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Introducing our Newest Service: SneakPeek®!

March 16, 2022 By Cheyenne OBGYN

Here at Cheyenne OBGYN, we are constantly learning new ways to better serve mothers. Our newest service, SneakPeek®, does exactly that. It is a blood-sample-based test that delivers your baby’s gender results at just 8 weeks – half the amount of wait time it takes for conclusive ultrasound gender results. This helps provide peace of mind early on in your pregnancy, so you and your loved ones know exactly what is to come.

 

How it Works

A small blood test is taken from the arm and sent to the SneakPeek® labs. Once the sample is sent to the lab, the test looks for male chromosomes in the fetal DNA found in mom’s blood. If there is no fetal DNA in mom’s blood, the test will return a girl result, because mom is a girl. On the off chance that the test is contaminated with outside male DNA (even pets!), it may return a boy result. It is recommended to confirm pregnancy with our doctors prior to taking SneakPeek®.

 

Safety Facts

The SneakPeek® Early Gender DNA Test is a non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT), and it’s safe for both mom and baby. As a test that only takes a small blood sample from mom’s arm, it is very safe and does not affect baby at all. Additionally, it is not affected by other hormone prescriptions, diagnoses, blood thinners, menstruation, or current breastfeeding so you can receive 99.9% accurate results regardless of current circumstances.

 

Scheduling your Appointment

Seeing as the test is simple and effective, SneakPeek® appointments are very quick and convenient. For more information about the service and for more FAQs, visit our SneakPeek® page.

 

Call our office at 307-634-5216 to set up your SneakPeek® appointment today!

Filed Under: Womens Health

How Well Do You Know Your Thyroid?

March 10, 2022 By Cheyenne OBGYN

Despite its small size, the thyroid gland contributes greatly to our body’s overall health. The thyroid is a small butterfly-shaped gland at the front of the neck. Its main purpose is to produce the hormones triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) which are key in regulating the body’s metabolism, brain development, digestive system, and mood.

Thyroid problems may be easy to miss because symptoms are like those of other conditions. Although thyroid disease can affect anyone, according to the American Thyroid Association, women are 5 to 8 times more likely to experience problems. Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) is when the thyroid does not produce a sufficient amount of the thyroid hormone. Symptoms may include extreme fatigue, weight gain and heavy menstrual periods. Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) is when the thyroid produces excess thyroid hormones. Symptoms may include weight loss, irritability, and irregular menstrual periods.

It would not be unusual for a dermatologist to recognize symptoms before you do since thyroid conditions may affect hair, skin and nails, too. Hypothyroidism can cause hair loss, dry, scaly skin on the heels and elbows, while hyperthyroidism may cause unusual skin rashes and severe hair loss.

Since thyroid disease can be difficult to diagnose, doctors rely on blood tests, scans, biopsies, and other tests to help with their diagnosis.

For the most part, thyroid disorders can be managed with medications. More serious conditions may require surgery. Medications can be used to balance hormones. For hypothyroidism, a pill can be given to supplement the insufficient production of the thyroid hormone. In hyperthyroidism, medication will help to decrease the production of the thyroid hormone. Surgery may be necessary if there is a chance for thyroid cancer. It may also be used to remove a large goiter (an overall enlargement of the thyroid) or abnormal mass.

A good diet can help maintain a balanced thyroid. Fruits, vegetables, and complex carbohydrates help keep the thyroid gland healthy. Foods that are not good for the thyroid include drinks that are high in fluoride which may damage the thyroid gland. Soy foods and foods like broccoli and kale may deter the production of hormones.

If you feel you are experiencing symptoms of a thyroid disease, please contact your doctor to be examined. You may be asked to take a few tests before getting an official diagnosis.

Filed Under: Womens Health

PMS: Is it Real?

February 17, 2022 By Cheyenne OBGYN

Let’s get the answer out right away – PMS is a real condition. Symptoms vary amongst women, but for many, PMS can cause great physical and emotional discomfort.

PMS, which is the acronym for premenstrual syndrome, refers to the physical and emotional symptoms that many women experience after ovulation occurs. Symptoms can continue up to five days after menstruation begins. Common physical symptoms include abdominal bloating, acne, and cramping. More acute physical symptoms may include headaches or increased sensitivity to noise and/or light. Common emotional symptoms include fatigue, irritability, and food cravings. More intense emotional symptoms may include depression, mood swings and difficulty remembering or focusing.

 

What causes PMS?

The specific cause of PMS is unclear. It is believed to be related to the fluctuations in hormone levels that happen before menstruation occurs. Estrogen and progesterone levels significantly decrease after ovulation. The decrease in those hormones may also negatively impact a woman’s serotonin levels. Serotonin is the brain chemical that helps regulate mood, sleep, and appetite.

Women may not immediately realize that some of the symptoms they are feeling are related to PMS, especially if they have an irregular cycle. It is a good idea to keep a record of symptoms; look for patterns and see if they are surfacing at the same time each month.

 

How to treat PMS

There are some over-the-counter medications and home remedies that may help relieve PMS symptoms. Exercise and diet changes may also help manage them. Some women may choose to take hormonal birth control pills to alleviate PMS symptoms. However, anyone experiencing severe symptoms should consult a doctor. Severe symptoms may be a sign of a much more serious condition, like premenstrual dysphoric disorder or endometriosis.

The reality is many women experience different premenstrual symptoms. How they treat or deal with it will vary depending on their lifestyle.

Call our office to schedule an appointment if you believe your PMS symptoms are unusual or severe, or have questions on how you may better manage them.

Filed Under: Womens Health

February is Prenatal Infection Prevention Month

February 3, 2022 By Cheyenne OBGYN

In a world that is increasingly aware of the danger of infections, it’s especially important for new moms, or moms-to-be, to maintain good habits as part of their maternal healthcare. Prenatal infections can cause health problems for mom and the baby, including development delays, organ damage and preterm birth. 

 

February is Prenatal Infection Prevention Month – a time to bring attention to the infections that can be transmitted from a mother to her baby. Here are a few prenatal infections to be aware of and tips on what you can do to prevent them. 

 

Zika Virus: Probably the most well-known prenatal infection is the Zika virus. Zika is most commonly spread by mosquitos, but a mother can pass Zika to her baby during pregnancy. For most people who contract Zika, the symptoms are mild. However, risks are higher for pregnant women. Zika can cause a serious birth defect of the brain called microcephaly. If you are pregnant, or planning to be, avoid traveling to areas with Zika, use insect repellant and wear a condom, as Zika can also be sexually transmitted. 

 

Cytomegalovirus (CMV): This is the most common virus.  According to the CDC, more than half of adults in the U.S. will have had a CMV infection before the age of 40. Unfortunately, most people with CMV don’t get symptoms and therefore don’t even know they have it, but the virus can be very harmful to babies with weak immune systems. CMV is transmitted via body fluids, so constant hand washing helps, as well as not sharing food and utensils with others. 

 

Listeriosis: This virus is caused by ingesting the bacteria listeria in contaminated foods. This infection can lead to preterm birth, stillbirth, and miscarriage. Pregnant women should avoid unpasteurized milk and foods like soft cheeses, as well as raw seafood.  

 

Additional tips to avoid infection include not touching or changing kitty litter and avoiding sick friends and family. Talk to your doctor about additional necessary vaccines. Getting the right vaccines before you even become pregnant can help keep you and your baby healthy. 

 

If you have any questions or want to schedule an appointment, please call our office at 307-634-5216. 

Filed Under: Womens Health

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month

January 25, 2022 By Cheyenne OBGYN

Despite the strides made in reducing the impact of cervical cancer among women, there were still nearly 14,500 women in the United States diagnosed with cervical cancer and more than 4,200 who died from the disease last year, according to the National Cancer Institute. January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month, the perfect time to review the importance of cervical cancer screenings, early detection, and prevention of the disease. 

 

What is cervical cancer? 

Cervical cancer is a slow growing cancer that develops in the tissue of the cervix, which is the organ connecting the uterus and vagina. 

 

What causes cervical cancer? 

Cervical cancer is most commonly caused by HPV (human papillomavirus), a sexually transmitted virus. When a woman is infected with HPV and it is not treated or it does not go away on its own, abnormal cells may develop in the cervix’s lining, ultimately leading to formation of cancerous cells. 

 

Good news about prevention and treatment 

Unlike other female cancers, like ovarian cancer, which often doesn’t present symptoms until stage 3 or 4, cervical cancer can be caught very early or even in its precancer stage. The two screening tests that can detect cervical cancer early are a Pap test and an HPV test. When undergoing a Pap test, a gynecologist will collect cells from the cervix to be examined in a lab to look for abnormal cells of the cervix. An HPV test can be completed at the same times as the pap test. With either test, if an abnormal result is found then additional diagnostic test can be completed to confirm the abnormal pap and HPV results. It’s important to make time to schedule routine visits with your gynecologist. Consult your doctor on when to start each of these screenings. Your medical history and lifestyle will help determine when to start. 

 

Additionally, there are vaccines that can help prevent HPV infection for both children and adults. The vaccines, which require a series of injections, will not treat an already existing HPV infection, so it’s still necessary to maintain routine screenings. They can, however, protect against some types of HPV viruses and are a valuable tool in preventing cervical cancer. 

 

In addition to these medical precautions, try to limit your exposure to HPV. HPV is a sexually transmitted virus but sex does not have to occur to become infected. HPV is passed on during skin-to-skin contact with an infected area of the body. Some ways to minimize the risk of getting HPV are limiting the number of sexual partners, using a condom, and not smoking. 

 

To schedule a Pap test or HPV screening, please contact our office at 307-634-5216.

Filed Under: Womens Health

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