In This Issue
Painful Sex After Menopause
Ways to Reduce Gestational Diabetes
10 Tips for a Thinner Thanksgiving
7 Fixes for Your Worst Period Problems
5 Flu Shot Myths Debunked
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 Locations and Hospital Affiliation

 

We have 3 office locations to accommodate our patients in the Mercer and Bucks County areas:

 

123 Franklin Corner Rd.

Suite 214

Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

Phone: 609-896-1400 

Click for directions    

 

1401 Whitehorse-Mercerville Road

Suite 216

Hamilton, NJ 08619

Phone: 609-890-2412 

Click for directions    

 

909 Floral Vale Boulevard

Yardley, PA 19067

Phone: 215-504-9090 

Click for directions 

  

Our physicians and midwives deliver at

 Capital Health System's Hopewell Campus 

in Pennington, NJ

Painful Sex After Menopausemenopause
Once menopause is on the horizon, declining estrogen levels and changes in vaginal bacteria can make you more sensitive down there. But painful sex isn't something to endure. Arm yourself with information and talk to your doctor. These three questions are a good way to begin the conversation.

"Could pH be the problem?"
For perimenopausal women in particular, anything from hormonal changes to using vaginal wipes can throw off the vagina's balance of good and bad bacteria, says Alyssa Dweck, M.D., an ob-gyn at Mount Kisco Medical Group in New York and a certified sex therapist. Getting back to a normal pH might involve taking an oral probiotic (like Pro-B) or applying RepHresh gel.

"Is estrogen worth trying?"
Let lubes and moisturizers be your first line of defense. Next, your doctor might recommend local estrogen therapy, which is administered as a vaginal tablet, ring or topical cream or gel. "But it's not a good choice for a woman who's had breast cancer, uterine cancer or undiagnosed abnormal vaginal bleeding," says Dr. Dweck.

"Are there any new treatments?"
Osphena is the first oral, non-estrogen option for this issue and was approved by the FDA last year. "It's a great product to have as a choice," says Dr. Dweck, who is also co-author of V Is for Vagina. "Some patients, however, are turned off by common side effects - like hot flashes and muscle cramps."

Source: Family Circle 

What is Gestational Diabetes?
Gestational diabetes (GDM), or diabetes during pregnancy, is when women have diabetes during pregnancy. They've never had diabetes before, and it goes away after pregnancy. But, unfortunately, that's not the end of the story.

Once you've had GDM your chances are 2 in 3 that it will return in future pregnancies. And women who have had GDM are more than 7 times as likely to develop type 2 diabetes as women who didn't have diabetes in pregnancy.

There are many other health conditions that raise your risk, including :
  • Overweight
  • High blood glucose
  • Unhealthy cholesterol
  • High blood pressure
  • Smoking
  • Not getting enough physical activity
  • Unhealthy eating
 
How Can You Lower Your Risk?

Lose weight. Are you more than 20% over your ideal body weight? Losing even a few pounds can help you prevent type 2 diabetes.

Make healthy food choices. Follow simple daily guidelines, like eating enough fresh vegetables and fruits, and whole grains. Limit fat to 30% or less of your daily calories, and watch your portion sizes. Healthy eating habits can go a long way in preventing diabetes and other health problems.

Stay active. Regular exercise can help prevent type 2 diabetes. Plus it can help you lose weight, manage stress, and feel better. Learn more about physical activity.

 

Breastfeed. If you can, breastfeed your baby. Breastfeeding can provide both short- and long-term benefits to both your baby and to you.

 

Talk to your doctor. Be sure to tell your health care providers that you've had GDM.

 

Get tested. If you had GDM, you should be tested for diabetes 6-12 weeks after you give birth and at least every 3 years after that.

Learn more about gestational diabetes and how it affects you and your baby.

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November 2015 

  
Give thanks for good health!

 
  
We're officially into November and Thanksgiving is just around the corner! While it is a wonderful way to kick-off the holiday season, it's also a time that we start letting our health take a back seat to whatever else is going on in our lives.

Let's face it...this time of year can be a dieters worst nightmare. Turkey, stuffing and pies, oh my!  You'll want to read 10 Tips for a Thinner Thanksgiving.

November makrs "American Diabetes Month" and for pregnant women who have gestational diabetes, it can prove especially challenging since Thanksgiving in centered around food.  If you have gestational diabetes, the key to lowering gestational diabetes risks and complications is keeping your blood sugar levels in control. Read Ways to Lower Your Risk of Gestational Diabetes so you can best protect you and your baby's health.

Pain that occurs before, during or after sex is a common problem for many women following menopause. Most often, the cause is vaginal atrophy, but there are other causes, too. The pain can range from mild to excruciating. Making matters worse is the fact that many women are too embarrassed to bring up this issue with their doctor. To help you get started, Painful Sex After Menopause answers the 3 most common questions about this common problem.

Acne, mood swings and fatigue are just some of the symptoms women face before and/or during their period. Some women have problems a few days to two weeks before their periods. The problems differ between women, from mild bloating to severe cramps. If you know what is going on with your body, you can better understand the changes. Here are 7 Fixes for Your Worst Period Problems so you can feel better during the upcoming holiday season and beyond.

With November signaling the beginning of flu season, you may be wondering if you should have your flu shot.  The brief time it takes to get a shot could save you from days of lying in bed at home with a fever and causing you to miss out on all the festivities.   Did you know that it's impossible to get the flu -- and spread the flu - from the injection? Still not convinced? You will be after you read 5 Flu Shot Myths Debunked. 

With Thanksgiving fast approaching, we thought it would be a perfect opportunity to thank all of our patients and their families. It is an honor and a privilege to be able to do what we love for such exceptional women like you. 

Wishing you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving!

With warm regards,
 
The Practitioners and Staff of Lawrence OB/GYN  
10 Tips for a Thinner Thanksgivingthanksgiving
Enjoy the holiday feast without the guilt -- or the weight gain.

thanksgiving-dinner.jpg Thanksgiving only comes around once a year, so why not go ahead and splurge? Because gaining weight during the holiday season is a national pastime. Year after year, most of us pack on at least a pound (some gain more) during the holidays -- and keep the extra weight permanently.
But Thanksgiving does not have to sabotage your weight. With a little know-how, you can satisfy your desire for traditional favorites and still enjoy a guilt-free Thanksgiving feast. After all, being stuffed is a good idea only if you are a turkey!

Get Active
Create a calorie deficit by exercising to burn off extra calories before you ever indulge in your favorite foods. 'Eat less and exercise more' is the winning formula to prevent weight gain during the holidays. Increase your steps or lengthen your fitness routine the weeks ahead and especially the day of the feast.

Eat Breakfast
While you might think it makes sense to save up calories for the big meal, experts say eating a small meal in the morning can give you more control over your appetite. Start your day with a small but satisfying breakfast -- such as an egg with a slice of whole-wheat toast, or a bowl of whole-grain cereal with low-fat milk -- so you won't be starving when you arrive at the gathering.

Police Your Portions
Thanksgiving tables are bountiful and beautiful displays of traditional family favorites. Before you fill your plate, survey the buffet table and decide what you're going to choose. Then select reasonable-sized portions of foods you cannot live without.

Don't waste your calories on foods that you can have all year long. Fill your plate with small portions of holiday favorites that only come around once a year so you can enjoy desirable, traditional foods.

Skip the Seconds
Try to resist the temptation to go back for second helpings. Leftovers are much better the next day, and if you limit yourself to one plate, you are less likely to overeat and have more room for a delectable dessert.

Choose the Best Bets on the Buffet
While each of us has our own favorites, keep in mind that some holiday foods are better choices than others. White turkey meat, plain vegetables, roasted sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, defatted gravy, and pumpkin pie tend to be the best bets because they are lower in fat and calories. But she adds that, "if you keep your portions small, you can enjoy whatever you like.

Slowly Savor
Eating slowly, putting your fork down between bites, and tasting each mouthful is one of the easiest ways to enjoy your meal and feel satisfied with one plate full of food, experts say. Choosing whole grains, fruits, vegetables, broth-based soups, salads, and other foods with lots of water and fiber add to the feeling of fullness.

Go Easy on Alcohol
Don't forget those alcohol calories that can add up quickly. Have a glass of wine or a wine spritzer and between alcoholic drinks, (or) enjoy sparkling water. This way you stay hydrated, limit alcohol calories, and stay sober.

Be Realistic
The holiday season is a time for celebration. With busy schedules and so many extra temptations, this is a good time to strive for weight maintenance instead of weight loss. Shift from a mindset of weight loss to weight maintenance. You will be ahead of the game if you can avoid gaining any weight over the holidays.

Focus on Family and Friends
Thanksgiving is not just about the delicious bounty of food. It's a time to celebrate relationships with family and friends. The main event should be family and friends socializing, spending quality time together, not just what is on the buffet.

Source: WebMD
7 Fixes for Your Worst Period Problemsperiod 
You've got period issues - and we've got the answers.

Acne : High progesterone levels before your period rev up oil-gland production. Then testosterone (a source of skin trouble) stays steady as the hormones that usually balance out T drop. You're left defenseless and zitty, says dermatologist Monica Schadlow, M.D.
 
What to do: Use a gentle cleanser, like Cetaphil or Cerave, and don't go nuts with the harsh scrubs, toners, or wipes - you want to get rid of bad oils but keep good ones. BC pills with drospirenone (Yasmin, Yaz) are FDA-approved to treat moderate acne. Prescription topical meds can also help.

Lower-Back Pain : This may actually be cramps in disguise: Since some uteruses tilt toward the back, that could be where you're feeling it.

What to do: Go old-school: Heating pads really can help, whether your front or back is hurting. An NIH study also showed that weekly sessions of yoga or stretching helped lessen back pain.

Weight Gain : If you're gaining weight a few days before your flow starts, it's probably water retention. The likely culprit: yep, hormones.

What to do: Caffeinated drinks can be a natural diuretic. And hit a cycling or hot-yoga class - not only will you sweat away some water weight, but exercise helps with PMS in general.

Fatigue : It's super common and you may feel wiped out by a decline in hormone levels just before a period starts.

What to do: Give in to that sleepiness at night, aiming for seven to eight hours. When you wake up, even though you might be dragging, do about 30 minutes of moderate cardio (walking works). It will give you an energy boost - plus some bonus endorphins - afterward.

Headaches and Migraines : The drop in estrogen may affect the activity of key neurotransmitters, thus leading to painful headaches.

What to do: Start popping NSAIDs two days before your period headache usually hits. Magnesium oxide, an OTC supplement, may help prevent migraines, says Peterlin. If your pain is no joke, ask your doctor about Rx options such as triptans.

Mood Swings : When your flow starts, there's a drop in estrogen, which plays a big role in mood regulation.

What to do: Hormonal birth control can be a winner here, or it could cause crankiness - if one method or brand fails you, try another. Snack on produce and protein to avoid blood sugar fluctuations that exacerbate moodiness.

Cravings : Pre-period, the stress hormone cortisol spikes and the calm-inducing hormone serotonin dips - a one-two punch that leaves you wanting sugary, carby, fatty, and salty comfort food.

What to do: Meet cravings halfway. Instead of fries, have baked sweet potato wedges (the vitamin C is good for skin, and potassium curbs water retention). If you want Chinese, pair lean protein with broccoli and brown rice (fiber keeps you regular) sans sauce (sodium makes you bloat more).

5 Flu Shot Myths Debunkedflu
It's a fact that when the holidays roll around, people's immune systems often become compromised, bringing an increase in cases of severe colds and flu. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that seasonal flu shots prevented 5 million cases of influenza last year and helped keep 40,000 people out of the hospital in 2014. Still, more than half of the population of the United States avoids getting an influenza vaccine each year, usually because they're afraid that the flu shot itself will give them the flu.

It's one of the biggest myths out there. The confusion may come from the fact that some of the vaccine's side effects-low-grade fever, body aches, and soreness at the injection site-feel like flu-like symptoms. But, "the soreness is often caused by a person's immune system making protective antibodies to the killed viruses in the vaccine," the CDC says on its website. Simply put, you cannot get the flu from a flu shot.
Here are a few other flu-shot related myths:

Myth #1: Seasonal flu is annoying but harmless-it feels like a bad cold, that's all.
Truth: While both are respiratory illnesses, there are several key differences between the flu and a bad cold. If you have a sore throat and a runny or stuffy nose, it's likely that you have a common cold, not the flu. According to the CDC, Fever, headaches, body aches, extreme fatigue, severe congestion, and a dry cough are signs of influenza; the flu can also lead to pneumonia and bacterial infections. Also, while a cold may last a few days, the flu can leave you feeling miserable for weeks.

Myth #2: You don't need the flu shot every year.
Truth: Dominant flu strains change, so researchers must reformulate the seasonal flu shot every year-which means that last year's shot may not protect you from this year's most-prevalent virus.

Myth #3: If you've already had the flu, you don't need a flu shot.
Truth: In any flu season, there's usually both Type A and Type B influenza in circulation. Just because you've caught one type of the virus doesn't mean you're immune from the other. Getting the flu shot could stop you from suffering through a second round.

Myth #4: If you make it to November without catching the flu, then you don't need the vaccine.
Truth: Flu season usually peaks in February, and flu vaccines are often still available in December and January. There's still time to minimize your chances of getting the flu this season.

Myth #5: The flu shot gives you complete protection right away.
Truth: It takes up to two weeks for your body to gain protection after being vaccinated so, if you're exposed to the virus shortly before getting vaccinated or while you're waiting for your immune system to ramp up, or if you encounter another strain of the virus after you've had your shot, you can still end up with the flu.

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