Carrie Swartz, MD Elizabeth Carlson, CNM, FNP Maia Polinger, PA-C Nicole Badillo, WHNP Bethany Ford, PA-C Carmela Esquibel, CNP
RESOURCES FOR OUR PATIENTS
Check here to find more information about products or books your provider might have recommended.
This is not an exhaustive list of everything that might help, just a quick, curated place to start.
We've provided shopping links for your convenience but you may also be able to find these products at your local store or pharmacy.
HPV AND ABNORMAL PAPS
How to take care of yourself
HPV is very common and 80% of people will be exposed to the virus at some time in their lives. HPV can cause abnormal pap smears, genital warts, and cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancers. It can also cause throat cancer and anal cancers in both men and women and penile cancer in men.
We sometimes recommend Indole-3-carbinol (200mg twice a day) which has been shown to help your body clear HPV, though it is not approved by the FDA for that.
URINARY INCONTINENCE
Stop leaking!
If we have checked and there are no medical problems causing your incontinence and you want to try some non-surgical options, here are some suggestions.
information on pelvic floor exercises (Kegel's)
BOOKS
A Happier, Healthier You
Low Libido: A Tired Woman's Guide to Passionate Sex
Vaginal Health: The Vagina Bible (written by the amazing Dr. Jennifer Gunter, my former mentor and gyn!)
BREAST ISSUES
Itching, lumps, and pain
For painful breasts due to fibrocystic disease, we often recommend Evening Primrose Oil along with a well fitting bra and sometime NSAIDs (like ibuprofen or naprosyn)
For nipple itching Aquaphor can sometimes help
LUBRICANTS
For sexual intimacy
Many women experience dryness or problems with sufficient lubrication for comfortable sex. We recommend water-based lubricants for use with condoms or silicone-based lubricants if you are not using condoms.
Water-based:
KY Silk-E
Silicone-based: