Blog Archive

For many, the phrase “birth control” brings to mind birth control pills. In this post, we discuss hormonal birth control, which contains estrogen or progestin, or in some cases only progestin. You can use hormonal birth control in pill form, get injections, use a skin patch, get an implant like...

Researchers don’t know what causes bacterial vaginosis, but it’s quite common and treatable. At Apple Hill Gynecology, Dr. Marsha Bornt and her team have helped many women who were dealing with the discomfort of bacterial vaginosis. Here, we describe what you need to know about the condition.  Bacterial vaginosis basics...

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects between five and six million women in the United States, and it’s the most common hormonal disorder among women of reproductive age. Researchers don’t know what causes PCOS, but women who have it tend to have excessive amounts of androgens, or male hormones. Patients treated...

Some experts estimate that 75% of women experience hot flashes and night sweats as they approach menopause, and others raise that number to more than 80%. Either way, you’re more likely to have hot flashes and night sweats than you are to not have them.  Vasomotor symptoms, the medical name for hot flashes...

Between your belly button and the top of your legs there is quite a bit of area. Importantly, that vicinity is home to numerous organs that you need to function. That’s one reason you need to investigate pain in the area.  Dr. Marsha Bornt and her staff at Apple Hill Gynecology help women...

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is a topic in women’s health that can be confusing, because the results of some well-publicized studies have seemed contradictory. In fact, doctors have solid guidelines about who should and shouldn’t take HRT, as well as when it’s safe to begin taking it.  Menopause is a...

Before we can talk about how endometriosis and infertility are linked, we should define them. Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue that lines your uterus grows outside your uterus. Infertility is generally defined as not becoming pregnant after having unprotected sex for a year.  Dr. Marsha Bornt and her...

It’s scary to hear that you have a pelvic tumor, but in the case of uterine fibroids, more women have them than don’t. Experts estimate that around 70% of women have fibroids by the time they are 45 years old.  Dr. Marsha Bornt and her staff at Apple Hill Gynecology have treated women who had...

Vaginitis is a term used to describe several different types of vaginal irritation. When your vagina or vulva become inflamed or irritated, you experience symptoms like itching, burning, and discharge. One of the most common reasons women schedule a visit with Dr. Marsha Bornt at Apple Hill Gynecology is because...

Menopause, or the date 12 months after your last menstrual period, and perimenopause, the years leading up to that date, can be uncomfortable. Simply knowing that it’s a natural and normal transition doesn’t relieve hot flashes or poor sleep or any of the other myriad symptoms that you may experience. ...

At Apple Hill Gynecology, Dr. Marsha Bornt and her team have treated many patients with ectopic pregnancy, but we’ve also answered lots of questions that arise because of myths and misinformation. Your health is important, and we’re here to offer you the facts.  Myth: Ectopic pregnancies always occur in the...

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, commonly called PCOS, is quite common, with around 10% of women of childbearing age having the hormonal condition. PCOS can cause many symptoms, but one of the most difficult to grapple with could be that it often affects fertility.  Deciding to get pregnant or not is a...

Roughly one in three women describe their periods as being heavy, so if you have this issue, you have plenty of company. However, it would be a mistake to think that it’s normal just because it’s common. Heavy menstrual bleeding can indicate some health problems.  The team at Apple Hill...

Whether or not you’re ready to get pregnant is an intensely personal decision, with numerous important implications and consequences. So many things matter when it comes to having a baby, and contraception is of the utmost importance for most women. But, with so many options available, how do you choose? ...

The medical name for heavy periods is menorrhagia, and it’s bleeding that lasts for more than seven days, requires you to change your pad or tampon after less than two hours, or causes you to pass clots that are the size of a quarter or larger. Often, heavy bleeding is...

Most women expect an irregular cycle, hot flashes, and mood swings to happen during perimenopause, but changes in your sex life may be surprising. You can do some things that may help you continue to enjoy sex for as long as you want, though.  Dr. Marsha Bornt and the staff at Apple...

You already know that hormones are important, and you’ve likely experienced how hormonal swings can affect you. When your hormones change over time, you may be less likely to notice what’s happening.At Apple Hill Gynecology, Dr. Marsha Bornt and her staff understand the impact hormones can have on your life and your overall...

About half of all women develop a urinary tract infection (UTI) at least once in their lives, and around 30% have recurrent UTIs. When it hurts to urinate, you need to urinate often, and you need to go to the doctor for diagnoses and treatments frequently, your quality of life...

Chronic pelvic pain can indicate a gynecological problem, a urinary tract issue, a digestive problem, or even be a symptom of a psychological problem. With so many potential causes, understanding why you have chronic pelvic pain can be complex.  For problems that are difficult to identify and understand, it’s helpful...

The fertility awareness method (FAM) of birth control is sometimes called the rhythm method or natural family planning. The idea behind it is to track your menstrual cycle closely so that you can avoid having intercourse on the days you’re most likely to become pregnant.  Dr. Marsha Bornt and her staff...

Hot flashes are the most common symptom of the transition to menopause, with about 75% of women experiencing them. They may be mild or severe, rare or frequent, and last for a few weeks or as long as 10 years. Regardless of severity, frequency, or duration you’re probably interested in...

Experts estimate that 5-10% of women who are of reproductive age in the United States have polycystic ovary syndrome, usually called PCOS. It is one of the most common endocrine disorders among women in that age range.  PCOS can have many symptoms, and at Apple Hill Gynecology it’s common for...

You probably don’t associate digestive issues with your reproductive tract, but endometriosis can certainly cause problems with your digestion. Many patients are incorrectly diagnosed with conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome or Crohn’s disease when they actually have endometriosis.  At Apple Hill Gynecology, we treat many women who have endometriosis....

At some point or other, most women experience the discomfort of a urinary tract infection (UTI), and for many, chronic UTIs are not unusual. Women are more prone to UTIs than men because women have short urethras, which means it’s easier for bacteria to reach the bladder. The opening of...

In a healthy, normally functioning female human body, one of your ovaries releases an egg each month. That egg travels through one of your Fallopian tubes to your uterus. If it’s fertilized, it then attaches itself to the lining of your uterus, and you’re pregnant.  At Apple Hill Gynecology, Dr....

The medical term for heavy or long-lasting bleeding during your menstrual cycle is menorrhagia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than 10 million women in the US experience menorrhagia annually. It’s a common problem, affecting roughly one in every five women.  At Apple Hill Gynecology,...

Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are the second most common type of infection in the United States. Most of the time, UTIs aren’t serious, but without proper treatment, they can lead to more serious problems.  At Apple Hill Gynecology, our staff and Dr. Marsha Bornt see many patients each year...

Planning your family is a big step, and contraception is an important element. When it comes to birth control, there are more choices than imaginable just a few decades ago. How do you know what’s right for you?  At Apple Hill Gynecology, our staff understands how crucial it is to...

Menopause may be a natural transition, but that doesn’t mean it’s comfortable or pleasant. For some women, the symptoms associated with menopause are so severe it’s difficult to complete their normal daily activities.  At Apple Hill Gynecology, our staff, led by Marsha Bornt, MD and Donna Lamson, CRNP, MSN, WHNP-BC,...

Let’s start with two startling coincidental facts: 10% of American women aged 15-44 have polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)  10% of American women experience fertility problems Although PCOS doesn’t necessarily mean that you can’t get pregnant, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is the most common cause...

If, like 60% of American women, you’ve had a urinary tract infection (UTI), and that burning sensation when you urinate strikes, you know you need to take action fast to avoid some serious pain. You’ve probably heard of a few home remedies, but do any of them actually work? Marsha...

You’re busy, and if you’re feeling well, it’s easy to push your annual well-woman visit to the bottom of your to-do list. However, many women’s health issues don’t cause symptoms in their early stages. Preventive health screenings are the best way to catch these diseases early and treat them before...

Most women begin to produce discharge around the time they begin to menstruate. The amount, consistency, and appearance vary among women. Vaginal discharge is how your vagina expels excess fluids, cells, and bacteria and is typically a sign of a healthy, clean vagina. However, if you have abnormal discharge, it...

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common health problem — approximately 20% of women will have a UTI at some point in their lives. And, once you have one UTI, your chances of having another one increase. Your best bet is to take care of your body to avoid getting...

Many women are accustomed to mild menstrual cramping — approximately 80%, according to Women’s Health Concern. However, if you’re in the 5-10% of women who experience such severe pelvic pain that you can’t go to work or cope with other responsibilities, it could be a sign of a more serious...

Every woman has a unique experience with her menstrual cycle. Some women breeze through each month without any disruptions, while others are concerned they might bleed to death before it’s over. Many women are conditioned to accept that their period is just something they have to put up with. However,...

Around two-thirds of American women aged 15-49 use some type of birth control. Contraception is a critical part of women’s health care, helping you to avoid unplanned pregnancies, and in some cases, STDs.  At Apple Hill Gynecology, in York, Pennsylvania, Marsha D. Bornt, MD, and Donna Lamson, CRNP, MSN, WHNP-BC,...

If you were paying attention during sex ed, you know that you can pick up and spread a wide range of STDs through sexual contact. Since sex ed was a long time ago for most of us, let’s review some STD facts that you need to know if you’re sexually...

Every year around 600,000 American women have hysterectomies. It’s one of the most common women’s health surgeries today. It’s rarely performed as an emergency, which means that you have plenty of time to consider your options and make the best decision for your health.  At Apple Hill Gynecology, in York,...

Female hormones, such as estrogen and progesterone, influence your mood throughout your life. In fact, women are twice as likely as men to develop depression, and between 50-75% of new mothers experience “baby blues” — and 15% of those women develop postpartum depression. Although medical researchers haven’t identified the specific...

The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common STD in the US. Though it’s usually harmless, it can also lead to cervical cancer or genital warts. HPV is also widely misunderstood. There is too much misinformation floating around about this incredibly prevalent disease.  At Apple Hill Gynecology, in York, Pennsylvania,...

Maybe you don’t want to get pregnant. Maybe you’re just not ready yet to start a family. No matter your reason, you’re going to have to use some form of birth control to prevent conception. But there are a lot of options out there — which one should you choose?...