Understanding Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Understanding polycystic syndrome (PCOS) is complicated. It affects your menstrual cycle and has some strange symptoms. Many women actually have PCOS, yet have never been diagnosed. It’s possible one of them could be you.

What Is PCOS

The first thing about understanding polycystic ovary syndrome is how a syndrome is defined. A syndrome is a group of symptoms that consistently occur together. In this case, it affects a woman’s ovaries and ovulation. PCOS is a hormonal problem women develop during their childbearing years. As high as 27% of women may have PCOS, but many don’t realize it.female doctor talking to patient.

A woman’s reproductive organs, or the ovaries, produce both estrogen and progesterone, which help to regulate the menstrual cycle. The ovaries also produce a small amount of male hormones known as androgens.

There are three fundamental features of PCOS: cysts in the ovaries, a higher-than-normal amount of male hormones, and irregular or skipped periods.

When a woman has PCOS, she has multiple fluid-filled sacs each with an immature egg, but they never mature enough to trigger ovulation. This lack of ovulation affects all the hormones causing fewer female ones and more male ones. The extra male hormones in turn disrupt the menstrual cycle if you have PCOS, and you get fewer periods than normal.

At The Wright Center for Women’s Health, we take a comprehensive approach to diagnosing and managing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). Through our Comprehensive Health Assessment (CHA), routine ultrasounds can help detect PCOS by providing a clear view of the ovaries. In addition, the lab tests we conduct can indicate hormonal imbalances commonly associated with PCOS, allowing for a more accurate diagnosis and personalized care plan.

Symptoms Of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

There are many signs of PCOS including the following:

  • Irregular, infrequent, or prolonged periods is the main sign
  • Heavy bleeding
  • Extra male hormones can cause excess facial and body hair
  • Oily skin leading to severe breakouts on the face, chest, and upper back
  • Male pattern baldness
  • Weight gain —80% of women with PCOS are obese or overweight
  • Headaches
  • Difficulty getting pregnant

Other Complications And Risk Factors From PCOS

PCOS can lead to the development of metabolic syndrome, which consists of high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high LDL or bad cholesterol, and low HDL or good cholesterol.

Metabolic syndrome increases the risk of diabetes, stroke, and heart disease.

Other risk factors include sleep apnea, depression, and endometrial cancer.

If you suspect you may be suffering from PCOS, contact The Wright Center for Women’s Health at (630) 687-9595 for an evaluation at our Naperville, IL office to learn more about treatment options, along with lifestyle changes that can help.

Aesthetic Market Evolution Conference

Dr. Wright recently took a trip to Miami for a conference! See a snippet of all 3 days. We are always growing and learning at The Wright Center!

Day 1: Dr. Wright is in Miami at an Aesthetic Market Evolution conference learning to meet the changing patient needs with technology, injectables and combination treatments.

Day 2: Dr Wright with her friends Drs Furlong and Rodriguez taking a selfie instead of paying attention at the cosmetic conference.

Day 3: Dr Wright travelled to Miami to learn even more about non-invasive and minimally invasive technologies to generate long-term success for our guests.

Dr Wright and the Inmode machine

Drs Wright, Furlong, and Rodriguez

Dr. Wright standing and smiling

Dr. Wright and a large sign that says "Inmode"

 

Have Better Orgasms With The O-Shot

Whether you have a low libido, or you’re looking to spice it up in the bedroom, The Wright Center For Women’s Health can help you improve your sexual satisfaction with services like the O-Shot to help you have a better orgasm.

What is the O-Shot?

The O-Shot starts with a blood draw where platelets are then separated and concentrated. The Platelet Rich Plasma contains growth factors removed from your blood and is essentially injected into an area near the clitoris and into an area of the upper vagina, which is commonly referred to as the O-Spot, an important place for sexual response.

Before the shot is given, we numb the area with a local anesthetic cream, so our guests experience little to no discomfort. The Orgasm Shot has been in women’s medicine for years, Dr. Wright is one of the few physicians specially trained and certified to perform this procedure that can help improve sexual function.

One treatment can last up to six months, but additional procedures will only improve results. We recommend this procedure to women who suffer from low libido, sexual dysfunction, urinary incontinence, or other common gynecological annoyances.

How Long Do I Have to Wait Before Having Sex

While we recommend waiting a few days before having sex again after the O-Shot, some of our guests have engaged in sexual activity the same day as the procedure. You can have sex right away, however, you likely won’t experience peak results until four weeks after the procedure.

Benefits From the O-Shot

The O-shot will help with more stronger and frequent orgasms, and provide improved lubrication for your partner. Past guests have noted that their partner has been able to thrust and penetrate deeper into their bodies. Your partner will be happier and surprised overall by your performance in the bedroom.

Schedule an appointment with The Wright Center For Women’s Health to discuss the O-Shot today!

Make Valentine’s Day Special With Our Help!

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and couples are looking for ways to spice it up in the bedroom. The Wright Center For Women’s Health has some tips you can follow to make preparation for the holiday of love easier.

O-Shot

The O-Shot is one of our most requested procedures. This female sexual enhancement is great for women who are experiencing low libido or poor sexual satisfaction, and they’re looking to spark up their sex life. The O-Shot is a simple blood draw, using Platelet Rich Plasma or PRP, and growth factors from your blood, which is then injected near the clitoris and vagina. Learn more about the O-Shot and if it’s the procedure for you here.

Vampire Wing Lift

The Vampire Wing Lift is great for our guests who may be older in their years and wanting to experience a rejuvenated sex life. Similar to the Vampire Breast Lift and Facial, the Wing Lift is a cosmetic procedure that focuses on the labia(wings) and “lifts” them back to the natural shape and look from a woman’s younger years. While this procedure isn’t for everyone, candidates for this elective surgery are usually middle-aged to older women, pre or post-menopause who wish to revitalize the look of their labia. Learn more about the Vampire Wing Lift and why it might be for you here.

Contraception

Before Valentine’s Day is here, make sure you have the contraception and protection you need. If you’re trying to conceive, obviously you won’t be needing protection, however, that’s not the goal of many on Valentine’s Day. Whether you’re taking Birth Control Pills or the patch, using an IUD or a ring, it’s important to make sure it’s checked and ready to go right before the big day! The Wright Center For Women’s Health can help you decide which form of contraception is right for you if you’re not already using some and we can help ensure it’s being used properly.

STD/STI Testing

If you’ve recently started seeing your partner, it’s important to make sure you’ve both been tested for any STDs or STIs. It’s important to talk with your significant other to find out if they’ve been in any relationships where they might have contracted a sexually transmitted disease or infection. Condoms are always encouraged to reduce the risk of STD transmission.

At The Wright Center, we recommend having an STD screening done if you have a new sexual partner, you’re having unprotected sex, engaging in high-risk behavior with multiple partners, or experiencing symptoms. If an STD or STI has been detected, we’ll take the proper treatment route at The Wright Center, and help you navigate your sex life better.

Make Sure You’re on the Same Page

Last but not least, before you engage in any Valentine’s Day activities, it’s best to make sure your partner and you are on the same page. Whether you’re using accessories, like toys and lingerie in the bedroom to keeping it casual and seeing where the night takes you, it’s important to make sure everyone has the same expectations and you know each other’s limits. The Wright Center For Women’s Health can help you prepare for Valentine’s Day! Schedule your appointment today!

Start 2021 Off The Wright Way – With a CHA Exam!

The new year is almost here, start it knowing you’re healthy with the help of The Wright Center For Women’s Health. With a yearly examination and our Complete Health Assessment, you can be sure you’re 100% healthy.

Our Complete Health Assessment(CHA) is very thorough, with blood work, an ANS and Max Pulse Test, Diagnostic Ultrasounds done, and more. You’ll also meet with our providers to discuss your test results, any problems or concerns you may have, treatment options, and more.

What is Included in My Lab Work?

The first part of your Complete Health Assessment will include your routine blood work. Once the tests are sent to the lab, we’ll also check your hormones as well. Aside from the usual tests we run, you can request any additional tests at the time of scheduling your appointment. The blood tests you’ll be receiving are:

  • CBC
  • CMP
  • Lipid Panel
  • Vitamin D
  • TSH
  • Free T3
  • Total T4
  • TPO
  • Testosterone
  • Estradiol
  • FSH
  • Vitamin B12
  • LH
  • Hemoglobin a1C
  • Urine Culture

You’ll receive the results of your lab work in a meeting with your provider 3-7 days after your CHA.

ANS & Max Pulse Test

Another component of the CHA exam is an Autonomic Nervous System or ANS test. This test will evaluate your nervous system which controls your involuntary bodily functions including, appetite, mood, blood pressure, heart rate, digestion, bladder function, sexual function, and more. Any damage to the Autonomic Nervous System can cause problems to the previously listed functions, and ultimately cause problems for the rest of your body.

In addition to the Autonomic Nervous System test, we’ll also be testing the Endothelial Function to ensure there are no damages to the endothelial lining or Endothelial Dysfunction to make sure you’re not at risk for diabetes, strokes, or heart disease.

When we perform an ANS and Endothelial Function Test, we’re essentially looking for any of the following risk factors:

  • Autonomic Nervous System dysfunction: Involuntary functions
  • Sudomotor Dysfunction: Sweat Gland function
  • Endothelial Dysfunction: Risk of heart attack and stroke
  • Insulin Resistance: Risk of developing diabetes
  • Cardiometabolic Risk: Risk of heart disease and metabolic disorders such as metabolic syndrome
  • Small Fiber Neuropathy: Can start as numbness and tingling in the hand and feet
  • Cardiac Autonomic Neuropathy: The nerves that innervate the heart
  • Cardiovascular disease via plethysmography: Combined total of the other risk factors

The ANS test and Endothelial Function Test is designed to help prevent any issues your body may be having or could have in the future. By having these tests done yearly, you could be saving yourself a lot of time and prevent health issues in the future.

Diagnostic Ultrasounds

Before your appointment begins, we’ll perform both external and internal ultrasounds to rule out any abnormalities, including Fibroids, Ovarian Cysts, Polyps, etc. These ultrasounds will give us (and you) a better understanding of what’s going on with your body and what we need to watch out for. We do recommend drinking at least 32 ounces of water 1 hour before your ultrasound. The Sonographer will be able to view the pelvic organs better when you have a full bladder. Remember to drink the water slowly to prevent discomfort in your abdomen.

What Should I Do To Prepare for My CHA?

We know you’re probably wondering if there is anything you need to do or know before your CHA exam, and the answer is yes, please prepare yourself ahead of time.

Before your appointment, please make sure you have notified us if you would like any other blood tests done, so our Phlebotomist can be prepared. Also, please make sure you have a mask for your appointment, and if you’re sick or starting to feel sick please reschedule your appointment. We want to keep everyone safe and healthy.

After your CHA is completed, we will sit down with you to review your results, identify any red flags, and tailor a treatment plan custom to your needs. We cannot stress enough how important it is to schedule your yearly Complete Health Assessment and any other routine exams you may need. Schedule your CHA to start the new year off with great test results and a healthy outlook.

COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions Answered!

As you might imagine, our office has been getting a lot of questions about the current COVID-19 pandemic. Most of them are being directed to our Front Desk staff and a member of that team, Amanda (pictured above on the left), has taken the time to answer some of them in this blog.

The questions range from simple ones to some that are a little more complicated. So, over the next week or so we’re going to answer the ones that have come up the most often to help our guests feel safe and secure.

1. Are you keeping normal hours?

Yes. View our regular office hours here.

2. What measures are you taking for guest and employee safety?

We are taking numerous steps to ensure the safety of not only our guests but of our entire staff. These include:

  • Now offering telehealth services to our guests. Click here to discover more.
  • Practicing social distancing to the best of our ability while still servicing those in need.
  • Limiting the number of staff that we have in the office at any one time.
  • Rotating paid time off to help limit the number of people in the office.
  • Team members who are able to work from home are doing so.
  • We have suspended most, if not all in-person gatherings and are meeting virtually when possible.
  • Anyone with possible exposure to or symptoms consistent with COVID-19 are being told to not come to the office and call to let us know.
  • Outfitting ourselves with appropriate personal protective equipment
  • Taking guest temperature with a laser thermometer outside our front door and conducting quick pre-health screenings before entry into the office.
  • Extra vigilance with cleaning after each guest, paying extra attention to high touch areas such as doors, doorknobs, countertops and faucet handles.

3. Have members of the staff been tested for COVID-19?

All members of the staff are being tested on a consistent and rotating basis.

4. Are many guests canceling appointments or moving them to later dates?

We are actually encouraging telehealth visits with our providers as we prefer to stay on top of our guest’s conditions and health. We are also conducting pre-health screenings the day before appointments and as guests enter the facility.

5. Do guests still use the waiting area? 

No, our parking lot now acts as our waiting area. We will contact you when it’s your time to come into the office.

6. Do you have someone on staff who is an expert in COVID health issues?

Yes. Dr. Joy West is a member of the Chicago COVID Task Force and is ensuring that we are always adhering to all CDC COVID guidelines.

Please reach out to us at 630-687-9595 or complete our contact form if you any further questions. We are eager and grateful to be able to work together with you to provide a safe environment for all.

On behalf of the entire team at The Wright Center for Women’s Health, we wish you and your family good health and continued well-being.

Stay safe

The Wright Center Team

Are You Tired of Being Tired?

It happens to all of us.

As we reach our mid to late 30s our bodies begin to change. Some of the changes we can deal with, but for the most part, these changes don’t really strengthen our quality of life or overall well-being.

Many of these changes are brought on by disruptions to our hormonal makeup. They include but are not limited to:

  • feeling constantly tired
  • weight gain
  • urinary incontinence
  • irregular bowel movements
  • sweating
  • diminished sexual desire

Until the last few years, traditional synthetic hormone replacement was seen as one of the only treatment options for hormonal imbalance. At The Wright Center, however, we’ve moved from traditional treatment methods to a new system called BioTe Therapy.

What is BioTe Therapy?

Developed by medical pioneer and expert, Dr. Gary Donovitz, BioTE® Therapy was designed to deliver the right kind of hormone (biologically identical) in the right amounts (doses based on accurate testing and proper analysis of the results) using the right delivery system (pellets – which deliver straight into the bloodstream whenever the body needs it). Benefits of BioTE include:

  • Regain your healthy sense of well-being.
  • Rediscover your mental focus and clarity.
  • Ignite your passion with improved libido.
  • Protection against heart disease and stroke.
  • Relief of menopause and PMS symptoms.
  • Prevention of osteoporosis, senility and Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Improvement of cholesterol levels, muscle mass and strength.

If you’re dealing with what you think may be hormonal imbalance, we invite you to schedule an appointment with one of our partners to learn more.

The Wright Center Continues Precautions Against COVID-19

Even though the State of Illinois recently moved into Phase 4 of its reopening process, that does not mean the risk of COVID-19 lessened.

In the last couple of weeks alone the amount of COVID cases hit a staggering milestone. As of June 26th, 2020, there have been 2.47 million  Americans that have tested positive for COVID-19. Of those, 126,000 children, siblings, spouses, and parents have passed away. Per Johns Hopkins, Cook County is the county in the US with the most cases of COVID-19. This disease is still here and is still something that we need to respect.

Here at The Wright Center for Women’s Health, we are continuing to do everything in our power to help keep our guests and their families safe from COVID-19. We screen every patient before they walk in the door and we are minimizing the number of patients that we have in the office at a given time.

During slightly busier times, we are utilizing a virtual waiting room where our guests are checked in outside and if need be, wait in their car until we are ready to immediately room them and minimize contact.

We also have each guest who enters The Wright Center wear a face mask for added protection to everyone in the building. We are also offering telehealth visits with all of our providers and we regularly monitor members of our staff for symptoms.

Lastly, here is some information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on helping protect yourselves, your loved ones, and your community from COVID-19.

Important COVID-19 Facts

  • There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
  • The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
  • The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person and between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet) through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
  • Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms.

How to Slow the Spread

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
  • If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
  • Avoid close contact
  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick, even inside your home. If possible, maintain 6 feet between the person who is sick and other household members.
  • Put distance between yourself and other people outside of your home.
  • Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people.
  • Do not gather in groups.
  • Stay out of crowded places and avoid mass gatherings.
  • Keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
  • Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others
  • Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities.
  • Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
  • Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.
  • If you are in a private setting and do not have on your cloth face covering, remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.

Keeping Your Environment Clean

  • Throw used tissues in the trash.
  • Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
  • If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection. Then, use a household disinfectant. Most common EPA-registered household will work.

If you have more questions about what The Wright Center is doing in the fight against COVID-19, please feel free to call our office today at (630) 687-9595.

Curcumin SF

All curcumins are not created equal. Although used for centuries as an ingredient in Asia, most forms are poorly absorbed in the bloodstream, whether coming from food or a nutritional supplement. Curcumin-SF has a 29x greater absorption rate compared to ordinary curcumin.
When taken daily, Curcumin-SF helps maintain a healthy inflammatory response throughout the body. Curcumin enhances the activity of the COMT enzyme, which helps metabolize estrogen via methylation (the main way gene activity is adjusted during life!) in both men and women. In turn, it protects cells from DNA damage from improper estrogen metabolism.
Click here or call our office today to schedule an appointment or telehealth visit with one of our providers to see if this supplement could benefit you!

Iodine+

The thyroid gland takes the iodine you ingest and converts it into two hormones—thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). T4 and T3 regulate our body’s metabolism of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Every cell in the body depends on T3 and T4, so if it doesn’t have enough, it isn’t functioning well. Iodine+ also contains two other essential ingredients—selenium and zinc. Selenium and zinc are also needed to help with the formation of active thyroid hormone T3.
When taken daily, Iodine+ provides the body with a substantial amount of iodine to promote healthy hormone production. Moreover, iodine supports healthy breast tissue by up-regulating proteins involved in estrogen metabolism.
 Even healthy eaters may be at risk. Some foods can cause a relative iodine deficiency by binding to iodine, which can make the bound iodine inaccessible for thyroid hormone production. These foods include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, kale, soy, peanuts, pine nuts, turnips, and rutabaga, although cooking these foods tends to make them less apt to do this.
Click here or call our office today to schedule an appointment or telehealth visit with one of our providers to see if this supplement could benefit you!

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