Women's Health Blogs

5 Women’s Health Blogs to Follow

by WellnessWomen's Health

Women's Health BlogsSubscribing to blogs is one of the best ways to keep informed about just about any topic under the sun. In the case of women’s health blogs, you want to make sure the ones you’re reading cut the mustard when it comes to the quality of the information they provide. It’s essential that your sources for health advice and recommendations are 100% trustworthy – because your well-being is connected to the tips or advice you pay attention to or integrate into your life.

Interested in Women’s Health? Check Out These 5 Women’s Health Blogs to Follow

Women’s Health Associates Blog

The WHA Blog is alive and well. We publish relevant blog posts regularly and invite you to bookmark our blog to read fresh content each month. One thing that makes us unique is that we are an all-female provider staff, committed to providing you with personalized and professional care, and our patients feel that is pretty awesome.

In addition to our blog, here are a handful that we love, trust, and often provide links to regularly:

Women’s Health Mag.com

We like this blog because while their health-based articles are well-researched and informative, they also include some “fluffier” topics around health. For example, in the same stream of blogs where you can read, “Weight Loss Versus Fat Loss—What’s The Difference, Anyway?” and “30 Health Screenings Every Woman Over 40 Needs, According to Doctors”, there are also some pretty typical “How to lose weight from fill-in-the-blank-part-of-your-body” tips and the latest dieting news. Together, it all comprises a very well-rounded array of information the majority of women are looking for.

Healthy Women

This nonprofit website and blog are dedicated to providing health tips and expert opinions about life in general, affecting the modern woman. This may look like a blog talking about postpartum depression or meditation; OR it may be very specific, addressing topics such as cervical health and awareness or how dogs can benefit our physical and mental health. Again, like womenshealthmag.com you get to enjoy a tone and narrative that is easier to read than many clinical blog sources, but still share important and accurate information.

Speaking of Women’s Health

This blog was initially headed up by Holly Thacker, MD, who also happens to be the Director of the Center for Specialized Women’s Health at the Cleveland Clinic. In other words, you can trust that the information found here is based on hard, scientific evidence-based facts. In addition to very specific topics, you’ll also find more generalized information and solutions for the sort of everyday “stuff” we all encounter, like fatigue during menopause, coping with kids who still wet the bed, sleep apnea, and treatment (for ourselves or our spouses) and so on. While the information comes directly from the medical experts’ mouths, we find the posts are written in a manner that keeps them engaging and easy to understand.

mindbodygreen women’s health

Mindbodygreen’s tagline is “Where soul meets science” and is full of articles that are wellness-inspired and backed by research. You can choose from a wide range of categories including mindfulness, health, food, movement, beauty, and social good.  In the women’s health category, you’ll find topics such as “How to Eat Based On Your Menstrual Cycle Phase, According To An MD” and “Are You At Risk For Osteoporosis? Here Are The Facts?”.  They also offer functional nutrition programs and online fitness classes.

Do you have a favorite women’s health blog?  If so, we’d love for you to share it with us!

The post 5 Women’s Health Blogs to Follow appeared first on Women’s Health Associates | Kansas City Women’s Health Providers.

Baby in Summertime Floatie

5 Ways to Beat the Heat During a Summertime Pregnancy

by ChildbirthHydrationNutritionPregancyPregnancyWellness

Baby in Summertime FloatieIf you’re one of the many women who are welcoming a baby during the hot summer months, we’re pretty sure you can’t wait for that due date to arrive. Summertime heat and humidity can wreak havoc on energy levels and cause your body to overheat, adding to your discomfort.

We’ve put together five ways to help beat the heat and hopefully experience a little bit of relief during your summertime pregnancy.

5 Ways to Beat the Heat During a Summertime Pregnancy

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate

Hydration is not only vital to your health but the health of your baby. According to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, “During pregnancy, you should drink 8 to 12 cups (64 to 96 ounces) of water every day. Water has many benefits. It aids digestion and helps form the amniotic fluid around the fetus. Water also helps nutrients circulate in the body and helps waste leave the body.”  Drink a few sips of water before bedtime, and don’t wait to feel thirsty to hydrate. Give your water intake an added boost by eating hydrating fruits and vegetables such as apples, oranges, spinach, and kale.

Dress for Comfort

Who says you can’t be comfortable and cute in the summer heat? Wear loose-fitting, stretchy clothing made with breathable fabric, like these fun maternity dresses. Accessorize with a sun hat, and you’ll be breezing through the summer heat in style.

Limit Your Time in the Sun

If you need to get outside, limit your activities to earlier in the morning or later in the day. According to Northwest Medicine, “Exposure to the sun during pregnancy has been linked to decreased amounts of folic acid, which is needed for your baby’s growth and development. The lack of folic acid can increase the risk for spina bifida and other birth defects.”  Be sure to protect yourself from the sun by using sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. Use a sunscreen that is at least 30 SPF or higher, and don’t forget to apply it to your face.

Fill Your Tummy with Cool Foods

One of the last things any of us wants to do when it’s hot outside is turn on the oven or stove. Foods rich in nutrients and protein that can be enjoyed chilled are great ways to cure hunger pains and keep cool. Try making smoothies, homemade popsicles, or enjoying some yogurt. “Protein is critical for ensuring the proper growth of baby’s tissues and organs, including the brain. It also helps with breast and uterine tissue growth during pregnancy. It even plays a role in your increasing blood supply, allowing more blood to be sent to your baby.” (Healthline)

Cool Off In The Water

Swimming or water jogging can not only help to cool you down, but may help to alleviate discomfort from swelling and back pain. If getting in the pool isn’t feasible, try a cool shower or bath. You can also keep a spray bottle filled with water in the fridge to give yourself a cool spritz throughout the day.

If you are interested in learning more about navigating your summertime pregnancy, or have any other questions regarding your pregnancy, please contact Women’s Health Associates for an appointment, consultation, and more.

The post 5 Ways to Beat the Heat During a Summertime Pregnancy appeared first on Women’s Health Associates | Kansas City Women’s Health Providers.

Female patient with doctor

5 Reasons Why Your Annual Well-Woman Exam is Important

by Annual ExamFertilityGynecologyOB/GYNQuestions You've Always Wanted to Ask Your OB/GYNWellness

Female patient with doctorYour annual well-woman exam, as well as other feminine health, tends to be something that isn’t really talked about. Because of this lack of conversation, there are plenty of questions surrounding why we need an annual visit. 

These questions are especially common for people who are “perfectly healthy”, have never missed a period, have gone through menopause, and more.

Why should I see an OB/GYN every year?

This is more of a common question from women who are healthy of all ages than you think, and we completely get it. Sitting in a doctor’s office when you feel perfectly well, in order to have an exam that confirms you are perfectly well, can feel like a waste of time.

However, your annual OB/GYN exam – also called a well-woman visit – is about so much more than giving you a clean bill of health.

5 Reasons Why Your Annual Well-Woman Exam from Your OB/GYN is So Important

Your well-woman exam has more layers than is normally thought of. It involves relationship building with your OB/GYN and staff, which can be important if you are staying with them for a while. It also includes education and knowledge about your body and reproductive health throughout all your life stages, and answering any questions that you may have, no matter how “embarrassing” you might think they are. Your doctors have heard it all, and they are here to help you with any and every question you could have about your reproductive health.

The following are 5 reasons why observing your annual well-woman checkup is so important:

  1. Your annual checkup, or well-woman visit, is a chance for you to bond with your doctors, which is especially important with your OB/GYN. Feeling comfortable with your OB/GYN is so important due to the fact that they are dealing with areas that are so intimate. Many of the most common conditions that affect female health, including HPV, breast cancer and cervical cancer, can exist in your body without any symptoms or signs. Your annual visit keeps your doctor informed about your body, and allows them to better understand anything that might be off for you. Without routine breast and pelvic exams, conversations about your lifestyle habits and sex life and your pap smear every three years, you run the risk of not catching a small issue before it becomes a big deal. Plus, the more you have developed a positive relationship with your OB/GYN through the years, the more comfortable you will feel if and when you require further treatment, are ready to have a baby, or go through other significant life changes.
  2. Your doctors are specialists. The internet has a lot of answers, but with the overwhelming amount of information, both agreeing and disagreeing, it can be hard to sort through what it all means. At your annual visits, you’ll be able to ask any questions that you might have, no matter how intimate they might be, and you can share any information you might have that feels unusual in a safe, caring, compassionate and confidential environment. Your doctors will make sure you get the honest and informative answers that will empower you to make the best decisions for yourself and your health.
  3. Keeping up with the newest science and tech is really important. The rapid evolution of technology has changed the medical playing field, from diagnostic tests and treatments to new innovations in contraception and permanent birth control options like IUDs. Visiting your OB/GYN every year means you’ll be on the forefront of these innovations as well, with more options to choose from when it comes to your body and your reproductive options and choices.
  4. Staying up to date with your health screenings and vaccinations. At your annual checkups, you’ll have the option to be screened for a variety of health conditions depending on your age, family medical history and lifestyle habits. This includes screening for sexually transmitted diseases, which is highly recommended for anyone who has sex outside of a monogamous relationship. Even if you were tested last year and always use condoms, it’s still a good idea to be screened “just in case.” This also includes colon cancer screening after age 50. You will also have the opportunity to catch up on any vaccinations that you missed as a child, or that may not have been available when you were young.
  5. Building bonds means that when you are ready to have a family, you will be sure that you and your baby are in good hands. Forming a good relationship with your OB/GYN means that you will feel comfortable when you are pregnant, and that when you are pregnant, you will be treated with the utmost care and respect. A strong relationship means that if you are ever referred to a specialist, either during preventative, prenatal, or after care, that the specialist is someone you can trust as well. While you can always be on the lookout for a great doctor after you see the “+” sign on the pregnancy test stick, it’s best to have an established relationship with a doctor who you love and trust.

Looking for an OB/GYN with whom you can feel 100% comfortable and trust to provide high-quality healthcare at every stage of your life? Schedule a consultation with Women’s Health Associates. We look forward to talking to you soon.

The post 5 Reasons Why Your Annual Well-Woman Exam is Important appeared first on Women’s Health Associates | Kansas City Women’s Health Providers.

Couple experiencing infertility

When Should I Worry About Infertility?

by EndometriosisFertilityGynecologyInfertilityPCOSPelvic Inflammatory DiseasePeriodPregnancyWellness

Couple experiencing infertilityTrying to get pregnant can be one of the most exciting times in a couple’s life. But when the ‘–’ sign on the pregnancy test repeats month, after month, after month the excitement can quickly morph into worry, concern, frustration and even depression. But, before you go labeling yourself “infertile”, there are a few things you need to know.

Conceiving is a complex process and – usually – it all revolves around timing and egg/sperm viability. Contrary to what pop culture and the media tells you, conception typically takes about six months to a year for most healthy couples.

The Facts About Fertility: When Do You Know You Have a Problem?

Most doctors will not begin looking into fertility issues unless a couple has tried to get pregnant for 12-months or more without success. Even timing intercourse with ovulation is not an automatic recipe for success. You and your partners bodies are very aware of any genetic mutations in the egg and/or sperm, and will either prevent conception from occurring, or will eliminate the joined egg and sperm. This often occurs before you would ever know you were pregnant. If you are 35 years or older, you will want to speak with your doctor if you have tried to conceive for six or more months. Age matters and, in this case, the sooner any potential infertility issues are addressed, the better.

Here are some of the signs that you may have a fertility problem:

  1. You’ve been timing intercourse without results.

Timing your intercourse to coincide with ovulation will typically result in a successful pregnancy within 12 months. To do this, you need to understand your menstrual cycle and start tracking it. This is something that has been made easy by tracking apps. The average menstrual cycle is about 28-days, but they can range from 21 to 35 days. Ovulation typically occurs between days 11 and 16. Because everyone is different, tracking your cycle helps you find the right window for your body. While an egg is only available for fertilization for about 24-hours, sperm can live for several days. Because of this, we advise clients to have sex every other day for the days leading up to your estimated ovulation day (Days 8, 10, 12, 14).  If you’ve been timing intercourse for more than a year without any success (6 months if you’re 35 or older), it’s time to have a chat with your OB/GYN for a more thorough fertility workup and to discuss potential solutions.

  1. You have irregular periods.

Since ovulation is directly related to your menstrual cycle, irregular periods are a sign that something might be abnormal. If you notice abnormal cycles, talk to your doctor. It may simply be that you have a much shorter or longer cycle than most, but knowing that can help you plan for ovulation. However, you may also have endometriosis or polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), both of which are common causes of infertility. A more thorough pelvic exam and diagnostic approach can be used to see the potential cause. Infertility is spread pretty evenly between men and women (30% men, 30% women and the rest of the cases are shared or remain a mystery) so your partner may want to consider having their sperm analyzed as well.

  1. You’ve already been diagnosed with PCOS, Endometriosis, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease, etc.

If you’ve been diagnosed with PCOS, endometriosis or other anatomical or physiological conditions linked to infertility, your doctor may want to follow your path to conception more closely. They may want to introduce fertility options earlier than normal to give you additional assistance.

  1. You have a history of miscarriages.

Have you miscarried in the past, or had more than one miscarriage? This information is important to disclose to your doctor. If you’ve miscarried before and are having difficulties conceiving now, your doctor may recommend fertility testing sooner than “normal”. Recurrent miscarriages (three or more in a row) are typically a red flag that something else is amiss and your doctor will refer you to a fertility specialist if they are unable to diagnose the problem via traditional diagnostic procedures.

  1. Your job places you in contact with toxins or contaminants.

If you work with radiation or with substances known to have an effect on female or male infertility, you may need to speak with your doctor about more serious protective measures. Research continues to illuminate and expose the regular, everyday chemicals and toxins linked to infertility, so minimizing your exposure to these substances is important.

In most cases, the first step in the fertility journey is oral fertility medications, such as Clomid, which stimulate ovulation. Depending on your situation, Women’s Health Associates may recommend trying Clomid with timed intercourse. In others, we may recommend Clomid in partnership with intrauterine insemination (also called artificial insemination) to increase your odds. If oral fertility medications are ineffective, we are happy to refer you to one of several reputable fertility specialists here in the Kansas City area.

Above all, remember that you are not alone. Talking to your doctors openly and honestly is especially important. We are an all-female OB/GYN office and we will work closely with you along your fertility journey. Contact us if you need a referral or have any questions.

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