Mammograms: What to Expect
Learn about breast cancer screenings and how to lower your cancer risk.
Reduce Menopause Symptoms
Feel better with seven ways to ease perimenopause and menopause symptoms.
Your Guide to Osteoporosis
Taking simple steps now can keep your bones strong and healthy as you age.
Women's Health Topics
Ask an Expert
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I had breast cancer 10 years ago. I had chemo and radiation. I've had mammograms every year since. What does it mean when additional pictures are needed because of denseness? What is the cause, and what is the chance it's a reoccurrance of cancer?
Dense breasts are associated with an increased risk of developing breast cancer, and also make it more difficult for a radiologist to see a small cancer in the midst of that dense normal breast tissue. After lu... continue reading about I had breast cancer 10 years ago. I had chemo and radiation. I've had mammograms every year since. What does it mean when additional pictures are needed because of denseness? What is the cause, and what is the chance it's a reoccurrance of cancer?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I've heard urinary tract infections (UTIs) are getting harder to treat. Why is this and who's at risk of developing one?
Urinary tract infections are one of the most common infections doctors treat. More than half of women living in the United States will get a UTI at some point in their lives. Urinary tract infections are caused... continue reading about I've heard urinary tract infections (UTIs) are getting harder to treat. Why is this and who's at risk of developing one?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
My fingernails curve deeply underneath as they grow. My doctor says "Don't worry about it, just keep cutting them short". I don't think this is a correct answer or approach, and that it could be a serious condition or lack of some element(s) in my body.
Some serious and not-so-serious medical conditions have fingernail manifestations. Examples include psoriasis and endocarditis. The serious illnesses would have other symptoms that are not subtle. Things like p... continue reading about My fingernails curve deeply underneath as they grow. My doctor says "Don't worry about it, just keep cutting them short". I don't think this is a correct answer or approach, and that it could be a serious condition or lack of some element(s) in my body.
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
Now that I'm 50+, I've been getting severe headaches with my periods, and it also seems like my nasal allergy symptoms are worse at those times. Is this just a coincidence, or is this associated with perimenopause?
Yes. Your symptoms could well be associated with perimenopause. The World Health Organization has defined perimenopause as the time period 2 to 8 years prior to menopause as well as the year after cessation of ... continue reading about Now that I'm 50+, I've been getting severe headaches with my periods, and it also seems like my nasal allergy symptoms are worse at those times. Is this just a coincidence, or is this associated with perimenopause?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I have several small fibroids that sometimes cause me pain. How severe does it need to be to consider doing something about it?
Before you make any decisions, make sure that other possible causes of pelvic pain have been adequately evaluated by your doctor, including your bladder, gastrointestinal system, and pelvic floor muscles. Fibro... continue reading about I have several small fibroids that sometimes cause me pain. How severe does it need to be to consider doing something about it?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
I was recently diagnosed with thrombocytopenia. I have been extremely fatigued. I asked my doctor if that was a symptom and he said no. When I looked online I saw that fatigue was one of the most common symptoms. Is this accurate?
Thrombocytopenia is a condition in which a person has a low level of platelets. Platelets are a type of blood cell that help blood to clot anytime bleeding occurs in the body. Platelets are sticky "patches" tha... continue reading about I was recently diagnosed with thrombocytopenia. I have been extremely fatigued. I asked my doctor if that was a symptom and he said no. When I looked online I saw that fatigue was one of the most common symptoms. Is this accurate?
Ask the Expert Team
Sutter Health
Are mammograms effective for men?
Mammograms are effective for men. If a man feels a lump in his breast, or notices any change in the way his breast looks or feels, for instance with nipple discharge or skin changes, a mammogram should be order... continue reading about Are mammograms effective for men?
Risa Kagan, M.D., FACOG
Alta Bates Summit Medical Center - Summit Campus
I'm 57 years old and going through menopause. Last week I experienced three days of bleeding. It was a light flow, but at my age I'm concerned. I'm not on any type of medication, not even aspirin. Is this something out of the normal?
This may or may not be abnormal as one's hormones can fluctuate in the perimenopausal years. If it has been over a year since your last normal menses, then this is called postmenopausal bleeding and needs immed... continue reading about I'm 57 years old and going through menopause. Last week I experienced three days of bleeding. It was a light flow, but at my age I'm concerned. I'm not on any type of medication, not even aspirin. Is this something out of the normal?
Michelle Smith, R.N.N.P.
Sutter Gould Medical Foundation
Why is it that recently, at my age of 44, I get extremely bad stomach aches and feel really bloated, one to two weeks before my period? I've never had this before.
Welcome to life in your 40s! A lot of changes can and do happen. My first recommendation is to see a gastrointestinal doctor or nurse practitioner. Stomach aches and bloating often occur with irritable bowel sy... continue reading about Why is it that recently, at my age of 44, I get extremely bad stomach aches and feel really bloated, one to two weeks before my period? I've never had this before.
More Resources
Healthwise Resource Library
Look up helpful health information.
Patient Information
Practical info for Sutter patients.
Tools and Quizzes
Online tools to help you make decisions about your health.