Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Dr. Shiel received a Bachelor of Science degree with honors from the University of Notre Dame. There he was involved in research in radiation biology and received the Huisking Scholarship. After graduating from St. Louis University School of Medicine, he completed his Internal Medicine residency and Rheumatology fellowship at the University of California, Irvine. He is board-certified in Internal Medicine and Rheumatology.
Pain medications are used to relieve the cramping pain of adenomyosis.
Currently, the only effective treatment for adenomyosis is a hysterectomy,
meaning removal of the uterus. This requires a recovery period and carries the
risk of surgery and anesthesia, as described above (see complications of an
operation for fibroids). The decision as to whether or not to have a
hysterectomy depends on the severity of the symptoms and the overall health of
the patient. Controlling the menstrual cycle through hormonal contraception (the
pill) or use of other hormones may provide some symptom relief.
Uterine Polyps
What are uterine polyps?
Polyps of the uterus are benign overgrowths, or bulges, of the normal tissue
lining the uterus into the uterine cavity. Polyps may also be found in the
uterine cervix. Polyps are usually attached to the underlying uterus by a base
or stalk, and they vary in size. Polyps only rarely contain cancerous cells.
They are most common in women in their 40's.
What are the symptoms of uterine polyps?
Uterine polyps may not produce any symptoms. However, some women may
experience:
Sometimes, the polyps stick out through the opening of the cervix so that
they are visible during a speculum exam, such as during a pap smear. Diagnosis
is by ultrasound or examination under a microscope of the tissue removed during
uterine sampling. A diagnosis can also be made by
hysteroscopy, the insertion of
a scope that allows visualization of the uterine cavity from the inside. It is
often possible to remove polyps during this procedure.
Curettage, a procedure in
which the lining of the uterus is removed, can be used to cure endometrial
polyps in most cases.
Abdominal pain is pain in the belly and can be acute or chronic. Causes include inflammation, distention of an organ, and loss of the blood supply to an organ. Abdominal pain can reflect a major problem with one of the organs in the abdomen such as the appendix, gallbladder, large and small intestine, pancreas, liver, colon, duodenum, and spleen.
An ectopic pregnancy is a pregnancy located outside the inner lining of the uterus. The majority of ectopic pregnancies occur in the Fallopian tube. Symptoms include abdominal pain, amenorrhea, and vaginal bleeding. Treatment options include observation, medication, or surgery.
Though uterine cancer's cause is unknown, there are many factors that will put a woman at risk, including: over age 50, endometrial hyperplasia, using hormone replacement therapy, obesity, using tamoxifen, being Caucasian, having colorectal cancer. Symptoms of cancer of the uterus (endometrial cancer) include abnormal vaginal bleeding, painful urination, painful intercourse, and pelvic pain. Treatment depends on staging and may include radiation therapy or hormone therapy.
A miscarriage is any pregnancy that ends spontaneously before the fetus can survive. Miscarriage usually occurs before the 13th week of pregnancy. The cause of a miscarriage cannot always be determined. The most common causes of a miscarriage in the first trimester are collagen vascular disease (lupus), hormonal problems, diabetes, chromosomal abnormalities, and congenital abnormalities of the uterus.
Uterine fibroids are benign tumors that originate in the uterus and are usually round or semi-round in shape. The most common symptom of a uterine fibroid is abnormal vaginal bleeding. Other symptoms include pressure, pelvic pain, pressure on the bladder, or pain during a bowel movement. Treatment options vary from surgery to medication.
Polycythemia (elevated red blood cell count) causes are either primary (aquired or genetic mutations) or secondary (diseases, conditions, high altitude). Treatment of polycythemia depends on the cause.
Menstruation (menstrual cycle) is also referred to as a "period." When a woman menstruates, the lining of the uterus is shed. This shedding of the uterine linking is the menstrual blood flow. The average menstrual cycle is 28 days. There can be problems with a woman's period, including heavy bleeding, pain, or skipped periods. Causes of these problems may be amenorrhea (lack fo a period), menstrual cramps (dysmenorrhea), or abnormal vaginal or uterine bleeding. There are a variety of situations in which a girl or woman should see a doctor about her menstrual cycle.
Women's health is an important topic area to guide a woman through the stages of her life, as well as knowing the conditions and diseases that may occur. Educating yourself so that the transitions into different phases of life is key to a healthy, happy, and productive life.
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