What is the difference between perimenopause and menopause? And how do I know which phase I am in? Perimenopause and menopause are two stages of a woman's reproductive life that can be confusing but have significant differences.
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When we are trying to determine what may be causing fertility challenges, one of the key tests that we recommend is a fertility ultrasound. This ultrasound is very similar to a pelvic ultrasound but is done by an ultrasonographer with experience and training in the evaluation of infertility.
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So much of what we do in the field of fertility is interconnected. I often see patients who have been trying to get pregnant for months (or years) and are seeking answers as to why it hasn’t happened! I also see patients who have gone through the painful experience of miscarriage (sometimes multiple). Starting a fertility evaluation early can help identify what challenges may be causing the difficulty in conceiving.
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Every day we see patients in our clinic who have experienced loss in the form of a miscarriage. Miscarriage is more common than most people realize. It can occur in as many as one in four women in their lifetime. Evaluation of a couple having miscarriages focuses on anatomic, genetic, immune, and hormonal issues that can be detected in a couple. However, before testing, I warn patients that most often the tests come back normal. Hearing that we will most likely not find a reason for the miscarriage/s can be frustrating for a couple.
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Whether you had a vaginal delivery or a surgical birth, your body has been through a lot and will need time to heal. You will want to take time before you're in the thick of it, to think about how you will make time to rest, recover, and more importantly what kind of help you would like to receive in those early days.
I could talk forever on the importance of preparing your family unit and support system for your postpartum period, but the following are strictly for YOU, mama!
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What’s clear is that even though we think we may know, most women do not have a good understanding of menopause. With the appropriate knowledge on this very important women’s health issue, and by being in the know, you can help yourself through the process, and have a better menopause to live your fullest life. Join Dr. Michelle Choi and Nurture Women’s Health & Fertility Founder Dana Ramsey, CNM, MSN, for a fascinating conversation on menopause.
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As a private practice we pride ourselves on being able to deliver expert level, compassionate care at a cost patients can afford. However, we understand that sometimes any amount of out-of-pocket cost can add financial stress. Your health is worth investing in! One of the ways we are able to help alleviate the financial burden of a cash pay practice is accepting HSA and FSA. An HSA or Health Savings Account or an FSA (Flexible Spending Account) are tax advantage accounts that are tax free!
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Dana Ramsey Finds Fertile Ground in Santa Cruz by Suki Wessling | When she opened her new business two-and-a-half months before Covid-19 hit Santa Cruz, Dana Ramsey remembers feeling her stress level dive. “It was life-changing to go from practicing full-scope midwifery for the past 15 years to a much slower-paced, patient-focused practice,” Dana remembers.
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Stress . . . a word we all use on the daily to describe strain or pressure that quite literally is a series of physiologic responses called the stress response. Any number of triggers can threaten your sense of security or safety: work, family, finances, caretaking, etc. The stress response is a beautiful thing, that in all honesty we cannot live without. The problem is when there is TOO MUCH or a CONSTANT state of stress our body starts to suffer.
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Here are the top five signs to tell if you’re ovulating. Our bodies are amazing! What must happen in a single cycle to produce an egg and then combine with sperm and go through chromosomal separation and cell division is magical.
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Peri-menopause, pre-menopause, menopause, post-menopause. So many words! The transition through all these stages is very different for every woman. Types of symptoms and severity can vary wildly. I would say the majority of women experience mild to moderate symptoms that benefit from support and guidance along the way.
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