Offering high-quality ob/gyn care for lesbian patients
September 1st 2003Most lesbian patients hesitate to reveal their sexual orientation, even though you need that information to deliver targeted health care. Creating a nonjudgmental office environment can encourage trust and disclosure, helping you to better address their unique health needs.
Your pregnant or lactating patient has been exposed to anthrax: now what?
September 1st 2003Anthrax is an optimal biologic weapon because of its fatal course, if the infection is left untreated. Ob/gyns have a critical role to play in recognizing the infection, providing timely and appropriate treatment or prophylaxis, and monitoring patients for adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Cover Story: Should your patients be on extended-use OCs?
September 1st 2003Women treated with OCs for menstrual disorders like dysmenorrhea and irregular bleeding may not want to put up with the withdrawal symptoms linked with the standard regimen's 7-day hormone-free interval. Extending active therapy and reducing hormone-free days can improve their quality of life.
Comparing the monkey and human data on tibolone
August 1st 2003A detailed look at the design and outcomes of the monkey trial on tibolone, by Drs. Tom Clarkson and Leon Speroff. Available only online in conjunction with the authors' article, "Is tibolone a viable alternative to HT?" in our August 2003 issue.
Putting the WHI report on breast cancer into perspective
August 1st 2003A large body of research suggests that tumors in hormone users are better-differentiated and of lower grade and stage, with better outcomes. The contrary findings from WHI may reflect the older age of the participants and a need to discontinue HT 2 weeks before mammography in women aged 65 and older with dense breasts.
Do liquid-based Pap smears need a transformation zone component?
July 1st 2003A many as 20% of specimens from liquid-based cytology may lack a TZ component. The author examines the evidence on whether that should be of concern to clinicians and reveals two easy steps that can help you obtain more TZ in Pap specimens.
Cover Story: When should you induce amenorrhea?
June 2nd 2003Therapeutic amenorrhea is not always easy to initiate or to maintain. But anticipating prolonged, heavy bleeding in patients with certain medical problems--and managing it prophylactically--is far better than trying to stop potentially life-threatening bleeding once it's begun.