For the Men – Vasectomy 101 Getting a vasectomy is a big decision – although our experts say making the decision is far more difficult than the procedure itself. Here, we talk with urologist Dr. Ian Udell to explore the top questions most men (and their significant others!) may have about this permanent form of […]
Women have so many options for contraception these days, it can be overwhelming. For those interested in permanent contraception, a tubal ligation (historically known as having your tubes tied) is a great option for many. Hear from WakeMed OB/GYN, Dr. Chantel Roedner, about this popular method of permanent birth control. Q: How do you know […]
View a printable version of this blog post here. Why do my periods hurt so much? During your period, your uterus makes chemicals called “prostaglandins”. Prostaglandins cause contractions of the uterus, which causes pain. These contractions are similar to the ones that happen during childbirth and can be very painful. They may begin 1-2 days […]
During National Women’s Health Week, we wanted to take a moment to highlight some health care topics to help patients improve their overall health and live a healthy lifestyle. #1 – Annual Exams We cannot highlight enough the importance of the screening annual exam. During this visit, your physical as well as emotional well-being is assessed. […]
As an Ob-Gyn, among the most devastating news I can share with my patient is that they are experiencing a miscarriage or stillbirth. What is a miscarriage? A miscarriage is any pregnancy loss that occurs during the first 20 weeks of the pregnancy, which is around the 5th month. Even though there is some awareness […]
In the United States, 80% or more of pregnancies among adolescents age 15 to 19 years are unintended. National surveys report that ⅓ of high school students are sexually active and only ⅓ of those reported use effective contraception. Barriers to Seeking Contraception Potential barriers might include concerns about confidentiality or cost as well as […]
The goal of contraception is to prevent unintended pregnancy. The unintended pregnancy rate in the United States is nearly 50%. Fortunately, this number has decreased over recent years, in part due to increased access to contraception. Our goal is to decrease it even more. In fact, it is one of the goals of Healthy People […]
Many women have heard the word “pre-eclampsia,” but what exactly does it mean? What is Pre-eclampsia? Pre-eclampsia is a hypertensive disorder that can occur during or immediately after pregnancy. Many women with pre-eclampsia do not have any symptoms. Consequences of Pre-Eclampsia If left untreated, pre-eclampsia can lead to liver or kidney dysfunction and even […]
Pregnant with tummy troubles? Let us explain changes to your gastrointestinal system in pregnancy, and what you can do to feel better! Battling Constipation Progesterone, a pregnancy hormone, slows down the GI tract, which can have many unpleasant side effects. Bloating and constipation are two frequent side effects of this. Pressure from the pregnant uterus […]
The Pelvic Floor is a set of muscles, ligaments and connective tissue in the lowest part of the pelvis that provides support for a woman’s internal organs, including the bowel, bladder, uterus, vagina and rectum. Dr. Andrea Crane, Urogynecologist with WakeMed Physician Practices – Urogynecology, says one in four women may suffer from Pelvic Floor […]
