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Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder affecting women of reproductive age. If you’ve recently been diagnosed with PCOS or are experiencing symptoms that might suggest the condition, you might be wondering, “Should I be worried?” In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore what PCOS is, its symptoms, potential complications, and how you can manage the condition effectively.

What is PCOS?

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal imbalance that can cause a range of symptoms and health issues. It affects approximately 1 in 10 women worldwide and is characterized by irregular menstrual cycles, elevated levels of androgens (male hormones), and cysts in the ovaries. Despite its name, not all women with PCOS will have cysts on their ovaries.

Common Symptoms of PCOS

The symptoms of PCOS can vary from one woman to another but commonly include:

• Irregular Menstrual Cycles: Women with PCOS may experience fewer than nine periods a year or have very heavy or light bleeding.
• Excess Androgen Levels: Elevated levels of male hormones can lead to symptoms such as excessive facial or body hair (hirsutism), acne, and oily skin.
• Polycystic Ovaries: Enlarged ovaries with multiple small cysts may be detected through ultrasound, though the presence of cysts alone does not confirm PCOS.
• Weight Gain: Many women with PCOS struggle with weight gain or difficulty losing weight.
• Thinning Hair: Hair thinning or loss on the scalp can also be a symptom.

Should You Be Worried About PCOS?

While a PCOS diagnosis can be concerning, it’s important to understand that the condition is manageable. Here’s what you need to know:

1. Health Risks Associated with PCOS

PCOS can increase the risk of several health issues, including:

• Type 2 Diabetes: Women with PCOS are at higher risk for insulin resistance, which can lead to type 2 diabetes.
• Heart Disease: Elevated cholesterol and blood pressure levels associated with PCOS can increase the risk of cardiovascular problems.
• Endometrial Cancer: Irregular menstrual cycles and unopposed estrogen exposure can elevate the risk of endometrial cancer.
• Infertility: PCOS can affect ovulation, which may impact fertility.

2. Managing PCOS Effectively

Although PCOS can pose health risks, many women with the condition lead healthy, fulfilling lives. Effective management strategies include:

• Lifestyle Changes: Adopting a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and maintaining a healthy weight can help manage symptoms and reduce the risk of complications.
• Medications: Your healthcare provider may prescribe medications such as birth control pills to regulate menstrual cycles and reduce androgen levels, or metformin to manage insulin resistance.
• Hair Removal Treatments: In addition to hormonal management, options like laser hair removal or topical treatments can help manage excessive hair growth.
• Fertility Treatments: If you’re struggling with infertility, treatments such as ovulation-inducing medications or assisted reproductive technologies can help.

3. Regular Monitoring

Regular check-ups with your healthcare provider are crucial for monitoring your condition and addressing any emerging health issues. Routine screenings for blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and blood pressure can help manage risks associated with PCOS.

Conclusion

Being diagnosed with PCOS can be daunting, but with the right approach, the condition can be managed effectively. By understanding your symptoms, working with experts at Nova Women’s Health, and implementing a comprehensive management plan, you can mitigate the risks associated with PCOS and improve your overall well-being.

If you have concerns about PCOS or need personalized advice, don’t hesitate to reach out to Nova Women’s Health. Our team of experts is here to provide you with the information and support you need to take control of your health and lead a vibrant life.

Feel free to contact us for more information or book an appointment online today. Your health is our priority.

What Problems Can HPV Cause?

If you don’t know about HPV and how it can endanger your health and life, now is the time to get informed. Here’s a valuable overview of this common virus, its threatening strains, and what to watch for.

If you’ve heard of human papillomavirus (HPV) but don’t understand what it can do to your body, you’re in a risky position.

Knowing about HPV can save your health and your life, soDr. Anju Nayar and our dedicated team at Nova Women’s Health are here to explain this common but complicated virus so you can protect yourself from potential problems.

The facts about HPV

HPV is a group of more than 200 related viruses that both men and women can contract. It’s so common, in fact, that nearly all sexually active people will get at least one type of HPV at some point in their lives — to the tune of 42.5 million in the United States alone.

It’s spread through intimate skin-to-skin contact, usually during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. While many types of HPV infections don’t cause any symptoms and go away on their own, some can lead to health problems like genital and common warts and cancer.

HPV health risks for women

For women, the most serious health problem caused by HPV is cervical cancer, but it doesn’t stop there. HPV can also cause vaginal and vulvar cancers.

Cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is one of the most common cancers (99% of all cases) in women worldwide. Each year, approximately 13,800 women) in the US are diagnosed with cervical cancer.

Vaginal and vulvar cancers

While less common, HPV can also lead to vaginal and vulvar cancers. About 75% of vaginal cancers and 50% of vulvar cancers) are linked to HPV.

How to prevent and treat HPV

The good news is that there are effective ways to prevent and treat HPV-related health issues, and Dr. Nayar can help.

Get an HPV vaccination

One of the best ways to prevent HPV is through vaccination. The HPV vaccine) is safe, effective, and can protect against the types of HPV that most often cause cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers.

Get regular screenings

Regular cervical cancer screenings — Pap smears and HPV tests — detect abnormal cells early before they turn into cancer. We recommend that all women start getting Pap tests at age 21.

Use a condom

If you’re concerned about contracting HPV, using a condom during intercourse can decrease your chances. Condoms provide a barrier that not only prevents pregnancy but also eliminates skin-to-skin contact, which lowers the likelihood of passing the virus between partners.

Know your HPV treatment options

While there’s no cure for the HPV virus itself, treatments are available for the health problems that HPV can cause, such as warts, precancerous changes in your cervix, and cancers.

Dr. Nayar recommends appropriate treatments based on your symptoms, which HPV strain you’ve contracted, and the stage of your condition. For example, HPV-related genital warts typically respond well to prescription medication.

However, if a cervical biopsy shows you have cervical cancer, you’ll need a more assertive approach. Dr. Nayar performs minimally invasive surgery to remove some cancers, but you may also need complementary treatments, like radiation, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy.

Don’t be in the dark about HPV — schedule a Pap smear and HPV test today. Book online or call Nova Women’s Health in North Reading, Massachusetts.

Prepping for a VBAC? Here’s What You Should Know

Just because you needed a C-section to deliver your last baby doesn’t mean you’re doomed to surgical delivery for the next one. But vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) comes with a few prerequisites. Here’s how to get ready for VBAC.

Some difficult deliveries call for a cesarean section (C-section), and if you’ve had one, you know the downside — painful surgery and a long recovery at a time when you want to devote all of your energy to your new baby.

If you’re hoping for a different experience during your next delivery, you should know that vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) is not only possible; it has clear benefits, including:

• No surgery
• Less blood loss
• Decreased infection risk
• Shorter recovery

Dr. Anju Nayar and our Nova Women’s Health team offer comprehensive prenatal care and obstetrics services to women throughout North Reading, Massachusetts, and we can help you prepare for a smooth VBAC delivery.

Here’s how to determine whether VBAC is right for you and, if so, what you can do to ready your body for a vaginal delivery.

Am I a good candidate for VBAC?

Up to 80% of women who’ve opted for VBAC achieve their goal, but that doesn’t mean all women are eligible to try. Here are a few prerequisites for VBAC.

Type of incision

If your previous C-section used a low transverse incision, sometimes called a “bikini cut,” you may be a good candidate for VBAC. However, if you had a high vertical incision, the trial of labor (TOL) could rupture your uterus.

Uterine integrity

You need a strong, healthy uterus to get through a TOL, so if you’ve had a ruptured uterus in the past or any prior uterine surgeries to remove fibroids, for example, you may not be a good candidate for VBAC. More than two previous C-sections may disqualify you as well.

Past deliveries

Although it’s not a requirement for VBAC, having delivered vaginally at least once increases your chances of a successful vaginal birth after a C-section. The timing also matters. It’s best to wait at least 18 months after a C-section to attempt VBAC.

How to prepare for VBAC

Technically, a woman’s body knows what to do during delivery, but the first time always comes with a learning curve. Subsequent births generally tend to be shorter and smoother. If you’ve only had a C-section, you can expect VBAC to feel more like a first-timer’s experience; if you’ve had one or more vaginal deliveries, VBAC will feel familiar.

Either way, Dr. Nayar encourages all VBAC moms to take a few precautions to set the stage for a smooth vaginal delivery.

Gather information

The more you know about your past deliveries and your health, the better equipped you are to participate in the critical decisions surrounding childbirth.

Dr. Nayar discusses these details with you and ensures that you know all of the risks and benefits of VBAC, but much depends on an accurate report of your health, your family’s medical history, and the circumstances surrounding your past C-section.

Bring records of your previous deliveries and any other uterine procedures to your first appointment with Dr. Nayar so she has all of the pertinent details.

And don’t settle for just handing over the reports; read them yourself and ask questions if you don’t understand something. Know why you needed a C-section — if it was failure to progress, fetal distress, an infectious disease, placenta previa, or some other reason, it may affect your eligibility for VBAC.

Get support

Our Nova Women’s Health team is here for you every step of the way, but it also helps to have support from other sources. Family and friends who understand your plan and encourage you to eat healthy and get plenty of safe exercise during your pregnancy are positive influences that can make a big difference in your VBAC delivery.

You can also find information and support from knowledgeable groups like the International Cesarean Awareness Network (ICAN). The Massachusetts ICAN chapter offers rich resources and affinity groups that help you learn more about VBAC procedures.

Keep an open mind

Although most VBAC deliveries go as planned, some don’t. Dr. Nayar monitors you and your baby constantly through labor and delivery to ensure you’re both safe and healthy. If complications arise, it may be necessary to pivot and perform an emergency C-section.

Dr. Nayar understands, respects, and supports your decision to plan VBAC but prioritizes the health and safety of you and your baby. For this reason, she recommends planning on a hospital delivery regardless of how much you prep for VBAC.

To learn more, book an appointment online or call Nova Women’s Health in North Reading, Massachusetts, to discuss VBAC with Dr. Nayar.

Abnormal Pap Results: What to Expect at Your Follow-Up Colposcopy

Most Pap test results are normal, and most abnormal Pap test results don’t mean you have cervical cancer. But if your results come back positive, it’s best to be sure with a colposcopy. Here’s what to expect.

One of the best screenings for cervical cancer is the Pap test, also known as the Pap smear. While it doesn’t top any woman’s list of desirable experiences, it’s a useful tool for detecting cervical cancer.

The Pap test is a simple precaution that usually comes back “normal.” For the few who receive abnormal results, the news can be distressing, but not if you know the truth: The medical director of the Women’s Health Center, Johns Hopkins Outpatient Center and co-director of the Johns Hopkins Colposcopy Clinic states that “Most women [with abnormal Pap results] do not have cancer.”

And we agree.

Board-certified OB/GYN Dr. Anju Nayar and our Nova Women’s Health team in North Reading, Massachusetts, know that abnormal Pap smears are nothing to panic about, but they do require a follow-up to ensure all is well. That’s what a colposcopy does. Here’s what you should know.

What does an abnormal Pap smear mean?

Every three years, between the ages of 21 and 29, a Pap smear is a routine part of your well-woman exam at Nova Women’s Health. When you turn 30, we add the human papillomavirus (HPV) test to your Pap smear because HPV causes most cases of cervical cancer.

During a quick, painless Pap test, we swab your cervix to grab a sample of the cells and send it to the lab to look for abnormal cells and cells that have changed since the last time we checked. The results return as:

• Normal or negative: Everything is OK
• Unsatisfactory: There weren’t enough cells for the lab to analyze, or they were clumped together
• Abnormal or positive: You have a few cells that don’t look like the others

Only 3.8% of Pap smear results are abnormal, but most don’t indicate cancer. In fact, most abnormal cells simply indicate a vaginal infection. The Pap smear is just the first in a series of tests and tools we use to ensure your health. The next step is a colposcopy to rule out cancer.

Colposcopy: Why you need it and what it detects

An abnormal Pap smear is the primary reason for a colposcopy, but Dr. Nayar may also recommend one if:

• She noticed abnormal cervical structure during a routine pelvic exam
• You tested positive for HPV
• You have unexplained vaginal bleeding

A colposcopy feels a lot like a Pap smear. Dr. Nayar inserts a speculum into your vagina to hold it open, allowing her to visualize the inner tissues. She applies a special staining solution that causes abnormal cells to stand out under a bright light and magnifying lens.

If she detects abnormal cells, she may opt to perform a cervical biopsy, where she takes a tiny tissue sample from your cervix. You’ll feel a quick “pinch” and may experience cramping and light bleeding for the next few hours and up to a few days. Call us right away if you experience:

• Heavy vaginal bleeding (especially if it lasts more than a week)
• Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
• Cramps or pelvic pain that don’t subside
• Fever

We send the tissue sample to the lab and await the results, which take a week or two. If the results show precancerous or cancerous cells, Dr. Nayar discusses your treatment options. Often, we can remove the suspicious cells in the office using cryotherapy, a cone biopsy, or a loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP).

However, more often than not, the results are negative, and Dr. Nayar puts you on a regular schedule of Pap smears and colposcopies to monitor your cervical cells.

Don’t let an abnormal Pap smear scare you. Talk to Dr. Nayar about your test results, a colposcopy, and your many treatment options. Book an appointment online or call Nova Women’s Health today.

All About Gestational Diabetes: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

If you’re pregnant, read this. November is American Diabetes Month and a great time to spread awareness, but there are more than two types of diabetes. Gestational diabetes affects millions of moms-to-be and their babies. Here’s what you should know.

Pregnancy is a beautiful journey filled with joy, anticipation, and sometimes a few unexpected bumps along the way. One such hurdle can be gestational diabetes — a potentially life-threatening condition affecting 2%-10% of moms-to-be yearly.

November is American Diabetes Month, which makes this an excellent time to explore this lesser-known diabetes type so you can recognize the signs and act quickly.

At Nova Women’s Health, board-certified OB/GYN Dr. Anju Nayar and our team believe in empowering you with the knowledge you need to navigate pregnancy challenges. Here, we delve into understanding what gestational diabetes is, its causes and symptoms, how it affects you and your baby, and how we treat it.

Gestational diabetes defined

Most people are familiar with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, but there’s also a version that only affects pregnant women — gestational diabetes. It occurs when your body can’t make enough insulin — a hormone that regulates blood sugar — to meet the extra needs of pregnancy, causing high blood sugar levels.

Risk factors and causes of gestational diabetes

The exact cause of this type of diabetes is unknown, but several factors can increase your risk:

• Age: Women over 25 years have a higher risk
• Health history: Your risk increases if you have prediabetes or if a close family member has Type 2 diabetes
• Weight: Being overweight before pregnancy raises your risk
• Race: Certain ethnic groups, including African Americans, Hispanic/Latino Americans, American Indians, and Asian Americans, have a higher risk

While most of these are beyond your control, it’s important to be aware of them and take steps to protect your health during pregnancy.

Gestational diabetes symptoms and diagnosis

Most women with gestational diabetes don’t have any symptoms. However, some may experience increased thirst and urination. We usually discover the condition during routine blood sugar tests between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy.

We include gestational diabetes and other critical tests in our comprehensive prenatal care services.

Minimizing the impact of gestational diabetes on you and your baby

Managing gestational diabetes is crucial for the health of both mother and baby. If you have gestational diabetes, we monitor your blood sugar levels and encourage you to follow a healthy diet and get regular exercise. Sometimes, medication or insulin injections become necessary.

Uncontrolled gestational diabetes can lead to serious complications. For example, gestational diabetes increases your likelihood of developing high blood pressure and preeclampsia as well as increasing the need for cesarean delivery.

For your baby, it can lead to excessive birth weight, early birth, respiratory distress syndrome, and Type 2 diabetes later in life.

Gestational diabetes prevention and latest research

While you can’t always prevent gestational diabetes, adopting a healthy lifestyle before and during pregnancy can reduce your risk. This means maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, and balancing your diet.

Researchers are investigating the potential benefits of metformin, a medication typically used to treat Type 2 diabetes, in managing gestational diabetes and lowering your risk of developing type two diabetes later in life. A 2021 study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology reported that pregnant women with gestational diabetes treated with metformin:

• Had fewer hypoglycemic episodes
• Gained less weight
• Required labor inductions less frequently
• Had fewer cesarean sections

Although most women with gestational diabetes come through pregnancy and delivery without a hitch, the success stories typically involve an experienced obstetrician like Dr. Nayar.

Protect your baby and yourself from gestational diabetes by partnering with Nova Women’s Health. Book online or call us to schedule an obstetric care appointment.

5 Reasons to Schedule Your Next Mammogram ASAP

Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a great time to get back on track with your mammograms. Here are five compelling reasons to stop procrastinating and schedule this vital screening test today.

It’s easy to get off track with your regular mammograms. Busy schedules, work deadlines, kids’ activities, and other priorities can push routine wellness exams down to the bottom of your to-do list.

We get it.

But we also know mammograms are the best way to catch breast cancer early. Because October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Dr. Anju Nayar and our Nova Women’s Health team want to spread the word about the benefits of mammograms.

If you live or work in the North Reading, Massachusetts, area, we invite you to visit us and discover our comprehensive, patient-centered services. And while you’re at it, why not schedule your mammogram? Here are five compelling reasons to do so.

When to get a mammogram

Mammograms are screening tests that use low-dose X-ray technology to scan your breast tissue and detect possible signs of breast cancer. Two clear plastic plates compress your breast tissue briefly while our technician activates the X-ray. She repositions your breast and takes a couple more images, and after we’ve scanned both breasts, you’re good to go.

Although mammograms aren’t perfect, they have a good track record of detecting cancer before a lump forms. Dr. Nayar and the American Cancer Society recommend that women with an average risk for breast cancer should have their first mammogram between ages 40 and 44.

Between ages 45 and 55, schedule a mammogram every year. After age 55, you can cut back to an every-other-year schedule.

If you’re at high risk for breast cancer, Dr. Nayar may recommend an earlier start date and more frequent mammograms.

Reasons to schedule a mammogram now

You can probably think of several ways that a mammogram could interfere with your schedule, but we have five reasons you should get it on your calendar as soon as possible.

1. When you catch breast cancer early, it’s more treatable

Breast cancer can be fatal, but if we find it early before it spreads, we can begin treatment and increase your chances of survival. You have a 99% chance of beating breast cancer if you catch it and treat it in its earliest stage.

2. You could have breast cancer even if there’s no lump

Self-exams are an excellent way to monitor your breast health and discover tissue changes. But it’s possible to have cancer in your breast tissue even if you don’t have a lump. Sometimes, the affected tissue is too deep to feel with your hands, but a mammogram has the capability to find it.

3. Your risk for breast cancer increases as you age

The median age for a breast cancer diagnosis is about 62, but that doesn’t mean you’re in the clear just because you’re underaged. Experts estimate that nearly 298,000 women will receive a breast cancer diagnosis in 2023, and nearly 44,000 will die from it.

4. You can get breast cancer even if your mom didn’t have it

Having a female relative with breast cancer increases your risk of developing it, but there’s no guarantee that you’re off the hook just because your family tree is cancer-free. Several factors beyond genetics increase your chances of getting breast cancer, such as:

• Being overweight or obese
• Smoking or drinking alcohol excessively
• Leading a sedentary lifestyle
• Using hormonal birth control
• Not having children
• Not breastfeeding
• Using hormone replacement therapy
• Getting breast implants

Talk with Dr. Nayar if any of these risk factors apply so she can adjust your mammogram screening schedule and monitor you more closely.

5. Mammograms are painless, quick, and easy

Mammograms may feel uncomfortable for a moment or two, but they don’t hurt. And they only take about 15-30 minutes, so no more excuses about not being able to fit a mammogram into your busy life.

Take charge of your health and carve out a half-hour to check your breast health, ASAP. We’re ready when you are. Book online or call Nova Women’s Health to schedule your mammogram.

PCOS and Insulin Resistance: What’s the Connection?

You may know that PCOS causes unwanted hair growth, period problems, and even fertility challenges — but insulin resistance? September is PCOS Awareness Month and a great time to learn about its lesser-known complications, including Type 2 diabetes.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects about 5 million American women, yet it’s one of the most misunderstood female health issues. We aim to change that during the PCOS Awareness Month by shedding some light on one of this condition’s lesser-known complications — insulin resistance.

Board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Anju Nayar and our team at Nova Women’s Health in North Reading, Massachusetts, offer a full spectrum of services for women of all ages. Unfortunately, many women experience symptoms and changes they don’t realize are signs of PCOS, so they never seek care.

Here, Dr. Nayar explains the connection between PCOS and insulin resistance and how we can help if you experience this troublesome symptom.

What is insulin resistance?

When you eat a meal, your body breaks down the food and turns it into sugar, also called blood sugar or blood glucose, which provides energy for everything from basic bodily functions to running a marathon.

To fuel these activities, the glucose enters your bloodstream and triggers your pancreas to release a hormone called insulin. Insulin unlocks your cells and allows the sugar to enter your muscles, liver, and fat tissue, where it resides until you need to use the energy. Once the sugar transfers from your blood to your cells, your insulin level drops and rebalances.

However, if your cells don’t respond to insulin appropriately and can’t absorb or store the glucose — insulin resistance — your blood sugar spikes, and your pancreas cranks out more insulin to correct the problem.

Insulin resistance can be temporary, but if it becomes chronic, you develop Type 2 diabetes.

What’s the link between insulin resistance and PCOS?

As its name suggests, PCOS originates as a problem in your ovaries, but it affects your entire endocrine system, which is why up to 70% of women with PCOS have insulin resistance or high insulin levels.

However, insulin resistance isn’t just a PCOS symptom; it’s also one of the driving factors that cause PCOS. Because high insulin interferes with ovulation, it can trigger your ovaries to make too much of the male androgen hormone — the definition of PCOS.

There’s also a connection between PCOS, obesity, and insulin resistance. Your fat cells produce a protein called adiponectin, which helps regulate insulin and blood glucose. Adiponectin levels rise as your weight increases, hindering your insulin sensitivity.

The complicated relationship intensifies when you add the variable of obesity. Obesity makes you more likely to develop insulin resistance, insulin resistance makes you more likely to develop PCOS, and PCOS makes you more likely to gain weight and develop insulin resistance.

This vortex of causes and symptoms makes it tough to identify the starting point, but one thing is certain: Having PCOS affects how your body responds to insulin.

What to do about PCOS and insulin resistance

There’s no cure for PCOS yet, but there’s much we can do to control its symptoms and prevent complications.

If you’re overweight and have PCOS with insulin resistance, the best thing you can do is drop excess pounds. Losing even a small amount can make a big difference, reducing your chances of developing prediabetes or Type 2 diabetes, and even reversing your symptoms if you’ve already been diagnosed.

If you don’t plan to get pregnant, we may recommend hormonal birth control or insulin-sensitizing medication to rebalance your hormones.

If you plan to get pregnant, Dr. Nayar performs thorough physical and diagnostic tests at our state-of-the-art facility and determines whether PCOS is causing infertility . She develops a personalized treatment plan that increases your chances of conceiving safely and successfully despite PCOS.

Don’t let PCOS symptoms rob your comfort and joy — call Nova Women’s Health PCOS specialists or book an appointment online and break the cycle of PCOS and insulin resistance.

Birth Control: Pros and Cons of Hormonal Methods

You have many options when it comes to birth control — sperm barriers, implantable devices, timing and luck, permanent surgical solutions. Hormonal contraception is a tried-and-true method used by millions. Here’s what you need to know about it.

Until you’re ready to have a baby, you need to do something to prevent pregnancy. Unless you’re abstinent, every act of sexual intercourse comes with the possibility of pregnancy, even if you use a contraceptive, but most methods are highly effective.

As part of our comprehensive services, we offer birth control options at Nova Women’s Health. Dr. Anju Nayar and our dedicated OB/GYN team partner with women throughout North Reading, Massachusetts, focusing on every aspect of reproductive wellness.

One of the questions we often hear is: Are hormonal birth control methods safe? Here, we’ve compiled a list of hormonal contraception pros and cons to give you a better understanding of how they work and affect your health.

Types of hormonal birth control methods

Several of the most popular contraceptive methods use hormones to prevent pregnancy. Here’s a look at the various types.

Combination pill

The combination pill contains estrogen and progestin. You take the pill orally once daily, and it’s 99% effective when taken correctly.

The levels of hormones in the pill vary, but it’s generally a low-dose medication, and Dr. Nayar customizes your dosage based on your needs. Some side effects are headaches, weight gain, or mood changes; however, you may have no side effects.

Progestin-only pill

You also take the progestin-only pill, also known as the mini-pill, orally once daily. It prevents pregnancy by thickening the mucus in your cervix and the lining in your uterus, but it only stops ovulation in one out of four women.

Still, it’s considered 99% effective. The progestin-only pill has low levels of hormones, and it may be best for you if you can’t take estrogen-based pills. Side effects may include irregular periods or spotting.

The patch

You apply the contraceptive patch to your skin once a week for three weeks, followed by one week off. It contains estrogen and progestin and is 99% effective when used correctly, although studies show that real-life use results in a 94% efficacy rate.

The patch is convenient because you don’t need to take it daily. Side effects may include skin irritation or mood changes.

Vaginal ring

You place the vaginal ring in your vagina for three weeks, followed by one week off. It contains estrogen and progestin and is 91%-99% effective when used correctly. Side effects may include vaginal irritation or mood changes.

Intrauterine device (IUD)

The hormonal IUD is a T-shaped device that we place in your uterus. There are two types of hormonal IUDs: Mirena® and Skyla®.

Mirena releases progestin that can last up to five years, while Skyla releases a lower dose of progestin that can last up to three years. Hormonal IUDs are 99% effective and may be a good option for women who want long-term birth control. Side effects may include irregular periods or cramping after insertion.

The pros and cons of hormonal birth control

Hormonal birth control works by stopping ovulation, thickening cervical mucus to prevent sperm from reaching an egg, and thinning the uterus lining to prevent implantation. Each type has its pros and cons, and the choice ultimately depends on your needs and preferences.

Hormonal birth control pros

One of the main benefits is its high level of effectiveness. When used correctly, hormonal birth control has a failure rate of less than 1%, making it one of the most reliable forms of contraception available.

Hormonal birth control also has other benefits, including:

• Regulating menstrual cycles
• Reducing menstrual cramps and bleeding
• Improving acne

Certain types of hormonal birth control, such as the combination pill, can also reduce your risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer.

Hormonal birth control cons

Hormonal birth control also has its disadvantages. Some of the most common side effects are:

• Irregular bleeding or spotting, especially during the first few months of use
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Breast tenderness
• Vaginal yeast infections
• Mood changes
• Decreased sex drive
• Risk of blood clots in women over 40

Long-term use of hormonal birth control may also increase the risk of certain health conditions, such as blood clots, stroke, and breast cancer. However, the overall risk of these conditions is still relatively low for most women using hormonal birth control.

Not all hormonal birth control options are suitable for everyone. Women with a history of blood clots or certain medical conditions may not be able to use it safely. Hormonal birth control may also interact with other medications or medical conditions, so be sure to discuss any potential risks or warnings with Dr. Nayar before selecting a method.

It’s crucial to have an honest conversation with Dr. Nayar to determine the best option for you. For example, you may prefer the combination pill if you want to regulate your menstrual cycles and reduce acne; the hormonal IUD may be a better choice if you want long-term birth control that doesn’t require daily maintenance.

Call Nova Women’s Health or book online to schedule an appointment with Dr. Nayar and discover which hormonal birth control method is right for you.

As long as there have been women, there have been women with hot flashes. Discover the link between menopause and hot flashes and how you can cool off so you can stop sweating the change of life.

Menopause may be a normal life stage, but the symptoms it ushers in are anything but normal. They can turn your life upside down with mood swings, vaginal dryness, hair loss, chronic fatigue, weight gain, and a tanking libido.

Perhaps the most notorious symptoms, however, are hot flashes. About 75% of menopausal women experience at least a few surges of heat, and some have so many hot flashes that they interfere with daily activities and quality sleep.

If that sounds familiar, schedule a visit with Dr. Anju Nayar, our board-certified gynecologist at Nova Women’s Health in North Reading, Massachusetts. Our experienced specialists understand how frustrating and uncomfortable hot flashes can be, and we have solutions to reduce their frequency and severity.

We customize your menopause management plan to reflect your individual needs and symptoms. You may be a good candidate for hormone replacement therapy to rebalance your hormones and calm your symptoms, or you may just need to make a few adjustments to your habits and routine.

8 ways to douse menopausal hot flashes

If you think low estrogen is the culprit behind your hot flashes, you’re only half right. While it’s true that estrogen levels drop when menopause arrives, there’s more to it than that. The hypothalamus region of your brain, which regulates your body temperature, relies on a balance of estrogen and a brain chemical called neurokinin B (NKB).

When estrogen decreases, you have relatively too much NKB, which triggers neurons in your brain and tricks it into thinking you’re hot when you’re not. As a result, you feel the effects of a confused nerve-brain connection called vasomotor symptoms — hot flashes.

Here are our top tips for keeping cool despite menopause.

1. Curb your cocktails

Alcohol is a vasodilator, meaning it widens your blood vessels and can contribute to or worsen hot flashes. Compared with men, women and alcohol have a rocky relationship.

Women’s bodies are generally smaller and have a lower tolerance for alcohol. Women also have less of the enzyme dehydrogenase, which metabolizes alcohol, and the small amount in women’s livers isn’t very active. In addition, women tend to lose more water volume than men as they age, so there’s less fluid to dilute alcohol in your system.

2. Wear layers

During summer, wearing light fabrics keeps you as cool as possible regardless of your vasomotor symptoms. You can do yourself a favor by carrying that mindset into the rest of the year as well. Wearing a few layers of lighter materials gives you options when a hot flash hits.

Because hot flashes come on suddenly and intensely, the ability to remove a layer or two of fabric can make a big difference.

3. Avoid spicy foods

Like alcohol, spicy foods can trigger hot flashes. That doesn’t mean you’re doomed to a bland diet, but you may benefit from swapping out chilis, wasabi, and the like for herbs and other milder choices.

4. Eat “cooling” foods

In addition to avoiding too many spicy foods, you can turn the furnace down by adding some of these foods to your diet:

• Soy products
• Almonds
• Avocado
• Red bell pepper
• Mango
• Peanuts and peanut butter
• Asparagus
• Spinach and other dark greens
• Sunflower seeds
• Cold-water fatty fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel)

Some research has shown that foods high in vitamin E can also calm your hot flashes.

5. Watch your weight

Fat insulates your body and keeps heat in, so if you carry too many extra pounds, you may be more susceptible to hot flashes.

6. Quit smoking

Studies show that smokers have more hot flashes during menopause than nonsmokers, but the chemicals in tobacco can even trigger early menopause.

7. Reduce stress

Stress gets you all worked up and anxious, accelerating your heart rate, increasing your blood pressure, and triggering a flood of cortisol and adrenaline — a perfect recipe for vasomotor symptoms.

Avoiding stress when possible and managing the stress you can’t sidestep can keep hot flashes at bay. Actions such as meditating, praying, breathing deeply, exercising, and practicing mindfulness could be your ticket to cooler nights and fewer flashes.

8. Carry a portable fan

Accordion-style hand fans were once a staple accessory in women’s wardrobes, but they’ve fallen out of fashion. Dare to bring them back into vogue — just slip one into your purse or backpack and whip it out when a hot flash hits.

If you’re more of a modern woman, consider a battery-operated device that creates instant air — no waving required. Some even plug into your smartphone.

If you need extra help managing your hot flashes and other menopause symptoms, call Nova Women’s Health to schedule an appointment or book online.

Why Is My Period So Heavy?

It’s normal for your flow to change throughout your life — some periods last a few days, others up to a week, and some seem heavier than others. But how heavy is too heavy, and what could it mean? Here’s what you need to know about abnormal periods.

If you’re like most women, you know what’s normal for your menstrual cycle and can usually count on the same cycle length, the same flow rate, and the same duration each month. Of course, sometimes something throws off your routine or your body, and your period reflects the changes.

If your periods are heavier than usual, chances are a change has occurred, and Dr. Anju Nayar can get to the bottom of it.Our Nova Women’s Health team helps women in the North Reading, Massachusetts, area identify, understand, and manage their reproductive health issues, so if heavy periods are interfering with your life, we invite you to come in for an exam.

We provide a safe and professional environment where you can feel comfortable talking about your heavy periods and know that our specialists have diagnosed and treated this condition — called menorrhagia — often.

How to tell if your periods are too heavy

Let’s start by defining a heavy period. Because every woman is different, it can be tough to tell what constitutes abnormal bleeding, but specific symptoms let us know when your flow is too heavy:

• You soak through your tampon or pad every hour
• You have to wake up in the middle of the night to change your pad or tampon
• You have to use both a pad and a tampon
• Your periods are so heavy they restrict your activity
• You pass blood clots bigger than a quarter
• Your periods last longer than a week

Heavy periods can also make you feel fatigued because the blood loss over time can lead to anemia. On average, menstrual blood amounts to about 30-40 mL. If you have any of the symptoms mentioned above, you could be losing around 80 mL of blood each month, which means you have menorrhagia, and we need to find out why.

Common causes of heavy periods

Heavy periods can signify many different conditions and situations. When you talk with Dr. Nayar, tell her about other symptoms and details, such as how frequently you have heavy periods, whether they involve pain and cramping, what medications and supplements you take, and any past or present health conditions.

Those factors and the results of your physical exam help Dr. Nayar diagnose the underlying cause of menorrhagia so she can get you started with effective treatment. Here’s a partial list of the many potential causes of heavy periods.

Hormonal imbalance

Because hormones regulate your periods, they’re a prime suspect in menorrhagia. For example, if your body produces too much estrogen, it can thicken your uterine lining and lead to heavy periods. Hypothyroidism, when your thyroid is underactive, also can cause irregular and heavy periods.

If you use hormonal birth control and recently started, stopped, or changed your prescription, that may be the reason your period is heavy, especially during the first few days of your cycle.

Medications

Blood thinners can cause heavy bleeding during your periods.

Fibroids and polyps

Sometimes, noncancerous growths called fibroids and polyps develop on your uterine lining and even outside of your uterus. Depending on their size and location, they could be the culprit behind your heavy periods.

Adenomyosis

Similar to fibroids and polyps, adenomyosis involves rogue tissue that grows where it shouldn’t — in this case, endometrial tissue invades your uterine muscles, thickens the wall, and causes heavy bleeding.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

When you have a condition called PCOS, characterized by too much of the androgen hormone, the hormonal imbalance confuses your body and leads to a cascade of symptoms, including heavy periods.

Endometriosis

The lining of your uterus (endometrial tissue) can grow beyond the uterine cavity, a condition known as endometriosis. It can cause heavy, painful periods.

Copper intrauterine devices (IUDs)

Some IUDs use hormones to prevent pregnancy, but ParaGuard is a nonhormonal version with a copper coil that triggers an inflammatory response that’s toxic to sperm and eggs and prevents fertilization. It also causes heavy periods.

Pregnancy issues

What appears as a heavy period may be related to an unknown pregnancy. For example, a miscarriage produces a lot of blood, which many women mistake for a heavy period. An ectopic pregnancy that develops outside of your uterus can also cause heavy bleeding that feels like a heavy period.

How we stop your heavy periods

The treatment Dr. Nayar recommends depends entirely on what’s causing your heavy periods. She may prescribe birth control pills or change your current prescription, or she may suggest hormone replacement therapy to balance your hormones or gonadotropin-releasing hormones (GnRH) to shrink your fibroids. For severe fibroids and endometriosis, Dr. Nayar could recommend a laparoscopic procedure, minimally invasive surgery to remove endometrial and fibroid growths. In severe cases, a hysterectomy (removal of your uterus) may be necessary. Don’t think you have to live with heavy periods. Discover what’s causing the problem and get back to a normal flow. Call Nova Women’s Health, or book an appointment online today.