Postmenopause is not a curse; it is simply the next phase of life

Society has done a good job of stigmatizing menopause and turning it into a dreaded milestone. However, it is simply a process of nature that requires adjustment of both lifestyle and attitude. At Ahkami Medical Group, we can put the power in your hands to help you stay healthy in both body and mind during this time of change. We will measure your follicle stimulating hormone level to determine if you have truly reached postmenopause. It is important to remember that even postmenopausal woman need to maintain a regular schedule of check-ups and preventative screenings to maintain their health and stay ahead of risk factors.

Our services for postmenopausal women in Passaic

Menopause is not a negative occurrence; it is not a disease that requires a treatment. It simply requires an acceptance of nature and a commitment to changing your lifestyle to account for the new changes in your body. Factors such as diet and exercise are extremely useful for taking back control over weight fluctuation and fat storage. At Ahkami Medical Group, we support women making the transition to postmenopausal life with a comprehensive list of services.

Side-effects of the pill are common, especially in the first few months as your body adjusts to changes in hormones and the reproductive organs

Some of the most common include:

• Body changes: weight gain, tenderness in the breasts, changes in vaginal discharge and intermenstrual spotting are all commonly observed changes, especially during the first three months of adjusting to a new pill.
• Nausea: more common among first time pill users, nausea can be mitigated by ingesting the pill with food or before bedtime.
• Headaches: linked to the different types and levels of hormones cycling in your body, headaches are quite common and are likely to go away over time.
• Effect on the libido: synthetic hormones have been shown to affect women differently in terms of sex drive: while some experience a decrease in libido, others experience an increase.
• Missed periods: while rare, a missed period has been known to occur during regular use of the pill. In this scenario, a birth control test is recommended before continuing.

As is the case with all changes in your health, if any of these symptoms persist or cause you alarm, never hesitate to seek medical guidance.

Making the right decision about your birth control in Passaic

When making a decision on the most appropriate method of birth control for your body, a qualified health care provider should always be consulted. The pill is just one of the many choices available to you as part of your health care plan. As a method for pregnancy prevention, it is highly effective, but that doesn’t mean it is the only method or that it is absolutely right for you. If you are interested in finding out more about the different types of pills available and how they could work for you, give our office in Passaic a call to schedule an appointment today.

What factors matter for menopause?

• Genetics: excepting genetic mutations or unknown factors, your menopause age will likely fall within a few years of your mother’s.
• Ethnicity: certain ethnic groups have menopause at slightly different ages.
• Smoking: is linked to earlier onset of menopause.
• Chemotherapy: can cause earlier onset of menopause.
• Ovarian surgery

What are non-factors when it comes to menopause?

• Pregnancy
• History of hormonal birth control use
• Age at first period

Menopause services in Passaic

Menopause occurs when a woman’s ovaries cease the production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. The term menopause is often used to refer to the time leading up to a woman’s last period, but this is actually called menopausal transition or perimenopause; menopause refers to when a woman’s menstrual periods stop. At our office in Passaic, we are a key resource for women making the transition to menopause. We offer services in support of your gynecological health and overall wellness during a time of hormonal upheaval and significant body changes. If you are looking for a menopause resource in Passaic, look no further than Ahkami Medical Group in Passaic.

Our services for first-trimester pregnancies in Passaic

If you suspect you are pregnant and are looking for confirmation, a home pregnancy test is an accurate indicator. However, at our office in Passaic, we can give you a definitive answer and talk to you about the next steps in prenatal care. We want you to walk away feeling secure and confident about your pregnancy going forward; if you are expecting a child, give our office a call to schedule an appointment today.

Ideas for exercise during pregnancy:

• Warm up and cool down: the most important part of any exercise session to get your body in a receptive state for exercise. Warm up and cool down during pregnancy must be gentle to avoid
• Spinning: stationary biking is good for cardiovascular conditioning but should be avoided during the third trimester because balance becomes an issue.
• Weight training: light resistance training is beneficial.
• Running if you have done it before
• Walking: low-risk and good for maintaining circulation with minimal impact for joints in the legs and lower back.
• Water sports: an all star for pregnant women. Water puts the least pressure on your body while working on cardiovascular fitness and muscle toning. There is minimal risk involved in this type of exercise.

Exercises to avoid when pregnant:

• Heavy weight training
• Lying on your stomach
• Standing still for a long time
• High impact sports
• Contact sports
• Scuba diving
• Sports at altitude

Our services for pregnant women in Passaic

Your body and pregnancy are unique; your exercise plan should be the same. At our office in Passaic we can walk you through the why and how of exercising during pregnancy, as it relates to your individual body and medical history. Our goal is to ensure you have the safest and healthiest pregnancy possible for both mother and child. Give our office a call to schedule an appointment today.

At our office in Passaic, we encourage pregnant women to choose activities that are low-impact and aerobic focused. Exercises that involve a risk of falling or abdominal injury should be avoided and there are specific exercises that should be performed (and some that should be avoided) during each trimester. While you can safely exercise during pregnancy, it is always valuable to listen to your body. If you feel any of the following signs, it may be time to give it a break:

• Joint or muscle pain
• Irritability
• Too much fatigue
• Sharp pain
• Shortness of breath

Exercise can also be dangerous to pregnant women who have a history of pregnancy-related complications, so it is always worth talking to a doctor before starting any workout plan during your pregnancy. Avoid exercise before talking to a doctor if you have a history of preterm labor, pregnancy-induced hypertension, incompetent cervix, persistent vaginal bleeding during the last two trimesters or intrauterine growth restriction.

How we support pregnant women in Passaic

The important thing to remember is that if you were an athlete before pregnancy, you are still an athlete during pregnancy and you will still be one after! If you are looking to add exercise into your life now that you are pregnant, we will help you start slow and work up to a comfortable level that still gives you all the health benefits you need. If you are interested in giving yourself the best chance for a successful and healthy pregnancy, give our office in Passaic a call to schedule an appointment today.

Tell us if:

• You are experiencing changes in your period: there are many reasons for a change in your period and it is important to know the exact cause.
• If you sometimes bleed after sex: the occurrence of blood after sex once is usually nothing to worry about, but if it recurs, it is worth bringing up with us- it can alert us to the preesence of infection, dryness or precancerous tissue in the cervix.
• If sex is painful: this is something we often help women with- because there are multiple reasons why sex may be painful, we can help you determine why and what to do about it.

Your Passaic ob/gyn specialist

All things considered, the more detail we receive, the more comprehensive a picture we can paint of your overall health. This helps us deliver a more personalized level of care which in turn helps you to live a better life! For your next ob/gyn appointment in the Passaic area, give our office a call!

Dr. Shahrokh Ahkami, M.D.

On the mind and mood:

• Anxiety
• Sleeplessness
• Restlessness
• Short attention span
• Lack of motivation and focus
• Feelings of irritability and anger
• Sadness and depression
• Lack of motivation and interest in your normal activities

What to do about stress in Passaic

• Listen to your body and stop tension where it starts: physical tension can be allayed through on-the-spot stretching and mental tension can be relieved with deep breathing.
• Unplug from electronics: TV can actually be more stimulating than relaxing, which is why if you spend hours watching a screen before bedtime it can be difficult to fall asleep, further adding to your stress cycle. Leave out electronics in the hour leading up to bedtime if possible.
• Leave work at the office: where it belongs! Taking work home prevents your brain from separating work from the rest of your life. Having these lines blurred can set a dangerous precedent for stress.
• Cultivate a healthy sleeping environment: sleep is perhaps the single most important way to keep stress at bay. If you are having trouble sleeping it could be worth reconsidering the habits and the environment that is preventing you from reaping the benefits of restful sleep.
• Get outside: 30 minutes of exposure to green colors and fresh air has been shown to dramatically reduce the effects of stress on the brain.

Stress Management in Passaic

Stress management is part of an overall health plan. At our office in Passaic, we are here to support your pursuit of healthy living. Stress management is an integral part of living well; sometimes all it takes is a conversation to change your attitude and start letting go of habits that are causing you stress. Give our office in Passaic a call to schedule an appointment today.