Featured Articles
Help for Women with Urinary Incontinence
Loss of bladder control is common among women. Learn about the options for preventing and treating this annoying problem.
Breaking the Silence About Pelvic Prolapse
Pelvic prolapse is common but rarely discussed. Don’t be embarrassed – learn more about causes and treatments for this condition.
Facts About Vaginal Infections
There are many causes of vaginal infections. A proper diagnosis is the key to effective treatment.
Ask an Expert
Susan Maayah, M.D.
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
Does the clitoris disappear with age? After 70?
The clitoris never actually disappears, but it can become smaller over time after the loss of circulating female hormones with menopause. This is part of a normal condition with aging called urogenital atrophy.... continue reading about Does the clitoris disappear with age? After 70?
Risa Kagan, M.D., FACOG
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Summit Campus
I had a partial hysterectomy four months ago. My left ovary was damaged so it was removed, leaving only my right. Since the surgery I have had no sex drive. And when I do it's painful. What can I do?
Women can live their whole lives with only one ovary and produce enough hormones, but it sounds like you now have become low in hormones and maybe menopausal. This might have nothing to do with your surgery and... continue reading about I had a partial hysterectomy four months ago. My left ovary was damaged so it was removed, leaving only my right. Since the surgery I have had no sex drive. And when I do it's painful. What can I do?
Susan Maayah, M.D.
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
I had a hysterectomy in June. I still have my tubes and ovaries and a small bit of cervix. Why and how am I still having full periods every month? Where is this blood coming from?
The type of surgery you had is a supracervical hysterectomy. If your ovaries are still functioning, then you are still having monthly ovulatory cycles. The monthly cycle causes bleeding from the endometrial tis... continue reading about I had a hysterectomy in June. I still have my tubes and ovaries and a small bit of cervix. Why and how am I still having full periods every month? Where is this blood coming from?
Jill D. Foley, M.D., FACOG
Sutter East Bay Medical Group
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?
Rodman S. Rogers, M.D.
California Pacific Medical Center
Regarding stress incontinence and using the pig skin mesh sling option - is it possible for a patient to reject the sling?
While nearly anything is conceivable or possible in individual situations, it's my understanding that the pig dermis is treated to remove all cellular components, leaving just the natural, treated sterile colla... continue reading about Regarding stress incontinence and using the pig skin mesh sling option - is it possible for a patient to reject the sling?
Wesley S. Hilger, M.D., FACOG
Sutter Independent Physicians
I've heard that the sling procedure is especially helpful for pelvic prolapse. How do I know if I am a good candidate for it?
Pelvic prolapse is a loss of support for the organs in the pelvis, including the bladder, uterus or rectum. When these organs shift out of position, they can cause symptoms that affect functioning, including ur... continue reading about I've heard that the sling procedure is especially helpful for pelvic prolapse. How do I know if I am a good candidate for it?
Wesley S. Hilger, M.D., FACOG
Sutter Independent Physicians
I'm 67, in menopause and on bio-identical hormones. During orgasms I have involuntary bladder releases. I urinate before bed and it still happens. My doctor said its bladder spasms that can occur with age. Is this normal? Is there anything I can do?
Fluid expulsion during female sexual arousal is not an uncommon event, as it is reported in 10-54 percent of women. The cause of this loss of fluid can occur due to female ejaculation (FE) or coital incontinenc... continue reading about I'm 67, in menopause and on bio-identical hormones. During orgasms I have involuntary bladder releases. I urinate before bed and it still happens. My doctor said its bladder spasms that can occur with age. Is this normal? Is there anything I can do?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I'm 38 and have been in a relationship for three years. I've been on the pill for 20 years and don't want more kids, but I don't like the melasma side effect of birth control pills. I've considered an IUD but know someone whose device migrated. Options?
If your major goal, in addition to reliable contraception, is to reduce the menstrual flow and frequency of periods, then a Mirena IUD, which secretes progesterone-like hormone locally in the uterine cavity wit... continue reading about I'm 38 and have been in a relationship for three years. I've been on the pill for 20 years and don't want more kids, but I don't like the melasma side effect of birth control pills. I've considered an IUD but know someone whose device migrated. Options?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I'm female (36) with a Mirena IUD. I have lower abdominal pains that feel like my uterus is being squeezed. It's worse after my period or intense orgasms. My IUD was checked and it's in the correct place.
Although the Mirena IUD is an excellent method for contraception, control of menstrual bleeding, and cramping with periods, in some women it is not well tolerated. Since you have quite clearly identified your p... continue reading about I'm female (36) with a Mirena IUD. I have lower abdominal pains that feel like my uterus is being squeezed. It's worse after my period or intense orgasms. My IUD was checked and it's in the correct place.
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