Obstetrics and 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

Female Orgasm

July 8, 2014 at 10:08am

I had two partial hysterectomies and three laparoscopic surgeries due to scar tissue and blocked tubes. The first surgery removed my left ovary, tubes and tissue growing on the outside of my uterus, tubes and ovaries. The second surgery removed my right ovary and uterus.

I am on hormone replacement. I am 49 years old, have been married for 29 years and I have 3 children in their 20s. My question is concerning lack of sensation to my vagina and clitoris. Direct and indirect stimulation doesn’t seem to matter and I do not have orgasms any more. I am on prescription medication for fibromyalgia. Is there anything I can do to help this problem?

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Taking Medications Together

May 22, 2014 at 12:10pm

I have been using Estring for about 8 years. I felt that it wasn’t working as well as it did the first few years. I saw my endocrinologist today and asked her about Osphena. She gave me some samples. I asked if I should still use Estring and she said no problem. I trust her but she is not a gynecologist, so I am not sure about mixing the two medications.

My primary care physician retired about a year ago. I don’t have anyone else at this time to ask about this. Thank you.

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Adenomyosis

April 7, 2014 at 11:14am

I am a 43 year old woman with a 4 year old child delivered by c-section. In 2007, I had a myomectomy for uterine fibroids (in order to help with infertility) and an appendectomy in 1981. For the past year, I have had some terrible upper abdomen pain that only comes during the first 3 days of my period (however, not every month). It is a constant mild pain for those few days, but comes in very severe waves of pain after I eat anything, even water. I become nauseous and my stomach becomes very bloated and painful when even mildly touched. Curling into the fetal position is the only thing that has helped ease the pain.

My gynecologist did an ultrasound and found no cysts on my ovaries, but did find some new small fibroids and said my uterus was slightly larger than normal. She said all looked normal, though, and suggested I take ibuprofen during my period to help with pain. Do these things have to do with menopause approaching?

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Women's Wellness Exam Guidelines: Do I Need a Pap Smear?

December 29, 2013 at 5:15pm

At what age is a pelvic exam no longer necessary as part of an annual physical?

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Yeast Infection and Intercourse

September 11, 2013 at 1:55pm

Is it common to get a yeast infection after sexual intercourse? I seem to have a lot of pain the next day and then develop a yeast infection. This has been occurring for the past year.

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Endometriosis Symptoms

September 10, 2013 at 4:35pm

My daughter suffers from endometriosis. She has had two laparoscopies.

Unfortunately, birth control pills have not helped her symptoms. Lupron therapy has somewhat helped her endometriosis, but the side effects (especially depression) are bad. Any suggestions on how to alleviate the pain, which is often debilitating?

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My menstrual cycle is inconsistent

August 30, 2013 at 11:32am

I am a 55 year old female with a normal menstrual history from age 13 through age 50ish. The last couple of years, my menstruation has been more frequent and heavier. It stopped for six months before last October, then once in October and once in January. Then I had a bit of spotting, then nothing for five months.

Five days ago, I had a heavy flow start. In April, at my normal pap exam, my doctor thought she saw something, so I was sent for a follow up with a sonogram. The doctor at the sonogram appointment thought she saw something as well, so she referred me to an oncologist who recommended removing everything.

I went for a second opinion with an equally qualified top doctor who said the previous physicians read the sonogram incorrectly and everything was fine. This physician did a cervical biopsy, which came back negative. I have been experiencing extreme stress this past month, could that have been the cause of my recent bleeding?

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In Vitro Fertilization (IVF)

August 22, 2013 at 12:01pm

I’ve heard of IVF, but am not really sure what it is. Can you explain it?

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Do I still need an internal exam?

February 8, 2013 at 9:44am

I have not had an internal exam by my Primary Care Physician for more than two years. The nurse practitioner told me that I don’t need one since I do not have a cervix. (I had a hysterectomy in 2007.) Isn’t there still something "below the waist" that should be examined?

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Headaches during pregnancy

September 4, 2012 at 3:30pm

I am almost 32 weeks pregnant and have been getting constant headaches for the past 1-2 weeks. My blood pressure and urine have been normal.

Please advise what I can do? And what could be causing this?

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