Blog Archive

Ectopic pregnancy may not be common, but it’s not rare either. In fact, every year in the United States as many as 5% of pregnancies are ectopic. Without prompt treatment, ectopic pregnancies can cause life-threatening complications, yet many women don’t know what symptoms to look for. At his practice in...

Every year in the United States, as many as 10% of pregnant women are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, a type of diabetes that develops exclusively during pregnancy. Like Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes carries some significant health risks, in this case for both the expectant mom and...

Every year in the United States, about a million women experience symptoms of pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), a chronic condition that causes achiness or cramps in the lower belly or pelvic region, along with other symptoms. PID can have long-lasting effects on your comfort and your health too, increasing your...

Uterine fibroids are surprisingly common, affecting as many as 80% of women by the time they reach menopause age. But while nearly all uterine fibroids are noncancerous (benign), that doesn't mean they can’t cause problems. In fact, many women with uterine fibroids find they have extremely painful periods or heavier...

With the arrival of a new baby just around the corner, the third trimester of pregnancy is a time filled with eager anticipation. Unfortunately, for many women, it’s also a time for some uncomfortable symptoms, including feelings of excessive warmth.  Feeling too warm isn’t “just” a matter of personal comfort....

When most people think of pregnancy, they think of signs and symptoms like a growing belly, swollen ankles, and maybe some heartburn, particularly in the third trimester. But pregnancy can cause other symptoms, too — including some pretty unusual ones.  At his practice in Newburgh, Indiana, Paul W. Morrison, M.D.,...

Hormonal birth control methods are among the most reliable forms of contraception when it comes to preventing unintended pregnancy. While that’s definitely a benefit, these forms of birth control are also associated with a type of abnormal bleeding called “breakthrough bleeding” — spotting or bleeding that occurs between your normal...

Most women are no strangers to pelvic discomfort, particularly cramping during ovulation and menstruation. These types of pain typically resolve within a few days. But for about 15% of women in the United States and about a third of women worldwide, pelvic pain happens more frequently and lasts a lot...

Today, there are lots of contraceptive options to help you plan your future. But what happens when the time comes to start a family (or add to an existing one)? Is it OK to conceive as soon as you stop using birth control, or do you need to wait and...

Most women know Pap smears, or Pap tests, are used to detect cervical cancer, one of the most common causes of cancer deaths among women. But what many women don’t know is that abnormal Pap smear results don’t necessarily mean you have cancer — and in fact, in most cases,...

Endometriosis is a painful condition that happens when the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus (the endometrium) grows outside the uterus. Called implants, these growths can form in many different areas, including your ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, and colon.  Most women with endometriosis experience unusually painful periods, sometimes...

No matter how many times you’ve given birth, there’s a good chance you’re going to be at least a little nervous about labor and delivery. That’s because every labor and delivery experience can be different, and that means it’s always important to do all you can to prepare for your...

Postpartum depression (PPD) is a type of depression that’s surprisingly common and also widely misunderstood. Unfortunately, misunderstandings and myths don’t just affect how people feel about PPD — they can interfere with a woman’s willingness to seek care. A leading pregnancy care provider in Newburgh, Indiana, Paul W. Morrison, MD,...

Endometriosis is a surprisingly common problem for millions of American women. This is a condition in which tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside of the uterus, such as on the ovaries or fallopian tubes. And, this misplaced tissue can grow and change during hormonal fluctuations, such as during...

Plenty of people associate pregnancy with feelings of joy and excitement. But, for some expectant moms, it can be a time of anxiety and depression, too. While these feelings aren’t necessarily uncommon, they can definitely take a toll on your quality of life — and on your health and the...

Every year, nearly 1.2 million women undergo Cesarean sections (C-sections), a form of delivery that involves making an incision into the uterus to remove the baby. There was a time not too long ago when medical professionals felt having a C-section meant you couldn’t deliver vaginally in the future, but today, all that has...

If you’re suffering from abnormally heavy vaginal bleeding or longer-than-usual periods, it can definitely feel like you’re dealing with your symptoms all by yourself. But heavy menstrual bleeding and prolonged periods are actually common. Furthermore, they can be treated. This type of abnormal bleeding is called menorrhagia, and it often affects women...

Having regular prenatal medical care is one of the best things you can do both for your unborn baby and for yourself. Blood testing plays an important role in that care. A complete blood count (CBC) test is one of the blood tests that’s performed at specific intervals during pregnancy,...

Every year, about 600,000 hysterectomies are performed in the United States, making it one of the most common surgical procedures for women. Although removal of the uterus may sound extreme, there are situations when having a hysterectomy is the best option to help you stay healthy. Paul W. Morrison, M.D., has extensive...

Pregnancy can be an exciting time, but it can also be a time of health risks for both the mom-to-be and the developing baby. Preeclampsia is a relatively uncommon pregnancy complication that causes a significant increase in blood pressure and raises the risk for kidney damage. Roughly 7% of pregnant...

As an expectant mom, you want to make sure you do all you can to give your new family member a healthy start in life. One simple way to do that is to get tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the early weeks of pregnancy.  STD screenings help identify...

Endometriosis is a painful medical condition that happens when the tissue that normally lines your uterus ends up growing in areas outside your uterus. These growths of tissue are also called implants, and they can form and grow on your ovaries, your fallopian tubes, the outer wall of your uterus,...

No matter how excited you are about being pregnant, you’re probably more than a little nervous about labor and delivery. There’s no doubt that the birth process comes with physical and emotional stress.  Preparing your body ahead of time can help you stay more comfortable and relaxed, all the way...

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a surprisingly common medical problem for many women in their child-bearing years. In fact, it affects as many as 10% of American women ages 15-44. If you’ve been diagnosed with PCOS, you’re probably wondering about how it might affect your health — and whether it...

More than 10% of American women suffer from endometriosis, a painful condition that occurs when uterine tissue grows outside the uterus, forming growths called endometrial implants. Endometriosis symptoms can be very painful and take a major toll on a woman’s quality of life. Board certified in gynecology, Paul W. Morrison,...

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you miss a period? If you’re like most people, probably pregnancy.  But that’s just one possible cause of missing one or more periods. There are other causes, too — some serious and some benign. The key is knowing when to see...

When most people think of female birth control, they think of birth control pills, the most popular method of birth control aside from permanent sterilization. When used correctly, birth control pills are 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. The problem is, sometimes people forget to take their pill. That’s why the actual rate...

Every year, millions of Americans are infected by sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and they experience a wide range of symptoms. The good news is most STDs can be treated with antibiotics, and those that can’t be treated with antibiotics can usually be managed with other medicines. The key is early diagnosis. Board...

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects about 15% of women during their childbreaing years, and it’s also the most common cause of female infertility. Yet many women don’t know about PCOS or how it could affect their lives.  As a top-rated obstetrician and gynecologist in Newburgh, Indiana, Paul W. Morrison, M.D., helps women throughout the Evansville...

Belly pain can have lots of causes, sometimes depending on your age, your gender, and other risk factors. One possible cause of belly pain that women should be aware of is endometriosis, which is a condition that affects an estimated 10% of women during their reproductive years.  Unfortunately, endometriosis can’t be cured...

Raising a child is a huge responsibility. Unless you’re prepared physically, emotionally, and financially to care for a new family member, you definitely need to use contraception to reduce your risk of getting pregnant “by accident.” Today, there are several birth control options to help prevent conception, and about two-thirds of sexually active American...

Twin birth rates are on the rise in the United States and globally, but despite that, they’re still uncommon. In fact, worldwide, only about 1-1.2% of live births are twin births. The overwhelming majority of births are single babies (sometimes referred to as “singleton” pregnancies). If you’re carrying twins, you’re probably feeling...

As many as 10% of American women suffer from endometriosis, a chronic condition in which tissue that normally lines the uterus grows outside of the uterus. Many women know that endometriosis can cause severe menstrual cramps, abdominal pain, and irregular bleeding.  However, what is not as well-known is that endometriosis...

About two-thirds of American women use some type of contraceptive, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Yet, statistics show that about 14% of those women use an intrauterine device or IUD, despite the fact that these devices are simple, “automatic,” and more than 99% effective in preventing...

Most women are used to having pelvic discomfort during their menstrual cycle, discomfort that typically resolves after a few days. But for roughly a third of the world’s women, pelvic aches and pains happen much more frequently, interfering with work, socializing, and family activities. While some types of pelvic pain...

Abnormal vaginal bleeding is a lot more common than you might think, but that doesn’t mean it’s OK to ignore it. Whether you have abnormally heavy or light periods, unusually long or short periods, or you skip your periods entirely, it could be a sign of a serious underlying medical...

Pregnancy is a time of major change. Getting your body ready for pregnancy before you conceive is one of the best things you can do to reduce the risks of developing complications during pregnancy and delivery. But how do you get started? At his practice in Newburgh, Indiana — which...

Pap smears (or Pap tests) play an important role in helping identify cervical cancer in its early stages. Worldwide, about a half million new cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed every year, making it the second most common cancer-related death in women. Because Pap smears are so inextricably linked with...

Say the word “tumor,” and most people immediately think of cancer. But not all tumors are cancerous. Uterine fibroids, for example, are usually benign. Uterine fibroids are made of muscle fibers and connective tissue, and they rarely contain cancer cells. They’re also very common. In fact, as many as 80%...

Having a miscarriage can feel like your world has been turned upside down. But as upsetting as pregnancy loss can be, for most women, it’s an experience they only have to go through once. Unfortunately, about 1% of women have recurrent pregnancy loss, defined as two or more miscarriages. For...

Endometriosis is a condition in which tissue that normally grows inside the uterus grows outside of it. Developing most commonly between the ages of 30-40, it affects more than 10% of American women of child-bearing age.  Although endometriosis is relatively common, many women don’t recognize its symptoms, or they attribute...

If you’re planning to get pregnant, you’re probably pretty excited — and maybe a little nervous, too. After all, you’ll be creating a whole new person. To give that new family member the best possible start, now’s the time to prepare your body for the strains and rigors it’s about...

Having a hysterectomy certainly isn’t a decision women take lightly. It is, after all, a surgical procedure. The good news is, many hysterectomies today are performed using minimally invasive surgical techniques, a change that’s ushered in a lot of benefits for women who need the surgery. At his practice in...

Even though pregnancy can be a time of anticipation and even a little worry for many women, most pregnancies progress without any problems, resulting in a healthy delivery. But sometimes, pregnancy poses medical risks, either for the mom-to-be, the unborn baby, or both. These are high-risk pregnancies, and they affect...

Most women are no strangers to temporary pelvic pain, thanks to monthly menstrual cramps. But some women experience pain a lot more frequently and for a lot longer. In fact, the National Institutes of Health reports that about 15% of American women have chronic pelvic pain that lasts for six...

If your periods are unusually heavy, you’re not alone. In fact, about 10 million American women suffer from heavy bleeding, or menorrhagia, making it one of the most common medical complaints among women in the United States.  As a top-rated board-certified gynecologist in Newburgh, Indiana, Paul W. Morrison, M.D., uses...

Birth control helps millions of women take control of their health, their bodies, and their futures, playing a critical role in helping them decide when — and if — they want to start or expand a family. Of course, birth control only works when it’s used properly. And that means...

While many gynecological issues can be treated conservatively, there are some conditions that  require surgery to correct them. Today, a lot of surgeries are performed using minimally invasive approaches.  Minimally invasive surgery offers significant advantages for women, both during and after their procedures. In fact, the American College of Obstetrics...

Pregnancy is an exciting time for expectant moms and dads, but it can also be a time of worry. Most parents spend a fair amount of time concerned with the health of the baby and mom-to-be. Fortunately, regular prenatal exams and ongoing testing provide essential monitoring for both. As a...

Abnormal menstrual bleeding is surprisingly common. In fact, as many as a third of all women have medical treatment for periods that are abnormally heavy. Other women may have very long periods, very short periods, or miss their period entirely for months at a time. None of these patterns is...

Each year in the United States, more than 250,000 women have in-patient hysterectomies to remove their uterus. In fact, according to the National Women’s Health Network, hysterectomy is the second most common surgical procedure among American women of reproductive age, surpassed only by Cesarean section. But just because hysterectomy is...

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), human papillomavirus (HPV) infections are the most common sexually transmitted infections in the United States, affecting about 80 million people. Even though the infections are not uncommon, there are still a lot of misconceptions about HPV, including what it is,...

Birth control has come a long way since the introduction of the pill 60 years ago. Today, women have lots of options to prevent pregnancy. However, the number of choices means women have a lot of information — and misinformation — to sift through. Knowing the truth about contraceptives is...

To say that the summers in Indiana tend to be warm is a major understatement. Fact is, in Indiana, it gets hot — really hot, with average summer temperatures in Newburgh ranging from the high 80s well up into the 90s (and sometimes higher). That kind of heat isn’t enjoyable...

If you suffer from pelvic pain, you’re not alone. As many as 15% of American women suffer from pelvic pain that lasts six months or more. And some studies show that pelvic pain affects as many as 30% of women of childbearing age.  Because pelvic pain can be caused by...

Whether you're expecting a baby or still considering getting pregnant, proper health care plays a crucial role in having a healthy pregnancy and delivery for you and your baby. And, the best way to get it is through routine prenatal checkups. As an experienced obstetrician and gynecologist, Paul W. Morrison,...

The number of opiate users continues to rise at a disturbingly high rate, and now includes an estimated 1 in 50 pregnant women. Opiates describe a specific class of drugs. You can either get them through a prescription ― codeine, hydrocodone, oxycodone, and morphine ― or in illegal forms, such...

To reduce the risk of infection to our patients and staff, we are following CDC recommendations and taking the following precautions.*We are seeing patients only at this time and strongly advise all visitors to stay home or in the car, this includes children. If you are a minor you can...

There have been no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in our practice, in either hospital system we practice in (Deaconess Hospital in Evansville and Newburgh or St. Vincent’s Hospital Evansville), or our community at the time I am typing this. However, limiting the spread of this pandemic will require extraordinary measures...