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 […]
Retiring? Make Health a Part of Your Plan
Valerie Beard, MD Riverview Health Physicians Westfield Medical Retiring doesn’t have to mean a total slowdown of your life—and frankly, it shouldn’t if you want to enjoy good health. Here’s what to add to your daily routine to feel your best in the years to come: Move! From an after-dinner walk to a trip to […]
Chronic Pelvic Pain? Don’t Suffer in Silence
Burning. Stinging. Stabbing sensations. These are just some of the ways women have described chronic pain in the vulva, a condition known as vulvodynia. For some women, every aspect of their lives is affected by this constant pain. For others, the pain is caused by pressure or contact, making sitting for long periods of time […]
Pregnancy, the Flu Vaccine and You
By Dr. Stephanie Brazus Riverview Health Physicians OB/GYN When you’re pregnant, getting the flu can cause serious problems, no matter how healthy you are. That’s why it’s so important to get a flu shot before October, when the flu season generally begins. Why is the flu so dangerous? When you’re pregnant, changes in your immune, […]
The HPV Vaccine: What to Know
By Dr. Katheryn Moreira Riverview Health Physicians OB/GYN Did you know that the human papillomavirus (HPV) infects about 14 million people—including teenagers—each year? Or that HPV infections cause nearly 31,000 cancers a year? The good news, though, is that the HPV vaccine can prevent most of those cancers from occurring in the first place. Some […]
Navigating Your Hormonal Changes
As you age, your body produces less estrogen and progesterone, causing your monthly periods to stop—and other symptoms that differ for every woman. So how you manage this time of life can vary for every woman, too. Technically, you reach menopause when you haven’t had a period in 12 months in a row. However, perimenopause—the […]
If It’s Endometriosis, Will You Know?
By Joseph Geyer, MD Riverview Health Physicians OB/GYN They affect you every month: your endometrial cells. These are the cells that form the inside lining of the uterus, which is shed during your period. How would you know if those cells aren’t acting the way they’re supposed to? Here’s what you should know: What is […]
Essential Q&A for New Mothers
By Dr. Stephanie Brazus Riverview Health Physicians OB/GYN You’re home now and most of your questions about your newborn have been covered. But what about what’s going on with you—and your body? And what about your emotions? Here are the answers to a few key questions new moms may have… Q: How much bleeding is […]
Thyroid Disorder Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore
By Swathi A.N. Rao, MD Riverview Health Physicians Are you feeling more tired than usual lately? Has your mood become more bleak or are you more forgetful than normal? Many women attribute symptoms like these to being too busy and having too much to do in a day, but they could be signs of a […]
Talking to Your Doctor About Menopause
Polly Trainor, MD Riverview Health Physicians OB/GYN No matter your age, it’s always important to establish a dialogue with your gynecologist and get answers to your health questions. But when you’re on the cusp of or currently experiencing menopause, you may need to modify those questions for your healthcare provider. Doing so will help you […]