Blog Archive
Do you need gynecologic surgery? It’s normal to be worried about undergoing a major procedure, but gone are the days where open surgery, large incisions, and long recovery times were necessary. Laparoscopy, a type of minimally invasive surgery, is a revolutionary technique that reduces trauma for faster recovery — and...
Sexual health is an integral component of your overall well-being, yet it's often overlooked or brushed aside. Many women suffer silently from symptoms like vaginal dryness, pain with sex, urinary incontinence, and dissatisfaction in the bedroom — but it doesn’t have to be that way. MonaLisa Touch® is a noninvasive...
Obstetricians have long been the primary caregivers during pregnancy and childbirth in the United States. But over the last several years, an increasing number of women are choosing certified nurse midwives (CNMs) for a more personalized and holistic approach. If you’re expecting a baby, you might be wondering who needs...
About 80% of sexually active women and 90% of sexually active men can expect to contract a human papillomavirus (HPV) infection at some point in their lives. Most of the time, your body clears the HPV before you even know you’re infected. However, if HPV proliferates in your body, it...
If you’re sexually active, you’re at risk for a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or a subsequent sexually transmitted disease (STD). An STI means you have an infection but may not have symptoms; an STD includes the presence of symptoms. About 20% of women, men, and teens in the United States...
It’s no secret that pregnancy is a transformative, life-changing journey. But along with picking out names, buying baby clothes, and decorating the nursery, it can come with some new and challenging health issues. One such concern is gestational diabetes. Up to 10% of women develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy, and...
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and perhaps the best way to get involved and raise awareness is to take action. Prioritize your own health by learning when to get screened. Mammograms are breast X-rays, and they’re the best way to detect early signs of breast cancer. The American Cancer...
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex hormonal disorder that affects up to 1 in 8 women of reproductive age. It causes symptoms that range from irregular menstrual cycles to excessive hair growth — and one of the most devastating for many women is its impact on fertility. Our team at OB-GYN Associates of Marietta specializes...
August is National Breastfeeding Month in the United States. It’s a time to celebrate and raise awareness about the benefits of breastfeeding for both mothers and babies — but although breastfeeding is natural, it can be far from easy. Many new moms find that breastfeeding comes with its fair share of challenges....
Urinary incontinence affects up to 50% of adult women — and it gets increasingly common with age. Incontinence is the involuntary leakage of urine, and there are many possible causes. One factor that has gained significant attention as a cause of urinary incontinence is low estrogen. Estrogen, a hormone primarily associated with reproductive...
Exercise is an important part of any healthy lifestyle. And staying active when you’re pregnant is one of the best ways to take care of yourself and your growing baby. However, exercising in the hot summer months requires extra precautions to ensure you stay safe and comfortable. At OB-GYN Associates...
Menopause is a natural biological process that all women experience in their 40s or 50s. It marks the end of your reproductive years, and your body undergoes many changes during this time. One of those changes is a sharp decline in estrogen levels, which can lead to bone loss and...
Pregnancy is an exciting experience. But as soon as you find out you’re expecting, it’s time to start making decisions about your health care. Most women in the United States see obstetricians during their pregnancies, but more and more are taking a different approach. Midwives are trained medical professionals that...
Hot flashes are a sudden feeling of intense heat that spreads throughout your body. They cause flushing, sweating, and an elevated heart rate — and if you’ve ever experienced one, you know how uncomfortable and embarrassing they can be. About 75% of women experience hot flashes in menopause. They’re one...
Deciding to get pregnant and grow your family is exciting. But if months go by without a positive pregnancy test, you might start wondering if you’re infertile. Infertility is an extremely common problem. It affects up to 30% of healthy adults, but many couples that struggle to get pregnant find...
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the country. HPV spreads through skin-to-skin contact, and it’s so common that nearly everyone who’s sexually active gets it at some point. Most types of HPV go away on their own. But certain strains of the virus are linked...
At the beginning of a normal pregnancy, one of your ovaries releases a mature egg into your fallopian tube. Sperm fertilizes the egg there, and the egg travels from your fallopian tube into your uterus, where it implants itself and starts to grow. In an ectopic pregnancy, the fertilized egg...
Urinary incontinence affects about a third of American adults. That’s a lot of people, but experts say that the real number is probably even higher. Why? Because many people are too embarrassed to ask their doctors for help. Instead, they suffer in silence. There’s no reason to be embarrassed, and...
Endometriosis is one of the most common gynecologic conditions that affects women during their childbearing years. It causes symptoms like heavy periods and pelvic pain, but many women don’t know they have it until they have trouble getting pregnant. If you received an endometriosis diagnosis, you probably have a lot of...
Menopause is a transitional time. It marks the end of your fertility and the beginning of a new chapter, but it’s no secret that the symptoms it brings are unpleasant. If hot flashes and mood swings aren’t bad enough, many women struggle with weight gain in menopause and beyond. In...
Exercise is an important part of any healthy lifestyle. It’s one of the best ways to boost energy, lower stress, manage your weight, and improve your overall well-being — and it’s just as important when you’re pregnant. But it’s no secret that growing a baby takes a lot of effort....
There’s no substitute for a healthy, balanced diet. Fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins are the best way to get the essential nutrients your body needs — but your nutritional needs change when you’re pregnant. Pregnancy creates more demand on your body. Prenatal vitamins are the best way...
Vaginal dryness and discomfort. Pain with sex. Inability to orgasm. These symptoms might be embarrassing to discuss, but if they sound familiar, you’re not alone. Around 50% of women suffer symptoms of vaginal atrophy after menopause. Vaginal atrophy is a condition caused by low estrogen levels, and it can have...
Most babies in the United States are born with the help of an obstetrician, a medical doctor trained in pregnancy and childbirth. Obstetric care during pregnancy, labor, and delivery is widely considered the norm. However, women have more choices now than ever before when it comes to their care. Midwifery...
Regular wellness exams with a gynecologist are a critical part of every woman’s health care. Most women benefit from annual well-woman visits, where their gynecologist provides preventive screenings, exams, and treatments to help them maintain their best health at every age. But if you’re a parent, your child’s health is a...
Breast cancer is the second-most common cancer among women, and 1 in 8 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Although breast cancer can’t be prevented, there’s a lot you can do to protect your health and lower your risk. Identifying cancerous changes as early as...
No one likes the thought of surgery. But sometimes, it’s the best option to treat pain and other symptoms — especially if those symptoms are disrupting your health. Gynecologic surgery is a common treatment option for conditions like endometriosis, fibroids, and even infertility. If you’re bothered by pelvic pain or...
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted disease in the United States, with an estimated 43 million infections occuring annually. HPV usually doesn’t cause noticeable symptoms at first, but it’s linked to potentially serious health complications — and it’s a leading cause of cervical cancer in women. What’s...
Maybe you’ve started suffering from hot flashes. Maybe your weight seems to be creeping up for no clear reason. Or maybe, your sex drive isn’t what it used to be. Menopause is a hormonal change that every women goes through, and it can have significant effects on your body, mood,...
Obstetricians are doctors who specialize in pregnancy and delivery. Most women in the United States have an obstetrician when they’re pregnant, but did you know that obstetricians aren’t the only medical professionals qualified to provide prenatal care? Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) are registered nurses who have completed a graduate program accredited...
You took a pregnancy test, and it was positive! You’ve told your family and maybe a few close friends, but have you scheduled your first prenatal appointment yet? When you’re expecting, getting regular prenatal care is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your baby. Prenatal...
An estimated 79 million Americans have human papillomavirus (HPV), the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD) in the United States. About 14 million people are newly infected with HPV each year, and most men and women will contract it at some point in their lifetimes. Most of the time, HPV...
More than 80% of American women breastfeed their babies. It’s the most common method of feeding newborns, but the thought of breastfeeding can overwhelm many moms-to-be. As prenatal care specialists, our midwifery and obstetrics teams at OB-GYN Associates of Marietta want to help you prepare for your baby’s arrival —...
Are you bothered by pelvic pain? Maybe it’s a sharp pain with sexual intercourse. Maybe it’s bad menstrual cramps during your period. Or maybe, it’s a dull ache that never really goes away. Pelvic pain is a common concern for women of all ages. It can take many forms, and...
Obstetricians attend more than 90% of births in the United States. It’s the accepted standard of care, but did you know that choosing a midwife could give you and your baby a more personal birth experience? Certified nurse midwives (CNMs) are highly trained medical professionals. They specialize in prenatal care,...
More than 10,000 babies are born every day in the United States. That’s a lot of births, but what’s even more impressive is that no two deliveries are exactly the same. If you’re pregnant, the thought of giving birth might bring up feelings of anxiety, excitement, or a combination of...
Fibroids are tumors that grow in muscle cells in your uterus. They range in size, with some as small as apple seeds and others growing as large as a grapefruit, and they’re extremely common. In fact, up to 80% of women will develop a fibroid by the time they turn...
Are you in your 40s or 50s? Have you started noticing hot flashes, mood swings, irregular periods, or other changes? If you answered yes to these questions, you might also be wondering if you’re in menopause. Menopause is a biological process that every woman experiences when her reproductive years end....
More than 80% of women experience cramps during their menstrual cycles. Every woman’s menstrual cycle is different, and symptoms can change from month to month. However, some symptoms are never considered normal. Some women suffer only mild menstrual cramps, but others have severe cramps that last for days, trigger nausea,...
About 8% of women in the United States choose to have a midwife attending the birth of their child. But midwifery is growing in popularity — in part because midwives prioritize personalization and bodily autonomy during pregnancy, labor, and delivery. At OB-GYN Associates of Marietta, in Marietta and Woodstock, Georgia,...
About 60% of sexually active women are on birth control. Birth control, or contraception, is an important element of every woman’s health care plan. It puts you in control of your reproductive health, giving you the ability to decide if and when you get pregnant. There are two main types...
From Thanksgiving dinner to holiday parties with family and friends, this season is a time of celebration. And if you’re pregnant this year, you have even more cause to celebrate. It’s no secret that being pregnant means you have to give yourself some extra care, but that’s often easier said...
Over 33 million Americans struggle with urinary incontinence, a condition that causes involuntary urine leakage. While it can affect men and women alike, about two-thirds of people affected by incontinence are women. There are a few reasons why urinary incontinence affects women more than men, from pregnancy and childbirth to...
The average menstrual period lasts 2-7 days, with a woman’s full menstrual cycle going 21-35 days. Despite these averages, every woman’s periods and menstrual cycles are different. Symptoms vary from woman to woman and even from month to month, so it’s not always easy to know if your menstrual cycle...
About 500,000 American women get hysterectomies each year, making it one of the most common types of surgery. In a hysterectomy, either part or all of your uterus is removed. Hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that ends your ability to get pregnant, because it removes essential female reproductive organs. It’s...
Are you suffering overwhelming hot flashes during the day? Do you wake up at night drenched in sweat? Nearly 8 in 10 women will experience hot flashes or night sweats during menopause, and they last seven years on average. Menopause is the biological process that marks the end of your...
Of the nearly 3.8 million babies who were born in the United States in 2017, about 32% of those births were cesarean deliveries. Also called C-sections, cesarean deliveries are surgical procedures in which your baby is delivered through incisions in your stomach and uterus, rather than through the birth canal....
Most women get their first period by the time they’re 15 years old. And once it begins, the menstrual cycle repeats each month until menopause. That means the average woman will experience about 500 periods in her lifetime. Periods generally come with side effects that include bloating, cramps, irritability, and...
Pelvic pain affects many women at one time or another throughout life. Often linked to your menstrual cycle, cramps or other pains can range from mild to severe. In some cases, it can even force you to miss work or school. Pelvic pain may feel like a dull ache or...
Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a leading sexually transmitted infection in the United States. About 80% of sexually-active Americans will contract it at some point during their lifetime. Most of the time, HPV disappears on its own without producing any side effects. But certain types of HPV — particularly types 16...
When you’re pregnant, it can seem like you face endless decisions as you prepare for the arrival of your baby. From choosing a name to creating your birth plan, the number of choices you make can quickly become overwhelming. At OB-GYN Associates of Marietta in Marietta and Woodstock, Georgia, we...
By now we all know that eating well and getting plenty of exercise are part of maintaining health and preventing disease. However, regular checkups play a key role in staying healthy. An annual well-woman exam is a cornerstone of preventive health care for women of all ages and one of...
You can’t avoid menopause, but you don’t have to let it spell disaster. Sure, hormonal changes wreak havoc on your body, but you have the power to combat even the severest of symptoms. The pros at OB-GYN Associates of Marietta want you to have the best tips and tricks under...
People get uncomfortable talking about vaginas. Even women use a variety of euphemisms, from “vag” to “down there,” just to keep from talking about this part of their own body. Good gynecological health is vital to good overall health, and that includes “down there.” How the vagina changes Like any...
If you're experiencing pelvic pain, or pain in the area below your abdomen or belly, there are several possible causes, ranging from the routine to the concerning. Your pelvis holds many of your internal organs and other biological structures, including your reproductive organs, bladder and urinary structures, your bowels and...
If you and your partner have been trying to get pregnant for at least six months and it hasn’t happened yet, it may be time to try to figure out what might be preventing the pregnancy. There are several possible causes, but one of the most common is endometriosis. The...
You’ve probably heard about human papillomavirus, or HPV. But how well do you understand the facts about this sexually transmitted infection? At OB-GYN Associates of Marietta, our team of experienced providers believes everyone should educate themselves about HPV. To help bring you up to speed on this important topic, we...
If you’re having sex, you can contract a sexually transmitted disease (STD). These infections don’t discriminate based on age, sexual orientation, or marital status. In fact, STDs among older women are on the rise. From the symptoms to long-term complications, women face unique challenges when it comes to STDs. At...
Certified nurse-midwives (CNMs) are licensed health care professionals who perform many of the same functions as traditional obstetricians. Their professional organization is The American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM). Despite popular belief, most CNMs (about 94.9%) attend births in hospitals, while just 2.5% attend births in homes. There are many advantages to using...
Vaginal burning can be a brutal and oftentimes uncomfortable situation. Postmenopausal irritation and discomfort during intercourse can lead to distress and mixed feelings. You might feel helpless to remedy your situation, while at the same time worrying that you're being unfair to your partner. You want to feel love again...
Whether you’ve always known you wanted to have children or you made your decision after years of uncertainty, one thing is indisputable: When you’re ready to start your family (or expand your growing brood), conceiving a healthy baby is just about the only thing on your mind. But while...