For women, the stages of life center around reproduction. Menopause is the stage of life that marks the end of a woman’s childbearing years. You officially reach menopause after going one full year without your period. The average age of menopause in the United States is 52, according to the...
The holiday season is a festive time of year, but most of the celebrations center around food. Though you may do your best, it’s hard to resist the feasts and treats. Weight gain is common during the holidays, but despite what you may hear, most people only gain about a...
Though there’s no best season for pregnancy, you may feel some relief with a winter pregnancy knowing you won’t have to deal with the hot temperatures and humidity of summer. But wintertime carries its own set of challenges for pregnant women. Having helped many pregnant women navigate their way through...
Though a natural part of the aging process, menopause can be a difficult life transition for some women. You may welcome the fact that you no longer have to worry about your period, but the hormonal shifts that come with menopause may cause uncomfortable symptoms that interfere with your daily...
Aging is a normal biological process that brings about changes in many body systems. Unfortunately, one of those systems happens to be your skin, which causes the most visible signs of aging: wrinkles. Dr. Lena Speck Hopkins is a wrinkles specialist, and she wants you to know why your skin...
Your skin is an organ of protection. It protects you and your internal organs from germs, environmental toxins, and damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. While your skin plays an essential role in supporting your health, it’s also the most visible organ and used as a marker to assess...
Menstrual cramps, heavy menstrual bleeding, and stomach problems are common symptoms that plague many women and may develop from any number of causes. Though endometriosis affects more than 6 million women in the United States, the common gynecological condition often goes undiagnosed for years. Our OB/GYN expert, Dr. Lena Speck...
Whether you’re in your mid-thirties and just starting to notice a few lines or wrinkles, or you’re in your mid-fifties and your current beauty treatments are no longer working to hide your age, you may be searching for an effective treatment to minimize the visible signs of aging. With advances...
Many women experience pelvic pain. Although the frequency and severity of the discomfort varies, finding the exact cause of pelvic pain is often difficult. Our experienced OB/GYN, Dr. Lena Speck Hopkins, specializes in women’s gynecological health and has helped many women struggling with pelvic pain get the answers and relief...
You’re at a healthy weight, you eat right, and you exercise regularly. Despite following all the rules and doing everything right, you may not be able to get rid of your saddle bags or belly flab. Given all your efforts and struggles, you’ve finally decided to consider body-sculpting treatment. At...
Whether it’s your first or third, when you hear that your pregnancy is high risk, your heart may race and anxiety levels soar. Though there are many reasons why your pregnancy may be considered high risk, the designation means you and your baby need extra prenatal care and attention to...
Your skin is the largest organ in your body and designed to protect your internal organs and tissues from the outside elements. Unfortunately, many of these elements, like the sun, contribute to the visible signs of aging, including fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging. Though you can’t stop the years from...
The journey of menopause changes you at multiple levels. In addition to changes in your reproductive and hormonal biology, life changes at this transitional moment can feel intense or unpredictable. For people with existing mental health conditions, menopause can change underlying needs and symptoms. Even if you don't typically struggle...
If your Pap smear results come back anything but normal, it can be a little disconcerting. Dr. Lena Speck Hopkins is an experienced OB/GYN located in Harlingen, TX. She can reassure you and recommend the best care for your gynecologic health needs in the event your Pap test shows atypical...
Pelvic pain is something many women deal with every day, and some simply believe it comes with having a female reproductive system. If you’re among those women, we have some good news for you. Constant, consistent, and/or severe pelvic pain shouldn’t be something you have to endure, and it can...
Genetic testing can empower you. Results that confirm your risk for developing cancer can help you act proactively about prevention, early screening, and treatment. Knowing whether you carry a gene mutation that could affect your children can allow you to make important decisions about the way you build a family....
You’re not alone if you’re frustrated by the occurrence of hot flashes. Up to 75% of all women experience these sudden increases in body temperature that can come without warning. While hot flashes are the most common symptom of menopause, they’re often accompanied by headaches, mood swings, vaginal dryness, and...
What if we told you skin tightening treatments could reduce the signs of aging without any pain or downtime? Would you believe it? In the Harlingen, Texas area, Dr. Lena Speck Hopkins offers this treatment with the TempSure™ Envi platform. Here, we discuss the myths and facts about skin tightening...
Diet and exercise can help us look and feel good. But sometimes eating well and working out aren’t enough to eliminate stubborn pockets of fat. Now there’s a great solution that can help you get rid of unwanted fat. WarmingSculpting™ with SculpSure® can help you get the toned body of...
Pregnancy is a beautiful stage of your life, but enduring the hot Texas summers during that time can be challenging. Dr. Lena Speck Hopkins, MD, is an experienced and compassionate OB-Gyn who is well-versed in treating pregnant patients in the state of Texas. She also understands the angst that comes...
Many people consider turning to a surgical procedure when they realize their skin is starting to show the signs of aging. Fine lines, wrinkles, and especially loose skin are often the last straw for those who’ve been holding out against this type of anti-aging option. Surgery is not your only...
While menopause is a normal and natural time in a woman’s life, marking the end of her reproductive years, the body changes and symptoms resulting from lowered estrogen production may feel anything but normal or natural. Hot flashes are perhaps best known and most common, but every woman seems to...
When you hit the wall on your weight-loss journey, it’s easy to get frustrated and want to throw in the towel. Unfortunately, your genes can keep you from fitting in your jeans. Dr. Lena Speck Hopkins established her clinic to help women in Harlingen, Texas, look and feel their best...