Blog What’s Actually Allowed During Pregnancy? 6 Myths and Truths February 9, 2022   Pregnancy & Postpartum As soon as you announce your pregnancy, be prepared to receive a wealth of information (and opinions) — from your obstetrician, your mom, your sister, neighbor, sister’s friend’s cousin, etc. ? You may be wondering, what’s true, and what isn’t? Let’s look at some common advice you might hear, and help you separate fact from fiction. You shouldn't travel while pregnant False. Generally, flying or taking long car trips before Week 36 of pregnancy is considered s ..read more

Blog The Key to a Healthy Vagina: What to Do, and What to Avoid January 25, 2022   Preventative Care, Sexual Health The vagina is a very complex and self-sufficient (and even self-cleaning—you’ll learn more below) organ. As independent as it is, it needs you to help maintain its right balance on a daily basis. Let’s dive in. Scents are a no-go Vaginas aren’t meant to smell like flowers (read our blog on how a vagina should smell). Scents of any kind should be avoided — this includes bubbles, bath oils, powders, and feminine sprays. Although cleaning the inside of your v ..read more

Blog Is It a ‘Bad Period’ or Is It Endometriosis? December 14, 2021   Menstruation & Menopause “That time of the month” can come with a whole host of challenges: mood swings, bloating, cramps — pass the heating pad! More than 50 percent of women who menstruate say they have some kind of pain at least one to two days each month. But women with endometriosis often find their period unbearably painful. An average period for them can take the form of completely debilitating cramps. It’s common for endometriosis to be mistaken for a “bad period” and go undiagnosed for a lon ..read more

Blog Hot Flashes: Why You Have Them and How to Deal October 29, 2021   Menstruation & Menopause Is it hot in here or is it just me? One day, you may surprise yourself and sincerely utter these cliché words out loud. A hot flash — the common symptom most synonymous with menopause — can catch you off guard the first time you experience it. A hot flash is a sudden feeling of heat that rushes to the upper body and face and may last from a few seconds to several minutes or longer (ACOG). But, why does this even happen? And more importantly, how can you deal with it? Why ..read more

Blog Hormonal Birth Control: Top FAQs October 12, 2021   Sexual Health In our series of posts on birth control, we’ve covered the common side effects of oral contraceptives, factors that affect their reliability, and an overall look at the various forms of birth control. Now, let’s dive into a few common questions that our providers often hear from patients about the oral pill. What happens when you stop taking the pill? Whether you’ve been taking birth control pills for one or ten years, the hormones disappear from your body very quickly once you stop taking them. From ..read more

Blog Companion & Mask Policy Update – September 2021 September 17, 2021   Practice News & Events To our Patients: Thank you for your ongoing patience and support while we continue to adjust our policies as state and federal guidelines dictate our requirements for COVID 19 precautions in a health care setting. It is our priority to provide a safe and comfortable office setting for our patients and staff amidst this transition. We are utilizing all resources to provide everyone with the level of compassion and care that you have become accustomed to at Garrison. Begin ..read more

Blog What to Do When Your Vagina Feels Like a Desert August 31, 2021   Menstruation & Menopause, Sexual Health Throughout the cycle of life, our bodies evolve, and our vaginas are no exception. Life events like having children, aging, and menopause, each bring their own changes — some more painful than others. You might find yourself feeling especially dry and more uncomfortable than seems reasonable. What gives? You might have genitourinary symptoms of menopause After a woman goes through a life event like menopause, for instance, she may encounter itching, decreas ..read more

Blog All Things Libido: Ways to Improve Your Sex Drive July 19, 2021   Sexual Health Libido, or a person’s desire to have sex, can fluctuate throughout one’s life. There can be a lot of factors that affect your desire for intimacy. Luckily, there are ways to improve your sex drive. But first, possible reasons for a lower sex drive Your libido can be impacted by both physical and psychological factors. Low testosterone, certain prescription medicines (like antidepressants or hormonal birth control), or the use of alcohol and drugs are among the many variables that affect ..read more

Blog A Note from Wentworth-Douglass Hospital July 12, 2021   Practice News & Events   To our Patients planning to deliver at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital: During this uncertain time, we understand you may be worried about your safety and want to reassure you that we are staying on top of this ever-evolving situation. Below is some information about what to expect during your delivery stay and how we are addressing COVID-19 concerns. Universal testing: All obstetric patients will be tested for COVID-19 upon admission or prior to their scheduled admission. If you are ..read more

Blog Companion & Mask Policy Update June 18, 2021   Practice News & Events To our Patients: Thank you for your ongoing patience and support while we continue to adjust our policies as state and federal guidelines dictate our requirements for COVID 19 precautions in a health care setting. It is our priority to provide a safe and comfortable office setting for our patients and staff amidst this transition. We are utilizing all resources to provide everyone with the level of compassion and care that you have become accustomed to at Garrison.   Companion Policy Beg ..read more