As we age, there are many positives to look forward to – you’re more in tune with your emotions, your self-esteem grows, and you’ve gained wisdom through your life experiences. Although there are many benefits to aging, weight gain can be an issue for many women as they enter menopause.

Menopause is defined as the time when a woman hasn’t had a menstrual period for 12 months. After those 12 months, a woman is considered postmenopausal.

Restless leg syndrome (RLS), or Willis-Ekbom disease, is a sleep-related movement disorder that often causes an uncomfortable urge to move the legs. On average, 5-10 percent of people in the U.S. suffer from RLS.

Symptoms from RLS are most notable in the evening or when someone is lying down or attempting to rest. Since this is usually at nighttime, it can impact your ability to fall or stay asleep. Lack of sleep can negatively affect your quality of life,

Dr. Lilja Stefansson, OB/GYN at Atrius Health, answers sensitive questions with straightforward answers.

Dear Dr. Stefansson, I am trying to get pregnant, and my doctor told me to start a prenatal vitamin. I went to the pharmacy to purchase a bottle, but I ended up so overwhelmed that I left without buying anything! Please help! – PuzzledByPrenatals

Hi PuzzledByPrenatals, you are not alone!

You have a big event coming up – a job interview, a first date, your class photo – and then it appears…a red, inflamed pimple right in the middle of your face.

Acne is the most common chronic skin disease in the United States and can cause blemishes on the face, chest, and upper back.

Acne typically starts during puberty and is most common among teenagers. However, many adults also suffer from the condition and require some form of treatment.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common, uncomfortable infections that can happen in any part of the urinary system, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Anyone can develop a UTI, but they are more common in women. About one in five women will experience a UTI in their lifetime, and many will have repeat infections. Although symptoms are often uncomfortable, several treatment options are available to speed recovery and prevent future infections.

Some women are at a higher risk of developing a UTI,

As children have returned to in-person learning and sports, cases of head lice become even more common. Head lice are tiny parasitic insects that feed on human blood and cling to the scalp and neck. Each louse is only about the size of a sesame seed and is tan, grey, or brown. Lice lay light, pale eggs (nits) on hairs near the scalp that are held together with a glue-like substance. Although lice cannot fly,

As the seasons change, many people here in New England are dusting off their rakes and snow shovels in anticipation of the cooler weather. While often an inevitable part of home maintenance, the repetitive bending and lifting involved in seasonal yard work can lead to muscle strain or can exacerbate chronic back pain.

Here are a few tips to keep you safe and injury-free while you spruce up your outdoor space.

Don’t forget to stretch

Like any physical activity,

If you’ve ever attended a concert or been exposed to loud noises, chances are you’ve experienced ringing, buzzing, or clicking in your ears afterward. Medically known as tinnitus, this common condition can be annoying or frustrating, but it is luckily not life-threatening. Around 10% of Americans have experienced some form of tinnitus for at least 5 minutes in the last year, so it’s important to recognize the symptoms and understand your treatment options.

As some retail, entertainment and travel destinations are beginning to require customers to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (or show a negative COVID-19 test), having a safe and portable way to show proof of vaccination is becoming increasingly important.

Atrius Health is pleased to announce the COVID-19 “SMART Health Card,” which allows for a digital or printable version of your COVID-19 vaccination or testing information. Patients can now access a copy of their COVID-19 record and easily share their vaccination and testing information with others by using a QR code on their mobile device or printing a copy from their medical record.

Dr. Lilja Stefansson, OBGYN at Atrius Health, answers sensitive questions with straightforward answers.

Dear Dr. Stefansson, my daughter is 13 years old and recently started her period. When does she need to have her first gynecology visit? – GrowingUp2Fast

Dear GrowingUp2Fast, this is an excellent question, and I wish I heard it more often! The adolescent years can be a challenging time where our kids are “not really children,