A Pap smear and a pelvic exam are two different things, even though they often happen at the same visit. A Pap smear is a screening test that checks for abnormal cells on the cervix that could lead to cervical cancer. A pelvic exam is a physical evaluation of your reproductive organs, including the vulva,…
DetailsHormones do much more than regulate your menstrual cycle. They influence your mood, energy, sleep, appetite, skin, weight, fertility, and how your body responds to stress. When hormones are working well, most women feel steady. When they shift or fall out of balance, symptoms can show up in subtle ways that are easy to blame…
DetailsHow Does Gestational Diabetes Develop? Insulin is the hormone that moves sugar from your bloodstream into your cells for energy. During pregnancy, your body naturally becomes more insulin resistant so that extra glucose is available to support your baby’s growth. For many women, the pancreas compensates by producing more insulin. When it cannot keep up,…
DetailsHormone therapy is a medical treatment that uses hormones to relieve symptoms caused by dropping estrogen and progesterone levels during perimenopause and menopause. It is one of the most effective options for managing hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and mood changes, but it is not the right fit for every woman. Whether hormone therapy…
DetailsNon-invasive prenatal testing, commonly called NIPT, is a blood test that screens for certain chromosomal conditions during pregnancy. It analyzes small fragments of DNA from the placenta circulating in the pregnant patient’s bloodstream, often referred to as cell-free DNA. Because it only requires a standard blood draw, NIPT carries none of the miscarriage risk associated…
DetailsAn ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac that develops in or on an ovary. Ovaries normally form small cyst-like structures each month as part of ovulation, and most of these are harmless and temporary. Cysts vary in size. Some stay small and never cause symptoms, while others grow large enough to cause discomfort, pressure, or…
DetailsThe thyroid is a small gland in your neck that helps regulate energy, metabolism, heart function, and brain activity. During pregnancy, thyroid hormone also plays a direct role in fetal growth and development, especially in the first trimester, when your baby relies heavily on your hormone supply. When thyroid levels are too high or too…
DetailsFertility awareness is a category of methods used to track your menstrual cycle and identify when you are most likely to get pregnant. Some women use these methods to avoid pregnancy without hormones, while others use them to time intercourse for conception. You may also hear them called natural family planning. These methods work by…
DetailsAutoimmune diseases like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues. During pregnancy, the immune system naturally shifts to support the developing baby. That shift can improve some autoimmune symptoms, but it can also trigger flares or make certain conditions harder to manage. The good…
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