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Author: Manisha Purohit, M.D., FACOG

A first trip to the gynecologist isn’t exactly something your teenage daughter is looking forward to. But for some teens, seeing a gynecologist is something that should happen sooner rather than later. At Arizona Associates for Women’s Health, we see patients as young as 13, the youngest age at which the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends a first exam.

When should I schedule a gynecologist appointment for my teen?

While the ACOG recommends age 13-15 for a first appointment, the decision is entirely up to the parents and patient. Teens who are not sexually active and are experiencing no GYN health issues may be fine waiting until age 18 for a first appointment. Visits are strongly recommended for all women who are sexually active. Annual visits should begin at age 21 with a pap smear.

If you’re not sure whether or not you should schedule a gynecologist appointment for your teen, talk to her primary care provider, or call our offices at 480-257-2700.

What will happen during my teen’s appointment?

Your teen’s first gynecological appointment (and the annual appointments that will follow) has three objectives. First, we want to provide information. Some girls may have questions that they are afraid to ask mom, but will open up to a gynecologist who puts them at ease. Secondly, the appointment is a chance to learn about prevention. We’ll go over some basics about avoiding pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, infection, and dealing with other health and social issues. Lastly, treatment (or a plan for treatment) will be included in this appointment.

The actual examination process for teens that are not sexually active (and have no known GYN conditions) is almost always external only; there is very rarely a need for an internal examination, which should put your teen at ease! A full pelvic exam may be required if reproductive health issues are discovered. 

Schedule An Appointment With a Gynecologist In Mesa

For more information on choosing a gynecologist for your teen, view this page. To schedule a gynecologist appointment for your teen, call 480-257-2700. You can also schedule your teen’s 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

Infertility treatment options in Mesa, Tempe, and beyond can vary greatly. The cause of your infertility and the length to which you’re willing to go to become pregnant could affect the options that are available to you. To have someone from Arizona Associates for Women’s Health contact you about fertility care, take this brief five-question fertility questionnaire. Learn more about infertility treatments below.

3 Infertility Treatment Options

1. Fertility drugs are a first-line therapy in many cases of infertility – for both men and women. For women, fertility drugs may be used to regulate ovulation. Having a regular cycle with successful ovulation can sometimes improve a couple’s chances of conception. Even with drugs, you still may have to wait several months to see results.
2. Intrauterine insemination is another infertility treatment option. During this in-office procedure, healthy sperm are inserted directly into the uterus near or during the time of ovulation. When combined with fertility drugs, intrauterine insemination can sometimes help achieve pregnancy. Still, this therapy doesn’t work for all couples.
3. Surgery is sometimes necessary if you have fibroids, cysts, endometriosis, or another condition that’s interfering with conception. Women seeking infertility treatment in Mesa or Tempe – who also have one of these conditions – may be candidates for da Vinci® cyst/fibroid removal. da Vinci is a minimally invasive, robot-assisted surgical tool; procedures are almost always done on an outpatient basis. As with any gynecologic surgical procedure, there is always a risk that surgery could make pregnancy impossible later on.

There’s no single fertility treatment that serves as a one-size-fits-all therapy. At Arizona Associates for Women’s Health, we work to help you achieve your goals, recognizing that each woman and couple has a unique circumstance. Not sure when’s the right time to see a fertility specialist? Read this post.

Schedule Your Fertility Care Appointment

To learn more about fertility and infertility treatment in Tempe and Mesa, call 480-257-2700. Why wait to start growing the family you’ve dreamed of having? Schedule an appointment with a fertility specialist in Mesa or Tempe today.
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

If you’re like many women who have struggled with fertility issues, preparing for that first appointment with your fertility specialist can cause a range of emotions, from giddy excitement to nervous anxiety. Making the decision to seek out infertility treatment in Mesa or Tempe is a great first step in addressing potential medical issues and growing the family you dream of having! So, how can you best prepare for the journey ahead?

How to Prepare for Starting Infertility Treatment

MIND: Surround yourself with a support group. Fertility care can be a highly emotional experience for many couples. Between fluctuating hormone levels and high expectations, the process can take a lot of energy – both physical and emotional. Some couples choose to let their close friends and family know about the decision they’ve made to pursue fertility care here in Tempe or Mesa. If you have a close-knit support group, you might consider doing the same.

BODY: Take your health seriously. I encourage all of my patients who want to become pregnant – whether they’re dealing with fertility problems or not – to take their health seriously. If you want to become pregnant, start modifying your diet, exercise, and behavior habits accordingly. That means reducing or eliminating caffeine and alcohol, quitting smoking (if you smoke), exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet (you may consider taking folic acid), and seeing your physician for regular wellness exams. For the healthiest pregnancy, be sure you’re current on your immunizations and that any chronic health conditions you have are under control and receiving the necessary medical attention.

Take a Brief 5-Question Fertility Questionnaire

To learn more about fertility and your infertility treatment options in Mesa and Tempe, AZ, take this brief five-question fertility questionnaire. A staff member at Arizona Associates for Women’s Health will contact you. Call 480-257-2700 to schedule an appointment.

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

Jill Bish, RN, is quoted in Arizona’s Safe Baby Havens story
Source: Living Well – August 6, 2014

Safety for newborns; relief for their moms — with no questions asked.

Since 2001, 26 Arizona infants have not been tossed into garbage dump- sters or abandoned in squalid alleys.

Read More

Author: Stephen David Frausto, M.D., FACOG

As kinks in the new healthcare laws are currently being worked out, many families are curious to know how the Affordable Care Act affects pregnant women. In the most basic terms, the new healthcare laws (often referred to as “Obamacare”) are designed to remove barriers to healthcare and increase pregnant women’s rights and protections. A few benefits of the new healthcare laws include:

• Your benefit summaries must be presented in an easy-to-understand, readable format.
• Basic paperwork mistakes can no longer be used as grounds for dropping coverage.
• Coverage for patients with preexisting conditions must be made available.
• You have access to consumer assistance services.
• Rate hikes of 10 percent or more must be reviewed by outside, third-party evaluators.
• You have options in choosing your physician.
• You can see an OB-GYN without your primary physician’s referral.

The list goes on, but the short of it is that the Affordable Care Act is designed to make healthcare more convenient and more affordable for all patients, including pregnant women. (Learn more.)

Pregnancy-Specific Benefits of the New Healthcare Laws

The main benefits are as follows:

• Prenatal care visits are covered.
• An initial iron deficiency/anemia screening is covered.
• Initial screenings for a variety of infections, ranging from STDs to UTIs are covered.
• Gestational diabetes screenings are covered.
• Folic acid supplements are provided.
• Rh incompatibility screenings are covered.
• Breastfeeding education, as well as supplies and counseling, is available.
• Alcohol and tobacco counseling is now available.
• Birth control is available for after the birth of your baby.

These are just a few of the helpful ways in which the Affordable Care Act affects pregnant women. Details of these benefits may vary slightly, depending on your health insurance provider. For complete information about how the Affordable Care Act affects pregnant women in 2014, talk to your insurance provider.

For appointments at Arizona Associates for Women’s Health, call 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.

During one of my usual Facebook checks while waiting to pick up whoever from whichever activity, I came across a very scary post! In fact, a friend had linked to an article that said the lead vaccine developer for the human papillomavirus (HPV) came out saying that not only is the vaccine not necessary (so few cases result in cancer), but these types of vaccines have also taken the lives of 44 young girls. Naturally, Breezy Mama had to turn to an expert to get the facts! Dr. Stephen Frausto, a physician on the medical staff at Mountain Vista Medical Center and in practice with Arizona Associates for Women’s Health, answered our questions on whether the HPV vaccine — that has been heavily marketed to girls starting at age 9 — is even necessary.
Please consult with your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines.
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