Gyno Groupie

Is Delaying your Period on the BCP Safe? Have you considered delaying your menstrual period while on the birth control pills for convenience (vacationing, or a special event) or for medical reasons (painful menstrual cramps or heavy flows)?  Delaying your period while using the bcp is generally considered safe for users, provided that you’ve been taking your pills correctly that month, and there’s no concern for pregnancy.  Speak with your healthcare provider before trying it. (posted by @drsuzyyhall 10/26/12)

Birth Control Pills Lower Ovarian Cancer Risk: With so much focus on the potential side effects of the birth control pill use, there's little focus on the (non-contraceptive) benefits of the pill.  Did you know that your risk for ovarian cancer is cut in half by using the birth controll pill for > 4-5 years?  A woman's lifetime risk of ovarian cancer is 1 in 70.  This risk is reduced by 50% in women carrying 2 or more pregnancies to term, and by oral contraceptive pill use of > 4-5 years.  Our risk is reduced by 25% with breastfeeding.  (posted by @drsuzyyhall 11/18/12)

Pregnant?...Ask for your Flu Vaccine

During flu season (Oct-May is the US) ACOG and the CDC recommend the annual flu vaccine in any trimester of pregnancy.  No studies to date show adverse consequences to pregnant women or their offspring.  (posted 10/2/12 by @drsuzyyhall)

What's Bacterial Vaginosis? Bacterial Vaginosis (BV) is a common, minor vaginal infection causing symptoms of odorous vaginal discharge, irritation, itching, and possibly light vaginal spotting. It's caused by an overgrowth of (normally occuring) bacteria, in the vagina...and therefore, not considered and STD.  In terms of frequency, it's actually more common than vaginal yeast infections. It's usually easily treated with antibiotics prescribed by your health care provider. (posted by @drsuzyyhall 9/20/12)

Have you considered and IUD for contraception? According to @ACOGnews they're one of the most effective forms of reversible contraception. (posted 8/21/12 @drsuzyyhall)

http://www.acog.org/~/media/Committee%20Opinions/Committee%20on%20Gynecologic%20Practice/co450.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20120821T1333484162

How many hours of Sleep do you require? The average required amount of sleep for adults is 7-9 hours.  Our bodies usually do need 'catch-up sleep' for several hours of sleep lost.  The 'sleep debt' must be re-paid...so nap away or sleep-in to catch up!  (posted 7/3/12/ by

I'm Pregnant?!...After years of Infertility? Have you heard of couples with a long history of Infertlity/IVF/Adoption go on to subsequently get pregnant on their own?  A recent study showed 17% of Infertile couples having a baby by IVF, went on to have another baby, on their own, without reproductive assitance!  Despite the labelling of 'Infertility', this should give hope to couples having difficulty conceiving! :)  (posted 5/14/12 by drsuzyyhall)

Do Teen Pregnancy shows like "16 and Pregnant" glamorize teen pregnancy? Read Macomb Daily's Parent Chat conversations on that topic, with guest panelist, Gynogroupie's own Dr. Suzanne Hall (@drsuzyyhall) https://www.facebook.com/pages/Macomb-Daily/167187400091?sk=app_331040143629684 (posted 7/11/12)

Is exercise safe in pregnancy? According to ACOG, "In the absence of either medical or obstetric complications, 30 minutes or more of moderate exercise a day on most, if not all, days of the week is recommended for pregnant women."

They do advise reduced activity in the second and third trimester when a history of (or current risk factors for) preterm labor or intrauterine growth restriction (<10% birth weight babies.)   (posted 4/27/12 @drsuzyyhall)

Is passing your 'mucus plug' a sign of labor?  Many people think passing your mucus plug is an indication of labor.  Though it likely occurs because of some cervical change, alone, it is not generally an indication of labor... unless associated with a watery fluid (did your water break?), bloody discharge ('bloody show'), or regular contractions. (Further, any discharge with itching, odor, or unusual color should be evaluated for signs of vaginal infection.)  (posted 4/25/12 by drsuzyyhall)

GynMyth: Cervical cancer is hereditary/genetic. False. Cervical cancer is due to infection/exposure by the HPV virus. Ovarian and uterine cancer may be genetic.  (posted 4/20/12 by drsuzyyhall)

What's your BMI?  BMI (Body Mass Index) is a current tool used to (indirectly) assess your body fat based on height and weight.  Check out the National Institute of Health's (NIH) Tables/Calculator at http://nhlbisupport.com/bmi  (posted 4/16/12 by drsuzyyhall)

What are Fibroids?  Uterine fibroids are commonly occurring, benign (non-cancerous) growths which develop from the smooth muscle cells that make up the uterus.  They may vary in size and number, and generally require no treatment, unless problematic by way of causing heavy menstrual flow or pain. (posted 4/12/12 by drsuzyyhall, twitter @drsuzyyhall)

There is a new blood test that screens for fetal DNA in the maternal blood stream.  The test is called MaterniT21 Plus.  This tests for Down syndrome and trisomy 13 and 18.  Women who are pregnant at >35 y.o. or if the mother had an abnormal blood screening are at risk for these abnormalities.  This is a non-invasive way to get additional information.  (posted 4/2/12 docbchen, twitter@docbchen)

"Eating for 2" according to ACOG means an additional 300 calories/day.  That equates to about a 1/2 sandwich and a glass of skim milk...So don't overdo it. Excessive weight gain in pregnancy can increase our risks for gestational diabetes, large babies ( with the potential for more difficult deliveries), and more challenges in loosing the " after baby" weight.  ( posted 3/28/12 drsuzyyhall, twitter@drsuzyyhall)

The show "The Doctors" to feature Ultherapy, the non-surgical, ultrasound "face lift" on Monday 3/26/12. Our aestheticians at Eastside Skincare and Laser offer this treatment! Call for a free consultation 586)480-0480 (posted 3/20/12 drsuzyyhall)

GynMyth: HPV is common only in the promiscuous.  False. "3 out of 4 people who have sex will get an HPV infection at some point in their lives" according to ACOG (FAQ073).  Fortunately, most infections are asymptomatic, and cleared by our bodies own immune system.  (posted 4/7/12 by drsuzyyhall, twitter @drsuzyyhall)

New Pap guidelines by USPSTF are out (see link in Twitter column.)  All must understand that annual female exams are still recommended.  The Pap smear is just a portion of gynecologic screening. (posted 3/16/12 drpnehra, twitter @drpnehra)

Taking estrogen for treatment of menopausal symptoms in women with hysterectomies reduces the risk of breast cancer. Click here to read article. (posted 3/8/12, docbchen)

New Silicon breast implants approved be FDA. Read more click here. (posted 3/6/12, docbchen)