Love, intimacy and sex are important aspects of human life. They are the foundation for healthy relationships, creating families and our mental, emotional and physical well-being.
There are many benefits to a healthy sex life including improved immunity, lower blood pressure, bladder control for women, and that it counts as exercise.
Sex is a good thing when practiced in the context of sexual health. Here are 3 things to consider and talk about with your partner that will help keep your sex life healthy.
Consent and Communication: First of all, sex should only happen when there is mutual consent. No one should ever be forced or coerced into it, even when in a long term relationship. We also recommend clear communication about the types of sex you are comfortable with as well as the other items listed below.
Pregnancy Planning: There should be a mutual understanding about whether contraception methods will be used and if so, which ones. Any decision to bring a child into the world should be agreed upon by both parties.
Disease Prevention: Sexually transmitted diseases do not always have obvious symptoms. Before anything happens, both of you should agree to prevention methods like barriers (condoms), testing and/or a mutually exclusive relationship. Always practice safe sex and if you have any concerns, come in for a screening.
There are other things that can impact sexual health including painful intercourse, urinary tract infections, low sex drive or anything that prevents you from having the sex life you want.
We are here to help you with all of your sexual health needs. We can also support you with contraception options, fertility and other aspects of women’s health.
Miracle Orchids Medical Center – Fountain Valley, CA – (714) 486-1228
Holiday seasons are full of temptations. We want to eat, drink and celebrate as much as we can. It’s easy to think that we can just get back on track with New Year resolutions, but over-indulging during the holidays can put our health at risk.
It’s important to keep our immune systems and bodies strong, especially with Covid-19 this year, and we can do that while still having fun. Here are some ideas that can help.
Get a Flu Shot – If you haven’t already done so, it’s important to get your flu shot as soon as possible. Covid-19 and the flu are a dangerous combination that you will want to avoid.
Follow Recommended Guidelines for Preventing Covid-19 – No one wants to be sick during the holidays and Covid cases are spreading fast. While many people have mild cases the death rates are also rising. Even if you think you won’t get it, following the guidelines can help protect those around you.
Update Holiday Recipes – Sometimes just a small tweak can make your traditional recipes healthier without losing flavor. There are several ingredient swap ideas in this holiday food article.
Pay Attention to Portions – Even holiday treats lose their flavor factor after several bites, but we tend to just keep eating. The healthier way is to eat slowly and savor the flavor of those first bites. Once the flavor diminishes, stop eating. Slow eating will also give your body enough time to let you know when it is full.
Watch Your To Do List – Stress is also hard on your immune system and overall health. Make sure everything on your to do list is meaningful or necessary so that you can do less and enjoy the holidays more.
Keep Moving – Exercise is important for both your mood and health. It’s easy to lose motivation this time of year, but can result in regrets and not feeling your best. If you choose to eat and drink more, we would even recommend boosting the amount of exercise you do.
Sleep Well – It’s important to maintain a healthy sleep routine so that you can feel and be well. Stick to your normal schedule as best as you can and if you have trouble sleeping, check out this article.
Have Fun – Laughing and smiling are great health boosters. They increase feel good chemicals in your brain, support a positive mindset and help you feel more energetic.
We hope you decide to support your health during this holiday season so that you stay well, feel your best and enjoy the season’s magical moments.
Happy Holidays!
Miracle Orchids Medical Center – Fountain Valley CA – (714) 486-1228
Diabetes is dangerous for anyone that has it, but women face a unique set of challenges when it comes to this disease.
Studies show that women have a higher incidence of obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and blood sugar levels than men. Hormone changes, higher levels of inflammation and other health issues specific to women can increase their risk of diabetic complications and even death.
Women diabetics are more likely to develop heart disease
They have a higher incidence of heart failure and heart attacks
Diabetes itself is more deadly in women
Women are more likely to become depressed when diabetic
They are also more likely to develop kidney disease or complications
The stakes are high for women when it comes to diabetes and we need to be vigilant in preventing, diagnosing and maintaining it.
Let your doctor know if:
Your mouth feels dry most of the time
You have to pee a lot
Your vision is getting blurry
Your feet and hands fall asleep more often
Your breath smells consistently bad or sweet and fruity
You are getting more yeast infections
Cuts or wounds take longer to heal
You lose weight without trying to
Other considerations include:
A history of gestational diabetes
Family history of diabetes
PCOS Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome
Hormone changes
The good news is that diabetes can be prevented and responds well to lifestyle choices. This means eating a healthy whole foods diet, exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, quitting smoking and taking other proactive measures that can protect you.
There are many resources that can help you learn how to prevent or live with this disease. One of our favorites is the American Diabetes Association.
If you are concerned that you might have diabetes, the first step will be to get tested and know where you stand. And then, no matter what the test results are, start taking steps that will ensure you have a healthier, longer life. Prevention is always a good thing.
Miracle Orchids Medical Center – Fountain Valley – (714) 486-1228
1 in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime and this year an estimated 42,170 women in the U.S. will lose their lives to it. This is why we encourage you to be proactive about your breast health.
Cancer happens when abnormal cells grow and invade healthy cells in your body. They have the potential to metastasize or spread to organs and other areas, which is when cancer becomes life threatening.
When breast cancer is detected early, while it is still local, the 5 year survival rate is 99%. Later detection can be devastating.
Early diagnosis through cancer screenings like annual mammograms can truly save your life.
In addition to annual screenings we also recommend monthly breast self-exams. Forty percent of diagnosed breast cancers are detected by women who feel a lump, so establishing a regular breast self-exam practice is very important. You can learn how with this free downloadable ebook.
It is also important to have a clinical breast exam every year. In our office it is included with your annual Women’s Health Visit, where we also screen for other deadly cancers and health issues.
If you are due or overdue for your yearly visit, please give us a call. It could save your life.
Miracle Orchids Medical Center – Fountain Valley – (714) 486-1228
For many women, their gynecologist is the one doctor they see on a regular basis for preventative care. They know that pap smears and mammograms are important for catching breast, cervical, and ovarian cancer in their early stages.
What they may not realize is that the number one killer of women today is heart disease.
We screen for this deadly disease at each exam and may talk to you about high blood pressure or other signs you are at risk. Keeping your heart healthy helps ensure a long and active life.
We may talk to you about lifestyle choices that can protect your heart like:
Reducing stress to lower your blood pressure
Quitting smoking or other tobacco use
Walking or other exercise
Eating a heart healthy diet
Our goal is tohelp you prevent a heart attack or stroke. In some cases, we may refer you to your primary medical doctor or a specialist in heart health. We take women’s health seriously and protecting your heart is an important part of that.
It is important for women to understand the symptoms of a heart attack as they may be different then what they were taught to expect. Women often postpone going to the hospital because they don’t recognize the symptoms or minimize them, which endangers their lives.
The most common sign of a heart attack is chest pain, but women are more likely to experience other symptoms then men.
They include:
Pain, pressure or a feeling of fullness in the center of your chest
Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach
Nausea, feeling light headed or breaking out in a cold sweat
If you have these symptoms call 911.
We urge you to start taking care of your heart today. It could save your life. For more information on heart health go to the American Heart Association website.
Be sure to schedule your annual women’s health exam and screenings as well. If you don’t already have a gynecologist you love, give us a call. We promise to take great care of you.
Miracle Orchids Medical Center – Fountain Valley – (714) 486-1228
Cervical cancer is a deadly disease that happens when cells of the cervix begin to grow abnormally. It is usually caused by certain types of HPV, a sexually transmitted virus.
Our goal is to help you prevent it or discover it in the early stages when it can be treated.
Some of the early signs of this cancer include:
Unusual spotting or bleeding between periods or after menopause
Persistent pain in the pelvic area or lower back
Longer or heavier periods
Increased vaginal discharge
Pain or bleeding with intercourse
If you are experiencing these symptoms, please contact us as soon as possible to schedule an appointment.
Your best line of defense in protecting yourself from cervical cancer is the HPV vaccine, which is available for men and women between the ages of 9 and 45. We encourage you to learn if this is an option for you and your children as it can truly save lives.
It is also important to stay current with annual women’s wellness exams, pap smears, and HPV screening. These screenings can catch abnormal cells early when treatment is simpler and more effective.
Other ways to protect yourself are to:
Use condoms – they offer a lot of protection but you can still contract HPV through skin to skin contact in other areas
Stop smoking
Limit your number of sexual partners
If you are due or overdue for your annual preventive screenings or have concerns about HPV or cervical cancer, please give us a call.
Miracle Orchids Medical Center – Fountain Valley, CA – (714) 486-1228
We encourage you to come in for your first prenatal visit as
soon as you find out you are pregnant.
Your baby is already developing and early prenatal care can decrease the risk of complications and help ensure it’s health. We will also support you by answering questions, providing reassurance, and guiding you through the steps that will protect the health of both you and your little one.
Some of the things we may recommend include:
Prenatal Vitamins – These vitamins are designed specifically for the health of babies and mom’s to be. For example, they include folic acid that can help prevent the development of brain and spinal cord defects. Your body will also be changing and have different needs that will be supported by the specific contents of prenatal vitamins.
Healthy Diet – It is important that you eat well and drink plenty of water during your pregnancy. Your diet should include protein, plenty of fresh vegetables, and foods rich in iron and calcium. We will provide guidance and support you in eating the best you can during this special time.
Immunizations – We may recommend that you and your partner get flu shots to prevent your getting sick during pregnancy. Tdap vaccines are also commonly recommended. They prevent whooping cough, tetanus, and diphtheria and can continue to protect your baby in her weeks after birth.
Prenatal Appointments as Advised – It is important to stay consistent with your recommended prenatal doctor visits. At each appointment we will ask for a urine sample, check your weight and belly measurements to assess your baby’s growth, and listen to their heartbeat. Most “mom’s to be” say listening to the heartbeat is their favorite thing.
Being committed to your prenatal care is the best way to
ensure that you and your baby stay healthy.
We will help you every step of the way.
Dr. Krystal H. Pham Miracle Orchids Medical Center (714) 486-1228
Most of us have had our lives touched by breast cancer in some way. We may have lost a loved one, know someone in treatment, or experienced it ourselves. Hopefully, we have some survivor stories to tell.
One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. Your risk level depends on several factors, some preventable and some not. Sometimes it feels like the lottery. Any one of us could be next.
HPV or human papillomavirus is a sexually transmitted infection that can lead to 6 different types of cancer and genital warts. It will infect 80% of us during our lifetimes and 14 million teens and adults are diagnosed with it each year.
If you have been sexually active or plan to be in the future, you are at risk.
For women, the biggest concern is cervical cancer. Nine out of 10 cases of this type of cancer start with an HPV infection. Cancers of the throat and sexual organs of both men and women are commonly associated with HPV, too.
Here at Miracle Orchids Medical Center we take your sexual health and cancer risk seriously. For many of our patients we recommend a vaccine that can prevent HPV and the associated risks.
Gardasil 9 is an FDA approved HPV vaccine for people from ages 9 to 45. Ideally, it will be given before children are sexually active, usually at the ages of 11-12, but can be used for adults too. It cannot cure an existing infection, but can prevent future infections of other cancer causing strains of the disease. It may also prevent sexual partners from spreading the virus to each other.
In the years since these vaccines have been recommended there have been dramatic decreases in HPV cases and cervical cancers in women. The vaccinations are definitely making a difference and saving lives.
When you come in for a consultation, our goal will be to support you in feeling empowered in maintaining your health and enjoying the gifts of being a woman through all phases of your life.
To schedule a consultation call (714) 486-1228 or contact us here.
Miracle Orchids Medical Center – Fountain Valley CA
