Dr. Lori Gore-Green | Women's Health Professional

Dr. Lori Gore-Green's Portfolio of Experience as a Women's Health Professional

3 Myths about Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

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When you are diagnosed with a medical condition that will affect your life, one of the very first things you will do is research it. However, not everything you read online or hear from friends and family are true. Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) has a few myths surrounding it. PCOS causes and hormonal imbalance and metabolism problems in women of reproductive age. Women diagnosed with PCOS can experince irregular menstrual cycle, acne, thinning hair, and weight gain. Today, we will be looking at the most popular myths associated with Polycystic ovary syndrome.

Myth #1: You are the reason PCOS happened.

The exact cause of PCOS is unknown, but one thing is for sure, you are not to blame. It is believed that genetics is some of the cause of why a woman may have PCOS. PCOS produces more androgens, make hormones, which can make it difficult for women to have regular periods or ovulate all together. Women with PCOS also produce an excess of estrogen, female hormones that can cause a build-up of the lining of the uterus which may cause uterine cancer. Other scientists believe that insulin can play a role in the body’s androgen production. It is also noted that women that have mothers and sisters who have PCOS are most likely to have PCOS too.

Myth #2: If you lose weight, you can lose PCOS.

As of right now, there is no cure for PCOS. Women who are overweight and obese can balance their hormone levels by losing weight, but it isn’t a cure. Many treatment options for PCOS focuses on managing symptoms rather than making the issue disappear altogether. Treatments for PCOS usually encourage lifestyle changes such as eating healthy and exercising regularly.

A great treatment option is taking birth control pills. The bills will help to regulate your menstrual cycle as well as reduce your androgen levels. There are also fertility medications that you can take that will help to stimulate ovulation when you want to get pregnant.

Myth #3: PCOS is a rare condition.

You will be surprised to know that about five to 10 percent of U.S. women have PCOS. Meaning that this condition affects about 5 million women, making it one of the most common hormonal endocrine disorders among women of reproductive age.

Unforealty, not a lot of women know that they have this condition. According to the PCOS Foundation, less than half of all women with PCOS are diagnosed correctly. There are millions of women out there who may be unaware that they have this condition.

 

What You Need to Know About Ovarian Cysts

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During the time that you are menstruating, there’s a possibility you may develop an ovarian cyst and not even realize it. But before you start to worry, realize that ovarian cysts are usually harmless. In some cases, however, ovarian cysts can cause pelvic pain and lead to more serious complications. To be more knowledgable on the matter here’s everything you need to know about this common cyst.

Ovarian cysts form relatively easily.

Under normal circumstances, one of your ovaries will wrap an egg in a follicle and release the egg into the fallopian tube every month. The follicle will typically dissipate and absorb into the body. In the case that the follicle does not release the egg, it can become bigger and develop further into a follicle cyst. Another type of cyst, a , can form after the follicle combusts and releases the egg. Theses cysts, however, can bleed and cause women pain in the pelvic area. These types of cysts are relatively small (1 to 2 millimeters) and will typically resolve itself in a few weeks.

A dermoid cyst can be more serious, but they are not common.

A starts to form when the cells in an ovary start to divide but haven’t been fertilized. This type of cyst isn’t as common a the cysts mentioned above, but they can grow relatively large, up to four inches. Due to how big these cysts can get, they often have to be surgically removed.

Normal ovarian cysts often do not display any symptoms.

Ovarian cysts usually don’t trigger any symptoms and will often go away on their own. A corpus luteum cyst may result in some minor bleeding, but follicle cysts won’t change your menstrual cycle.

However, there are severe symptoms of ovarian cysts, such as fever, nausea, and vomiting, which are usually the result of infection. If this is the case, see a doctor immediately.

Ovarian cysts can be found during a routine gyno visit.

Women typically find out if they have an ovarian cyst during a routine gyno visit, during a pelvic exam, or during an ultrasound. Women who are experiencing pelvic pain will usually make an appointment with their doctor anyway, and they will most likely find the root of the problem.

Surgery is only necessary in some cases.

If your ovarian cyst has not gone after three menstrual cycles, is bigger than 4 inches, or there is suspicion of a tumor, you may need to get surgery. If you are at risk for “twisting”, which is when the blood supply to the ovary gets cut off, you will also need to undergo surgery.

Common Causes of Menstrual Irregularities

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No two menstrual cycles are alike. Every woman’s body is different, therefore every woman will experience their own different cycle. Although women often share similar period symptoms, each cycle is unique. However, sometimes a cycle can be so different that it can be irregular. There are many causes for menstrual irregularities every woman should be made aware of:

 

Pregnancy

The most common cause of menstrual irregularities is pregnancy. Pregnancy puts a woman’s period to a halt for nine months after conception. There may be a bit of light spotting, but this is a common sign a woman may be pregnant. Other symptoms are nausea, breast soreness, and fatigue.

 

Birth Control

Another way to cause menstrual irregularities is by taking birth control. Hormonal birth control pills and hormone-containing intrauterine devices (IUDs) can cause irregular bleeding during a woman’s cycle. An IUD can also cause very heavy bleeding.

 

Perimenopause

As a woman get older, her body begins to go through major changes. When her period stops due to her age, this is called menopause. The time between their period coming to a stop and entering menopause is called perimenopause. This can cause them to have a very irregular period, sometimes going months without bleeding. Women can also experience hot flashes, mood changes, difficulty sleeping, and vaginal dryness.

 

Being Overweight

It’s important for men and women to stay healthy. Being overweight can cause many health issues. For women, it can lead to menstrual irregularities. When a woman is overweight, their obesity impacts hormone and insulin levels and interferes with your menstrual cycle.

 

Eating Disorders and Extreme Weightloss

It’s important for your body to find a healthy balance. Obesity isn’t the only weight issue that can lead to an unhealthy menstrual cycle. If a woman has an eating disorder or is experiencing extreme and rapid weight loss, it can interfere with their body producing the hormones needed for ovulation. 

 

Stress

Mental health can have a major impact on the body. For women, stress can be a major factor when dealing with menstrual irregularities. Research has found that stress can interfere with a woman’s menstrual cycle by temporarily obstructing the part of the brain in charge of controlling the hormones responsible for regulating your cycle.

5 Health Screenings for Women

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Maintaining your health as a woman can be difficult. Because of the health risks associated with the sex, you should be proactive in your doctor visits and ensure you are scheduled to receive all necessary examinations. While this may take a chunk out of your wallet and prove disruptive to your free time, taking these preemptive measures can save you from hefty medical bills and painful conditions. Below are a few of the necessary health screenings adult women should regularly get.

 

Bone Density

By age 65, women should start getting screened for osteoporosis and bone cancer. Determining the state of your bones, from their density to their ability to fracture, can help you take measures to strengthen your bones with supplements and avoid further injury. Regular screenings can help track the strength of your bones over time, and these will vary in frequency due to the severity of your bones’ conditions.

 

Skin Examination

As skin cancer has become more common, especially the deadliest form of melanoma, frequently assessing your own skin for abnormalities has become a popular preventative practice. Typically, individuals can check their skin themselves, but it does not hurt to seek a professional opinion. The increasing fascination with tanning had led to significant spikes in the cancerous skin condition, so taking note of your own skin and alerting a doctor upon noticing something strange is a wise procedure.

 

Thyroid Test

To determine whether or not you have a hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism, you should strongly consider getting tested roughly once a year, especially after the age of 60. Detecting a thyroid that is working improperly can help diagnose a serious condition like the ones listed above, and with the right diagnosis, treatment will be possible. If left untreated or undiagnosed, however, thyroid conditions can lead to life-threatening challenges like goiters, infections, and mental decline.

 

Mammogram

There are ways you can conduct your own breast cancer assessment at home, but for a clear, accurate diagnosis, seeing your specialized doctor will help ensure the results are correct. In order to detect breast cancer screenings in a facilities entail x-rays that document the interior of the tissue. It is advised that most patients begin getting annual screenings after at 45, but beyond age 55, they may opt for a biannual visit.  If you have family history of the disease or other relevant concerns, you should talk to your doctor to begin screening earlier.

 

Pap Smear

Common regarded as one of the most uncomfortable screenings, a pap smear is incredibly necessary when assessing the health and composition of the sexual organs. Pap smears are used to observe the nature of cells found on the cervix in assessing the probability of developing cancer. It can also be used to allow a doctor to gain more insight into any potential abnormalities about the system and address them appropriately.

At age 21, you should begin getting a pap smear every three years, and by the time you are 30, you can instead choose to get the test every five years.

 

Monitoring and managing your health is important. While there may be some unavoidable hurdles to completing all the necessary screenings and tests, you should strive to participate in as many as you can. Maintaining your wellness and taking preventative measures will help improve your quality of life and help you prepare for the future.

3 Restorative Vaginal Health Resolutions for 2018

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3 Restorative Vaginal Health Resolutions for 2018 | Dr. Lori Gore-GreenNow that the new year is underway, have you made the commitment to stick to the vaginal health resolutions you created for yourself?

That may seem like a strange question to ask, but it’s important to keep in mind that demonstrating safe hygienic habits, as far as your vagina is concerned, can have a great impact on your overall health. In a quest to take better care of one’s vagina, many engage in somewhat unsafe or risky habits, which could produce some challenging outcomes. For instance, the practice of bleaching, “vaginal facials,” or even waxing has been called into question, as well as seemingly benign actions that might affect one’s pH levels.

With that in mind, there are a number of actions you might elect to do in order to improve your vaginal health. Of course, prior to proceeding with any practice that may affect your health, you’ll need to consult a healthcare professional. With that in mind, read on to learn some of the resolutions you may consider making in the upcoming year:

Vaginal Fitness: Exercising your pelvic floor is important. You bowl, uterus (womb) vagina, and bladder are secured in place by the pelvic floor. Essentially, the ‘wear and tear’ of aging often causes the pelvic floor to weaken. Many women opt to ‘tone’ their pelvic floor after noticing slackening of the pelvic strength due to childbirth, constipation, obesity, and/or pregnancy. The benefits of squeezing in a work out can be numerous, as it can improve bowel and bladder control, reduce incontinence post-childbirth, and increase sensitivity during sex.

How to do this, you may ask? It’s simple. Standing or sitting, position yourself with your knees slightly apart, and clench your pelvic from as if you’re attempting to stifle the passage of urine. Perform ten contractions slowly, and hold for about ten seconds. Also known as kegels, you can perform them each day or up to four times a day.

Don’t Douch: Many women swear by douching, as it rids the vagina of some unpleasant smells, however, it’s important to know that using perfumed soaps or hygiene products is unnecessary. The vagina is already equipped to self-clean, using natural secrets. Good bacteria resides there, and when it is disturbed, many find that this leads to inflammation, vaginosis, irritation, or thrush. Also, it can impact your pH levels. For this reason, choose unperfumed soaps when sudsing up your vaginal area.

Stay Untrimmed: For most, a full pubic mound is a matter of preference, with many opting to keep that area clear of hair. However, did you know that pubic hair can act as a natural barrier to bacteria and viruses,  protecting against pathogenic bacteria and dust, and it helps to manage the moisture in the area? Shaving can boost the risk of venereal disease, and it can inflame the residual hair follicles. It’s still absolutely possible to keep tidy, even without shaving.

A few other things you may want to do in the upcoming year is to be sure that you aren’t embarrassed about flatulence (it happens to everyone with a vagina); regularly check your tampon to avoid TSS; don’t ignore abnormal symptoms; seeking a physician’s assistance with extreme period pain; get screen for cervical cancer; use condoms for protection; and learn to love your vagina and treat it with care.

Each vagina and its parts are unique, coming in a variety of shapes and sizes. No matter what, it’s important to avoid risk and visit your doctor whenever you fear an abnormality.

7 Smart Suggestions For Maintaining A Happy, Healthy Vagina

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7-Smart-Suggestions-For-Maintaining-A-Happy-Healthy-Vagina | Dr. Lori Gore-GreenEvery person with a vagina wants to know more about the health, care, and function of their private part.

Whether yeast infections, UTIs, odor, discharge, or irritation may be the topic de jour, it’s important to know that there are takeaways from wise advisors and experts you might consider when you’re going through your day-to-day.

Keep your vagina happy by considering some of the following suggestions: 

Gyno Visit: See your gynecologist! Visit with your doctor for your exams, but also check in to discuss fertility, STDs, birth control, discomfort, discharge, or anything else.

Use Condoms: Sex may be more enjoyable without a condom, but the disks of rubber protect against pregnancy and STDs.  More than that, condoms help to maintain the vagina’s pH level and can ward off the numerous infections that threaten to take up residence. Of course, using a condom isn’t enough, you have to be sure to change condoms between specific sex acts.

Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt differs from traditional yogurt in that it has a thick texture, and it has fewer carbohydrates and sugar. It also has a great deal of protein. The yogurt’s cultures boost the production of good bacteria and help to stave off yeast infections. Greek yogurts should be consumed when taking antibiotics, which depletes lactobacilli.

Cotton Underwear or Bust: Cotton underwear promotes breathability. Additionally, cotton does a fantastic job of absorbing moisture, more so than any other fabric. In fact, cotton is the ideal fabric to be near your vagina, that if you aren’t going to wear cotton, you may want to consider not wearing any underwear at all.

Exercise: You’ve likely heard of Kegels, but you sure be sure to do them. By doing the exercise, you may strengthen your pelvic floor, gain bladder control, and improve your orgasms.

Lube Up: Lube can improve vaginal dryness, which can be caused by hormonal birth control, antihistamines, antidepressants, and other medications. The use of lube will reduce the threat of abrasions, and will make more enjoyable.

Be Careful With Soap: Some soaps simply aren’t as vagina-friendly as you might expect. Scented soaps, in particular, should be kept away from your vagina. Rinsing with warm water is fine, but if you are going to use, use the unscented, frill-less soap.

Please visit drlorigoregreen.org to learn more!

How Colder Weather Can Affect Your Vagina

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Dr. Lori Gore-GreenThe winter is coming. How will it affect your vagina?

Sunshine and warmth during summer months appear to be ideal for the skin and the body, and in many ways it is. Vitamin D is great for your skin, and beach days frequently go hand-in-hand with relaxation.

The glory of summer holds true even when the season can introduce discomfort during sleeping hours, your heart can beat more than normal, and sun exposure can be dangerous. No matter, winter comes every year, and it’s important to know how the cold and climate change can impact your body and vagina:  

  1. Your chance of developing a yeast infection dips because you’re less sweaty. Also, putting away swim suits and staying away from pools play a part because pools frequently introduce harmful chemicals to the vagina.
  2. While it’s important to stay warm during cold months, wearing an abundance of clothes, particularly tight clothing can put you at risk of a yeast infection, because your vagina won’t be able to breathe. Wear breathable layers.
  3. Even when it’s cold and dry outside, know that your vagina is self-lubricating. You don’t have to worry about the impact of chill and frigidity.
  4. Because it’s cold outside, sexually active individuals are more likely to have sex. The coziness of the bed encourages more to engage in intercourse. With that in mind, it’s important to utilize protection and urinate after sex to offset of the chance of developing a UTI.
  5. Lack of sun can be detrimental to your vagina. Your entire body, including your vagina, benefits from Vitamin D. The deprivation of Vitamin D can increase the risk of certain infections, including vaginosis. When able, get outside and enjoy some sun.
  6. Influenza and flu season can be harmful to your vagina. But also, cold medicines and antibiotics can be damaging, destroying the vagina’s natural flora. Be sure to consider your doctor’s opinions and eat foods that are healthy and improving your vaginal health.
  7. Be aware that a bubble bath, though lovely, can strip your vagina of its vaginal flora, which protects you from vaginal infections. If you’re going to take a bubble bath, you may want to steer clear of the scented products.