Gynecology

Answers for your specific questions.

Wondering about your health? Confused by what you’ve read? Browse our Ask the Nurse answer archive to find answers to many women's health questions and concerns. All answers are from a Cleveland Clinic women's health nurse.

Ask the Nurse Archive

Birth Control Pills and Acne

October 2, 2011 at 3:27pm

Do progestin-only birth control pills cause acne, or should I be concerned about Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)? I did not have acne when taking a combined pill.

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Tips to Help Prevent Urinary Tract Infections

September 26, 2011 at 11:51am

I’ve had two urinary tract infections in the past year. Why am I getting them and what can I do to prevent them in the future?

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Vaginal Warts

August 31, 2011 at 9:41am

I am 59 years old. I noticed a wart growth almost at the entrance of my vagina. It has been there for more than five months. Recently I applied garlic overnight to the site and after two days it was gone. I am still worried. Do you think the wart is a sign of some disease? What do you recommend that I do to avoid a reoccurence?

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Cervical Dysplasia

August 29, 2011 at 11:37am

My sister just had a pap smear and the results showed cervical dysplasia. What exactly is this and could she be at risk for cancer?

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Swollen cervix

August 23, 2011 at 5:53pm

What are the most common causes for a swollen cervix without other symptoms?

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Estradiol Vaginal Ring

August 23, 2011 at 5:39pm

I am an Estring (Estradiol Vaginal Ring) user. I have great difficulty removing it myself. Will it make a difference if I wait until my regular exam to have it removed? It will be 3 weeks later than the 3 month time period? I suppose the medication will be depleted by then. But is it that critical?

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Accidentally Missed a Birth Control Pill?

August 23, 2011 at 5:19pm

I have been taking birth control for a few months now. I accidentally dropped one down the sink so I took the next day one instead. Then that week I started my period even though I was still on the blue pills. I was reading that if you forget to take them the right way to throw out the current pack and start a new one, but I am still bleeding (not as heavy) but still enough to have to wear a pad or tampon.

Is this still normal since it has only been 3 months since I started taking birth control again (I am 42)?

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Urinary Tract Infections More Common in Menopausal Women

August 23, 2011 at 5:10pm

I thought I had a urinary tract infection about three weeks ago and went on an antibiotic (Cipro). I am not feeling better and was told to go on Macrobid. It helped for awhile, however, the pressure, slight burning and frequency to urinate has returned. I was given Premarin and have used this for four nights, but I’m still not feeling better.

I did see a Urologist and all of the cultures have been negative. Any thoughts?

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Pelvic exams after hysterectomy

August 16, 2011 at 3:17pm

I had a partial hysterectomy (still have my ovaries) and my G.P. told me I didn’t need pelvic exams. Several of my friends who have had the same procedure get pelvic exams. Should I have one?

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Pubic Hair - Yes or No?

August 3, 2011 at 5:53pm

I am 40 and have shaved my pubic hair completely off for at least 10 years. Some people tell me it is fine, some say it is better than long hair and some people tell me it is bad for me. I like it because it feels better and cleaner. Can you please tell me if there is a problem with me doing this?

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