Bank On It: Cord Blood Banking Awareness Month

July is Cord Blood Awareness Month Across the Nation and we are proud to support programs that make efforts to reach expectant parents across the nation with useful facts and tips on why and how to save a newborn’s cord blood. Cord blood and tissue taken from the umbilical cord at birth can be used to treat more than 80 diseases, including blood cancers, lymphoma and leukemia.

Expectant parents are bombarded with information about the delivery process and many other things that fall along with the procedure. It must be nearly impossible to decipher the medical terms and really understand what options expectant parents have in terms of doctors, facilities, pre- and post-partum care. This is why Save the Cord Foundation exists. They are structured to guide you through this process of storing your baby’s cord blood. The foundation wants to explain how this fits into your birthing process without disruption to you or your baby. They are interested in helping you understand why it is important to not throw this natural resource away and then learn about options in your area to save your newborn’s cord blood either publicly or privately. One of their main goals is to help the expectant parents, understand how valuable your baby’s cord blood is and make sure that it is not just thrown away (around 95% of cord blood is thrown away currently as medical waste). Unfortunately, it is often the parent who must ask about donating or privately storing cord blood as this topic is not commonly brought up in birthing consultations. This is why it is important for parents to educate themselves and understand their options.

Not to mention, the Institute for Women’s Health OB/GYN Care in San Antonio, Texas, is interested in sharing their expertise on why parents-to-be should consider this important procedure. Making this decision prior to giving birth could potentially save your child’s life.

If you’re wondering how cord blood transplants work, it’s simple, cord blood can be used in treatment for over 80 different diseases, including certain types of cancer. After collection, cord blood is administered to a patient that needs healthy, adaptable stem cells in their system. These cells begin repopulating inside the body, which speeds up the patient’s treatment process and improves their chances of a successful recovery.

There are doctors who have noted a few benefits of cord blood stem cell transplants:

●     Cord blood cells multiply very quickly. While the amount of stem cells collected from cord blood is lower than other stem cell procedures, hematopoietic stem cells (HSC), from the umbilical cord generate new cells at a faster rate. Researchers are also experimenting with ways to increase the number of stem cells given to a patient, such as using two different cord blood units in the same procedure.

●      HSCs from cord blood naturally move to damaged areas. After HSCs are transplanted into a patient, cord blood cells will move through the blood system to the area where they are needed most. Once they arrive, the transplanted HSCs work with the body’s cellular system to repair damage.

●     Umbilical cord cells are more adaptable than other types of HSCs. Compared to bone marrow and peripheral blood transplants, cord blood cells are younger and more immature. This means HSCs from the umbilical cord have a much higher chance of adapting to the patient’s system, preventing graft-versus-host disease. Bone marrow usually requires a 5 out of 6 HLA match or higher, while many scientists suggest cord blood HSCs only require a 3 out of 6 match.

Doctors and researchers are constantly improving the treatment methods they use during stem cell procedures. While cord blood treatments, and stem cells in general, are still considered an emerging science, dozens of diseases are currently approved for cord blood therapy by the FDA.

As mentioned before on how cord blood is used to treat diseases, to be exact, cord blood HSCs have been used in treatment for over 20 years, with over 35,000 transplants completed worldwide. Since the first successful cord blood treatment in 1988, doctors have utilized umbilical cord cells as a therapy for dozens of different illnesses. Cord blood HSCs now treat over 80 different conditions — in the past 8 years, the list of diseases treated with cord blood has doubled.

HSCs can be used as a treatment for:

●     Blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma

●     Immune system disorders like aplastic anemia

●     Metabolic conditions like Hurler syndrome and Krabbe disease

Once the cells are injected into a patient’s system, they make its way through the bloodstream to damaged areas like the brain, heart, or other vital organs. After they arrive, the cells adapt into the type of cell most needed by the body, and begin multiplying. This increases the patient’s healthy blood cell count and improves their recovery time.

When choosing the right option for your family, remember there is no wrong answer — private and public banking each have their own benefits and drawbacks. There are a few major factors that can help you make the best choice for your situation:

●     Price — private banking costs money, usually a processing fee upfront and annual payments to keep your child’s cord blood in storage. Donating cord blood to a public bank is completely free.

●     Location — Public banks are usually associated with a hospital, which means your options are limited depending on your location. Most private banks offer temperature-controlled storage, allowing parents to ship their child’s cord blood over long distances. Location is less important to private banking.

●     Family history — A family that has a history of genetic disease would benefit more from private banking, where they can use banked stem cells as a treatment for immune disorders and metabolic conditions. The chances of the donor family using a public banking donation again are low, since the cells will most likely be used for another treatment by the time the family needs them.

Knowing more about your options can help you make the most informed decision for your family. For more information on choosing between private and public banking, read our banking options guide.

In case you were wondering how cord blood banking works, after your child is born, their umbilical cord is clamped and cut just like in a normal birthing procedure. Medical staff will move the cord to a different room where they extract blood from the cord and place it into a storage container.

A cord blood unit traveling to a storage facility goes through several basic steps:

●     The cord blood is placed into a temperature-controlled container at the hospital.

●     The container is shipped through a private medical carrier to the storage facility.

●     Facility staff will remove stem cells from the cord blood.

●     The cells are placed into long-term cryogenic storage, ready to use whenever needed.

If you’ve decided to store your child’s cord blood in a private bank, only your family will have access to these stem cells. You can use them as a treatment for your child, siblings, or close relatives at any point in the future. Parents that donate cord blood won’t have any control over their stem cells, but often receive notifications from the public bank if their cells are used to treat a patient.

A day in the life of an OBGYN

OB/GYN, shorthand for obstetrician/gynecologist, refers to two medical specialties. Although obstetrics, the branch of medicine focused on delivering babies, might be the oldest medical art, most obstetricians also practice gynecology since exclusively delivering babies would not typically provide much business. The profession requires diverse daily duties and it offers OB/GYNs opportunities to provide various types of surgical procedures and practice preventive medicine.

The Institute for Women’s Health is the largest and best OB/GYN practice in San Antonio, Texas. They are committed to offering exceptional women’s healthcare, from obstetrics and gynecology to fertility and more. They have more than 30 physicians who specialize in all areas of OB/GYN care, including menopause management and fertility treatment. They currently have eight clinics conveniently located throughout San Antonio. It is their mission to take a team approach to providing women of all ages with compassionate care in an inviting, comfortable and patient-centric environment.

The lifestyle and job description of an OB/GYN practitioner consists of:

Keeping Women Healthy

One of the first priorities for an OB/GYN practitioner is their patients. Overall, an OB/GYN provides medical and surgical care to women. Obstetrics involves taking care of women before and during pregnancy and at childbirth, as well as their fetuses and newborn babies, and performing procedures such as cesarean sections. Duties related to gynecology include diagnosing and treating disorders of the female reproductive system. They can diagnose conditions such as infection, endometriosis, and ovarian and breast cancers. OB/GYNs sometimes provide primary care. They also continually take courses to update their skills. Due to the nature of their practice, OB/GYNs are frequently on call, and their hours can be quite long, as they may have to help women through labors lasting longer than 24 hours. On average, OB/GYNs work 58 hours a week, according to the Association of American Medical Colleges. Everything that OB/GYNs do on a daily basis is all meant to improve their patient’s well-being. Caring about their patient’s health is one thing, but to gain their trust and create effective communication is important as well. OB/GYNs have the ability to make the “being pregnant” experience for their patients easier to cope with since it is probably the most challenging phase a woman can face in her lifetime. Without the help of OB/GYNs, one can only imagine how difficult it would be for women to maintain their health.

Multitude of Duties

OB/GYNs place a priority on encouraging patients to maintain healthy lifestyles. The Institute for Women’s Health does a good job having their OB/GYNs provide care and comfort to all their patients. In general, OB/GYNs provide information about exercise, nutrition and planning pregnancies. They also warn of the dangers of smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol excessively. After examining patients, they order the appropriate tests to nail down a diagnosis. Then they explain the test results, provide treatment options and monitor the patient's progress. Of course, OB/GYNs only recommend their patients to maintain their health because they want what is best for them. OB/GYNs, with further education, can subspecialize in fields such as critical care medicine, female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery, gynecologic oncology, and reproductive endocrinology and infertility. When required, they refer patients to other specialists and consult with other health care providers when necessary.

Other Positions

If they are in private practice, OB/GYNs require business and administrative skills, such as bookkeeping, marketing and personnel matters, as do those who work in administrative capacities in hospitals or who run community health programs. OB/GYNs running hospital or community health programs may also need to be familiar with the public policy and governmental regulations concerning their hospital or community programs. Some OB/GYNs go on to teach in medical schools. In medical schools and for private corporations, they can also perform research on diseases and their treatments and write articles for medical and scientific journals.

Becoming Qualified

Aspiring OB-GYNs graduate from medical school and complete 4 years of a hospital residency program. These programs provides training in areas such as preconceptional health, pregnancy, postpartum care, genetic counseling, women's overall health, management of hormonal disorders, and surgery to treat pelvic organ and urinary tract problems. All doctors must be licensed in the state in which they work. State licensing requirements vary.

A Good Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects that, for physicians and surgeons overall, employment will grow 24 percent between 2010 and 2020, faster than the average for all occupations, with growth best for specialties that treat conditions affecting aging baby boomers. The I Have a Plan Iowa website notes that OB-GYNs will be in demand as female baby boomers increasingly reach menopause. According to the BLS, in 2012, obstetricians and gynecologists made mean annual salaries of $216,760.

The Complications for Pregnant Women

Through stories from friends and informational packets from doctors, women are aware of many risks associated pregnancy. Flu-like symptoms, vomiting, preeclampsia, maternal bleeding, and preterm labor are often discussed. Our bodies are incredible, complicated things, however, and sometimes serious issues fly under the radar during all the chaos of caring for a brand new baby.

Unfortunately, the vast majority of women who develop diabetes during pregnancy are not screened for diabetes again within one year after giving birth. There are many cases where gestational diabetes resolves after pregnancy. On the other hand, there are some cases where women will develop type 2 diabetes. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that women with gestational diabetes have their blood sugar levels checked at least six to 12 weeks after giving birth.

It’s not uncommon for women who have a history of gestational diabetes have a higher risk of developing diabetes. The risk level is at its highest within 10 years of having gestational diabetes. Researchers have used commercial insurance claims to study more than 440,000 women who gave birth at least once between 2000 and 2012. Not to mention, there were 32,252 women who had gestational diabetes in that same time frame.

Gestational diabetes often has no symptoms and can only be diagnosed at a routine screening. Hyperglycemia, which is known as high blood glucose (blood sugar), can cause thirst, dry mouth, frequent urination, fatigue, recurrent infections, and blurred visions. Unfortunately, many may write off these symptoms as normal when, in actuality, they are serious warning signs. In cases of untreated gestational diabetes, there is a high possibility that the placenta may break away from the wall of the uterus (placenta abruption), causing vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain.

The hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, and human placental lactogen (HPL) that are produced during pregnancy can make the body insulin-resistant. This allows extra glucose and nutrients to be passed to the fetus. There are a few women who are either unable to produce enough insulin during pregnancy, or the body’s cells are more resistant to insulin, which can result in gestational diabetes.

Having a BMI above 30, a previous baby that was large for its gestational age, gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy, a family history of diabetes, or being of South-Asian, Afro-Caribbean, or Middle Eastern descent can increase the risk of developing gestational diabetes.

The condition often arises in the third trimester and disappears once the baby is born. Controlling gestational diabetes requires for women to diet and exercise. It occasionally requires medication and if left untreated, it can increase the chances of birth complications.

Surprisingly, within one year after giving birth, only 25 percent of women had received blood sugar screening. How could so many women with diabetes be left out of receiving treatment for such a long time? Who’s responsible for causing this kind of situation? These kinds of questions raise concern for the pregnant women community. While many women are willing to accept the pregnancy risks they are aware of, potential mothers deserve to know the full picture of what long-term changes their bodies might undergo as a result of said pregnancy.

Thankfully, there are some signs of improvement in this area. Recommended screening at six to 12 week postpartum increased from two percent of women in 2001 to seven percent in 2011. . In addition, oral glucose tolerance tests were performed in 36 percent of women in Western states within 12 weeks of giving birth. Imagine that statistic compared to 19 percent of women in the Northeast and 18 percent in the South. Interestingly, Asian women were more likely than white women to receive blood sugar screening while they were pregnant

Women who visited either an endocrinologist or a nutritionist-diabetes educator after giving birth were more than likely to be screened for diabetes. Currently, it appears that women need to reach out to doctors for follow-up tests. Whether or not scheduling follow-up appointment is responsibility of the new mother or her medical health professional is debatable and varies from clinic to clinic. However, the point remains that women who have gestational diabetes and are not screened postpartum may continue to develop elevated blood sugar. Worst case scenario, the women can become pregnant again and have overt diabetes. Entering a pregnancy with overt diabetes poses greater risks to the fetus and the pregnancy.

In addition to screening after giving birth, usually at the six to 12-week postpartum follow-up appointment, women with gestational diabetes should receive ongoing blood sugar screening every one to three years.

When you have a new baby, it is difficult to keep up with the medical care routine, especially when the obstetrics team changes between pregnancies. Sometimes it isn’t possible to stay with the same OBGYN and many women don’t push their obstetrics teams communicate. This lack of communication between women’s different obstetric teams can cause problems and more stress towards the woman giving birth. Sometimes, it may not be clear as to which doctor is supposed to do the screening or when he/she should plan to do it.

If women catch diabetes or abnormal blood sugar early, there are ways one can try to prevent overt diabetes from occurring. It’s important for women to catch this irregular behavior early in order for their dietary change and exercise to have profound effects.

If you live in San Antonio, Texas, make sure to take the risk of diabetes seriously. A study by the University Health System found that 11.8% of the Bexar County population (137,009 people) are diagnosed with diabetes. They believe approximately 440,468 Texans are undiagnosed. Women in San Antonio need to take the risk of gestational diabetes seriously. The Institute of Women’s Health provides OB/GYN services to women across San Antonio.

Questions Every Woman Should Ask Her Gynecologist

No one WANTS to visit the gynecologist! It’s no surprise that a lot of women experience anxiety when heading into their gynecological appointments. Even when you have a respectful, empathetic doctor, pap smears and pelvic exams are, at best, uncomfortable. Once you are already in the exam room, nerves can cause you to forget the important questions you needed to ask your gynecologist. That is why it is so important to decide ahead of time and write down the questions you have for your doctor.

Below are some questions that you may have about your reproductive health. Don’t be embarrassed by them! All of these questions come from a genuine concern and you should not be embarrassed if any of them hit close to home. Read though this list PRIOR to going to your OB/GYN appointment. If you find yourself wondering about any of these questions, speak with your gynecologist about your options.

Should I clean myself before a pap smear or pelvic exam?

While your gynecologist, like all doctors, will encourage good personal hygiene habits, try not to over prepare before a pap smear or pelvic exam. You can, in fact, be TOO clean for these test!

Spermicide foams, douches, or overly enthusiastic cleaning can wipe away the abnormal cells that a pap smear looks for when testing you. Additionally, while certain smells may be embarrassing, they can be diagnostically important. A concerning smell or discharge should be discussed, not hidden, since those symptoms can help your gynecologist understand what is going on with your body.

Is sex supposed to hurt?

No. Sex is not supposed to hurt. However, 15 percent of women report experiencing pain during sex at some point during their lives. The misconception that this is normal keeps them from seeking help. If intercourse is painful for you, reach out to your gynecologist for help.

Why does it itch?

There are a number of reasons that you may experience vaginal itching. Properly identifying the cause is important since the treatments are very different.

Some itching is caused by irritants. Certain soaps, ointments, topical contraceptives, bubble baths and scented toilet papers can irritate your skin or cause an allergic reaction. Diabetic’s urine may also cause vaginal irritation.

Yeast infections’ symptoms include itching and burning. 3 out of 4 women experience a yeast infection at some point in their lives, especially after a course of antibiotics.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can often result in vaginal itching. Chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, and genital warts all cause itching.

Eczema, psoriasis, and other similar skin diseases can cause redness and itching. Sometimes, these rashes do spread to the vagina.

During menopause, estrogen levels decline, which can lead to vaginal dryness. As a result, some women experience itching or irritation.

If you experience itching, hives, or wheezing after sex, you may have an allergy to latex (condoms), spermicides or lubricants. In rare cases, some women are allergic to a protein in semen.

While the symptom of itching is the same for each case, the causes are very different and so the treatments must be as well. In the case of irritants or allergies, you may only need to avoid certain products. Infections and STDs, however, require medical attention to address. Once your gynecologist identifies what is causing your itching, the two of you will be able to find the appropriate treatment.

Does everyone’s period hurt this much?

Everyone’s body is different. However, abnormal period pain can be a symptom of other, serious health issues. Endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, fibroids (benign tumors), adenomyosis, and cervical stenosis can all cause severe pain during menstruation.

If your cramps last for more than two or three days, consult your gynecologist for treatment options. Listening to your body can help uncover underlying health concerns but, even if nothing is out of the ordinary, your doctor likely has options to help relieve your pain. Menstruation is normal but it should not hinder your daily life.

How long can I leave a tampon in?

Do not leave a tampon in for more than 8 hours. If it remains in longer than that, you risk toxic shock syndrome. The trapped bacteria in the vagina, specifically staph and strep, flourish inside tampons. Symptoms of toxic shock syndrome include vomiting, diarrhea, high fever, low blood pressure, and a rash that looks similar to a sunburn.

If treated, toxic shock syndrome has a good prognosis. However, if left untreated, the infection can result in organ damage.

Who needs a mammogram?

A mammogram is an x-ray exam of the breasts, which is used as a diagnostic and screening tool. Early detection of breast cancer is incredibly important so women over the age of 45 should receive annual mammograms. Women who feel a lump in their breast or experience other breast cancer symptoms should get a mammogram.

If you need assistance with any of these gynecological issues and live in the San Antonio area, reach out to the Institute of Women’s Health to make an appointment at one of their seven locations.

5 Compelling Facts You Need To Know About the Zika Virus

The Zika virus has drawn quite the attention from other countries and now in the United States. Not many are aware of the Zika virus or what kind of damage it can cause to one’s body. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there have been cases of this emerging infectious disease soaring in the Americas. How much of a threat can this Zika virus be towards women’s health?

Zika-related birth defects are known to be as an international public health emergency by the WHO. Earlier this year, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) posted a travel alert advising pregnant women to delay traveling to areas where Zika is most active. The travel alert list continues to expand each day and now includes 45 countries or territories in the Americas, the Pacific Islands, Africa, and possibly more.

The CDC guidelines recommends that pregnant women coming back from these Zika hot zone areas to get tested for Zika. As of May 26, there has been 168 U.S. cases of Zika in pregnant women and an additional 142 in U.S territories.

This disease could not have arrived at a worse time than now with the 2016 summer Olympic Games coming up in Rio de Janeiro. Health experts fear the Zika virus could spread far beyond Latin America. The World Health Organization is already expecting Zika to spread in all but two countries in the Americas: Canada and Chile. This kind of situation leaves the athletes who are competing to consider skipping the games for their own good. The U.S. Olympic Committee believes that preventing the spread of Zika is critical, especially for women in their childbearing years.

Here are the facts about the Zika virus:

1. Although usually spread by mosquito’s bites, the Zika virus is also transmitted through sex. As a matter of fact, there have been cases of sexual transmission confirmed in Texas and others wonder where else it could be spreading. Zika is an RNA virus related to the West Nile, yellow fever, and dengue viruses, and eventually passed on by the bite of an infected Aedes mosquito. For example, if a person were to be bitten by a mosquito that has the virus then that person becomes viremic. More than likely the person’s initial bite will attract other mosquitoes, which then passes the virus along.

As mentioned earlier, the Zika virus can also be sexually transmitted, which leaves intimate partners at risk. The CDC advises if you’re pregnant and your partner had or has Zika, you should speak with your doctor and consider using condoms or abstaining from sex throughout pregnancy. As a safety measure to protect others from receiving Zika, the FDA recommends not donating blood, tissue, or organs. This only applies if within the last six months you have been diagnosed with the Zika virus, been in an area with active Zika virus or had sex with a man who’s had the virus.

2. Unborn babies are most at risk from Zika virus complications due to their mothers being exposed to the virus. The Zika virus affects pregnant women by producing illnesses and horrific effects of microcephaly. Fortunately, doctors have not found that the Zika virus can cause breast cancer, or menopause issues. However, not even some of the best women's health doctors cannot predict when in pregnancy the consequences are greatest. There have been cases where up to nine pregnant U.S. travelers have consumed the Zika virus. The CDC has established a registry to track pregnant U.S. women who have a lab-confirmed Zika virus infection.

As of now, there’s no vaccine to protect against the Zika virus, those who have the virus can only rely on the rubella vaccination in order to avoid birth defects. This certain vaccine is recommended for adults and it helps prevent miscarriages in pregnant women, heart problems, and hearing loss in newborns.

3. The Zika virus began in Africa and is only spreading rapidly as people continue to travel to Zika active areas and take the virus back to their homes. The virus was originally named ZIKV, and first discovered in 1947 in a rhesus macaque in the Zika forest in Uganda.

There were outbreaks reported from 1951 to 1981 throughout Africa and Asia. In 2007, 73 percent of the Polynesian population was infected by the Zika virus. In December 2015, the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization (PAN/WHO) recommended Latin American countries to demand healthcare systems to provide medications.

4. Travelers probably won’t bring infected mosquitoes along with them due to the fact that mosquitoes are not capable of traveling long distances. Mosquitoes have been known to be fragile insects and only a fraction of the total mosquito population are in Zika-endemic areas. The bigger concern people should have is that someone else who is infected is more capable of passing the virus along by having sex.

In addition, if the person infected with the virus is exposed to mosquito populations, those mosquitoes will carry the virus themselves and spread it to other people. It’s a continuous cycle that doesn’t end well for many people, especially women who are pregnant.

5. Mosquito control can help prevent the Zika virus from spreading towards others. One of the best things to do is control the insect vector by cutting down on mosquito breeding and other mosquito-borne viruses. One thing to take notice is that breeding sites include water-filled habitats like plant containers. toilets inside the home, puddles, and pooled water outdoors. However, chemical pesticides have the ability to kill mosquitoes, but use them carefully in order to prevent contamination that could be harmful to your health.

If you are pregnant and are concerned that you may have been exposed to the Zika virus, please visit the Institute For Women’s Health for evaluation.

Navigating The Symptoms Of Menopause

Menopause impacts all women eventually! While it is not comfortable, it is completely normal. This natural decline in reproductive hormones usually occurs between ages 40 and 50. However, certain medical conditions or surgeries can cause it to appear in women of all ages.

In this transitional time when a woman stops having menstrual periods, she can experience symptoms that range from simple period changes to problems sleeping for an extended amount of time. You may not experience every single symptom listed below and the severity of symptoms varies from woman to woman. Luckily, woman do not need to simply grit and bear the pain and discomfort!There are ways to overcome the symptoms associated with this transition.

So, without further ado, here are the common symptoms associated with menopause and a few pointers that will help make dealing with them more comfortable.

Insomnia or Problems Sleeping

During menopause, it may be challenging to get the recommended eight hours of sleep. Take part in activities that will make you exhausted by the end of the day, such as exercising or working out. Avoid tasks that may induce problems, like checking your phone before going to sleep and eating right before.

Frequent Urination

It is not uncommon for women to have a dire need to urinate even without a full bladder. Keep away from alcoholic drinks and stay hydrated. If problems persist or worsen, seek medical treatment options from your doctor.

Decreased Libido, Vaginal Dryness and Pain during Intercourse

Being less interested in sex is a typical symptom in the months or years leading up to menopause. Additionally, the decreased production of estrogen and progesterone can be very unsatisfying. Many over-the-counter and prescriptive treatments and lubricants are available to assist in sexual arousal.

Hot Flashes

Many women experience sudden feelings of heat in the body which can range from mild to intense. According to the National Institute on Aging, a typical hot flash lasts between 30 seconds to 10 minutes. While hot flashes are perhaps the best well-known symptom of menopause, it is not one that you simply have to accept as part of the process. Speak with your doctor to find proper options that offer relief from hot flash symptoms.

Depression and Mood Swings

You aren’t crazy! Irritability, depression, and quick transitions between mood swings are common with changes in hormone production. As long as you are self-aware of these symptoms, you can overcome them. If your moods are not too extreme, then simply being honest with your friends and family is enough. They’ll understand! But, if your moods are extreme enough that it is impacting your daily life, speak to your doctor about options for helping you find your balance again.

Irregular Periods

Periods don’t simply start or stop. For some time before stopping, your menstrual cycle may unpredictable. Ironically, heavier or prolonged periods are common at the start of menopause. Spotting may also continue for some time after normal menstrual cycles stop. It’s not fun but it is normal! However, please reach out to a doctor if your periods are very close together, last more than a week, have extreme bleeding, or experience severe pain.

Weight Gain/Slowed Metabolism

Throughout the menopause, it is extremelyimportant to keep up with your health. Your body is your most important asset. Get a fitbit, exercise often, track your diet, and download apps that will help you do all of these things. Sudden weight gain or loss is a typical symptom of menopause, so it’s important to remain in control of your body.

If you feel that your symptoms are more severe than they should be, seeking medical attention is very important. If you’re located in San Antonio and you would like to schedule an appointment at the Institute for Women’s Health for services related to menopause management, symptoms and treatment options above, click here. 

Women’s Health Vocabulary for Men

For many people, especially young men, anything related to women’s health is a confusing. What is a hysterectomy? What are the symptoms of menopause?

Regardless of your gender, everyone needs a basic understanding of women’s health terminology. These terms will often come up when discussing news stories like the Zika virusorrobotic surgery. It is equally important for men to know these terms if and when they decide to start a family.

This simple vocabulary guide will give a quick rundown of the terms everyone should know when your loved ones are having a serious conversation about setting up a meeting with a gynecologist.

Gynecology

Gynecology is the study of the female reproductive systems and any related injuries, illnesses or diseases.

Gynecologist

A gynecologist is a physician that specializes in women’s health, particularly in the diseases of the female genital tract, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, cervix, vagina, and vulva.

Obstetrics

Obstetrics is the study of pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum period which involves the care of women during and after pregnancy.

OB-GYN

OB-GYN is an abbreviation used to describe a medical specialty that focuses on obstetrics and gynecology.

Hysterectomy

A hysterectomy is a surgery to remove a woman’s uterus, or womb. The doctor may also remove the fallopian tubes and ovaries.

Breast Cancer

Breast cancer is an uncontrolled growth in the breasts cells that develops into a malignant tumor. This disease mostly occurs in women, but has a 1-6% chance of occurring in men.

Menopause

Menopause is the period in a woman’s life in which there is a permanent cessation of menstruation. This is a natural biological process that usually develops between ages 40 through 50. It may occur earlier if a woman has a hysterectomy. Such cases are referred to as “surgical menopause.”

Cystocele

A cystocele, or anterior prolapse, is also known as a prolapsed or dropped bladder and occurs when the wall between a woman’s bladder and her vagina is torn during childbirth.

If your family is located in San Antonio and you would like to schedule an appointment at the Institute for Women’s Health for services related to the definitions above, click here.