Mount Auburn Healthcare Connection

"Begin by talking with your doctor," says Peter Rosenblatt, M.D., Director of Urogynecology at Mount Auburn Hospital. "They will review your medical history, discuss your symptoms, and do a physical and pelvic exam. They will also get a urinalysis to make sure there isn't an infection and may refer you for specialized testing, such as urodynamics or cystoscopy."

"Fibroids can prevent the placenta from attaching to the wall of the uterus if the growth is in the lining of the uterus," says Anthony DiSciullo, M.D., Urogynecologist at Mount Auburn Hospital. "By looking through a hysterscope, we're able to determine if the fibroids are compromising the ability of the placenta to attach and can remove them."

"After having a tubal ligation or the Essure, your menstrual cycle is typically the same as it was before the procedure," says Anne d'Avenas, M.D., Obstetrician and Gynecologist at Mount Auburn Hospital. "Tubal ligation and the Essure should be used as a permanent form of birth control. However, there are several treatments to improve an abnormal period and your doctor can help determine the best treatment option for you."

"Physical therapy techniques are often very successful at strengthening weakened pelvic floor muscles," says Eman Elkadry, Urogynecologist at Mount Auburn Hospital. "It's best to see your doctor to make sure that proper healing has occurred after delivery. If the rectal muscle is intact then your doctor can refer you to a qualified physical therapist as well as monitor your progress."

"I encourage women to get all the vitamins they need through their diet. However, calcium and vitamin D are the two main vitamins that are more difficult to obtain adequate amounts of from your daily diet," says Amy McGaraghan, M.D., Gynecologist and Obstetrician at Mount Auburn Hospital. "Women should get about 1,200 milligrams of calcium and 400-600 International Units of vitamin D each day. If they have vitamin deficiencies, a daily women's multivitamin is recommended."