In the mind of a high school student, the knee jerk reaction was, “Do I really need to know this stuff? It’ll never happen to me.” Unfortunately that same initial denial about STDs is probably all too familiar to the one in five Americans who have an STD or the estimated 68 million Americans who were diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection in 2018 alone.

Menopausal symptoms, like hot flashes, are often fodder for jokes about women getting older. But for an estimated 80% of menopausal women who experience hot flashes this highly uncomfortable symptom is anything but funny.

So what exactly is endometrial ablation? It’s a procedure that eliminates the source of the problem with heavy bleeding – the lining of the uterus, also called the endometrium.

Among all the incredible feats a woman’s body bears — like carrying and birthing a child — it also bears uncomfortable and seemingly downright unfair conditions. One of those conditions that plagues millions of women? Heavy periods.

With the plethora of birth control options available today, the catch to some of them is the same as it’s always been – they only work if you remember to use them. The traditional birth control go-tos like birth control pills, condoms, and barrier methods like diaphragms are still going strong, but many of the 72 million women in the United States who use contraception are turning to longer-acting birth control methods.

Abnormal uterine bleeding can have a variety of causes, and our expert OB/GYN, Dr. Brandon Lingenfelter, outlines some of them here.

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common condition that affects more than 25 million Americans. If you’re one of them, you know how UI can impact every part of your life. Enjoying a night out with friends and family or even going to work or the gym all have the potential for an embarrassing situation.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal disorder that can affect women during their reproductive years. It usually develops when you begin menstruating, but it can also start later in life, especially if you’ve had significant weight gain.

When the now-famous paper on ultrasound was published in Lancet in 1958, the authors had no idea that their medical research would usher in a rite of passage for expectant parents that’s still popular today — sharing the first image of their unborn baby through the marvel of ultrasound technology.

Although that moment in medical history is commonly recognized as when ultrasound technology was introduced to the practice of medicine and OB/GYN practices, the seed was sown for this medical breakthrough by earlier scientists.

Choosing the right birth control depends on a wide range of factors that include both health and lifestyle considerations. As you sort through the choices for your best option, Dr. Brandon Lingenfelter and his team are your partners in family planning.

Urinary incontinence affects millions of Americans. It’s so common that it’s hard to escape the multitude of commercials touting the best or most discreet underwear available. But if you’re among the many women who suffer from incontinence the last thing you want to do is be reminded of it when you’re trying to watch your favorite movie.

You just want to be done with the symptoms and have things go back to normal – when you didn’t have to worry about urine leakage. A big part of getting to the appropriate treatment is finding out which type of incontinence you have.

Is being pregnant during the winter months any easier than the summer? Our expert OB/GYN, Dr. Brandon Lingenfelter, says it really depends on who you ask. Dr. Lingenfelter shares his tips for surviving a winter pregnancy — so bundle up mama-to-be and take heed.

With getting the nursery ready, buying clothes, furniture and car seats, and all the other tasks leading up to the big day, it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle and lose sight of two really important facts: 1) you’re going to be a mother, and 2) your health and the health of your baby are all that really matters.