This is a complicated question and involves both assessment of your actual risk, then consideration of how that should inform your screening process. Consult with your doctor to calculate your actual risk, base... continue reading  about  Breast cancer runs in my family (mother). Should I get a mammogram earlier than 40?

Since vaginal hysterectomy requires separation of the vagina from the cervix, a suture line is needed to close the opening at the top of the vagina. Like any healing incision, it is important to avoid activity ... continue reading  about  I just had a vaginal hysterectomy last week. When can I start exercising again and what type would be best?

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are very common in women. This is due to the short urethra that leads from the bladder to outside the body and the plethora of bacteria that reside in the surrounding areas inclu... continue reading  about  How do I prevent, or treat, recurring urinary tract infections?

Before you make any decisions, make sure that other possible causes of pelvic pain have been adequately evaluated by your doctor, including your bladder, gastrointestinal system, and pelvic floor muscles. Fibro... continue reading  about  I have several small fibroids that sometimes cause me pain. How severe does it need to be to consider doing something about it?

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?

If ovaries are not removed surgically, they are still present. After menopause, our ovaries do shrink. Pre-menopause ovaries are 3-4cm, but after menopause they can be 0.5cm-1.0cm. The older we get, the smaller... continue reading  about  I had a partial hysterectomy 18 years ago (my ovaries were not removed). Lately I've been having pain and cramping, so recently had x-rays and an ultrasound. The doctor could not find my ovaries. Can ovaries just disappear on their own?

Pain and/or tenderness are two of the most common breast symptoms experienced by women. The discomfort can be severe enough to interfere with usual daily activities. The causes of mastalgia (or breast pain) are... continue reading  about  Is tenderness in the breast a concern for cancer? I have tenderness in just one fingertip size area to the left of the areola of the right breast.

As men and women age, it is very clear that metabolism changes. Part of this may be due to hormonal changes, especially in women after menopause. This may be genetic or associated with a decreasing level of exe... continue reading  about  I am concerned because my blood sugar is fluctuating between 110 and 117, over 90 days. I have good eating habits and control my weight, but it's been harder after menopause. Should I be on a sugar-stabilizing medication such as Metformin?

The factors that are known to increase a woman's risk for breast cancer are: Older age, a BRCA genetic mutation, mother or sister with breast cancer, beginning menstrual periods before age 12, periods stopping ... continue reading  about  Does a history of mastitis increase my risk for breast cancer?