May is women’s health month a reminder for women and girls to make their health a priority, Thursday, May 13th at 10am, watch a special edition of abc27’s, Good Day PA. Learn about advances in Maternal fetal medicine, Mental health, Minimally invasive gynecological surgery, and more.
Plus, have your questions answered in a live web chat with women’s health specialists
from UPMC.
To help celebrate and educate women about important health topics, today we have several health specialists with us, several from UPMC Magee-Womens, to talk about common health issues that can affect women throughout the many stages in a women’s life, such as cancer, endometriosis, urinary problems, and complications with pregnancy.
Does birth control pills prevent ovarian cancer? I will on them for many years and always wondered long term affects.
Kami
Dr. Gerald Harkins
Yes, actually being on birth control decreases your risk of ovarian cancer !1 So thats the good news !!
After two c-sections with the last about two years ago, I am still sensitive in my abdomen area…is this normal?
Lori
Dr. Gerald Harkins
It may be a problem if the pain is worse during your period… If you period makes the pain worse, than thats not normal for sure !!
Dr. Cynthia Anderson
Sensitivity in the skin area of your prior cesareans can be normal. The superficial nerves to the skin regenerate/regrow/reawaken slowly over time. Each patient is different as to how quickly this goes away or on to your new post cesarean normal.
I just had a hysterectomy for uterine prolapse and I’m now having bladder issues. Will this resolve on its own?
Anne
Dr. Dina Schweitzer
depends. As a general rule, prolapse does not cause urinary incontinence and urinary incontinence does not cause prolapse. If you now have stress incontinence after the surgery, it may be due to the “kink” that you had with the prolapse is no longer present and stress incontinence is now unmasked.
Does having a hysterectomy prevent female type cancers? Is it recommended even if there is no family history?
Helen
Dr. Gerald Harkins
There are times when we consider ” Risk reducing durgery – hysterectomy for some syndromes or cancers..
Why do I still get painful periods after endometriosis surgery?
Suzanne
Dr. Gerald Harkins
The hope is that surgery is all about helping you to NOT have painful periods. We are working to help decrease pain for those women for sure
Surgery is part of the treatment to decrease pain related to endometriosis. I think is most valuable that with surgery as part of the care for endometriosis, is that women know their condition and women do better after they understand their endometriosis..
Dr. Gerald Harkins
OUr goal is always that patients are better after surgery… that they have less pain and maybe no pain with their periods
Dr. Gerald Harkins
Endometriosis needs comprehensive plan of care for women
A few years ago I had endometriosis surgery…will it return?
Cara W
Dr. Gerald Harkins
yes… Endometriosis is a ” life long condition” but it goes thru cycles of active and quiet times…
Hopefully its can be quiet and be that way for some time….
What are the nonsurgical treatment options for stress urinary incontinence?
Rene R.
Dr. Dina Schweitzer
physical therapy, pessary, and bladder support devices
Can endometriosis go away without drugs or surgery?
Theresa W.
Dr. Gerald Harkins
Thats a complicated question.. there are types of endometriosis, some is quiet or not severe, some is very severe and very damaging. Its not just 1 disease..
So it depends on your endometriosis type.. and how severe it is for you
Will endometriosis affect my sex life?
Ann T
Dr. Gerald Harkins
It can for sure because it give you pelvic pain.. and thus maybe pain during intercourse.. PLus if you have pain, your self percepton ect is affected, so all that negatively affects your sex life for sure
How is urinary incontinence treated?
Dana R
Dr. Gerald Harkins
A Robot is just one of the tools we can use for endometriosis… WE use the robot for all the things that its helpful for – Better 3 D imaging, Robots can have less fatigue and no sway,, they can help with precise disection… but its always the surgeon controlling the Robot,,.
Can endometriosis be hereditary?
Erin A
Dr. Gerald Harkins
Yes, its 7 times more common in family members for sure.
What is the difference between stress incontinence and urge incontinence?
Dena D
Dr. Dina Schweitzer
stress incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine with an activity such as running, jumping, coughing. Urgency incontinence is loss of urine that is preceded by a strong or sudden urge to urinate that results in urine loss prior to making it to the bathroom.
Can endometriosis affect fertility?
Annie T
Dr. Gerald Harkins
Yes, 40 % of patient with infertility have endometriosis and treating endometriosis does improve fertility and increase the numbers of live births
What is minimally invasive surgery?
Charlotte
Dr. Gerald Harkins
Its using small instruments and camera’s to be able to perform all the surgeries that were more traditional done via open incisions.
We are able to perform those surgeries thru ” band aid” type small incisions
How does an maternal fetal medicine specialist work with a woman’s obstetrician?
Darleen V.
Dr. Cynthia Anderson
Depending on your situation, the maternal fetal medicine specialist may manage your care directly or consult with other providers on your team. A maternal fetal medicine specialist may:
– Provide most of your prenatal care
– Work hand-in-hand with your obstetrician, family doctor or midwife to co-manage your care, as well as,
– Consult and work with neonatologists, other pediatric experts, as well as other medical and or surgical specialists.
A maternal fetal medicine specialist will work closely with you and your regular health providers to see you safely through labor, delivery and postpartum.
What kinds of diagnostic tests do maternal fetal medicine specialists offer?
Janice T.
Dr. Cynthia Anderson
Maternal fetal medicine specialists offer many diagnostic tests, such as:
-Three-Dimensional (3D) Ultrasound – one of the first steps in evaluation
-Amniocentesis
-Chorionic villus sampling (CVS)
-Fetal blood sampling and transfusion
-Fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
-Genetic counseli
-Specialized ultrasound
What are some things women can do to help ensure a healthy pregnancy?
Janice T.
Dr. Cynthia Anderson
A healthy lifestyle can help reduce your pregnancy risks, even if the cause is unavoidable. To have a healthier pregnancy:
-Maintain a healthy weight, which includes not being underweight
-Eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables
-Exercise as per your doctor’s recommendations
-Get rest when you can
-Limit your caffeine intake
-Avoid smoking, drinking or illegal drugs
-Follow your recommended prenatal care
What is considered a high-risk pregnancy?
Vivian L
Dr. Cynthia Anderson
Many high-risk pregnancies are completely unavoidable; it often has nothing to do with something a patient may have done. A women could be at increased risk for complications during her pregnancy if she has cardiac or pulmonary problems, various rheumatologic disorders, diabetes, high blood pressure, or if she is under the age of 17 or over the age of 35, for instance. She may also be at increased risk if she is carrying more than one baby, has had a prior baby with complications, or has a history of pregnancy-related complications, such as multiple miscarriages or preterm birth.
Before you panic, it is important to know that a high-risk pregnancy does not automatically mean taht something bad is going to happen to your baby. It simply means that because of a medical condition or other situation, you have a higher chance of pregnancy complications. Many high-risk pregnancies have no complications and end with happy and healthy moms and babies.
What does a maternal fetal medicine specialist do?
Ashley K.
Dr. Cynthia Anderson
A maternal fetal medicine specialist, or MFM, counsels and cares for women with complicated or high-risk pregnancies. Maternal fetal medicine specialists provide regular prenatal care for women with high-risk pregnancies. Working with an MFM specialist during your pregnancy can help you feel confident that you and your baby are getting the best care possible. Maternal fetal medicine can:
-Help manage the mother’s existing health problems, such as diabetes and high blood pressure
-Care for women who develop complications during pregnancy or childbirth
-Perform tests and procedures to check your babies’ growth and development
-Evaluate for birth defects and genetic disorders
-Diagnose and manage birth defects, heart problems and blood disorders in a developing baby, including performing procedures or surgery if needed
-Monitor labor and handle the delivery
-Manage any of the mom’s health problems after pregnancy, such as excessive bleeding, infections or high blood pressure
-Identify risks and provides recommendations for future pregnancies
Sunil Patel, MD
Director of fetal echocardiography and director of the adult congenital heart disease program at UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, Dr. Sunil Patel joined UPMC Pinnacle in 2015. He is board certified in general pediatrics. Dr. Patel is a graduate of the pediatric cardiology fellowship program at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. He completed his residency in pediatric medicine at Brookdale University Hospital and Medical Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Cynthia L. Anderson, MD
Cynthia Anderson, MD, is a maternal and fetal medicine physician and is
certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology and Maternal and Fetal Medicine by
the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, as well as Family
Medicine by the American Board of Family Medicine. She received her
medical degree from MCP Hahnemann University School of Medicine and
completed her residencies at Family Practice, University of Wisconsin in
Family Practice and University of Texas-Southwestern in
Obstetrics-Gynecology, followed by her fellowships in Obstetrics at
Brackenridge Hospital and Maternal Fetal Medicine at Johns Hopkins School
of Medicine.
Dr. Anderson is a trained soprano in classical opera, has an undergraduate
degree in voice performance, and has performed on three continents. She is
also a US licensed soccer coach and travels for both pleasure and to teach
obstetrical emergency management. She lives locally with her family in the
same house her great-grandfather built on their family farm over 100 years
ago.
Gerald Harkins, MD
Gerald Harkins, MD, is a minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon and is
certified in obstetrics and gynecology by the American Board of Obstetrics
and Gynecology. He is the Medical Director for Minimally Invasive
Gynecologic Surgery at UPMC in Central Pa. He received his medical degree
from Penn State University and completed his residency in obstetrics and
gynecology at Madigan Army Medical Center.
Dr. Harkins has over 20 years’ experience in caring for patients with
endometriosis and complex gynecologic surgery and specializes in complete
excisional surgery for patients with endometriosis. His clinical interests
include minimally invasive surgical techniques for management of fibroids,
uterine polyps, and malformations such as uterine septum and tubal
anomalies, and fertility-preserving surgery in the management of fibroids
and severe endometriosis.
He has published numerous articles on surgery and endometriosis patient
care and is a recognized speaker for minimally invasive gynecologic
surgery-based care of complex gyn patients. He is a member of the American
Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the American Association of
Gynecologic Laparoscopists, the American College of Obstetricians and
Gynecologists, the Society of Gynecologic Surgeons, and Alpha Omega Alpha
(AOA) Medical Honor Society.
Sharon Ann-Romano Fitzgerald, MD
Dr. Fitzgerald completed her fellowship in gynecologic oncology at Walter
Reed National Military Medical Center. She earned her medical degree from
Drexel University College of Medicine and completed her residency at Mount
Sinai School of Medicine in New York City.
Board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology and board-eligible in
gynecologic oncology, Dr. Fitzgerald was a major in the U.S. Army. Most
recently, she was a chief of gynecologic oncology at Womack Army Medical
Center in Fort Bragg, NC.
A mother of two, Dr. Fitzgerald enjoys outdoor activities, including
hiking, rock climbing, fishing, rowing, and running, in her spare time.
