The holiday season is full of parties, shopping, family time, baking, cleaning and many joyous occasions. However, the holidays can also bring along unwanted stress that can affect your health and well-being. If you know that the holidays bring a lot of stress, plan ahead and use these tips to help you cope and feel your best!

Don’t Procrastinate

Perhaps the most important part to managing stress this holiday season is to get organized and plan ahead- this includes your budget, your menus, and your upcoming parties. By setting aside designated days for gift shopping, menu planning, and party prep well ahead of time, you’ll prevent any last-minute hiccups and save yourself the stress that often comes along with procrastination.

Maintain a Healthy Diet

While this time of year is usually one when diets fall to the wayside and we load up on sugar and carbs, managing your diet can help you stay in control to avoid holiday weight gain and guilt. Avoid overeating by using a smaller plate, and be sure to start filling it with fruits and vegetables before loading up on high-calorie entrees and desserts. Continuing to drink plenty of water and limiting your intake of sugary cocktails and wines will also help you look and feel your best.

Exercise Regularly

Though it can be hard to find any motivation for it this time of year, incorporating physical activity in some capacity into your daily routine during the holidays can help manage weight gain, stress levels, and even improve your overall mood. Some women may find that while meditation or yoga best helps them manage these aspects of their life, others might enjoy running or following a workout plan instead. Find out which form of exercise is easiest to incorporate into your lifestyle and makes you feel refreshed, then stick with it!

Seek Help

If the holidays still have you feeling sluggish and stressed, don’t be afraid to consult with your health care provider or mental health professional. Seeking help and learning how best to manage your health and stress this time of year will help you to prepare for and enjoy the upcoming festivities.

By understanding the sources of your holiday stress, be it budgeting for gifts or preparing your home for visits from family, you’ll be able to better control them before they lead to a breakdown so you can spend your holiday season relaxing and spending time with friends and family.

By: Dr. Chad S. Abbey, DO

More than three million women are affected by Fibrocystic Breast Changes (formally known as Fibrocystic Breast Disease).

What is Fibrocystic Breast Changes?

Fibrocystic Breast Changes is a benign condition which typically occurs in women between 20-50 years of age. It is almost never seen in post-menopausal women. This condition is described as “lumpy,” painful breast tissue that often corresponds with a women’s menstrual cycle. Lumpy breast tissue can feel “rope like” and is mobile when touched or pressed.

Causes: The direct cause of Fibrocystic Breast Changes is unknown. The general scientific explanation is thought to involve hormone changes during a women’s menstrual cycle.

Symptoms:

• Pain or discomfort in both breasts.
• Pain that comes and goes around the menstrual cycle.
• Breasts may feel swollen or heavy.
• Pain may be experienced under the arms.
• Thick or lumpy breasts.
• Lumpy tissue often changes, especially during menstruation.
• Lumpy tissue is soft and mobile.

Diagnosis: It’s important to be properly diagnosed by a healthcare provider. Diagnosis will include a clinical breast exam and discussion about breast tissue findings. In some cases, additional testing or imaging may be necessary.

Treatment:

• Mild symptoms often require no treatment.
• Painful symptoms will often respond to over the counter medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen.
• Heat or ice applied to the breast can help alleviate discomfort.
• Tight fitting bras or sports bras can also be effective.
• Supplements such as vitamin E, thiamine or magnesium have some benefit. These should be discussed with your healthcare provider prior to starting.
• Caffeine has been identified as a possible contributor to Fibrocystic Breast Changes. Decreased caffeine is also recommended.

Fibrocystic Breast Changes is a benign condition and does not increase the risk of breast cancer. It’s important to follow-up with a health care provider if any breast changes are found.

By: Aimee Brown, PA-C

Three treatments, under 5 minutes, in-office and no anesthesia, that’s all it takes to treat changes that at least 50% of post-menopausal women experience. After menopause, estrogen levels in the body fall dramatically resulting in thinning and unhealthy vaginal tissue. This can lead to pain with intercourse and bladder symptoms such as urgency and leakage.

Previously, the only way to treat these problems was by taking oral estrogen, using vaginal estrogen creams and tablets or relying on over-the-counter lubricants. Unfortunately, the treatments are often ineffective, expensive ($1,000-$3,000 per year) with poor coverage by drug plans and messy or inconvenient to use.

Billings OB-GYN is excited to announce the purchase of a new cutting-edge technology used to treat post-menopausal women’s vaginal atrophy without relying on medications. The MonaLisa Touch works by utilizing a fractional carbon dioxide laser that delivers gentle laser energy to the vaginal wall tissue. This process stimulates a healing response to generate new collagen, elastin and blood vessel growth helping return the vagina to pre-menopausal condition.

Typical therapy consists of three laser treatments, spaced at one every 6 weeks and improvement begins as early as week 2. Maintenance treatments are typically done once a year and only involve a single treatment. Benefits of MonaLisa Touch include:

• In-office, under 5-minute treatments
• Requires no anesthesia
• Minimal side effects
• No downtime
• Symptom relief as fast as one treatment
• Thousands of women successfully treated since 2012

Is MonaLisa Touch right for you?

Post-menopausal women suffering from vaginal changes are a good candidate. This includes patients experiencing vaginal pain with intercourse, vaginal dryness, itching, odor, irritation or tenderness. Also, some patients just want to revitalize their vaginal area. Some individuals are unable to use estrogen therapy including those with a history of estrogen-sensitive cancers like breast cancer or a history of blood clots.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happens during treatment?

A: The procedure will seem similar to your annual exam, and will likely be even quicker.  Your healthcare provider will insert the laser into your vagina and deliver laser energy  “pulses.” The total procedure time is less than 5 minutes.

Q: Does it hurt?

A: The laser energy itself is virtually painless. Some patients report mild discomfort with the laser tip insertion during the first procedure if there is vaginal dryness.

Q: How soon can I expect results?

A: Many patients have reported that they experience relief right away. Virtually all patients have experienced relief by the second treatment.

Q: How long does treatment last?

A: MonaLisa Touch provides lasting results. A once-a-year single treatment is recommended to maintain symptom relief.* This can be done quickly and conveniently during your annual checkup.

By: Dr. Douglas A. Neuhoff, MD

*Your doctor will determine with you if follow up treatments are required.

 

Over the years, we’ve seen many advancements in women’s healthcare. These advancements and the resulting changes in recommendations for women have sometimes resulted in confusion. One area that is important for women is an annual well-woman exam. You can learn more about well-woman exams here. While the well-woman exam will cover many areas of your health it is important to have an in-depth discussion with your provider about your family history. Your family history can have a large impact on how often and what types of exams are recommended for your health.

Recent changes in the recommendations affect breast cancer screening, Pap Smears, and HPV testing. As well, these guidelines and recommendations continue to be updated as more and more research is done. It’s important to communicate with your doctor during your annual exam regarding your risk factors and what screening and tests you may need.

One area of confusion for women is how often to have Pap Smear and HPV tests done. The current guidelines from The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend the following:

• Women aged 21-29 should have a Pap test alone every 3 years. HPV testing is not recommended.
• Women aged 30-65 should have a Pap test and an HPV test, also known as co-testing, completed every 5 years. As well, a Pap test alone can be done every 3 years.
• Women over the age of 65 should stop having cervical cancer screen as long as the following are true:
  • You do not have a history of moderate or severe abnormal cervical cells or cervical cancer.
  • You have had three negative Pap test results in a row or two negative co-test results in a row over the past 10 years, and the most recent test performed within the last 5 years.

These recommendations do not apply to all women and it’s important to have a discussion with your doctor regarding screening. For example, women with HIV weakened immune systems, or those exposed to diethylstilbestrol (DES) before birth may require more frequent screening. Also, women who have been vaccinated against HPV still need to follow the screening recommendations for their age group. Use the following links to learn more about cervical cancer screening and HPV.

In addition to cervical cancer screening, it is important for women to understand the guidelines around breast cancer screening. Current recommendations from The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend the following:

• Mammography screening every 1-2 years beginning at age 40 and no later than age 50.
• Clinical breast exams should be done every 1-2 years for women aged 25-39 years.
• For women 40 and older, clinical breast exams are recommended every year.

These recommendations are for women with an average risk of breast cancer. Women at high risk including those with a family history of breast cancer, ovarian cancer or other inherited types of cancer; BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations; chest radiation treatments at a young age; and a history of high-risk breast biopsy results should talk with their doctor as screening recommendations might be different. It’s also important for women to take an active role in breast cancer screen with breast awareness and self-breast exams.

It’s also important for women to realize that the internet is a source of misinformation and incorrect guidelines that can be unhelpful and even dangerous to women. Unlicensed and poorly educated individuals can share their “recommendations” about women’s health without any sort of oversight online. Studies have found that websites such as personal blogs only provide accurate information 30.9% of the time. In fact, even sites from government organizations were found to be accurate 80.1% of the time.

It is best to avoid the internet when researching symptoms or looking for medical advice. Incorrect information can be worse than no information at all. If you are going to look for information online it’s best to use websites that end in .gov or .state as these are often more accurate and reputable sources.

However, Billings OB-GYN recommends you instead raise concerns and talk with your doctor. Please feel free to contact our office between 8:30 am and 5 pm, Monday through Friday.  We have a registered nurse available to answer questions and address problems you may be experiencing.  Questions regarding recommended guidelines will be directed to your physician for his/her recommendations or you can schedule an appointment to be evaluated.

Dr. Chimene Dahl (MD), Billings OB-GYN Associates

The postpartum period is a time that’s meant to be euphoric, but for 1 in 7 new moms, that’s not the case. For too many, this illness goes undetected because others don't understand the way a person suffering is feeling. Many individuals suffering from postpartum depression may feel guilty about their feelings because society characterizes the postpartum period as one of never-ending joy. This can stop moms from seeking the help they need. By bringing awareness to this illness it will help break the stigma and encourage others to seek help.

Experiencing the “baby blues,” a period of brief sadness or depression following birth is normal for many women. These feelings will subside quickly, typically in a few days or within a week. However, it’s important to be aware of the possibility that you are experiencing postpartum depression (PPD). PPD varies from woman to woman, but can often be characterized as feelings of extreme sadness or anxiety following birth. Some additional symptoms include:

• Feeling sad, hopeless, empty, or overwhelmed
• Crying more often than usual or for no apparent reason
• Worrying or feeling overly anxious
• Feeling moody, irritable, or restless
• Oversleeping, or being unable to sleep even when her baby is asleep
• Having trouble concentrating, remembering details, and making decisions
• Experiencing anger or rage
• Losing interest in activities that are usually enjoyable
• Suffering from physical aches and pains, including frequent headaches, stomach problems, and muscle pain
• Eating too little or too much
• Withdrawing from or avoiding friends and family
• Having trouble bonding or forming an emotional attachment with her baby
• Persistently doubting her ability to care for her baby
• Thinking about harming herself or her baby

If symptoms such as these continue for more than a week, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider. While you may be embarrassed to feel this way, speaking to your doctor is the best way to get help.

PPD does not have a single cause but is likely a result of both physical and emotional factors. Most importantly PPD is not caused because of something the mother does or does not do.  Following childbirth, levels of hormones drop very quickly in women, these chemical changes can trigger mood swings. Additionally, many new moms can struggle to get the rest they need to fully recover and this can lead to physical discomfort and exhaustion, which often contribute to or worsens symptoms of PPD.

The type of treatment and recovery time for PPD can vary based on the individual. It will be important for new moms to get as much rest as possible, accept help from family and friends, connect with other new moms, take the time to care for herself and avoid any alcohol or drugs that can amplify mood swings. Your healthcare provider will discuss additional treatments and options based on your symptoms and help you choose the best treatment. Common forms of treatment are counseling/talk therapy and medication.

If you suspect you are suffering from PPD, don’t face it alone. It’s important to talk openly about your feelings with family and friends. PPD is not your fault, but it is real and it is treatable. It’s also important for loved ones to reach out to new moms and really ask how they are feeling. The more we can raise awareness about PPD, the quicker new moms can receive help!

Dr. Chad Abbey (DO), Billings OB-GYN Associates