Q&A Topics
The Gynecological Health section addresses questions about menstruation, gynecological procedures, potential illnesses/infections, etc.

Click on any of the questions below:

I’m so sick of having to buy tampons or pads every month. Are there any
alternatives I can try?(06)

What's really so bad about smoking while you're taking the pill?

Does smoking pot while on the birth control pill have the same negative effects on your health as smoking cigarettes while on the pill? (1/05)

I am a first-year student who has never had sexual intercourse. A few of my friends are planning to have pelvic exams soon. Is this necessary for me, and if so, does Health Services provide this exam? (Updated answer, 10/04)

What do I need to do to get a pregnancy test from Health Services? And, can I take it home with me and do it myself? (9/04)

I can't use tampons because every time I try to put one in it hurts. Why is this? (4/01)

Will my first pelvic exam tear my hymen? (3/01)

What should I do about my frequent urinary tract infections? What does having them mean? (10/99)

How do I know if I have a yeast infection? (9/99)

I have a suggestion for Well-Woman. On future W-W calendars, you might want to put the stages of the moon. It’s a great way to keep track of menstruation, it is easier than counting days. For example, when the moon is new, I know I’m ovulating and get my period when its full. It’s great! If the sky is cloudy, I can’t see the moon, but it’s nice to see it on paper. Thanks! (9/99)

Is it in fact necessary to urinate after sex? The reason why I ask is because after my partner and I have intercourse, I rarely feel the need to urinate. Additionally, I don’t understand the connection between urination and sexual intercourse, what does urination after sex accomplish? (11/96)

I get cranky and irritable and have an unbearable urge to eat chocolate about a week before I get my period. My friends tell me that these are symptoms of PMS, but my boyfriend says that calling it PMS is just an excuse for my behavior. Who do you think is right? Could it be PMS? (10/96)

For the past day or so, I’ve had to urinate every five seconds. But when I go to the bathroom, little or no urine comes out, and I still have this constant tickling/burning sensation in my vaginal area. My friend said it’s because I had sex this weekend, but I never heard of that. What’s going on? (4/96)

<< back to Q&A by subject