Blog Archive

Periods can be a real pain, but when your flow is heavier than normal, they can wind up practically taking over your life, or at least some aspects of it. Of course, every woman’s flow can be different, and that makes it difficult to know if what you’re experiencing is...

There’s a large variety of symptoms and conditions that you can experience after giving birth; however, a less frequently discussed postpartum issue is pelvic floor dysfunction.  Your pelvic floor is a group of muscles that support your pelvic organs, including your bladder, rectum, and uterus. These muscles also stabilize your...

If you experience pain just before, during, or after sex, you’re not alone. Studies estimate that millions of women — about 40% of the population — will experience pain due to sexual intercourse at some point in their lives.  However, just because it’s common doesn’t mean you must accept it...

You envy friends who can set a clock to their periods or friends who bleed for 2-3 days without soaking through tampons or pads.  Instead, you’re often caught off guard. You often deal with heavy periods that have ruined more pairs of underwear than you can count, to say nothing...

Dealing with persistent skin issues is challenging. But what if you had a solution right at your fingertips? Chemical peels, used by dermatologists for decades, have been transforming skin and building confidence.  These treatments involve the application of a chemical solution to exfoliate damaged outer skin layers, revealing fresh and...

Every year more than 1 million women enter menopause, and while this process is natural, it brings with it uncomfortable symptoms that can disrupt your life. Night sweats are one of several symptoms that strike during menopause, and they can keep you from getting a restful night’s sleep. Here at...

Vaginal pain isn’t a topic easy to discuss, but it’s a fairly common concern among women of all ages. Infections, diseases, cysts, and even atrophy of the tissues can cause pain.  Below, we ask Dr. Rachel Spieldoch, our expert at McDowell Mountain Gynecology in Scottsdale, Arizona, to share some possible...

Chlamydia is one of many sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) that cause infections in both men and women. Caused by a type of bacteria, the infection tends to result in more damage to women’s reproductive systems than men’s. An untreated chlamydia infection can cause infertility due to the resulting permanent damage...

September is PCOS Awareness Month — which kicks off with World PCOS Day on the first of the month — so if you’re navigating a polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) diagnosis, know you’re not alone. PCOS affects as many as 13% of reproductive-aged women worldwide, but unfortunately, an estimated 70% of women with PCOS remain...

Over the years, your skin takes a lot of abuse from your living environment, including outside pollutants and UV rays from sun exposure. This causes the fine lines, wrinkles, skin laxity, and other flaws that we associate with aging.   At McDowell Mountain Gynecology, located in Scottsdale, Arizona, Dr. Rachel Spieldoch...

There is a plethora of information about Votiva Vaginal Rejuvenation on the internet which seem to mainly focus on cosmetic concerns, boosting sex drive, increasing sexual sensation and improving sexual pleasure. While these benefits are definitely achievable and a common reason that patients inquire about Votive, there are so many...

Getting a good night’s sleep feels great — and there’s a really good reason why. Sleep improves your physical health and your emotional well-being, too, helping you ward off depression and irritability and decrease your risks of other serious health issues, too.  Unfortunately, high-quality sleep isn’t always easy to come by. And...

Endometriosis is a common gynecological condition that affects about 190 million women of reproductive age worldwide. A chronic disease with no known cure, endometriosis is associated with significant pain that often worsens during periods or sexual intercourse. It’s essential to seek treatment to manage the symptoms if you suspect you...

Many women experience pelvic pain. Although the frequency and severity of the discomfort varies, finding the exact cause of pelvic pain is often difficult. Dr. Rachel Spieldoch and our team at McDowell Mountain Gynecology in Scottsdale, Arizona, specialize in women’s gynecological health and have helped many women struggling with pelvic pain get the...

If you’ve noticed that your vagina has changed with increasing age, you’re not alone. While age-related changes are common, they often go unaddressed due to a lack of information or even embarrassment. However, there’s nothing shameful about the condition, and your sexual health and intimate life are important.  These changes,...

If you have heavy periods, you know how annoying they can be. You have to constantly change your tampons or pads. You worry about embarrassing leakage. You may even become anemic from losing so much blood. Fortunately, you don't have to put up with heavy periods. Treatment can reduce bleeding...

A chemical peel is an effective way to get the smoother, more even complexion you desire. These treatments come in a variety of strengths to deliver dramatic results by causing old skin cells to fall away — revealing glowing, fresh skin. The team at McDowell Mountain Gynecology can help you...

It’s not easy to sleep when you’re dealing with night sweats. This common symptom of menopause or other hormonal imbalance in women can leave you coping with daytime fatigue and brain fog, and even increases your risk of serious health conditions like diabetes and heart disease. If you’re ready to...

Recently, a spotlight has been cast on racial disparity and inequality in aspects of medicine and healthcare. Its effect is far-reaching and challenges the perceived integrity of our current healthcare system. The field of Gynecology has not been spared, as there are several factors that contribute to inequalities in Gynecology...

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is a condition characterized by irregular menstrual periods. Monthly ovulation may not occur and levels of androgens (male hormones) are elevated.   The condition is more common than we often realize, with up to 10% of women affected.  Elevated androgens can result in excessive facial hair...

It’s estimated that 50% of women who’ve reached menopause suffer from symptoms of vaginal dryness, yet as few as 10% may seek treatment. Most live with the discomfort and pain that these symptoms create, affecting their sex lives and potentially leading to urinary tract problems.  Although vaginal dryness is a key indicator...

The menstrual cycle is a built-in part of the female experience and it usually comes with cramps. As a result, most women experience pelvic pain, often monthly. In fact, discomfort in the pelvic area can become so commonplace that women ignore it. That could lead to issues, though, since this...

Having effective birth control is life-changing. But people and circumstances change, and the method that once worked for you might no longer be a good fit. Or maybe you’re trying to decide if the method you’re using now really is right for you.  If you’re unhappy or have questions about your current...

A urinary tract infection (UTI) is a bacterial infection that can occur in both men and women. However, they’re more common in women, with a ratio of about 8 to 1. Women have a shorter urethra than men, allowing bacteria to find their way into the urinary tract and build up...

Spending time outdoors during summer is often an enjoyable, relaxing experience. It’s fun to splash in the pool or sunbathe in the sand. Yet, whenever you're outdoors, you expose your skin to the sun’s UV rays. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, just 15 minutes of UV...

Menopause is the end of menstruation when a woman hasn’t had a period in over a year. During the year leading up to and during menopause, women can have a number of symptoms that can be uncomfortable and disruptive. At McDowell Mountain Gynecology in Scottsdale, Arizona, Rachel Spieldoch, MD, is a skilled and...

According to the American Academy of Facial and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery (AAFRPS),  injectable neuromodulators are the number one cosmetic procedure for both women and men. Adults of all ages use neuromodulators to erase: Forehead wrinkles Frown lines Bunny lines Crow’s feet Neuromodulators are so popular, in fact, that Rachel Spieldoch, MD, FACOG, and our aesthetics...

Your vaginal area, including the labia or lips of your vulva, is a sensitive part of your anatomy that needs knowledgeable and understanding care. If your labia are overly large, a condition also known as labial hypertrophy, you could feel negative about this part of your body. Dr. Rachel Spieldoch and her...

Your lips reach their full thickness at about the age of 16. From then on, it’s a bit of a downhill run. Like other parts of your face, your lips gain their shape from pads of fat beneath the skin. From the time those fat pads reach their full size,...

Some of the myths in circulation about sex suggest that it’s not a big deal if you find the experience physically painful. At McDowell Mountain Gynecology of Scottsdale, Arizona, Dr. Rachel Spieldoch wants you to know that you don’t have to live with painful sex. It shouldn’t hurt every time you have...

Every woman goes through menopause during middle age, but not everyone in or approaching menopause gets symptoms. In cases when they do appear, the symptoms of menopause can be cumbersome at the very least and, at most, a daily difficulty. When severe menopause symptoms strike, they may fool you into...

If your extra heavy or long periods haven’t responded to other therapies, such as hormonal birth control, you may decide to undergo a procedure called endometrial ablation, which permanently destroys the lining of your uterus to make your periods lighter and more comfortable. Although endometrial ablation is nonsurgical and minimally...

Birth control is a controversial topic for some, but for those who’ve seen the effects of preventing unwanted pregnancy, it is not just a topic, but a necessity. Birth control has evolved beyond the pills of the mid-20th century, and other birth control options are popular, but birth control pills...

Nearly 68 million Americans have sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and many of those infected have no idea they have one. At McDowell Mountain Gynecology, board-certified gynecologist Rachel Spieldoch, MD, FACOG, and our team offer comprehensive gynecology services in-office, including STD testing. We can determine which tests you need based on...

Lichen sclerosus may not be common, but that doesn’t make it less painful or concerning. Fortunately, Dr. Rachel Spieldoch and her team at McDowell Mountain Gynecology in Scottsdale, Arizona, can help. Dr. Spieldoch offers comprehensive diagnostic services and an up-to-date surgical suite so she can treat numerous conditions in a...

Modern medical science has made it possible to perform many traditional treatments using gentler techniques to reduce pain, scarring, and recovery time. Endometrial ablation is a minimally invasive technique that treats various underlying conditions that affect your reproductive health and quality of life. Dr. Rachel Spieldoch is an expert in...

Uterine fibroids, often simply called fibroids, are growths in the uterus that are usually not cancerous. You can have one or multiple fibroids, which can vary in size, and it’s not uncommon to go years without realizing you have them. If they cause bothersome symptoms, however, it’s time to see...

The birth control patch is a type of contraception that delivers drugs via transdermal application. This method involves administering medication through your skin to achieve the same or better benefits as oral medication. The birth control patch delivers estrogen and progestin, the same hormones used in many birth control pills....

A hysterectomy is rarely the first-line approach to treating a women’s health issue. However, when other treatments don’t relieve your pain and other symptoms, a hysterectomy may be the best solution to address issues such as endometriosis, fibroids, and uterine cancer.  Historically, a hysterectomy could lead to months of recovery...

Puncturing the top layer of your skin with micro-fine needles to create a healing response may sound implausible, but this minimally invasive cosmetic treatment works. It’s called microneedling, and everyone is raving about it. Microneedling can correct a wide range of skin flaws, from minimizing the appearance of acne scars...

While every woman endures menopause differently, hot flashes and night sweats are relatively common at this stage of life. About 85% of women experience these symptoms, which are brief and sudden increases in body temperature.  Hot flashes and night sweats, or excess sweating overnight, can start as early as two...

Your uterus is a much more complicated organ than you may realize. It has a lining called the endometrium, which is essential when it comes to your menstrual cycle and reproduction. Each month during your period, your endometrium breaks down and bleeds away, then during your next cycle, it regrows. ...

From condoms to pills, women have many choices when it comes to birth control. A little over 10% choose an intrauterine device, also known as an IUD. Dr. Rachel Spieldoch and her professional staff at McDowell Mountain Gynecology provide all aspects of women's healthcare. From annual pelvic exams to skincare...

If you’re a woman undergoing the hormonal fluctuations that accompany perimenopause or menopause, you may wonder if you’re ever going to feel normal again. Though you’d originally considered HRT, all the studies that associate it with life-threatening conditions such as breast cancer and heart disease give you pause. While there’s...

Chilly winter breezes may feel refreshing, but they aren’t all that good for your skin. Winds and low temperatures can interfere with your skin’s protective moisture barrier, leading to dry skin, itchiness, and an overall loss of shine and glow.  To help you out, we asked our experts at McDowell...

Deciding which doctor you need to see for a particular health issue isn’t always clear. You probably already have a primary care provider who is a generalist and can treat a wide variety of conditions, and they can also refer you to specialists for more specific needs. But what about...

By Laura Van Steyn PA-C   Receiving an abnormal test can be scary. We are here to help!   Pap Smear Test: Let’s face it, no woman enjoys getting a Pap Test, but it is the ONLY WAY to effectively screen the cervix for cellular changes associated with Human Papilloma...

Birth control is a personal decision a sexually active woman must make to avoid an unwanted pregnancy. When considering your options, how do you know what method is right for you? Which types of birth control are most effective?  Learn the facts about birth control so you can make an...

After the physical turmoil of menopause, you're likely to notice changes in your vaginal appearance and function. You may feel unattractive or worry that your partner may no longer feel attracted to you. You might experience discomfort and dryness, even when you're ready for comfort and pleasure. You could also...

It’s not uncommon for women to experience pelvic pain, especially during the first day or two of their period. But not all pelvic pain is the same. 15% of childbearing age women suffer from chronic pelvic pain, which is pain that lasts longer than six months.  Your pain may develop...

The natural ebb of the menstrual cycle begins in most women in their late 40s or early 50s. Once you haven’t had a period for 12 consecutive months, you’re in menopause. It’s a normal part of aging, but it can bring frustrating symptoms, such as: Hot flashes Night sweats Decreased...

Birth control is a general term used for a variety of methods that prevent pregnancy. It’s also commonly called contraception. While no single birth control method is right for everyone, there are dozens of options to choose from to meet your specific needs.  At McDowell Mountain Gynecology in Scottsdale, Arizona,...