Interstitial Cystitis – Endometriosis’ “Evil Twin”

Have you been diagnosed with endometriosis?  If so, have you heard of Interstitial Cystitis?  Did you know that painful menstrual cycles and painful intercourse may not only be due to endometriosis?  Do you know that studies have shown that 50-84% of women with endometriosis may also have Interstitial Cystitis (I.C.)?

Whereas endometriosis is treated with either medical management or surgery, I.C. is not treated by surgery!  That’s right. I.C. is known as “Endometriosis’ Evil Twin”.  The symptoms of I.C. can be identical to endometriosis.  Some women with I.C. may experience only pelvic pain, while others may also describe urinary frequency (urinating more than 7 times a day), urinary urgency, or getting up to urinate several times at night.  ( READ MORE )

Patients Change Our Lives Too By Dr. Aarathi Cholkeri-Singh

Sometimes, patients change their doctor’s life more than we change their life.

Early in my career as a minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon, I treated a patient who changed my life professionally and personally. She was a 35 year old nun who was studying at the nearby university.  She was a midwife in Africa where she lived but came on a scholarship to the United States to become a doctor herself.  Unfortunately, her studies were suffering due to heavy menstrual bleeding and pain from multiple fibroids. ( READ MORE )