Blog Archive

Picking a type of birth control is daunting, especially when you can choose from so many options. If you're looking for ease of use, longevity, and effectiveness, an intrauterine device (IUD) may be the best option — but choosing between copper and hormonal is challenging. At New England Women's Healthcare,...

A menstrual cycle is a monthly occurrence for women of childbearing age, and it disappears after menopause. Knowing your cycle length is crucial, whether you're trying to conceive or simply like to know when to expect your period. But does every woman have a 28-day cycle? The simple answer is...

Most women experience pelvic pain during their menstrual cycle, though it often subsides within a few days. But what if your pelvic pain persists and begins to interfere with your everyday activities? Chronic pelvic pain develops for many reasons, some not related to your reproductive organs. But one thing is...

After giving birth, the last thing on your mind is another baby — but it's entirely possible to get pregnant again before your first period after childbirth. If you're not ready for a surprise, birth control is a good consideration right after having your baby. However, not all methods of...

Vaginal bleeding isn't something you ever expect during pregnancy, but it does happen. Many women have some spotting during the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, and it typically isn't a cause for concern. However, spotting during pregnancy can also signal a problem, so you should never take it lightly. If...

Ultrasounds are essential to pregnancy, enabling your doctor to see how the baby is developing and any issues that arise during gestation. The 20-week ultrasound is especially exciting, because you can find out if you're having a boy or a girl. Although the anatomy scan brings a lot of emotions,...

A Pap smear is an essential aspect of every woman's health. It's a screening tool that detects cervical cell changes that could indicate cancer. Teens don't usually need a Pap test, but preparing your daughter for her first one is a good idea so she knows what to expect. Girls...

Thinking about pregnancy is exciting, and most women think conceiving will be easy – but that's not always the case. If you're living with endometriosis, the thought of pregnancy may be stressful because it's not always a smooth road. Just because the journey to fertility may be more challenging, however,...

Most women experience changes in their menstrual cycle throughout their lives, especially when it first starts and when perimenopause begins. However, you should never have to deal with heavy menstrual bleeding that disrupts your quality of life. Various conditions and medications may lead to heavy menstrual bleeding, but so can...

An intrauterine device (IUD) is an excellent option for long-term birth control. The device sits in your uterus and prevents pregnancy in multiple ways. There are several options for an IUD, and you should know everything about them before choosing one. Each type of IUD works well, but they may...

Fertility is the ability to get pregnant, and it’s different for every woman. Some women conceive in their first month of trying, while it takes years of cycle tracking for others. Many factors affect your ability to get pregnant, and your diet is a significant one. What you eat is...

A Pap smear is a diagnostic tool that OB/GYN specialists use to detect abnormal cells or cancer in a woman's cervix. It's one of the preventive screening tools you should have regularly. Many Pap smears come back normal, but some may come back unclear or abnormal, among other findings. Abnormal...

Every woman dreads the two weeks between ovulation and their period because of the bloating, cramping, and mood swings. The symptoms of PMS can last for several weeks and even spill into the days after your period begins. PMS affects up to 75% of women at some point in their...

Ovarian cysts are sacs that form on one or both of the ovaries. In most cases, they don't cause issues and disappear independently after a few menstrual cycles. Although ovarian cysts are common, very few cause symptoms or long-term problems. However, if one of these cysts ruptures, it can lead...

Most women dread menopause because of the years of hormone fluctuations and uncomfortable symptoms that accompany that period. In most cases, menopause doesn't start until around 50, but it can vary a few years either way. But what happens when menopause begins in your 30s? Unfortunately, some women enter this stage of...

With so many forms of birth control on the market, deciding which one suits your needs is hard. Some have hormones, while others are barrier methods to prevent sperm from reaching the egg. Whichever method you choose, knowing how to use it correctly is crucial for optimal pregnancy prevention. If...

Women get a menstrual period when a fertilized egg doesn't implant in the uterus and initiate a pregnancy. During a normal menstrual cycle, the uterus sheds its lining, causing vaginal bleeding for several days. Regular periods come every month and last for several days. However, women may experience irregular periods for...

Checking your breasts regularly and getting mammograms when necessary is an essential aspect of your health, but it's not the only thing you should worry about. The skin on your breasts often gets neglected, but because it’s very sensitive, it requires tender loving care. Taking care of your breasts is...

No one ever thinks they'll have trouble getting pregnant, but infertility is a real issue for many couples. While sometimes it's unavoidable due to medical problems, your lifestyle choices also affect your fertility. If you're experiencing fertility problems, the New England Women's Healthcare team can help. Our practice comprises eight specialized and board-certified OB/GYN doctors who...

You can typically tell when your period is about to start: menstrual cramps, bloating, and mood swings all take over your life. But when your cramps are so severe that they interfere with your everyday activities, it might be time to visit a specialist. If you're worried about menstrual cramps, the New England...

Uterine or pelvic pain can arise from many conditions, including uterine fibroids. Although these growths are usually benign, they can lead to uncomfortable symptoms like heavy menstrual periods and intolerable pain. New England Women's Healthcare offers a quick evaluation of your symptoms and personalized treatments when you have pelvic pain....

Pain in your pelvis can signify several conditions, including an ovarian cyst. These cysts are often harmless unless they lead to infection or ovarian torsion. Suppose you're experiencing pain in your pelvis and you’re unsure why; the New England Women's Healthcare team has the tools and experience to help you....

It's a call no woman ever wants to receive — your Pap smear came back abnormal, or you have abnormal cells growing in your cervix. If you receive this news, however, it’s no reason for panic. The loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) is a quick and effective treatment for removing abnormal cells...

Most women know their period is right around the corner when their usual uncomfortable symptoms pop up. You're not alone if you're used to headaches, bloating, and fatigue before your period. Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and its many unpleasant symptoms pose a real issue for many women who still get a...

If you’re sexually active, it’s crucial that you get a Pap smear and vaginal exam on a regular basis. Also called a Pap test, this preventive screening is used to find cancerous cells in your cervix. A normal Pap result is when you have zero abnormal cells in the collection....

During your reproductive years, it's not uncommon to have an ovarian cyst form on your ovaries. There are various types of ovarian cysts, most of which are harmless. You must know your type if you've been diagnosed with an ovarian cyst. Many are benign, but others are due to a disease process...

When it comes to birth control, there are a lot of different options for you to choose. However, an implantable IUD is one of the best options if you’re looking for safety and convenience. At New England Women’s Healthcare, our team helps you decide what type of birth control is the best option...

Menopause probably isn’t a time in your life that you eagerly anticipate. The decline in your estrogen often causes unbearable symptoms like hot flashes and mood swings. This stage can go on for years until you finally reach the postmenopausal stage. Hormone replacement therapy is a way to reduce the aggravating...

The days and weeks leading up to your period can be absolute torture, especially if you suffer from premenstrual syndrome (PMS).  This condition causes you to crave certain foods, have mood swings, and feel downright terrible. PMS may also cause you severe anxiety, which could be a sign of a more...

Pap smears are one of the best preventive and diagnostic tools used to screen for cervical cancer. Typically, you get a Pap smear, sometimes called a Pap test, at your yearly OB/GYN exam. While an abnormal Pap smear can be a scary result, it doesn’t always mean you have cancer. At New...

You have any number of contraception options, depending on what fits your lifestyle. Take a pill daily? Wear a patch and change it weekly? Use a male or female condom each time you have intercourse? When you’re looking for a way to prevent pregnancy that combines 99% effectiveness, lasts for...

You might dread the week before your period and the accompanying symptoms of feeling bloated and craving junk food. But is PMS a real thing? Actually, premenstrual syndrome is completely normal, and does lead to weight gain for a short time. At New England Women’s Healthcare, our team is ready to assist you...

When menopause strikes, your symptoms may seem to rule your life and last forever. You should know, then, that a number of effective treatments can knock your symptoms down and make your life a lot more comfortable. At New England Women’s Healthcare, our team specializes in a number of women’s...

Although you probably don’t look forward to your annual gynecologic exam, calling it important is an understatement. The health of your reproductive system may depend on it. And while Pap smears are just one of the tests used to evaluate the health of your cervix, the results could even save...

When you discover that you’re pregnant, a birthing plan might be the last thing on your mind. Amid thoughts of your early prenatal appointments, ultrasounds, and picking out a car seat, however, having a plan to give birth outranks them all. At New England Women’s Healthcare, our team is ready...

You have a lot of different options these days when you want to avoid getting pregnant. These options come in a number of forms, which can make it extremely difficult to choose. One of the simplest but most effective types of birth control is oral contraceptives. Our team at New...

You may remember the very first time you had sex; the awkwardness and a little bit of pain. However, once you’ve done it a few times, the pain subsides and you actually get to enjoy the experience.  Sometimes, though, for women, pain during intercourse just doesn’t seem to go away....

Heavy bleeding during your menstrual cycle may be normal for some people, but if it's not typical for you, something else may be going on when it starts to happen. While there are a number of causes of irregular or heavy bleeding, uterine fibroids are at the top of the...

As a woman, you have a higher risk for certain types of cancer, including breast cancer. Even if you go for your annual health exam, it’s important for you to be checking your breasts on a regular basis for irregularities. But do you know how to properly perform a breast...

Just about every woman has experienced the dreaded premenstrual syndrome before their cycle begins. Not only does it make you moody and tired, you probably also feel bloated, among other things.  While PMS is usually harmless, it’s sometimes more severe. In fact, it could be a sign of another condition...

As a woman, you’ve probably been dreading the end of your child-bearing years for many reasons. Menopause is usually foremost among women’s concerns. You’ve heard the horror stories of the unbearable symptoms that accompany this stage in womanhood. But there are things you can do to make your life much...

The teenage years are a particularly difficult time in your child’s life. Not only does puberty put them at an awkward stage in their life, they also face many health issues that only a teenager can understand. From sexually transmitted diseases to mental health disorders, the teenage years are tricky...

With breast cancer so prevalent, it’s all the more important to stay on top of your breast health. Detecting breast cancer early is the key to successful treatment. This is where mammography comes into play, along with routine breast self-exams. At New England Women’s Healthcare, our team has experts in...

If you were given the chance to prevent cancer, you would take it, wouldn’t you?  There are many preventive measures you can take, and a Pap smear is just one of the many screenings available to you. These tests help detect early signs of cervical cancer, so you get treatment...

Polycystic ovary syndrome can disrupt your life in a number of ways. Not only does it affect your menstrual cycles, but it also makes it hard for you to conceive a child — a scenario that can be devastating. So what can you do to manage your symptoms so you...

An estimated 65% of women between the ages of 15 and 49 used birth control, according to a recent year’s data, and women have numerous options available. Not only does birth control prevent pregnancy, but it’s also used for other reasons, such as hormone regulation.  With so many types out...

A woman’s body goes through many changes throughout her lifetime. One of the major changes you’ll go through in later life is menopause. Surely you’ve heard stories of hot flashes and mood swings, among other symptoms. But the one thing we all dread is weight gain, which could be a...

The period conversation has grown much louder in recent years (a change that was long overdue), but despite the increase in public awareness and knowledge, myths about menstrual cycles abound. Specifically, myths about premenstrual syndrome (PMS) seem like they’ll never be buried.  Take a moment as the expert OBGYNs at...

Noticing blood in the toilet or on your underwear during pregnancy can certainly cause a scare. However, it doesn’t always mean that something has gone wrong with your pregnancy.  The expert OB/GYNs at New England Women’s Healthcare in Woburn, Massachusetts, have helped many pregnant women navigate bleeding during pregnancy, and...

Getting an IUD is a big decision. To help you determine whether an IUD is right for you, our expert obstetricians and gynecologists at New England Women’s Healthcare put together this FAQ article on IUDs.  If you still have questions, or if you would like guidance on any other women’s...

Let’s talk about your breasts. Weird thing to say, right? Well, here at New England Women’s Healthcare, our experts are all about defying the taboo in order to get accurate, helpful information out there.  One particular passion point is breast health. The internet is chock-full of myths about breast health,...

As if periods weren’t bad enough when they arrive, the few days leading up to your period can be worse than the period itself.  It’s incredibly common for women to experience a range of unpleasant symptoms before they start menstruating each month, likely due to hormonal changes that happen in...

Burning, itching, and painful peeing: The symptoms of a urinary tract infection (UTI) are, put very simply, no fun. And that’s the nice way of saying it. Women tend to battle UTIs more than men, which seems unfair, right? According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, half...

“Summer” and “pregnancy” are two words that no woman hopes to simultaneously use — because “summer pregnancy” generally equates to hot, sweaty, and wildly uncomfortable. Ask any mom who’s made it through, and her answer is likely to include some groans and sighs.  However, don’t lose all hope: You can...

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, but that doesn’t mean you should wait until then to come in for your regularly scheduled breast exam. Breast cancer is the second-most common type of cancer in women today, falling just behind skin cancer — it’s so important to check up on your...

Pregnancy and childbirth are truly magical processes — even if morning sickness makes you want to tear your hair out. When your little bundle of joy enters the world, all of your pregnancy woes fly out of the window, and your focus is on your new baby.  To make sure...

Whether you have endometriosis or not, you may have heard that endometriosis causes infertility. While endometriosis doesn’t always cause infertility — and infertility is not always caused by endometriosis, even if a woman has it — this is sometimes the case.  The staff of experts at New England Women’s Healthcare...

Pap smears: No one loves them. It’s not fun to feel exposed, have a doctor insert tools into your vagina while your feet are stuck in stirrups. No, it’s no woman’s favorite part of life, yet the Pap smear is an essential test for maintaining a healthy reproductive system.  The...

The decision to start birth control is a big one. You should have the utmost confidence in your decision, and it should be guided by both facts and your personal preferences. To help you out, the expert obstetricians and gynecologists at New England Women’s Healthcare put together this guide to...

By scheduling your annual women’s health exam, you’re taking charge of your health. If your OB/GYN finds anything of concern, she or he can address it before it becomes a bigger problem. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.  Each stage in a...

If you are sexually active, it’s important that you know about sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and how to best protect yourself from getting them. There are many different STIs, but HPV is the most common one. Even though HPV is quite common, there is a lot of misinformation out there...

Menopause is a natural part of every woman's aging process. Unfortunately, all of the changes happening in your life and body can affect your mental health for the worse. You might need greater mental health support than usual during this time.  At New England Women's Healthcare, our experienced team offers...

Pap smears, also called Pap tests, are an important part of maintaining good health for women age 21 on or within 3 years of becoming sexually active. They’re quick, painless, and a valuable way to detect and treat any problems early on.  If your pap smear came back with abnormal...

Endometriosis is a progressive disease without a cure. It can cause unyielding and debilitating pain, as well as severe inflammation. To live with endometriosis, it’s important to focus on symptom management and pain relief.  At New England Women’s Healthcare, our dedicated team of providers will work closely with you to...

While pregnancy can be one of the happiest and most exciting times of your life, it's important to remember that all pregnancies come with risks for you and your unborn baby. For example, carrying twins, triplets, or more, can put you in the high-risk category. Being classified as high-risk doesn't...

There are many things to consider before choosing a form of permanent birth control. Currently, there are two methods of permanent contraception: Female sterilization and male sterilization. Female sterilization is often referred to as tubal ligation. Male sterilization is simply known as a vasectomy. As the name suggests, permanent birth...

So you’ve decided to begin or grow your family, and you and your partner are becoming concerned and a little impatient with the amount of time it’s taking to conceive. For about half of the couples who are trying, pregnancy occurs within six months. But for some, it can take...

We at New England Women’s Healthcare understand that menopause is a huge milestone in the lives of many women. This time in your life indicates the end of your childbearing years. At this point, your body will stop menstruating, and you will no longer release eggs. The age it begins...

You’re diligent about the more mundane appointments in your life, from your oil changes to your children’s piano lessons. You should be equally as mindful about your regular breast exams, especially if you consider that 1 in 8 women in the United States will develop breast cancer. We know that...

HPV, or the human papillomavirus, is a very common virus in the adult population. Experts say about 80% of adults who are sexually active will contract it at some time during their lives. There are about 100 types of HPV; some are introduced through sexual contact. HPV and cervical cancer...