Many women experience irregular periods, especially in the first few years of menstruation or during perimenopause. The length of your cycle and amount of bleeding can vary greatly from one month to the next. But when is irregular menstruation really abnormal uterine bleeding?Defining Abnormal Uterine BleedingThe length of your cycle and amount of bleeding can [...]
Over the past decade, contraceptive implants have been growing in popularity. What is a Contraceptive Implant? Birth control implants, such as Nexplanon, are long-term birth control options. The implant is a small plastic rod that is approximately the size of a match. During an office visit, your OBGYN will ask you to lie down [...]
Menorrhagia, also known as heavy periods, can leave you with painful and disruptive menstrual periods that interfere with your daily life. Defining Menorrhagia During a typical menstrual cycle, you may 30 to 60 mL of blood and fluid. Consistently losing more than 80 mL during your menstrual period is generally considered to be menorrhagia, [...]
Myomectomy is a procedure performed by our office to surgically remove leiomyomas, or uterine fibroids. What Are Leiomyomas? Leiomyomas, also known as uterine fibroids, are non-cancerous tumors found in the wall of the uterus or in the uterine cavity. In rare instances, they will develop outside of the uterus. Uterine fibroids are made up [...]
A new study recently published in The New England Journal of Medicine has found evidence that taking vitamin B-3 complex, especially during the first trimester, can reduce the risk of miscarriage and birth defects. Miscarriage and Congenital Abnormalities Miscarriage is the spontaneous loss of pregnancy prior to the 20th week. While the true occurrence [...]
During pregnancy, it’s natural to begin thinking about the birth of your child. Giving careful consideration as to your birth plan can reduce stress and help give you a sense of control throughout labor and delivery. What is a Birth Plan? A birth plan is a one- or two-page summary of your preferences for [...]
While outbreaks of the mosquito-borne Zika virus are less prevalent in the news, Texas continues to update guidance on testing and monitoring pregnant women. Zika Virus in Texas The Zika virus is transmitted by the same type of mosquito that carries dengue fever. Those living in the southern-most areas of Texas are most at risk [...]
A United Kingdom (UK) Familial Ovarian Cancer Screening Study is evaluating whether regular blood tests can more effectively identify early ovarian cancer in high-risk women. The study is being conducted by multiple institutes over a long period of time. Ovarian Cancer Beginning in your ovaries- epithelial cell, germ cell and stromal ovarian cancers compromise the [...]
Expectant mothers are often warned of the dangers of eating fish during pregnancy. However, fish can be a great source of nutrition and promote healthy growth and development in your baby. OBGYNs have long weighed the risks and benefits of eating fish during pregnancy. Recently, the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) teamed up with the Environmental [...]
Women at high risk for developing preeclampsia are closely monitored for any symptoms. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends women at high risk for preeclampsia take a low dose of aspirin daily. Preeclampsia is a serious medical condition characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine caused by stress on [...]