I have been experiencing a dull to sharp pain in my lower left abdomen. I am 43 years old, started Zumba 1.5 months ago, and have increased my water intake with very few sodas. I went to my OBGYN thinking I had another ovarian cyst, but he diagnosed a pulled muscle that splits into and goes around the rectum. He advised against exercise, prescribed ibuprofen, and recommended using a heating pad, but the pain persists. I feel pressure when I need to urinate but do not have a UTI. The pain is still present and tender to touch. Do you have any ideas about my situation? I find it hard to believe it's just a pulled muscle.

March 23rd, 2023

I'm in my second trimester of pregnancy and I use a semi-permanent hair dye for just the tips of my bangs, letting it sit for about 20 minutes. Some got on my hands for a little while. Is it safe for the baby?

July 23rd, 2023

I am a 46-year-old female with a Mirena IUD for 6 years, currently post-menopausal according to blood tests. I've had on and off light bleeding/spotting for over a year, which my gynecologist attributes to hormonal changes. My concerns include: 1) Is it unlikely to get endometrial cancer with a Mirena IUD? 2) What is the likelihood of cancer given my symptoms? 3) Could the bleeding be hormonal despite being post-menopausal? 4) Does a simple ovarian cyst or breast tenderness relate to the spotting? 5) Would a CT scan have shown endometrial cancer if present? 6) Can the IUD cause bleeding post-menopausal? 7) How reliable are FSH and estradiol tests in determining menopause status?

October 6th, 2023

I am 41 years old and recently confirmed pregnant. My ultrasound at 6 weeks and 2 days showed a gestational sac with a yolk but no fetal pole or heartbeat, which is a week discrepancy from my last menstrual cycle. My HCG level is 50267 and progesterone is 19.8. I need help interpreting these results and understanding if this indicates a possible miscarriage or if it's too early to tell.

February 13th, 2024

I experienced my menstrual cycle from 10/15-10/20, then traveled from 10/21 to 10/26, during which I had unprotected sex as we are trying to conceive. On 10/26, I started lightly bleeding again, which turned into another full cycle by 10/27 and ended today. Is this normal, and is there still a chance we conceived?

July 10th, 2023