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Women's Health Topics
Ask an Expert
Risa Kagan, M.D., FACOG
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
What does a routine Pap smear show? Are there other routine tests should I ask for?
A routine pap test screens for abnormal cells from the cervix associated with cancer or pre-cancer of the cervix. Depending on one's age, we are also testing for the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which is now fe... continue reading about What does a routine Pap smear show? Are there other routine tests should I ask for?
Francine A. Yep, M.D.
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
At what age should I have a pneumonia vaccination? Thank you!
The pneumonia vaccine helps protect you from S. pneumoniae, a bacterial germ that causes serious lung infections like pneumonia as well as blood infections and meningitis. It protects you from the most common t... continue reading about At what age should I have a pneumonia vaccination? Thank you!
Risa Kagan, M.D., FACOG
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
I'm 57 years old and going through menopause. Last week I experienced three days of bleeding. It was a light flow, but at my age I'm concerned. I'm not on any type of medication, not even aspirin. Is this something out of the normal?
This may or may not be abnormal as one's hormones can fluctuate in the perimenopausal years. If it has been over a year since your last normal menses, then this is called postmenopausal bleeding and needs immed... continue reading about I'm 57 years old and going through menopause. Last week I experienced three days of bleeding. It was a light flow, but at my age I'm concerned. I'm not on any type of medication, not even aspirin. Is this something out of the normal?
Risa Kagan, M.D., FACOG
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
I'm 57, postmenopausal, and have been on HRT for a few years. My OB/GYN took me off hormones a couple months ago. My hot flashes are through the roof and making life miserable. I'm also having a lot of depression and feel like crying all the time. Help!
Clinical studies have shown that about half of women who try to go off hormones are so symptomatic that they need to go back on. Many can take a lower dose than they were on before, and then gradually taper off... continue reading about I'm 57, postmenopausal, and have been on HRT for a few years. My OB/GYN took me off hormones a couple months ago. My hot flashes are through the roof and making life miserable. I'm also having a lot of depression and feel like crying all the time. Help!
Jill D. Foley, M.D., FACOG
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
How likely is it for a woman to get pregnant after having her tubes tied?
Good question. The terms tubal ligation, tubes tied, tubal sterilization, and female sterilization can all be used interchangeably to describe the same process. In the U.S., up to one third of women use sterili... continue reading about How likely is it for a woman to get pregnant after having her tubes tied?
Jill D. Foley, M.D., FACOG
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
I’ve taken the birth control pill Loestrin for eight months. After starting on the pill, my period came once every two months. It’s been 14 weeks since my last period. I had unprotected sex but took the morning-after pill. Should I be concerned?
Yours is a good question. First, I want to help you understand hormone production in a normal menstrual cycle. After that, we can talk about how the pill works to prevent pregnancy and why, in some women, it re... continue reading about I’ve taken the birth control pill Loestrin for eight months. After starting on the pill, my period came once every two months. It’s been 14 weeks since my last period. I had unprotected sex but took the morning-after pill. Should I be concerned?
Risa Kagan, M.D., FACOG
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
I'm 63 and have had hot flashes for the last 20 years. I still have all my 'parts' and don't take hormones. I suffer from severe depression and take anti-depressants. Is there anything I can do? Can this be thyroid related? Should I move to Alaska?
It is unusual for hot flashes to persist with this severity for 20 years. Older women can still have them but they usually get less intense. Many anti-depressants are being used as an alternative to estrogen fo... continue reading about I'm 63 and have had hot flashes for the last 20 years. I still have all my 'parts' and don't take hormones. I suffer from severe depression and take anti-depressants. Is there anything I can do? Can this be thyroid related? Should I move to Alaska?
Risa Kagan, M.D., FACOG
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
I am 37 years old and experiencing longer periods - two to three weeks long. I also have some bleeding after orgasm. What could be causing this? Do I need to see a doctor?
Yes, you should definitely consult with your gynecologist and have an exam and pelvic ultrasound. There may be a structural problem in your uterus, such as a polyp or fibroid (benign muscle mass) that can cause... continue reading about I am 37 years old and experiencing longer periods - two to three weeks long. I also have some bleeding after orgasm. What could be causing this? Do I need to see a doctor?
Risa Kagan, M.D., FACOG
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
I had a partial hysterectomy in 2005 but still have my ovaries. A year later, I began to have cramps, gas and bloating every 28 days. Recently these symptoms began to appear every week. How much longer can this go on?
Many women after a hysterectomy can still have "cycles" if their ovaries are in place. They will not bleed since the uterus is no longer present, but they can still have the usual bloating and other PMS symptom... continue reading about I had a partial hysterectomy in 2005 but still have my ovaries. A year later, I began to have cramps, gas and bloating every 28 days. Recently these symptoms began to appear every week. How much longer can this go on?
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