​Women’s health can be evaluated by an expert during a wellness exam
A women’s health exam may be a little nerve-wracking when visiting your Atlanta or Alpharetta GA OBGYN. However, this is a quick and straightforward procedure that is essential to maintaining your overall health. When you understand why this annual wellness exam is necessary and what is involved during your assessment, you will begin to realize that there is nothing to be concerned or embarrassed about.

This annual exam is done to allow your doctors to see your female organs to ensure and maintain your gynecological health.

Why is an annual wellness exam necessary?
It is vital not to delay scheduling your wellness exam appointment. Your first exam should be scheduled when you have become active sexually or when you have turned 21. You should also plan your exam if you have been experiencing any pelvic pain or menstrual irregularities.

Your wellness exam is your first line of defense against female reproductive diseases, and it is the only way to find the early stages of cervical cancer. This is why it is so crucial to be diligent about scheduling your exam every year.

What to expect during your wellness exam
Here is what you can expect throughout your wellness exam appointment:
First visit: Your first visit with your OBGYN is a great time to ask any questions that you have about your sexuality, menstrual cycle, and other questions about your reproductive health. This visit will typically include a physical exam and a review of your vitals, such as your height, weight, and blood pressure.

Pelvic exam: A pelvic exam allows your doctor to evaluate your reproductive organs while also examining your internal and external vaginal region. During this exam, you will be lying on an examination table with your feet in stirrups. The doctor will then examine the outer area of your vagina; this includes the labia and vulva. Your doctor will be looking for any redness, swelling, irritation, or any visual indications of STDs.

Pap smear: This screening will allow your doctor to check for any abnormal cells that would indicate any possibility of cervical cancer. Provided that no abnormalities are found, a pap smear can be repeated every three years up until the age of 29. If you are older than 30, you will benefit from testing for the human papillomavirus along with having a pap smear. Some strains of the human papillomavirus are known to cause cervical cancer.

Breast exam: As a part of your wellness exam, your doctor will examine your breasts to check for discharge, lumps, or thickened tissues. This breast exam is not meant to replace a mammogram.

Women’s health in Atlanta and Alpharetta, GA
Your women’s health expert strongly recommends that you have your examination every year because it can be the difference between catching any problem sooner or having to undergo any treatment when the problem has advanced.
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Contact your top Alpharetta and Atlanta OBGYN for your obstetrics and gynecology care.

Women’s health experts can help determine if an IUD is right for you
A women’s health expert, in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA, can be there for you if a friend has recently spoken with you about her IUD and is recommending that you get one as well. Maybe you have had a few too many close calls with a broken condom that ruined the moment. Or perhaps you would like the alternative of a reversible, effective, and hormone-free method of birth control.

Whatever your reasons are, you are making a good choice. IUDs are 99% effective; this makes them one of the most reliable birth controls available.

The flexible and tiny device eliminates the chance of human error, such as a missed pill, and can change the way sperm cells move so they will not have the opportunity to reach an egg.

Types of IUDs
IUDs are available in two different varieties: hormonal and non-hormonal. Hormonal IUDs use different progestin levels, which is a synthetic form of the progesterone hormone, to prevent any pregnancies. Progestin is used to thicken cervical mucus to make it harder for sperm to swim to the egg, thins the uterine lining, and partially suppresses ovulation, so there is sometimes no egg to be fertilized.

A non-hormonal IUD releases copper to bathe the uterus lining; this creates an inflammatory reaction that is toxic to sperm.

Who should have an IUD?
An IUD is an excellent choice for women, including teenagers and women who have not been pregnant before. More importantly, an IUD will not lead to any pregnancy problems in the future.

It can also work for women within the final 5 to 10 years before they enter into menopause. When experiencing menopause, periods can sometimes become more cumbersome and painful. The use of certain IUDs can help ease the transition into menopause by decreasing menstrual pain and flow.

Are there any risks or side effects?
It is not uncommon to feel some backaches and cramping for a few hours or even days after getting an IUD, so your doctor may recommend that you take it easy once you get back home. Heating pads can help with the discomfort.

Some have experienced spotting after having an IUD, but this can go away within three to six months.

A flow change during your period can happen with a copper IUD; you may experience a heavier flow than usual. You can possibly experience menstrual cramps that are worse than usual as well.

How will a women’s health expert in Atlanta and Alpharetta, GA insert an IUD?
Your women’s health expert will insert an IUD at their office. This is similar to your routine Pap smear examination; they will place your feet into stirrups, then a tool called a speculum will be used to make the cervix visible. Then a tube that contains the IUD will be placed into the uterus; then, the IUD is pushed out into the uterus from the tube. For easy removal in the future, there will be strings attached to the IUD’s base that remain outside of the cervix.

Contact your top Alpharetta and Atlanta OBGYN for your obstetrics and gynecology care.

Women’s health experts give tips to decide on the best contraceptive
A women’s health expert in Alpharetta and Atlanta GA understands that it can feel a bit overwhelming to go through the many available contraceptives. With everything from pills to patches to implants, deciding on what the best type of contraceptive is for you can be a big challenge.

Your OB/GYN will specialize in providing care for you, and this includes helping to decide on the correct type of birth control that fits your lifestyle.

Talking with your doctor will always be a good idea, but it is understandable that sometimes you will need an excellent place to start when it comes to narrowing down on a choice. That is why this guide was made, to help you navigate through the many options of contraceptives.

Types of birth control
Whether you are looking for another method of protection or you are brand new to the world of contraceptives, you will want to take a number of factors under consideration. Here is an overview of the options that are available to you.

Sterilization: Vasectomies for men and tubal ligations or tube tying are medical procedures that are incredibly effective and will permanently prevent any pregnancies in the future.

Long-acting reversible contraceptives: Hormonal implants and IUDs are long-term options for birth control that can be removed when you are ready to become pregnant. This option offers a high level of protection from anywhere between 3 to 12 years, which helps eliminate the need to take a pill every day.

Short-acting hormonal methods: The mini pill, birth control pill, vaginal ring, and patch all contain a hormone called progestin. This causes the cervical mucus to become thickened and your endometrial lining to become thin. This results in reducing the chance of any sperm reaching an egg. Also, if the fertilization of an egg occurs, it will not be able to become implanted in the uterus. Other than the mini pill, most pills contain estrogen; this hormone works to keep your ovaries from releasing any eggs.

Natural rhythm method: This option involves tracking your menstrual cycle and abstaining from sex or using other forms of contraceptives on the days of every month when you will be more likely to become pregnant.

Barrier method: Diaphragms, condoms, cervical caps, and sponges can block sperm from ever meeting one of your eggs and are meant to be used every time you are about to have sex or used as a backup for other methods of birth control that you are using.

The type of contraceptive that works best for you can change over time, and there is no one option that will be perfect for everyone. For this reason, it is vital to have an open conversation with your doctor about your needs.

Women’s health in Atlanta and Alpharetta, GA
Women’s health experts suggest that you have a conversation with your partner since there are forms of birth control that can be used by men. Make sure that both of you understand the contraceptive that you are choosing.
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Contact your top Alpharetta and Atlanta OBGYN for your obstetrics and gynecology care.

Women’s health experts want you to know the importance of nutrition during your pregnancy
Our women’s health experts will tell you that it is always important to have a balanced diet, this is even more important during your pregnancy due to the fact that what you will eat is the main source of nutrients for the baby. With that being said, many women still don’t get enough folate, iron, vitamin D, calcium, or protein. It will be important for you to increase the foods you eat with these nutrients during your pregnancy.

A healthy diet that contains plenty of vegetables, fruits, proteins, and whole grains can meet the increased needs of most women. You should always try to eat a variety of foods from these food groups. When you do, there is most likely to be enough nutrients that your baby will need to have a healthy pregnancy.

Nutrition during pregnancy
There is a link to healthy birth weight and good brain development from having a nutritious diet during your pregnancy, many birth defects can also be reduced.

Anemia can be reduced thanks to a well-balanced diet, as well as other pregnancy symptoms that can occur such as morning sickness and fatigue.

When to start with a nutrition plan
You can begin your nutrition plan before you are pregnant. As a matter of fact, both women and men can increase fertility with the appropriate nutrition plan. You should consider starting a nutrition plan and regular exercise in order to increase the chances of you getting pregnant if you are finding it difficult. This can help to ensure that you start to form a healthy habit that will continue throughout the stages of pregnancy as well as improve your fertility. These healthy habits will be a big benefit to you throughout the rest of your life, which, in turn, will also help your child to have optimal health.

Is gaining weight, ok?
Eating a variety of foods from each food group every day is a simple way to satisfy your needs for good nutrition during your pregnancy.

It is completely expected and natural to gain weight while pregnant. Before getting pregnant, if your weight is within a normal range, it is recommended that you experience a weight gain of approximately 25 to 35 pounds.

Throughout your pregnancy, it is important to monitor your weight and discuss your nutritional needs with a doctor.

People who are underweight before conceiving, or who have obesity, and for those who are having a multiple gestation pregnancy, such as having twins, will have varied recommendations about weight gain.

Women’s health in Atlanta and Alpharetta GA
Women’s health is absolutely necessary during pregnancy and good nutrition is an important part of the process, however, it can also help during all stages of life. To be sure that you are experiencing optimal health during your pregnancy, an effective plan for nutrition and exercise should be put into place.

​Contact your top Alpharetta and Atlanta OBGYN for your obstetrics and gynecology care.