NetWellness Women's Health

Yeast Infection

Jonathan Schaffir MD — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 13:12:00 EST

Question: I have had yeast infections in the past years and it always settles with medication. It is never smelly only thick and itchy but this time I find somethings like warts at the entrance to the vagina. I have had the same partner for 23 years. I am 43. I have 3 children. Is this normal f . . .

Answer:

Bumps or raised lesions that appear at the entrance to the vagina could be from an infection, but not from a yeast infection. Genital warts are a common infection caused by certain strains of the human papilloma virus (HPV), which is transmitted sexually by any skin contact with a partner w . . .

Ask an Expert: Jonathan Schaffir MD, Women's Health

L.A.V.A. Surgery

Jonathan Schaffir MD — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 16:12:00 EST

Question: Is there anyone in central Ohio that performs L.A.V.A. (laser augmentation of the vaginal area)? I am postmenopausal and have extreme pain during intercourse. It has reached the point of not being able to withstand penetration. I have previously used vaginal estrogen without results.

Answer: Pain during intercourse may be related to several problems. When the pain is felt on insertion, it might be due to infection or inflammation of the vulva or vagina, or sensitivity due to menopausal changes. If the pain is felt more deeply during thrusting, it may be due to a process within the pelvi . . .

Ask an Expert: Jonathan Schaffir MD, Women's Health

Vaginal Dead End?

Elizabeth Barker APRN, BC, FNP, FAANP, CHE, PhD — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:11:00 EST

Question: I am 18 years old and it seems that whenever i insert anything into my vagina, I hit a dead end. It`s about 3 inches or so in, so I can use tampons and things like that, but I`m worried about how this will affect my sex life in the future. I`ve never had sex before and I`d like to figure this out be . . .

Answer: Hi. Thanks for asking such an interesting question. You may be feeling muscle as the vagina isn't vertical. However, it's probably a good idea to have a provider check you to make sure there isn't an unusual condition. Regarding the use of tampons, when you insert one it's important for yo . . .

Ask an Expert: Elizabeth Barker APRN, BC, FNP, FAANP, CHE, PhD, Women's Health

Bleeding for 2 Weeks Now & on Depo

Jonathan Schaffir MD — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 22:11:00 EST

Question: I`ve been on depo for about 3 years now. My periods were normal until randomly after my last injection when I started bleeding and never stopped. This has been happening for almost over 3 weeks now. It`s really getting me down. My boyfriend refuses to do anything with me out of fear o . . .

Answer: "Depo" refers to depot medroxyprogesterone acetate, or DMPA, which is marketed under the trade name "Depo-Provera". It is a common birth control method that is convenient because it requires injection only once every three months. It is also used to treat many menstrual disorders, becaus . . .

Ask an Expert: Jonathan Schaffir MD, Women's Health

Talking to My Doctor

Elizabeth Barker APRN, BC, FNP, FAANP, CHE, PhD — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:11:00 EST

Question: I am in the middle of a major RA flare. I have RA for 7 years. But this flare is different. I am more tired then normal and I just don`t feel well. I think there is something wrong beside my RA. Can I just tell him something is wrong but I don`t know how to describe how I feel? How can I explain to . . .

Answer: I'm so very sorry that you feel so miserable. The RA flares are no fun. If you were my patient I'd want you to tell me what felt different than what you experience in an RA flare. I'd also want you to be very clear that you know how your body feels during a flare and that this one feels different. N . . .

Ask an Expert: Elizabeth Barker APRN, BC, FNP, FAANP, CHE, PhD, Women's Health

White Patch

Elizabeth Barker APRN, BC, FNP, FAANP, CHE, PhD — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 17:10:00 EST

Question: About 2 to 3 months ago I noticed a white patch near my clitoris. I went to my local clinic and have been told I have no STIs or infections. When I showed the nurses at the clinic she had never seen it before so had to get the doctor, he also didn`t know but said I would need a biopsy. I have it boo . . .

Answer: Thanks for the interesting question! There are several things that can cause this. It could be an area that has been constantly irritated and those areas usually turn either red or white.

Of course, a common concern is a malignancy and that's why it is so good that you have that bio . . .

Ask an Expert: Elizabeth Barker APRN, BC, FNP, FAANP, CHE, PhD, Women's Health

Pus and Epithelial Cells in Vagina

Riza Conroy MD — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 05:10:00 EST

Question: what does it mean when Pus cell and epithelial cell are found in vaginal sample taken from me as i have been experiencing unpleasant discharges? please help me to understand. thank you

Answer: Pus cells can mean there may be an infection going on. Epithelial cells may just be part of the lining of the vaginal canal or uterine canal. Please follow up with your doctor to further investigate for appropriate management.

Ask an Expert: Riza Conroy MD, Women's Health

Seeing a Doctor at Age 50: What Tests?

Elizabeth Barker APRN, BC, FNP, FAANP, CHE, PhD — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 13:09:00 EST

Question: I normally see my OB/GYN and get a pap smear and mammogram done annually, but since I turned 50 earlier this year, I`ve been thinking about making an appointment with my family physician. Besides BP and cholesterol tests, I know I should inquire about a shingles vaccine and about getting a colonosco . . .

Answer: Thank you for taking such good care of yourself! When you talk with your family provider, you might also talk about have a dexascan to determine your bone strength and look at your calcium and Vitamin D levels. This is particularly important if you?re are not physically active with weight bearing ex . . .

Ask an Expert: Elizabeth Barker APRN, BC, FNP, FAANP, CHE, PhD, Women's Health

Enlarged Lymphnodes and Heavy Feeling Breasts

Elizabeth Barker APRN, BC, FNP, FAANP, CHE, PhD — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 22:09:00 EST

Question: At times my breasts feel heavy like after I gave birth. My doctor gave me meds to dry the milk up, but they feel like they weigh 100lbs. I have history of follicular thyroid cancer and I have enlarged lymphnodes under my arms, breast, and neck. I have also been dx with cyst on br . . .

Answer:

Thanks for your interesting question. It's a bit hard to give you the most accurate advice as I don't have a really good history, but I do have some suggestions.

One, are you wearing a bra that really fits well? If it's your old bra then it might be causing discomfort.

Two, . . .

Ask an Expert: Elizabeth Barker APRN, BC, FNP, FAANP, CHE, PhD, Women's Health

Menstrual Cycle

Linda Bernhard PhD, RN — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 09:09:00 EST

Question: I had my period 15 to 16 days after my last one. It normally comes every 20 to 22 days. I`m bleeding very heavy but no clots. Do you think that I`m pregnant or is something wrong?

Answer: Menstrual periods can vary for many reasons. You have a short cycle (20-22 days) to begin with, so a change for 15 or 16 days may be just a variation. If your period is also heavier this time, that could also be a variation. If you are worried that you might be pregnant, it is possi . . .

Ask an Expert: Linda Bernhard PhD, RN, Women's Health