Dearest Pinkies, I wish I could answer every single question, dear ones! In light of my upcoming book, the opening of the Owning Pink Center, and the offer to write a column for First magazine, I"m having trouble keeping up here. But these are great questions and I'm so proud of you for OWNING your health. Stay tuned. When we relaunch Owning PInk in May, I will have a column that answers select questions once/week.

Much love Lissa Rankin, MD

Hello! I'm very nervous and I would like some advice. First off, I am 18 years old and have never been able to use a tampon. I always thought I was doing it wrong but finally I figured it out and it was extremely painful going in and even worse taking it out. I've also never had sex because I'm afraid that it is going to hurt. This has been happening for years now and I don't know what it could be. Also, I think that I have a yeast infection so I made an appointment with the gynecologist at the college that I go to. This will be my first pelvic exam, and I'm so incredibly afraid that it is going to hurt me so much and I don't know how to relax. One of my friends went to the school gynecologist and said that the doctor was very cold, distant and barely talked to her. I'm nervous that she will not care if she is hurting me. I'm also very shy and I might be even more nervous about talking to the doctor, I'm scared that I will freeze up and forget what to say and then ask to leave. I don't know how to get over this fear and I have no idea how I could make myself relax, do you have any suggestions? thanks so much!

Ok i just wanted to say that this website helped alot...i have a little problem and im trying to seek a ob/gyn im 18 years old and i got my period two days delayed and it was like any other period or so i though i had it for a day and then the next day it compleately stopped then the next day after that it came back in the evening and the next day in the morning it left after that it didnt come back is that normal? i know you cant answer medical questions but im really worried i might be pregnant... thanks for your time!!:)

I had my period for four days and it stopped two days ago. Last night up till this morning I have had pain/cramping and I have begun to bleed again (not horribly but it looks like my period starting again). I thought there could be three reason for this. I had chili last night and the cramping is just gas and I just didn't finish my period. Two I had a terribly intense workout yesterday night for the sport i play and my body cant handle it. Three my boyfriend was a little rough with me two nights ago. I don't know what it is exactly.

Dear Shona, I wish there was an easy way to change your breast size, but I'm afraid there's not. Exercises, medications- none of the rumors are true. Your body was just made that way- and you're PERFECTLY NORMAL. Love and honor your body just the way it is, and have fun with padded bras or silicone inserts you can stick into your bra. And although I don't recommend it, there's always plastic surgery. But why fix what ain't broken? You're perfect, just the way you are, love.

i m 24 yrs old.my breast size is 28.i want to ask hw can i increase my breast size?an also my one boob s small in size and one is large?example one is of 28 nad one is of 30?it looks bad?wat can i do to make them equal?

Dear Habba, I'd have to know more to answer your question- and this isn't the place for me to be offering medical advice. But I wish you health, joy, fertility, and blessings. With love, Lissa

What a great question! Of course every doc is different, but in general, your gynecologist will manage your coochie, your boobs, your bladder, and sometimes your butt. Personally, I also manage thyroid, adrenal hormone balancing, minor high blood pressure, sinus infections and colds, and some other general health stuff- but that's pretty rare these days.

On the other hand, when you're pregnant, your OB may serve as your primary care doc because primary care docs often get wigged out about what they can give a pregnant woman. I know when I practiced OB I managed EVERYTHING- high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, pneumonia, kidney infections- but sometimes in conjunction with a specialist, like a cardiologist, a high risk OB doctor or an infectious disease specialist.

If you're not sure, just ask your doc. Chances are, if you live in a big city, your doc will do less than if your doc lives in a small town, where there are fewer specialists. Just ask.

Personally, I like my girls to tell me everything, and I'm quick to ask for help if it feels out of my league. Then I call in the team and we all co-manage.

Dear Ted, I'm sorry, sweetie, but I can't answer medical questons on this website. I would suggest seeing your doctor. It's probably nothing serious- things like swelling during your menses can be totally normal. And upper abdominal pain could be any number of things. But OWN your health and see your doctor. You'll feel much better after a professional tells you you're a-okay. Wishing you health and love Lissa

If you find someone you love in LA, please post it here. I've been asked constantly to refer to someone in LA! Good luck sweetie.

I honestly don't know how to help you find other docs who think like me. I'm kind of a rare bird- I know one other doc who practices just like I do in Santa Cruz- Rachel Carlton Abrams. There are many integrative medicine docs but many of them practice more of what I would call natural medicine. Instead of treating your depression with Prozac, they'll treat it with 5-HTP. But what I consider truly integrative is when you approach the patient from the inside out- looking at the whole picture- to help her figure out why she might be depressed and go to the root of it (and then add 5-HTP or Prozac if necessary). I guess I practice Love first...and then medicine second.

But if you're looking for docs who have trained in integrative medicine, check out the grads from Andrew Weil's University of Arizona fellowship: http://integrativemedicine.arizona.edu/alumni.html

Good luck honey!

Hiya Melissa! Wow- what a great question! What would I hope to be asked? Well, I love it when my patients really want to partner in their health care, so I love any question that shows an interest in education about your body. But I also do a lot of work with my patients in matters of creativity/spirituality/whole body wellness, so I guess I would love it if someone asked, "What might I expect to get besides my Pap smear?" My staff jokingly calls me the gynechiatrist! Or "How might I optimize my life?" Or "How could I be as vital as possible?"

Great question. Thanks for putting my noggin into high gear, love!

Oh Paige, honey- I wish you lived in the Bay area so I could do your next exam. I would take such good care of you...

You must find someone exceedingly gentle, kind, patient, and not rushed. I had one patient who had a traumatic past GYN exam and it took me over 2 hours to get her comfortable enough to be examined without triggering her past stuff. Ask around for a doctor with a very nurturing bedside manor.

Don't let your past get in the way of your current health. It's not worth it. When you do go to the gynecologist, try bringing a guided imagery CD or download one to an Ipod. Listen to it starting 5 minutes before your exam and throughout the exam part of the visit. Explain to your doc that you had a bad experience last time and you'll need a little extra TLC. Be honest about how you feel.

Sending you healing juju for your next exam, love xoxo Lissa

Thank you very much madam

Sorry madam i am not getting your answer. Madam i have wound gap(1/2inch) in my vaginal(because of failure of stiches in normal delivery). Is any problem without filling the gap with stiches. one doctor told come after 3 months again for stiches and another doctor told no need to worry about stiches it will not effect anything. please give ur advise

Madam,

I given birth to a boy child in normal delivery with 3 stiches but that wound is not jointed. After 10 days of delivery i went to doctor she said that no need to worry about the stiches (no problem for again to do stiches). Now 3 months over from delivery is necessary to take the stiches

I also did not have my periods properly.. Do i need to go for pregnancy test?? And after how many days of having sex should one go for pregnancy test??

I took i pill within 72 hrs of sex and now i'am having my periods 15 days earlier. What should i do?? Should i go for pregnancy test?? And is it that if one has her periods in next of month of having sex then she cant be pregnant??

Hi. i am 18 years old, and i am pretty sure i have hemmorhoids. I noticed them a little bit over a year ago, and i went to my regular doctor who looked very quickly and basically said she did not see much. i know they are there, but about a week ago they started getting pretty uncomfortable and they still are. I have been using witchhazel pads and some ointment. i do not see or feel any changes. HELP! i have an appt with a gynecologist in a week...

I've lately been having problems with what I believe is a hemorrhoid. I have an appointment with a gynecologist in a couple of days and wondered if this is something I can ask her about or are those types of things best suited for a more general practice Dr? Also thank you for the information you provided it is making me feel more comfortable with my upcoming appointment and less like it's a dreaded chore.

Thanks Lissa. I am post child bearing age and have had an endometrial ablation in 1996..and thank god so far no periods. whoooohooo but i just need to find one who i can talk to about perimenopausal stuff, hormones since mom died of Breast cancer and was only woman in family to have it..etc..yeast infections. God the list goes on and on and i am not comfortable with the other docs in my old gyn practice.. got name from a friend she loves her gyn.gonna go interview him.

My perium..the area between rectum & vagina has a patcy white spot... like the skin has changes color or lost it's color. This has happened in thepast few weeks and not sure if related but just found out that i am pregnant... I have had 7 kids & this has never happened before...also this past week my tongue is VERY sore... looks almost whiteish & feels as if burned or raw for no reason?? Please help

How can you choose a good gynecologist?

Nope not me- borrowed that one! Who am I gonna ask to take my photo in my office? LOL!

Hey, half the women I see are no longer of childbearing age. Of course you're included, Elizabeth!