Epilepsy and pregnancy: minimizing the risks
January 1st 2004Does maternal epilepsy increase the risk of congenital malformations, or are the antiepileptic drugs to blame? Either way, the primary goal of therapy during pregnancy is to control a woman's seizures while minimizing fetal exposure to anticonvulsive drugs.
Cover Story: Preventing breast Ca with aromatase inhibitors
December 1st 2003With new research showing that aromatase inhibitors can dramatically cut the risk of recurring breast cancer, patients will probably have many questions about drugs like anastrozole and letrozole. Two experts review the scientific evidence on these valuable agents.
Cover Story: Vasa previa: Are most perinatal deaths preventable?
November 1st 2003A patient with vasa previa need not lose her baby if the condition is diagnosed before membranes rupture and elective C/S is performed. A protocol that uses TVS with color Doppler on all women at risk has the potential to eliminate vasa previa as a cause of perinatal mortality.
March of Dimes Updates: Integrating genetics into your practice
November 1st 2003Ob/gyns are having to devote significantly more time to medical genetics because of the field's increasing impact on clinical practice. The March of Dimes's new online genetics resource and continuing education program can help you respond to patients'needs with the most up-to-date, customized, and practical information
Treatment options for vulvar vestibulitis
October 1st 2003Considering how successful surgery is, how do you tell a young woman who's unable to have intercourse that she needs to learn to live with her pain? Even so, a surgical approach is only for carefully selected women--usually those with primary vestibulitis who have exhausted other treatment options.
Cover Story: When a chronically ill patient needs contraceptives
October 1st 2003While some hormonal contraceptives are clearly contraindicated in specific chronic disorders, others pose little or no threat for the same condition. To provide practical guidelines on the subject, two experts review the "WHO Medical Eligibility Criteria for Contraceptive Use."