think that you might be pregnant. What to expect after your procedure You will be ready to go home afterward if your colposcopy ended without any biopsy. But, you might experience some spotting for a day or two. Your recovery, if your doctor performed a biopsy, will depend on whether or not you were given an anesthetic and the type of biopsy that was performed. For a day or two after the biopsy, you may experience some discomfort or pain. You may also need to wear a sanitary pad if you are having any dark discharge or vaginal bleeding. The best OB/GYN in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA The best OB/GYN in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA wants you to call the doctor if you are experiencing symptoms after your procedure such as heavy vaginal bleeding, severe pain in your lower stomach, chills or fever, or a bad-smelling odor. Contact your top Alpharetta and Atlanta OBGYN for your obstetrics and gynecology care.  Women’s OBGYN describes the different types of hysterectomy
Women’s OBGYN specialists can perform a surgical operation that will remove the uterus, an organ that is located in a woman’s pelvis, this surgery is known as a hysterectomy. A hysterectomy may be performed for different reasons, including:
Only after all other treatments have been attempted with no success will a hysterectomy for any noncancerous reasons will be considered. Types of hysterectomy Your surgeon, depending on your condition, will remove either all or some of your uterus and possibly other parts of your reproductive system. It’s important to clarify if the ovaries and/or cervix is being removed because health care providers will use these terms inexactly, so it is important to have some clarification:
A procedure called oophorectomy may also be done to remove the ovaries or the surgeon may leave them in place. A salpingectomy is done to remove the tubes. Also, a procedure that is called a hysterectomy and bilateral salpingectomy-oophorectomy removes both tubes, both ovaries, and the entire uterus. Important facts to know Your surgeon will have the most flexibility when performing an abdominal hysterectomy. If a woman has any scar tissues from any previous abdominal surgeries, has cancer, is obese, or has a large uterus, an abdominal hysterectomy may be recommended over any other type of hysterectomy. It is also the best choice in any case of an obstetric emergency such as postpartum hemorrhage. This procedure will take one to two hours to perform. What are the risks? There are usually no serious complications or problems from the surgery for most patients who have a hysterectomy. However, it is still a major surgical procedure and does have some risks involved. Including:
Although these are uncommon, the other risks that can happen after a hysterectomy include blood clots, wound infections, hemorrhage, and injuries to the surrounding organs. Women’s OBGYN in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA: what to expect Women’s OBGYN in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA says that most patients will feel their problems have improved after a hysterectomy. Contact your top Alpharetta and Atlanta OBGYN for your obstetrics and gynecology care, Georgia OBGYN.  Top OBGYN explains the details of an endometrial biopsy
The top OBGYN says that an endometrial biopsy is a procedure that removes a small piece of tissue from the lining of the uterus called the endometrium. Cell changes due to any abnormal tissues or changes in hormone levels can be shown in the tissue sample. Certain medical conditions can be diagnosed by the doctor after taking a small sample of the endometrial tissue. Uterine infections such as endometriosis can be detected by the biopsy. This procedure can be done without the use of any anesthesia in your doctor’s office. The biopsy can take approximately 10 minutes to complete. Is it painful? Women who are having the procedure done should be notified that the procedure, usually, can be painful. To stop the pain that can be caused by the biopsy you can be given some medication to help. The severe pain from endometriosis can have a psychological impact on women that have the condition. The pain that is caused by endometriosis can be negatively compounded by the inability to conceive. Why is this performed? An endometrial biopsy can be used to rule out diseases and is performed to help diagnose any abnormalities in the uterus. The procedure can be done to:
If you are pregnant, you can not have an endometrial biopsy, and you also should not have one if you have any of these conditions:
What are the risks of the procedure? An endometrial biopsy has very few risks. You may experience cramping or pain, but this quickly goes away after the procedure is over. The other not so common risks are:
What do the results mean? You can expect to have the results back from the lab a week after the procedure. The possible results you might see are:
Afterward, the doctor will go over the results and explain them to you. They will also explain if there are any treatments that need to be done based on what they tell you. You could also receive an inconclusive result. This means that the biopsy could not determine whether you have any cancer cells in the uterus or not. If this happens you might have to have a more involved procedure called a dilation and curettage. The doctor will take a bigger tissue sample from your uterus lining during this procedure to send to a lab for testing. Top OBGYN in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA The top OBGYN in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA says that an endometrial biopsy isn’t always perfect. This is because the doctor may sometimes miss a cancerous or precancerous growth since they take a random tissue sample. Tell your doctor if your symptoms don’t go away. Contact your top Alpharetta and Atlanta OBGYN for your obstetrics and gynecology care, Georgia Obstetrics and Gynecology.  Women’s specialist explains when you need to visit your OB-GYN
A women’s specialist recommends that females should start visiting their OB-GYN between the ages of 13 and 15. It is important to start these visits before becoming sexually active. Being familiar with an OB-GYN and their services can be a big benefit especially since puberty can be a difficult time. It is also recommended, around the age of 21, that women start having a pelvic exam every year. With these recommendations, there are still times where you might feel something doesn’t feel right about your body. You should never hesitate to call and make an appointment to see your OB-GYN whenever you have any concerns that you feel need to be sorted out. Your OB-GYN will know that you are the one that is the most familiar with your own body and will encourage you to be proactive about your health. It’s time to see your OB-GYN if you feel like something is wrong and you are showing any of these signs. The warning signs to look out forBurning or pain during urination You may be showing signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI) if you are feeling any burning or pain when urinating. Women have a higher risk of developing a UTI than men. You might even have a fever or blood in your urine. Have your OB-GYN check your symptoms and determine how to treat them after finding out what may be causing them. Usually, antibiotics are used as the treatment for UTIs. It’s important to not ignore any symptoms and your OB-GYN will let you know what to expect if you have an infection. If left untreated, a UTI can spread and cause kidney infections or sepsis, this can be a life-threatening condition. Bleeding when it’s not time for your period It is normal for many women to see spotting in between their periods. If you’re taking the Pill, this is a common side effect. But, it’s a good idea to see your OB-GYN if you’re still bleeding heavily or it keeps going for a few days. This can be a symptom of cysts, polyps, pelvic infection, fibroids, or in more rare cases, gynecological cancer. This is usually not a big deal during pregnancy because it is pretty common, but your OB-GYN will want to make sure that it’s not a worst-case scenario, a sign of ectopic pregnancy, or miscarriage. Discharge that smells bad Bad smelling discharge can usually be a sign of an infection. If left untreated, it can most likely become worse. Like we discussed with a UTI, this can also be something that is handled easily with antibiotics, but when not treated, it can increase the risk of HIV. Women’s specialist in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA Our women’s specialist in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA wants you to know that you should never hesitate to call your OB-GYN if you are experiencing anything that may be concerning you. Contact your top Alpharetta and Atlanta OBGYN for your obstetrics and gynecology care.  Best gynecologist explains what you should avoid during pregnancy
The best gynecologist office understands that there’s a lot of joy during pregnancy, and there are also many sacrifices. During these nine months, you are going to be responsible for another human being, it’s recommended that expectant moms choose the side of caution to keep their baby and themselves healthy. Don’t worry, this doesn’t mean that you will have to say goodbye to everything that you enjoy when you’re pregnant, but you will still have to make a few changes. Other than the obvious, such as staying away from drugs and alcohol, there aren't many rules about what to do during your pregnancy. You can actually go on with most of your activities. Since the safety and health of your baby are essential, here’s a list of things to avoid during your pregnancy. What to avoid Massage and acupuncture Generally, during pregnancy, some complementary therapy, such as massage and acupuncture, are considered to be safe, but there are still some times when they should be avoided. For example, your belly should not be massaged within the first three months of your pregnancy. When you are pregnant it can also be safe to have acupuncture. You should always look for an acupuncturist that is qualified and who has extensive experience and training with women who are pregnant. Certain points of acupuncture can’t be used safely during pregnancy so be sure to tell your acupuncturist that you are pregnant. Wet paint This recommendation has only been made on the likelihood of toxicity because there is currently no way to measure toxicity from any paint exposure. Exposure, as well as the individual chemicals and solvents, will determine paint toxicity. The safest course of action will always be to limit your exposure to paint fumes, even if it’s assumed that house paint has a lower level of exposure. Cleaning products Always be sure to read the labels of your cleaning products and see if there are any safety warnings for pregnant women. Always follow the safety directions on the label when using cleaning products, household chemicals, and glues. Open the windows and doors to make sure that there’s a lot of ventilation. There is a chemical called naphthalene that can be found in some toilet deodorant cakes and mothballs. When exposed to a very large amount of naphthalene will damage the cells in your blood, leading to hemolytic anemia. Loss of appetite, fatigue, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting are all symptoms of exposure to large amounts of naphthalene. Newborns are most at risk when exposed to naphthalene. Saunas and hot tubs Relaxing in a hot tub may seem ideal during your pregnancy if you’re feeling aches and pains. However, during the first trimester, an elevated body temperature can lead to birth defects. Try a warm bath instead since a hot tub usually keeps the temperature of the water around 104°F. Best gynecologist in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA The best gynecologist office in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA says to hang in there, you won’t be pregnant forever and all of the activities and foods that have been off-limits will be available to you again soon. Contact your top Alpharetta and Atlanta OBGYN for your obstetrics and gynecology care.  Women’s health specialist advises on how to prepare for a c-section
Women’s health specialist says that there are many reasons as to why a c-section, or Caesarean Section, might be the best option for you to meet your baby. After laboring and pushing, sometimes it may be needed. It can be needed due to a medical complication that would not make vaginal birth possible. Many are planned as a personal preference. There is plenty that you can do, regardless of your reasons why you are having one, to plan for the best birth experience for any scenario. Setting the date You may have just a few days or several week's notice to prepare depending on the reason for your scheduled c-section. Your doctor will often set a general frame of time for the birth and you will then work with the appointment scheduler in the office to set a date and time. Some may require you to call the hospital to set the date but many OBGYN offices will make the appointment for you. You will most likely be asked to preregister at the hospital where your baby will be born once the surgical appointment has been made. This may include providing the information that is on your insurance card and your prenatal records. You also may be asked to pre-certify your hospital stay with your insurance provider. This will also be a good time to get an idea about what you can expect after surgery by scheduling a tour of the hospital and learn about their different policies. You may also be asked to have a special consult with either your baby’s doctor or specialist or with your anesthesiologist when you schedule the surgery. These consultations may take place the morning of your procedure or weeks before the surgery depending on the scheduled date of your c-section. Making preparations With a scheduled c-section, many women will opt to craft a birthing plan. A birth plan for your c-section should have things such as who will be there with you during the procedure if videos or photos will be allowed, and preferred type of anesthesia, also plans for when the baby is born, including no pacifiers and who will follow the baby to the nursery. Many women find that having a birth plan, while not necessary, gives them peace of mind and a feeling of some degree of control during a time of uncertainty. While in the hospital, you might also want to make plans for taking care of your home. Most women will require a three-day stay at the hospital following a c-section. If your hospital is far from your home, you may want to enlist some outside help. If you have any pets, you may need to take this time to make arrangements to have someone walk or feed them. Women’s health in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA Women’s health experts in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA also want to remind you will be taken to a recovery room following the birth of your baby. Your pulse, blood pressure, and respiration will be closely monitored. You may also be given oxygen through a tube that will loosely fit into your nostrils. You will be given some time to be acquainted with your newborn. Contact your top Alpharetta and Atlanta OBGYN for your obstetrics and gynecology care. |
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