by Lauren Crigler | Oct 14, 2026 | Blog
TL;DR: Braxton Hicks contractions are irregular, usually painless tightenings of the uterus that can start as early as the second trimester and become more noticeable in the third. They don’t open the cervix or lead to delivery. Unlike true labor contractions,...
by Lauren Crigler | Oct 6, 2026 | Blog
TL;DR: A LEEP procedure (loop electrosurgical excision procedure) is a quick, in-office treatment that removes abnormal cells from the cervix using a thin wire loop with a low electrical current. It’s most often recommended after a Pap smear or colposcopy finds...
by Lauren Crigler | Sep 28, 2026 | Blog
TL;DR: A late period can happen for many reasons — stress, changes in weight or exercise, hormonal imbalances like PCOS or thyroid issues, certain medications, perimenopause, or pregnancy. An occasional late period usually isn’t a cause for concern, but if your...
by Lauren Crigler | Sep 21, 2026 | Blog
TL;DR: Dense breast tissue means your breasts have more fibrous and glandular tissue relative to fatty tissue — a normal, common finding seen in nearly half of women who get mammograms. It can make mammograms harder to read and is linked to a modestly higher breast...
by Lauren Crigler | Sep 14, 2026 | Blog
TL;DR: The birth control patch is a thin, adhesive patch worn on the skin that releases estrogen and progestin to prevent pregnancy. It’s applied once a week for three weeks, followed by a patch-free week, and is more than 90% effective with typical use. It...
by Lauren Crigler | Sep 7, 2026 | Blog
TL;DR: Morning sickness — nausea and sometimes vomiting during early pregnancy — affects most expecting mothers, and despite the name, it can strike any time of day. Simple remedies like eating small, frequent meals, staying hydrated, trying ginger, and adjusting your...
by Lauren Crigler | Aug 31, 2026 | Blog
TL;DR: A missed period with a negative pregnancy test is more common than you might think. The most likely explanations include testing too early, stress, significant weight changes, thyroid dysfunction, PCOS, excessive exercise, or perimenopause. In most cases, your...
by Lauren Crigler | Aug 23, 2026 | Blog
TL;DR: Breast pain before your period — called cyclical mastalgia — is one of the most common premenstrual symptoms and is usually caused by normal hormonal fluctuations. It typically appears in the week or two before your period and goes away once bleeding begins....
by Lauren Crigler | Aug 15, 2026 | Blog
TL;DR: Uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths that develop in or on the uterus. They’re extremely common — affecting up to 80% of women by age 50 — yet many women don’t realize they have them. Key symptoms include heavy or prolonged periods, pelvic pain...
by Lauren Crigler | Aug 7, 2026 | Blog
TL;DR: Tracking ovulation helps you understand your cycle, time conception, and spot hormonal imbalances early. The most reliable methods include basal body temperature (BBT) charting, ovulation predictor kits (OPKs), cervical mucus monitoring, cycle tracking apps,...
