Women's Health Arizona

Women decide to stop taking birth control pills for many reasons—some are trying to get pregnant; others have a medical reason such as experiencing adverse side effects, and some simply want a change after taking the same pill for years. Regardless of why you decide to stop taking your birth control pill, you should be […]

Deciding whether or not to breastfeed is highly personal choice that depends on many social, cultural, personal, and environmental factors. That said, breastfeeding is very effective in protecting the health of both baby and mother. Breastfeeding improves your child’s nutrition, ensures food security and reduces inequalities.  Six Months of Exclusive Breastfeeding is Recommended The American […]

What is the menstrual cycle? The menstrual cycle is a monthly hormonal cycle the body goes through as it prepares for the possibility of pregnancy. The average young woman starts menstruating two years after her breasts begin to develop and pubic hair starts to grow. This is often around age 12, but can be a […]

Most toddlers transition from two naps a day to one when they’re between one- and two-years-old. Around this time, they’ll probably start sleeping through the night more solidly than when they were an infant, and they may not need quite as much sleep during the day. As you look to make the transition, keep an […]

There’s no denying that becoming a mother is often an experience that’s filled with joy. At the same time, it can be tricky to soak in all the good moments when you’re also feeling stressed and exhausted. Many new moms are sleep deprived, busy trying to resolve items on a never-ending to-do list, stressed, and […]

Approximately 44 percent of women over the age of 20 have elevated or high cholesterol. Although many of us are well-versed in the benefits of maintaining a nutritious diet, exercising regularly, and keeping up to date with doctors’ visits, cholesterol is often an afterthought. In fact, 76 percent of women say they don’t even know […]

In honor of mental health awareness month, we’re focusing on an important topic that doesn’t get discussed nearly enough: maternal mental health. There’s no denying that stress, anxiety, and other mental health struggles are common during pregnancy and after childbirth. In fact, research shows that somewhere between 10 and 20 percent of women experience mental health challenges at some point during the time between pregnancy and the year after giving birth.

Planning is a big part of getting ready for your baby’s arrival. You’ll probably spend considerable time reviewing baby names, decorating the nursery and babyproofing your home. But one thing that you shouldn’t forget is packing your bag for the hospital. Experts recommend having your bag packed and ready to go by 34 weeks. Before […]

If you’re sexually active, you’ve probably heard about the dangers of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). That’s why you faithfully follow your physician’s recommendations for regular checkups, Pap smears, and STD testing. But a change in Pap testing frequency has decreased the amount of diagnoses of the most common bacterial STD—chlamydia. And physicians are worried. Reduction […]

Ever had a month where all the signs and symptoms of PMS are there but there’s no bleeding? If so, you’re not alone. This is fairly common and can causes can range from pregnancy to hormonal birth control to stress. Keep reading to learn about a few different situations where you might experience period symptoms […]

Your first visit to the OBGYN can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you have certain concerns about sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). We were all teenagers once, and your Women’s Health Arizona providers are sensitive that the fact that these discussions might not be the most comfortable. However, being able to talk about STDs with […]

Few people like to discuss them and some even try to hide their symptoms from others. However, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) need to be talked about. The key to controlling the spread of STDs is regular testing combined with effective treatment. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately one in five people in […]

When life gets busy, it’s easy to let exercise fall out of your regular routine. But we have some potentially motivating news that may encourage you to keep exercise in your day-to-day life. In addition to a tremendous number of health benefits, exercise may also boost your sex life by increasing arousal, desire, and satisfaction. […]

If you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex, then you can get a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Knowledge and prevention about these infections are important safety measures. Many STIs are never detected since there are often no symptoms.  According to the CDC, approximately one in five people in the U.S. had an STI in 2018. […]

Everyone’s experience with labor is different, as is everyone’s experiences with a cesarean delivery (C-section). Whether it’s an emergency C-section with high stress, or a planned C-section with low anxiety, recovery is a whole different story. Some women can recover from a Cesarean within a matter of weeks, some a matter of months. And while […]

If you’ve been noticing some mysterious odors coming from your vaginal area and can’t seem to determine the cause, a vaginal pH imbalance might be the culprit. To help you better understand vaginal pH, let’s start by breaking things down: your vaginal pH refers to the acidity of the vagina and can be affected by […]

Pelvic organ prolapse is where one of the pelvic organs—the bladder, uterus, rectum, small intestine, or vagina—drops down from its usual position and pushes against the walls of the vagina. Up to one-third of women experience pelvic organ prolapse or a similar pelvic disorder at some point in their lives. The experience can be embarrassing, […]

Menopause may be more openly discussed now than it was in past generations. However, for many modern women there is still confusion and a lack of information about menopause treatments. Menopause marks the end of female reproduction, and it can be a challenging time for women. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) reports that three out of four women […]

Birth control pills have been on the market since 1960. This form of contraception has always been very popular and highly successful among women. And, it’s known to have positive effects on other aspects of your health. Here are eight ancillary benefits of taking birth control pills: More Manageable Endometriosis Hormone treatments may help slow […]

Maybe you’re suddenly experiencing a lack of interest in sex, or maybe you’ve never had that strong of a sex drive. Either way, experiencing low or fluctuating libido can be confusing and may even make you feel like something is wrong. Sex drive varies greatly among women. However, if you experience limited or no sexual […]

If you’re considering birth control options after giving birth, an intrauterine device or IUD is a great option. IUDs are safe to use while breastfeeding. Plus, you don’t need to remember to take a pill at the same time each day. This is something many busy and tired new moms appreciate. Here’s everything you need […]

Stay-at-home mom depression is a real thing. Being a stay-at-home mom is a tough job anytime, but especially these days. Being a stay-at-home mom comes with many rewards, but the job—yes, being a stay-at-home mom is definitely a job—can be challenging, lonely and isolating, and some women even feel a loss of identity. Sometimes, being a […]

Have you been experiencing sharp or nagging pelvic pain to the point where you’re starting to wonder what’s going on? Pelvic pain, occurring in the lower abdomen below the belly button, presents in many different ways and can be sharp, dull, aching, sudden, or recurrent. This pain can have many different causes, some of which […]

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a medication used to replace estrogen that your body stops producing in menopause. Due to changing hormone levels, women commonly experience a variety of symptoms during menopause. Symptoms include hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, pain during sex, chills, mood changes, and difficulty sleeping. For some women these symptoms are […]