Vulvar Vestibulitis Symptoms

Pain is the primary vulvar vestibulitis symptom. Pain generally radiates in the vulva and opening of the vagina. However, pain location and intensity aren’t necessarily universal for all women with VSS. Pain can either be broad or localized. Certain activities may also trigger more pain and discomfort than others. Here’s a look at vulvar vestibulitis symptoms:

•  Burning, stinging, and irritation
•  Rawness or soreness
• Strong, sharp knife-life pain
• Aching and throbbing pain
• Swelling
• Pain triggered by biking or sitting for long periods of time
• Pain from tight clothing
• Pain from workouts or physical activity
• Pain when trying to use a tampon
• Pain during sex
• A sensation that you need to pee suddenly
• Unusual vaginal discharge
• Red blotches around the opening of the vagina

Vulvar vestibulitis symptoms are constant for some women. They may experience pain and swelling to some degree around the clock. For others, symptoms may only flare up when the vulva is irritated by touch, rigorous activity, or wearing ill-fitting clothing.

Causes of Vulvar Vestibulitis

Causes of vulvar vestibulitis aren’t fully known. However, there are several factors that are believed to play roles in VVS. For example, one school of thought is that some women simply have more nerves in the vulva area. This results in heightened sensitivity caused by nerves that send pleasure and pain signals through the nervous system to the brain.

Women may be at higher risk for developing VVS if they have a history of infections in the vagina. Past injury and irritation involving the nerves of the vulva can also increase risks. A sudden onset of VVS could potentially be an allergic reaction to fabrics or detergents. Finally, VVS could be caused by weakened pelvic floor muscles caused by childbirth, surgery, or physical injury.

Vulvar Vestibulitis Misdiagnosed as Vaginismus or Vulvodynia

VVS is sometimes misdiagnosed as a condition called vaginismus that’s characterized by involuntary muscle spasms that interfere with vaginal intercourse or penetration. While vaginal pain is a shared symptom of both, the pain experienced with vaginismus is caused by the tightening of pelvic floor muscles. Meanwhile, VVS specifically involves provoked or unprovoked pain of the vulva. Vulvar vestibulitis and vulvodynia are quite similar. VVS is technically a subset of vulvodynia. However, vulvodynia is a much broader diagnosis that refers to pain that can be experienced in the clitoris, labia majora, labia minora, urethra opening, vestibular bulbs and vestibule, urethra opening, vaginal opening, Bartholin’s gland, and more.

RELATED: Sex After Menopause | What Should You Know?

Treatment for Vulvar Vestibulitis

Due to the fact that VVS can have different underlying causes and triggers, treatment for vulvar vestibulitis is handled on a patient-by-patient basis. Once your care provider has established a VSS diagnosis, they may work with you to identify potential causes of vulvar vestibulitis that apply for you. Potential vulvar vestibulitis treatment options can include:

• Medications that treat inflammation and atrophy
• Switching to hypoallergenic detergents and soaps
• Avoiding some fabrics
• Avoiding tight-fitting pants and shorts
• Pelvic floor exercises or physical therapy
• Diet modification to reduce inflammation
• Injection therapies
• Laser therapies
• Surgery

Finally, it’s important to know that itching is not a sign of VVS. If you’re experiencing itching that’s accompanied by pain and other VVS symptoms, it’s so important to rule out infection or illness with the help of a care provider.

If you’re interested in learning more about treatment for vulvar vestibulitis, Dr. Michael Tahery is here to help you understand this diagnosis better. Dr. Tahery is an Obstetrician-Gynecologist (OB-GYN) and Urogynecologist in Los Angeles and Glendale, CA with more than 25 years of experience. Dr. Tahery and his staff are leaders in gynecology, urogynecology, and cosmetic care here in the Los Angeles area. Book an appointment today!

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While some discomfort is normal, many women unknowingly have endometriosis. This condition affects an estimated 11 percent of women between the ages of 15 and 44. It can develop in women only a few years after the first menstrual period. But many will be asymptomatic until the condition is severe. Furthermore, the signs of endometriosis are easy to mistake for other conditions, and it’s common for women to mistake them for standard period pain.

So, what are the differences between endometriosis vs menstrual cramps?

Normal Menstrual Cramps

Cramps are a relatively normal part of the menstrual cycle. Not everyone experiences them. Some have no discomfort at all, while others only navigate mild issues during their cycles. But for some women, cramps can cause debilitating pain lasting several days.

Typically, menstrual cramps begin one to three days before your period. They can peak within 24 hours after your period starts before subsiding a few days into menstruation.

Cramps occur when the body produces high levels of a hormone-like substance called prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are necessary for menstruation because they trigger your uterus to contract and shed its lining. The period pain you feel during this time is the byproduct of those contractions. It can create a throbbing sensation in the lower abdomen. Higher levels of prostaglandins can lead to severe cramps.

Fortunately, the pain and discomfort are temporary, and there are many ways to address cramps. But for women who suffer from substantial period pain, it can be difficult to distinguish endometriosis vs. menstrual cramps.

RELATED: Pelvic Pain: When is it Serious?

Signs and Symptoms of Endometriosis

Endometriosis occurs when tissue or cells from the uterine lining move and proliferate outside the uterus. Endometrial tissue can end up somewhere in the pelvic cavity, bowel, bladder, fallopian tubes, ovaries, and other pelvic organs. Those implants can grow and bleed inside the abdomen as hormones from the ovaries feed them.

The body responds to the tissue, resulting in inflammation. The pain women feel with endometriosis is the byproduct of that inflammation.

The symptoms of endometriosis can vary. What’s worse is that endometriosis may not cause symptoms at all. It’s common for women to live with this condition for many years until it gets severe enough to cause debilitating pain.

The most common sign of endometriosis is experiencing a painful period every cycle. Timing is an important factor when determining whether discomfort results from endometriosis vs. menstrual cramps, timing is an important factor. Menstrual cramps typically begin several days before the period starts. But with endometriosis, pain occurs throughout your period.=

Women also often feel pain during intercourse. Some feel it during a bowel movement or urination. Every woman experiences endometriosis differently, and the pain level depends on how severe the issue is. In most cases, period pain is cyclical. However, it can also be chronic and debilitating.

Endometriosis may also cause menstrual irregularity. That can include heavy bleeding and unpredictable cycles. A recurring painful period becomes common over time as the condition worsens. Eventually, the proliferating tissue in the abdomen can damage nearby organs and cause infertility.

RELATED: Endometriosis Diet: What To Eat And What To Avoid

Endometriosis vs. Menstrual Cramps Treatment

There are significant differences in treating endometriosis vs. menstrual cramps.

Treatment for menstrual cramps often involves over-the-counter pain relievers. Regularly taking these medications starting the day your period begins can help manage pain. For more serious cases, your doctor may prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatories.

Many women also turn to breathing exercises, heating pads, and muscle-relaxing activities to address discomfort.

Treating endometriosis is a different process. Some techniques for dealing with menstrual cramps may provide relief, but successful treatment involves addressing the tissue causing inflammation. Depending on the severity of the case, doctors may recommend hormonal birth control or medications to stunt tissue growth. However, the most effective treatment is often surgical.

Dr. Michael Tahery performs minimally invasive laparoscopy to diagnose and remove endometriosis. While other diagnostic approaches can indicate endometriosis, laparoscopy is the proper way to diagnose the condition. Dr. Tahery can perform the laparoscopy through the belly button to analyze the tissue. If appropriate, Dr. Tahery can remove the excess tissue growing outside the uterus.

Individualized treatment is crucial for painful periods or endometriosis. So If you’re unsure whether your pain is a product of endometriosis vs. menstrual cramps, you can turn to Dr. Michael Tahery. Dr. Tahery has over two decades of experience treating women in the Los Angeles area. He’s a board-certified OB/GYN, a member of the Cedars Sinai Center of Excellence in minimally invasive surgery, and an expert in treating endometriosis. You can trust Dr. Tahery to take care of your needs and provide the personal treatment you need. Contact our offices today to schedule an appointment with Dr. Tahery and discuss your period pain or endometriosis worries

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Unfortunately, some experience infections more often than others. About a quarter of women suffer from recurrent UTIs, turning an occasional bout of pain and discomfort into repeated frustration and concern.

Because of their prevalence, these infections are a common source of concern in women’s health circles. Misdiagnosis and mistreatment happen relatively frequently. As a result, women can’t address the underlying issues or take steps to prevent recurrent infections.

Recurrent urinary tract infections require careful management. Poorly managed, a UTI will continue to affect your quality of life and health.

What are the Symptoms of Recurrent UTIs?

A UTI is a bacterial infection in the urethra or bladder. Typically, they occur when bacteria enter the urethra and travel up the bladder. The bacteria can come from many sources, but bacteria from the anal area are the most common culprit.

The symptoms of recurrent infections are the same as a standard UTI. These include:

• Burning pain during urination
• A constant urge to urinate
• Decreased urine output
• Cloudly or colored urine
• Strong and unpleasant urine odor
• Pain and pressure in the pelvic area

In addition to a painful burning sensation, women often first notice signs of an infection by observing the cloudy appearance of the urine. In many cases, a UTI may cause red, pink, or brown discoloration.

So how often is too often? Generally, women who experience two or more UTIs in six months, or those who have three more infections during a year, are considered to have recurrent UTIs.

Proper UTI treatment can help reduce the effects of the infection. However, symptoms can persist for up to two weeks. In complex cases, the infection can spread to one or both kidneys.

With this UTI being so common, many believe that it’s a minor condition. However, a spreading infection presents a genuine risk for permanent kidney damage, reduced function, and overall failure.

RELATED: Is Your Pelvic Pain Caused by Your Bladder?

Diagnosis of Recurrent UTI’s

The biggest obstacle with urinary tract infections is diagnosis. When symptoms develop, the condition can progress quite rapidly. As a result, most women turn to primary care providers, urgent care facilities, or even the emergency room for evaluation.

Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for medical professionals to misdiagnose UTIs based solely on symptoms. As a result, women are sent home with antibiotics and simple care instructions or given antibiotics over the phone without a proper evaluation.

However, there’s a lot of overlap between UTIs and other common conditions, such as vaginal infections, sexually transmitted infections, pelvic inflammatory changes, or irritable bladder. The improper evaluation, lack of appropriate testing, and understanding the many conditions that could result in symptoms similar to a UTI results in frequent misdiagnosis and poor treatment outcomes.

One study published by the American Society of Microbiology found that less than half of women diagnosed with a UTI had one. To make matters worse, physicians missed about 37 cases of sexually transmitted infections. Most of those women got the wrong diagnosis of a UTI.

The most reliable symptoms of a UTI are burning during urination and blood in the urine. Other common symptoms such as urinary frequency, urgency, vaginal itching, and abnormal odor are less dependable. 

The best test to truly diagnose a UTI is to analyze a urinary sample. A urinary tract infection specialist will examine the urine under a microscope to look for bacteria or white blood cells. The presence of white blood cells indicates that the body is attempting to fight off an infection. Specialists may also take a urine culture to identify bacteria and yeast that could cause an infection.

It’s also critical to discuss these infections openly with a healthcare provider. Unless you’re vocal about recurrent UTIs, diagnosing physicians have no way of knowing that these infections are a regular thing. For this reason, many assume that it’s a single episode.

To investigate recurrent issues, consulting a urogynecologist, who specializes in diagnosing and treatment of urinary issues in women is needed.  A urogynecologist may adopt more detailed and sophisticated methods of examination. For example, they might take a closer look at the urethra, bladder, and surrounding organs using an ultrasound machine or cystoscopy techniques.

RELATED: Treating Vaginal Infections

Management and Treatment of Recurrent UTI’s

Proper UTI treatment is about more than just taking antibiotics. One of the biggest complaints about misdiagnosing cases is the reliance on repeated antibiotic therapy. Not only can antibiotics have unwanted side effects, but they can also lead to the bacteria developing resistance.

Even though when properly used antibiotics can be useful, overuse of antibiotics also damages the healthy bacterial environment in the vagina, intestines, and bladder which results in recurrent vaginal infections, poor digestions, and abnormal intestinal bacterial growth, as well as recurrent UTI’s. In my practice, I use antibiotics infrequently and strategically when absolutely necessary. In most cases, I use natural treatment options to help our bodies restore the normal environment and eliminate conditions that lead to recurrent infection. 

Ultimately, recurrent UTI treatment is about adopting healthier preventative habits and addressing any underlying health issues. All women are different, but standard management techniques include encouraging frequent urination and more water intake. Specialists can also recommend taking supplements, probiotics, or vaginal estrogen for postmenopausal women.

Dealing with recurrent UTIs is not easy. But, you can manage the condition with a little help. It all starts with proper diagnosis and management.

If you experience UTIs regularly, contact the offices of Dr. Michael Tahery today. Dr. Tahery is a urogynecologist with experience in both women’s health and urology. His expertise in the field can help women in Los Angeles and the surrounding areas find relief. Give our office a call to book a consultation and learn more about possible treatment options.

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Contrary to popular belief, pelvic floor dysfunction is not a rare occurrence. Issues can arise at any point during a woman’s life. While these issues usually aren’t life-threatening, they can have a debilitating effect on a woman’s quality of life. There are a few types of disorders. Here are the most common that affect women and their accompanying symptoms.

Urinary Incontinence Symptoms

Urinary incontinence is the most widespread pelvic floor disorder. It results in complete or partial loss of bladder control. When this occurs, the muscles that control the bladder valve weaken. Usually, the issue is that the pelvic floor muscles are unable to relax. Women may experience a loss of muscle coordination, preventing at-will urination and frequent accidents.

At first, symptoms can be as innocent as slight urine loss during a sneeze or cough. However, pelvic floor dysfunction can worsen and cause regular involuntary loss.

Symptoms of urinary incontinence can vary widely from one person to the next. However, they often include:

• A feeling of pressure on the bladder
• Frequent urination
• Difficulty urinating at will
• Accidents when laughing, coughing, or sneezing
• Urine loss or leakage
• Inability to empty bladder completely

RELATED: Urinary Incontinence Specialist in Los Angeles

Pelvic Organ Prolapse Symptoms

Pelvic organ prolapse is one of the more alarming forms of pelvic floor dysfunction. It occurs when the pelvic floor muscles and tissue weaken. The otherwise supportive sling can become thin or tear completely, resulting in the organs “falling” out of place.

Prolapse can cause significant discomfort for women. Not only that, but the standard function of the fallen organs become compromised. The organs can herniate into the vaginal wall, resulting in a visible bulge. It is a cystocele when the bladder herniates and a rectocele when the rectum herniates.

Some of the most common symptoms for this type of pelvic floor disorder include:

• Weighty feeling in the pubic area
• Dragging discomfort in the vagina
• Visible bulges in the vagina
• Pain or discomfort during sex
• Difficulty with urination or bowel movement

RELATED: Organ Prolapse Treatment in Los Angeles

Fecal Incontinence

Fecal incontinence is similar to urinary incontinence. The difference, however, is that this pelvic floor disorder involves a loss of bowel control. The pelvic floor muscles controlling the bowels and rectum do not perform efficiently, resulting in numerous problems.

Women can suffer from passive incontinence, which refers to the sudden passing of stool without any control. Or, they can suffer from urge-related incontinence. This form of pelvic floor dysfunction pertains to constant muscle contraction that prevents the passage of stool.

Fecal incontinence can affect women at any age. However, it’s most common in seniors and women recovering after childbirth. Some common symptoms include:

• Sudden accidents
• Periodic stool or mucus leakage
• Difficulty passing stool
• Chronic constipation
• Frequent bouts of diarrhea

Pelvic floor disorders can negatively impact your day-to-day life. But, they are highly treatable. Dr. Tahery is a practicing urogynecologist in Los Angeles. He can create a custom treatment plan to mitigate these disorders’ effects. Contact us today to schedule your consultation with Dr. Tahery, learn more about pelvic floor dysfunction, and address your symptoms once and for all.

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The cause of endometriosis is not yet known, and there is no cure for the illness, although there are multiple effective treatments that can minimize pain and other damaging side effects. Women with endometriosis may experience heavy bleeding during menstruation, painful intercourse and periods, potential infertility. While aggressive treatment is important to reduce the risks of complications, women can also bolster their fight against the condition by following key diet guidelines.

RELATED: Exercise Reduces the Pain from periods

Good Endometriosis Diet

An endometriosis-aware diet aims to minimize foods that boost estrogen levels or certain types of prostaglandins, which can contribute to endometriosis flare-ups, pain, and other complications from the disorder. Consuming the right foods can help to soothe symptoms and reduce inflammation.

Omega-3 Fats

Omega-3 fats are healthy fats, often found in fatty fish. These oils can help to reduce inflammation and pain. They are differentiated from omega-6 fats, often found in plant oils. Women with endometriosis may benefit from a high ratio of omega-3 to omega-6 fats in their diets. Foods rich in omega-3 fats include salmon, sardines, oysters, mackerel, and anchovies. Flax seeds, chia seeds, and walnuts are also healthy sources of omega-3 fats, especially for women following a vegetarian or vegan diet.

Dietary Fiber

Whole grains, vegetables, and fruits can also be an important part of a healthful endometriosis diet. High fiber intake may lower estrogen levels, an important goal for women with endometriosis. It’s not just fiber, though: many high-fiber foods also boost antioxidants, which can reduce inflammation. Fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and colorful foods like berries, spinach, beets, and oranges can be great contributions to a healthy diet.

Iron-rich Foods

This disorder is often linked to heavy menstrual bleeding, which can lead to iron deficiency. Iron-rich foods like broccoli, beans, nuts, seeds, and dark leafy greens can help to boost iron resources and guard against deficiencies.

Bad Endometriosis Diet

On the other hand, there are also some key foods to avoid to boost health and resiliency when dealing with this condition.

RELATED: What is Endometriosis?

Soy Products

Soy is high in phytoestrogens, which can mimic the effects of estrogen in the body. Excess estrogen can exacerbate symptoms, so avoiding further hormone disruption is important. Take care of your diet by avoiding soy milk, soy lecithin, and other soy products.

Red Meat and Processed Foods

High red-meat diets, especially when they contain highly processed red meats, may be linked to higher inflammation and even higher blood estrogen levels. While the link between red meat and endometriosis is unclear, other protein sources provide much more beneficial outcomes for women with the condition.

Caffeine and Alcohol

Caffeine is often found in tea, coffee, and soft drinks. Caffeine is a phytoestrogen, linked to higher estrogen levels, and it is also linked to abdominal cramps. Coffee can even inhibit iron absorption, a particular concern for women who may be particularly susceptible to iron deficiency. Alcohol has also been linked to higher estrogen levels and endometriosis risk, and excess consumption can add stress to the liver. Good liver function is important to remove high estrogen levels from the body.

There are a number of medical and surgical treatment options that can help to treat the symptoms of endometriosis and reduce the risk of complications. An individualized treatment plan can respond to each woman’s needs for the best possible results. To make an appointment for a consultation about diagnosis and treatment, contact the offices of Dr. Tahery at (310)446-4440 or use our secure online form.

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Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a condition that can cause pelvic pain in women and may need medical attention depending on the symptoms being presented by the patient. It is a disorder in which endometrial tissue grows outside of the lining of the uterus. Endometriosis usually causes a stabbing pain during menstruation or repeatedly during the cycle. 

RELATED: Endometriosis treatment in Los Angeles

Fibroids

Fibroids are benign tumors that grow on the lining of the uterus and can be quite painful. The pain can be dull or sharp and is experienced during sex or menstruation. The size and number of fibroids are likely to affect the severity of the pain because the pain originates from the tumor pushing against the nerves or organs.  

Adenomyosis

Adenomyosis is another condition that is associated with pelvic pain because of the severe menstrual cramps in causes. Adenomyosis is when the endometrium is in the muscular wall of the uterus. Women get to experience pain from adenomyosis between periods, when urinating, during sexual intercourse or bowel movement.

Pudendal Neuralgia

This is a condition that causes pelvic pain and yet it is oftentimes undiagnosed or unrecognized. Pudendal neuralgia is caused by irritation or damage to the pudendal nerve. Pain from pudendal neuralgia can be felt in the form of aching, burning or itching in between the anus and vagina.

RELATED: Pudendal Neuralgia Treatment in Los Angeles

Interstitial Cystitis

Interstitial Cystitis is a bladder condition that causes pain or discomfort in the pelvic region. Women with Interstitial Cystitis usually experience dull aches or piercing pain in the pelvic area because of bladder inflammation. 

Ovarian Cysts

An ovarian cyst is a noncancerous pocket in or on the ovary. They are usually asymptomatic and disappear by themselves unless they rupture or get too big. Symptoms of ovarian cysts include sharp or dull aches in the abdomen or severe sudden pelvic pain which might indicate a rupture of the cyst.

Contact a medical professional if you are experiencing pelvic pain because treatment options are dependent on the diagnosis. We offer many different options for pelvic pain treatment in our West Los Angeles and Glendale locations and always happy to welcome new patients.

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The pain becomes worse and worse with time and eventually no longer restricted to menses. Pain can appear randomly, with bowel movement, intercourse, cause frequent urination, bloatedness and many other symptoms. The usual age of diagnosis is late 20’s when the pain gets intolerable or if a couple has difficulty getting pregnant. The major issues reported are pain and infertility. Women with strong family history of endometriosis are at higher risk for the disease. Puberty hormones stimulate the growth of the endometriosis and menopausal hormone withdrawal marks the end of endometriosis. Endometriosis have been found in girls as young as 8 year of age. 

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosis of endometriosis is surgical. Diagnosis is performed through a small umbilical incision of 5mm by inserting a camera called a laparoscope inside the abdomen. This operation is usually recommended once a patient reports unbearable progressive menstrual pains, or unexplained fertility. Other times finding of a blood filled ovarian cyst also called endometrioma prompts a surgical evaluation and leads to diagnosis. Endometriosis is staged based on the spread of the disease identified during surgery. Severity of symptoms do not correlate with the extent of the disease.  

RELATED: Endometriosis Treatment in Los Angeles

TREATMENT

Treatment options are surgical and hormonal suppression. During a diagnostic laparoscopy endometriosis lesions can be eliminated using excision or lasers. Treatment can also be in the form of hormonal suppression such as birth control pills. Many women who are unable or unwilling to use birth control pills may use bio-identical hormones to suppress the growth of the endometriosis and control pain. The ideal treatment is a combination of the surgical and hormonal suppression. Surgically the extent of the disease can be determined and the visible lesions can be excised which reduces pains and improve fertility. Hormonal suppression is also used to reduce the disease progression or recurrence.

Early diagnosis and treatment is crucial since endometriosis expands with time. In my practice women diagnosed early usually have the best outcome. Do not ignore persistent signs and symptoms. If you suspect endometriosis in yourself or a friend and would like to be evaluated please give us a call or pay us a visit in Glendale or West Los Angeles.

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Follicles

Follicles are cysts ovaries make on a monthly basis as they prepare to ovulate or release an egg. These cysts are normal and non-cancerous. However, at times they may cause pain. Sometimes during intercourse one of these cysts or follicles, as we call them, pop and release either blood or fluid into the abdomen causing pain. The pain can be so severe that it may be confused with appendicitis. Follicles are easily diagnosed with ultrasound and usually with pain management resolve on their own.

Polycystics Ovarian Syndrome or PCOS

Polycystic ovarian syndrome or PCOS is when ovaries make too much male hormone or androgens. Elevated androgen levels disrupt the delicate ovulation cycle and result in menstrual irregularities. Three criteria are required for PCOS diagnosis; elevated androgen levels, polycystic appearing ovaries on ultrasound, and irregular menstruations. Typically, women with PCOS complain of increased acne, increased facial and body hair, male pattern baldness, weight gain, and in long term are at increased risk for infertility, diabetes, uterine and breast cancer, and heart disease. Treatment is usually through suppressing the excess androgen production and usually is very successful. I enjoy taking care of patients with PCOS and fertility issues. Treatment can be challenging, but usually very successful and rewarding.

RELATED:  What is Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome or (PCOS)?

Endometriomas

Endometriomas are formed by endometriosis implants on the ovary. Endometriosis is displacement of endometrial glands from inside the uterus to the internal pelvic cavity and organs.  Once these glands land on the ovary and are stimulated during each menstrual cycle by the estrogen from the ovaries, they grow and produce bloody ovarian cysts. We call these endometriomas. This condition typically causes pain prior to menses and gets progressively worse with age. In severe cases patients visit emergency rooms frequently for pain management. Also, many women with chronic pelvic pain suffer from endometriosis. Endometriosis may also scar internal reproductive organs causing fertility problems. Endometrioma can be seen on ultrasound however endometriosis can only be diagnosed by evaluation of the internal abdominal cavity using a special surgical instrument called laparoscope. This operation is done through a small umbilical incision under general anesthesia. Because of my expertise in laparoscopic surgery endometriosis treatment has become a large part of my practice.

Dermoids

Dermoids, are primarily diagnosed in young women and originate from undifferentiated cells in the ovary. After puberty these cells multiply and become hair, skin, bone, and other tissue within the ovary. Dermoid cysts are surgically removed once they grow and cause pain, usually through laparoscopy.

RELATED: Can Endometriosis Become Cancer?

Borderline and Cancerous Cysts

Borderline and cancerous cysts of the ovary are rapidly growing and sometimes invasive tumors that are difficult to diagnose in early stages. The rate of ovarian cancer is 1/3200 women and it is more common after menopause. Women with a history of breast and ovarian cancer are at increased risk. Genetic testing in women with a strong family history is recommended to determine their risk level. In women determined to be at high risk of cancer close observation and prophylactic surgery has been helpful in preventing the occurrence of cancer. No method of screening for early diagnosis of ovarian cancer in the general population has been identified.

Ovarian cysts are common and varied. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial in avoiding medical issues in later years. A complete medical history, pelvic exam, pelvic ultrasound, and blood test are all simple first steps. So, visit your gynecologist.

Schedule an appointment with Dr Michael Tahery at the Glendale office or the West Los Angeles office to find out more about ovarian cysts and the treatment options available.

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Traditional surgical treatment involves excision of the hemorrhoids that can be very painful with a long recovery time. Using radiofrequency and electrocautery, we are able to treat a large number of hemorrhoids, under local anesthesia, as an out-patient procedure.

An office evaluation of the anal area is necessary to qualify for this treatment and rule out other causes of pain and discomfort such as anal fissures, tumors, infection, abscess, polyps or cancer. Once hemorrhoids are identified, in most cases local treatment involving emollients and steroids are sufficient to relieve the pain. However, if the hemorrhoids are recurrent, treatment using these outpatient techniques are employed.

Treatment requires a duration of less than 15 minutes. Local anesthesia is used. With no down time, in most cases, the patient may return to his or her normal activities subsequent to the procedure. Multiple treatments may be necessary to allow for complete resolution of the hemorrhoids.

For patients that qualify for this treatment, this may be a solution much more tolerable than the traditional excisional treatment.

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