by Mona Saint MD on April 13, 2010
Last Fall, the USPSTF released controversial new mammogram guidelines changing recommendations for mammograms to start at age 50 rather than 40 and recommending mammograms every 2 years rather than annually. This was met with national public and professional outrage and subsequently many physician groups and the American Cancer Society came out against these guidelines. In addition, the Senate disagreed with guidelines and approved an amendment that would require health insurance companies to cover mammograms for women aged 40-49.
Suffice it to say, I do not agree with these USPSTF guidelines. I recommend that women get a baseline digital mammogram between the ages of 35-40 and then annually beginning at age 40. Women at high risk for breast cancer (personal history, dense breasts, strong family history, and/or carrier of BRCA type gene mutations predisposing to breast cancer…
by Mona Saint MD on February 18, 2009
Many women struggle with menopausal symptoms and opt to take hormone replacement during this time. Hormone replacement consists of estrogen and progesterone and it can be taken orally, via patches, and as creams and gels. There are always many questions regarding hormones, given how difficult the perimenopause and menopause can be, and with the various [...]
by Mona Saint MD on February 14, 2009
A new study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that women who start out their pregnancy obese have a significantly higher risk of having babies with birth defects. Some of these abnormalities include neural tube defects, spina bifida, heart abnormalities, cleft lip and palate, and brain abnormalities. Fortunately, the overall risk of [...]
by Mona Saint MD on February 3, 2009
Two studies just released in the British Medical Journal both found ways to effectively treat and prevent postpartum depression without antidepressant medications. One study found that patients who received counseling from a trained nurse had significantly less postpartum depression at 6 months postpartum than the group that did not receive any special counseling. In the [...]
by Mona Saint MD on January 31, 2009
Researchers in this study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that in overweight and obese women, weight loss of about 17 lbs significantly reduced urinary incontinence symptoms. This study may help to ease some women’s fears about incontinence during exercise. Weight loss, of course, has many health benefits in those overweight, including reduction [...]
by Mona Saint MD on January 21, 2009
A study in the New England Journal of Medicine found that elective repeat cesarean delivery before 39 weeks increases the risks to the newborn. Risks can include respiratory problems, infection, low blood sugar, and prolonged hospitalizations. The good news is that the current standard of care is not to schedule elective cesarean deliveries before 39 [...]
by Mona Saint MD on January 21, 2009
Researchers found an association with sleeping less than 7 hours a night and an almost 3 times risk of catching the common cold virus than those who slept 8 hours or more. Those who slept less and had poorer sleep quality had the highest risk. Sleep may play a role in the body’s response to [...]
by Mona Saint MD on January 21, 2009
Women with preterm labor who were given intravenous magnesium sulfate were found to have newborns with a lower rate of cerebral palsy. Fortunately, magnesium sulfate is a commonly used medication in the U.S. to stop preterm labor in hospitalized patients, and this is a promising finding.
Doyle LW, et al “Magnesium sulfate for women at risk of preterm [...]
by Mona Saint MD on January 6, 2009
A small study showed that pregnant women who had a Vitamin D deficiency at delivery had a higher chance of delivering via cesarean section than those who were not deficient. There are many factors that can lead to a cesarean section and currently Vitamin D levels are not checked during pregnancy. However, I am a [...]
by Mona Saint MD on January 6, 2009
This study found that adolescents who take abstinence pledges are not less sexually active than other adolescents but they are less likely to use condoms and birth control. Take home message: Teaching abstinence is commendable but adolescents should also be aware of pregnancy chances and sexual transmission of infections with sexual activity.
Rosenbaum. Pediatrics 2008; CBSNEWS.COM
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Mona Saint M.D., M.P.H. is a board certified Ob/Gyn and a mother of two young boys. She has won awards of excellence in gynecologic surgery and teaching, and she continually receives the highest ratings in patient satisfaction surveys. Most of all, she is appreciated for her down to earth and easy to understand explanations of complex medical questions and her empathetic style.