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.
If a woman is sexually active and she is fertile — physically able to become
pregnant — she needs to ask herself, "Do I want to become pregnant now?" If her
answer is "No," she must use some method of birth control (contraception).
If a woman does not want to get pregnant at this point in her life, does she
plan to become pregnant in the future? Soon? Much later? Never? Her answers to these
questions can determine the method of birth control that she and her male sexual
partner use — now and in the future.
There are a number of different ways to describe birth control. Terms include
contraception, pregnancy prevention, fertility control, and family planning. But
no matter what the process is called, sexually active people can choose from a
plethora of methods to reduce the possibility of their becoming pregnant.
Nevertheless, no method of birth control available today offers perfect
protection against sexually transmitted infections
in women, and sexually
transmitted infections in men (sexually transmitted
diseases, or STDs), except abstinence.
It is estimated that there are over three million unplanned pregnancies every year
in the United States. Half of these unplanned pregnancies happen because a
couple does not use any birth control at all, and the other half occur because
the couple uses birth control, but not correctly.
In simple terms, all methods of birth control are based on either preventing
a man's sperm from reaching and entering a woman's egg (fertilization) or
preventing the fertilized egg from implanting in the woman's uterus (her womb)
and starting to grow.
Birth control methods can be reversible or permanent. Reversible birth
control means that the method can be stopped at essentially any time without
long-term effects on fertility (the ability to become pregnant).
Permanent birth
control usually means that the method cannot be undone or reversed, most likely
because it involved surgery. Examples of permanent methods include
vasectomy for
the man or tubal ligation for the woman.
Birth control methods can also be classified according to whether they are a
barrier method (for example, a condom) that blocks sperm, a mechanical method
(for example, an intrauterine device
[IUD]), or a
hormonal method (for example,
the
"pill").
"Natural" methods do not rely on devices or hormones but on observing some
aspect of a woman's body physiology in order to prevent fertilization.
The direct responsibility for most of the methods of birth control that are
currently available rests with the woman. The input of a health care
practitioner
may sometimes be essential in choosing appropriate birth control. New methods of
birth control are being developed and tested all the time. And what is
appropriate for a couple at one point may change with time and circumstances.
Unfortunately, no birth control method, except abstinence, is considered to
be 100% effective.
Systemic lupus erythematosus is a condition characterized by chronic inflammation of body tissues caused by autoimmune disease. Lupus can cause disease of the skin, heart, lungs, kidneys, joints, and nervous
system. When only the skin is involved, the condition is called discoid lupus.
When internal organs are involved, the condition is called systemic lupus
erythematosus (SLE).
Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs,
are infections that are transmitted during any type of sexual exposure,
including intercourse (vaginal or anal), oral sex, and the sharing of sexual
devices, such as vibrators. Women can contract all of the STDs, but may have no symptoms, or have different symptoms than men do.
Cervical cancer is cancer of the entrance to the womb (uterus). Regular pelvic exams and Pap testing can detect precancerous changes in the cervix. Precancerous changes in the cervix may be treated with cryosurgery, cauterization, or laser surgery. The most common symptom of cancer of the cervix is abnormal bleeding.
Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, are infections that are transmitted during any
type of sexual exposure, including intercourse (vaginal or anal), oral sex, and
the sharing of sexual devices, such as vibrators. Although treatment exists for many STDs, others currently are
usually incurable, such as those caused by HIV, HPV, hepatitis B and C, and HHV-8.
Dry eyes are caused by an imbalance in the tear-flow system of the eye, but also can be caused by the drying out of the tear film. This can be due to dry air created by air conditioning, heat, or other environmental conditions.
Toxic shock syndrome (TSS) is a condition caused by toxins formed by Staphylococcus aureus or group A Streptococcus bacteria. Signs and symptoms include fever, low blood pressure, rash, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting. Left untreated, the patient will experience confusion, dizziness, headaches, seizures, and multiorgan failure. Treatment involves intravenous fluids and antibiotics, oxygen administration, surgery to drain the source of infection, and removal of tampons, nasal packings, or other sources of infection.
Melasma is a patchy brown discoloration of the skin on the face. When it occurs in pregnancy, it's called chloasma. Melasma is commonly treated with hydroquinone creams.
Pregnancy planning is important to help prevent exposure of the mother and fetus to potentially harmful medications and substances during the early days, and throughout the pregnancy. Nutritional planning, prevention of birth defects, conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and kidney disease need careful monitoring. Gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and pregnancy induced hypertension are conditions that may arise during pregnancy. Immunizations, inherited disorders, exercise, air travel, intercourse, and birth control are important factors to consider when planning a pregnancy.
Lifestyle changes, a healthy antioxidant-rich diet, exercise, and weight reduction can help reduce a woman's risk of developing breast cancer. It's important to be aware of how risk factors such as family history, lifestyle factors, breast conditions, radiation therapy, and hormonal factors may influence your chances of developing breast cancer. Mammography and breast self-examinations are crucial steps in breast cancer prevention.
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.
Sexual health information including birth control, impotence, herpes, sexually transmitted diseases, staying healthy, women's sexual health concerns, and men's sexual health concerns. Learn about the most common sexual conditions affecting men and women.
Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a diseases in which blood clots within the capillaries. Causes associated with HUS include E. Coli, birth control pills, pneumonia, medications such as chemotherapy, Ticlid, and quinine. Symptoms of HUS include gastroenteritis, abdominal cramping, vomiting, and bloody diarrhea. Diagnosis of HUS includes medical history, physical examination, and medical tests. Treatment includes rest, fluids, possible hospitalization for blood transfusion or complications due to kidney failure.
There are four phases to the sexual response for men and women. Couple do not usually reach each phase at the same time, and they are dependant from individual to individual. The four phases of the sexual response cycle include phase 1, excitement; phase 2, plateau; phase 3 orgasm; and phase 4 resolution.
As breast cancer is the most diagnosed non-skin cancer in American women, it is important to know your breast cancer risk. Risk factors include age, age at menarche, age at first live birth, history of breast abnormalities, breast biopsies, race, and history or breast cancer among first-degree relatives.
Reproductive health encompasses the beginning of menstruation for women, choosing the right birth control method for you and your partner, preventing contracting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), and for women, ending with the menopausal transition.
Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed non-skin cancer in American
women. An estimated 213,000 American women will be diagnosed with breast cancer
in 2006. The risk of breast cancer increases as women get older. Over the years,
researchers have identified certain characteristics, usually called risk
factors, which influence a woman's chance of getting the disease. Still, many
women who develop breast cancer have no known risk factors other than growing
older, and many women with known risk factors do not develop breast cancer.
2. What is the Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool?
The Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool is a computer program that was
developed by scientists at the National Cancer Institute and the National
Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) to assist health care
providers in discussing breast cancer risk with their female patients. The tool
allows a hea...