Sexual Health

Whenever the surgery that is considered can be performed equally well and equally safely by either laparoscopy or laparotomy, the decision as to the type of incision to be used can (and in my opinion really should) include the patient.

Chronic pelvic pain and/or associated intestinal disturbance are a major cause of misery for thousands of patients. Often in constant pain, the patient experiences loneliness, hopelessness, frustration and desperation with thoughts of suicide. Family and work relationships are strained to the limit. Although ADHESIONS are often (but not always) the cause of this pain, treatment for adhesions is not performed either because the surgeon does not believe that adhesions can cause the problem, or because lysis of adhesions is considered too difficult or futile.

Cystitis is defined as an inflammation of the bladder, and may be caused by such things as bruising, as in the case of ‘Honeymoon Cystitis’, sexually transmitted diseases, or even a reaction to ‘personal care’ products.

Rectovaginal fistula (RVF) is an epithelium-lined communication between the rectum and vagina. Most RVFs are acquired, the most common cause being obstetric trauma. Most of the high RVFs are repaired by conventional open surgery. Laparoscopic repair of RVF is rare and so far only one report is available in the literature.

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is often accompanied by poorly defined symptoms and a sense of failure by both doctor and patient.

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).

"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".

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!

The FDA and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) jointly launched the “Fraudulent STD Products Initiative.” This campaign targets over-the-counter (OTC) products sold online or in retail stores that claim to prevent, cure, or treat sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Cultural sensitivity plays an important role in enhancing the quality of care and improving medical compliance, especially among women in minority and underserved communities. According to a new Committee Opinion recently released by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (The College), awareness and sensitivity to a patient’s cultural background can improve physician-patient communication and positively affect patient health.

A 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.”

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that women begin Pap test screening at 21 years, but are there certain circumstances in which Pap tests are warranted at younger ages? Dr Amy M. Johnson of Hartford Hospital in Connecticut and colleagues hypothesized that teenage girls who engage in risky behaviors would benefit from early initiation of cervical screening.

Considered to be one of the most common sexually transmitted infections, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection affects an estimated 26.8% of females aged 14 years to 59 years. This statistic includes low-risk HPV, which can cause genital warts and other nonmalignant conditions, as well as high-risk HPV, which can cause cervical cancer.

Untreated sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in pregnancy can lead to such negative outcomes as spontaneous abortion, preterm birth, low birth weight, congenital infections, and other abnormalities.

Patients with type 2 diabetes who are treated with bupropion (BU) for major depressive disorder (MDD) show significant improvement in sexual function, according to a study published in the February issue of Diabetes Care.

Metabolic syndrome appears to have little impact on sexual function in middle- to old-aged women, according to a study published online Jan. 14 in the Journal of Sexual Medicine.

Anterior vaginal wall relaxation (cystocele) is one of the most commonly diagnosed forms of pelvic organ prolapse in women.

CystoceleUrethroceleRectoceleUterine ProlapseVaginal vaultEnterocele

Research presented at the Annual American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) Meeting in Denver shows that physicians currently lack the tools and information needed when working with patients with low sexual desire.

North American Menopause Society 2009

The statistics are shocking: One in seven US women will be treated for pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) over the course of her lifetime. That translates into more than a million women diagnosed with PID each year.

Frequency of Sperm Cells with Fragmented DNA in Males Infected with Chlamydia Trachomatis and Mycoplasma SP,Determined with the Sperm Chromatin Dispersion (SCD) Test

The effect of Total Mesorectal Excision (TME) on sexual function in the male is well documented. However, there is little literature in female patients.

Should a woman continue PAP tests after menopause?