If your idea of "regular" is waiting until something feels wrong, we need to talk. Ideally, once a year for a check-up, which includes a pelvic exam, breast exam, and Pap smear (as needed). If you're 21 or older, you should be getting Pap smears every 3 years, or every 5 years with HPV testing after 30 (ACOG guidelines). But if you experience unusual symptoms—pain, bleeding, or weird discharge—don’t wait for your annual appointment.

If your body is throwing red flags, don’t ignore them. Heavy, unexplained bleeding? Chronic pelvic pain? Painful intercourse? Strange discharge? That’s your uterus screaming, "HELP ME!" And if you’re postmenopausal and bleeding, consider that an emergency—because it could signal something serious, like endometrial cancer.

There’s "ugh, cramps again" pain, and then there’s "curled up on the floor questioning life choices" pain. If you're missing work or social events because of your period, something’s up. Endometriosis, adenomyosis, fibroids, or even hormonal imbalances can cause debilitating pain. Don’t suffer in silence—there are great treatments available.

If your period feels like a scene from a horror movie, it’s time for an intervention. Hormonal therapy (birth control pills, IUDs, or hormonal injections) can lighten the flow, while medications like tranexamic acid help reduce bleeding without affecting hormones. If things are really out of control, hysteroscopy, endometrial ablation, or myomectomy might be options. The choice of therapy is individual and depends on many factors. For the best result, consult a doctor.

Birth control is not one-size-fits-all (if only it were that easy!). Want something you don’t have to think about? Try an IUD or implant. Hate hormones? Consider a copper IUD. Need acne control? A combined birth control pill could help. Done having kids? Sterilization might be an option. Let’s chat about your goals and find the best fit.

Think of laparoscopy as the "minimalist" version of surgery—tiny incisions, less pain, faster recovery. Open surgery, on the other hand, is the "old-school, big incision, longer downtime" method. Most procedures can now be done laparoscopically (or even robotically!), meaning smaller scars and quicker healing.

Hysteroscopy is like having a tiny detective investigate your uterus—except instead of solving crimes, it finds and removes polyps, fibroids, and adhesions or even helps diagnose abnormal bleeding. And the best part? No incisions!

Absolutely! Laparoscopic myomectomy is safe, effective, and fertility-friendly. Unless your fibroid is the size of a watermelon (in which case, open surgery might be better), most fibroids can be removed through tiny incisions.

When your uterus is causing more trouble than it’s worth—think massive fibroids, chronic pain, cancer, or severe bleeding. But don’t worry, it’s not the default solution for every problem. There are many uterus-saving treatments before we go full removal mode.

Recovery time for laparoscopic surgery is 1-2 weeks. For open surgery, it is 4-6 weeks. Recovery time depends on the procedure, but minimally invasive options will likely get you up and about much faster.

It’s not just "bad periods", and managing it isn’t always simple. Treatments include hormones (birth control, progestins, GnRH agonists), pain relief (NSAIDs), and if needed, laparoscopy with excision to remove endometriosis lesions. The choice of therapy is individual and depends on many factors. For the best result, consult a doctor.

Nope, as it is a chronic disease. However, it can be managed really well. Surgery and hormonal therapy are the best bets for keeping symptoms in check and improving fertility.

Endometriosis is uterine tissue growing where it shouldn’t (outside the uterus). Adenomyosis is uterine tissue growing into the muscle of the uterus, making periods ridiculously painful and heavy. It’s like your uterus is sabotaging itself.

Yes! Endometriosis, ovarian cysts, infections, or even cancer can cause chronic pain. Don’t normalize pain—find out what’s causing it!

Imagine your ovaries as a bank account—you’re born with all the eggs you’ll ever have, and there are no deposits, only withdrawals. In your 20s and early 30s, your fertility is like a high-interest savings account—plenty of eggs, good quality, and a high chance of pregnancy. Around age 35, things start to slow down, and by 40, your fertility is in “low-battery” mode, with higher chances of genetic abnormalities in eggs. By 45, spontaneous pregnancy is rare. If you’re thinking of postponing pregnancy, fertility preservation (egg freezing) might be a great option.

Yes, fibroids can be like bad roommates in your uterus, taking up space and causing all sorts of trouble. Depending on their size and location, they can block sperm from meeting the egg, distort the uterine cavity (making implantation difficult), or interfere with blood flow to a developing embryo. Submucosal fibroids (inside the uterine lining) are the worst offenders, but even intramural fibroids (inside the muscle layer) can reduce fertility. If fibroids are causing problems, options like myomectomy (surgical removal) or hysteroscopic resection can help restore fertility.

Your ovarian reserve is basically the number of good-quality eggs left in your "fertility bank account." We can estimate it using:

• AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) test – A blood test that measures ovarian reserve; the higher the level, the better the reserve.
• Antral follicle count (AFC) – An ultrasound that counts the small, developing follicles in your ovaries.
• FSH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone) test – A blood test done on day 3 of your cycle; higher levels may indicate lower ovarian reserve.

If your reserve is low and you’re not ready for pregnancy yet, egg freezing is a great option to preserve fertility.

If you plan to delay pregnancy beyond your early 30s, have a medical condition affecting fertility (like endometriosis), or need treatments like chemotherapy, you should consider egg or embryo freezing. The best results come from freezing eggs before age 35, though it’s still possible later. Think of it as an insurance policy for your future family—no guarantees, but a much better chance than waiting.

Menopause is puberty in reverse—but with more sweat and fewer good surprises. Symptoms vary but can include:

• Hot flashes & night sweats – Your internal thermostat is on the fritz.
• Mood swings & irritability – One minute you're fine, the next you're crying over a coffee commercial.
• Brain fog & forgetfulness – Walking into a room and forgetting why? Welcome to the club.
• Vaginal dryness & discomfort – Thanks to lower estrogen, intimacy might feel less pleasant (but there are great treatments for this!).
• Irregular periods – One month it's light, the next it’s Niagara Falls.

The good news? Menopause isn’t all bad—many women enjoy freedom from periods, PMS, and pregnancy worries. The right treatments can make the transition much smoother.

HRT has gotten a bad rep, but the truth is, for most healthy women under 60, it's an effective way to manage menopausal symptoms. The risks (like breast cancer and blood clots) are very low for short-term use and depend on factors like your personal and family medical history.
HRT can:

• Stop hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings
• Protect bone health (reducing osteoporosis risk)
• Improve vaginal health and libido

Alternatives like non-hormonal medications, vaginal estrogen, or lifestyle changes can also help if HRT isn’t for you. The key is customizing treatment to fit your needs.

Pap smears are like oil changes for your cervix—do them regularly, and they can save your life.

• Ages 21-29: Every 3 years if normal.
• Ages 30-65: Every 5 years with HPV co-testing, or every 3 years with just a Pap smear.
• After 65: If your last few tests were normal, you may be done forever!

If you've had abnormal results, HPV, or a history of cervical precancer, your schedule might be different—your doctor will guide you.

Your body whispers before it screams, so listen up. Warning signs include:

• Postmenopausal bleeding – Big red flag. Even a little spotting needs checking.
• Unusual discharge – Watery, bloody, or foul-smelling? Time for an exam.
• Bloating & persistent pelvic pain – If you constantly feel like you've eaten a giant meal, but you haven't, ovarian cancer could be a concern.
• Frequent urination or trouble emptying your bladder – Could be a sign of ovarian or uterine cancer.

Early detection saves lives, so don’t ignore these symptoms!

Yes, and absolutely yes! HPV is the #1 cause of cervical cancer, and the vaccine can prevent over 90% of HPV-related cancers.

• Who should get it? Ideally, boys and girls ages 9-12, but it’s approved for up to age 45.
• Already sexually active? Still worth it—you may not have been exposed to all the HPV strains.
• Is it safe? Yes! Studies show no serious side effects, just a sore arm and lifetime protection.

If you missed out on the vaccine as a teen, it’s not too late to protect yourself now!