Midwest Center for Women’s HealthCare Blog

Discover a diverse range of women’s health topics authored by the Ob/Gyn physicians and staff at Midwest Center for Women’s HealthCare.

Mammograms Made Simple: Answers to Questions Everyone Asks

2025-04-23T16:00:28-06:00

Breast health is an essential aspect of women's healthcare, and as part of a comprehensive approach, mammography plays a key role in early detection of breast cancer. As an OB/GYN patient, understanding the importance of early detection of breast cancer, when and why mammography is recommended, the role of breast self-exams, and the use of breast ultrasound can help you make informed decisions about your health. In this blog, we will explore these topics based on the latest guidelines from the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). The Importance of Early Detection in Breast Cancer Early detection of breast cancer plays a crucial role in improving survival rates and treatment outcomes. Here are some key facts about why early detection is so important: Improved Survival Rates: The earlier breast cancer is detected, the higher the likelihood of successful treatment. According to the American Cancer Society, the 5-year survival rate for breast cancer is 99% when the cancer is localized (confined to the breast). However, this rate drops significantly if cancer has spread to other parts of the body. Smaller Tumor Size: Early detection allows for the discovery of smaller tumors, which

Mammograms Made Simple: Answers to Questions Everyone Asks2025-04-23T16:00:28-06:00

Understanding Fibroids

2025-04-14T11:24:58-06:00

Fibroids are non-cancerous growths in the uterus, often found in women of reproductive age. While many cause no symptoms, some can lead to discomfort and complications. Fortunately, various treatments can relieve pain and, in some cases, remove fibroids to enhance quality of life.

Understanding Fibroids2025-04-14T11:24:58-06:00

Pap Smears Demystified

2025-03-10T16:54:35-06:00

Pap smears are essential for detecting abnormal cervical cells early, helping prevent cervical cancer. This simple, routine test can identify changes before symptoms appear, making it a vital part of womenโ€™s preventive health. Regular screenings empower women to stay proactive about their health.

Pap Smears Demystified2025-03-10T16:54:35-06:00

Infertility

2024-05-09T20:21:24-06:00

Advice from the Infertile OB/GYN: When to seek care for Infertility Fertility concerns are commonly discussed during Ob/Gyn visits. Statistics show that 1 in 8 couples are faced with the issue of infertility. Most often Ob/Gyn physicians discuss fertility concerns with women who choose to pursue a career that delays their plans for childbearing until late in their 20โ€™s or even their 30s. Many women today are delaying childbearing. In fact, in 1970, the average age at which a woman bore her first child was 21.4yrs old. In the United States, the average age has increased to 26 in the year 2018, and to 30.3 years for women with a college degree. So, the question is, when should a woman seek care from their Ob/Gyn if they are concerned that they are not getting pregnant? It is certainly true that more and more women are waiting to have children. We have seen a trend in our own practices, but this is not something unique to the Chicagoland area. In general, this is a rising trend that has been observed over the last few decades and particularly in high income countries like the United

Infertility2024-05-09T20:21:24-06:00

Which IUD is right for me?

2024-05-09T20:22:34-06:00

Which IUD is right for me? Over the past 20 years, IUDsย  (IntraUterine Device) have become increasingly popular in the United States. This popularity stems from the fact that they are extremely effective at preventing pregnancy, convenient to use, long-lasting and can be used by women of all ages, including teenagers. Some can also be used to treat heavy and painful periods. IUDs have thankfully come a long way since the 1970s when the most commonly used IUD was plagued with safety concerns. The current IUDs are very safe and completely different from those of 50 years ago. With five different IUDs to choose from, which one is right for you? The effectiveness and discomfort with insertion is similar for all of the different types of IUDs. They can all be removed if you would like to try to get pregnant before the device is expired or if you no longer want to use it because of side effects. What is different among the various types is how long they can be in place and the possible effects it can have on your period. DEVICE NAME CONTENTS APPROVED TIME FOR USE EFFECT

Which IUD is right for me?2024-05-09T20:22:34-06:00

Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome

2024-10-04T16:42:36-06:00

Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome (HBOC) Hereditary breast and ovarian cancer-susceptibility syndrome (HBOC) occurs when multiple family members are diagnosed with breast, ovarian, fallopian tube and/or primary peritoneal cancer. In many cases, this can mean there is a genetic mutation (a permanent change in oneโ€™s DNA) that predisposes individuals to these specific cancers. Mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are responsible for most of these cases, but there are several other genes that also place patients at increased risk. The name โ€œBRCAโ€ stands for BReast CAncer gene. It is estimated that 9-24% of ovarian cancers and 4.5% of breast cancers are due to BRCA1 and 2 mutations. Other common mutations include Lynch Syndrome, RAD51C, RAD51D and STK11. Lynch Syndrome is known for increasing the risk of ovarian, uterine and colon cancers. Risk of Breast Cancer The risk of breast cancer with a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation is 45-85% by 70 years of age! A woman with a more aggressive triple-negative breast cancer is also much more likely to carry a BRCA1 mutation. This means the cancer does not respond to hormonal treatment options and is more difficult to treat.

Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer Syndrome2024-10-04T16:42:36-06:00

Hot Flashes in Menopause

2024-05-09T20:07:32-06:00

Hot Flashes in Menopause Symptoms, Causes, Risk Factors, and Treatment Options Hot flashes are the most common symptom associated with menopause. If you are suffering from them, know that you are not alone as 75-80% of women experience hot flashes at some point during menopause. However, only 20-30% of women ever seek medical attention for their symptoms. Most women develop hot flashes during perimenopause (the years leading up to menopause) but some women will not develop them until they are past the onset of menopause. Risk Factors for Hot Flashes Risk factors for hot flashes include obesity, smoking, lack of exercise and ethnicity (incidence is highest for African Americans, followed by Caucasians, and lowest for women of Asian descent particularly Chinese and Japanese). Duration of Hot Flashes For most women, hot flashes will last from 6 months - 2 yrs. However, some recent data suggests that up to 10% of women will experience them for more than 10 years after menopause โ€“ even into their 70โ€™s! While menopause is almost always the reason for hot flashes - there can be other rare medical conditions that should not be

Hot Flashes in Menopause2024-05-09T20:07:32-06:00

Hormone Replacement Therapy: Is it right for me?

2024-05-09T20:23:01-06:00

The conventional wisdom for Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT) has swung dramatically over the past several decades. For a long time, it was seen as the fountain of youth โ€“ almost a supplement rather than a medication โ€“ something that every woman should be on to stay healthy. Then came the Womenโ€™s Health Initiative in 2002, which showed an increase risk in breast cancer and cardiovascular disease. Millions of women stopped hormone replacement or were reluctant to start, some of whom then experienced severe menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats and mood changes. Over the ensuing years our philosophy has settled into one of moderation: Treat each woman and her symptoms as safely as we can. For some, hormone replacement therapy is a needed balm to menopausal suffering, for others the small risks are not worth it, or their minimal symptoms donโ€™t require medications. Your doctors with Midwest Center for Womenโ€™s HealthCare can help you find your way through this sometimes-confusing topic. What is HRT? Hormone Replacement Therapy or HRT is using estrogen (usually in combination with a progestin) to mitigate unpleasant symptoms of menopause. As we pass our reproductive years,

Hormone Replacement Therapy: Is it right for me?2024-05-09T20:23:01-06:00

Pregnancy After 35

2024-05-09T20:24:14-06:00

Am I Too Old to Have a Baby? Pregnancy After 35 While pregnancy at 35 years and older does carry some additional risks, you CAN have a very safe, enjoyable, and healthy pregnancy. This article addresses the most commonly asked questions about risks and available screenings for pregnant women over 35. It is certainly true that more and more women are waiting to have children. We have seen a trend in our own practices, but this is not something unique to the Chicagoland area. In general, this is a rising trend that has been observed over the last few decades and particularly in high income countries like the United States. In fact, in the past 30 years there has been a 36% increase in first births among women ages 35-39. Why is this happening? Well, in many cases people are waiting to have children due to financial concerns and a desire to focus on career opportunities. Some of this increased ability to delay pregnancy is also made possible by improved fertility options. Risks in Pregnancy over 35 Whatever the case may be, while many people know that there

Pregnancy After 352024-05-09T20:24:14-06:00

Early Pregnancy Loss

2024-05-09T20:25:24-06:00

Early Pregnancy Loss: A Common, Heartbreaking Situation The loss of a pregnancy in the first trimester goes by many names: miscarriage, early pregnancy loss, non-viable pregnancy, as well as the medical term, spontaneous abortion. Early Pregnancy Loss is often the preferred term while caring for patients and their partners during this heartbreaking time. This term helps convey the weight of the actual loss. The term miscarriage (literally mis-carry or to carry incorrectly) seems to place some sort of unnecessary burden or fault on the patient which is completely undeserved. Spontaneous abortion and other versions of this term that are used in medical notes are descriptive only to medical professionals and insurance billing experts. So, for the purposes of this article, the topic will be referred to as early pregnancy loss. Other types of non-viable early pregnancies, such as ectopic pregnancy, will not be covered here. Recurrent pregnancy loss, the loss of at least two or more consecutive pregnancies, is outside of the scope of this article as well. Early pregnancy loss is a very common occurrence. Early pregnancy loss occurs in up to 10-20% of clinically recognized pregnancies. For an individual, the exact risk of pregnancy loss

Early Pregnancy Loss2024-05-09T20:25:24-06:00

V Words Explained: The Vagina & The Vulva

2024-05-09T20:26:01-06:00

So many โ€œVโ€ words. ย This article provides a brief explanation of external genital anatomy. In my many years as a gynecologist, Iโ€™ve heard an amazing array of words to describe anatomy. But, the most common word is always vagina. Even when patients donโ€™t actually mean the anatomic vagina, this is the word they often use to describe anything in their genital region. Many articles written about the topic are part of the problem. Diagrams of genital anatomy are often labeled incorrectly. Itโ€™s no wonder that thereโ€™s confusion over the correct terminology. As an obstetrician-gynecologist, I am thrilled by the growing cultural acceptance of the word vagina and my patientsโ€™ comfort with using it. But I would like to introduce another โ€œVโ€ word,ย vulva, and explain the difference between the vagina and the vulva. The Vagina Letโ€™s start with the word that everyone is already familiar with. Vagina. The vagina is the internal muscular tube that leads from the external genitalia to the cervix and uterus.ย It is an internal structure. The vagina is the place where a tampon or a menstrual cup sits during the period. It is the canal that a penisย is inserted

V Words Explained: The Vagina & The Vulva2024-05-09T20:26:01-06:00

7 Tips For A Healthy Pregnancy

2024-05-09T20:20:05-06:00

7 Tips For A Healthy Pregnancy Would you like to start or to expand your family? Are you already expecting? If so, congratulations! The entire staff of Midwest Center for Women's HealthCare is here to support you during this exciting time. Regardless if you are already expecting or considering expanding your family, Midwest Center for Women's HealthCare would like you to provide you with some information to help you prepare for a happy and healthy pregnancy. Make a pre-pregnancy appointment with your doctor Pregnancy can be an exciting time in a woman's life, especially when she is prepared. Make an appointment with your doctor now to discuss your pregnancy plans. To help you conceive and avoid pregnancy complications, it is important to discuss your current and past medical history, medications you may be taking, prior pregnancies, birth control history, past menstrual problems that may signal conception issues, dietary and exercise history, occupational exposures, pets and immunization history. Discuss your current and past medical history with your doctor Do you have any current or past medical problems? Hypertension, diabetes, thyroid disease, kidney problems, depression, asthma, seizure disorder, heart disease,

7 Tips For A Healthy Pregnancy2024-05-09T20:20:05-06:00

Flu Shot and Pregnancy

2024-03-05T07:13:11-06:00

Should I get a flu shot if I am pregnant? Yes, it's safe to get a flu shot during pregnancy. In fact, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that all women who are pregnant during flu season get a flu shot, regardless of their trimester. A pregnant womanโ€™s risk of hospitalization from flu is reduced by 40% if vaccinated against the flu according to a CDC research study. A flu shot during pregnancy can help: Prevent the flu and maternal complications. The flu is more likely to cause severe illness in pregnant women than in women who are not pregnant. Getting the flu during pregnancy increases your risk of becoming hospitalized. A flu shot decreases your risk of getting the flu during your pregnancy. Prevent potential fetal health problems due to the flu. Having a fever caused by the flu early in pregnancy might increase the risk of fetal birth defects. Protect your baby after birth. Infants are at increased risk of severe flu symptoms, but childhood flu vaccines can't begin until a baby is 6 months old. If you

Flu Shot and Pregnancy2024-03-05T07:13:11-06:00

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine

2024-05-09T19:46:00-06:00

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States.ย  There are more than 150 types of HPV.ย  They are numbered HPV1, HPV2 etc.ย  Around 40 types infect the genital area of men and women and are spread by skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal, or oral sex.ย  Genital HPV infection can occur even if you do not have sexual intercourse.ย  Like other STIโ€™s, genital HPV infection often has no signs or symptoms.ย  The infected person can then unknowingly pass the infection on to others. HPV is a virus and causes infection by entering cells from skin-to-skin contact.ย  It then replicates itself and these copies infect other nearby cells causing them to become abnormal or damaged.ย  These infected cells then can lead to genital warts, precancer and cancer of the cervix, anus, vagina, vulva, penis, mouth, and throat.ย  There are โ€œlow riskโ€ and โ€œhigh riskโ€ types of HPV.ย  Low-risk types cause genital warts and high-risk types are linked with causing cancer.ย  The immune system fights most low and high-risk types and clears them from the body over time.ย  Those that donโ€™t clear can go on and lead to pre-cancer or cancer.ย  It

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine2024-05-09T19:46:00-06:00

Why do I need an annual well woman exam?

2024-10-04T15:52:09-06:00

Why Do I Need An Annual Well-Woman Exam? Annual well-woman exams are important for women of all ages. Your gynecologic health can have a profound impact on your overall health. As your gynecologists, we want to help you to be as healthy as possible by meeting with you on a yearly basis. What happens at this yearly visit? Perform a comprehensive history to review changes in your medical, surgical and family history. Assess your menstrual cycles and address any menstrual cycle concerns you have about irregular periods or periods that are heavy, long or painful. For pre- and post-menopausal women, we will address any symptoms that you have related to menopause. Common symptoms that we can treat include hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbance, vaginal dryness and painful intercourse. Address your contraceptive needs. We offer a full range of contraceptive options including birth control pills, rings and patches, long-acting reversible contraceptives such as IUDs, and injectable contraceptives. Perform cervical cancer screening (the pap smear) according to the recommended guidelines for your age and medical history. Perform breast cancer screening according to the recommended guidelines for your age

Why do I need an annual well woman exam?2024-10-04T15:52:09-06:00

Domestic Violence Awareness

2024-02-09T13:26:47-06:00

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month Help stop the cycle of domestic violence against women in our own community. Learn about facts and warning signs of abuse and how you can make a difference. Click here to donate now. Donate to WINGS 7 staggering facts about domestic abuse and violence Abuse can take many forms including physical abuse, economic abuse, emotional/psychological abuse, sexual abuse, and stalking or cyberstalking. 1 in 3 women has experienced domestic violenceย in the US. 20% of the women in the US have been raped. 3 women are killed every day by their husbands or boyfriendsย in the US. Aboutย 240,000 pregnant women are battered by the men in their livesย each yearย in the US. Women between the ages of 18-24 are most commonly abused by an intimate partner. Stalking is a felony in Illinois. WINGS helps women in our local community escape from an abusive relationshipย by offering safe houses, transitional housing, counseling, and financial support. More stats from WINGS More info from National Coalition Against Domestic Violence 10 warning signs of domestic abuse Controllingย - Abusers use their fists, words, or money to control you. Destroy

Domestic Violence Awareness2024-02-09T13:26:47-06:00

Talking to Young People about Violence

2024-10-04T16:14:59-06:00

In the wake of the July 4th violence in our Highland Park community, our doctors and staff at Midwest Center for Women's Healthcare would like to express our immense sadness and grief over the senseless act of violence during the parade. This tragedy will have an immense impact on many individuals and families in our practice and community. We would like all our patients to know that we are here to offer support in any way we can. We have close working relationships with many therapists in the area that can meet virtually or in person. We are happy to provide you with names and contact information and help coordinate your referral. Additionally, we have included some resources below that may be of help in talking with children about violence and tragedies. Resources for Talking with Your Children about Violence & Tragedies Tips for Talking with and Helping Children Cope after Community Violence by the Australian Psychological Society Tips for Talking to Children and Youth after Traumatic Events by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Tips for Talking with and Helping Children Cope after Community Violence by Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)

Talking to Young People about Violence2024-10-04T16:14:59-06:00
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