Noticing a few spots of blood between periods can be worrisome, and although women may see spots in their underwear or on toilet tissue, there are usually benign reasons for these occurrences. Here are seven conditions that can cause sporadic spotting between periods in addition to when you should be concerned enough to seek medical advice.
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If you have been confused in the past by changes in breast cancer screening guidelines, buckle up! Recently, more changes have been passed down as guidelines, so it’s important to make sure you’re knowledgeable.
Continue reading “New Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines You Should Know”
Not every woman with fibroids needs surgery or prescription medications. Those non-cancerous tumors known as fibroids can be asymptomatic or can compromise a woman’s quality of life. If you are among the latter, there are 5 little habits to manage your fibroid pain.
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Pap smears, also known as Pap tests, help to identify suspicious cells in your cervix that could signal a precancerous condition.
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These days we hear about super foods for this and super foods for that. There is one group of super foods you shouldn’t ignore though, and those are designated for expectant moms.
Cervical cancer was once one of the most common cancers affecting women. In past years, medical researchers have reported a significant decrease in incidences of cervical cancer, which has been attributed to increase in regular Pap tests being performed. Pap tests are a crucial part of preventing cervical cancer since they can detect precancerous lesions and abnormal cell growth before cancer develops.
Most cervical cancer cases are related to the human papillomavirus (HPV). This sexually transmitted infection can influence the development of cervical cancer as it aids in the abnormal growth of cervical cells.
These cells do not always develop in the same way, which is why there are 3 discernible types of cervical cancer.
Continue reading “3 Types of Cervical Cancer and What You Should Know About Them”
Dr. Camilla Hersh has been named Best Doctor in 2018 by The Washingtonian. Please take a moment to read about Dr. Hersh and book your appointment with D.C.’s best today!
Intrauterine devices, abbreviated as IUDs, have been around for years. However, they only recently became popular among women in the United States.
Learn why so many women are choosing IUDs as their method of birth control, and whether or not this type of birth control may be ideal for you.
Continue reading “9 Things to Consider When Considering an IUD”
Polycystic ovary syndrome, abbreviated as PCOS, is a female hormone disorder. This syndrome is caused by an imbalance of reproductive hormones, which can lead to many issues involving the ovaries.
The biggest difficulty that most ladies face with PCOS is the inability to become pregnant. Not every person with polycystic ovary syndrome will be unable to become pregnant, but it is a possibility if PCOS keeps your ovaries from releasing eggs (ovulating).
PCOS is actually a very common condition that affects millions of women, but approximately half of them are not even aware that they have it. Much of this confusion has to do with a lack of knowledge surrounding symptoms that specifically point to polycystic ovary syndrome, which is why you should pay careful attention to the next few paragraphs below.
Lots of women have imperfect periods, but if your period is often late or has a really heavy flow, then it could be a sign of PCOS. These irregularities happen because the syndrome is preventing your body from ovulating, which can really throw your menstrual cycle off schedule.
We all crave junk food on a fairly frequent basis. However, if you have PCOS then you may begin to notice that you desire foods that are especially high in carbohydrates, such as:
If you often feel tired, even after getting a recommended 8 or more hours of sleep, then this could be another hallmark of PCOS.
Sleep apnea is another symptom of this condition, which is characterized by a breathing interruption that you experience while asleep. This pause in breathing can be particularly dangerous, as it prevents your brain from receiving necessary amounts of oxygen.
Because PCOS affects the way your hormones work, it can occasionally lead to a decrease in feminine hormones like estrogen, and increase masculine hormones like testosterone.
Many individuals will see this symptom present itself in new facial hair to areas such as the lip, chin, or sideburns. Such hormone imbalances can also cause the onset of adult acne, as well as thinning hair that is consistent with male-pattern baldness.
Along with troublesome conditions like acne and sleep apnea, many women with polycystic ovary syndrome also fall victim to other common health issues like:
Although there is no cure for PCOS, there are many ways in which you and your OBGYN at Virginia Women’s Health Associates can work together to find suitable solutions for you and your lifestyle. Lots of the conditions associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (adult acne, high blood pressure, and even infertility) are extremely treatable using healthy habits and prescription medications.
To speak with a specialist at Virginia Women’s Health Associates about your PCOS concerns, please call (703) 435-2555 and schedule your appointment today.
You may have questions about the recent FDA warning about several techniques to treat vaginal dryness and painful intercourse. Please consider the information below.
