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The Period That Won't Quit

DearSugar — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 10:00:00 -0700

Now that we've delved into what is and isn't normal when it comes to your period, I thought we could take a closer look at what can cause a period that lasts longer than an average of seven days. If you're experiencing this frustrating change in your cycle, a trip to your gynecologist is a necessity. But in the meantime, it's a good idea to educate yourself on possible explanations in order to prepare yourself for your exam. Here are some of the general possibilities:

For women on the pill, spotting or extended bleeding may be solved with a simple change in prescription to a pill with a higher dosage — not all pills are created equal when it comes to hormones. Or if you're chronically tardy when it comes to taking your pill, you may just need to be more diligent.
If you're not on the pill, hormonal issues can still play a role. If you're having any other strange symptoms outside of your period, be sure to mention them to your gyno; she may want to make sure your thyroid gland is functioning properly.
Both IUCs and Depo-Provera can cause irregular bleeding. If you've started experiencing spotting after trying out either of those methods of contraception, and it lasts for an extended period of time, you may want to discuss the possibility of trying out an entirely different method.

To see other reasons that may account for heavy, prolonged bleeding,

The How-To Lounge: Your Annual Pelvic Exam, Part II

DearSugar — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 09:00:00 -0700

Now that we all have a few reminders when preparing for an upcoming pelvic exam, I have some quick suggestions for the day of the appointment, too. To see them

The How-To Lounge: Your Annual Pelvic Exam, Part I

DearSugar — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 10:00:00 -0700

I don’t know any women who actually enjoy a trip to the gynecologist, though feelings about settling into the stirrups tend to vary from mild annoyance to extreme anxiety. No matter which end of the spectrum you fall on, it’s important to make the most of your annual exam. To see my suggestions to do just that

Dear Quiz: Test Your PID Knowledge

DearSugar — Thu, 01 May 2008 12:00:00 -0700

Earlier this week I shared some important information about Pelvic Inflammatory Disease with you, which is a very serious infection of the reproductive organs. Take this short quiz to find out how much you learned!

Source

The Facts About Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

DearSugar — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 09:00:00 -0700

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Infection, Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID) is the term that refers to an infection of a female’s reproductive organs. Perhaps what's most worrisome about PID is that it often goes unnoticed by women and undetected by their doctors — if untreated, it can eventually lead to permanent and serious damage, including infertility. To learn more about the causes, symptoms, and treatment for PID,

Do Tell: Have You Had an Embarrassing Moment at the Gyno?

DearSugar — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 07:00:00 -0700

Even at its best, a trip to the gynecologist is usually pretty uncomfortable and can be down right awkward. Since going to a doctor’s appointment already makes most of us feel vulnerable, being naked in front of a doctor only makes things even more nerve-wracking. Anxiety, discomfort, nudity, and discussing sex and birth control are just about the perfect equation for an embarrassing moment to arise. So ladies, do tell, have you ever had an embarrassing mishap at the gyno?

Source

You Asked: I Can't Get Turned On

DearSugar — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 17:00:00 -0800

Dear Sugar,

I can't get aroused anymore. Everything was fine up until a few weeks ago, but then I just suddenly stopped being able to be turned on, either alone or with my partner. I think I'm into it, but then my body doesn’t respond physically. I know it's probably just me being paranoid, but I'm worried that there's something medically wrong with me. I wasn't sure whether this new change might be linked to my period or not. I have had about four periods a year for the last three years. Is there any advice you can offer on getting my sex drive going again? What’s wrong with me?

— Turned Off in Tulsa

To see DearSugar's answer

A Test That's Better Than the Pap?

FitSugar — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 02:00:00 -0700

Women have been getting Pap tests for over 60 years to test for cervical cancer. Now two studies show that the test that detects HPV, a virus that can cause certain types of cervical cancer, may be far more effective at catching malignancies.

One of the studies tested more than 10,000 women between the ages of 30 and 69. The HPV test detected 94.6% of the abnormal growths that lead to cervical cancer, while the Pap test only found 55.4%. If both tests were used together, 100% of the growths were found.

The HPV test still requires a sample of your cervical cells (yes, they use the stirrups and the speculum), but if your doctor recommends getting both tests, she can do them both at the same time.

The only thing about this HPV test is that it has a slightly higher rate of false positive readings, and it's not as effective in younger women. I also found that the HPV test isn't always covered by health insurance, so if you want the test, you may end up paying for it yourself.

Right now, using this HPV test as the primary screening tool instead of the Pap test is not FDA approved. Who knows though? Down the road the Pap test may be replaced by the HPV test, and because it's so effective, it may only need to be performed every 3-5 years. This is great news for those of us who despise our annual exams.

Fit's Tips: Gardasil is a vaccine used to prevent certain types of HPV. Sexually active women who are not in a monogamous relationship may want to think about getting the vaccine, although it should be noted that it doesn't prevent all types of cervical cancer, so gyno visits are still necessary.

Source

Dear Poll: Do You Prefer a Man or Woman Gyno?

DearSugar — Tue, 16 Oct 2007 13:00:00 -0700

Visiting the gyno is never fun, but liking your doctor can make it a whole lot less painful. Some women feel that having a female doctor is the only way to go: they know about the woman's body first hand, they can sympathize with everything you're experiencing, and they are easier to talk to, but other women are more old fashioned and feel a male physician is more trustworthy, so ladies, tell me which sex do you prefer? Do you like going to a male or female gynecologist? Source

Dear Poll: Do You Prefer a Man or Woman Gyno?

Female: I want to be able to talk candidly to someone that has been there and done that.

Male: I am just more comfortable having a male doctor.

I don't care either way.

What's the Deal With the Diaphragm?

DearSugar — Thu, 13 Sep 2007 08:00:00 -0700

I've been talking a lot about many forms of birth control including hormonal ones like the Pill, the Patch, and Depo-Provera, and about barrier methods like the male and female condom. A diaphragm is another form of barrier method, which prevents sperm from getting to your precious eggs.

It is a shallow, bowl-shaped piece of rubber with a flexible rim that fits over your vagina and covers the cervix so sperm can't reach your uterus. Your vaginal muscles keep it in place.

Advantages:

You need to get fitted for one by your gynecologist, but once you have it, and if you take care of it properly, it should last 1-2 years.
It usually can't be felt during sex by either partner.
You can keep it inside you for up to 24 hours.
It doesn't change your menstrual cycle.
It doesn't affect future fertility.

There are unfortunately many disadvantages so click here to