Women Physicians OB/GYN Blog

Women Physicians Ob-Gyn and California Skin Institute are partnering with El Camino Hopital to provide a morning of fun and information especially geared for women in their 30s and 40s.
Participants will enjoy free health screenings including heel bone density testing, skin analysis, blood pressure, and genetic testing information. There will also be an “Ask a Doc” room where you can ask your questions and have a one-on-one consultation with specialists after each lecture. Our event also includes:
Free membership to the Women’s Hospital membership program
Brunch
Raffle prizes
Free childcare provided by Cubes&Crayons
15 women’s health lectures in 3 tracks:

Track 1 – Women’s Health Track
9:05 – 9:35 am
Contraception Controversies by Rita Leard, MD

9:40 – 10:10 am
Hormones thru the Ages by Katherine Sutherland, MD

– Break –

10:25 – 10:55 am
Bringing home a Newborn by Amy Oro, MD

11:00 – 11:30 am
Sexuality – The Woman’s Perspective by Katherine Sutherland, MD

11:35 – 12:00 pm
Updates on Women’s Health by Rita Leard, MD

Track 2 – Skin Health and Skin Care Track
9:05 – 9:35 am
Non-Surgical Wrinkle Correction by Greg S. Morganroth, MD

9:40 – 10:10 am
Breast Health and Rejuvenation by Jerome Liu, MD

– Break –

10:25 – 10:55 am
Skin Cancer by Brian Somoano, MD

11:00 – 11:30 am
Local Anesthesia Cosmetic Surgery by Greg S. Morganroth, MD

11:35 – 12:00 pm
Adult Acne and Skin Care Secrets by Todd Anhalt, MD
and Joan Gonzalez, Licensed Aesthetician

Track 3 – Exercise and Fitness Track
9:05 – 9:35 am
Weight Management by Mariam Manoukian, MD

9:40 – 10:10 am
Bone Health by John Parker, MD

– Break –

10:25 – 10:55 am
Portion Size Me by Amanda Cooley RD, El Camino Hospital dietitian

11:00 – 11:30 am
Women and Exercise by Diane Pearce El Camino Hospital exercise physiologist

Registration
There is no cost for this event however registration is required. Please register by calling 800-216-5556 or register online.
The location is El Camino Hospital – Mountain View
Conference Center – Ground Floor
2500 Grant Road
Mountain View, CA 94040

You may have heard the news lately that taking Yaz or Yasmin increases your risk of developing a blood clot or stroke. The reality is that taking any birth control pill (BCP) increases your risk. Blood clots are the most serious risk that is increased by taking BCPs, but fortunately they are very rare events.

The risk of having a blood clot or stroke is 1 in 10,000 in the general population. In a study published by the British Medical Journal this year, the risk increases to 3.6-7.3 in 10,000 with BCP use. Pills containing levonorgestrel such as Seasonale/Seasonique and Alesse have a risk of 3.6 per 10,000; those containing desogestrel such as Desogen, Mircette and Orthocept have a risk of 7.3 per 10,000; and drospirenone birth control pills such as Yaz or Yasmin have a risk of 6.3 per 10,000. The risk of getting a clot while taking BCPs is 3.6 to 7.3 times higher than if a person is taking no BCPs, but it is important to remember that the the risk of developing a clot during a normal pregnancy is even higher than when using BCPs. Women who have a normal pregnancy have a rate of blood clots of 8-10 per 10,000.

When looking at the risk, also take into account the benefits of being on BCPs. In addition to preventing pregnancy, BCP cause lighter periods, less cramping, less acne and hair growth, fewer ovarian cysts, decreased PMS, and lower risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer.

Not all pills are tolerated well by all patients. Although clotting risk needs to be considered when prescribing a pill, the overall response to the pill is important. If you have tried other pills and are happy with your current pill, stick with it. You can decrease your risk of getting a clot by not smoking and maintaining a healthy weight.

Some women fear that BCPs will cause other problems like cancer or infertility. Actually, BCPs help to prevent ovarian and endometrial cancers and they do not increase the risk of breast cancer. They do not cause infertility and can actually help preserve fertility by decreasing the risk of endometriosis and ovarian cysts.

If you have concerns about whether or not you are a good candidate for using the pill, make an appointment with your doctor who will review your family history, your health habits, your current symptoms, and your fertility goals and timing to help you decide if BCPs are right for you.