There are moments in scientific discovery that are undeniably important in modern medicine and research. Take Andrew Fleming, for example, who mistakenly discovered Penicillin in 1928. Dr. Fleming returned from a two week vacation to find mold contaminating one of his bacterial culture plates. But he also noticed that this mold prevented the growth of…
Physical Therapist and guest blogger Jennifer Chu from ITR Physical Therapy weighs in: Have you heard of Kegel exercises? Gynecologists recommend them. Maybe you saw an evocative article in a women’s magazine. Have you ever discussed Kegel exercises among friends over a glass of wine? Maybe you’ve heard of these exercises, but what are they…
Should I Be Tested for Genetic Mutations Linked to Cancer? A Real-Life Example of Someone Who Said Yes – Kathleen Flynn O’Neill, NP This is the story of Megan. Megan has a family history of breast cancer. Her grandmother was diagnosed at a young age and passed away at 41 years old. In 2017, we…
What are uterine fibroids? Uterine fibroids – also known as leiomyomas or myomas – are benign (not cancer) growths that develop from the muscle part of the uterus. The size, shape, and location of fibroids can vary greatly. They may be inside the uterus, on its outer surface or within its wall, or attached to…
In 2014, the FDA initially approved Gardasil 9 for use in females and males ages 9 through 26. In October 2018, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expanded the approved use of the Gardasil 9 vaccine to now include women and men 27 through 45 years of age. Gardasil 9 prevents certain cancers and…
One in eight women will develop an invasive breast cancer in her lifetime. Early detection through self exams and mammograms is key, and there are many places in Washington, D.C. to get a mammogram. These are useful for preventive screenings, as well as evaluating any lumps or abnormalities detected during a self-breast exam. When Should…
Proper vaginal hygiene is extremely important for a woman’s health. Whether or not you’re of reproductive age, keeping the vulva clean the correct way can make a huge difference when it comes to vaginal infections. Your vagina is a sensitive area and, thankfully, maintaining good hygiene is incredibly simple. The most important part about vaginal…
The IUD – or intrauterine device – is a popular form of birth control that’s long-lasting and highly effective against unplanned pregnancy. It’s a small T-shaped device with strings that is easily placed and removed by your doctor. There are two types: copper and progesterone. IUDs are popular for their ease of use. With…
Human papillomavirus, or HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection (STI). About 79 million Americans have HPV and 14 million people become infected with it each year. For many people, the virus goes away on its own without much incident. There’s also a vaccine available to protect people. The bad news is that, if undetected…
A study published in the journal Cancer was recently reviewed by CNN. It discusses the risk of dying from cervical cancer. The authors suggest that the risk of death from cancer should be calculated in a way that adjusts for women who have had a hysterectomy. They believe that this method of calculation is more accurate…
Odds are you never expected to hear the words “nanotechnology” and “menstrual cycle” in the same sentence. If you read the Washington Post and saw this week’s Health Section, then you know where I’m headed. Thanks to Dr. Sharma at the Indian Institute of Technology, maxi pad technology is about to be revolutionized. Indian women have…
Many of my patients have noticed and asked about a recent addition to their mammogram results letter – a comment regarding the density of their breast tissue. What is breast density? It’s a proportional measure of the different types of tissue that make up breasts. Glandular and connective tissue absorb more radiation and show up…