Dear Dr. Northrup, I'm so glad to see an ob-gyn as a guest on the Oprah show! I was hoping you could discuss preferred treatments for Bartholin cysts. I have suffered from a cyst on my left side twice. The first went away with antibiotics the second occurrence was the size of a plum and was relieved with a stab incision.

I have heard horror stories on various treatments and I dread a recurrence.

Apparently, cysts are not that common as none of my friends or family had even heard of Bartholin glands. Thank you

Dear Dr. Northrup: I am age 49 (will be 50 in September) and experiencing premenopause. Do you have any suggestions for handling this time? I do not have health insurance, have not for several years, so trying to figure out ways to deal with this process. I welcome this time, have no negativity attached to it. Just trying to deal with the spotting in between cycles, very heavy cycles and fibroids. Today I am experiencing a "foul" discharge for the second time and have no infection I was told when I did go to get it checked out. Could this "foul" discharge be from my fibroids? I do plan on going to see my ob/gyn when I can afford it. Until then, I am chaning pads frequently in the hopes that no one picks up on this embarassing odor. Last question, when can I expect menopause? I do not have a close relationship with my mom and I think she had a hysterectomy. I have read that you can usually tell when you are going to have menopause by when your mom had her's. Since I am not able to find this out, what can tell me? I have read on the internet that some women have menpause in their 60's. What is the LASTEST age that I can expect for this to happen? I need to know there is an END to these heavy and painful cycles. Thank goodness I found out about ibuprofen as I had been going to the emergency room when they got too bad. I am taking a women's multi, extra calcium with vitamin D included in tablet, iron with vitamin C three times a day (heard vitamin C helps with the iron absorption).

Hello! I have listened to a lecture by Dr. Christiane Northrup and I think she is wonderful. My question is, I am 38 years old and I think I am "peri-menopausal" - I'm not even sure that's the right word. Is 38 too early to be starting menopause? I haven't had a hysterectomy - still have all my parts - but I was on depo and I have noticed big changes since I quit - I heard I could get a blood test to see if I was menopausal but I don't have insurance currently. Thanks for your time, M

I have yet to see it the show...today at 4, but I am hoping that Dr. Christiane Northrup will be able to answer my question anyway. I am a 35 year old woman who, as of October 2007, found out that I have severe endometriosis. I had surgery, November 2007, to remove the tissue that was giving me pain, or so I thought. Back in March, 2007, I had a coposcopy and when the dr took a biopsy of my cervix I have had pain that has tripled within the last year. My dr and I had hoped that the surgery would have taken that pain away, but it has only gotten worse. My periods, since the surgery are also much more painful. I am a student and a single mom. My life has been put on hold for a year. I am no longer able to attend all of my classes and I am not being the mom I so desperately want to be. I have been put on pain killers throughout the year and I am currently on oxyconton. This is no way to live. I guess my question would be, is there anything I can do to help myself? Is there anything I can ask my doctors to do? I do not want to get a hysterectomy. I want more children, but I cannot live with this pain any more.

Any kind of advice would help me right now. I am looking to buy Dr. Northrup's book " Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom". I have hear many great things about this book and I look forward to reading it.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,
Jennifer McCoy

Hi Christiane, I love your book, "Women's Bodies, Women's Wisdom." I just turned 40 and am still hoping to meet Mr. Right and have a baby. Realistically, how much time do I have left? Also, is there anything I can do to prolong my fertility and increase the odds of having a healthy baby? Thank you.

Dear Dr. Northrup and Oprah,
I loved the book "Mother-Daughter Wisdom" but when I decided to share it with my daughter things didn't turn out as I hoped. I printed out beautiful pictures of budding flowers, butterflies, dragonflies, and her name in gorgeous fonts ... all to celebrate her growth and attempted to open a "welcome to womanhood" discussion. She was so turned off. It was not me she wanted to hear this from. I am still saddened by this. She should hear it from me. If I get the right advice, maybe I can do this right with her sister, a year younger.
Thanks.
Suzukimom

Dear Dr. Northrup,

I am 54 years old - and I'm pretty sure I am menopausal.
I have scoured your books for info to help me.
I haven't had many difficulties but suddenly - I have stopped having clitoral sensation.
I don't think I have vaginal thinning - moisture is not completely gone, but is less than when I was 20.

This makes me sad because I love-love my husband. We have always had a brilliant sex life. Now suddenly my little tickler isn't tickling like she used to. I am taking "Essential Nutrients" and "Herbal Equilibrium" religiously. I am getting my cardio up to 85% every day for at least 35 minutes. I don't have any bad health issues, I eat well and - Nada!
I might be insulin resistant, because no matter how well I am living - even cutting out sugar - white stuff - booze - I do not lose weight.
I am going on the "ReSet" plan next week.

So you can see - I have the will to do ANYTHING to get back to my sexual status (great) quo.
Can you give me any help?

Suzanne Somers says "It just takes longer now for us older ladies." Is this true?
Please tell me that my sex life hasn't "up and died on me..."

I know you'd rather hear from Dr. Northrup than from me but I just wanted to share that I take longer too. But...I always have. I love - love my husband too. We were high school sweethearts and now we've been married for 26 years. For me, there's always been a deeper climax than just clitoral. The kind that make your eyes squint and twitch. Maybe Dr. Northrup can explain it better but I am certain there are more kind of orgasms than clitoral. Don't give up!
Suzukimom

harpobear Is she going to answer our questions, or is this just for "discussion" among posters?

HI, thank you for your inquiry. The "Talk about the Show" message board is here so members can share their thoughts and comments on each daily episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show.

If members wish to submit their stories or show ideas to the Producers of The Oprah Winfrey Show, they should use the 'Be on the Show' link from the Oprah.com homepage. If they wish to email Oprah or her Staff they should use the EMAIL US link from the Oprah.com drop down menu.

Dear Dr. Northrop, My vaginal area perspires constantly, which leaves me self-conscious and feeling the need to shower every second [or the need to do the smell test]. How can I control the perspiration? Thank you Dr. Northrop. Tired of sweating down there.

harpobear Thanks for the information!

Dear Dr. Northrup

I had my second daughter two and one half months ago. I had to have an emergency home delivery 40 minutes after leaving the hospital because the hospital refused to allow me to stay. I am just now making my post pardom appointment. I plan to request an oral contraceptive only because my husband will be taking leave for 17 days from Iraq in March. I want to take the pills with out having a period while he is home. Is there any danger in doing this over a very brief time period. Thank you for you help

Its nice to be here this is great.

I am in my late 40's and am anemic. I had missed my iron supplements for a few months as I am out of work with no medical. When my period stopped I just thought it was that time in my life. Then I heard that low iron may be a cause, since I need supplements I got some. I ended up with a six week period. Now if I forget to take it I'm not bleeding but if I take my pills I'm spotting. This happened with another brand of Iron also. Could you please give me a clue. I also have a non life threatening heart murmur that is affected by this. I exercise twice daily. Do not smoke or drink. Lost 230lbs eight years ago, and have kept it off. I am always cold. Just a few clues.