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Women's Health: Ask Your Questions!
Tuesday, October 11th, 4:00pm-6:00pm
From infertility to preventing osteoporosis. Do you have questions about women's health topics?
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Q: A of Waukesha - Everytime my husband ejaculates in me I get this burning sensation inside of me. Do I need to worry about this when we dedcide to try for a baby?
A: Moderators - The burning might simply represent an infection. You should see your physician. It is very unlikely to affect getting pregnant.
Paul D. Burstein, M.D.
Clinical Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology Medical College of Wisconsin and University of Wisconsin
Q: Diane of Bonita Springs - I was diagnosed, 8 Years ago, with severe osteoporosis, after a Dexascan, of the hip & Spine. I went on Fosomax at that time & that, along with calcium plus vitamin D, diet & exercise produced moderate improvement. After 8 years I was told to discontinue the Fosomax because of lack of drug experience beyond that time & the thinking was that the drug had a half life beyond that point.
My current Dexascan showed worsened density after 6 months without drug. I'm now back on it. Any recent findings for extended drug use? Thank You
A: Moderators - To date, there appears to be improvement in bone density with extended use. Data so far is for over 10 years. Fosamax was approved 10 years ago and some of the people in the pre-approval studies are still being followed. The time Fosamax stays in bone is very long and there is speculation that it might be appropriate to take a year off without losing benefit. There is no official recommendation, however. Be careful in comparing bone density measurements. Unless the scans were on the same machine and by the same technicians, and they have calculated precision data, the measurements may vary greater than any possible change in bone density.
Paul D. Burstein, M.D.
Clinical Professor, Obstetrics & Gynecology Medical College of Wisconsin and University of Wisconsin
Q: Donna of Milwaukee - I am 48 with recurring bursitis in my right hip. Is there anything I can do to prevent or help ease this condition besides taking anti-inflamatories and resting? I feel like an old lady instead of one in my prime.
A: Moderators - Anti-inflammatories and rest are a good first step towards treating
bursitis. However, if this is not successful, your physician (either
internal medicine or family practice) should be able to do an injection
directly into the bursa for you right in the office. It would consist
of some steroid medication as well as a numbing medication such as
lidocaine, similiar to what your dentist might use if you have to have
work done. You can get these shots as often as every 3 months, though
oftentimes people get great relief after just one or two.
Dr. Kirsten O'Quinn, MD - Family Practice
Glendale Clinic - Port Washington Road
Columbia St. Mary's Community Physicians
Q: Diane of Fond du Lac - I had a vaginal hysterectomy 6 months ago-removed uterus & 1 ovary. Since 4 weeks post op, I have had vaginal area burning. I have been seen by my dr twice since. She says all looks fine. I have tried cortisone cream, dove soap, cotton undies, etc. Any suggestions? Thank you.
A: Moderators - I understand that this a frustrating situation for you and probably for your physician as well. Some things you might try are refraining from using any soap on the vulva. Soap can be very irritating to those tissues, even the mildest ones. If you use pads I would also suggest try doing without them. Some pads, Always brand in particular, can be very irritating. Aveeno oatmeal bath can be soothing to this area. If all else fails, your physician may consider doing a biopsy to rule out any underlying skin disorder. Hope this helps and good luck.
Beverly L Braak MD
Q: Rhonda of West Allis - I was recently diagnoses with Celiac Disease. I am 42
years old and was wondering, have I had this my whole
life or can it occur in adulthood? My biopsy of my small
intestine showed severe damage. How long will it take
to heal? Will I have to be on a gluten free diet my
whole life? Can my kids get this?
A: Moderators - Celiac disease runs in the family. You inherited the tendency to get this disease from your parents. If 1 member of your family has celiac disease, about 1 out of 10 other members of your family is likely to have it. You may have this tendency for a while without getting sick. Then something like severe stress, physical injury, infection, childbirth or surgery can "turn on" your celiac disease. Celiac disease is serious. Fortunately you can control celiac disease just by not eating any gluten. By following the right diet, you can reverse the damage caused by celiac disease and you'll feel better. But if you "cheat" on your diet, the damage will come back, even if you don't feel sick right away. How long it will take to heal depends on how severe your disease is and how strictly you follow your diet. You will have to follow it the rest of your life. There are cookbooks made just for people with celiac disease - check them out for more help with the diet. -Dr. Kirsten O'Quinn, Family Practice, Glendale Clinic, CSM Community Physicians
Q: Scarlet of Milwaukee - I just had a colposcopy because my annual exam showed signs of possible mild dysplasia. After a biopsy, my doctor thought it was most likely instead symptoms of HPV. I told my husband and although he was relieved for my health, he now worries about possible outbreaks for both of us. Is this something to really be concerned about?
A: Moderators - The important issue is that you do not have dysplasia, which sometimes may lead to cervical cancer if ignored. The Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) is a large family of viruses, some of which cause warts (common finger warts, plantar warts, genital warts), but some do not cause any apparent symptoms, only the changes seen on a pap smear. Neither of you is "infectious". You do not need to worry about this, as you have had an appropriate evaluation. Just continue to get your pap smear done yearly.
Gerald L. Vitamvas, MD, FACOG
Advanced Healthcaere
Q: Brenda of Elm Grove - Is it normal for there to be a small bump behind my nipple (duct, etc...)? I found it in the shower, although it was small and difficult to find again. I couldn't find the same thing on the other side either. I'm only 28 years old.
A: Moderators - That may just be a lactiferous duct (a normal part of the breast), but ANY breast lump should be checked by a physician.
Gerald L. Vitamvas, MD, FACOG
Advanced Healthcaere
Q: Kathy of Greendale - Are there any serious complications or side effects I should know about before considering laser hair removal?
A: Moderators - Theoretically, burn injuries could occur but should be quite rare. Skin irritation would be more common. Be sure to pose that question to the person who would be .
doing the treatment.
Gerald L. Vitamvas, MD, FACOG
Advanced Healthcaere
Q: Andrea of Milwaukee - I injured my hip running more than 5 months ago. After an MRI, a "degeneration" in the labrum was evident, but no tear. I have since had a cortisone injection directly into the hip joint (10 days ago) and with exception of the numbing medicine that wore off after 2 hours, I got no relief from that. What are my options? Will I need to live with this pain (always when sitting and laying down or when opening up joint as if to get out of the driver's side of the car) or could there be a tear that isn't visible that could be repaired. I can produce a painless "click" when I do an exaggerated march with my left leg. Please advise. Sleepless and worn down from the chronic pain. I am a 43-year old active female who wants her active life back.
A: Moderators - Sometimes more than one injection is required to get further relief. However, if you didn't get more than a couple hours out of the injection it might not be beneficial for you. Certainly hip replacement is an option, but that is usually a last resort for someone of your young age. If you haven't already seen an orthopedic surgeon, regardless of whether or not you're interested in surgery, I would suggest starting there to see what other options they feel would be beneficial. Perhaps more films might be useful as well though usually MRIs are quite good at looking at soft tissue problems. Keep active in the meantime while seeking another opinion - that will be helpful as well. -Dr. Kirsten O'Quinn, FP, Glendale Clinic, CSM Community Physicians
Q: Jennifer Chathman of Milwaukee, WI - More often I find that my eyes get more tired by the end of the day from working on a computer screen.
This leads me feeling as if it may trigger a migraine, and wonder what you would suggest to stop the pain, or if you recommend an eye examination, or preventative medication from getting a migraine.
Thanks,
Jennifer
A: Moderators - If you're not actually getting a migraine, I wouldn't suggest taking medications for prevention. However, if you do have migraines, it would be wise to see a physician to discuss how frequent they are and determine if preventive medications might be useful as opposed to simply taking medication when you already have the headache to resolve it. If you are having eye pain of any sort, or having vision trouble, I suggest seeing an eye doctor for a complete exam to rule out any abnormalities. If eye fatigue & dryness are the main problems, then try taking frequent breaks from the computer screen during the day to give your eyes some rest. Saline eye drops might also be helpful for dry eyes, but be careful with other over the counter eye medications, as many can make the situation worse instead of better. -Dr. Kirsten O'Quinn, FP, Glendale Clinic, CSM Community Physicians
Q: Tracy S. of Milwaukee - I have a terrible itch in the southern hemisphere if you know what I mean. Should I try to treat it with herbal remedies myself or get some industrial strength stuff from the doctor? It's burning like a son-of-a-gun.
A: Moderators - You may have an infection caused by yeast, bacteria, other organisms, an allergic reaction, chemical reaction to something in your environment or a skin disorder. You need to be seen. No herbal or over the counter remedy will help.
Gerald L. Vitamvas, MD, FACOG
Advanced Healthcaere
Q: carolyn of pewaukee - My menstrual cycle has been all over the map since I got off the pill 6 months ago. My husband and I are really wanting to get pregnant. Do I need to wait until my cycle is regular? If not, how do we go about calculating when I ovulate?
A: Moderators - If your cycles are that irregular, you may not be ovulating. That might require medication to correct. If your are ovulating intermittently, then don't worry about finding your "fertle time". Just have intercourse 2-3 times a week and there will be enough sperm available when you do ovulate to do the job.
Gerald L. Vitamvas, MD
Advanced Healthcate
Q: Pam of Men. Falls - After experienceing 3 attacks of pain radiating up my throat to my jaw that felt like a vise grinding up my teeth, I went through extensive testing including heart scan, no calcium build-up, was told it may be syndrom x. Experienced another a year later this past Sept. This time it went from both elbows to the shoulders, across the chest and up the neck. Extreme pressure, like a blood pressure cuff thats too tight, couldn't speak during episode that lasted under 2 mins., then gradually subsided. Am not looking forward to the same testing routine to turn up an ambiguous diagnosis..what could this be? Would nitro pills help during the short time frame this lasts?
A: Moderators - That sounds rather complicated - it's difficult to answer your question without having more specific info including all of your test results. It definitely sounds like it could be related to your heart, but without further information I can't be much more specific. I would suggest following up with your physician, and a cardiologist if you haven't already done so, for further assistance. I wouldn't try nitro pills without checking with your physician first. -Dr. Kirsten O'Quinn, Glendale Clinic
Q: Jan Greene of formerly Brown Deer, now in Virginia - During a breast self-exam and subsquently squeezing my left nipple, I had about a teaspoon of green/gray tinged discharge. It did this as I checked it for two days in a row.
Everything I read suggests this coloration of fluid is 'normal' eventhough I've never had any discharge, from either breast unless I was pregnant. The only thing I can find that is unusual, is that I only had it on one side.
I've had two breast surgeries to remove the areola due to a problem with the glands on the surface of my breast. I had grafts, but retained my nipples, and I was told, ductwork.
Could it be that one side simply got 'clogged' at some point due to my surgery? It's been about 7 years since the surgery. The right side has no fluid in it, but I have been diagnosed with cysts by ultrasound on the right side.
So, do I go in for a checkup or not? It's not quite time for my annual visit.
A: Moderators - Breast discharge is not uncommon for women if they compress their breasts. The breasts can be cystic and fluid can be discharged with compression. The fluid may be yellow, green, gray or brown in color--clear or milky. Spontaneous discharge that occurs without compression is something that should be further evaluated. It may be related to cysts or small growths that form in the ducts of the breasts and on rarer occasions related to cancer. It sounds as though your discharge is not spontaneous. At this time do not compress your breast and observe for the next week. Contact your doctor, if the fluid comes out on its own and you see it on your bra or nightgown or if you see fluid dripping from the nipple after a shower. Your doctor should then order a mammogram, ultrasound and possible galactogram (dye is injected in the leaking duct to determine if there is a growth in the duct)to then evaluate this problem. Deb Theine, Breast Health Clinician--Columbia Hosp
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