Archives for Year: 2009

POSTMENOPAUSAL HORMONE THERAPY OVERVIEW — Menopause is defined as the time in a woman’s life, usually between 45 and 55 years, when the ovaries stop producing eggs and menstrual periods end. The average age of menopause is between 50 and 51 years.

OVARIAN CYST OVERVIEW — Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop in or on the ovary (show figure 1). Ovarian cysts occur commonly in women of all ages. Some women with ovarian cysts have pain or pelvic pressure, while others have no symptoms. Irregular menstrual periods are not usually related to an ovarian cyst.

INTRODUCTION — A miscarriage is a pregnancy that ends before the fetus is able to live outside the uterus. A brief review of the events of early pregnancy will help in the understanding of miscarriage.

A woman’s reproductive system includes the uterus (including the cervix), two ovaries, two fallopian tubes, and the vagina. The fallopian tubes are a pair of hollowed tubes that run from each side of the uterus to the ovaries (show figure 1). Once a month, an egg is released by one of the ovaries and travels down the fallopian tube. If the egg is fertilized in the tube by the male’s sperm, pregnancy begins.

INTRODUCTION — Menstrual cycle disorders can cause a woman’s periods to be absent or infrequent. Although some women do not mind missing their menstrual period, these changes should always be discussed with a healthcare provider because they can signal underlying medical conditions and potentially have long-term health consequences. A woman who misses more than three menstrual periods (either consecutively or over the course of a year) should see a healthcare provider.

INTRODUCTION — Painful menstruation, also known as dysmenorrhea, is one of the most common gynecologic problems. Most women begin having dysmenorrhea during adolescence, usually within four to five years of the first menstrual period. Painful periods become less common as women age.

ENDOMETRIOSIS OVERVIEW — The normal tissue that lines the uterus and bleeds during the menstrual period is called the endometrium (show figure 1 ). Endometriosis is a noncancerous disorder in which tissue that is similar to the endometrium develops outside of the uterus. Typically this occurs in the pelvis, but it may occur in virtually any part of the body.

FIBROIDS OVERVIEW — Fibroids are growths of the uterus, or womb (show figure 1 ). They are also called uterine leiomyomas or myomas. Fibroids grow from the muscle cells of the uterus and may protrude from the inside or outside surface of the uterus (show figure 2 ). Fibroids may also be found within the muscular wall of the uterus. Fibroids are not cancerous or pre-cancerous.