Obstetrics and Gynecology (Ob-Gyn) Health Channel

	Feature Article Illustrations for this article Click on an image below to enlarge Menopause Menopause Definition Menopause is the transition period in a woman's life when her ovaries stop producing eggs, her body produces less estrogen and progesterone, and menstruation becomes less frequent, eventually stopping altogether. Alternative Names Perimenopause; Postmenopause Causes, incidence, and risk factors Menopause is a natural event that normally occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. Once menopause is complete (called postmenopause) and you have not had a period for 1 year, you can no longer become pregnant. The symptoms of menopause are caused by changes in estrogen and progesterone levels. As the ovaries become less functional, they produce less of these hormones and the body responds accordingly. The specific symptoms you experience and how significant (mild, moderate, or severe) varies from woman to woman. A gradual decrease of estrogen generally allows your body to slowly adjust to the hormonal changes. When estrogen drops suddenly, as is seen when the ovaries are removed surgically (called surgical menopause), symptoms can be more severe. Because hormone levels fall, changes occur in the entire female reproductive system. The vaginal walls become less elastic and thinner. The vagina becomes shorter. Lubricating secretions from the vagina become watery. The outside genital tissue decreases. This is called atrophy of the labia. Symptoms In some women, menstrual flow comes to a sudden halt. Continue reading this article

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Cervicitis (3 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Cervicitis is swelling(inflammation) of the end of the uterus( cervix).Cervicitis is most often caused by an infection. However, in a few cases it may be due to:.Cervical cap Device to support the uterus(pessary) Diaphragm An allergy to spermicide...Reviewer: Peter Chen, MD, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed byDavid Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 02/19/2008
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Uterine fibroids (4 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
Uterine fibroids are noncancerous tumors that develop within or attach to the wall of the uterus, a female reproductive organ.Uterine fibroids are the most common pelvic tumor. Fibroids may be seen as many as 1 in every 5 women in their childbeari...Reviewer: Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine; Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.Date: 05/26/2008
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Urinary tract infection - adults (5 Images) (Doctor-Reviewed information)
A urinary tract infection, or UTI, is an infection that can happen anywhere along the urinary tract. The urinary tract includes the:.Bladder Kidneys Ureters-- the tubes that take urine from each kidney to the bladder Urethra-- the tube that emptie...Reviewer: Louis S. Liou, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Urology, Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Date: 10/02/2008
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Recurrent Early Pregnancy Loss - 6 - A Special Patient in Fruit of the Womb - 2 years 234 days ago

Before I get into details regarding specific abnormalities of the maternal immune system and clotting system that appear to be related to recurrent early p... Email  |  Save

Recurrent Early Pregnancy Loss - 2 - Hormonal Causes in Fruit of the Womb - 2 years 244 days ago

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Recurrent Early Pregnancy Loss - 1 - Implantation in Fruit of the Womb - 2 years 246 days ago

In our last post we discussed the high frequency of early pregnancy losses in first conceptions that probably results from a naive maternal immune response... Email  |  Save