Blog Archive
When you are pregnant, you have to decide if you want to go to a large group with many different doctors and possibly lower-level providers who cannot do everything that the doctor can do, or one very experienced doctor who will see you every visit and who will be there...
You’re hearing much more about human papillomavirus, also known as HPV. There’s a reason for this. It can be a potentially fatal cause of cancer. But the good news is that there’s a vaccination that can help. Dr. Alan Patterson explains more about what different types of HPV exist, what...
The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered dramatic changes throughout everyday life — and in the medical community as well. Not only are providers across the country postponing elective procedures, but many are also encouraging people to avoid in-office appointments to reduce their risk of exposure to this highly contagious coronavirus.But what...
Pregnancy brings a lot of big changes to your body. You can’t mistake what the “pregnant” feeling is like, but every woman recognizes it. Your body is now working hard to build a whole new separate person. Some of these significant changes to your body begin in the first trimester....
Choosing a method of birth control is a more complicated decision than it might seem. You need to consider many factors, including its effectiveness rate, whether or not you want to (or can) take hormones, and your concern about sexually transmitted diseases. Maybe you’ve already chosen a method of birth...
Having unprotected sex is always a gamble. Even if you’ve been with your partner for long, you don’t always know what they’re doing. You could end up with a sexually transmitted disease or STD. Getting an STD surely feels embarrassing, but it’s much more common than you know; an estimated...
If you have sex without using a condom, not only are you at risk of pregnancy (unless you’re using a different birth control method), but you’re also at risk of getting a sexually transmitted disease. Sexually transmitted diseases – also sometimes abbreviated STDs for short – can happen to anyone....
Knowing what’s “normal” in terms of menstrual bleeding and what’s not is one of the more challenging aspects of gynecology. While having consistently heavier menstrual flow can indicate problems such as fibroids, the truth is that there’s a wide range of what’s considered normal. The average period is 3-5 days and the amount...
If you’re one of the millions of women who have uterine fibroids, you’re certainly far from alone: approximately 40-80% of women have them. These non-cancerous growths (also called myomas) often don’t present any symptoms, especially the smaller they are. However, sometimes fibroids can become quite large when you’re more likely to experience symptoms...
Getting an annual well-woman exam is one of those things you might feel inclined to put off. It’s not an emergency, so why do you need to make it a priority? Especially when your days are so busy, you might want to postpone it in favor of other things that...
Many things have changed since the nation faced the COVID-19 pandemic. One such change has been for the better, which is the widespread adoption of telemedicine. This service allows you to virtually “meet” with the doctor, face-to-face, using video conferencing technology. Telemedicine also offers plenty of benefits for you as...
Pregnancy is normally a pretty smooth process for most women. You can generally expect most things to go relatively well, but you’ll also have enough notice before something goes wrong if you’re keeping up with your prenatal visits. There are certain pregnancy complications that occur with more statistical frequency than...
One of the biggest mistaken beliefs about the process of conceiving a child surrounds ovulation. But understanding when you’re ovulating has a major impact on whether or not your attempts to achieve – or avoid – conceiving a child will be successful. Ovulation has some very recognizable signs once you’re taught how...
Bleeding during pregnancy may be extremely alarming to experience. We’re taught to believe that any bleeding during pregnancy is always a very bad sign, but this is not always the case. Sometimes, bleeding during pregnancy is not an abnormal thing. Other times, however, bleeding during pregnancy is definitely not a good thing,...
You’ve waited throughout your entire pregnancy for labor to begin. Whether it’s your first child or your fifth, you’re bound to have some apprehension and anticipation for the big event. This is completely normal and expected. Delivery is the peak of pregnancy. But whether or not you’ve had other children before may...
Cervical cancer is one of the biggest preventable threats to your health. Although it can be a scary diagnosis, fortunately, you can do a lot to minimize your risks of developing it in the first place. The biggest thing you can do is to get a Pap smear, which can detect...
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is still a problem affecting people on a regular basis today, even though we don’t hear much about it anymore. The AIDS crisis is still a problem. But you may not know about how it impacts women’s health. In recognition of World AIDS Day on December 1, we...
Most of the signs that we call “menopause” are actually symptoms of perimenopause. This is the transitional phase leading up to actual menopause, which occurs when it has been one year since your last period. The symptoms of perimenopause can be quite uncomfortable. You may live with these discomforts for...
You may have gotten a diagnosis of breast cancer. Or maybe you’re putting off getting a mammogram, just because you’re scared of getting a breast cancer diagnosis. But you should get mammograms. And if you have already been diagnosed with breast cancer, there are many reasons to have hope. Breast cancer...
A mammogram is a type of special X-ray that looks closely at your breast tissue. It’s an important screening tool for breast cancer that can detect the presence of cancer, often at early stages. You may get a mammogram as a standard screening tool or if you have other symptoms...
Whether you want to conceive now or at some point in the future, making some changes to your health habits can help. Some of the lifestyle changes you make can improve your overall health, which will make your pregnancy healthier whenever you conceive. Some of the lifestyle habits you practice before pregnancy...
For some women, it is not necessary to get a Pap smear every year, but for others it is, so it is important to talk to your OBGYN about your individual situation regarding how often you should get a Pap smear. Annual exams are still very important, even if you...
If you have abnormal bleeding, you may either be used to it by now or you may feel alarmed. Abnormal bleeding is defined as any bleeding that occurs outside of a normal menstrual period, which should occur every 21 to 35 days and lasts for five days on average. If...
If you can’t use hormonal contraceptives (like the Pill or hormonal IUDs) and are looking for alternatives, maybe you’ve wondered about the female condom. But you might be wondering if they’re really effective at preventing pregnancy. And should you double-up and use male condoms at the same time? Female condoms...
Many of us are choosing to limit the number of places we go these days. Whether you’re trying to avoid the Covid variants still running rampant in our community or you have a weakened immune system that prevents you from leaving home, telemedicine offers you that option. Telemedicine has evolved...
Sexually transmitted diseases, also called sexually transmitted infections, are always a potential risk if you’re sexually active. While some STDs are difficult to avoid – and all are preventable with abstinence – prevention can do a lot to keep you safe. Learning about the most common STDs is an important...
Maybe you thought that when you tried to have a baby, it would just happen. But for whatever reason, it isn’t happening and now you are wondering why not. Your next step might be to make an appointment with an OBGYN for some testing or even fertility treatment. Not everyone...
If you have herpes, you’re not alone. Few people talk about it, but more than 1 in 6 people have herpes type 2. There are two types of herpes: herpes simplex I and herpes simplex 2. HSV-2 is the type of herpes that causes genital herpes. Genital herpes causes flare-ups...
If you’re living abroad, you may think about giving birth in the United States. After all, doing so automatically guarantees U.S. citizenship for your child, which is a great advantage in itself. Whether you’re looking into birth tourism on a tourist visa or you just happen to be in the...
Getting a mammogram is an important move in protecting your health. It’s one of the best ways to detect breast cancer when it’s in its earliest stages, which is when it’s often most treatable. But there are a lot of misconceptions about mammograms, some of which you may have even...
Contraception -- also known as birth control -- includes a variety of ways to prevent pregnancy. But it’s important to use birth control correctly, as well as to choose the right method for you. Not all birth control methods are created equal, and there are a lot of myths out...
Pregnancy is a long, exciting journey for every expectant mother. The process is nine months long, and some women even plan for their pregnancies well in advance. Now, as your delivery date nears, it’s time to start preparing for childbirth. Whether this is your first baby or you’re a seasoned...
Women often expect that they should be able to get pregnant whenever they start trying. But there are some factors that greatly influence whether your attempts to conceive will be successful. Before you start pursuing fertility treatment, it’s important to understand how to optimize your fertility. In general, you need...
Whether or not you had problems with your monthly menstrual periods, you may find it challenging to deal with the symptoms that accompany the gradual ending of your cycles. This phase of your life when your periods end is called perimenopause and menopause, and usually occurs between the ages of...
If you’re a woman over the age of 40, your doctor may have mentioned that you need to start getting mammograms. These exams use imaging to look at your breast tissue for any abnormalities that could be early signs of breast cancer. Like many conditions, breast cancer is most treatable...
If you want to have a baby, you may have had age 35 listed as a cutoff. While it’s true that fertility declines in your mid-30s and that may make conceiving a baby more challenging, it’s still possible. However, there are also some additional risks you may face if you...
Abnormal uterine bleeding is any bleeding or spotting that occurs outside of your normal menstrual cycle. Extra-heavy or longer-than-usual bleeding also counts as abnormal. A normal menstrual cycle includes about five days of bleeding every 21-35 days. Because many women don’t report their abnormal bleeding, exact statistics are unknown, but...
If you have sex, getting a sexually transmitted diseases (STD) is always a potential risk. The more frequently you have new partners, the greater the risk you face. But the truth is that almost anyone can get infected by an STD, and women are more likely than men to experience...
January is Cervical Health Awareness Month, which is a perfect time to think about your cervical health. While you may not think about your cervix often, paying attention to its health may save your life. Your cervix is a cylinder-shaped area of tissue that connects your vagina to your uterus....
The COVID-19 pandemic is unfortunately still ongoing. However, that doesn’t mean you have to put your health on hold. In fact, getting continued care is more important than ever, especially if you’re pregnant or you’re having a gynecological issue. Telemedicine visits use the best of technology to make it possible...
Millions of American women live with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, and each year, many of them become pregnant. You may already be well-versed in how to manage your diabetes when you’re not pregnant, but pregnancy may require some changes to how you care for your health. You probably...
Every October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It’s not uncommon to see everything from football players’ jerseys to yogurt lids turned pink for the month in honor of breast cancer awareness. And this is an important cause: Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer in women after...
You’ll have to make many important decisions about how to raise your baby throughout the next couple of decades. While some decisions during pregnancy are pretty clear cut, such as whether or not to vaccinate your child (which we absolutely recommend), the decision about how to feed your baby can...
Some confusion exists about when you need to start getting mammograms. Many women aren’t sure whether the recommendations say to start at age 40 or 50. Because this helpful screening exam can spot early signs of breast cancer, most experts now believe that earlier detection is better. Unlike other doctors,...
July 2020 is International Group B Strep Awareness Month. It’s important to know what group B strep is and how you can protect your baby from it. Many people don’t know what group B strep is or if they have it, because it’s a silent infection that goes undetected until...
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, has everyone feeling a bit worried right now. As a pregnant mom or the mom of an infant, you might be wondering whether it’s still safe to breastfeed. The quick and easy answer is yes. But there are more details...
The outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 has everyone at least a little bit on edge, and pregnant women are no exception. You may be wondering how this virus affects our practice as an OB/GYN clinic. Many things about COVID-19 are still evolving, which makes the situation fluid with the...
COVID-19 has spread across the globe, changing the way you greet friends, the number of times each day you wash your hands, and the necessity of staying at home. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is tracking the virus nationwide and keeping you updated on...
Millions of women live with endometriosis. In fact, it’s estimated that more than 6.5 million American women (more than 1 in 10 women) deal with this condition. It is often painful and inconvenient and can impact your fertility. Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue similar to that found...
Protecting your baby is one of your most important jobs as a parent. You want to make sure your new baby is healthy and safe. While you can’t control everything that will happen to your child, you do have a lot of power to keep your baby safe from harm....
Kegel exercises strengthen the muscles that support your uterus, bladder, and bowels. Women especially benefit when they have problems with bowel or urine control. Kegels can also help prepare you for labor and delivery. While you can perform Kegels on your own, the movement is nuanced and potentially hard to...
For many women, the menopausal transition brings rise to symptoms that range from a mere annoyance to debilitating pain. It’s safe to say that menopause isn’t a fun fact of life, but it is a fact of life nonetheless. Thanks to medical advancements, you can enjoy menopause with fewer, less...
Most pregnancies are joyous events that go smoothly, without complication. But, in some cases, a woman’s health, complications with the baby’s health, or unforeseen issues (like twins) raise the risk that something might go wrong with mom or baby during development and/or delivery. At the practice of Alan Patterson, MD,...
Getting pregnant isn’t always easy. In fact, conceiving a child is much harder than society makes it out to be. Infertility is still seen as taboo in many societies, but it affects more than one in 10 couples in the United States. The causes of infertility vary, but one thing...
It’s a big concern for many new moms-to-be: How will being pregnant change my body? Pregnancy is a time when weight gain is important for the health of your baby, but what’s normal when it comes to pregnancy weight gain can be confusing. You should be prepared to gain weight,...
Congratulations… you're pregnant! Now what? See 5 tips you should know. #1 Once you've become pregnant and have taken a home pregnancy test that is positive, you need to schedule an appointment with the board-certified OB-GYN doctor who will be taking care of you, like Dr. Patterson. At your 1st visit,...
If you are considering getting pregnant, make sure you're doing these 3 things to heighten the possibility of conception and a viable, healthy pregnancy for you and for your baby. #1 If you have insurance coverage, make sure your insurance covers pregnancy, maternity care and childcare to keep out-of-pocket costs...