If you are a woman, then chances are fairly good that you’ve had an ovarian cyst before. Maybe even several already; however, it’s also just as likely that you didn’t even know it. It’s common for cysts, or fluid-filled sacs, to develop in or on the ovaries. This is a very common condition for women during their reproductive years, and it’s typically not anything to worry about. From the office of your OBGYN, here’s what you should know about ovarian cysts.Many ovarian cysts are too small to cause symptoms; however, if the cyst is large you may notice:
- Bloating or abdominal swelling
- Abdominal pain or pressure, typically on the side where the cyst is
- The pain may be dull and may come and go
Several factors can predispose certain women to ovarian cysts. These factors include:
- Pregnancy
- Hormonal issues
- Pelvic infections
- Endometriosis
It’s always a good idea to see your OBGYN as soon as possible if you are experiencing intense or severe abdominal pain, especially if it’s accompanied by a fever. Severe abdominal pain requires immediate medical attention.
An ovarian cyst will typically go away on its own without treatment; however, the size of the cyst and the symptoms you are experiencing may determine whether or not you should have surgery to remove the cyst. Your doctor will continue to monitor the cyst through regular ultrasounds every few weeks or months to see if the cyst has gone away. Recurring or very large cysts often require surgery.
The pelvic floor consists of muscles and connective tissue that provide support to the organs of the pelvis. The pelvic floor is important for everything from bladder and bowel control to sexual arousal. Unfortunately, many women will deal with pelvic floor dysfunction or pain at some point during their lifetime. If you are dealing with this problem, you may want to talk with your OBGYN about the benefits of pelvic floor physical therapy.What causes pelvic floor dysfunction?
Some many injuries and conditions can weaken the muscles of the pelvis or even tear the tissue. Common causes of pelvic floor dysfunction include,
- Nerve damage
- Pregnancy and childbirth (the most common causes)
- Traumatic injury to the pelvic (e.g., bad fall; car accident)
- Obesity
- Pelvic surgery
- Genetics
If you are dealing with pelvic floor dysfunction you may experience these common symptoms,
- Painful urination
- An increased urge to urinate
- Urinary or stool leakage
- Constipation
- Pain in the pelvic floor including the rectum and genitals
- Pain with intercourse
- Lower back pain
- Muscle spasms in the pelvis
- Pelvic pressure
Just as someone might get physical therapy to restore function and strength into a shoulder injury or bad knee, your OBGYN may recommend that women who have pelvic floor dysfunction undergo pelvic floor physical therapy. These one-on-one physical therapy sessions are designed to help alleviate the symptoms of dysfunction while also training and re-strengthening weakened pelvic floor muscles.
Your OBGYN will first need to perform a physical exam to assess the muscle. This assessment will help us create a customized plan of action to alleviate your symptoms. Pelvic floor physical therapy may include,
- Stretching and strengthening exercises
- Coordination exercises
- Relaxation techniques
- Biofeedback
- Heat or ice therapy
- Electrical stimulation
A Google search will show you thousands upon thousands of women who are wondering whether bleeding is okay during pregnancy. We understand that bleeding can be scary, especially if you aren’t sure what’s causing it. Here’s what you should know about bleeding, including when to turn to an OBGYN.Bleeding During Your First Trimester
Your body is going through a ton of changes, especially during the first trimester. So it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that as many as 30 percent of women experience some sort of spotting or light bleeding during early pregnancy. Some of the causes of light bleeding or spotting include,
Implantation bleeding: After about 6 to 12 days after conception, some women experience cramping and light spotting. This is known as implantation bleeding. While some women may assume that their period is coming (since implantation bleeding usually appears a few days before a woman’s period), implantation bleeding is very light and may cause pink or brown spotting that may only last a day or two.
Bleeding During Second and Third Trimester
While light bleeding is fairly normal during the first trimester, it’s less common and more likely to be a concern if there is bleeding in the second or third trimester. If you are bleeding during your second or third trimester it’s best to talk with your OBGYN as it could be a sign of,
- Placental abruption
- Problems with the cervix such as an infection
- Placenta previa
- Premature labor
Since bleeding could be a sign of a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, or other serious problems, you must talk with your OBGYN about any bleeding you experience. You should call your doctor right away if,
- Your bleeding lasts more than 24 hours
- Bleeding is heavy or you pass blood clots or tissue
- Your bleeding is accompanied by abdominal pain, fevers, or chills
Getting pregnant when you want to is not necessarily easy. If you are having difficulty conceiving, you could be dealing with infertility. Fertility treatments, such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF) could help. Dr. Gabriel Guajardo, the experienced gynecologist at our practice in Brownsville, can discuss fertility treatments, such as IVF, and help you decide on the best option for you.
Causes of Infertility
Infertility is defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as the inability to naturally conceive after attempting to do so through unprotected sex for a period of one year or longer. Female infertility can be caused by several factors, including:
- Aging
- Hormone imbalances
- Irregular menstrual cycle
- History of multiple miscarriages
- Family history of infertility
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Blocked fallopian tubes
- Endometriosis
- Cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy
Difficulty conceiving is not always due to factors affecting the woman. Various issues or conditions can interfere with male fertility, such as a low sperm count or varicocele, which is a condition in which the scrotum is swollen. Other factors that can affect male fertility include cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy, and a family history of testicular or prostate cancer.
Fertility Evaluations
We perform fertility evaluations to help determine what factors might be interfering with your ability to become pregnant. We recommend coming in for a fertility evaluation if you are age 35 years or younger and have been trying to conceive for one year or are age 35 years or older and have been trying to conceive for six months. Depending on the results of your evaluation, fertility treatment might be recommended. Fertility testing includes:
- Review of both you and your partner’s medical histories
- A complete physical examination
- Pelvic ultrasound and exam
- Biopsy of the uterine lining
- Blood tests
In-Vitro Fertilization
We offer several fertility treatments at our office in Brownsville, including IVF which is a type of assisted reproductive technology. IVF involves the retrieval of eggs and sperm from the couple. The eggs and sperm are then taken to a lab for fertilization. After an egg has been successfully fertilized, it can be implanted inside the woman’s uterus. There, the fertilized egg can grown and develop on its own naturally.
During the IVF process, it can take a few weeks or months before egg retrieval is possible. Additionally, it is common to undergo several IVF cycle attempts before becoming pregnant. If an attempt is unsuccessful, it is usually best to until one to two menstrual cycles have passed before beginning another IVF cycle.
It is also important to avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, taking herbal supplements, or engaging in intense exercise or physical activities during the IVF process. The doctor might also advise you to stop taking certain prescription or over-the-counter medications.
If you are struggling with infertility, IVF could help you finally become pregnant. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Guajardo to discuss IVF and other fertility treatments by calling our office in Brownsville at (956) 350-4821.
Having trouble going? It could be due to a bladder infection.You’ve been running back and forth to the bathroom all day and you’ve noticed an increased urgency to pee, even after you’ve just gone. What gives? Well, if you notice burning or pain with urination you could very well be dealing with a bladder infection. Most people will experience a bladder infection at least once during their lifetime. If you are experiencing symptoms of a bladder infection you may want to call your OBGYN for a checkup.
What are the signs of a bladder infection?
Bladder infections are one of the most common urinary tract infections (UTIs). If you have a bladder infection you may experience,
- Strong-smelling urine
- Cloudy urine
- Increased urgency and frequency of urination
- Abdominal cramping
- Burning with urination
- Pain that lingers after urinating
How is a bladder infection treated?
Your OBGYN will prescribe an oral antibiotic to kill the bacteria in the bladder. You may also receive medication to ease burning and pain with urination. You must be drinking plenty of fluids to flush out bacteria in the bladder.
You should see an improvement in your symptoms after 2 days of taking the antibiotics, but you mustn’t stop taking your medication once you start to feel better, as the infection can return.
Is there a way to prevent bladder infections?
There are certain lifestyle adjustments that you can make to prevent the development of a bladder infection. Some of these habits include,
- Drinking enough water every day
- Taking showers over a bath
- Not douching or using scented feminine products
- Wearing loose-fitting clothes
- Urinating immediately before and after intercourse
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