There is no simple answer to the question how much is too much weight to gain during pregnancy. One should qualify the question for YOU. That number entirely depends on each woman and her weight pre-pregnancy.
Continue reading “Weight Gain During Pregnancy: How Much Is Too Much?”
If you have ever tried to lose weight, you know how frustrating it can be when you fail. You do everything the experts recommend and still no luck. Trying to lose weight if you have PCOS, or polycystic ovary syndrome, is 10 times more challenging.
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a common hormone imbalance disorder, and females as young as 11 can develop this. Women with PCOS have higher levels of male hormones and many tend to be overweight or obese. Lots of women with PCOS have excess body hair, acne, irregular periods, and weight gain specifically in the abdomen. Instead of the traditional female pear shape, those with PCOS tend to have an apple shape.
In addition, and maybe most importantly, women with PCOS are less sensitive to insulin, which is often referred to as an “insulin resistance”. This imbalance of insulin typically leads to a build up of glucose in the bloodstream, which makes you more susceptible to several medical conditions like high blood pressure, infertility, type 2 diabetes, heart attack, and heart disease to name just a few.
This particular tip could work for everyone. The word “diet” has some bad karma attached to it. You’re on one and then you’re not. Some work, but then you regain the weight. This yo-yo dieting trend is not healthy, and can in fact increase your risk of heart attack and stroke.
Instead of searching for a quick fix, focus on choosing foods with anti-inflammatory properties like nuts, avocados, olive oil, fish, and green tea. Much like the Mediterranean style of eating, these calculated decisions about your food may reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s.
Eating smaller meals several times a day often works better for many ladies, not just those with PCOS. This method can also help you shed the pounds.
No carbs or low carbs? The answer is the right carbs, and those that contain whole grains.
Choose sweet potatoes, yams, corn, brown rice, quinoa, vegetables and fruits, beans, lentils, and peas. A balanced meal should always contain some portion of these healthy carbohydrates.
Most normal adults need from 7 – 9 hours of sleep per night. Women with PCOS should aim for this amount of rest at a minimum, or you likely will become overweight and can develop obstructive sleep apnea.
This sleeping condition causes you to stop breathing periodically at night. Scary, right? In addition, sleep apnea makes women with PCOS more susceptible to type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
Plan out a routine for going to bed with calm music, a darkened room, and cool temperatures.
Easier said than done, as we all know. It becomes a vicious circle as we make poor choices, get stressed, and then make more bad choices. Cortisol, a major stress hormone, is particularly prevalent in women with PCOS. The result of this added stress is that we store more fat, which usually ends up around the stomach.
Try some yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, or writing in a journal on a regular basis. Whatever you do, it is important to create a peaceful and stress-free environment, as women store less fat when relaxed and calm.
Women with PCOS should exercise at least a few times a week to help fight diabetes. Lifting weights is an especially good way to increase insulin sensitivity and decrease insulin resistance and weight.
If you continue to struggle with your weight, it is important to remember that you do not have to continue this journey alone. Polycystic ovary syndrome is a life-long condition, and even if you manage to control and maintain your weight for a while, it may not always be easy.
Contact an OBGYN specialist at Women’s Care today to explore your other options, or to discuss whether or not PCOS may be causing any abnormal symptoms you have begun to notice.
To schedule an appointment, please call (913) 384-4990 or request an appointment online today!
Both endometriosis and adenomyosis are progressive disorders of endometrial tissue which typically cause pain, but are treatable and non life threatening. Both make it harder to get pregnant, and unfortunately, some women can have both conditions.
Continue reading “Comparing Endometriosis and Adenomyosis: How Are They Different?”
There is a clear correlation between gallstones and pregnancy. If you are a woman, you are 2 – 3 times more likely to have gallstones than men.
Continue reading “How Gallstones Can Affect You and Your Pregnancy”
These days we hear about super foods for this and super foods for that. There is one group of super foods you shouldn’t ignore though, and those are designated for expectant moms.
Intrauterine devices, abbreviated as IUDs, have been around for years. However, they only recently became popular among women in the United States.
Wondering about the difference between the symptoms of a Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) and a Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is quite a common dilemma. There are some symptoms similar to both an STI and a UTI, so sometimes it may be difficult to to discern which type of infection your symptoms represent. What follows may help you to spot the difference quickly and take action.
Continue reading “STI vs. UTI: How Can I Tell the Difference?”
Chances are, you began receiving pap smears around the age of 21, and they have since become a routine part of your annual checkup for years. When you reach menopause, your body goes through several shifts and changes, but that doesn’t mean you should stop receiving important exams!
A pap smear is one of the most effective ways to detect abnormal, pre-cancerous tissue on the cervix. If left untreated, abnormal tissue can become cancerous quickly. Each year in the US, approximately 12,200 women will be diagnosed with cervical cancer and 4,210 will die from the disease. A pap smear can help detect the issue early so that it can be treated before it develops further.
The short and simple answer for most women is yes. For those over 50 who have just entered menopause, It is recommended that you receive a pap test once every three years. However, this is mostly if you have had normal pap smear results three years in a row and you have no history of a pre-cancerous pap smear result.
Women who have had a total hysterectomy for a non-cancerous condition, or those who are at the age of 70 and have had no abnormal pap tests in the past ten years, may no longer need to receive the exam. It is important for women to continue to receive routine pelvic exams, however.
Between your exams, or if you have stopped receiving your exam, it is still important to be aware of certain symptoms. Make an appointment with your doctor if you notice any of the following:
If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment, please call Women’s Care at (913) 384-4990 or fill out our secure appointment request form.
If you are pregnant, summertime is not your friend.
You already know how uncomfortable you feel even with the AC cranked up, and how quickly any kind of activity wears you out. You are familiar with the humidity and the hot temperatures, but be aware also that the heat of summer can result in many unhealthy effects for you and your baby.
