Blog Archive

Many women shudder at the thought of menopause, especially when you don't know what to expect. Menopause isn't a big deal for some, but for others, it's years of uncomfortable issues such as night sweats and mood swings. Learning about the changes menopause causes in the body before it hits...

Did you know that your gut and brain communicate with each other, influencing many aspects of your health? Many people overlook this gut-brain connection, but it's crucial to several bodily functions. If you're dealing with chronic fatigue, GI symptoms, or other health issues, it could lead back to a problem...

The medical field has advanced greatly over the years, with offerings for vaccines, medications, and treatments improving constantly. The next step is customizing care to patients’ specific needs, but it's already here in the form of personalized medicine. Dr. Inga Zilberstein offers personalized medicine, also called precision medicine, at her...

Cortisol is an essential hormone that regulates blood pressure and reduces inflammation. The adrenal glands produce cortisol, but the pituitary gland regulates how much the adrenal glands release. If either of those glands is damaged, the result is too much or too little cortisol. Without the proper cortisol levels, your...

Your hormones are constantly changing, especially as you reach menopause. Certain conditions also cause hormonal imbalances, resulting in infertility and uncomfortable symptoms. Getting an accurate interpretation of your hormones can help guide your treatment for the best outcomes. A dry urine test, or the DUTCH test, allows Dr. Inga Zilberstein...

Have you ever heard of the gut-brain connection? It's a vital aspect of your health where the brain and gastrointestinal (GI) system communicate to keep your body functioning correctly. However, many things affect your gut, including hormonal changes. Dysbiosis, which occurs when your gut isn't healthy, results in issues such...

Every woman's menstrual cycle is different; some women have week-long periods with heavy bleeding, while others only experience a few days of light flow. Others go around 30 days between periods, while some women only have 24 days between cycles. No matter what your normal cycle is like, you should...

Not many women think about how their body excretes estrogen once it's inactive, but estrogen metabolism is real. In fact, the metabolites your body forms from degraded estrogen provide a significant insight into your current and future health. But how can you measure estrogen metabolites? A simple urine test gives...

The body's metabolism is a complex function. It breaks down the foods you eat into energy, and the nutrients and acids that your body doesn't need pass out of the body. However, the body's metabolic processes can falter, causing  poor gut health and leading to a number of chronic conditions....

If you're trying to prevent pregnancy, you have several different options. You can choose to use barrier methods like condoms or opt for hormonal birth control. The best thing to do is get information on each type to determine the best option for your needs and lifestyle. An intrauterine device...

For women, Pap smears are an essential preventive screening test to stay on top of your health. They allow doctors to see abnormal cell changes before they turn into something more serious, like cancer. A normal Pap result means you don't need testing for another few years, but what if...

Menopause can be a tough time in a woman's life, riddled with hot flashes, night sweats, and unbearable mood swings. Night sweats are especially distressing because they interrupt much-needed sleep. What can you do about night sweats, though? Are you doomed to continue suffering through drenching sweats every night? The...

Genetics is a significant part of your life and health. You get your genes from the chromosomes your parents pass to you. These genes determine your physical traits and some aspects of your long-term health. You can't change your genes. However, even when you have a long history of medical...

Many women dread their periods, especially if it's irregular or they usually have heavy bleeding. Extreme bleeding during your period isn't just a nuisance, though – it may also be a sign of a more significant issue. Heavy periods aren't always a reason for worry unless your usual flow changes...

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered dramatic changes throughout everyday life — and in the medical community as well. Not only are providers across the country postponing elective procedures, but many are also encouraging people to avoid in-office appointments to reduce their risk of exposure to this highly contagious coronavirus.But what...

Bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT) is one of the various treatment options for people dealing with low hormone levels. If you're a woman going through menopause, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be very helpful with symptom relief. You have the choice between traditional hormone replacement therapy and bioidentical hormones. So...

Menopause is the time in a woman's life when her fertile years have ended. usually in the late 40s or early 50s. However, women can go through menopause as soon as their 30s. If you notice symptoms such as irregular periods, hot flashes, or mood swings in your late 30s,...

An intrauterine device (IUD) is a type of birth control that your doctor inserts into your uterus to avoid unintended pregnancies. It's a very successful long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) that can prevent pregnancy for several years at a time. Although the device is highly effective, you may have some reservations...

Have you heard of the DUTCH test? If not, you're not alone, but it’s worth learning more about. Hormone metabolite testing is an extremely useful tool for women and an excellent way for doctors to assess the hormones in your body through a simple urine test. Dr. Inga Zilberstein is...

Have you ever felt tired or felt you could not lose weight, but all of the usual lab work returned results that indicated everything was normal? It's frustrating to deal with a problem that’s difficult to pinpoint. But did you know there are other testing methods that can reveal issues...

  Menopause is the time in a woman's life that marks the end of her reproductive years. Doctors diagnose menopause after 12 consecutive months without a menstrual cycle. However, the years leading up to menopause (perimenopause) can be uncomfortable due to the drastic decrease in the body's estrogen production. Estrogen...

Gut health is an essential aspect of every person's overall well-being. Everything you eat and drink enters the gut, allowing your stomach and intestines to digest and extract crucial calories, vitamins, and nutrients. However, only some people's gut health is optimal, allowing them to digest food easily. Others are plagued...

Most insurances do not cover specialty labs as these labs do not fall under what is deemed medically necessary. For the test to be deemed medically necessary, it must fall under the Medicare guideline that states, "Reasonable and necessary for the diagnosis or treatment of illness or injury or to...

Women undergo many changes throughout life, with hormone fluctuation happening at almost every stage. Before menopause hits, hormone fluctuations are at their worst, causing uncomfortable symptoms, sometimes for years. Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can help by replacing lost hormones for symptom relief. Bioidentical hormone therapy (BHRT) is a treatment that provides your body...

Medicine is the practice that helps you with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of medical problems and diseases. Traditional medicine focuses on the disease and its symptoms, not the individual patient; however, your body may not react the same to specific treatments as someone else with the same symptoms or...

As your OB/GYN, I want to make sure that you're informed about your body and how it works. One important topic that we need to talk about is estrogen metabolism. Estrogen is a hormone that is crucial for female health. It plays a role in reproductive health, bone health, and...

Diabetes has a profound effect on both your health and your baby's well-being. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 2% of women have diabetes before they become pregnant, and 6%-9% develop gestational diabetes, or diabetes during pregnancy. Whether you have diabetes and are planning to become pregnant...

Prenatal vitamins are a crucial component of a healthy pregnancy, and, ideally, you should start taking these vitamins several months before you're ready to get pregnant. But how do you choose the right one? Dr. Inga Zilberstein and her team, located in the Upper East Side of Manhattan, New York,...

When you're going through menopause, the symptoms can sometimes be really uncomfortable. If you can't get them under control with lifestyle changes, you might be a candidate for bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT), which helps balance your fluctuating hormones and ease your symptoms. Dr. Inga Zilberstein and her team offer...

You often hear about genetics at your doctor’s appointments, but you may not realize that your genetic makeup says a lot about your overall health and your risk of chronic disease. Your genetics can also be used to direct your medical treatment.   If that sounds like something you'd like to...

One of the things many mothers-to-be look forward to is feeling their baby move and kick inside of them. However, there are some things you should know about fetal movement that you may have never thought to ask your doctor. If you're pregnant and have questions about your baby’s movement,...

For women, menopause is inevitable at some point in your life. You'll become aware of some possibly uncomfortable symptoms, and it's good to know what the common signs of menopause are so you're prepared for the gradual transition into this stage of your life. If you're nearing menopause, make an appointment with Dr....

Do you dread that time every month when you get your period? If you have cumbersome menstrual cycles, those days may turn into a total nightmare. Heavy periods have many causes, ranging from medications to uterine fibroids. When your life is negatively affected by the amount of bleeding you experience,...

Your sex life is an important part of your relationship and your happiness. However, as you get older, hormonal changes interfere with your vaginal health, making sex uncomfortable at times. If you’re looking to ignite your sex life during or after menopause, laser vaginal rejuvenation with MonaLisa Touch® can help. At her...

Pregnancy is an exciting time in your life, no matter your age. However, if you’re over 35, there are a few more things you and your doctor need to be aware of. Being of advanced maternal age doesn’t mean you can’t have a healthy pregnancy, but you may have some challenges...

Your body goes through a lot of changes when you’re pregnant. It’s now providing for both you and your baby, putting strain on every system. Midway through your pregnancy, a condition called preeclampsia is a possibility, causing high blood pressure and headaches. Without treatment, it could have potentially fatal complications....

When you’re entering menopause, the symptoms you experience are sometimes unbearable. With your hormones constantly changing, it can be hard to get comfortable. One of the treatments that can help ease your symptoms is bioidentical hormone replacement therapy (BHRT). Dr. Inga Zilberstein offers a variety of treatments for menopause-related symtpoms at her practice...

After you have a baby, your focus is on your child’s health and well-being — but what about you? Your health is just as important after carrying your baby for nine months. Preparing ahead of time for your postpartum care is vital to your health and mental stability after giving...

Every woman’s vagina is different, including the tissue that surrounds it. The labia minora and labia majora are the outer tissue folds that protect your vaginal opening. Sometimes, the inner vaginal lips, the labia minora, are larger than the outer ones. This leads to a number of issues, which a...

Your menstrual cycle may be a monthly inconvenience, but is a sign of fertility and health. However, when the bleeding is extremely heavy, it can disrupt your daily activities. Although everyone’s cycle is different, overly heavy bleeding is a problem you should get evaluated. Dr. Inga Zilberstein is an obstetrics...

As a woman, you’re at risk for a number of different issues, especially when it comes to your reproductive system. Regular gynecology exams are one of the ways you can take your reproductive health into your own hands and prevent problems from taking over.  Dr. Inga Zilberstein, whose practice is...

Your menstrual cycle should come once a month when you’re in your childbearing years. However, when you start to bleed outside of the normal parameters of your cycle, you may worry about what’s causing the bleeding. Endometriosis is just one of the many different conditions that can lead to abnormal...

Not many women look forward to menopause. This is the time in your life when your body is done with reproduction and your hormones begin to change. This change can lead to a number of uncomfortable symptoms, some of which are difficult to control. But did you know that herbal...

It shouldn’t be a surprise that as you get older, your hormone production starts to slow down. If you’re a woman, your estrogen and progesterone levels decline as you make your way toward menopause. This hormonal change can lead to many unpleasant symptoms, including night sweats and mood swings. Bioidentical...

Pregnancy is an exciting time in your life, and it’s often overwhelming as well. Those nine months can be an adventure, between making sure you take your vitamins and avoiding certain things that can harm your baby. For example, did you know that plastic bottles can pose a risk to...

A lot of your life as a woman is marked by the ability to conceive a baby and carry it until birth. However, at some point in your life, that period of your fertility ends. This is the time when menopause sets in, marking the end of your child-bearing years...

It is crucial to look after your vaginal health! Hormonal changes during menopause can lead to dryness and pain during urination and intercourse. While these changes can be normal, it doesn’t mean you need to live with the discomfort.  Dr. Inga Zilberstein, MD, PLLC is proud to offer MonaLisa Touch®...