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February 24: Postpartum Mental Health

Virginia Women's Center — Mon, 24 Feb 2014 11:00:06 +0000

There is a range of postpartum disorders that can develop anytime during the first year after your baby is born. These disorders can result from social stressors and biological factors. It is important to know that postpartum disorders are temporary and can be successfully treated with professional help.

When many people think of postpartum depression, they often only consider what is sensationalized by the media: a severe and very rare form called postpartum psychosis. The more common forms often go unreported or are overlooked, leaving women and families to suffer needlessly.

Learn more about the risk factors and symptoms of postpartum mental health disorders:http://www.virginiawomenscenter.com/services-psychology-postpartum-mental-health.html

Debunking the Myths of Mammography

Virginia Women's Center — Wed, 23 Oct 2013 01:48:55 +0000

Women’s breasts are always changing. They change during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause. Many lumps, tenderness and other changes are benign, normal and simply the result of these hormonal changes. Along with these normal changes, problems can arise. It is important for you to be aware of any changes in your breasts. Tools such as screening mammograms and clinical breast exams, which are procedures that are performed by health care professionals at facilities like Virginia Women’s Center, can help detect breast cancer before it has progressed.

There are many reasons why some individuals choose to delay or avoid having a mammogram. Check out the infographic below to learn why some of the myths you may hear are simply not true!

August 26: In-office Procedures

RhondaDay — Mon, 26 Aug 2013 10:00:59 +0000

Women who experience unusually heavy bleeding most months may have menorrhagia. Menorrhagia is the medical term used to define menstrual periods in which bleeding is abnormally heavy or prolonged. Heavy bleeding is defined as a woman soaking through a pad or tampon every hour during the heaviest days in her cycle.

There are many causes for heavy bleeding as well as a variety of treatment options. Oftentimes, medications or an intrauterine device (IUD) may be used to help reduce heavy bleeding. However, for some women who have not had success with these options, an endometrial ablation might be recommended. An endometrial ablation destroys the endometrium, which is the lining of the uterus, and often can reduce or stop menstrual bleeding. There are different ways that endometrial ablations can be performed. The NovaSure® Endometrial Ablation is a procedure that can be performed in our Virginia Women’s Center offices in just a few short minutes. There are no incisions used and the recovery time is typically a day. NovaSure® is designed for women who are premenopausal and experience heavy periods due to benign causes and who do not wish to become pregnant in the future.

Learn more: http://www.virginiawomenscenter.com/blog/gynecology/in-office-treatment-option-for-heavy-bleeding/

August 12: Prenatal Testing Options

RhondaDay — Mon, 12 Aug 2013 10:00:29 +0000

If you and your partner are considering pregnancy or are newly pregnant, you might be amazed and/or overwhelmed with the number of prenatal testing options available. There are three different types of genetic testing that are offered during pregnancy.

Carrier testing of both parents will detect if either parent is a carrier of a certain genetic defect. A carrier test can be done before, during or after pregnancy and is performed by obtaining a blood sample which is then studied in a lab to detect a defective gene for a certain inherited disorder.

Screening tests are available to detect some birth defects during pregnancy. However, a screening test only shows if there is an increased risk that a defect will occur.

If a screening test or other factors raise concerns, diagnostic tests often can show whether certain birth defects are present.

Learn more: http://www.virginiawomenscenter.com/blog/genetic-counseling/what-is-genetic-counseling/

August 5: What is a Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist?

RhondaDay — Mon, 05 Aug 2013 10:00:58 +0000

Weekly Health Tips: Provided by Virginia Women’s Center

Pregnancy is typically a time of great joy and excitement. However, for some women, certain preexisting medical conditions can increase the potential for complications during pregnancy. For others, unexpected complications can arise that require the expertise of a specialist.

Maternal-fetal medicine specialists are obstetrician gynecologists who have completed an additional two to three years of maternal-fetal medicine fellowship following their residencies. They specialize in caring for women who are experiencing high-risk pregnancies and are experts in the various obstetrical, medical and surgical complications that can arise during pregnancy. At Virginia Women’s Center, we understand that complications during pregnancy can be unsettling. That is why we have three maternal-fetal medicine specialists, who work closely with our obstetricians to care for patients who are experiencing high-risk pregnancies.

Learn more by clicking here.

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July 29: Pelvic Organ Prolapse

RhondaDay — Mon, 29 Jul 2013 10:00:38 +0000

Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when the connective tissue of the pelvic floor muscle is weakened allowing one or more of the organs in the pelvis to drop down. In some women, this downward descent can result in the protrusion of the vagina, uterus or both.

Pelvic organ prolapse affects approximately half of the women who have had children by vaginal delivery. Other factors that can contribute to prolapse include advancing age, obesity, hysterectomy, chronic straining and abnormalities of the connective tissue.

Learn more: http://www.virginiawomenscenter.com/services-urogynecology-pelvic-prolapse-repair.html

July 22: UV safety

RhondaDay — Mon, 22 Jul 2013 10:00:45 +0000

The kids are out of school, the smells of grilling and sunscreen are in the air and the temperatures in Richmond have surpassed the 90 degree mark. It can only mean one thing: summer is here! As we head into the hot, summer months, it becomes more important than ever to protect yourself and your loved ones from the harmful rays of the sun. Remember, there’s no such thing as a healthy tan!

Here are some tips:

Schedule outdoor activities wisely
Choose the right sunscreen for you
Apply sunscreen correctly
Don extra protection

Learn more: http://www.virginiawomenscenter.com/blog/preventative-health/theres-no-such-thing-as-a-healthy-tan/

July 15: Perimenopause

RhondaDay — Mon, 15 Jul 2013 10:00:12 +0000

Perimenopause is a time of life when a woman’s body changes in preparation for menopause. However, it can be a lengthy transition and women aren’t considered to be in menopause until they have had 12 consecutive months without a period. It’s important to note that pregnancy is still possible during perimenopause; the potential for pregnancy only goes away after a woman has gone through menopause.

Women enter perimenopause at different ages. Typically, women will begin to notice symptoms in their 40s, but some may experience them sooner, some as early as their 30s. Perimenopause can last as short as two years or as long as 10 years.

Learn more: http://www.virginiawomenscenter.com/blog/gynecology/perimenopause-whats-normal-and-whats-not/

July 8: Exercising During Pregnancy

RhondaDay — Mon, 08 Jul 2013 12:00:32 +0000

Just like the old adage “eating for two” is rarely true in pregnancy, using pregnancy as an excuse to not exercise is also a myth. In fact, exercising during pregnancy has many benefits and can help alleviate some of the common ailments you may experience. Before starting any exercise program, make sure you speak with your health care provider to ensure you do not have any health conditions that may limit your activity.

During pregnancy, you should look for an exercise routine that gets your heart pumping, keeps you flexible and controls your weight gain without putting undue stress on you or your baby. Throughout your pregnancy, try to get 30 minutes or more of exercise on most days (if not every day). If you were not active prior to your pregnancy, you should start with a few minutes of exercise each day and build up to 30 minutes or more per day. If you’re not able to do 30 minutes of exercise at one time, you can always break it up into smaller segments.

Learn more: http://www.virginiawomenscenter.com/blog/obstetrics/exercising-during-pregnancy/

July 1: Clinical Research

RhondaDay — Mon, 01 Jul 2013 12:27:19 +0000

A clinical trial is a research study carefully designed to answer specific questions about vaccines, new medications or new ways of using known medications. Clinical trials measure the medication’s ability to treat a medical condition and how safe it is to use. The FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) has strict rules by which all clinical trials must be conducted. The FDA then looks at the results of the studies to decide whether to approve them for use by the general public.

Since 1997, when Virginia Women’s Center was first chosen as a clinical research site, we have received a tremendous response from our patients that has enabled us to participate in over 50 studies which have contributed to the safety and effectiveness of medicine for women.

Learn more by clicking here.