Picture this: You’re in your car, when suddenly you putter to a stop — your tank is empty, and you're miles from the next gas station. That’s what happens to your body during menopause, but the”fuel” is hormones. Fortunately, you don’t have to go far to fill up. You can...
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many U.S. physicians have started offering telemedicine services. Specifically, telemedicine for contraceptive counseling services during the pandemic was a positive experience for both physicians and their patients. Our routines as physicians have drastically changed. A recent study showed that physicians referred less than 25%...
COVID-19 and Pregnancy 3 Steps to Stay Safe 1. Know the facts • COVID-19 can spread between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). • Some people with COVID-19 may have no symptoms. • Current reports suggest that pregnant women have a...
If you’re nearing or entering menopause and not feeling your best emotionally, there’s likely a link. This significant change in your life not only affects your fertility; it can impact your mental health as well. But you’re not alone. As a trusted member of the Poplar Bluff community, Dr. Donald...
Ovarian cysts are way more common than you probably think. In fact, if you’re a premenopausal woman, you probably have at least one ovarian cyst right now. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, most women make at least one follicular or corpus luteum cyst every month...
When it comes to birth control, preventing a pregnancy is the simple part. Figuring out which birth control method is right for your situation and goals is a little trickier given the wide range of choices available to you. To help you make a more informed decision, we’re taking this...
When it comes to diagnosing the cause of your pelvic pain, the first question to answer is: Where is it located? The pelvic region encompasses the area between your belly button and your hips, and all the organs in between. Pelvic pain can affect your digestive, urinary, reproductive, or musculoskeletal...
Uterine fibroids, which are noncancerous smooth muscle growths in your uterus, can vary in size, from a grain of rice to an orange or even a melon. If your fibroids are large enough, they can press against your organs, add to your weight, and expand your uterus to the point...
Hormonal birth control is first and foremost designed to prevent pregnancy. But it actually has other benefits, too. The key is to determine which type is right for you. When you come to see us at Ozark OB/GYN in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, Donald Jones, MD, FACOG, will go through the...
Urinary incontinence is an embarrassing condition where you unintentionally lose urine, leaking unexpectedly at the most inopportune times. It occurs more often in women, and while there are different types of urinary incontinence, as well as different causes, pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause are potential contributing factors. Too many people ignore...
At some point in her life, almost every woman experiences irregular bleeding due to stress or side effects of medications. But if you have irregular bleeding that occurs for more than three months at a time, you may have an underlying condition that’s causing the issue. Regular periods are a...
Endometriosis is a common condition that affects many women across the United States. This condition causes a variety of symptoms and complications that impact your reproductive health significantly. Although endometriosis can affect your fertility, it is still possible to have a healthy pregnancy if you have endometriosis. What is endometriosis?...
Women have been undergoing hysterectomies — the surgical removal of the uterus — since the middle ages. And for much of that time, hysterectomies were performed without anesthesia. Fortunately for all of us, medical science and technology have come a long way since then. And in more recent history, hysterectomies...
Hormone therapy can effectively treat menopausal symptoms in women, but has a reputation for raising your risk of certain conditions, including blood clots and breast cancer. In many women, however, these small risks are nothing compared to the serious relief experienced from hormone therapy when it comes to symptoms such...
The world of birth control offers up a dizzying array of options, making finding the perfect solution for your unique situation not as easy as you’d think. To help you cut through the clutter, here’s a look at one birth control method that’s become an increasingly popular choice among women...
A heavy or irregular menstrual flow is common. About a third of all women of childbearing age seek treatment for it, but there are probably many more women who experience heavy periods and don’t seek treatment, thinking their flow is normal. An abnormally heavy period is not normal; nor is...