May 17th 2024
A recent study suggests that higher CASP8 expression in embryos is associated with successful implantation outcomes in women of advanced maternal age, as presented at ACOG 2024.
23rd Annual International Congress on the Future of Breast Cancer® East
July 19-20, 2024
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15th Annual International Symposium on Ovarian Cancer and Other Gynecologic Malignancies™
May 11, 2024
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Community Practice Connections™: 14th Annual International Symposium on Ovarian Cancer and Other Gynecologic Malignancies
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4th Annual International Congress on the Future of Women’s Health™
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Patient, Provider, and Caregiver Connection™: Exploring Unmet Needs In Postpartum Depression – Making the Case for Early Detection and Novel Treatments
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Identifying Health Care Inequities in Screening, Diagnosis, and Trial Access for Breast Cancer Care: Taking Action With Evidence-Based Solutions
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Abnormal PAP Smears, HPV, Cervical Dysplasia and Cancer
June 21st 2011The terminology used to describe pap smear results has changed over the past few years, leading to confusion about what the results of your pap smear actually mean. Originally, pap smears were divided into 5 "classes" based on what the cells looked like to the pathologist. Class I was normal, while class II cells appeared a little irregular to the pathologist, usually representing bacterial infection. Class III and IV pap smears suggested that dysplastic cells were present, and further testing needed to be done. Class V usually meant cancer.
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Endometrial Ablation and Hysteroscopic Surgery
June 21st 2011Over the past decade, a technique has been developed that can reduce or stop your periods without a hysterectomy. This surgery can be done in women who have flooding either with or without fibroid tumors. Dr. Dott was one of the surgeons who introduced this minimally invasive procedure in Atlanta. He has performed this procedure many times and is certified by the Accreditation Council for Gynecological Endoscopy in Advanced Hysteroscopic Surgery. He has taught this procedure in training institutions both in the United States and Russia.
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Laparoscopy, looking inside the abdomen through a tube placed through a small incision, is a procedure commonly used by gynecologists to diagnose and treat a number of medical conditions. Since the early 1900's when rudimentary laparoscopes were used to visualize, but not treat, abdominal diseases, advancements in this technique have led to the ability to perform complex surgical procedures through a few small incisions, rather than the larger incisions used in the past.
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A patient of mine who regularly reads the forum recently asked me about board certification for Ob/Gyn doctors. She explained that there is a lot of confusion about this issue, and that many women's magazines and other media tell women to always seek out the services of an Ob/Gyn who is board certified. So, this looked like a good opportunity to review the board certification process.
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Uterine fibroids ( "fibroid tumors";" leiomyoma"; "myomas") are benign, (non-cancerous) growths present in about 30% of women over the age of 30. They are usually detected on pelvic examination, which may reveal the uterus to be enlarged and/or irregular in configuration. The vast majority of cases are absolutely silent and cause no symptoms. The size of a single fibroid may be smaller than a pea, or larger than a melon. In a given patient, there may be a single fibroid, or multiple fibroids of varying size. In the latter situation, the summation of the fibroids of varying sizes will lead to an aggregate size increase.
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Pelvic adhesions cause many problems for millions of women. From obstructed tubes associated with infertility, to pelvic tenderness, and painful intercourse, to chronic pelvic pain. Curiously, adhesions can be very extensive, yet relatively silent. They may remain silent indefinitely, or long after the causative event, become symptomatic. The causes of adhesions are multiple but basically the tissue irritation that produces the adhesive process arises from an inflammatory event, or from trauma (i.e. post surgical).
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"Abnormal Uterine Bleeding" or "AUB" is a relatively common condition. Normal menstrual flow produces less than 3 ounces of blood, in a maximum of 7 days. AUB patterns are characterized by flows that are heavier, and/or more prolonged or more frequent than a 21-28 day interval. AUB can cause anemia, embarrassment, or marked inconvenience. It has been said by many so afflicted women-" I have to plan my life around my period".
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Fibroids and Hysterectomies used to go together like Rogers and Hammerstein. Not anymore. If your physician recommends removing your uterus as the most effective treatment for severe fibroids without first considering less invasive therapies, start singing another tune and get a second opinion!
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What procedures can gynecologists perform laparoscopically?
June 21st 2011Many gynecologists will remove laparoscopically ovaries/ovarian cysts and treat ectopic pregnancies as well as endometriosis. Hysterectomies, bladder suspension surgeries and pelvic floor repair can also be treated by laparoscopy but these procedures are more advanced and may require additional training.
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Hysteroscopy is a form of minimally invasive surgery. The surgeon inserts a tiny telescope (hysteroscope) through the cervix into the uterus. The hysteroscope allows the surgeon to visualize the inside of the uterine cavity on a video monitor. The uterine cavity is then inspected for any abnormality. The surgeon examines the shape of the uterus, the lining of the uterus and looks for any evidence of intrauterine pathology (fibroids or polyps). The surgeon also attempts to visualize the openings to the fallopian tubes (tubal ostia).
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Frequency of Uterine Malformations in a Restricted Gene Pool Community
June 14th 2011This random retrospective cross-sectional study was preformed to determine the frequency of uterine malformation in restricted gene pool communities. In 4 groups of women desiring to conceive during their reproductive years, all women lives in lacrete, a community in north Alberta, Canada
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Three-Dimensional Ultrasound Assessment of Endometrial Receptivity: a Review
June 14th 2011Three-dimensional ultrasound (3D US) is a new imaging modality, which is being introduced into clinical practice. Although this technique will not probably replace two-dimensional ultrasound, it is being increasingly used.
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Woman With Heterotopic Pregnancy After Natural Conception
June 14th 2011A 29-year-old gravida 10, para 3 (1 term gestation, 1 preterm gestation of twins, 1 stillbirth at 5 months, 2 spontaneous abortions, and 4 elective abortions) presented to the clinic at about 5 weeks’ gestation with abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. She described the pain as sporadic, mostly on the left side, exacerbated by movement, and resolving with rest, and the bleeding as initially intermittent but then heavier “like a period.”
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Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser Syndrome in a 17-Year-Old Female
June 2nd 2011Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser (MRKH) syndrome affects at least 1 in 4500 female births.1 The syndrome consists of vaginal aplasia with other müllerian duct abnormalities. The characteristic feature of MRKH syndrome is congenital absence or underdevelopment of the upper vagina and uterus; it is rarely associated with unilateral renal agenesis, ectopia, or horseshoe kidney.
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Use of Assisted Reproductive Technology Continues to Increase in the United States
May 23rd 2011Advances in successful assisted reproductive technologies have enabled clinicians to further aid their patients who would otherwise be unable to conceive. However, little is known about this trend and its continued future growth.
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Does Mandated IVF Coverage Help Lower the Rate of Multiple Births?
April 25th 2011With more than 7 million infertile women in the United States, the need and demand for effective IVF treatment remains high. Unfortunately for these women/couples, the cost for such treatment is also relatively high.
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U.S. Birth Rate Declined 4 Percent from 2007 to 2009
April 15th 2011After peaking at 4,316,233 births in 2007, the birth rate in the United States fell 4 percent by 2009, and a provisional count in 2010 indicates the number is continuing to decline, according to a March data brief released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics.
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One in 8 women and men are diagnosed with infertility. In honor of National Infertility Awareness Week, RESOLVE is busting myths and misconceptions about infertility. Click through the slideshow to learn more about these misconceptions and share some myths you've heard in our comments section.
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High Polychlorinated Biphenyl Concentrations May Affect IVF
March 29th 2011Higher serum polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) concentration levels that are within the normal range for women in the general U.S. population are associated with failed implantation in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF), according to a study published online Feb. 24 in Environmental Health Perspectives.
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H1N1 and Pregnancy: What Do We Know?
March 26th 2011The 2009 H1N1 pandemic caused anxiety and concern, especially for pregnant women and their physicians. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recognized this special patient population and the increased risk for serious problems and negative outcomes-both for the women and their unborn babies. As such, the CDC advised doctors to provide antiviral medicines to those with symptoms of the flu and vaccines to those pregnant women who were eligible. They further partnered with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecology, the American Medical Association, and the American Academy of Family Physicians to educate clinicians and urge their participation in the 2009 H1N1 vaccination programs.
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Uterine Environment, More Than Egg Quality, Influences Obstetrical Outcomes
March 10th 2011Is there a way to predict which patients will have the best outcomes following an assisted reproductive intervention? Dr William Gibbons, director of the Family Fertility Program at Texas Children’s Hospital and professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Baylor College of Medicine, and colleagues examined birth weight and gestational age of singleton pregnancies from in vitro fertilization, donor egg, and gestational carrier cycles to determine which factors most influence outcomes.
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Researchers Find Patient Preference in Progesterone Support Deliver
March 10th 2011Progesterone support during the luteal phase is needed to allow for implementation in medically assisted cycles. To date, available options have not met all of the ideals of the “perfect” progesterone strategy-easy to administer, safe with minimal adverse effects, and effective in producing pregnancies.
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Elective Single Embryo Transfer Results Result in Improved Maternal, Perinatal Outcomes
March 9th 2011The fertility field has seen incredible successes with in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection. However, the resulting successes have yielded concern over the high rates of multiple pregnancies, which can result in increased maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality as well as increased health care utilization and costs.
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