Topic: Pelvic & Vaginal

About 13 million Americans experience urinary incontinence, and women are twice as likely as men to have this problem.

Every year, more than 20 million new sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) occur—and those are only the infections that are diagnosed. STDs, including human papillomavirus (HPV), gonorrhea, syphilis and chlamydia, disproportionately affect women.

Vulvodynia is a condition of chronic discomfort or pain of the vulva (the outside of the female genital area).

Menstruation is complicated and depends on many smaller processes that can give rise to a number of gynecologic health issues. Here are a few of the most common issues women encounter during their reproductive years.

Vaginitis is a type of inflammation that occurs in the vagina, resulting in a vaginal discharge, itching and discomfort.

Many women find themselves wondering a similar question: “If I already have a gynecologist, why would I need a urologist?”

Women are more likely than men to get urinary tract infections (UTIs). One of the main reasons is that women have shorter urethras—the tube that allows urine to leave the body—so bacteria trying to infiltrate their bodies don’t have as far to travel to reach their goal.

An ultrasound during pregnancy allows you and your obstetrician to see your baby in the womb. An ultrasound may also be performed to evaluate any problems, such as pelvic pain, infertility or vaginal bleeding.

Nobody particularly enjoys getting a Pap smear. But Pap smears have drastically reduced deaths from cervical cancer — by 74 percent since 1955.

For many women, becoming a mother is a momentous occasion. Unfortunately, some women who want to be mothers may have trouble becoming pregnant — and in some cases, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) may be to blame.

Around “that time” of the month, many women may experience lower abdominal pain or cramps. And that’s normal! However, if lower abdominal pain lasts longer than a week, it could mean more than a hormonal change. You could be at risk for pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).

A well-woman exam is the perfect time to talk with your doctor about any health concerns you may have, as well as your lifestyle behaviors.

One woman’s breezy period is another woman’s seismic earthquake. What constitutes a “normal” period depends on you and your body.

You recently went in for an annual exam and found out that your Pap test result was “abnormal.” Not sure what that means?

As people age, organs can shift. For many women, pregnancy, childbirth and obesity can stretch and weaken the muscles that support the pelvic organs.

For some women, PMS may just be a monthly bother, with minor symptoms that cause little discomfort. For others, symptoms can be severe enough to make each day a challenge. Fortunately, some methods are available that may help make dealing with the symptoms of PMS a bit more bearable.

Depending upon your health history and other factors, your doctor might suggest prenatal testing. What are all those tests for? Are they even necessary?

Abnormal vaginal bleeding is common in both young and adult women. Vaginal bleeding is considered abnormal if it meets any of the following conditions...

Depending on the person, pelvic pain can present as constant or come in waves during certain activities.

If you’re a woman, there’s a good chance you have uterine fibroids. Nearly 80 percent of women do, although many will never show any symptoms. Even though they are often called tumors, it’s important to know they’re not cancerous.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the name given to a group of more than 100 types of viruses — more than 30 of which can be passed through sexual contact.

At some point in their lifetimes, an estimated 80 percent of women develop uterine fibroids— noncancerous tumors that form in the uterus’s muscular wall. Should you find yourself among that group, the first thing going through your mind will likely be what, if anything, should you do about them?