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Author: Andrew Adamson, D.O.

Osteoporosis is a condition that occurs when bone resorption occurs faster than the body can create new bone material. Resorption is a natural process in which calcium and other minerals are taken from the bone and released into the blood stream. In a normal, healthy body, new bone material is created at approximately the same rate as resorption so that there’s no significant loss in bone density.

Unfortunately, this process doesn’t always work as efficiently as it should in some people – especially women over the age of 50. For a quick look into the prevalence of osteoporosis in patients over 50, read these FastStats from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

• Percent of men 50 years of age and over with osteoporosis of the hip: 2%
• Number of men 50 years of age and over with osteoporosis of the hip: 0.8 million
• Percent of women 50 years of age and over with osteoporosis of the hip: 10%
• Number of women 50 years of age and over with osteoporosis of the hip: 4.5 million

Who’s at risk for osteoporosis?

There are some risk factors that can’t be controlled. These include being female, getting older, being of white or Asian descent, having a family history of the disease, and having a small frame. Low calcium intake, changes in hormone levels, thyroid and gland disorders, and poor lifestyle choices can also affect your risk level for osteoporosis.

What are the most common osteoporosis symptoms?

Osteoporosis symptoms may include back pain, stooped posture, loss of height, or easy bone fracturing. Many people do not know they have osteoporosis until they experience a fracture and have their bone density tested.

How is osteoporosis tested for and diagnosed?

Your Mesa OB/GYN or primary care physician may be able to test for osteoporosis by evaluating your bone density. This is typically done with a type of x-ray known as a DEXA scan.

What treatment options are available for osteoporosis?

While there is no cure for this condition, your physician may be able to prescribe medication and recommend lifestyle changes that limit further bone loss. Ask your Mesa OB/GYN about bisphosphonates, which can be taken orally or injected, and hormone-related therapies.

Schedule A Screening With a Mesa OB/GYN

To schedule an appointment with an OB/GYN in Mesa, AZ, call 480-844-4702. You can also schedule online.
Please consult with your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines.

Abnormal bleeding can be concerning – especially if it’s never happened to you before. Any kind of bleeding that is not caused by your menstrual cycle may be classified as “abnormal” bleeding. This condition has many possible causes, including:

• Imbalanced hormones / hormonal changes
• Tumors or disease
• Trauma
• Anovulation (menstrual cycle that occurs without ovaries releasing an egg)
• Pregnancy
• Menopause

Distinguishing Between Pre-Menopausal & Post-Menopausal

When discussing abnormal bleeding, it’s important to distinguish between pre- and post-menopausal abnormal bleeding. Pre-menopausal abnormal bleeding is (generally) less likely to be caused by cancer; however, cancer may be a more likely cause if the patient has already gone through menopause. In many post-menopausal abnormal bleeding situations, your Mesa gynecologist will perform a biopsy of the endometrial lining to exclude cancer.

What happens when I schedule an appointment with a Mesa gynecologist?

If you schedule your appointment with Arizona Associates for Women’s Health, your gynecologist will ask you about your personal and family medical history, your symptoms, and your menstrual cycle. If you have charted your menstrual cycle over the last few months, you may wish to bring this with you. A physical exam, blood tests, and possibly a pregnancy test may be included in this appointment.

What treatment options are available for abnormal bleeding?

There are many minimally invasive therapies now available for abnormal uterine bleeding. Some women and Mesa gynecologists opt for minimally invasive surgery, like da Vinci hysterectomy. This procedure uses just a few small incisions to remove the uterus.

Many women elect to get non-surgical treatment for abnormal bleeding. NovaSure is one popular and effective method for treating heavy bleeding. The in-office procedure takes just five minutes to complete.

Schedule An Appointment With a Mesa Gynecologist

Are you troubled by abnormal bleeding? Schedule an appointment at Arizona Associates for Women’s Health with a gynecologist in Mesa or Tempe by calling 480-257-2700. You can also schedule your appointment online. Don’t delay having your condition evaluated.

Please consult with your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines.

Author: Andrew Adamson, D.O.

One in three adults over the age of 65 falls each year. Twenty to 30 percent of those falls result in a moderate to severe injury that makes independent living less likely and increases the risk of early death. In 2012, emergency crews treated 2.4 million nonfatal cases – 722,000 of which resulted in hospitalization. The total 2012 medical cost of falls in older adults? $30 billion.

– Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Falls are a serious problem in the older adult population. But many adults entering their golden years are unwilling to address the natural changes in balance, frame, strength, and other characteristics that may put them at an increased risk for falls.

10 Tips On How To Prevent Falls At Home

Whether you’re concerned about an older parent or are an older adult yourself, there are several things you can do to help prevent falls at home. For patients with osteoporosis or a history of falls, I can’t stress enough the importance of instituting some or all of these measures.

1. Keep active. Walk at least five days a week, if possible. Walking helps maintain strength in the legs and joints. Plus, it offers many other health benefits.
2. Have an eye exam.
3. Know the side effects of your medications (dizziness, drowsiness, etc.).
4. Wear shoes with a good non-slip sole.
5. Critically examine your house, which may include…
6. Removing stacks of papers and clutter on the floor.
7. Covering and securing any loose cables.
8. Updating the bathroom with assistive devices around the toilet and shower.
9. Getting rid of rugs or fixing them to the floor.
10. Removing low tables or other items from tight spaces, such as the area around a doorway.

Schedule An Appointment With a Mesa Gynecologist

At Arizona Associates for Women’s Health, Mesa gynecologists, such as my colleagues and myself, offer full-scale women’s health services. The risks of osteoporosis and falling at home are just as significant as any reproductive health issues we may treat. To schedule a wellness exam with your Mesa gynecologist, call 480-844-4702. You can also schedule online.
Please consult with your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines.

Author: Andrew Adamson, D.O.

Endometriosis is a painful condition that affects approximately 5 million women. This condition occurs when endometrial tissue (which lines the uterus) grows outside the uterine cavity. There are four stages of endometriosis (though different gynecologists may use different classification systems). Endometrial stages do not necessarily correlate with symptoms, but with the amount of growth outside the uterus.

Endometriosis Stage 1: Minimal

Patients with stage 1 endometriosis generally only have isolated implants outside the uterine cavity. There are no significant adhesions (scarred tissue) in stage 1 patients.

Endometriosis Stage 2: Mild

Stage 2 endometriosis is characterized by a few small implants along with some scar tissue or adhesions.

Endometriosis Stage 3: Moderate

Patients in this stage may have both superficial and deep implants. (“Superficial” implants are on the peritoneum – the lining of the abdominal cavity. “Deep” implants penetrate into this lining.) Your Mesa gynecologist may be able to see adhesions around the ovaries and fallopian tubes. Symptoms commonly appear during this stage.

Endometriosis Stage 4: Severe

In this stage, patients may have many implants with thick adhesions. Infertility is also a strong possibility at this stage.

What treatments are available for endometriosis?

There are several treatments available for this condition. At Arizona Associates for Women’s Health, you may have the option of:

• Endometrial Ablation: In this procedure, the surgeon ablates (destroys) the endometrium in order to reduce or stop menstrual flow entirely. This procedure can be done without any incisions. It may be done with heat, extreme cold, microwaves, radiofrequency or other techniques.
• da Vinci Endometriosis Resection: In this procedure, the endometrium is surgically removed using just a few tiny incisions (similar to laparoscopy).
• da Vinci Hysterectomy: Hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus. Some women prefer to treat severe endometriosis with this procedure.

Plenty of non-surgical treatments may also be available to you. Talk to your Mesa gynecologist to learn more about the use of hormone therapies for endometriosis.

Pelvic Pain? Schedule An Appointment With a Mesa Gynecologist

To schedule an appointment with a gynecologist in Mesa, call 480-844-4702. You can also schedule your appointment and view doctor availability online.
Please consult with your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines.

Author: Stephen Frausto, M.D., FACOG

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is one of the most common causes of pelvic pain, affecting approximately one in every 10 women of reproductive age. Its most common symptom is dysmenorrhea (painful cramps during menstruation); many women experience this endometriosis symptom, beginning with menarche, yet aren’t diagnosed with the disorder until many years later when trying to conceive. 

In women with endometriosis, cells lining the uterus grow abnormally outside of the uterus. When the lining of the uterus is shed during menstruation, these abnormal cells are also shed. However, the endometrial cells outside of the uterus have nowhere to go, which causes pain and discomfort. Over time, scar tissue may develop.

Does endometriosis cause infertility?

Endometriosis is a common cause of infertility in many women. Whether you receive treatment for your endometriosis symptoms at Arizona Associates for Women’s Health or not, you may choose to continue working through your condition with a fertility specialist in our office. You can learn more about our Fertility Care services here. 

What are common endometriosis symptoms?

In addition to infertility and pain and cramps around the time of menstruation, common endometriosis symptoms also include:

• Pain during or after sexual intercourse
• Excessive bleeding (heavy periods and/or bleeding between periods)
• Pain during bowel movements or urination

If you are experiencing these symptoms, schedule an appointment with a Tempe or Mesa gynecologist at Arizona Associates for Women’s Health.

What endometriosis treatments are available?

While there is no “cure” for endometriosis, therapies are available. Some women choose to undergo da Vinci endometriosis resection, a robot-assisted procedure that offers many benefits compared to traditional laparoscopy: low blood loss, small incisions, low rate of complications, and a short hospital stay. Some women elect to have a da Vinci hysterectomy for treating endometriosis symptoms. Novasure endometrial ablation is another option that may be available through your Mesa gynecologist. 

Schedule an Appointment With a Tempe/Mesa Gynecologist

Have questions about pelvic pain? At Arizona Associates for Women’s Health, our Tempe and Mesa gynecologists offer advanced treatment for pelvic pain caused by endometriosis. Care may be focused to provide symptomatic relief and improve opportunity for becoming pregnant. Learn more by calling 480-257-2700. Or, schedule your appointment online.

Please consult with your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines.

Author: Elizabeth Shrader, RN, MSN, WHNP-BC

What is “secondary infertility?”

“Secondary infertility” is a term used by the medical community to describe infertility that occurs in couples that have successfully conceived and carried to term in the past. If you’re one of the thousands of couples in Arizona who have had a successful pregnancy in the past – but are struggling now with a second, third, or even fourth pregnancy – you’re not alone.

At Arizona Associates for Women’s Health, I work with women dealing with all kinds of fertility issues, specializing in intrauterine inseminations (IUI), sonohysterograms (SHG), ultrasounds, and other tests and procedures related to fertility care. It’s not uncommon for me to see patients who struggle with secondary infertility.

What are the causes of secondary infertility?

Secondary infertility can be caused by many of the same factors that cause infertility in women, men and couples who have already had a baby. These may include:

• Low sperm count
• Damage to fallopian tubes
• Endometriosis
• Ovulatory problems

Additionally, some women may have developed complications from prior pregnancies. Natural factors, such as age, and changes in weight, hormonal balance, and medication use can also cause secondary infertility.

Secondary Infertility: Getting Help

If you have been having sex without the use of any contraceptive for at least 12 months (under age 35), 6 months (age 35-40), or 3 months (over age 40), and have not become pregnant, then you may wish to see a fertility specialist in Mesa or Tempe through Arizona Associates for Women’s Health. During your appointment, we may discuss prior pregnancies, as well as (for both men and women) changes in weight or BMI, sleep, stress, and use of caffeine, alcohol, drugs, or tobacco.

Secondary Infertility: See a Mesa/Tempe Fertility Specialist

Have you been pregnant before, but are having difficulty becoming pregnant a second or third time? At Arizona Associates for Women’s Health, a fertility specialist may be able to help with secondary infertility. Take this brief online questionnaire to have someone from our offices contact you. Or, schedule an appointment online or by calling 480-257-2700.

Please consult with your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines.

Author: Andrew Adamson, D.O.

For some women, menopause may be uncomfortable, but requires little or no medical intervention. For many of my of my patients, however, the difficult changes brought on by menopause are enough to push them to seek medical care.

Menopause – and perimenopause (the years leading up to the start of menopause) – is different for each woman. Whether or not you choose to see your gynecologist for treatment of menopausal symptoms is entirely up to you. If symptoms (see below) are disrupting your enjoyment of day-to-day life, consider calling your Mesa gynecologist here at Arizona Associates for Women’s Health at 480-844-4702.

Menopausal Symptoms to Recognize

• Hot flashes
• Mood swings, depression or anxiety
• Difficulty sleeping
• Fatigue (including mental fatigue)
• Breast tenderness
• Vaginal dryness
• Urinary urgency and/or leakage
• Irregular periods (especially lighter periods or skipped periods)
• Worsening of premenstrual syndrome
• Changes in libido

The symptoms experienced – and the severity of menopausal symptoms – vary greatly amongst women. Minor symptoms may be managed at home without medical intervention. For example, you may find that changing what you eat and drink improves hot flashes, or that exercise and other behavioral changes improve mood swings. Of course, lifestyle changes will not improve all symptoms for all women – which is where your Mesa gynecologist can help.

Schedule An Appointment With a Mesa Gynecologist

Many menopausal symptoms can be controlled. To schedule an appointment with a gynecologist in Mesa, call 480-844-4702. You can also schedule your appointment online.
Please consult with your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines.

Author: Stephen Frausto, M.D., FACOG

Pelvic pain in women can be complex to diagnose and treat. Symptoms can vary greatly from patient to patient, and – in some cases – the pain may be related to more than one condition. Below are a few common causes of pelvic pain. If you’re experiencing any kind of discomfort in the abdomen or pelvic region, tell your doctor, or schedule an appointment with a gynecologist.

#1 Gastrointestinal

Pelvic pain in many women is entirely unrelated to the reproductive system. Even if the source of your pelvic pain is not in the reproductive system, your Mesa gynecologist may still have experience in diagnosing and treating your pelvic pain. GI-related causes of pelvic pain may include hernia, kidney stones, colon cancer, intestinal obstruction, irritable bowel syndrome, and other conditions.

#2 Ovarian Cysts

Larger ovarian cysts are one of the more common causes of pelvic pain in the reproductive system. While many cysts are benign, they can cause pain and abnormal bleeding – especially around the time of menstruation. Learn more.

#3 Endometriosis

Endometriosis is one of the most common female reproductive system issues, affecting approximately one in 10 women of reproductive age. In women with endometriosis, cells of the endometrium (tissue lining the uterus) have grown outside the uterus. These cells then shed during menstruation just like the other normal cells within the uterine walls, causing moderate to severe pelvic pain in many women. Over time, endometriosis can cause scar tissue to develop, resulting in more intense pain that especially worsens around the time of menstruation. Your Mesa gynecologist can diagnose this condition.

#4 Infection

Lastly, it’s important not to rule out infection as a possible cause of pelvic pain. If you’re sexually active, consider having STD/STI screening as part of your regular GYN appointment. Also, not all infection is sexually transmitted, so non-sexually active women may also be susceptible to pelvic pain caused by infection. Learn more about recommended screenings for women in your age group.

Schedule An Appointment With a Mesa Gynecologist for Pelvic Pain

In all cases of pelvic pain, going to see your gynecologist is an appropriate measure. To schedule an appointment with a board-certified gynecologist in Mesa or Tempe, call Arizona Associates for Women’s Health at 480-257-2700. You can also schedule your appointment online. You don’t have to live with the discomfort of pelvic pain. Schedule an appointment today.

Please consult with your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines.

Author: Manisha Purohit, M.D., FACOG

At Arizona Associates for Women’s Health, we’re here for women at every stage of life – from your teens to menopause. Preconception care – also referred to as “preconception counseling” – is a critical component of the healthcare spectrum. Learn more about our preconception counseling in Mesa and Tempe, AZ below.

Who needs preconception counseling?

Any couple that is planning on becoming pregnant may benefit from preconception counseling. While preconception counseling is certainly in no way “required,” many women find it valuable for the reasons discussed below. Learn more about female preconception counseling in Mesa and Tempe…

What is preconception counseling?

Preconception counseling is your opportunity to learn about:

• Health conditions you have that could affect your baby (such as obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure).
• Supplements that you can take before trying to conceive and/or during pregnancy.
• How to reduce the likelihood of your baby having a birth defect.
• How to plan for a healthy pregnancy (financially, from a health perspective, and practically – doctor’s appointments, time off from work, etc.).

How can I prepare for pregnancy?

Let your physician know that you’re thinking about trying to become pregnant. This may require scheduling an appointment with your primary care provider or an OB/GYN specialist. A physician may be able to identify potential issues during a physical exam and evaluation of your personal and family medical history that could affect your plans for becoming pregnant. If you do not have a health care provider and/or have been labeled a high-risk pregnancy, you can schedule an appointment with a gynecologist at Arizona Associates for Women’s Health. See below for details.

Schedule Preconception Counseling – Tempe & Mesa, AZ

If you’re thinking about becoming pregnant, you want to do everything you can to ensure a healthy pregnancy and baby. At Arizona Associates for Women’s Health, we work with each patient on a case-by-case basis, helping you achieve your personal health goals on your journey to becoming pregnant. Schedule a preconception counseling appointment in Mesa or Tempe, AZ by calling 480-257-2700. You can also schedule your appointment with a Mesa/Tempe preconception care specialist online.

Please consult with your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines.