Recurrent Miscarriage (Pregnancy Loss)
October 26th 2011As soon as a pregnancy becomes recognized, each (prospective) parent generally starts to accept and plan for their new arrival. If the pregnancy is lost, this is often considered a "death within the family" and the couple will go through an intense grieving process. The loss of a pregnancy can be devastating for a couple, regardless of the number of children in the family or the cause for the loss.
Anxious for Two: Assessing and Treating Antenatal Anxiety Disorders
October 25th 2011She just paged you again. It is “urgent”, just like the last 5 times. You sigh deeply: no matter how many times you tell her that her labs are normal, explain that some shortness of breath is expected in the last trimester, or reassure her that her heartburn is not a first sign of a heart attack (yes, you checked) – it simply won’t stick.
Pelvic Pain: the True Emergencies
October 25th 2011Pelvic pain in this category indicates a problem that if not treated urgently will cause serious harm or death. One serious cause of acute pelvic pain is a ruptured tubal (ectopic) pregnancy. Many women with a tubal pregnancy will continue to have menstrual-like bleeding, so they do not consider this possibility.
Possible Causes and Treatments of Episiotomy Pain
October 25th 2011An episiotomy is a surgical incision into the perineum, the area between the bottom of the vaginal opening and the anus, in order to increase the size of the vaginal opening during childbirth. If it is done as part of gynecologic surgery, it's called a perineorrhaphy.
Taking the Shame out of Pudendal Neuralgia!
October 25th 2011What could possibly be worse than struggling with a painful condition and feeling ashamed to discuss the problem because of its intimate nature? Such is the case for many suffering with pudendal neuralgia, a little known disease that affects one of the most sensitive areas of the body. This area is innervated by the pudendal nerve, named after the Latin word for shame.
Yes…It’s Possible to Have PCOS and Still be Trim
October 25th 2011For those of us involved in the field of weight control, there is no greater reward than helping someone overcome their struggles with weight. Too often, people with weight issues feel they are weak, lack willpower, or have a psychological “block” that makes taking off just a few pounds seem like a task of Herculean proportions.
Living with Endometriosis and Vulvodynia
October 25th 2011In November of 1996 (at the age of 25) I was diagnosed PCOS, and about 2 weeks later I started having very intense pelvic pain that I thought was due to a pulled muscle. The pain continued for several months, and after an examination and discussion with my family doctor, we believed it was ovarian cysts.
Conference Highlights HIV Pre-exposure Prophylaxis
October 25th 2011Oral and topical pre-exposure prophylaxes are successful in preventing the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus via sexual intercourse, according to a presentation at the 13th European AIDS Conference of the European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS). Established in 1991, the EACS is a leading scientific society composed of clinicians that aims to educate, train and compose guidelines for those clinicians in Europe treating patients with HIV and AIDS.
Changes Ahead for Cervical Cancer Screening Recommendations
October 25th 2011Now open for public comment, the US Preventive Task Force (USPTF) has drafted a recommendation statement that updates their 2003 recommendations for screening for cervical cancer. Based on research examining benefits and risks associated with screening across various groups of women, the new draft recommendations note which women most benefit from cervical cancer screening.
Primary Hyperparathyroidism in Pregnancy - a review
October 24th 2011Hyperparathyroidism is a syndrome caused by excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone. Primary hyperparathyroidism results in raised ionized serum calcium with adverse effects on many organs. The effects particularly in pregnancy may be severe.
Subjective and Objective Outcomes of Botulinum Toxin Type A Treatment in Vestibulodynia
Botulinum toxin type A may be effective in reducing coital pain in vestibulodynia with levator ani tenderness, but has little effect on vestibular allodynia.
The Treatment of Dyspareunia Resulting from Vulvar Vestibulitis
A Randomized Comparison of Group Cognitive-behavioral Therapy, Surface Electromyographic Biofeedback, andVestibulectomy in the Treatment of Dyspareunia Resulting from Vulvar Vestibulitis
Clinical Management of Vulvodynia
October 24th 2011Vulvodynia, also known as burning vulva syndrome, is characterised by sensory abnormalities of the vulva and the surrounding tissue, such as an unpleasant burning and itching sensation, or a painful response to a stimulus that is not usually painful such as sexual intercourse or the touch of a cotton swab.
The Web-enabled Glazer Surface Electromyographic Protocol
The Web-enabled Glazer Surface Electromyographic Protocol for the Remote, Real-time Assessment and Rehabilitation of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction in Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome: A Case Report
Surface Electromyographic Biofeedback of Pelvic Floor Musculature
Biofeedback is a self regulation training technique derived from well established principles of human learning. Biofeedback is a technique, not a stand alone treatment, which is one component of a behavioral training program to facilitate acquisition of pelvic floor muscle control and other continence skills.
Vulvar Vestibulitis Syndrome with Electromyographic Biofeedback of Pelvic Floor Musculature
Thirty-three women diagnosed as suffering from vulvar vestibulitis syndrome, marked by a significant history of long-term moderate to severe chronic introital dyspareunia and tenderness of the vulvar vestibule, were selected for treatment.
New Concepts in Diagnosis and Treatment Summarized from ISGE 8th Annual Congress
October 24th 2011"What is the hardest of all to do? To see with our eyes what our eyes lay before us. (Paraphrased, with apologies from Goethe) That essentially is the message of the innovative efforts of Ms. Deborah Bush, Chairperson of the New Zealand Endometriosis Foundation. She has developed an interactive Menstrual Health and Endometriosis Education Program that has been presented to over 40,000 young women (ages 15-24), educators and clinicians.
Painful Intercourse After Delivery
October 24th 2011A 26 year-old woman delivered her first baby, weighing 7 pounds, 6 ounces, without difficulty after 35 minutes of pushing. Although her doctor used perineal stretching (gentle stretching of the area between the vagina and anus) and lubricants during delivery, there was a small, second-degree tear of the vagina and perineum as the baby's shoulders delivered.