Image courtesy of Mary Lopera
Growing up, I always dreamt of the perfect fairytale story where I would meet my prince charming, live in a big castle and raise a house full of children. The first part of my fairytale came true in 1998 when I met my then boyfriend, Alex, and married him seven years later. Alex and I met in our early 20s, so having children wasn’t initially a priority for us. We enjoyed traveling and living our lives, but my heart and mind started longing for children as we hit our 30s.
I started taking birth control at the age of 19, and stopped at 32 when we decided to start trying to conceive. We let things happen...
What is PCOS?
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) is a spectrum of clinical disorders that currently affects up to 8% of reproductive-age females. The condition is associated with increased androgen production from the ovaries and insulin resistance. PCOS can present with a variety of symptoms, but is primarily characterized by ovulatory dysfunction and hyperandrogenism.
What are the signs and symptoms?
When a patient presents with irregular menstrual periods with (or without) signs of acne, obesity and/or hirsutism, clinicians will consider a workup to evaluate for PCOS. Hirsutism is a condition of unwanted, male-...
Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC) are methods of birth control that prevent pregnancy in users for an extended amount of time without requiring any action following their placement. For LARC methods, there are two classes to consider: hormonal and copper intrauterine devices (IUDs) and subdermal contraceptive implants, sold under the brand name Nexplanon, among others.
Currently, several hormonal IUDs are available in the United States, including brand names like Mirena, Kyleena, Liletta and Skyla. These IUDs are placed in the uterus and can last for up to five years. The non-hormonal IUDs with copper, commonly sold under the brand name ParaGard, are also...
Endometriosis is a common disorder in which tissue that normally lines the uterus starts growing outside of the uterus. This tissue can be found on the ovaries, fallopian tubes or even in the intestines. If you or a loved one suspects a diagnosis for endometriosis, your OB/GYN can answer many of your common questions.
I recently chatted with HelloGiggles about these questions, prompting me to share my responses with some additional information for parents and caregivers below.
What are the common symptoms associated with endometriosis?
Pelvic pain is the...
Playful giggles and smiling faces were the sights and sounds these parents never expected to experience. The kids playing and laughing together was refreshing to watch, as these children had been spending quite a bit of time in a hospital bed at one moment or another. In early December, families who connected through Texas Children’s Hospital’s inpatient Heart Center floors and Texas Children’s Fetal Center planned a Christmas party to celebrate not only the holiday, but being out of the hospital together on that special day.
Our families share a special bond. Each of us has a child with a congenital heart defect (CHD) who has been treated at the no. 1 hospital in...
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