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Are you and your partner embarking on the exciting journey of trying to conceive? It’s a significant step filled with hope and anticipation. While the process of getting pregnant can vary for everyone, there are some dos and don’ts that can help optimize your chances of conceiving naturally. Here’s a guide to navigate this important time:

Dos:

• Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle: Select a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Ensure you’re getting enough folic acid, which is crucial for fetal development.
• Regular Exercise: Engage in moderate exercise regularly to maintain a healthy weight and reduce stress levels.
• Track Your Menstrual Cycle: Understanding your menstrual cycle can help pinpoint your most fertile days. Consider using ovulation predictor kits or apps to track ovulation accurately.
• Maintain Regular Intimacy: Aim to have regular, timed intercourse during your fertile window to increase the likelihood of conception.
• Stay Positive and Patient: It’s natural for conception to take time. Stay optimistic, manage stress, and seek support from your partner, friends, or a fertility counselor if needed.

Don’ts:

• Avoid Smoking, Alcohol, and Drugs: These substances can negatively impact fertility for both men and women. Cut down or eliminate them completely while trying to conceive.
• Limit Caffeine Intake: High caffeine consumption has been linked to reduced fertility. Consider switching to decaffeinated options or reducing intake during this period.
• Skip Lubricants with Spermicidal Properties: Some lubricants can hinder sperm motility. Opt for fertility-friendly lubricants or those labeled as sperm-safe.
• Overdo Stress: Stress can affect hormone levels and disrupt ovulation. Practice relaxation techniques such as meditation, deep breathing, or hobbies you enjoy.
• Delay Seeking Help if Needed: If you’ve been trying to conceive for over a year (or six months if you’re over 35) without success, consider consulting a fertility specialist. Early intervention can often resolve underlying issues.

By incorporating these dos and avoiding these don’ts, you can enhance your chances of conceiving naturally. Remember, every journey to parenthood is unique, so stay informed, stay positive, and enjoy the process together with your partner.

For more personalized guidance on fertility and conception, consult our specialists. Our pre-conception counselling with our healthcare providers will provide tailored advice based on your individual needs. Call us today or book an appointment online.

When Should a Girl See a Gynecologist for the First Time?

Determining the right time for a girl’s initial gynecologist visit is essential for her reproductive health journey. While it may seem daunting, understanding the optimal age and indicators for this visit can ease concerns and ensure comprehensive care from an early age.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) advises that girls should have their first gynecologic consultation between the ages of 13 and 15. This introductory visit serves as an opportunity to establish a rapport with a gynecologist, address any concerns, and receive education on menstrual health, contraception, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It’s important to note that this initial appointment typically doesn’t involve invasive procedures like pelvic exams unless specific symptoms or issues are present.

However, there are circumstances that may prompt a girl to see a gynecologist before the age of 13. Irregularities in menstrual cycles, concerns about puberty development, or early sexual activity warrant professional medical attention. Girls experiencing any of these situations should seek guidance from a gynecologist to address their needs and receive appropriate care.

During the first gynecologic visit, discussions may encompass the importance of regular pelvic exams and Pap smears, which typically commence around age 21. These screenings are vital for detecting abnormalities early and maintaining optimal reproductive health.

Encouraging open dialogue between girls and their healthcare providers is paramount. By fostering a trusting relationship with a gynecologist early on, girls can feel empowered to discuss their reproductive health concerns and access the support and guidance they need throughout adolescence and beyond. Doctors at Burlington OBGYN Associates routinely consult with young girls as they transition through puberty – helping them gain an understanding of their changing bodies and how to manage menstrual health, contraception, STIs etc. To learn more, check out Burlington OBGYN’s Adolescent Gynecology services.

In summary, prioritizing a girl’s first gynecologist visit is necessary for proactive reproductive health management. By adhering to recommended age guidelines and recognizing signs that prompt early consultations, parents can play a crucial role in ensuring their daughters receive comprehensive care and education from the outset.

If you think a Pap smear has to be part of your annual well woman visit every year, think again. Here’s the latest cadence that experts recommend to ensure you stay ahead of cervical cancer.

A Pap smear gives you a powerful way to catch cervical cancer. While rates of this cancer have been declining thanks to human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines, the American Cancer Society still estimates that more than 13,000 women will get a cervical cancer diagnosis this year. 

Fortunately, the earlier abnormal cells are detected, the less likely cancer can pose a threat to your long-term health. In fact, when doctors catch this cancer and it’s still localized, 91% of women survive past the five-year mark. 

That makes it well worth the hassle of getting a Pap smear on the schedule experts recommend. That doesn’t mean an annual Pap smear, either. Most women can go a few years between cervical cancer screenings.

At Burlington OBGYN Associates, our all-female team of doctors and nurse practitioners recommends a Pap smear schedule tailored to you. Visit us at our office in Burlington, Massachusetts, and we can let you know how frequently you should be getting this screening.

To give you a general idea of the right cadence for you, let’s review the current recommendations from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Under 21

If you fall into this age group, it’s extremely unlikely that you’ll develop cervical cancer. You don’t need to start getting Pap smears just yet. 

Ages 21–29

You should get your first Pap test around age 21. Our team can help you schedule your initial cervical cancer screening and explain what to expect. While most women don’t look forward to this experience, it shouldn’t be painful and it only takes a few minutes. We work with you to keep you as comfortable as possible.

You should get another Pap smear every three years while you’re in your 20s. 

Ages 30–65

At age 30, we can introduce HPV testing with your Pap smear. When you’re getting both at once — called co-testing — we can extend the gap between your screenings to five years. 

Over 65

At age 65, you’re a candidate to stop getting Pap smears provided that you’ve never had abnormal cervical cells show up in a previous Pap test. Our team can help you determine if it’s safe for you to stop getting this screening. 

When you might need screening more often

All of the above applies if you have an average risk of getting cervical cancer. A heightened risk means you and your care team may be more diligent in your screenings. We generally recommend more frequent Pap smears if:

• You have a family history of cervical cancer
• You’ve had an abnormal Pap smear in the past
• You have a weakened immune system
• You have human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

It’s also a good idea to screen more often if you were exposed to diethylstilbestrol (DES) before you were born. DES is a hormone doctors gave to some pregnant women between 1940 and 1971. 

Several factors play into the right cervical cancer screening schedule for you. To find the best cadence to protect yourself — and to get a comfortable, convenient Pap smear when you need one — call Burlington OBGYN Associates or book an appointment online today.

If you’re living with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), making certain lifestyle changes can improve your symptoms and go a long way toward helping you avoid complications like type 2 diabetes. Here are three strategies that make a big difference.

One in 10 women will deal with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). This condition causes your ovaries to create an excess of hormones – including abnormally high levels of androgens. And that hormonal imbalance can contribute to a wide range of unwelcome physical changes, from acne and irregular periods to obesity and even infertility.

On top of all of that, PCOS can lead to complications like type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. If you have PCOS, you may need to be more diligent about maintaining your overall health. Fortunately, certain lifestyle changes can help you limit complications, better manage your PCOS symptoms, and boost your overall health. 

As experts in this condition, our all-female team of doctors and nurse practitioners helps women navigate making these changes and controlling their PCOS. If you think you might have this hormonal imbalance, visit us at Burlington OBGYN Associates in Burlington, Massachusetts, so we can tailor a PCOS management plan to you. 

For most women, that plan includes incorporating these three changes to your lifestyle: 

1. Eating a healthy diet

PCOS can cause insulin resistance, which means your body has a more difficult time converting sugar in your blood into energy for your cells. Modifying the way you eat can help your body function its best while keeping your blood sugar levels balanced. 

A PCOS diet includes lots of:

• Whole grains
• Beans and legumes
• Fruits and vegetables
• Omega-3 fatty acids

It also means steering clear of highly processed foods, excess sugar, red meat, fried foods, saturated fats, refined flour, and white rice.

Our team can help you find a diet that you enjoy so it’s sustainable for you while also moderating your PCOS symptoms. 

2. Getting moving

Exercise can help fend off PCOS complications like obesity while playing a role in your body creating a better balance of hormones. Plus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that all adults get at least 150 minutes of exercise each week.

The key lies in finding physical activities that you like so that you’ll stick with your exercise routine. That could be a brisk walk, a yoga class, swimming, strength training at your local gym, pickleball, or anything else that gets your muscles moving and your heart pumping. 

3. Maintaining a healthy weight

PCOS often leads to weight gain, and excess weight can lead to more complications. Maintaining a healthy weight ​​helps to treat PCOS and its associated risks because it lowers your blood sugar and androgen levels. Androgens cause symptoms like acne and hair growth in unusual places. 

Fortunately, adopting the first two lifestyle changes — a healthy diet and regular exercise — can go a long way toward helping you accomplish this third lifestyle adjustment. 

For help tackling all of these changes — and managing your PCOS as a whole — call Burlington OBGYN Associates or book an appointment online today.

You won’t know you’ve moved from perimenopause into menopause for 12 months. Learn why this transition takes so long as well as the variety of options available to help you manage the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause.

Despite the fact that every woman who lives to a certain age will experience it, menopause is often misunderstood. Some women think that on a specific day, they’ll wake up and be in menopause.

To an extent, that’s true. But the transition from perimenopause — the period before you medically enter menopause — and menopause itself is a lot slower than many women realize. 

At Burlington OBGYN Associates, we want to help women know what to expect in this important season of life. As menopause management specialists, we have extensive experience helping women navigate the changes they experience as they move from perimenopause to menopause. 

In fact, if you have any questions at all about this major transition, our all-female team of doctors and nurse practitioners can help. Schedule a visit at our Burlington, Massachusetts, office to get the answers and guidance you need, along with treatment to ease the sometimes unpleasant symptoms that accompany this change. 

To help you better understand when a woman officially leaves perimenopause and transitions into menopause, it’s first helpful to look at perimenopause itself. So we’ll start there.

Perimenopause 101

Also called premenopause, perimenopause is a blanket term used to describe all of the changes women experience as they near the end of their reproductive years. Most women start noticing these bodily adjustments in their 40s, although some women enter perimenopause as early as their mid-30s. 

During perimenopause, your estrogen levels fluctuate more than they have before. You might notice resulting symptoms like:

• A shorter or longer menstrual cycle
• Hot flashes
• Vaginal dryness
• Sleep issues
• Mood changes
• Reduced sex drive

Most women spend a few years in perimenopause, although this period can be as short as a few months or as long as a decade. 

From perimenopause to menopause

You don’t simply get a menopause diagnosis one day. Instead, menopause is the medical term used to describe the life phase that begins 12 months after your last menstrual period.

You might go months without a period and think you’re in menopause. But once you bleed again, the clock resets. You don’t officially reach menopause until you’ve gone a full year without a period. 

This makes the transition from perimenopause to menopause particularly hazy. But that doesn’t mean you have to sit idly by as unwelcome symptoms creep into your life. Our Burlington OBGYN team offers a variety of options to manage the symptoms of perimenopause and menopause, including:

• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT)
• Topical estrogen creams
• Lubricant gels
• Antidepressants
• Nutritional guidance for a healthy diet
• Tips for getting regular exercise
• Stress management

We tailor your menopause management plan to you, and you don’t have to wait until you’ve had a year without periods before you take action. You can start all of these treatments — including HRT — in perimenopause. If you’re experiencing unwelcome changes, talk to our team. 

To explore your options to treat unwelcome symptoms so you enjoy a better quality of life through perimenopause, menopause, and beyond, call Burlington OBGYN Associates or book an appointment online today.

If you’ve noticed a drop in your libido, hormone replacement therapy could be the tool you need to bring into the bedroom. Learn how this common treatment can improve arousal and satisfaction during sex.

Most people expect to see their libido drop as they get older. For a lot of women, this decline begins in their late 40s or early 50s. 

All too often, though, people dismiss their lowered sex drive as normal and don’t do anything about it. But that can impact your relationship, and it means missing out on the health benefits of sex. You don’t have to let this part of your life slip away as you get older. 

Our team at Burlington OBGYN Associates believes that your sexual health is a key part of your overall wellness. Here at our office in Burlington, Massachusetts, our all-female team of doctors and nurse practitioners offers hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to help. 

As part of an overall menopause management program, HRT can help address many of the ways aging negatively impacts your sex life, from lowered libido to decreased lubrication. 

Hormones and your sex drive

To help you understand why HRT might help your libido, it can help to give a quick overview of your sex hormones: estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone.

You need all of these hormones to work the way they should in order to feel sexual desire. And these hormones don’t just matter for your initial arousal. They also play a role in how you experience sex, including your ability to orgasm. 

What hormone replacement therapy can do for libido

Because hormones play a big role in your sex drive, their decreasing levels during and after menopause can spell trouble. Fortunately, experts have found a way to increase key hormones with HRT. Not only does this help with symptoms like hot flashes and sleep issues, but it can also boost your libido. 

Here at Burlington OBGYN Associates, we figure out an HRT plan just for you. Some women benefit from an HRT plan that increases both estrogen and progesterone levels, while others choose estrogen alone. 

We can also recommend topical estrogen creams to help with issues like dryness and discomfort during sex. 

As part of your menopause management plan — and a way to help you improve your libido — we can also work with you to adopt other habits that can help you feel your best. Those include eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, and managing stress. 

If you’re never in the mood, don’t hesitate to talk to our all-female team. We can help you decide if hormone replacement therapy is right for you or if we should explore other treatment options. To get started, call Burlington OBGYN Associates or book an appointment online today.

Pregnancy changes your body in a number of ways, including opening you up to new health conditions. For example, pregnancy hormones can make insulin less effective, increasing your risk of gestational diabetes.

Some of the changes you experience during pregnancy get a lot of public discussion, like morning sickness. Others are lesser known but more serious to address. Those include gestational diabetes, or diabetes that develops as a direct result of your pregnancy. 

Fortunately, here at Burlington OBGYN Associates in Burlington, Massachusetts, our all-female team of doctors and nurse practitioners can help you watch out for this condition by testing for it at our on-site lab as part of your prenatal care. And if you do develop gestational diabetes, we can help you manage it.

Warning signs of gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes develops when your body stops using insulin efficiently. Your body needs insulin to convert blood sugar into energy for your cells. The hormonal changes you experience while you’re pregnant can get in the way of your body’s insulin usage, which can cause sugar to build up in your blood. 

Unfortunately, gestational diabetes usually doesn’t cause obvious symptoms. Plus, some of the symptoms of this condition — like more frequent urination — are also known side effects of pregnancy in general.

There is one telltale warning sign you can watch out for, though. If you have notably increased thirst, talk with our team. 

Treating this condition

Because gestational diabetes usually doesn’t cause symptoms, we regularly screen for it throughout your pregnancy. If we discover that your blood sugar levels are elevated, we work with you to manage them. 

In most cases, treating gestational diabetes means making certain lifestyle changes while continuing to monitor your blood sugar levels. With a healthy diet and more frequent exercise, most women can keep their blood sugar at safe levels for themselves and their babies. 

During your pregnancy, exercise should be moderate. About 30 minutes a day of brisk walking, yoga, swimming, and other pregnancy-safe exercises are ideal.  

Our Burlington OBGYN Associates team can develop a nutrition and exercise plan for you to follow to minimize the risk of complications if you develop gestational diabetes. 

Preventing diabetes before and during pregnancy

Avoiding this condition starts before you get pregnant. You’re much less likely to develop gestational diabetes if you’re at a healthy weight, eating nutritiously, and exercising regularly going into your pregnancy.

Once you’re pregnant, two things — you guessed it: a healthy diet and regular exercise — go a long way toward preventing high blood sugar levels. Try to eat lots of produce, fiber, and whole foods while steering clear of excess fat and salt. 

We can also help you keep tabs on your weight gain. You do need to gain weight for a healthy pregnancy, but gaining too much too fast spikes your risk for gestational diabetes. 

We’re here to provide exceptional obstetric care. To get screened for this condition throughout your pregnancy and to put a treatment plan in place if you need one, Call Burlington OBGYN Associates or book an appointment online today.