Did you know polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects about 10% of women? This common condition develops because of hormonal imbalances and can affect your chances of having a baby. The condition also triggers other frustrating side effects, including weight gain, irregular periods, and excess body hair. At Willow OB/GYN in...
The perineum is the area of tissue between your anus and vagina. When you deliver a baby vaginally, it’s possible for this area to tear. Some tears are tiny and can heal on their own without stitches, while others may require suturing. Board-certified OB/GYN Kelly Morales, MD, FACOG, and our team...
From the team at Willow OB/GYN in San Antonio, Texas, congratulations on your pregnancy! We know the time leading up to your baby’s birth is exciting, filled with lots of planning and preparation. If you’re considering having a natural childbirth, you need to understand both the benefits and challenges this type of labor...
Maybe you wanted to wait until you were more financially or emotionally ready or perhaps life simply got in the way, but now you’re in your 40s and thinking about having a baby. You’re among a growing group of women having babies later in life. Because having a baby after...
If you’re sure having a baby isn’t part of your future, you may be interested in a permanent form of birth control. Female sterilization, or tubal ligation (“getting your tubes tied”), is a common procedure that’s a safe and effective way to prevent pregnancies. But not all women are good...
No two women have the exact same menstrual cycle. But if you’re skipping periods or have other symptoms, like short or long cycles, breakthrough bleeding (spotting), or very heavy periods, you could have an underlying hormonal imbalance. At her private practice in San Antonio, Texas, board-certified OB/GYN Kelly Morales, MD,...
When you’re pregnant, your growing baby’s health is always top of mind. That means making sure you get the minerals and vitamins needed for healthy fetal development. In a perfect world, you’d be able to get these from the foods you eat. But during pregnancy, when you have symptoms like morning...
From our team at the private practice of OB/GYN Kelly Morales, MD, in San Antonio, Texas, congratulations on your pregnancy and upcoming delivery! We know that while this is an exciting time, it’s natural to worry about the less-than-glamorous side of childbirth, especially the pain that comes with labor and delivery. As a...
Endometriosis is a painful condition that affects at least 10% of American women. And a new study found the condition is even more common than researchers thought, showing around 60% of teens may have endometriosis. When you have endometriosis, your endometrium (lining of your uterus) grows outside the uterus. This can cause unpleasant symptoms, including: Severe...
If you’re a sexually active woman, you need to understand sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), because any sexually active person can get an STD, regardless of your relationship status. Board-certified OB/GYN Kelly Morales, MD, offers women in San Antonio, Texas, confidential STD testing and treatment to help you stay healthy and...
Just as no two women are exactly the same, no two menstrual cycles are the same. But there are some guidelines when it comes to the length of your periods and other factors, like flow and frequency. At the private practice of OB/GYN Kelly Morales, MD, we diagnose and treat abnormal periods,...
When you’re pregnant, your top goal is to have a happy, healthy baby. Natural childbirth can help. This method of labor and delivery means using alternative methods of pain management, like massage, visualization, or hypnosis, to help you successfully navigate giving birth. At the private practice of board-certified OB/GYN Kelly...
Sex should bring you pleasure, not pain, so if sexual intercourse is painful for you, it’s a sign that something needs attention. Many causes, including physical and psychological issues, can trigger dyspareunia, or painful sex. To make sex a pleasurable activity again, it’s essential to treat the underlying condition or...
All babies enter the world through either a vaginal birth or a surgical delivery, called cesarean section. Both methods share the same ultimate goal: a healthy baby and mother. And both methods come with benefits and risks. With the number of C-sections on the rise and about a third of...
Some irregularity is normal for girls when they first get their periods, but it’s also possible for teens to have significant problems with their menstrual cycles. The challenge is knowing the kinds of irregularities to be expected and when it’s time to seek help. In San Antonio, Texas, OB/GYN Kelly...
Did you know that about 10% of women of reproductive age have endometriosis, a painful condition in which the tissue that lines your uterus grows outside the womb? If you’ve been suffering from heavy or painful periods, you might wonder if this condition is the cause. At Kelly Morales, OB/GYN...
If you’re a woman in your 40s, you know menopause is on the horizon. But many of our patients at Kelly Morales, OB/GYN in San Antonio, Texas, aren’t sure how to separate menopausal symptoms from the more familiar PMS ones, and when to start looking for them. Dr. Morales specializes...
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the many types of contraception available, it’s no wonder. With everything from patches to pills to implants, deciding on the best type of contraception for you can be a challenge. At Kelly Morales, OB/GYN in San Antonio, Texas, our team specializes in providing personalized care...
If you need surgery to treat a gynecological condition, you’re in good company. At least 20 million American women have undergone hysterectomies, and millions have had other types of gynecologic surgeries.. At Kelly Morales, OB/GYN, we’re proud to offer the most advanced treatments for women in and around San Antonio,...
Most of the time your periods arrive and end without much trouble. But if you’re like most women, vaginal bleeding outside your period — and heavier-than-usual bleeding during your period — can cause concern. At Kelly Morales, OB/GYN in San Antonio, Texas, Dr. Morales and our care team offer expert...
Did you know that almost 1.2 million babies enter the world by Cesarean section (C-section) every year? That makes up nearly one-third of all births in the United States. Some of these deliveries are planned C-sections, but others are decided during labor to protect the health and well-being of the...
Your menstrual cycle and period are unique to you, and no two women have the exact same period symptoms. If you experience symptoms outside of your ordinary period, it may be challenging to know what’s normal and when to schedule a gynecological checkup. Board-certified OB/GYN Dr. Morales and the rest...
It’s true that hormonal birth control prevents unwanted pregnancy. But unfortunately, it’s also true these contraceptive methods can come with unwanted side effects, like spotting, weight gain, and nausea. At Kelly Morales, OB/GYN, our women’s health specialist, Dr. Morales, understands how these unpleasant side effects can make you second guess...
If your teen struggles with painful, heavy periods, she could be like at least 1 in 10 women in the United States who struggle with endometriosis. Endometriosis causes the lining of your uterus (the endometrium) to grow in tissues other than the uterus, causing severe cramping, heavy bleeding, abnormal bleeding...
Menopause doesn’t happen overnight. It can take years from the first signs until you’ve hit actual menopause. And those years leading up to menopause, called perimenopause, can be confusing, causing different symptoms and hormonal changes that remind you of your teenage years. Dr. Morales and our team at Kelly Morales,...
Some women can set their clocks by their period, knowing exactly when it will come each month, how long it will last, and even what their flow will be like. While most women won’t have periods this exacting, periods are normal when they’re predictable — even if they vary from...
When you find out you have a sexually transmitted disease (STD), it’s natural to feel a range of emotions including fear, anger, shock, and confusion as you ponder how this disease will affect your life. Many women worry about talking to future partners about their STD. You may also wonder...
If you thought gynecological well-woman visits are only for adult women, think again. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends girls schedule their first OB/GYN visit between ages 13 and 15. Learning to take care of their reproductive health from an early age helps adolescent girls grow into healthy...
Are you expecting a baby and thinking about drug-free labor and childbirth? If so, you’re among the many women who opt for natural childbirth. Natural childbirth isn’t the same for every woman. Instead of getting an epidural, it may include working with your partner or a birth assistant to help...
If you’ve been told you have endometriosis and surgery could help, it’s natural to have questions and concerns. At Kelly Morales, MD in San Antonio, Texas, Dr. Morales uses the precise and innovative da Vinci® robotic surgery system to help patients suffering from endometriosis. Instead of the invasive surgeries of...
At Kelly Morales OB/GYN in San Antonio, Texas, Dr. Morales and our team are here to help you find the right method of birth control for your unique needs. Our practice offers many safe and effective contraception options, and we’re here to answer any questions or concerns you may have. ...
Are you struggling to get a good night’s rest because of hot flashes and night sweats? If so, you’re in good company. About 75% of menopausal and perimenopausal women battle these sudden feelings of heat that can leave your night clothes and bedsheets soaked with sweat. At Kelly Morales OB/GYN,...
It can be a little unnerving to experience spotting or bleeding at unexpected times between your periods. There are many reasons women may spot between periods, and while some of those reasons are nothing to worry about, others are more serious. At Kelly Morales OB/GYN, our team provides compassionate, patient-centered...
Most women don’t think about their pelvic floor until after they’ve had a baby or two and are having trouble with urine leaking. But waiting until after your baby is born isn’t the right time to start thinking about the health of your pelvic floor. At Kelly Morales OB/GYN, we’re...
Study after study has proved that yoga comes with many benefits for your physical and mental health — both when you’re pregnant and when you’re not. But did you know that prenatal yoga also brings many wellness benefits to your baby? At Kelly Morales OB/GYN, we know the powerful ally...
Pregnancy is like a long-distance race. You wouldn’t start a marathon or 50K without preparing, so why begin one of the most physically challenging aspects of womanhood without preparation? From sleeping better at night to having more energy, exercise and fitness can have a significant impact on your pregnancy. ...
Whether or not you’re planning to have a C-section, sometimes conditions arise during childbirth that necessitate one. In the United States, about 1 in 3 children are born via C-section, and according to recent research, that number is on the rise. For most women, the most difficult aspect of having...
It’s easy to assume that a trip to the gynecologist is only for grown women. However, these important exams are also important for girls as young as 13. That’s because teenagers can experience the same gynecological issues as adult women once they start going through adolescence and puberty. Dr. Kelly...
It used to be that cervical cancer was one of the leading causes of cancer death in women. Today only a little more than 13,000 cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year thanks to one simple screening tool — the Pap test. This simple swab...
From the irritability you feel during the week before your period to the night sweats and hot flashes that come with menopause, women are no strangers to the consequences of imbalanced hormones. While occasional shifts are to be expected, a chronic imbalance can wreak havoc in your life. Kelly Morales,...
Several factors determine a high-risk pregnancy, from maternal age to underlying health conditions and your lifestyle. Having high-risk factors doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t have a healthy pregnancy and delivery, but you can take a few precautions to ensure your health and peace of mind until your due date....
If you have the number of kids that you want--whether that’s one or a dozen, you may be thinking that sterilization is the best method of contraception for you. Maybe you think that you never want to be pregnant or have any more children. Kelly Morales, MD, FACOG, and our...
PCOS or polycystic ovarian syndrome is a fairly common condition, affecting between 5-10% of women who are of childbearing age in the US. That’s a staggering number of about 5 million. That’s why Dr. Kelly Morales and her team have compiled this helpful guide of lifestyle tips that can improve...
The physical changes your body goes through during menopause have been widely publicized. But many women do not realize that menopause also affects your mental and emotional well-being. As the estrogen levels in your body begin to decrease, you may experience changes in your weight, sleeping patterns, and skin as...
Having surgery can be an intense and stressful event. You want to have the safest, smoothest surgery possible, with the least amount of pain. You want to have the shortest and easiest recovery time possible. And you also want to be able to put your trust in a skilled doctor...
Have you noticed that you’re bleeding between your periods, or have extremely heavy blood loss during periods? It might be time to have your reproductive system checked out by a professional. According to the National Institutes of Health, abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) and heavy menstrual bleeding affect 14%-25% of women...
Pregnancy and childbirth are amazing processes. But it can also be hard to know which childbirth option is right for you. If you decide to go with a natural birth, you won’t use pain medications or have medical intervention throughout your labor and delivery. While making this decision means you’ll...
As a woman, your sexual health is important — mentally, physically, and emotionally — and we want you to know that we understand that. For far too long, countless hours and untold millions of dollars have been thrown at the problem of men’s sexual health, while women largely suffered in...
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) can develop at any age. In fact, you may develop the signs and symptoms of PCOS when you first begin menstruating. But most women don’t get diagnosed with PCOS until their 20s and 30s when they’re having difficulty getting pregnant and turn to their OB/GYN for...
Menopause is a naturally occurring slowdown in your reproductive ability that typically occurs around age 50. When you enter into the time known as perimenopause, your menstrual periods become irregular due to a decrease in hormone production. The diminished ability to produce and balance your hormones also becomes evident in...
Are you having tummy troubles lately? Maybe you’re struggling to sleep, or you regularly forget where you last put your purse. Your hormones may be to blame. Hormones act as chemical messengers in your body. They’re powerful chemicals that are produced in your endocrine glands and travel around the bloodstream...
With all the changes you go through in life as a woman -- puberty and periods, childbearing, birth, and menopause -- your body endures a lot. It’s no wonder that many women are suffering from low libido. As hormonal changes and life events take their toll, your desire for sex...
Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, affects millions of women every year. PCOS is caused by an imbalance of a woman’s reproductive hormones. This imbalance can create problems in the ovaries. Normally, the ovaries create and release an egg once a month. With PCOS, the egg may not mature fully or...
Planning is something we all do at some point in our lives. We plan to buy a house, take a vacation, throw a party, and much more. It’s because we strive for the best possible life. Along with that goes family planning, a way to prevent Family planning is ideal...
So much goes into a woman's decision about birth control. Not all forms of contraception are equal, and depending on your lifestyle right now and plans for the future, you may not opt to use the same birth control as your sister, your best friend, or your next-door neighbor. Choosing...
It’s estimated that close to half of all women who’ve gone through menopause have symptoms of a condition called atrophic vaginitis. Atrophic vaginitis occurs when your levels of the feminizing hormone estrogen drop. But you don’t have to be in perimenopause or menopause to get atrophic vaginitis symptoms. Vaginal and...
The effects of aging on overall sexual health has long been a man’s world, leaving women to suffer in silence while men happily popped little blue pills. Thanks to the efforts of OB/GYNs like Kelly Morales and her like-minded colleagues, the medical world is heeding the unheard call and addressing...
