Is BioTE right for you? Studies have shown that optimized hormones can reduce the risk of some age-related health issues, such as osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and diabetes. Additionally, if you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, chances are they are a candidate for hormone replacement pellet therapy.

  • Lack of energy and fatigue during the day
  • Difficulty sleeping at night
  • Reduced mental focus and memory
  • Moody, anxious, or depressed
  • Weight gain including increased fat around mid-section
  • Inability to lose weight regardless of healthy diet and exercise
  • Decreased muscle strength
  • Muscle and/or joint pain
  • Reduced sexual desire and performance

What is BioTE Hormone Treatment?

BioTE bioidentical hormone pellets contain the same chemical structure as your body’s natural hormones because they are made without fillers or synthetic ingredients, they completely dissolve. While proper hormone levels are determined by the BioTE comprehensive bloodwork analysis. Unique dosing is recommended for each patient for the best possible outcome. Hormone pellets are placed in the office under the skin using localized Lidocaine for anesthesia. Pellets introduce hormones into the bloodstream consistently 24 hours a day. Some patients begin to experience symptom relief 72-96 hours after insertion with optimization occurring 3 weeks after insertion.

After BioTE pellet insertion patients tell us they experience:

  • Increased energy and muscle strength
  • Greater ability to lose weight
  • Increased mental clarity
  • Increased quality of life
  • Feel younger and happier

Ready to Learn More About BioTE Hormones in Columbus, Georgia?

So to learn more about BioTE hormone pellet therapy and how it can benefit you or your spouse, contact us today.

OBGYN Specialists of Columbus, GA is the leading BioTE provider in Columbus, Georgia and surrounding areas, including Phenix City, Alabama. We are happy to discuss your BioTE options, as well as answering any questions you might have.

Learn more about your options with BioTE and how you can get started today.

OBGYN Specialists of Columbus is excited to announce new body contouring and anti-aging services by InMode. Dr. Ruthann Rees is the only provider in Columbus and the surrounding areas offering these innovative services. So what is InMode and how may you benefit? InMode treatments use radio-frequency to produce body contouring results through the destruction of fat cells and skin tightening through increased collagen production.

We will breakdown the individual InMode services and the areas of the body they each focus on below:

BodyFX and MiniFX

BodyFX and MiniFX are non-invasive treatments that contour the body and reduce cellulite. Dr. Rees can treat underlying fat with radio-frequency energy destroying fat cells and causing the tissue to contract. This leaves your skin and tissue looking and feeling smoother. Since this is a non-invasive procedure you can walk out of the office after treatment. No post-procedure care is necessary, you can return to your normal daily routine. BodyFX and MiniFX reduce the appearance of cellulite, dimpled skin, loss of elasticity on the abdomen, love handles, hips, thighs, arms, chin, AND other areas.

InMode Plus

Plus utilizes fractionated radio-frequency energy to stimulate collagen production for body remodeling. Plus helps you achieve a more youthful and toned skin contour making your body appear smoother and younger. It can be used to reduce texture irregularities in sagging skin to provide a lifted, tighter, more toned appearance. Plus is painless and has no downtime; it feels like a hot stone massage. It can be used on any and all skin types and tones. The most common areas of treatment include abdomen, arms (bat wings), inner thighs, outer thighs, back fat, and knees.

Morpheus8

Morpheus8 is a minimally-invasive micro-needling treatment that uses fractional radio-frequency energy to reduce wrinkles and rebuild collagen and fat, reorganizing the building blocks of the skin in a natural anti-aging process that contours the face. It is minimally invasive, using a matrix of micro pins at depths of 2-4mm to renew deeper layers of the skin with minimal downtime. This will improve skin complexion and texture for a more radiant and youthful appearance. Morpheus8’s colorblind technology means that it can be used on all types, even darker tones. The most commonly treated areas include the face, neck, abdomen, legs, scars, and stretch marks.

Votiva

Votiva is an FDA-approved procedure that uses radiofrequency energy waves to stimulates the cells of the vagina and vulva to increase collagen and elastin fiber production. As a result, vaginal moisture, blood flow, and elasticity increases. Patients reports and improvement in muscle tone and tightening, stress urinary incontinence, and the ability to orgasm after treatment.

 

OBGYN Specialists of Columbus is here to provide you with the highest level of feminine care and body restorative services. To schedule your consultation and learn more about these new body services by InMode contact our office.

Not only is the month of November the time to welcome cooler temperatures, pumpkin spice lattes, and Thanksgiving it is also National Bladder Health Awareness Month. It is time to speak out about bladder health conditions and incontinence. At OBGYN Specialists of Columbus, we are experts in bladder health and pelvic support problems. Here are a few things you should know about bladder health.

Incontinence Shouldn’t be a Taboo Subject

According to the National Association of Continence, over 25 million Americans live with incontinence each day. For many women, it’s a condition that all too often gets swept under the rug. Oftentimes incontinence is left out of pertinent doctor/patient discussions due to embarrassment. Let’s get real! Incontinence is not something most people want to talk about around the dinner table. Most women wait at least 7 years before even speaking with a doctor about incontinence.

At OBGYN Specialists of Columbus, you don’t need to be embarrassed or ashamed of your bladder condition. Dr. Rees and her team are ready to provide you with exceptional care and solutions to relieve bladder issues.

What You Can Do to Maintain Bladder Health

Here are several tips you can do daily to keep your bladder healthy. These are just suggestions and if you experience any severe issues with your bladder please contact your physician immediately.

  • Drink plenty of water. Try to drink eight cups of water each day (advised for overall health, not just bladder health).
  • Limit the amount of caffeine and alcohol you drink, these can irritate your bladder.
  • Stay away from foods that bother the bladder. Some foods can worsen incontinence. Skip foods like chocolate (also a source of caffeine), as well as spicy or acidic foods like tomatoes and citrus fruits.
  • Take your time to empty your bladder completely when you urinate. If you rush and do not empty your bladder fully, over time you could get a bladder infection.
  • Keep your pelvic floor muscles strong with pelvic floor muscle training.
  • Maintain routine visits to your gynecologist and notify your physician if you feel you have bladder issues or are experiencing overactive bladder or incontinence issues.

Additional Bladder Treatment Options

At OBGYN Specialists of Columbus, Georgia we offer a broad range of treatment options based on the best available clinical data. This may include non-surgical and surgical options such as:

  • Lifestyle changes including elimination of bladder irritants (e.g. Caffeine, Nicotine)
  • Structured pelvic floor muscle rehabilitation (e.g. Kegel exercise)
  • Structured timed daytime voids
  • Pelvic floor physiotherapy (e.g. Biofeedback and/or Functional electrical stimulation-Apex M Pelvic Floor Trainer)
  • Radiofrequency energy treatment (Votiva or ThermiVA)
  • Votiva is an exciting new FDA approved treatment which uses radiofrequency energy to gently and uniformly heat the treated tissue. This results in improvements in blood circulation and tightening of the pelvic floor muscles. Votiva treatment can be used as an adjunct to Kegel exercises (tightening of the muscles of the pelvic floor to increase muscle tone).
  • Percutaneous Tibial Nerve stimulation (Urgent PC)
  • Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation uses an acupuncture type needle placed near the ankle to send mild stimulation up the tibial nerve in the leg. This gentle stimulation also referred to as neuromodulation, affects the nerves responsible for bladder control
  • Urethral bulking injections
  • Surgical treatment for stress incontinence with Intrinsic sphincter deficiency

Contact our office today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Ruthann Rees.

While the term postpartum generally refers to the first six weeks after childbirth, post-delivery and after birth obstetric care may carry on much longer than those first few weeks. This period of time is a time to celebrate and connect with your new bundle of joy, but also a time to focus on healing and to take care of yourselves post-childbirth. At OBGYN Specialists of Columbus, we provide the women of the Chattahoochee valley total obstetrician care conveniently in one location.

Here are three things (that may seem small, but are HUGE) to remember during those first weeks post-delivery.  

Things to Remember During the Post-Delivery Stage

Adjusting to motherhood after childbirth, whether it is your first pregnancy or you have multiple children, may be challenging. Like every pregnancy, no postpartum and afterbirth experience is alike. That’s why post-delivery care is so important to not only the mothers but the baby’s health as well. We know this may sound crazy, but every other mother and doctor will tell you to rest. Seriously, do it. The female body goes through so many emotional and physical changes during the growing and birthing of a baby that often those six weeks postpartum your body is extremely fatigued and needs rest.

Firstly, ask for help! Asking for help during those first few weeks from your partner or family can be so valuable. If you can rest and focus on feeding your baby and taking care of yourself, your recovering may be easier. Secondly, sleep when the baby sleeps. This is something many new mothers hear and disregard. Your newborn will wake to feed anywhere from every two to three hours, but mostly they will be sleeping. Take that time to rest your body and your mind.

Nutrition is also a key factor to remember during the post-delivery and afterbirth period. For nine months a woman is feeding not only herself but a growing child inside. Often many women put their nutrition on the back burner after delivery, focusing solely on the newborn’s needs. However, concentrating on your own nutrition and maintaining a balanced diet will give you more strength to deal with those long nights. Whether you choose to breastfeed your baby or not, staying hydrated is also very important to your overall health and nourishment. 

Individualized Postpartum and Obstetric Care in Columbus, Ga

We understand that the postpartum stage may be a little overwhelming, after all, your body has just created a new life (or lives). Taking care of yourself during this time is crucial and we are here to walk you through every step of the process, from your first positive pregnancy test to your last postpartum visit and everything in between. At OBGYN Specialists of Columbus, we pride ourselves on the individualized postpartum and after delivery care, we provide all our patients.

Contact our office today if you have any questions or concerns about your post-delivery appointment

Becoming pregnant may be an exciting moment in a woman’s life but it can also bring along various health risks. Preeclampsia is a serious complication of pregnancy that often requires premature delivery to prevent serious life-threatening complications both for the mother and for the baby. Consequently, significant health care costs are associated with preeclampsia. 

Here are several things you should know about this pregnancy complication:

Who is at Risk?

Preeclampsia affects 2-8% of all women’s pregnancy worldwide. Usually, it occurs after 20 weeks gestation (somewhere in the late 2nd or 3rd trimesters) but can occur up to six weeks postpartum (after delivery).  In rare cases, it can occur earlier than 20 weeks. Maintaining proper prenatal care is imperative for the detection of preeclampsia as well as maintaining a healthy pregnancy for mothers. You may be at higher risk for preeclampsia if:

  • You’ve had preeclampsia in pregnancies
  • Pregnant with twins or multiples
  • Suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes, or kidney issues
  • Family history of the disorder
  • Are 35 or older
  • Have a BMI of 30 or higher

Preventing Preeclampsia: What works?

One strategy for preventing preeclampsia is the use of low-dose aspirin. Low dose Aspirin (81mg) started after the first trimester has been shown to reduce the risk of preeclampsia in high-risk women. Since not all women who develop preeclampsia have preexisting risk factors the question remains if low dose aspirin benefits even low-risk patients and would it be cost-effective. 

A recent study published in the August edition of  Obstetrics and Gynecology supports the use of low dose aspirin, even in women who have no risk factors for preeclampsia.  While further studies are warranted to directly compare outcomes with universal aspirin versus aspirin treatment restricted to high-risk patients it is reasonable to use low-dose aspirin in those women who would like to initiate such a preventative strategy.

OBGYN Specialist Prenatal Care

Let OBGYN Specialists of Columbus put your mind at ease during your pregnancy. Turn to our knowledgeable obstetric team and trust that Dr. Ruthann Rees will walk you through your pregnancy. Contact our office today if you’re interested in finding out more about our prenatal care services.

All too often women put their health and needs last in order to take care of others. By routinely performing self-breast exams monthly you can not only know your body better, but you may be the first to notice any changes to your breasts.

Here are five tips on how to perform self-breast exams at home.

How to Perform Breast Exams at Home

  • Mark Your Calendar – According to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, performing a monthly self-breast exam can help you to be familiar with how your breasts look and feel so you can alert your healthcare professional if there are any changes. As a reminder, mark your calendar the same day each month. This way you will have a mental note that will help keep your routine.
  • How to Get Started – There are three main positions most women use to perform the self-breast exam: in the shower, in front of a mirror or laying on back. You may find one way more convenient than the others and do what feels the most comfortable to you.
  • Performing the Exam – You will want to begin the exam by using the pads of your fingers, move around your entire breast in a circular pattern moving from the outside to the center, checking the entire breast and armpit area. Don’t forget to examine both breasts each month feeling for any lumps, thickening, or hardened knots.
  • If You Notice Change – If while performing your self-breast exam you notice any sort of changes in your breast tissue or are alarmed by differences in color, texture, or find a lump, contact your gynecologist to schedule an appointment. Even though breast tissue may change over time, knowing your “norm” is important to proper self-examination and relaying any concerns you may have to your primary care doctor and gynecologist.
  • Schedule Routine Mammograms and Well-Woman Appointments – We cannot stress enough how important maintaining your routine well-woman appointments can be. In 2018, over 250,00 new diagnoses of breast cancer occurred. Being proactive with your health and keeping open communication with your gynecologist is crucial if you have any questions or concerns about your breast health. 

 

Schedule Your Next Well-Woman Appointment

Don’t put yourself and your health on the back burner. Schedule your next well-woman appointment today! At OBGYN Specialists of Columbus, we provide total women’s healthcare and care deeply about the health and wellness of all women. If you have any questions or concerns about breast health or self-breast exams please don’t hesitate to contact our office.

You’re pregnant, congratulations! But now what? Often the joy of a positive pregnancy test can cloud or clutter your mind with all sorts of excitement, questions, and concerns. At OBGYN Specialists of Columbus, we provide total healthcare during your pregnancy and beyond. Individualized care and years of experience are what set our team apart from the rest. So whether this is your first pregnancy or you have experienced this all before, we know you will have questions. 

Here are the top four questions you may want to ask your obstetrician.

4 Questions to Ask at Your First Obstetrician Appointment 

  • What pregnancy symptoms are normal and what is an emergency? During the first trimester, women may experience various levels of nausea, fatigue as well as breast soreness, or tenderness. That being said, if you experience extreme nausea to the point of not being able to keep any food or liquids down, heavy bleeding, or severe cramping you should call your doctor. If you ever feel unsure do not hesitate to give our office a call.
  • What medications can I take during my pregnancy? Whether you are currently taking prescriptions or are curious about which over-the-counter medications you can take during your pregnancy, discussing prescriptions and medications with your obstetrician is imperative. Your OB should know all the medications you are prescribed at your first appointment. While the list of over-the-counter medications is limited during pregnancy it is important to know what is safe and what you will want to stay away from for the next nine months. Contact your obstetrician with any questions regarding medications before you take it during your pregnancy. Here are a few over-the-counter medications that are commonly on the “safe list” for pregnant women:
    • Acetaminophen (Tylenol) for headache/pain/fever
    • Vitamin B6 for nausea/vomiting
    • Chlorpheniramine and tripelennamine for cold and allergy symptoms
    • Fiber supplement for constipation
    • Saline nasal spray for allergies
  • Do I need to change my workout routine or eating habits? To have a healthy pregnancy, we suggest staying active. As always listen to your body. If you were a runner prior to pregnancy keep running. We don’t suggest picking up marathon running if you were not highly active previously. Some adjustments to your workout routine may vary further along in pregnancy. Talk to your doctor if you ever question specific activities. As far as diet, there is no need to “eat for two” maintaining healthy eating habits is important to your baby’s growth and development. Raw fish and fish high in mercury are both diet items you will want to stay clear. 
  • Who will deliver my baby? Dr. Ruthann Rees OB patients are able to call her personal cell phone number for after-hours emergencies or urgent questions that cannot wait for regular office hours. Dr. Rees knows how important it is to have your own doctor attend your delivery. In the past 10 years, Dr. Rees has attended the delivery of over 99% of her Obstetric patients, so it is safe to say she will be there for you. 

Obstetric Care You Can Trust

Dr. Ruthann Rees and her team at OBGYN Specialists of Columbus are ready to walk you through this incredible journey of new life. Conveniently located in midtown Columbus, Georgia our office is here for you and your growing family. Contact us to schedule your first obstetrician appointment today. 

Every woman experiences menopause and each in her own way. Even though most women know that eventually, menopause symptoms will occur they can often not be prepared when that day actually does happen. Keeping regularly scheduled appointments with your gynecologist specialists is the best way to stay up-to-date with all aspects of your health not just menopause.

Below are a few informative key points about menopause and how important it is to talk to your gynecological specialists.

Here is What You Need to Know About Menopause

 

  • Menopause is Not a Disease –  Menopause is commonly defined as the end of the menstrual cycle for a woman (consecutively for 12 months), reduction in estrogen, and when she can no longer get pregnant. Usually, menopause begins to happen between the ages of 45 to 55. This naturally occurring event is preceded by a period called “perimenopause” and a woman may start noticing symptoms similar to PMS (Premenstrual syndrome).
  • Every Woman Experiences Menopause Uniquely – Since every woman’s experience with menopause is unique as she is, symptoms may be individual as well. According to the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, the symptoms may seem similar to PMS at first and be very mild or intense. A woman may experience hot flashes, sleep issues, and decreased sex drive to name a few symptoms.
  • BioTE Hormone Replacement Therapy – When experiencing menopause and the lower levels of estrogen that coincide with menopause, BioTE hormone replacement pellets may be an option to consider to help treat hormone levels. Dr. Ruthann Rees and OBGYN Specialists of Columbus were the first BioTE providers in the Columbus, Ga area and have years of experience with this type of treatment. Contact our office to learn more or set up a BioTE consultation appointment.
  • Talk to Your Doctor – Keeping an open line of communication between your gynecologist doctor about any changes or symptoms relating to your health is very important. Not only when experiencing symptoms of menopause, but in all aspects of women’s healthcare. At OBGYN Specialists of Columbus, our team is professional and highly trained to provide care in all stages of a woman’s life.

Total Female Healthcare Services

No matter the phase of life a woman is experiencing, at OBGYN Specialists we are here to provide a high level of care in a comfortable environment. Menopause can be stressful and scary but we are here to guide you through and help provide options. Our services include menopause management and BioTE hormone replacement, and many other total women’s healthcare services.

Contact us to schedule your next appointment or to learn more about the options we provide in menopause management.

Do you have heavy menstrual bleeding or painful menstrual periods? This quick Q&A will give you a brief overview of Uterine Fibroids and will answer some of the most common questions asked here in the office.

What are Uterine Fibroids?

Uterine Fibroids, also known as “leiomyomas”, are benign growths of smooth muscle and connective tissue from the wall of the uterus. They may grow within the wall of the uterus, project into the interior cavity, or project towards the outer surface of the uterus.

  • According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, 25-80% of women suffer from uterine fibroids.
  • No two patients with uterine fibroids are alike: Uterine fibroids may have varying sizes, number, location, and symptoms.

Are Fibroids Cancerous?

New research suggests that it is more common than previously thought for a uterine fibroid to undergo malignant or cancerous changes. Patients with the rapid growth of uterine fibroids or fibroid growth during menopause require prompt evaluation.

Who is at Risk for Uterine Fibroids?

Uterine Fibroids are the most common tumor of the uterus in women of childbearing age. The highest prevalence is in women of color. Research suggests that obesity, a family history of uterine fibroids, early onset of menstruation, or late onset menopause may contribute to an increased risk of developing fibroids.

Factors that may lower the risk of developing fibroids are pregnancy and long-term use or oral or injectable contraceptive.

What Causes Uterine Fibroids?

The exact causes are unknown. Evidence suggests that multiple factors play a role in the growth of fibroids such as genetics, estrogen and progesterone,  growth hormones, and stress. Fibroids may stabilize or shrink in women after menopause.

What are the Symptoms?

Most fibroids do not cause symptoms and do not require treatment other than regular observation by your healthcare provider. Common symptoms of fibroids are:

  • Heavy menstrual bleeding
  • Painful menstrual periods
  • Bleeding between periods
  • Pelvic pressure (a feeling of “fullness” in lower abdomen)
  • Painful sexual intercourse
  • Low back pain
  • Difficulty becoming pregnant or difficulty maintaining a pregnancy
  • Frequent urination, constipation, or difficult bowel movements may also occur

What Tests are Completed to Diagnose Uterine Fibroids?

Uterine Fibroids may be discovered during a routine gynecologic examination or during prenatal care. Oftentimes an ultrasound is ordered to verify the size and number of fibroids.

How are Uterine Fibroids treated?

For Uterine Fibroids that are not causing symptoms, the best therapy may be watchful waiting. Your healthcare provider may schedule routine gynecologic exams and periodic ultrasounds to check for growth of fibroids.

Currently, the only cure uterine fibroids is a hysterectomy (surgical removal of the uterus).

  • Hysterectomy: Surgical removal of the uterus. The only definitive diagnosis, however, does not preserve fertility.
  • Myomectomy: Surgical removal of fibroids while leaving the uterus in place. This preserves fertility; however, although the fibroids do not regrow after the surgery, new fibroids may develop.
  • Uterine Artery Embolization:  Performed by an interventional radiologist. Tiny particles about the size of grains of sand are injected into the blood vessels that lead to the uterus. Particles then cut off the blood flow to the fibroid causing it to shrink.
  • Medication Therapy: Your healthcare provider may recommend oral contraceptives or other hormonal birth control methods in order to reduce heavy bleeding and painful periods. Medication therapy is symptomatic care and does not remove or reduce the size of uterine fibroids.

Your healthcare provider will consider several factors such as age, general health, the severity of symptoms, location/size of fibroids, and whether you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant to determine your individualized treatment approach.

Contact us to schedule a visit.

Are you pregnant or know someone who is? Here are eight things you need to know about Pertussis and the Tdap Vaccination. Below are the most common questions we are asked here in the office.

What is Pertussis?

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is a highly contagious respiratory tract infection marked by a severe hacking cough that is followed by a high-pitched inspiration that sounds like a “whoop.” The incidence of whooping cough has increased over time likely due to vaccine-related immunity that wears off over time. From 2000 to 2014 there were 277 recorded pertussis-related deaths in the united states and about 87% (241 cases) occurred in infants under the age of 3 months.

How Pertussis Spreads?

Like the common cold, pertussis is spread by respiratory droplets –coughing, sneezing, breathing. The germs are expelled into the air where they can be easily inhaled by others. Pertussis is highly contagious and according to the CDC, almost everyone who is not immune will become sick if exposed to the bacterium. Whooping cough is most contagious in the early days of infection.

What Symptoms Should You Look For?

Not everyone will experience a “whooping cough” and other symptoms often include a runny nose, low-grade fever, and a mild occasional cough. Later symptoms may include extreme tiredness and coughing fits that may end in vomiting or exhaustion. Babies may also even stop breathing for short periods of time.

Symptoms in Babies Are Often Different

Babies younger than 6 months old with pertussis do not have a typical cough. They may gasp, gag, feed poorly, turn blue around the mouth, or even stop breathing. Symptoms can progress very quickly, and babies often require hospitalization.

How To Protect Your Baby?

As an adult, you may catch whooping cough due to your own childhood vaccination wearing off. You should receive a pertussis booster shot (Tdap) with every pregnancy regardless of receiving a previous Tdap vaccination. The vaccination should be administered between 27 and 36 weeks pregnant. By protecting yourself from the vaccination, you will also protect your baby. Some of the antibodies can help protect the baby during the first few months of life before they can receive their own vaccinations. If there is an outbreak of pertussis in the community, it is ok for a pregnant mother to receive the vaccination prior to 27 weeks.

Why Must I Receive the Vaccination with Each Pregnancy?

The amount of whooping cough antibodies in your body decreases over time. That is why the CDC recommends you get a Tdap vaccine during each pregnancy. Doing so allows each of your babies to get the greatest number of protective antibodies from you, thus getting the best protection possible against the disease.

How Others Can Help Protect Your Baby?

You should ensure that anyone that lives with your baby or anyone who helps take care of your baby receives the Tdap vaccination prior to the birth of your baby.

Treat Whooping Cough Early

You should call your doctor immediately should you, a family member, or your baby begins to exhibit any of the symptoms of whooping cough. Antibiotics may be prescribed to keep you from getting sicker, and to prevent you from spreading the disease to others. Antibiotics may also be given to babes and other household members to protect them from becoming sick.

Contact us if you have more questions and would like to schedule a visit.