According to the latest data from the National Center for Health Statistics babies born prematurely has risen to more than 12.5%, the highest level in two decades, and a more than 30% increase since 1981. In 2004, more than half a million babies were born prematurely in the United States. Babies born prematurely have less developed organs than full-term babies and are more likely to face serious ...

The incidence and death rates from cervical cancer in the United States have dropped almost 50% since the widespread use of PAP smears began in the early 1970’s. However, cervical cancer still remains the third most common gynecologic cancer in the USA. The American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists (ACOG) recently released new recommendations for cervical cancer screening that ...

For women seeking reversible contraception and interested in putting their period on hold, the FDA recently approved Lybrel® as the first combination oral contraceptive taken 365 days a year. The safety profile of this non-cyclic oral contraceptive was reported as similar to that of a traditional, cyclic oral contraceptive. Effectiveness is at least equal and perhaps slightly better. A ...

Month-after-month there are many women who endure heavy periods. According to the World Health Organization, there is a 30% chance you’ll have to tolerate this recurring affliction during your lifetime. Women often acquiesce, accepting a gradual increase in the amount and duration of their menstrual flow. Unfortunately, they falsely assume this is a normal part of aging. Iron deficiency ...

Creative use of contraceptive technology has helped us manage a number of gynecologic as well as non-reproductive illnesses. This so called “off label” use often requires “outside the box” creative thinking. This is common in the practice of medicine as we realize benefits other than contraception for which these prescriptions were initially intended. The “morning ...