Choosing the best birth control method for your needs is an important decision. Barrier methods for birth control are one type of contraception, which work by preventing sperm from reaching and fertilizing an egg. Condoms are probably the most recognizable type of barrier contraception, but there are others that provide varying degrees...
Ultrasounds have been in use for decades. In addition to a history of safety, they’re also a vital diagnostic tool during pregnancy. Ultrasounds are also used for certain health screenings. Also known as sonograms, ultrasounds use sound waves to create an image. Based on the ultrasound image, our team can...
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), there are approximately 600,000 hysterectomies performed in the United States every year. Hysterectomies are performed to treat several gynecological conditions, ranging from endometriosis to cancer. At Memorial Women’s Specialists...
According to the Endocrine Society, the process of menopause can accelerate bone density loss by as much as 20%. The risk of developing osteoporosis increases with age and makes women more vulnerable to breaks and fractures that can cause pain, limited mobility, and interfere with your quality of life. When treated early, osteoporosis...
The process of getting pregnant can be straightforward and happen naturally for some, while others may struggle with one or more of the steps in the process. Here’s what you need to know about the conception process and what’s involved at each stage when you’re trying to get pregnant. At...
The period leading up to menopause can last for several years and cause many symptoms and physical discomfort. As menopause approaches, the body produces less estrogen and progesterone. Hormone replacement therapy is designed to help keep hormone levels steady and manage menopause symptoms associated with estrogen loss. At Memorial Women’s...
Routine Pap smear tests help identify changes to cervical and vaginal cells. They are one of the most effective tools in diagnosing cervical cancer. While an abnormal Pap smear result doesn’t necessarily mean that you have cancer, it can be overwhelmingly and understandably nerve-wracking. Here’s what you need to know...
Endometriosis is a painful and often debilitating condition that is fairly common among reproductive-aged women. According to the Office on Women’s Health, over 10% of American women are believed to struggle with endometriosis, which in addition to being painful, can also make it more difficult to get pregnant. While there’s...
Whether you’re new to birth control or need to make a change from your current birth control methods, there are several options available. There are several factors involved in choosing the best type of birth control for your needs, from your health and lifestyle to your short- and long-term family...
Estrogen levels can be subject to many internal and external factors. As women approach menopause, estrogen production begins to decline as the ovaries produce less. However, estrogen levels can fluctuate and drop at any age due to physical conditions or lifestyle issues like excessive dieting and exercise. At Memorial Women’s...
Periods can be highly unpredictable, and most women will experience a range of symptoms and light to heavy flow from month to month. Several factors affect your period and the symptoms you experience, many of which are completely normal in most cases. However, consistently painful and heavy periods can be...
Perimenopause (the period in a woman’s life leading up to menopause) is a normal part of life. Just like puberty and the menstrual cycle, every woman starts perimenopause at a different age and experiences different symptoms. At Memorial Women’s Specialists, our OB/GYN medical professionals and women’s health specialists offer perimenopause...
With so many birth control options, finding the right one for your needs can seem overwhelming. Understanding the benefits and differences between an IUD (intrauterine device) and birth control pills will help you decide which birth control method is the best choice for your lifestyle and needs. At Memorial Women’s...
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least 10% of women in the United States struggle with infertility. Infertility makes it difficult to get pregnant or to carry a pregnancy to term. Everyone is different, and many factors play a role in fertility. Infertility is defined...
When it comes to your health, early detection is your best weapon against common and potentially life-threatening problems like cancer or fetal abnormalities. Improvements in diagnostic technology now make it possible for our team to detect developmental issues and cancer earlier than ever and to offer treatment as early as...
When hormone levels are either too low or too high, women can experience everything from irregular periods to acne, fatigue, digestive problems, and weight gain. Hormones work in harmony with each other to regulate the body’s essential functions (like menstruation and fertility in the case of estrogen and progesterone for...
A colposcopy is a diagnostic test designed to take a closer look at your cervix and vaginal tissue after an abnormal Pap test result. While they usually require some form of follow-up to rule out abnormalities, a positive Pap test isn’t necessarily a sign of cancer or a sexually transmitted...
Most women will experience some pelvic pain, usually in the form of menstrual cramps. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, painful periods are one of the most common sources of pelvic pain in women. However, there are many possible causes of pelvic pain, some of which are...
Endometriosis comes with chronic pelvic pain, and can be emotionally and physically challenging to deal with. Affecting about one in ten of all women and girls in the United States, endometriosis causes pelvic pain and cramping during your reproductive years, from around the age of 12 through post-menopause. While chronic...
Menopause may be a natural process, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. While some women leave their fertile years without any issue, others experience a wide range of uncomfortable symptoms. And, even if you don’t have any symptoms, your declining estrogen levels still put you at risk of other health...
We know that it's scary learning you have a uterine fibroid, especially since they're often called "tumors." However, even though fibroids are abnormal growths, they almost never turn into cancer. They also don't increase your risk of uterine cancer. At Memorial Women’s Specialists in Houston, Texas, our team of OB/GYNs...
If you’re a woman of child-bearing age and not looking to get pregnant, you have to protect yourself by abstaining from sex or using birth control. With so many options to choose from, it can be overwhelming. But our team of caring doctors at Memorial Women's Specialists in Houston, Texas,...