Pregnancy and Birth

It has been proposed that the autonomy of women is one of the mechanisms of how education influences contraceptive use in developing countries. We tested this hypothesis in a national sample of women in Pakistan.

An excerpt from the Menopause & Perimenopause Ask the Expert column

This article aims to study the content of the teaching materials used by the medical students and possible effects on the development of their perception towards women’s health, using contraception as an illustration.

Of American women aged 15 to 44 years who are at risk of unintended pregnancy, 40% are currently using hormonal contraception, and more than 75% previously used hormonal birth control.

A number of perimenopausal women and their health care providers choose to either decline or prematurely discontinue use of oral contraceptives (OCs), despite the availability of formulations that can prevent pregnancy and address perimenopausal symptoms. This lack of use is due to several factors.

Who Might Benefit from the Pill?

After delivery, there may be partial or complete retention of parts of the placenta or other decidual tissues within the uterus. This condition is termed “retained products of conception” (RPOC).

Researchers from the University of British Columbia, Canada, and Newcastle University, United Kingdom, have good news for women with multiple sclerosis (MS): they can have healthy babies and pregnancies like their non-MS maternal counterparts.

Uterine fibroids are one of the most common medical conditions affecting women. Despite the fact that at least 1 out of every 4 women has fibroids, there is a considerable amount of misinformation regarding the effects of fibroids and their treatment. In order to fully understand these common uterine tumors, one needs to understand their cause, possible symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options.

A Non-surgical Outpatient Procedure for the Treatment of Symptomatic Fibroids

Uterine fibroids, also called myomas, are the most common tumors of the female reproductive organs. Although the exact cause of these tumors is unknown, current medical opinion is that they arise from a single microscopic smooth muscle cell. Smooth muscle cells are the type of cell that forms the uterus.

In 1984, Lesli Hicks complained to her gynecologist that her lower back hurt. She was told that she'd probably lifted something incorrectly. She sought a second opinion and an ultrasound examination.

What is different with the MRI diagnostic test the doctor’s order to help them determine if a uterine fibroid patient is a candidate for the ExAblate procedure?

A lot of women and family members have asked me about when/how did I know I had fibroids. Actually it was a big surprise to me, BUT looking back I should of saw the signs. I thought it would be nice to start a list of all the things women and families have experienced when the uterine fibroids and uterus started to expand. I’ll start the list and I hope everyone will add to it so we can help others through their Journey.

This image presents a hysteroscopic view of normal tubal ostium.

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!

Have you ever noticed how easily misinformation develops and how eagerly it is spread by the ill informed? Of late I have heard and read all manner of seemingly authoritative pronouncements on uterine artery embolization (UAE) for the management of uterine myomas. I even saw an "authority" recently on OPRAH stating that UAE was experimental and not useful for tumors larger 4 cms.

48 year old woman, a tumor in abdomen was discovered. No complaints now except anemia (Hb 4,4 mmol/l). After second delivery (17 years ago) period of abdominal pains. The cystic mass is WITHIN the fundal myometrium.

One hundred and six pregnant women diagnosed with Leiomyoma during pregnancy were evaluated clinically and by ultrasound. Leiomyoma size changes were analyzed on the basis of trimesters. The common echotexture pattern and the different echotextures as well as any changes in the echogenicity were noticed during the follow up. The number and location of the myomata were observed with their impact on pregnancy outcome.

This is the 30 year old wife of a colleague, G2 P1, 19 weeks pregnant. This is a known myoma, posterior and left. Part of the placenta is implanted over this myoma.

K.C., a 44 year-old woman, called me from upstate New York. Over the past 15 years her uterus has gradually enlarged to the size of a seven month pregnancy due to the presence of multiple fibroids. She also suffered from asthma and her markedly enlarged uterus was contributing to her breathing difficulties. Her periods had become progressively heavier, leading to anemia.

Mrs. Blumenthal*, a 40-year-old G1P1, had young twins at home and was also a full-time student. She delivered her twins in 1992 by C-section after conceiving through IVF. The patient had long-standing endometriosis, treated previously by three abdominal procedures (one laparotomy and two laparoscopies).