What is pelvic organ prolapse? Pelvic organ prolapse is a condition that only affects women. It happens when tissues that support the organs in the lower belly relax. These tissues are sometimes called the “pelvic floor.” When they relax too much, the organs drop down and press against or bulge into the vagina. If the […]
What are ovarian cysts? Ovarian cysts are little sacs of fluid that form on or in a woman’s ovary. Each woman has two ovaries, one on each side of her belly. In women who are still having their monthly period, the ovaries release an egg about once a month. Ovarian cysts can cause pain or […]
What is minimally invasive surgery? Minimally invasive surgery is a type of surgery that uses special tools designed to decrease the size of incisions and reduce how much the body’s tissues can become damaged. One kind of minimally invasive surgery involves the use of a “scope,” a viewing device that allows surgeons to look inside […]
What happens during labor? Labor is the way a woman’s body prepares to give birth. This involves having contractions, which is when the uterus tightens. Contractions can be painful and make your belly feel hard. During labor, your cervix softens, thins out, and opens up, or “dilates.” As you get closer to giving birth, your […]
What is an intrauterine device? An intrauterine device (IUD) is a type of birth control. It is a small, T-shaped device that a doctor or nurse puts in a uterus by going through the vagina and cervix. These devices are made of flexible plastic and have two thin plastic strings that hang out of the […]
INTRODUCTION Infertility is a common condition with important psychologic, economic, demographic, and medical implications. Demand for infertility services has grown substantially, even though the prevalence of infertility has been stable. This phenomenon may be due to entry of the “baby boom” generation into the reproductive age group during a period of highly publicized technologic advances […]
What is urinary incontinence? “Urinary incontinence” is the medical term for when a person leaks urine or loses bladder control. It is often called “incontinence.” Incontinence is a very common problem. If you have this problem, there are treatments that can help. There are also things you can do on your own to stop or […]
What is a hysterectomy? A hysterectomy is surgery to remove the uterus. The uterus is the part of a woman’s body that carries a baby if she is pregnant. Another word for uterus is “womb.” If you have a hysterectomy, you will never be able to carry a pregnancy. Are there different kinds of surgery […]
FIBROIDS OVERVIEW Fibroids are growths of the uterus, or womb. They are also called uterine leiomyomas or myomas. The uterus is made of muscle, and fibroids grow from the muscle. Fibroids can bulge from the inside or outside of the uterus. Fibroids are not cancerous and are not thought to be able to become cancerous. […]
What is genetic testing? Genetic testing is done to find out if you have certain abnormal genes. Genes are basically the body’s recipe book. They tell your cells how to make different proteins, and they give your body instructions about how you should look and how your body should work. Unfortunately, genes can sometimes have […]
