Penn's Women's Health Newsletter | Penn Medicine

The Region’s #1 Cancer Center Arrives in Chester County

2013-01-31T08:13:00-08:00

Penn Medicine is bringing the expertise of one of the nation’s leading cancer centers to Chester County. The new Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine Valley Forge features two floors and 18 exam rooms, designed to offer patients the best experience possible. Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center at Valley Forge offers patients: World-class cancer experts right in your community Chemotherapy

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Penn Ob/Gyn Associates

2013-01-31T08:09:00-08:00

Meeting the needs of women through every stage of life For women, finding an obstetric and gynecologic practice that can meet their needs from adolescence throughout menopause and beyond can be challenging. That’s because with every year, a woman’s reproductive needs change. And with every change—be it a pregnancy, a difficult health diagnosis or menopause—her physical and emotional needs

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Penn Ob/Gyn Associates introduces the Medical Acupuncture Program

2013-01-31T08:02:00-08:00

Iliana Robinson, MD Penn Ob/Gyn is happy to introduce the Medical Acupuncture Program led by Iliana Robinson, MD, an obstetrician/gynecologist at Penn who also practices medical acupuncture. “Acupuncture can be used as a complement to traditional medical treatment, enabling a patient to use less or no pain medication or hormone replacement therapies, and avoid harmful side effects. As a

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New options for joint replacement

2013-01-31T07:02:00-08:00

It’s a fact that men and women experience different physical changes and develop unique health issues as they age. Osteoarthritis is one condition that affects women more than men and leads women to seek joint replacement surgery. Penn Orthopaedics offers joint replacement services for those suffering from advanced joint disease and tailors treatment options to meet a woman’s specific needs, so

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Penn Maternal Fetal Medicine Welcomes

2013-01-31T06:49:00-08:00

Jamie Bastek, MD Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Corrina Oxford, MD Pennsylvania Hospital

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Managing High-Risk Pregnancy in Women with Cardiac Disease

2013-01-31T06:20:00-08:00

When most women think about heart disease during pregnancy, they may think about high blood pressure, or other conditions that develop during pregnancy. But for women with congenital heart disease, (cardiac disease that is present from birth throughout their lives), pregnancy itself can present potential serious side effects and cardiac complications. Adult congenital heart disease (ACHD)

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The Basser Research Center at Penn

2013-01-31T06:09:00-08:00

Like too many women, Sandy Cohen grew up with breast cancer in her family. Sandy Cohen and her children “My grandmother died of breast cancer in her thirties. Consequently, my mother was always worried she’d develop the disease herself,” says the Lafayette Hill resident. When Sandy’s mother did develop breast cancer at 50 and passed away four years later, Sandy became what she calls “

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Penn Medicine participates in the 2012 NOCC WALK

2013-01-31T06:00:00-08:00

In September, Penn supported the Delaware Valley chapter of the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition (NOCC) at the 14th Annual Run/Walk to Break the Silence on Ovarian Cancer in Fairmount Park. “Ovarian cancer is the deadliest form of cancer for women,” says Christina Chu, MD, associate professor of obstetrics and gynecology and gynecologic oncologist at the Jordan Center for Gynecologic Oncology

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Immunotherapy Shows Promise for Ovarian Cancer

2013-01-30T13:29:00-08:00

Launched in July 2007 under the leadership of George Coukos, MD, PhD, the Penn Ovarian Cancer Research Center is making prevention, early detection, treatment and understanding the biology of ovarian cancer a priority. “Ovarian cancer often times goes undiscovered until it has progressed to a late stage,” says Janos Tanyi, MD, PhD, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the

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Hope for fertility after Cancer

2013-01-29T13:21:00-08:00

Today, a cancer diagnosis for a woman doesn’t have to mean she can’t have a biological child of her own. Penn’s Fertility Preservation Program offers women hope after cancer treatment. “Unfortunately many treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation used to cure cancer, can cause infertility or problems with reproductive organs” says Clarisa Gracia, MD, director of the fertility preservation

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Join the 2012 Penn Medicine Philly Heart Walk Team Today

2012-10-16T13:38:00-07:00

Make a heart healthy decision! Walk with the Penn Medicine community to support the American Heart Association in the fight against heart disease and stroke! The 2012 Philly Heart Walk will take place on Sunday, November 4, 2012 at 10 am at Citizens Bank Park. Our group’s challenge this year is to recruit 1800 walkers for the Philadelphia-based walk and raise $130,000 for cardiovascular

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The Connection between HPV and Oral Cancer

2012-08-02T12:55:00-07:00

What you need to know..... The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted virus in the United States. There are over 100 types of HPV, and more than 40 strains that can infect the genital areas of men and women, as well as the mouth and throat. HPV is passed through genital contact through vaginal and anal sex, and can also be passed through oral sex. In recent years,

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Advances in Robotic Surgery

2012-08-02T12:37:00-07:00

When Susan Cramer’s mother had gynecologic surgery in 1973, she was in the hospital for nine days and spent two months recovering. When Cramer, now 54, had a robotic-assisted radical hysterectomy for ovarian cancer this January, she was out of the hospital the next day and back to her routine as soon as she got home. “I couldn’t believe the results,” says Cramer, who traveled from West

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New treatments for Pelvic Floor conditions

2012-08-02T08:39:00-07:00

It is estimated that nearly 50 percent of women suffer from bladder and pelvic floor disorders at some point in their lifetime. And, because of the embarrassment associated with these types of disorders, many women suffer in silence. Bladder and pelvic floor disorders, also known as urogynecologic disorders, include any pain or dysfunction in the uterus, cervix, vagina, bladder or rectum.

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Donor Milk Program at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania

2012-08-02T08:33:00-07:00

Every parent wants what is best for their baby...is donor milk best for yours? Penn Medicine’s donor milk program was created to help babies in the neonatal intensive care unit receive the vital nutrition they need. Donor milk is breast milk pumped by a mother who is not the baby’s birth mother. The program enables the smallest and most severely ill babies to receive human milk when mother’s

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New Screening for Down Syndrome

2012-08-02T08:30:00-07:00

Pregnancy and childbirth can be the most exciting times in a woman’s life. However, they can also be the most stressful, as many parents have questions about their unborn baby’s health. Prenatal genetic screening can identify potential genetic risks and birth defects before delivery. A noninvasive screening test for Down syndrome has recently become available, which is more accurate than

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Penn Medicine: Beyond routine ob/gyn care

2012-08-02T06:28:00-07:00

Understanding the Diabetic Pregnancy Diabetes is a condition in which the body does not make enough insulin, the hormone the body uses to absorb glucose, or sugar, from food. Insulin regulates blood sugar levels in the body and if not controlled, it can create complications for a pregnant woman and her baby. “It’s so important that women with diabetes who plan to become pregnant have a

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My 92 year old mother awakes frequently at night with a strong urgency to urinate, but feels she is unable to empty her bladder. What could be the reason for this?

2012-06-04T09:00:00-07:00

Sharman asks:My mother is 92 and she is awakened at night 4 to 5 times with a very strong urgency to urinate (wish she does). Meanwhile, she tells me that she feels that she is unable to empty her bladder and that it seems as if it turns off and she can't empty it totally.She eats and drinks nothing after 6 pm. She weighs about 93 pounds and has a past history of being anorexic. Other than being

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I was admitted to the hospital for severe pain in my urethra and lower pelvic region with painful urination. The antibiotics are not working. Can you give any advice?

2012-05-28T09:00:00-07:00

Georgann asks:I was admitted to the hospital two weeks ago for severe pain in my urethra and lower pelvic region with painful urination (constantly). My diagnosis was ureteral calculus, two kidney stones, and a urinary tract infection. A ureteral stent was put in. I experienced severe pain so they finally took it out.The next day, I was readmitted to the hospital for a week with all these other

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What could be the cause of my recurring UTI?

2012-05-21T09:00:00-07:00

Claire asks:I have a recurring UTI. I was given a low-dose antibiotic to take for six months, but after two months the problem continues. I did have netting put in for a leaking bladder about 10 years ago, could this be the cause?Megan O. Schimpf, MD, responds:Recurrent UTIs can be a frustrating and uncomfortable problem for patients, but the good news is that they rarely progress to serious

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Why doesn't my bladder empty completely even though I urinate several times a day and night?

2012-05-21T09:00:00-07:00

Val asks:Why doesn't my bladder empty completely even though I urinate several times a day and night?Lily Arya, MD, responds:This is a common symptom and is rarely associated with real emptying problems. Most likely your bladder has become very sensitive, potentially due to an overactive bladder, interstitial cystitis or a kidney stone. It's in your best interest to see a urologist or

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My sister-in-law suffers from pelvic floor dysfunction. Are there any support groups (specifically for younger people) who suffer from PFD?

2012-05-14T09:00:00-07:00

Anonymous asks:My sister-in-law severely suffers both physically and mentally from pelvic floor dysfunction (PFD). She has seen many doctors and physical therapists, and received internal and external shots, medications, prolotherapy, etc. The treatments seem to work at first, but not for any length of time.This has prohibited her from participating in daily activities and as her symptoms worsen,

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What could contaminate urine and what would be the next step after learning this information?

2012-05-14T09:00:00-07:00

Patti asks:My mom is 71 years old and had a partial hysterectomy many years ago. She has had bleeding that includes small blood clots and her urine is dark. She had a lab test, but the lab said her urine specimen was contaminated and referred her to her physician. She is concerned and wondering what could contaminate urine and what should her next step be?Lily Arya, MD, responds:I would first

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My daughter has a large fistula that must be surgically repaired. We are looking for a surgeon with experience in this type of procedure.

2012-05-07T09:00:00-07:00

Laureen asks:My daughter is 28 years old and has a large fistula that must be surgically repaired. It developed during labor and a Cesarean-section delivery. The diagnosis was made during an exploratory procedure to install a bag to decompress her bladder and allow it repair naturally.Unfortunately, the doctor decided natural repair would be impossible because of the size and the state of the

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I underwent pelvic reconstruction surgery and have experienced vaginal bleeding for more than two years. Is this normal?

2012-05-07T09:00:00-07:00

Anonymous asks:I underwent pelvic reconstruction surgery involving synthetic mesh to lift my bladder. I have experienced vaginal bleeding for more than two years. Could this be normal? If not, what should my next step be?Lily Arya, MD, responds:I am very sorry to hear about this ongoing problem. I recommend you schedule an appointment to determine what the issue is and how to resolve it. Ariana

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