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Why do I need an annual well woman exam?

2024-03-05T07:07:51-06:00

Why Do I Need An Annual Well-Woman Exam? Annual well-woman exams are important for women of all ages. Your gynecologic health can have a profound impact on your overall health. As your gynecologists, we want to help you to be as healthy as possible by meeting with you on a yearly basis. What happens at this yearly visit? Perform a comprehensive history to review changes in your medical, surgical and family history. Assess your menstrual cycles and address any menstrual cycle concerns you have about irregular periods or periods that are heavy, [...]

Why do I need an annual well woman exam?2024-03-05T07:07:51-06:00

Flu Shot and Pregnancy

2024-03-05T07:13:11-06:00

Should I get a flu shot if I am pregnant? Yes, it's safe to get a flu shot during pregnancy. In fact, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that all women who are pregnant during flu season get a flu shot, regardless of their trimester. A pregnant woman’s risk of hospitalization from flu is reduced by 40% if vaccinated against the flu according to a CDC research study. A flu shot during pregnancy can help: Prevent the flu and maternal complications. [...]

Flu Shot and Pregnancy2024-03-05T07:13:11-06:00

Domestic Violence Awareness

2024-02-09T13:26:47-06:00

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month Help stop the cycle of domestic violence against women in our own community. Learn about facts and warning signs of abuse and how you can make a difference. Click here to donate now. Donate to WINGS 7 staggering facts about domestic abuse and violence Abuse can take many forms including physical abuse, economic abuse, emotional/psychological abuse, sexual abuse, and stalking or cyberstalking. 1 in 3 women has experienced domestic violence in the US. 20% of the women in the US have been raped. 3 women are [...]

Domestic Violence Awareness2024-02-09T13:26:47-06:00

Infertility

2024-02-09T13:26:48-06:00

Advice from the Infertile OB/GYN: When to seek care for Infertility Fertility concerns are commonly discussed during Ob/Gyn visits. Statistics show that 1 in 8 couples are faced with the issue of infertility. Most often Ob/Gyn physicians discuss fertility concerns with women who choose to pursue a career that delays their plans for childbearing until late in their 20’s or even their 30s. Many women today are delaying childbearing. In fact, in 1970, the average age at which a woman bore her first child was 21.4yrs old. In the United States, the average age has increased to 26 [...]

Infertility2024-02-09T13:26:48-06:00

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine

2024-02-09T13:26:49-06:00

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States.  There are more than 150 types of HPV.  They are numbered HPV1, HPV2 etc.  Around 40 types infect the genital area of men and women and are spread by skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, or oral sex.  Genital HPV infection can occur even if you do not have sexual intercourse.  Like other STI’s, genital HPV infection often has no signs or symptoms.  The infected person can then unknowingly pass the infection on to others. HPV is a virus and causes infection by [...]

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine2024-02-09T13:26:49-06:00

V Words Explained: The Vagina & The Vulva

2024-02-09T13:26:49-06:00

So many “V” words.  This article provides a brief explanation of external genital anatomy. In my many years as a gynecologist, I’ve heard an amazing array of words to describe anatomy. But, the most common word is always vagina. Even when patients don’t actually mean the anatomic vagina, this is the word they often use to describe anything in their genital region. Many articles written about the topic are part of the problem. Diagrams of genital anatomy are often labeled incorrectly. It’s no wonder that there’s confusion over the correct terminology. As an obstetrician-gynecologist, I am thrilled by [...]

V Words Explained: The Vagina & The Vulva2024-02-09T13:26:49-06:00

Talking to Young People about Violence

2024-02-09T13:26:50-06:00

In the wake of the July 4th violence in our Highland Park community, our doctors and staff at Midwest Center for Women's Healthcare would like to express our immense sadness and grief over the senseless act of violence during the parade. This tragedy will have an immense impact on many individuals and families in our practice and community. We would like all our patients to know that we are here to offer support in any way we can. We have close working relationships with many therapists in the area that can meet virtually or in person. We are [...]

Talking to Young People about Violence2024-02-09T13:26:50-06:00

Early Pregnancy Loss

2024-02-09T13:26:50-06:00

Early Pregnancy Loss: A Common, Heartbreaking Situation The loss of a pregnancy in the first trimester goes by many names: miscarriage, early pregnancy loss, non-viable pregnancy, as well as the medical term, spontaneous abortion. Early Pregnancy Loss is often the preferred term while caring for patients and their partners during this heartbreaking time. This term helps convey the weight of the actual loss. The term miscarriage (literally mis-carry or to carry incorrectly) seems to place some sort of unnecessary burden or fault on the patient which is completely undeserved. Spontaneous abortion and other versions of this term that [...]

Early Pregnancy Loss2024-02-09T13:26:50-06:00

Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome

2024-02-09T13:26:51-06:00

Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer-susceptibility syndrome (HBOC) occurs when multiple family members are diagnosed with breast, ovarian, fallopian tube and/or primary peritoneal cancer. In many cases, this can mean there is a genetic mutation (a permanent change in one’s DNA) that predisposes individuals to these specific cancers. Mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are responsible for most of these cases, but there are several other genes that also place patients at increased risk. The name “BRCA” stands for BReast CAncer gene. It is estimated that 9-24% of ovarian cancers and 4.5% [...]

Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome2024-02-09T13:26:51-06:00

Hormone Replacement Therapy: Is it right for me?

2024-02-09T13:26:51-06:00

The conventional wisdom for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) has swung dramatically over the past several decades. For a long time, it was seen as the fountain of youth – almost a supplement rather than a medication – something that every woman should be on to stay healthy. Then came the Women’s Health Initiative in 2002, which showed an increase risk in breast cancer and cardiovascular disease. Millions of women stopped hormone replacement or were reluctant to start, some of whom then experienced severe menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats and mood changes. Over the ensuing years our [...]

Hormone Replacement Therapy: Is it right for me?2024-02-09T13:26:51-06:00

Pregnancy After 35

2024-02-09T13:26:52-06:00

Am I Too Old to Have a Baby? Pregnancy After 35 While pregnancy at 35 years and older does carry some additional risks, you CAN have a very safe, enjoyable, and healthy pregnancy. This article addresses the most commonly asked questions about risks and available screenings for pregnant women over 35. It is certainly true that more and more women are waiting to have children. We have seen a trend in our own practices, but this is not something unique to the Chicagoland area. In general, this is a rising trend that has been [...]

Pregnancy After 352024-02-09T13:26:52-06:00

COVID-19 Vaccine Information

2024-02-09T13:26:52-06:00

COVID-19 Vaccine Information There are many questions that patients ask on a daily basis about all aspects of the COVID-19 vaccine and its potential impact on them. This article focuses on the currently approved Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and addresses the most commonly asked vaccination questions. Vaccine Development Patients often ask, “how did the vaccine get developed so quickly?” Both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are “mRNA vaccines”. Despite the commonly used phrase “mRNA vaccine” there is still a lot of understandable confusion about what this means with respect to the COVID-19 vaccine. [...]

COVID-19 Vaccine Information2024-02-09T13:26:52-06:00

Hot Flashes in Menopause

2024-02-09T13:26:53-06:00

Hot Flashes in Menopause Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factors, and Treatment Options Hot flashes are the most common symptom associated with menopause. If you are suffering from them, know that you are not alone as 75-80% of women experience hot flashes at some point during menopause. However, only 20-30% of women ever seek medical attention for their symptoms. Most women develop hot flashes during perimenopause (the years leading up to menopause) but some women will not develop them until they are past the onset of menopause. Risk Factors for Hot Flashes Risk factors for [...]

Hot Flashes in Menopause2024-02-09T13:26:53-06:00

Which IUD is right for me?

2024-02-09T13:26:53-06:00

Which IUD is right for me? Over the past 20 years, IUDs  (IntraUterine Device) have become increasingly popular in the United States. This popularity stems from the fact that they are extremely effective at preventing pregnancy, convenient to use, long-lasting and can be used by women of all ages, including teenagers. Some can also be used to treat heavy and painful periods. IUDs have thankfully come a long way since the 1970s when the most commonly used IUD was plagued with safety concerns. The current IUDs are very safe and completely different from those of 50 years ago. [...]

Which IUD is right for me?2024-02-09T13:26:53-06:00

Pap Smears Demystified

2024-02-09T13:26:54-06:00

Pap Smears Demystified Are you confused about how often you should be having a Pap smear? Do you know what it is, or why we do them? Midwest Center for Women’s HealthCare has the answers! What is a Pap Smear? Pap smears are screening tests for cervical cancer and precancer. During your exam, your doctor will take a gentle sample of the loose cells on the face of, and just inside of, your cervix. A pathologist will then examine these cells under a microscope for any cancerous or precancerous changes. Please remember that every [...]

Pap Smears Demystified2024-02-09T13:26:54-06:00

7 Tips For A Healthy Pregnancy

2024-02-09T13:26:54-06:00

7 Tips For A Healthy Pregnancy Would you like to start or to expand your family? Are you already expecting? If so, congratulations! The entire staff of Midwest Center For Women's Healthcare is here to support you during this exciting time. Regardless if you are already expecting or considering expanding your family, Midwest Center for Women's HealthCare would like you to provide you with some information to help you prepare for a happy and healthy pregnancy. Make a pre-pregnancy appointment with your doctor Pregnancy can be an exciting time in a woman's life, [...]

7 Tips For A Healthy Pregnancy2024-02-09T13:26:54-06:00
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