Blog Archive

It seems like it was just yesterday that your teen was a child, and needed to visit a pediatrician for medical care and checkups. Now that your teenager is growing up, when should you schedule her first visit to a gynecologist? What gynecological care do teens need, and what should...

A total hysterectomy refers to the surgical removal of your uterus. In a partial hysterectomy, the surgeon removes only the upper part of your uterus, leaving your cervix intact. Why might you need one of these surgical procedures? Hysterectomy is a common surgery in women’s health care in the United...

Regular Pap smears are an important part of women’s wellness care. Pap smears are one of the best ways to detect early warning signs of cervical cancer. With this screening tool, you can protect yourself from cervical cancer. You might not be sure whether you’re due for a Pap smear....

Breast cancer affects your breast tissue. If you have high genetic, hormonal, or lifestyle risks for breast cancer, at some point, you may consider having your breasts surgically removed in order to avoid cancer. Any time you have major surgery, it’s a big decision. You may have strong personal emotions...

Cervical cancer can be life-threatening, but is easier to treat successfully with early detection. That’s why routine Pap smears at your regularly-scheduled well-woman exam are so important for your health. The results of your Pap smear could literally save your life. At Women’s Health Partners of the Permian Basin, board-certified...

There are lots of different ways of preventing pregnancy out there, and lots of birth control options for you to choose. Which type of birth control is right for you? If you’re like many women, you’re looking for a long-term solution to fertility management. You might want to get pregnant...

It’s National Diabetes Month, and Dr. Mary Grace Bridges and the team at Women’s Health Partners of the Permian Basin want to take this opportunity to tell you more about gestational diabetes. This condition occurs during pregnancy, and often goes away on its own after delivery. However, gestational diabetes creates...

In an ideal world, you’d never have health problems requiring invasive treatment like surgery. But, sometimes, it’s true that the best way to keep you in good health for years to come is surgery to address internal issues. One common, and often lifesaving, procedure, surgical removal of your uterus, is...

Menopause marks the end of the female monthly menstrual cycle, and the end of childbearing capability. If it’s been a full year since your last menstrual period, you’re in menopause. Menopause arrives for most women when they’re in their 50s. Before menopause is complete, you may experience a period of...

Getting a regular Pap smear protects you against cervical cancer, which is easier to treat successfully if detected early. At Women’s Health Partners of the Permian Basin, board-certified OB/GYN Dr. Mary Grace Bridges and her team provide Pap smears, and additionally help patients interpret their results. Dr. Bridges offers Pap smears and other gynecology services...

At Women’s Health Partners of the Permian Basin, Dr. Mary Grace Bridges and her obstetrics and gynecology team prioritize your reproductive health and family planning needs. We provide a variety of types of birth control to new and existing patients from our offices in Odessa and Midland, Texas, including intrauterine devices (IUDs). Dr. Bridges...

When you give birth, you achieve so much. Your new baby attests to that! But, it takes a lot out of you doing the physical work of creating another person during the months of pregnancy. Your body needs time and space to recover after giving birth before becoming pregnant again....

With birth control, you decide when you’re ready to become pregnant, and when you want to prevent pregnancy. Today, you have lots of forms of birth control to choose from! All types of birth control work to prevent unwanted pregnancy. At Women’s Health Partners of the Permian Basin, experienced OB/GYN...

Your bust line can create problems for your back. If you have larger or heavier breasts, the load your upper back and shoulders carry may result in chronic back pain. You may be able to find lasting back pain relief with breast reduction surgery. Dr. Mary Grace Bridges and the...

Painful periods are never fun, but if you have endometriosis, they could also be a sign of a more serious underlying issue with your reproductive health. Endometriosis is a chronic condition with many negative potential impacts on your reproductive health and wellness. And, endometriosis is fairly common. If you suffer...

All pregnancies are suspenseful, and often stressful. No matter the risk level associated with your pregnancy, you need expert OB/GYN attention and care. But, if your pregnancy could be defined as high risk, you could find yourself dealing with additional stressors, and in need of more specialized medical support. Contact...

Pelvic exams give your OB/GYN an opportunity to check in on the health of your female organs and reproductive system. Regular pelvic exams and Pap smears are an essential part of every woman’s health care. You can receive your regular pelvic exam at Women’s Health Partners of the Permian Basin,...

Urinary incontinence, or leakage of urine, can be an embarrassing health problem to have. However, urinary incontinence affects more people than you might realize, especially among women, and especially as you get older. No matter your age, board-certified OB/GYN Dr. Mary Grace Bridges provides full gynecological care for her patients at Women’s Health Partners...

During the aging process, changes take place in a woman’s reproductive system. At a certain point in your life, most typically in your 50s, you’ll start to experience hormonal shifts that herald the end of your monthly menstrual cycle and your ability to become pregnant. Menopause is a process, not a...

Are your monthly menstrual periods unusually painful? You might have a condition known as endometriosis. In addition to painful periods, endometriosis can result in fertility problems, making it more difficult for you to become pregnant. At Women’s Health Partners of the Permian Basin, board-certified obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Mary Grace Bridges provides ongoing...

The only thing that’s worse than a urinary tract infection (UTI) is a recurrent UTI that keeps flaring back up over and over. Symptoms like a constant need to urinate and blood in your urine leave you uncomfortable and anxious about the health and function of some of your most...

Birth control puts you in control of your reproductive health and activity. At Women’s Health Partners of the Permian Basin, Dr. Mary Grace Bridges can help you understand all of your options for birth control. She provides personalized care to new and existing patients from around the Odessa and Midland, Texas area. For...

If you’re bleeding through tampons or pads every hour during your time of the month, know that this heavy bleeding may be a sign that something more is going on with your body. At Women’s Health Partners of the Permian Basin, our board-certified OB/GYN Mary Grace Bridges, MD understands how...