All women in the US, regardless of family history, have a minimum 1:8 or 12.5% risk of developing breast cancer in their lifetime. Of those that do, 5-10% are considered to be heritable, or strongly related to inheriting a known harmful genetic mutation in a breast cancer predisposition gene. 15-20% are considered to be familial, […]
Women often plan for pregnancy with one goal in mind: to have a baby. They don’t usually give a lot of thought to what pregnancy means for them and their health. This time before pregnancy, called the preconception period, is the perfect time to take stock of your general health and lifestyle habits to give […]
October is National Breast Cancer Awareness month. While the world looks different now, and many people have delayed routine healthcare to focus on social distancing and balancing a work-from-home lifestyle and childcare, there are still many ways to get involved and get the care you need. Getting involved: While there may not be large walks […]
The world of cancer research is changing quickly but most scientists agree that the cause of breast cancer is multifactorial. Breast cancer develops as a result of a combination of modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. Non-Modifiable Risk Factors for Breast Cancer Non-modifiable risk factors include things that are mostly out of your control to change, […]
Gynecologists treat gynecologic conditions, such as fibroids, heavy menstrual periods, endometriosis, or ovarian cysts, with medicine, surgery, or both. Once you and your doctor have decided that surgery is the best treatment for your condition, it is important to consider the route or type of surgery that you will have. In most cases, minimally-invasive surgery […]
Many pregnant women cringe at the suggestion of being induced into labor. The process of labor induction can be made much less intimidating by understanding what to expect. Will I need an induction? Induction is recommended for women with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes or hypertension, because it is safer to schedule delivery before […]
In September 2017, Shirley Polk was a healthy, avid endurance cyclist who rode an average of 50 miles per week – and also happened to be nine months pregnant with her second child. Fast forward less than three years later, thanks to WakeMed’s experienced Labor & Delivery and Heart & Vascular teams – Shirley is […]
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 […]
