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• Abnormal Genitalia

  Disorders of Sex Development

  When a child's gender is in question at birth, the child has atypical genitalia (ambiguous genitalia). This means that the genitals don't seem to be clearly male or female.
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• Abnormal Pap Smear

  Pap

  This screening test looks for abnormal cells in the cervix. If abnormal cells are found, your healthcare provider can treat them right away, before they become cancerous.
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• Abnormal Vaginal Bleeding

  Menorrhagia

  Menorrhagia is heavy or prolonged bleeding during your period. Many women have this type of abnormal uterine bleeding. It can be related to a number of conditions including problems with the uterus, hormone problems, or other conditions. While heavy bleeding can make it tough to take part in normal daily life at times, there are treatments to help.
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• Benign Ovarian Cysts

  Ovarian Cyst

  An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac that forms on or inside an ovary. The ovaries are a pair of small, oval-shaped organs in the lower part of a woman’s belly (abdomen). Ovarian cysts are very common in women of all ages. Young girls can also get them, but this is less common.
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• Colposcopy

  Colposcopy

  Your healthcare provider uses colposcopy to view the opening to the uterus, called the cervix, and the vagina. It uses an instrument with a magnifying lens and a light, called a colposcope.
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• Condyloma
• Endometriosis

  Endometriosis

  The tissue that lines the uterus is called the endometrium. Normally, if a woman doesn’t get pregnant, this tissue is shed each month during her period. In endometriosis, tissue that looks and acts like endometrial tissue implants outside the uterus. This can cause pain, heavy periods, and infertility.
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• External Cephalic Version

  Cephalic Disorders

  Cephalic disorders affect the central nervous system as it develops. They may also affect the brain and the growth of the skull. These disorders can cause a variety of developmental delays, physical disabilities, and threats to a child’s life.
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• Family Planning
• Fibroid Embolization Evaluation

  Uterine Fibroid Embolization

  Uterine artery embolization is a procedure to get rid of noncancerous tumors in the uterus (uterine fibroids). It does not use major surgery, so you may recover faster. You also may not need to stay in the hospital.
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• General Gynecology

  Gynecological Conditions

  Many different gynecological conditions require the care of a health care provider. Learn detailed information on the most common gynecological conditions including Recognizing Gynecologic Problems, Endometriosis, Pelvic Pain, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Uterine Fibroids, Pap Test and Safer Sex Guidelines.
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• General Obstetrics

  Prenatal Medical Care

  Regular visits to your healthcare provider are an important part of a healthy pregnancy. You and your growing baby will be carefully monitored with tests done to assess any potential risks and develop a treatment plan, if needed.
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• Geriatrics

  Elder Care

  Elder care covers a wide variety of issues. These include choosing an appropriate healthcare provider to care for an aging person. It also includes making decisions about moving an older adult from home to a residential care setting.
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• Gynecologic Ultrasound

  Pelvic Ultrasound

  A pelvic ultrasound is a scan that looks at the organs and structures in your pelvic area. Ultrasound uses a device called a transducer to send out sound waves that are too high to be heard. The transducer sends the sound waves through your skin and other body tissues to the organs and structures within. The sound waves bounce off the organs like an echo and return to the transducer. The transducer picks up the reflected waves. These are changed into a picture of the organs.
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• High Risk Pregnancy

  Pregnancy and Medical Conditions

  Many pre-existing health conditions can affect pregnancy or be affected by pregnancy. These conditions need the clinical care of a doctor or other healthcare professional. They include Chronic Hypertension, Heart Disease, Diabetes and Pregnancy, Thyroid Conditions, Neurologic Conditions and Asthma and Pregnancy.
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• Hysteroscopy

  Hysteroscopy

  Hysteroscopy is the exam of the inside of the cervix and uterus using a thin, lighted, flexible tube called a hysteroscope. Your healthcare provider inserts the device through the vagina.
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• Infertility

  Infertility

  Infertility is a problem of the reproductive system. It impairs the body's ability to reproduce. It can be a problem in the female reproductive system, the male reproductive system, or a mix of the two.
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• Interstitial Cystitis

  Interstitial Cystitis

  Interstitial cystitis is an inflamed or irritated bladder wall. It can lead to scarring and stiffening of the bladder. The bladder can’t hold as much urine as it did in the past. It is an ongoing (chronic) disorder.
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• Laparoscopy

  Laparoscopy

  Laparoscopy uses a thin lighted tube that has a video camera. The tube is called a laparoscope. It is put into a tiny cut or incision in your belly. The video camera images can be seen on a computer screen.
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• Menopause

  Menopause

  Learn detailed information on Introduction to Menopause; Perimenopause; Hormone Replacement Therapy; Staying Healthy After Menopause; Estrogen's Effects on the Female Body.
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• Neurogenic Bladder

  Neurogenic Bladder

  A closer look at neurogenic bladder, which causes symptoms such as urinary incontinence, kidney stones, and dribbling urine.
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• Pediatrics
• Pelvic or Vaginal Pain

  Pelvic Pain

  Pelvic pain is a challenging condition that can be due to many possible causes. It is a common problem in women. Pelvic pain can be either acute (sudden/severe) or chronic (the pain either comes and goes or lasts for 6 months or longer). 
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• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

  Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

  PCOS is a common hormone problem in women of childbearing age. Women with PCOS may not ovulate, and have abnormal hormone levels. They may experience missed or irregular periods, excess hair growth and weight gain around the belly.
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• Pre Menstrual Syndrome

  Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

  Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a group of emotional and physical symptoms many women have in the days before their period starts. Lifestyle changes and sometimes medicines can help manage symptoms.
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• Preconception Consults

  Planning a Pregnancy

  Proper health before deciding to become pregnant is almost as important as maintaining a healthy lifestyle during pregnancy. The first few weeks of pregnancy are crucial in a child's development. Planning ahead and taking care of yourself before becoming pregnant is the best thing you can do for you and your baby.
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• Pregnancy Complications

  Pregnancy Complications

  Many conditions can complicate a pregnancy and require clinical care by a healthcare professional. Many of these include: Anemia in Pregnancy; Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension; HELLP Syndrome; Bleeding in Pregnancy / Placenta Previa / Placental Abruption Hydramnios; Rh Disease; Maternal and Fetal Infections; Digestive and Liver Disorders; Pregnancy Loss; Postpartum Hemorrhage; Symptoms and Diagnosis of Multiple Pregnancy; Care and Management of Multiple Pregnancy.
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• Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
• Prolapse
• Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

  Understanding Repeated Pregnancy Loss

  Repeated pregnancy loss is when you have three or more miscarriages in a row. This usually happens in the first trimester or early second trimester. Miscarriages are common. You have a 15% to 20% chance of your pregnancy ending in miscarriage.
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• Sterilization
• Tubal Ligation

  Tubal Ligation

  Tubal ligation is a permanent form of birth control in which a woman's fallopian tubes are tied or blocked. This keeps the egg and sperm from connecting and so prevents pregnancy.
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• Urinary Incontinence

  Urinary Incontinence

  Urinary incontinence (UI) is the loss of urine control. You may not being able to hold your urine until you can reach a restroom. It may be a short-term problem caused by another health issue. Or it may be a long-term problem that you’ll have to manage.
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• Vaginal & Pelvic Support Problems

  Uterine Prolapse

  Uterine prolapse is a condition in which the muscles and tissues in the pelvis weaken. This can cause the uterus to drop down into the vagina. It can cause symptoms such as urine leakage.
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• Voiding Dysfunction

• Patient Education
• Cervical Cancer
• Preventative Care

1. Rapkin AJ, Nathan LS. Pelvic pain and dysmenorrhea (2012). In: Berek JS (Ed), Novak’s Gynecology. (Chapter 16). Philadelphia:Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
2. Rapkin AJ, Nathan LS. Painful intercourse. In: Kandeel F (Ed). Female Reproductive and Sexual Medicine. In press.
3. Five Minute Clinical Consult chapters on Contraception and Dyspareunia in 2008, 2009, 2010 Editions Nathan LS, Satmary WA, O’Connell TX. Non-neoplastic epithelial disorders of the vulva. Am Fam Physician. 2008 Feb 1;77(3):321-326.
4. Jayaraman S, Song Y, Vetrivel L, Shankar L, Verkman AS. Noninvasive in vivo fluorescence measurement of airway-surface liquid depth, salt concentration, and pH. J Clin Invest. 107:317-324, 2001.
5. Shankar L, Parks D, Herzenberg LA, Herzenberg LA. Western Student Medical Research Forum. JC-1 as an indicator of mitochondrial dysfunction in human lymphocytes. February 2002.
6. Shankar L, Westberg C, Wong-Staal F. The novel relationship between spinal muscular atrophy protein and RNA helicase A in mediating retroviral mRNA transport. American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology International Conference. May 1999.

• First La Reina High School Distinguished Alumnus Award
• Resident Research Award, UCLA OBGYN 2010
• Resident Research Award, Kaiser Woodland Hills Family Practice 2007
• Glamour Magazine Top Ten College Women
• Selma Silagi Award for Excellence in the Natural Sciences
• Magna Cum Laude
• Phi Beta Kappa

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