Women's Health
Women and men have many similar health issues, but problems can affect women differently. Also, certain health issues, including pregnancy and menopause, are unique to women, or, as in certain cancers, have a higher incidence in women.
Stories
Genetic Counseling
I have a higher-than-normal family risk history for breast and ovarian cancer and wanted to understand my options for testing for the BRCA1 and 2 genes. Read More
Mammogram
The technician kind of scolded me for moving. I have to say, this being NYC, you kind of expect people to be efficient but brusque, but it would have been nice if she had recognized this was my first time. Read More
Breast Sonogram (Ultrasound)
A lump was found on my right breast during my first mammogram at age 40. The doctor wanted to do a sonogram to confirm the findings. They lead me to a small room with sonogram equipment. The doctor was very solicitous of my panicky state. Read More
Breast Biopsy
A lump was found on my left breast during my first mammogram at age 40. A sonogram confirmed the lump, and the doctor told me she wanted to do a biopsy, which I agreed to. The doctor used the sonogram to visualize the mass, and told me I would feel some pressure, then counted to 3 and I heard the loud snap. Read More
C-Section
I had a planned c-section for the birth of my twin sons. Read More
Non-Stress Test during Pregnancy
It was great knowing that at least once a week I had specialists checking to make sure that my little peanuts weren’t doing anything they weren’t supposed to be doing. Read More
Epidural for Childbirth
The doctor who walked in to do it was young and nervous-looking. It was hard to sit still on the bed to get the initial Lidocaine injection because of the strength of my contractions. Read More
Epidural for Childbirth
At a pivotal time in childbirth, when all you want is a bit of relief as you try to get through each contraction, imagine someone telling you that your husband couldn't hold your hand or be near you, and you had to stay as still as possible, while someone injected a long needle into your back. Read More
Epidural for Childbirth
For the birth of our second child, the experience was uneventful. I had a great doctor who was kind (my husband was allowed to hold my hand and the doctor didn't yell at me), and an expert in delivering the epidural. Read More
Epidural for Childbirth
If I waited too long, the opportunity to get one might pass, and then I would have been on my own with the doctor’s hand straight up me doing whatever she was going to be doing with Baby B (I had twins) and feeling every minute of it. Read More
Labor/Delivery
The only uncomfortable part at this stage was after Baby A had been delivered and the doctors pressed against my belly to make sure Baby B didn’t flip and position himself in the wrong way for delivery. Read More
Colonoscopy
The colon prep may be uncomfortable and you may feel hungry on the clear liquid diet. If you need to drink a special solution as part of your prep, be sure to have clear fruit juices or soft drinks to drink after the prep because the solution tastes salty. The prep is more trying than the actual procedure! Read More
Colonoscopy
Just do it. The prep is not fun, but the procedure is no problem. And the prep is getting less awful as I compared it to 10 years ago. There are different forms of prep, as I heard from friends, and some seem much easier. Read More
Colonoscopy
The best advice I got was to eat lightly for the two days prior to the procedure which meant the “system purge” didn’t have to expunge all that much. Check around for advice on which of the prep liquids to get and which flavor. Doctors prescribe different brands. Read More
Colonoscopy
There was no discomfort in the procedure. The only unpleasant part was the prep, which included the drinking of magnesium citrate laxative. Read More
Colonoscopy
I had a colonoscopy as part of my “preventative maintenance.” When it was over I was... hungry. Read More
Colonoscopy
My B12 levels were low, so my doctor suggested a colonoscopy. The preparation was extensive. Read More
HPV Vaccination
I went to the doctor for a regular check-up and my doctor asked me if I wanted to get the vaccine and recommended it. Read More
Pap Smear
This was part of my regular yearly physical. Read More
Intrauterine Insemination (IUI)
I had intrauterine insemination (IUI); I’ve had it done several times over the last few years, with two successful pregnancies. Read More
Coronary Bypass
I had a severe aortic regurgitation with symptomatic congestive heart failure; the doctor told me in order to get better, I had to have heart surgery. Read More
Mastectomy
I was diagnosed with a recurrence of breast cancer, specifically, ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). My doctor scheduled a bilateral mastectomy. Read More
Colonoscopy
I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and they recommended a colonoscopy to confirm the diagnosis. Read More
Mammogram
My father died of breast cancer, so I am considered higher risk for developing the disease. This was a screening to go along with a sonogram. Read More
Breast Sonogram (Ultrasound)
I had this procedure as part of a baseline screening with a mammogram for breast cancer. Read More
Breast Biopsy
I had this procedure because I got a breast sonogram and a black area showed up. The doctor thought that it was a fibroid because the edges were even, but wanted to do a biopsy to get more information. Read More
Mammogram
I am nearing 36 and have a family history of breast cancer. I went to a breast imaging center at a large hospital in Boston. Read More
BRCA Genetic Test
My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 48. I have always been concerned about my health in general and breast cancer more specifically. Read More
Exercise
I had been depressed and had cycled through several different kinds of antidepressants. Each one helped a little, but they also came with side effects. The neurologist said that I should treat exercise like a prescription: do it once a day, for at least 30 minutes. Read More
Mammogram
I had a routine screening/baseline mammogram. My doctor explained that I would have this procedure now, and then annually beginning at age 40. Read More
Labor/Delivery
I saw my OB throughout my pregnancy, had regular checkups and sonograms. This was my third childbirth, after a healthy low risk pregnancy. I am a die-hard “go natural”. Read More
Mastectomy
I had lobular invasive breast cancer, and was scheduled for a mastectomy of my left breast and breast reconstructive surgery. Read More
Colonoscopy
For three months I had been having bouts of gastro-intestinal problems including bloating, vomiting and fever, but no diarrhea. After visiting my internist after the most recent bout, he referred me for a colonoscopy. Read More
Labor/Delivery
I was pregnant with my second child and arrived at the hospital in active labor. I was taken to the Labor and Delivery waiting area where they had me wait for a delivery room. Read More
Mammogram
The mammogram was recommended by my OB because I am 37. There was very minimal physical preparation: just some minor paperwork and a change into the standard hospital gown. Mental preparation was a different story. Read More
C-Section
I had been in labor for 33 hours. I had a c-section because the baby's heart rate was decelerating and not recovering after pitocin contractions. Read More
Colonoscopy
I have two first-degree relatives with colon cancer, so I was scheduled for a colonoscopy. I have had bad experiences with “conscious sedation” so I opted to have the exam without sedation. Read More
