Understanding IUDs: Fact vs. Fiction
By Dr. Polly Trainor Riverview Health Physicians OB/GYN Whether you call it an IUD (Interuterine Device) or IUC (Interuterine Contraception), to make an informed decision about this form of birth control, you need to know what’s myth—and what’s truth. How does an IUD work? The word interuterine means “inside the uterus.” So, when you get […]
Thinning Hair: More than a Cosmetic Concern?
By Dr. Stephanie Brazus Riverview Health Physicians OB/GYN Concerned about thinning hair? Talk to your healthcare provider about what’s normal and what’s not, since losing hair may be telling you something important about your health. First things first: Losing some hair every day is natural. In fact, losing hair is a sign that your body […]
Bleeding After Menopause? Don’t Ignore It.
Dennis Pippenger, MD Riverview Health Physicians OB/GYN Before you reach menopause, chances are you’ll experience some irregular bleeding patterns. After menopause, any bleeding is reason to see your healthcare provider. Here’s why. Bleeding after menopause or postmenopausal bleeding is when vaginal bleeding resumes at least six months after a woman experiences her last menstrual period. […]
No-Embarassment Zone
By Dr. Polly Trainor Riverview Health Physicians OB/GYN Be honest. How would you rate your health when it comes to intimacy, with 5 being “Doing great” to 1 being “The pits.” But don’t answer yet. First, let’s talk about what health in this part of a woman’s life (really) means. According to the formal definition, […]
What’s a Breast Duct Papilloma?
By Dr. Stephanie Brazus Riverview Health Physicians OB/GYN Here’s one more reason to do regular self-breast exams: It’s a way to find lumps called breast duct papillomas that may not be visible on your mammogram. Most commonly found in women ages 35 to 55, a breast duct papilloma is generally a noncancerous, solitary tumor most […]
Five Ways Women Benefit from Regular Exercise
Joining a gym is typically the first thing that comes to mind when people decide to improve their wellness. For many women, finding the time to even exercise at all can be a challenge in itself. In addition, the thought of joining a gym and picking up a new workout routine can feel intimidating. So, […]
Uterine Fibroids: What You Need to Know
Fibroids are the most commonly seen tumors of the female reproductive system. For some women, they cause no symptoms. For others, uterine fibroids can cause severe bleeding and other symptoms. But an important thing to know about fibroids is that in the vast majority of cases, fibroids are not cancerous. While we can’t pinpoint the […]
Losing Baby Weight with the BOD POD
As Susan Beckwith works out, she sports a shirt that reminds her of her motivation: “Working off the best pounds ever gained. #BabyWeight,” it says. After years of infertility and trying to conceive, Susan and her husband were finally blessed with a healthy baby boy in early 2017. “After waiting for this for so long, […]
When the ‘Baby Blues’ Happen to You
During pregnancy and the first few weeks of a baby’s life, moms often hear things like “being a mom is the greatest.” Then, there are the pictures all over social media—smiling babies and moms who make motherhood look like a breeze. For those who don’t think they quite match up to these ideals and images, […]
Listening to Your Body
Ten years ago, Westfield resident Jennifer Fero looked similar to most busy moms: she was balancing a full-time job, taking care of her son, managing a household and helping care for an ill family member. There was no wonder why she felt tired all the time. Her skin and hair were dry, and her nails […]