Ask the Nurse

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

Uncontrollable gas

July 2, 2012 at 4:31pm

I have uncontrollable gas. It has no pattern and it is worse if I have to urinate. Can you please offer any advice to control the gas?

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I am experiencing hot flashes - is this menopause?

June 20, 2012 at 10:55am

I am 51 years old and have gained weight and have regular periods. I am always warm and I am experiencing periodic hot flashes. Is this menopause? I have had my thyroid levels checked and they are normal. Could it be something else?

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Sun exposure and Vitamin D

June 19, 2012 at 10:37am

How much of the body has to be exposed without cover to get enough Vitamin D? Ten minutes is always the time I find when researching, but I cannot find out how much of the body has to be actually exposed.

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Seronegative Rheumatoid Arthritis

June 7, 2012 at 11:53am

I am diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis but have been told lately I am seronegative. When I see other specialists they act like I don’t have anything wrong. I am starting to have almost as much muscle pain as I do joint pain. Can you help me understand why and what I can do about it?

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Diagnosis of thick uterine lining

June 6, 2012 at 11:06am

I was recently diagnosed with a thicker than normal uterine lining (11.5 mm) by my Ob/Gyn through a vaginal ultrasound. He would like to biopsy and possibly a D&C (dilation and curettage). Sounds fine, but I believe in also preventing the problem from occurring again.

Through personal research my understanding is that during perimenopause the lining can become thicker due to a lack of progesterone. Obesity and endometriosis are two other factors, but they do not apply to me. The most likely explanation is low progesterone. Also, please note that I have been taking Estrotone® (made mostly from Black Cohosh) to eliminate the hot flashes and moodiness on my own for the past year. It helped, but I’m afraid it may have now made me estrogen dominant. I would like to have my blood work run so a complete hormone panel can be run and evaluated. In which case, if I need progesterone afterwards, we know for sure rather than just guessing. In your opinion which medical doctor is most qualified to run and interpret this type of panel?

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Bone Density Tests

May 4, 2012 at 3:33pm

My friend just had a bone density test. What kind of test is this and do I need it?

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Pros and Cons of Hormone Replacement Therapy

May 3, 2012 at 3:26pm

My sister is on hormone replacement therapy. I’m not sure if I should consider it. What are the pros and cons?

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Treatment Options for Fibroids

March 28, 2012 at 9:45pm

My doctor says I have fibroids and need a hysterectomy. Are there any other options?

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Hormone Replacement Therapy Benefits

March 16, 2012 at 3:03pm

Can you tell me please, what are the benefits of Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)?

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Ovarian Cysts

March 14, 2012 at 2:55pm

My daughter is 18 and she has strong pain every month. The doctor said she probably has some cysts on her ovaries. Can this be true if she is this young?

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