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I Did a Breast Self-Exam — Do I Still Need a Mammogram? Apr 8th, 2024

Although your breasts are attached to your chest, you may not be as familiar with them as you should be. Breast cancer is a real threat, especially if you don't know what to look for in your own body. Breast self-exams are one of the best prevention measures you can...

8 Problems That Contribute to Your Heavy Periods Mar 1st, 2024

Most women dread that time of the month when their period arrives, but it's especially true if you have heavy periods. And it's concerning if you don't usually have heavy bleeding or you're experiencing irregular menstrual bleeding. Many issues and conditions lead to heavy periods, including infections and certain medications, ...

What Makes a Pregnancy High-Risk? Feb 8th, 2024

Pregnancy is an exciting time in your life, and you hope that the baby is healthy, but what if you're at risk for complications? Your age and other factors contribute to your and the baby's health. A high-risk pregnancy is scary, especially if it's unexpected. You may be confused about...

How Often Should I Get a Pap Smear? Jan 9th, 2024

Taking control of your health as a woman means going for regular breast and pelvic exams, which often include a Pap smear. The Pap test is an important screening tool that allows doctors to screen for cancer cells and other cervical abnormalities. Learn when to start getting Pap smears and...

5 Lifestyle Changes That Support Optimal Post-Menopausal Health Dec 1st, 2023

Many women dread hitting menopause, as it changes many aspects of their lives, including weight and sex drive. And the changes leading up to menopause — a period known as perimenopause — can last for years until your period stops for good. The hormonal changes related to menopause can significantly...

What to Expect During and After Your Diagnostic Colposcopy Nov 2nd, 2023

If you've ever received the call that your Pap smear was abnormal, you know the fear and uncertainty that follows. But before you get too scared about cervical cancer, don’t worry.  At the private practice of board-certified OB/GYN John Paul Roberts, MD, we want to assure you that an abnormal...

Everything You Need to Know About the Latest Breast Cancer Screening Guidelines Oct 2nd, 2023

Breast cancer accounts for more than 30% of cancer diagnoses in women every year. One out of every eight women is at significant risk for breast cancer in her lifetime. Screening for breast cancer is essential to ensuring your long-term health. In recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we want...

PCOS: Understanding the Most Common Cause of Irregular Periods Sep 1st, 2023

You’re certainly familiar with menstrual cycles, which are how women's bodies remove the uterine lining every month if pregnancy doesn't occur. Many conditions and circumstances affect your period, including a condition known as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). PCOS affects 1 in 10 women during their childbearing years. One of the signs...

What You Should Know About Vaccinations During Pregnancy Aug 9th, 2023

Vaccines are an essential component of preventive health care, providing your body with a defense against harmful bacteria and viruses. But you may not realize that vaccines are vital for a healthy pregnancy. Staying vaccinated during your pregnancy isn't just crucial to your health and vital to your unborn baby's...

How a Hormone Imbalance Affects Your Fertility Jul 18th, 2023

Hormones are necessary for just about every function in the human body. Endocrine glands produce hormones and release them into the bloodstream to help with reproduction, growth, and metabolism. When your body is healthy, your hormones act as messengers, delivering special instructions to various organs and tissues to perform tasks. But...

5 Topics to Bring Up at Your Pap Smear Jun 5th, 2023

Women need to take specific preventive measures, especially regarding reproductive health. A Pap smear is one of the routine tests you shouldn't ignore, because it can find cervical cancer early on before it's a bigger problem. A Pap smear is also the perfect opportunity to talk to board-certified OB/GYN Dr....

How to Make Your Mammogram More Comfortable May 16th, 2023

Breast cancer is a scary diagnosis and one you hope never to have to hear after your regular mammogram screening. But a mammogram can save your life by catching cancer in its early stages when it’s most treatable. Although mammograms are lifesavers, they're not the most comfortable procedure. Learn how to cope...

The Pill vs. an IUD: Which Is Right for Me? Apr 17th, 2023

Birth control is essential when you're not quite ready to start a family. Among the most popular options are oral pills and implanted devices like an IUD. But how do you choose the right one for you? If you need help deciding, Dr. John Paul Roberts and his team can...

Why Folic Acid Is Crucial When You’re Pregnant Mar 15th, 2023

When planning to start a family, you need the proper vitamins and nutrients for your health and the health of your unborn baby. Folic acid is one of the most important vitamins you need before and during pregnancy to keep your baby healthy and safe. Get prepared for pregnancy by...

How to Lower Your Risk for Menopausal Night Sweats Feb 19th, 2023

Menopause can be an uncomfortable transition in a woman's life, often accompanied by such symptoms as hot flashes and night sweats. If you're at this stage in your life, you don't have to suffer through hot flashes night after night. At his private practice in Plano, Texas, board-certified OB/GYN Dr. John Paul...

4 Encouraging Facts About Infertility Jan 23rd, 2023

The statistics regarding infertility are staggering. Men and women are affected equally by infertility, and up to 6.7 million American women are unable to get pregnant. Obviously, infertility isn't uncommon, but it is treatable in some cases. If you're struggling to get pregnant, board-certified OB/GYN John Paul Roberts, MD, offers...

How to Manage Diabetes Through Your Pregnancy Dec 16th, 2022

Diabetes is a chronic medical condition that leads to issues with your blood sugar, causing damage throughout your body. When you're pregnant, diabetes can cause problems for you and your baby if you don't keep it under control. If you have diabetes and are considering pregnancy, talk to Dr. John...

Mammograms: What Does It Mean to Have Dense Breasts? Nov 15th, 2022

So you've had your first mammogram and find you have dense breast tissue — now what?  If you're unsure what your mammogram results mean, OB/GYN John Paul Roberts, MD, helps you navigate them. He offers compassionate and experienced care when you want to stay on top of your breast health. Dr. Roberts has...

5 Benefits of Non-Hormonal Birth Control Methods Oct 12th, 2022

If you're not ready to have a baby or are done having children, you need a reliable form of birth control. Hormonal birth control has been around for years but isn't always ideal for your health. Luckily, non-hormonal options are available to put your mind at ease and protect against...

Encouraging Facts About Your Abnormal Pap Smear Sep 15th, 2022

If you’re a woman, a Pap smear is important for your reproductive health. This screening test can detect cervical cancer at an early stage so you can receive effective treatment. But when you get the call that your test is abnormal, you may, understandably, be concerned. Don’t worry. Many abnormal results are...

How Pelvic Inflammatory Disease Affects Your Periods Aug 11th, 2022

Pelvic inflammatory disease is a serious condition that affects the reproductive organs in your abdomen. This type of infection causes a number of symptoms, including issues with your menstrual cycle. But early identification and treatment of this problem saves you from future complications. If you live in the Plano, Texas, area, Dr....

How To Exercise Safely During Your Third Trimester Jul 11th, 2022

If you live an active lifestyle, you shouldn’t have to change that when you’re pregnant. But as your baby and belly grow, you may have to make some modifications to stay safe and healthy. You can still exercise in later pregnancy, but there’s a safe way to go about it. OB/GYN John...

The Most Effective Ways To Prevent Cervical Cancer Jun 12th, 2022

Cervical cancer affects your cervix, the lower part of your uterus, or womb. And although it sounds scary, it’s very preventable. If you take the proper steps and care for your reproductive health, you lower your risk for cervical cancer. Board-certified OB/GYN John Paul Roberts, MD, provides expert care in Plano,...

5 Effective Ways To Boost or Preserve Your Fertility May 4th, 2022

Your ability to conceive a child is known as your fertility. As a woman, you should release an egg every month in the middle of your menstrual cycle. If that egg is fertilized by a man’s sperm and attaches to your uterine wall, you become pregnant.  While this seems simple, your...

What To Do About Menopausal Hot Flashes Apr 11th, 2022

Menopause certainly isn’t something that women look forward to — especially when it comes to the wretched symptoms. Among those symptoms are hot flashes, which can strike at any time during the day or night. But there are steps you can take to control those hot flashes. John Paul Roberts,...

How Does Diabetes Impact Pregnancy? Mar 8th, 2022

Diabetes affects the way your body controls sugar, or glucose, in your system. It can affect anybody at any age, but it’s especially problematic when you’re pregnant.  Whether you have diabetes before conceiving or have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, getting the proper care helps you maintain a healthy pregnancy....

5 Benefits of Appropriate Prenatal Care Feb 6th, 2022

Pregnancy is an exciting and somewhat scary time in your life. Not only is your baby growing inside of you, but your body is changing as well.  Since there’s no way for you to magically see inside your womb to check on your baby’s progress, prenatal care is important every...

Mammogram Results: What Does It Mean to Have Dense Breasts? Jan 5th, 2022

Fighting breast cancer starts with getting a mammogram. This test looks for changes in your breast tissue that can be indicative of cancer. But what does it mean when you’re told you have dense breast tissue? Should you be concerned? Board-certified physician John Paul Roberts, MD, is an expert in...

When to See a Doctor About Vaginal Bleeding Dec 7th, 2021

Bleeding between your menstrual cycles could be due to a number of reasons. While some reasons are harmless, others warrant a trip to the doctor. Vaginal bleeding out of the normal realm of your period isn't something you should ignore.  At our facility in Plano, Texas, board-certified OB/GYN John Paul...

4 Common Conditions You Might Experience During Pregnancy Nov 14th, 2021

If you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant soon, you need specialized care to keep you and the baby healthy. While many pregnancies go full-term without a hitch, others are bound for a few bumps along the way.  Most conditions you might experience aren’t life-threatening, but there are a few...

Signs You've Entered Perimenopause Oct 8th, 2021

Menopause is a stage in your life that you may not be not looking forward to because it’s usually marked by uncomfortable symptoms. But menopause isn’t just one stage — in fact, it’s three completely separate stages that start with perimenopause. Dr. John Paul Roberts is an expert in all...

Four Myths About High-Risk Pregnancies Sep 6th, 2021

If you’re recently pregnant, or hoping to be, there’s a lot that’s probably running through your mind. Along with the excitement and happiness, there might be thoughts that scare you as well, including the risk of complications or a difficult pregnancy. The best way to get ahead of that anxiety...

Understanding When Tubal Ligation Is Preferred Aug 19th, 2021

Whether you’re done having children or you prefer not to have any kids at all, there are many different avenues of birth control for you to choose from. But there are only a few options that are permanent, and tubal ligation is one of them. Because it’s a permanent procedure,...

How Often Should I Have a Mammogram? Jul 18th, 2021

Breast and cancer are two words you never want to hear your doctor say, but sometimes this disease comes out of nowhere. There are steps you can take to reduce your risk and detect breast cancer early, including getting regular mammograms. Dr. John Paul Roberts is our experienced OB/GYN who...

Is There a Remedy for Vaginal Dryness? Jun 29th, 2021

It’s no surprise that as you get older, your hormones fluctuate and change over time. As a woman, this means you have to deal with menopause, which often leads to vaginal dryness. This condition can make your everyday life very uncomfortable, especially when it comes to sexual intercourse.  But don’t...

What Causes Irregular Bleeding? May 23rd, 2021

As a woman of child-bearing age, you know every month you're going to have at least a few days of menstrual bleeding. However, if you start to bleed in between menstrual cycles, it's considered irregular in nature. Irregular bleeding is sometimes harmless, but in other cases it could be a...

Which Birth Control Method Is Best for You? Apr 14th, 2021

Whether you’re looking to chose a method of birth control, the task of picking one is definitely overwhelming. From the pill to the birth control shot and beyond, understanding how each method works helps you figure out the best option for you. Dr. John Paul Roberts is our experienced OB/GYN...

Is Irregular Bleeding Ever Normal? Mar 16th, 2021

Menstrual bleeding is a normal part of every woman’s life, and although it can be a pain, it’s usually not a cause for concern. Sometimes, though, you bleed between periods or have heavy bleeding, which is not normal in most cases. Irregular bleeding can be a sign of a bigger...

Everything You Should Know About Mammograms Feb 16th, 2021

A mammogram is a diagnostic tool that helps detect the early signs of breast cancer. But how often should you get one? And is that the only thing you can do to protect yourself from breast issues? Dr. John Paul Roberts is an experienced OB/GYN who answers all your mammogram...

Why Prenatal Care Is So Important to a Healthy Pregnancy Jan 6th, 2021

So you just found out you’re pregnant. You’re probably ecstatic about your positive pregnancy test, but maybe also a little overwhelmed. What do you do next? The answer is pretty simple: Make an appointment with your OB/GYN. Prenatal care is vital to your health and your baby’s health throughout your...

Tips for Navigating a Winter Pregnancy Dec 9th, 2020

Whether you're trying to conceive or are already pregnant, you know life is about to change in a big way. If you find yourself pregnant during the winter months, there are a few more obstacles you might encounter, not only for your health, but also in getting to the hospital...

Everything You Need to Know About Endometriosis Nov 9th, 2020

For most women, your period is an inconvenience, but doesn’t cause you severe pain or make you miss activities. But if you’re suffering from endometriosis, your period may be more of a pain than you’ve bargained for. Dr. John Paul Roberts is our experienced OB/GYN who can help you navigate...

How to Avoid Gestational Diabetes Oct 7th, 2020

Pregnancy is such an exciting time in a woman's life. If you're expecting, you probably have a million questions running through your head. You may be anxious about complications that can occur during pregnancy, such as gestational diabetes. Our amazing team can help to calm your anxiety and help you...

Common Causes of Infertility Sep 18th, 2020

Starting a family is an important time in any couple’s life, and when you want a baby, the sooner the better. It’s normal to take a few months of trying to actually get pregnant. However, if it’s been a year and you still haven’t conceived, you may be dealing with...

Do My Symptoms Mean I’m in Menopause? Aug 20th, 2020

Women go through many stages of hormonal changes in their lifetimes. Starting with puberty, in pregnancy, and up through menopause, our bodies are constantly undergoing hormonal changes and sometimes imbalances. If you’re at the point in your life where menopause is imminent, you’re probably wondering what you can expect over...

6 Causes of Irregular Bleeding Jul 20th, 2020

As a woman, you’re used to the normal bleeding that you experience every month at the time of your menstrual cycle. Although it can be inconvenient, it’s necessary for your body to go through this on a regular basis. But sometimes bleeding happens outside of that normal window, and that...

What Are My Birth Control Options? Jun 25th, 2020

If you're at the stage of your life where you either aren't ready for kids, or you're done having kids, you're probably looking for birth control options to best suit your needs. Having birth control that's reliable can ease your mind and prevent a surprise at any point in your...

My Pap Smear Was Abnormal -- Now What? May 27th, 2020

Pap smears are something just about every woman experiences in her life, because yearly gynecological exams are so important for your reproductive health. However, anxiety might set in when you think of the possibility of results that you're not expecting. Dr. John Paul Roberts is an amazing OB/GYN who can...

Preconception Health: The Best Ways to Prepare Your Body for Pregnancy Apr 20th, 2020

For many women, being pregnant is something they’ve dreamed of for a long time. Deciding you’re ready to welcome another life into the world is a big step. There are some ways you can help prepare your mind and body months before you get pregnant. Our OB/GYN, Dr. John Paul...

When Should I Start Getting Mammograms? Feb 29th, 2020

Being a woman isn't always easy, and part of that is getting regular gynecologic exams and breast exams. But at what age should you begin to get mammograms to screen for breast cancer? OB/GYN Dr. John Paul Roberts can ease all your worries about when you should start getting regular...

Why Hormone Replacement Therapy May Be the Best Way to Manage Your Menopausal Symptoms Feb 1st, 2020

If you’re nearing menopause or already there, you may be experiencing the unpleasant symptoms of menopause. There is hope though. Hormone replacement therapy may be able to ease some of your symptoms during this transition in your life. When you come to our office for a visit, Dr. John Paul...

What to Expect During Your First Prenatal Appointment Jan 15th, 2020

The word prenatal means “before birth,” and that’s exactly what prenatal care aims to do: keep you and your infant as healthy as possible throughout your pregnancy. Especially if you’ve never navigated this journey before, your first visit provides a wonderful way to get you on the right track in...