Penn's Women's Health Newsletter | Penn Medicine

Trina Salva, MD, Named Medical Director of the Helen O. Dickens Center for Women’s Health

2012-01-25T03:00:00-08:00

Penn Medicine’s department of obstetrics and gynecology is pleased to announce Trina Salva, MD, as the new medical director of the Helen O. Dickens Center for Women’s Health, effective January 1, 2012. Dr. Salva is committed to the center’s goal of providing the highest level of comprehensive health care to women in the community. Dr. Salva succeeds Bernadette Wheeler, MD, whose leadership

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New Program at Penn Health for Women at Radnor

2012-01-23T03:00:00-08:00

Are you experiencing heavy menstrual bleeding? Or a change in your monthly cycles? Heavy and/or irregular bleeding are common problems for women in their 40s as they begin the transition to menopause. Excessive bleeding can be annoying, lead to fatigue, and can sometimes be a sign of precancerous changes in the uterus or cervix, or endometrial cancer. The two most common causes of heavy

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A More Accurate Screening Test for Breast Cancer

2012-01-18T03:00:00-08:00

It’s a revolutionary way to screen for breast cancer: Traditional mammography images combined to give a more accurate, 3-D picture of the breast. It’s called digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT) and it's available at the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine and will be used for women having their screening mammogram. “DBT is more accurate – even more accurate than digital mammograms – because it

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In the News: Breast Cancer and Fertility Treatments

2012-01-13T07:00:00-08:00

It’s a recommendation based on years of research: Beginning at the age of 40, women should have an annual mammogram to check for breast cancer. Recent media attention about the diagnosis of breast cancer in entertainment reporter, Guliana Rancic, raises questions about a possible link between breast cancer and fertility treatment. Samantha Pfeifer, MD, Penn Fertility Care specialist and

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When To See A Fertility Specialist

2012-01-11T03:00:00-08:00

Couples who have been trying to conceive for months without success may be wondering when to seek professional help from a fertility specialist. A fertility specialist is a physician specially trained in treating men and women unable to conceive. At Penn Medicine, all fertility specialists are board certified in both obstetrics and gynecology and reproductive endocrinology and infertility.

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New Additions to the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology

2011-09-30T10:14:00-07:00

Penn Medicine’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology welcomes Rochelle Lindenbaum, MD, and Janos L. Tanyi, MD, PhD.Dr. Lindenbaum’s practice focuses on general obstetrics and gynecology. Dr. Tanyi is a gynecologic oncologist and researcher who focuses on gynecologic cancer surgery and treatment.For more information about Drs. Lindenbaum and Tanyi, visit the Penn Medicine Physician Announcement

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NOCC Run/Walk to Break the Silence on Saturday, September 10

2011-09-02T11:27:00-07:00

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What to Expect as Your Daughter Enters Puberty

2011-07-25T12:09:00-07:00

As their little girls grow, many mothers realize that it is not easy helping their daughters navigate the road to womanhood. It may be difficult to decipher what is normal as their child develops and enters puberty.Suleena Kansal Kalra, MD, MSCE, a fertility specialist at Penn Fertility Care, says: “An onslaught of physical and behavioral changes occur in young females during puberty, including

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Taking Charge of Your Health and Wellness

2011-07-14T08:12:00-07:00

Eating right is one of the most important factors to staying in good health. Too often women skip meals due to hectic schedules or grab something unhealthy to squeeze in a quick meal. Try the following tips to stick to a healthy diet: Wake up a few minutes earlier to prepare food to take on the go. Shop once a week to have a supply of fresh produce and other staples. Spend two to three hours

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The Female Brain, Aging and Reducing Stress

2011-07-14T08:07:00-07:00

Taking small steps towards reducing stress can make a big difference in a woman’s health as well as improve her energy and mood. If a woman does not make her own physical and mental health a priority, she cannot be at her best for the important people in her life.Why is reducing stress important?Chronic, everyday stress takes a toll on the human brain. During a stress response, the entire brain

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Restoring Skin's Youthful Appearance

2011-07-14T07:46:00-07:00

Non-Surgical Skin Care OptionsToday’s skin care innovations help combat the signs of aging without surgery. Many lines and wrinkles can be improved with the use of Botox®, ‘fillers’ or other contouring agents.Cherie M. Ditre, MD, dermatologist and director of the Skin Enhancement Center says: “Fillers are an option for very deep set wrinkles, and can be used in conjunction with Botox. In deep set

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Aging Gracefully (with a little help)

2011-07-14T06:54:00-07:00

Although aging is inevitable, many women strive to achieve or maintain the fit body and vibrant skin of their youth. The U.S. market for anti-aging products and services is growing and reached nearly $72 billion by the end of 2009. “Maintaining an ‘age-appropriate’ youthful appearance as one grows older is just one of several reasons women have plastic surgery,” says Ivona Percec, MD, PhD, a

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Sleep and Its Affect on Good Health

2011-07-14T06:28:00-07:00

Nearly 70 percent of American women report they have problems sleeping, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Pregnant women and new mothers are among the least likely to enjoy a good night’s rest and sleep problems tend to rise with age. Sleep disruption can be caused by a broad range of potentially dangerous sleep disorders including sleep apnea, insomnia, restless legs syndrome,

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Family Support

2011-06-23T07:37:00-07:00

Patti asks: My sister has been diagnosed with cervical cancer. The treatment suggested is five days radiation and then chemotherapy. She is on Medicaid, had to be reinstated, and still has not started treatment. Almost two months have passed. She is also an alcoholic. What can we, her family, do? Can we commit her? Any suggestions? Lori Smith, MSN, CRNP, and Mia Benson-Smith, MS, Patient Support

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Clinical Trial Participation

2011-06-23T07:34:00-07:00

Mary asks: Please tell me the parp inhibitor clinical trial is still open. Penn called me to participate in the trial in the beginning of November and at that time I showed no measurable cancer. Of course it's back. Failed chemo twice and have BRCA2 gene. Thank you so much for your time. Penn Medicine responds: Dear Mary, we're sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis. Thank you for your

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Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis

2011-06-23T07:32:00-07:00

Nicky1234 asks: My mom is recently diagnosed with ovarian cancer. The pathology letter mentioned: -Bilateral ovarian adenocarcinoma -Papillary serous systic type -moderately differentiated -vascular invasion: identifed -perineural invasion: dentified -endometrium: inactive -tubes: tumor free -staging: T1C (tumor is seen in both ovaries with involvement of ovarian surface and omental seeding). If

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Rapidly Growing Ovarian Cyst

2011-06-23T07:30:00-07:00

CRLP asks: Should a complex hemorrhagic ovarian cyst which has grown 3.5 cm in two weeks be evaluated for ovarian cancer in a post-Lupron young adult? Lori Smith, MSN, CRNP, responds: Dear CRLP, thank you for your question. Any time there is rapid growth of a cyst, it should be further evaluated by a gynecologist to ensure stability. Your gynecologist may want to obtain testing such as a

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Post-Menopausal Bleeding

2011-06-23T07:24:00-07:00

Peggie Asks: I am a 58 year old diabetic who has had heart bypass surgery but am in generally good health. Three days ago I started spotting and now it's getting a little heavier with dull pain in my stomach and especially my lower left flank. I can't get an appointment with the gynecologist for two weeks. I haven't had a period in over eight years. Should I be concerned enough to try to get an

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Do you have a milk donation process?

2011-06-22T09:00:00-07:00

Sylvia asks: Do you have a milk donation process?Debi Ferrarello, RN, MS, IBCLC responds: While we do not have a milk donation process at Penn Medicine, we are happy to guide mothers through the process. The Human Milk Banking Association of North America is the best source of information about donating milk. You will also be able to find more information about who is eligible to donate milk.

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What does it mean if I experience a burning sensation during breastfeeding?

2011-06-22T08:57:00-07:00

Nicole asks: I am breastfeeding my 3-week old son and sometimes I get this burning sensation in my breast. If I am breastfeeding him on my left breast at the time my breast starts burning, only the right breast would burn. What does this mean? Could there be something wrong with me? Because the breastfeeding process is going fine.Debi Ferrarello, RN, MS, IBCLC responds: First let me congratulate

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Does Penn Ob/Gyn rent breast pumps? What is the cost?

2011-06-22T08:48:00-07:00

Rachel asks: Does Penn Ob/Gyn rent breast pumps? What is the cost?Debi Ferrarello, RN, MS, IBCLC, responds: Penn Medicine rents Medela Symphony® electric breast pumps at Pennsylvania Hospital and at Solutions for Women. Pumps are available for rent at Solutions for Women at 721 Delancey Street, Philadelphia, PA, Monday through Friday from 10 am to 2 pm, and 24 hours a day from the maternity unit

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Chrissy's Story: How Pennsylvania Hospital Supported Me

2011-06-22T08:44:00-07:00

I was totally focused on getting through labor. I went to all the classes, did prenatal Yoga, read all the books, and even hired a doula! I thought that breastfeeding would be the easy part! But then I ended up having to have a C-section. My baby had to spend a few hours in the nursery, and then I felt awkward and afraid of my incision when holding my little girl. The nurses helped me with

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Serena's Story: I wasn't going to breastfeed

2011-06-22T08:40:00-07:00

I wasn't going to breastfeed. Nobody in my family did and neither did my girlfriends. I just didn't think about it. But then my water broke when I was only 7 months pregnant. And my baby was born so small, it was scary. The doctors from the NICU told me that my milk was important for the baby, and to me, that was enough. The nurses and the lactation consultants got me started pumping. Pumping is

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4TH INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE & WELLNESS CONFERENCE: Healing From Within

2011-06-09T12:06:00-07:00

Join our webchat LIVE from the conferenceIntegrative medicine experts will answer questions about acupuncture, exercise, physical therapy, stress-reduction, nutrition, herbs and supplements.TIMENOON - 1:00PM ESTDATEFriday, June 10, 2011WEBSITEGo to: OncoLink.org/WebchatSubmit your questions in advanceView and participate in the LIVE webchat Read transcript after the webchat You may also

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Creating a Modern Family through Third-Party Reproduction

2011-05-17T08:02:00-07:00

Fertility treatments have evolved considerably throughout the last 40 years. These advances are evident in the development of third-party reproduction options.“Third-party reproduction, also called assisted reproduction, is a process where a person provides eggs, sperm or embryos to another person so that they may become pregnant,” says Anuja Dokras, MD, PhD, medical director of Penn Fertility

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