Featured Articles
Sorting Out Knee Pain
When do you need help for your sudden or ongoing knee pain? Our expert sorts through the possible scenarios.
Help for Hip Pain
Pain in the hip is all too common. Learn about some common causes and how to prevent or treat it.
Simple Ways to Build Strong Bones
Osteoporosis can mean fractures and disability. Three steps you can take right now to strengthen your bones.
Ask an Expert
Wesley S. Hilger, M.D., FACOG
Sutter Roseville Medical Center
Does menopause cause increased urinary tract infections? It seems like I'm getting more of them now that I'm older.
Women are most at risk for urinary tract infections after menopause because of the changes in hormones that occur after menopause. The tissues of the vagina and outer urethra are affected by the lack of estroge... continue reading about Does menopause cause increased urinary tract infections? It seems like I'm getting more of them now that I'm older.
Powell O. Jose, M.D., FACC
Sutter Roseville Medical Center
My 86-year-old mom just passed away from aortic valve stenosis. Should I contact my doctor and have my heart checked out? I've heard that most heart exams are geared for men more so than women. What should I do?
I am so sorry to hear about your mother. Aortic valve stenosis is a narrowing of one of your heart's valves that prevents it from opening fully. This can obstruct blood flow in your heart from going onward to t... continue reading about My 86-year-old mom just passed away from aortic valve stenosis. Should I contact my doctor and have my heart checked out? I've heard that most heart exams are geared for men more so than women. What should I do?
Wesley S. Hilger, M.D., FACOG
Sutter Roseville Medical Center
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 Roseville Medical Center
How can a woman know when it's time to consider surgery for urinary incontinence?
Urinary incontinence is a common condition affecting 30-50 percent of women. The number of women affected by urinary incontinence increases with age but it should not be considered acceptable at any age. It is ... continue reading about How can a woman know when it's time to consider surgery for urinary incontinence?
Powell O. Jose, M.D., FACC
Sutter Roseville Medical Center
My husband and I both have a large black coffee every day. After drinking his coffee, my husband's heart rate is elevated for hours. I don't see any increase in my heart rate from drinking coffee. Is this due to metabolism? Should my husband drink decaf?
Caffeine has multiple effects on the central nervous system, as well as the heart. Typically most people will experience an increase in heart rate, the degree of which differs among individuals. The amount of i... continue reading about My husband and I both have a large black coffee every day. After drinking his coffee, my husband's heart rate is elevated for hours. I don't see any increase in my heart rate from drinking coffee. Is this due to metabolism? Should my husband drink decaf?
Wesley S. Hilger, M.D., FACOG
Sutter Roseville Medical Center
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?
Powell O. Jose, M.D., FACC
Sutter Roseville Medical Center
What is statin therapy and what are the side effects of this drug?
Statins are a class of medications used to lower cholesterol. They work by inhibiting an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase, which is important for cholesterol production in the liver. Statins are very commonly us... continue reading about What is statin therapy and what are the side effects of this drug?
Wesley S. Hilger, M.D., FACOG
Sutter Roseville Medical Center
An ultrasound showed that I have eight fibroids, one the size of an orange. I've had fibroids in the past and had a myomectomy. I'm 45, have no symptoms other than frequent urination and bloating. Will they continue to grow and will they multiply?
Uterine fibroids (leiomyoma) are common condition found in up to 80 percent of women by age 50. The reason that the fibroids develop is unknown but it is generally considered a benign growth with less than one ... continue reading about An ultrasound showed that I have eight fibroids, one the size of an orange. I've had fibroids in the past and had a myomectomy. I'm 45, have no symptoms other than frequent urination and bloating. Will they continue to grow and will they multiply?
Wesley S. Hilger, M.D., FACOG
Sutter Roseville Medical Center
I've had incontinence since giving birth. The doctor keeps telling me to do my kegels, but it's not working. Are kegels supposed to fix all incontinence problems due to childbirth, or could something else be going on?
Many studies have shown a connection between vaginal birth and bladder symptoms. In fact one in three women will have incontinence during her lifetime, and of these up to 65% will recall that it began either du... continue reading about I've had incontinence since giving birth. The doctor keeps telling me to do my kegels, but it's not working. Are kegels supposed to fix all incontinence problems due to childbirth, or could something else be going on?
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