Did you know, it is possible to safely lighten or eliminate your monthly period? The use of birth control pills or other hormonal birth control products to control the timing of your period or avoid it entirely is called menstrual suppression. Women can choose to suppress their periods for a short time or even for many months or years.

As a gynecologist for over two decades, I know that a monthly period and the discomfort that often accompanies it never happen at a convenient time in a woman’s life. As a busy mother of two, I understand the frustration…

For the Class of 2023, graduation events are mostly behind you, and the time until move-in day doesn’t seem like nearly enough for all your summer plans. Whether you are starting college or taking your first step into a career, a wellness exam might be on your summer to-do list.

Colleges and employers vary in whether they require a formal physical exam or other health-related assessments. Most require some health information, but regardless, this is a perfect time to take charge of your own health. Changes in your environment, diet, stress, sleep habits, and exposure to…

This post has been updated:
Only about 60% of American teens (13 through 17) have been vaccinated against HPV. The HPV (human papilloma virus) vaccine provides protection against certain viruses that are known to cause cervical cancer. Here in Alabama, the statistics are slightly worse. We remind you that–regardless of whether you have received the HPV vaccine–you should continue to be screened for cervical cancer after age 21 (Pap test/HPV test).

Recently the CDC has added additional guidance for adults over age 26 who have not yet been vaccinated against HPV as follows:
“…some adults age 27…

As we juggle work and family responsibilities, most of us try to keep an eye on the scale and on good nutrition in general.  But making good nutritional choices gets more confusing with each new diet fad that crosses the Internet. Keto? Paleo? Whole 30? South Beach? Atkins? …Really?

Most of these plans restrict carbohydrates, some more severely than others. The “allowed foods” list is weighted toward high-protein choices. Low-carb plans appeal to the common belief that most of us need more protein. Unfortunately, many people will substitute fats or high-fat protein sources for the carbs they…

As daughters enter the second decade of life, moms begin to alert themselves to subtle changes that signal the beginning of puberty. You look forward—with a little hesitation–to helping your pre-teen navigate the transition to young woman. For many of you, we shared the moment of your daughter’s birth, we have enjoyed hearing about childhood milestones at your annual visits, and occasionally you bring us questions about what to expect next.

As the mother of a daughter, I have shared some of your concerns, though my medical training answers the basic questions. Your child is about…

The IUD’s popularity among American women for the prevention of pregnancy has varied greatly over the last four decades. According to the Guttmacher Institute for Reproductive Health, nearly 10% of American women used an IUD in the 1970s, compared to less than 1% today. Back then, a significant number of women using one popular IUD, the Dalkon Shield, developed serious and sometimes fatal infections. The government recalled the Dalkon shield, and the resulting legal actions and negative publicity created business risk for other IUD manufacturers who then chose to remove their products from the market. Remembering these stories, your…

2012 has been the worst year for whooping cough (also called pertussis) in the U.S. since the mid-1950s. The illness is especially dangerous for babies and young children and can even cause death, especially in infants under 1 year. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), about half of infants under 1 year who get whooping cough will need to be hospitalized…