Women’s health is influenced by dynamic endocrine, neurological, metabolic, and reproductive systems that fluctuate across the lifespan — cyclically during the menstrual years and gradually during perimenopause and menopause. Many women experience mild symptoms such as menstrual discomfort, premenstrual emotional changes, mild hot flashes, irritability, sleep changes, or vaginal dryness. While pharmaceutical prescriptions (e.g., hormonal […]
A new analysis presented at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) annual meeting reported that as many as 20%–24% of breast cancers were diagnosed in women ages 18 to 49 across seven outpatient clinics in the New York region. That means up to 1 in 4 breast cancers may occur in women under 50—a […]
Ramadan and Pregnancy Sarah Azad, MD This Ramadan will start in mid-February, and the fasts will last 12-13 hours. Fasting during pregnancy raises many questions. Every pregnancy is different. Each person has various medical issues, different weight issues, and different issues with their pregnancy, so please bring up fasting during one of your appointments, […]
For decades, many women have heard that age 35 represents a sharp drop-off in fertility—a so-called “fertility cliff.” It’s true that age plays an important role in the ability to conceive and carry a pregnancy. But newer data suggest the story is more nuanced than a sudden plunge at 35. The New York Times recently […]
As women approach perimenopause and enter menopause, many experience changes in their bodies — including vaginal dryness. This often starts subtly but can worsen over time. The primary cause is a natural decline in estrogen levels, a hormone that helps maintain the health and comfort of vaginal tissue. Understanding why vaginal dryness occurs and how […]
Understanding Carrier Screening, NIPT, and the New Option of sgNIPT Prenatal genetic screening has advanced rapidly over the past decade. What once involved limited testing for only a few disorders has evolved into safe, highly accurate blood-based screening that can identify genetic conditions before a baby is born. Today, two of the most common tools […]
You may have heard of the HPV vaccine, which protects against the human papillomavirus (HPV) — the most common sexually transmitted infection. HPV is important because certain “high-risk” types can cause cervical cancer, as well as vaginal, vulvar, anal, penile, and throat cancers. You can read more about HPV from the Mayo Clinic and the […]
Depression and anxiety during pregnancy are common, underdiagnosed, and clinically significant. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), up to 1 in 5 women experience mood or anxiety disorders during pregnancy or the postpartum period, with consequences that can affect both maternal and fetal outcomes. While psychotherapy and medication remain important tools, […]
In recent years, marijuana (also known as cannabis) has become increasingly mainstream. Many states have legalized it for recreational or medical purposes, and products are widely available in dispensaries and, in some places, even delivered to your door. With this shift, more women of reproductive age are using cannabis, including during pregnancy. At the same […]
A new study published in Neurology suggests that estradiol-based hormone therapy may offer cognitive benefits for postmenopausal women, specifically in areas of memory function. According to the research, postmenopausal women who used estradiol – whether in oral or transdermal form – scored higher on specific memory measures compared to their peers who never used menopausal […]