Elevate Your Health Colorado A Few Thoughts a Gynecologist Has About Summer

1. If you are on hormones, and thinking of weaning off of them, now is not a great time.  It's just too hot anyway -- no need to also have hot flashes.
2. Melanoma is more common in Colorado, so wear sunscreen all the time.  Since you are naked at the gynecologists’ office anyway, ask him or her to check all those places you can’t see for any unusual moles.
3. Today was the longest day of the year -- a great day for an early morning run and watching the sun rise to the east of the beautiful Rocky Mountains.  Try it -- you will be in a good mood all day!
4. If you are on birth control pills, consider taking them continuously over the summer -- meaning, skip that fourth week of sugar pills.  You won’t get a period, which is a good thing when you want to go to the pool every day.
5. Speaking of birth control methods that also help your periods, the Mirena IUD is a  great option for many women. It lasts for 5 years and is very effective.  Talk to your OB/GYN about it -- maybe it's the answer you’ve been looking for!
6. If you are pregnant, drink LOTS of water! You can get dehydrated when it's so hot and dry.  Dehydration can lead to pre-term contractions, which are uncomfortable, scary, and may even land you in the hospital.
7. Today was also Bike to Work Day.  Any of you give it a try? Truth is, you can bike to work tomorrow, if today didn’t work out.  You’ll save money on gas, and get some exercise and fresh air.
8. Try all the delicious summer fruit -- it's so tasty right now!  My kids went to the Berry Patch Farm today and brought home 6 pints of fragrant, ripe strawberries. YUM!

I hope you are all enjoying this beautiful time of year!