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Reduce Menopause Symptoms
Feel better with seven ways to ease perimenopause and menopause symptoms.
Your Guide to Osteoporosis
Taking simple steps now can keep your bones strong and healthy as you age.
Women's Health Topics
Ask an Expert
Risa Kagan, M.D., FACOG
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Campus
Is it normal for a 60-year-old woman to have bleeding after sex?
It is not normal to have bleeding after sex at any age, but particularly for post menopausal women. Bleeding after sex can be an indication of damage to vaginal tissues, which are more fragile after menopause, ... continue reading about Is it normal for a 60-year-old woman to have bleeding after sex?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
Now that I'm 50+, I've been getting severe headaches with my periods, and it also seems like my nasal allergy symptoms are worse at those times. Is this just a coincidence, or is this associated with perimenopause?
Yes. Your symptoms could well be associated with perimenopause. The World Health Organization has defined perimenopause as the time period 2 to 8 years prior to menopause as well as the year after cessation of ... continue reading about Now that I'm 50+, I've been getting severe headaches with my periods, and it also seems like my nasal allergy symptoms are worse at those times. Is this just a coincidence, or is this associated with perimenopause?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I was diagnosed with endometriosis but had a subsequent healthy pregnancy. I was told that endometriosis "goes away" during pregnancy. Can I expect that it's gone, or might it return?
Pregnancy and endometriosis exhibit a curiously antagonistic relationship. Women who give birth in their 20s are much less likely to suffer from this condition than women who conceive in their 30s or those who ... continue reading about I was diagnosed with endometriosis but had a subsequent healthy pregnancy. I was told that endometriosis "goes away" during pregnancy. Can I expect that it's gone, or might it return?
Susan Maayah, M.D.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
What's the difference between a yeast infection and bacterial vaginosis?
Vaginal yeast infections are caused by overgrowth of fungal organisms, usually the Candida Albicans species. Symptoms are usually itching, burning, and white, cottage-cheese appearing discharge. They are caused... continue reading about What's the difference between a yeast infection and bacterial vaginosis?
Susan Maayah, M.D.
Palo Alto Medical Foundation
If HPV high risk is detected during my PAP smear result, should I get vaccinated? Or is it too late for any benefit of a vaccine? I have been monogamous for the last 10 years. Also, what's the likelihood of getting cancer once HPV is detected?
High-risk HPV detection on a pap smear indicates you are at risk for developing cervical cancer at any point in the future. With a healthy immune system, many women clear this, but sometimes severe cases requir... continue reading about If HPV high risk is detected during my PAP smear result, should I get vaccinated? Or is it too late for any benefit of a vaccine? I have been monogamous for the last 10 years. Also, what's the likelihood of getting cancer once HPV is detected?
Jill D. Foley, M.D., FACOG
Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation
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?
Toni J. Brayer, M.D.
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
Why do some people lose height as they age? How much loss is too much?
After age 40, the average person loses about 1/2" of their height per decade. It happens because of gravity and wear and tear on bones, muscles and joints. Think of your skeleton as being made up of your ankles... continue reading about Why do some people lose height as they age? How much loss is too much?
Wesley S. Hilger, M.D., FACOG
Surgery Center Division
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?
Risa Kagan, M.D., FACOG
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Alta Bates Campus
I was told that my endometriosis will go away once I pass menopause. What if I decide to take hormone therapy during menopause - will that continue to aggravate the endometrial lesions?
For women who have a history of endometriosis, and they choose to go on hormone therapy, it will not stimulate endometriosis if they take continuous estrogen and progesterone. The progesterone reduces any stimu... continue reading about I was told that my endometriosis will go away once I pass menopause. What if I decide to take hormone therapy during menopause - will that continue to aggravate the endometrial lesions?
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