In recognition of Women’s Health Month during the month of May, we’re spotlighting important women’s health insights from physicians across different specialties. Lisbeth Chang, MD, an OB-GYN with Dignity Health Medical Group — Northridge, shares important insight on preventative screenings and OB-GYN care.

To recognize women’s health throughout the month of May, Dignity Health Medical Groups will be sharing insight from four physicians across different specialties about topics that are crucial to women’s health.

First up in our Women’s Health Month series is Anila Chadha, MD, with Dignity Health Medical Group — Bakersfield. Dr. Chadha is a family medicine physician and discusses the importance of annual screenings and preventative care.

Spring is synonymous with budding flowers, blooming trees — and for many, allergies. According to the CDC, seasonal allergies (also called hay fever and allergic rhinitis) can affect as many as 60 million people per year in the United States.

Below, Neil Parikh, MD, an allergy and immunology specialist with Dignity Health Mercy Medical Group, discusses causes of allergies, management tips and seasonal allergy trends.

For those who experience headache pain, it is important to understand what you are feeling in order to identify the type of headache, treat the pain and make changes to avoid the development of a chronic condition. Halima Karim, MD, a neurologist with Dignity Health Woodland Clinic, shares more about headache disorders and provides insight on the most common type — migraines.

COVID-19 raises many questions for those who are currently pregnant, trying to get pregnant or planning on getting pregnant in the future. Research shows that it is safe to receive the COVID-19 vaccine at any point during pregnancy, and getting vaccinated is the best way to prevent serious complications from getting COVID-19 for both mom and baby.

“We have a lot of information about the harms of getting sick with COVID-19 during pregnancy and how safe and effective the vaccines are, “says Kimberly Moreland, MD, an OB/GYN with Dignity Health Medical Group — Dominican. “Don't miss this amazing opportunity to protect yourself and your baby by staying up-to-date with your vaccines and boosters.”