Ask Our Expert on Pregnancy and Child Birth
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Ask Our Expert on Breast Health / Cancer
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Q: I have very painful periods. Could it be more than menstrual cramps?
A: While pain during menstruation could indicate several conditions, the most common gynecologic cause is endometriosis. This condition occurs when functioning endometrial cells, normally found within the uterus, back up into the pelvis. More >>

Q: I think I have incontinence. What should I do?
A: Don't let embarrassment, fear or wrong information about incontinence keep you from getting help. We understand how unpleasant and distressing this condition can be - and you're not alone. More >>

Q: What is Toxic Shock Syndrome (TSS)?
A: Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a rare infectious disease caused by a bacteria (staphylococcus aureus) commonly found on the skin. More >>

Q: Do I really need a colonoscopy to screen for colon cancer?
A: Yes, colonoscopies are the most accurate way to screen for and also prevent this cancer. More >>

Q: I've heard that there are new breast cancer treatments that use antibodies. How do they work?
A: Antibodies have the ability to latch on to specific bacteria, viruses or toxins in our bodies and neutralize them. More >>

Q: I've heard about a new type of artery disease that affects women. What is it?
A: In this condition, cholesterol plaque spreads evenly within the walls of the arteries rather than forming major blockages. The condition has been called by different names-hidden heart disease, microvascular syndrome, endothelial dysfunction, syndrome X. More >>

Q: I’ve heard that breastfeeding might reduce my risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Is this true?
A: You heard correctly! According to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), each year of breastfeeding reduces a mother’s risk of developing diabetes by 15 percent. More >>

Q: I’ve heard that the drug Herceptin has shown even more promise than originally thought in treating breast cancer.
A: Yes, a recent editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine reported promising news about Herceptin, an antibody used with chemotherapy for breast cancer treatment. More >>

Q: What can I do to prevent osteoporosis?
A: The key to healthy bones and preventing osteoporosis at any age is getting the appropriate amount of calcium and vitamin D. Weight-bearing exercise every day also keeps bones strong. More >>

Q: What is a stroke and could I be at risk?
A: Stroke is a “brain attack”—it affects the brain just like some heart attacks affect the heart. More >>

Q: When should my daughter have her first gynecologic visit?
A: We recommend your daughter have her first exam at least age 18 or when she becomes sexually active. A gynecologist or nurse practitioner can care for your daughter. A nurse practitioner is a registered nurse with additional education who is licensed to do exams, prescribe medications and interpret test results, and who specializes in educating patients. More >>

Q: I've heard a lot about the new food pyramid. How is the new pyramid different from the old?
A: You’re right--the USDA has just released the “MyPyramid Food Guidance System,” a website that offers new and exciting ways to make healthy lifestyle changes. More >>

Q: I tend to sweat a lot. Could I have hyperhidrosis?
A: If excess sweating rules your life and causes you to feel embarrassed in social situations, you could have hyperhidrosis. More >>

Q: I see my doctor and get a Pap smear every year. Am I doing everything I can to detect cancers of the reproductive system?
A: Having regular Pap smears is the best thing you can do to detect cancer of the cervix early. Your Pap smear can find changes in your cervix before they become cancer. More >>

Q: I want to whiten my teeth, but would like more information about the procedure. What exactly is involved?
A: Everyone wants to have a nice smile, but over the years most people accumulate intrinsic stains which won’t brush away. More >>

Q: I've had a dull pain in my lower tummy for the past year. Should I see a doctor?
Yes, you should. Chronic pelvic pain – defined as discomfort below the navel lasting for greater than 6 months affects 15 percent of women during their lifetime. More >>

Q: Does the new vaccine against cervical cancer also protect against genital warts and lesions?
A: Yes, it does. The vaccine, called Gardasil, is effective against several strains of human papilloma virus (HPV), a sexually transmitted disease which causes genital warts, vulvar and vaginal lesions, and some types of cervical cancer. More >>

Q: Are most people aware of their blood sugar level?
A: No. According to a survey by the American Diabetes Association, seven out of 10 Americans do not know their blood glucose level. And while 18 million people have diabetes, nearly one-third of them don’t realize it because they’ve never been screened. More >>

Q: I’ve heard about a new knee replacement surgery that is better suited for women. What is it?
A: There is a new knee replacement called the Gender Solutions™ Knee, which has a specially designed part to match the unique size and shape of a woman’s knee. More >>

Q: What is an auto-immune disease?
A: An autoimmune disease occurs when your immune system mistakes healthy cells for harmful invaders and attacks them. There are more than sixty different auto-immune diseases, affecting different organs and parts of the body. More >>

Q: I would like to become an organ donor. What organs and tissues can be donated?
A: There are two categories of donation - living and deceased. Living donors can donate a kidney and sections of the liver, lungs and intestine. Deceased donors can give their heart, kidneys, liver, lungs, pancreas, corneas, bones, heart valves, tendons, veins, blood vessels and skin. More >>