GYN Questions & Answers

My breasts are sore a lot. The pain seems to come and go. Sometimes it's one breast. Sometimes it's both. What can I do?
Breast pain without a lump is called "mastalgia," although a lump must always be ruled out.

Most often, all we can do after ruling out any pathology, is give reassurance. Patients can try wearing support bras, warm or cold packs, decreasing caffeine, alcohol and fatty foods. Pain medicines like Ibuprofen can help. Vitamins E, A, and B6, along with evening primrose oil or starflower oil are supplements that sometimes help, although there are no studies to prove it. Lifestyle changes, such as reducing stress and smoking can also help. There are also some hormonal therapies that can be tried. You can ask your doctor about these.

My period is heavy, is there anything I can take?
If you are bleeding under a pad an hour, Ibuprofen can help alleviate some of the flow. If taken routinely, it can reduce flow by 75%. Please check with your provider for any reason you should not take Ibuprofen products.

Should I douche after my period?
No! Douching is not recommended.

What do I do if I miss a birth control pill?
Take it as soon as you remember, and use back up protection for 7 days.

I am having heavy bleeding, when should I be concerned?
If you are bleeding enough that you need to change a pad every hour, that is too heavy, please call the office.

I'm losing my urine with coughing, sneezing and laughing, what can I do?
Routine Kegel exercises can cut the episodes in half. Ask your provider if you are doing these properly at your next visit.

Since starting my new birth control pill, I have irregular bleeding?
It is not unusual to have irregular bleeding when changing birth control for 3 months. Monitor your bleeding and let your provider know if it does not get any better.

Can blood clots be normal during my periods?
Yes, small blood clots are not uncommon.

The Facts About Pap Smears

Every woman should have an annual Pap examination when she becomes sexually active or turns 18 years old, whichever comes first. The Pap test can detect precancerous and cancerous conditions, as well as signs of some infections, of the vagina, cervix, and endometrium. If you are sexually active, we may obtain a small sample to run a series of tests to insure you have not contracted a sexually transmitted disease.

What's the difference?
A Pelvic exam and Pap smear are two very different exam's.

A Pelvic exam, the doctor will examine your vagina, cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, bladder, and rectum to look for signs of any abnormalities. A Pap smear, the doctor will obtain cells from both the inside and the outside of your cervix and are sent to a laboratory where it is stained with dyes (so cells can be seen more easily). The slide is then examined with a microscope. If an abnormality is identified, the slide is referred to the pathologist. The pathologist will render the final diagnosis.

How often...?
We are glad you asked. We strongly recommend that every woman have a yearly Pap and Pelvic Exam! There are exceptions to these yearly exams. Please make an appointment to discuss.

Cervical cancer takes time to develop into a lethal disease. With early detection by a Pap exam, cervical pre-cancer or cancer can be treated with a high probability of complete cure. The pelvic exam is added insurance, it can help detect signs of cancer in female organs other than the cervix.

Risk Factors
Cancer of the cervix can occur in any woman, but you are at higher risk if:

• You have had multiple sex partners or a male partner who has had multiple female partners.
• Your mother took diethylstilbestrol (DES) during pregnancy.
• You have had genital warts
• You had sexual relations before the age of 18
• You previously had an abnormal Pap exam
• Most Important, you have never had a Pap exam, or had your last one years ago