Yeast Infections -- More Complicated Than You'd Think
Feb 08, 2012

Statistically, most women will have had at least one yeast infection at some point in their life. With a yeast infection comes irritation, burning, and sometimes a discharge or odor. The symptoms quickly become more apparent and bothersome -- urination may become painful, with intercourse becoming unthinkable.

With yeast infections being ubiquitous, the most common course of action women choose is to buy an over-the-counter treatment. Unfortunately, according womenshealth.gov, "Studies show that two-thirds of women who buy these products don't really have a yeast infection." Infections and reactions that are frequently mistaken for yeast infections include urinary tract infections, bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, herpes, and dermatologic disorders.

Using yeast infection treatments incorrectly or for things other than yeast infections can make the problem worse. The other STIs that may have similar symptoms can cause serious problems like cancer, infertility, and other ill effects if they go untreated or are treated incorrectly.

Seattle Women's regularly sees women who have undertaken the trouble and expense of home treatment for yeast infections, only to have developed a more complicated infection that is difficult to diagnose and treat. These symptoms can be very painful and irritating, so every effort is made at Seattle Women's to make appointments within twenty-four hours.

An appointment for a yeast infection or similar condition involves a visual inspection of the vulva and vagina, a measure of pH to determine the nature of the infection, and an examination of discharge. If not pre-treated at home, it is usually a simple matter to diagnose the specific cause of irritation and prescribe an appropriate treatment. Sometimes it may be necessary to send specimens for further analysis. Regardless, specific disorders call for specific treatments, and it is our job at Seattle Women's to make make sure every patient receives individualized quality care.

Robin Kroll, MD

© 2012 Seattle Women's: Health, Research, Gynecology All Rights Reserved

Let's Talk About "Pap Smears"
Feb 01, 2012

The purpose of this test is to detect cervical cancer and pre-cancerous changes of the cervix. The guidelines for annual testing for cervical cancer have changed with increased understanding of the way cervical cancer develops and the role of Human Papilloma Virus. The biggest change is that we do not begin this test until age 21. After that, the frequency is determined by your personal history and results.

What this means to you:
• If you or your daughter is under age 21 you (or she) do not need to have a Pap Smear
• If you have received the “HPV Vaccine”, Gardasil, you still need to have regular Pap smears
• You may elect to have HPV testing in addition to the Pap Smear. If this is negative, it may allow you to have Pap Smears less frequently.

Most importantly, the “Pap smear” is a small part of the annual exam. An annual gynecologic examination is still an essential part of care for women. We perform a breast examination, review your mammogram reports, and examine your thyroid gland, lymph nodes and abdomen. The pelvic examination includes a thorough inspection of your vulva and vagina as well as your cervix. The remainder of the pelvic examination involves palpation of your cervix, uterus and ovaries. So, whether you need a Pap smear or not-it is important to have a gynecologic exam yearly.

Robin Kroll, MD

© 2012 Seattle Women's: Health, Research, Gynecology All Rights Reserved

Mammogram Frequencies
Jan 25, 2012

To do or not to do…. That is the question when it comes to Mammograms! Recently, the media has given a lot of attention to the topic of “having or not having” mammograms, so we thought that we’d try to shed some light on the question.

National organizations differ in their recommendations of when to begin and how often mammograms should be done. While some organizations are recommending less frequent screening, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and The American Cancer Society concur on breast cancer screening recommendations: Start at age 40 and have a mammogram every year. It is important that you discuss how the different recommendations apply to your unique situation.

If you find a lump, don’t hesitate to come in and have it evaluated as soon as possible. Most of the time, the lump is benign (not cancerous) but it is ALWAYS good to “check it out.” When you find a lump a NORMAL MAMMOGRAM IS NOT SUFFICIENT TO EVALUATE IT. You need to see your practitioner.

Susan Vendeland, ARNP

© 2012 Seattle Women's: Health, Research, Gynecology All Rights Reserved