Westar OB/GYN

08/20/2025

Maintaining the pH balance of the va**na is essential to keeping it healthy. The normal pH level of the va**na is between 3.8 and 5. What is considered a “normal” va**nal pH level varies by age. A woman of reproductive age would have a normal va**nal pH between 4.0 to 4.5Trusted Source, while women who have yet to begin menstruating or who are postmenopausal may have a normal va**nal pH higher than 4.5. Learn more:

While va**nal pH levels tend to change over a person’s lifetime, normal levels are usually below 4.5. Learn more about va**nal pH balance here.

08/19/2025

During pregnancy, you need more vitamins and minerals such as folate, iron, and calcium. Getting the appropriate amount of folate is very important. Folate, a B vitamin also known as folic acid, may help prevent birth defects. Before pregnancy, you need 400 mcg per day from supplements or fortified foods, in addition to the folate you get naturally from foods and beverages. During pregnancy, you need 600 mcg. While breastfeeding, you need 500 mcg of folate per day.2 Foods high in folate include orange juice, strawberries, spinach, broccoli, beans, fortified breads, and fortified low-sugar breakfast cereals. These foods may even provide 100% of the daily value of folic acid per serving.

08/14/2025

There are two general types of prenatal tests for genetic disorders:

Prenatal screening tests: These tests can tell you the chances that your fetus has an aneuploidy and a few additional disorders.

Prenatal diagnostic tests: These tests can tell you, with as much certainty as possible, whether your fetus actually has an aneuploidy or specific inherited disorders for which you request testing. These tests are done on cells from the fetus or placenta obtained through amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling (CVS).

08/12/2025

Galleri® is a multi-cancer early detection test, a blood test that screens for many of the deadliest cancers before they become symptomatic. See how it works: https://view-su2.highspot.com/viewer/0bcceb6c54f116be9fb770b0fecc08c7?iid=63725bc94de7b0df1a38ae74&source=email.untracked

08/10/2025

Finding ways to relax and reduce stress can help women who have PMS. Your ob-gyn might suggest relaxation therapy to help lessen PMS symptoms. Relaxation therapy may include breathing exercises, meditation, and yoga. Massage therapy is another form of relaxation therapy that you may want to try. Some women find therapies like biofeedback and self-hypnosis to be helpful. (Source: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists)

08/10/2025

Although most teens don’t need to have a Pap test until they are 21 years old, there are at least 21 reasons to see a gynecologist before then.

https://www.acog.org/womens-health/infographics/21-reasons-to-see-a-gynecologist-before-you-turn-21

08/08/2025

And just like that, summer is winding down and the kids are going back to school! We hope your families have a great school year and stay healthy, because healthy students are better learners. At school it’s important to remind students to wash their hands before eating; after using the toilet; and after blowing their nose, coughing, or sneezing. Handwashing also helps keep students, their families, and school staff healthy so they don’t miss school or work.

08/05/2025

In August, we celebrate National Breastfeeding Month to support babies and families. This year's theme is "Forward Together", centering unity, solidarity, and hope, and celebrates the strength and determination of the organizations and advocates committed to advancing policy, systems, and environmental change in the First Food field and improving access to human milk. Learn more: https://www.usbreastfeeding.org/national-breastfeeding-month.html

08/03/2025

Pregnancy and childbirth are the biggest risk factors for pelvic organ prolapse, in which the bladder, uterus, intestines and re**um bulge into the va**na. Pelvic organ prolapse is treated with pessaries (supportive device worn in the va**na), physical therapy and/or surgery. Learn more: https://www.acog.org/womens-health/videos/understanding-pelvic-organ-prolapse

08/01/2025

Getting your baby to "latch on" properly can take some practice. You can try different breastfeeding holds to help your baby get a good latch. Learn signs of a good latch here: https://www.womenshealth.gov/breastfeeding/learning-breastfeed/getting-good-latch

07/30/2025

Menopause and its associated symptoms affect each woman differently. Our team listens carefully to you and makes a treatment plan to help you feel your best as you go through this transition. It's a good idea to keep track of any changes you're noticing and bring them up to your provider at your annual appointment.

07/28/2025

Whether or not you are due for cervical cancer screening, you should still see your ob-gyn at least once a year. Your routine visit is a good time for you and your ob-gyn to share information and talk about your wishes for your health care.

Women should still visit their ob-gyn each year, but we no longer advise women to have an annual Pap test. A big reason for the change: We now better understand the way cervical cancer develops over time—we know it takes many years to develop—so we’ve expanded the time between screenings.