Cover Story: Preventing breast Ca with aromatase inhibitors
December 1st 2003With new research showing that aromatase inhibitors can dramatically cut the risk of recurring breast cancer, patients will probably have many questions about drugs like anastrozole and letrozole. Two experts review the scientific evidence on these valuable agents.
Cover Story: Vasa previa: Are most perinatal deaths preventable?
November 1st 2003A patient with vasa previa need not lose her baby if the condition is diagnosed before membranes rupture and elective C/S is performed. A protocol that uses TVS with color Doppler on all women at risk has the potential to eliminate vasa previa as a cause of perinatal mortality.
March of Dimes Updates: Integrating genetics into your practice
November 1st 2003Ob/gyns are having to devote significantly more time to medical genetics because of the field's increasing impact on clinical practice. The March of Dimes's new online genetics resource and continuing education program can help you respond to patients'needs with the most up-to-date, customized, and practical information
Treatment options for vulvar vestibulitis
October 1st 2003Considering how successful surgery is, how do you tell a young woman who's unable to have intercourse that she needs to learn to live with her pain? Even so, a surgical approach is only for carefully selected women--usually those with primary vestibulitis who have exhausted other treatment options.
Cover Story: When a chronically ill patient needs contraceptives
October 1st 2003While some hormonal contraceptives are clearly contraindicated in specific chronic disorders, others pose little or no threat for the same condition. To provide practical guidelines on the subject, two experts review the "WHO Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use."
Offering high-quality ob/gyn care for lesbian patients
September 1st 2003Most lesbian patients hesitate to reveal their sexual orientation, even though you need that information to deliver targeted health care. Creating a nonjudgmental office environment can encourage trust and disclosure, helping you to better address their unique health needs.
Your pregnant or lactating patient has been exposed to anthrax: now what?
September 1st 2003Anthrax is an optimal biologic weapon because of its fatal course, if the infection is left untreated. Ob/gyns have a critical role to play in recognizing the infection, providing timely and appropriate treatment or prophylaxis, and monitoring patients for adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Cover Story: Should your patients be on extended-use OCs?
September 1st 2003Women treated with OCs for menstrual disorders like dysmenorrhea and irregular bleeding may not want to put up with the withdrawal symptoms linked with the standard regimen's 7-day hormone-free interval. Extending active therapy and reducing hormone-free days can improve their quality of life.