Pelvic floor symptoms can be uncomfortable to experience and even harder to talk about. Many people assume bladder leakage, pelvic pressure or bowel control problems are a normal part of childbirth or aging. While these conditions become more common with age and after pregnancy, they are not symptoms people have to automatically accept as part of their daily life. Discover what can help.
Congratulations to our many physicians recognized on the 2026 Castle Connolly Top Doctors® List.
Many gynecologic cancers are treatable, especially when caught early. The challenge is that some symptoms can be mild or mistaken for normal changes that occur with aging, menopause or other common conditions. Find out when you should see a gynecologic oncologist.
Chuck Michel is no stranger to a cancer diagnosis.
An avid music lover, guitarist and trade show marketing executive, Michel enjoys traveling with his wife, Suzanne, and planning trips around concerts and music festivals. In early 2024, cancer wasn’t something he expected to think about again. After successfully overcoming skin cancer and lung cancer years earlier and remaining diligent about his annual physical exams, a routine blood test brought cancer to the forefront a third time.
His prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level had risen.
Read Chuck’s story.
Eating habits often change during adolescence. Teenagers may become more independent about what they eat, experiment with different styles of eating or become more interested in nutrition, exercise and their appearance – but sometimes those changes signal something more. Find out more about eating disorders.
A DXA or DEXA scan is a quick, painless, low-radiation test that measures bone mineral density. DXA stands for dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry and is considered the standard test for measuring bone density and diagnosing osteoporosis. Learn more.
According to the U.S. Pain Foundation, chronic pain affects millions of people. Felicitas Huber, PhD, a WashU Medicine pain psychologist, says that treatment often requires more than medication alone. Learn how pain psychology can help manage chronic pain.
When Ben Motl unracked 225 pounds for a bench press challenge in February 2024, something went dangerously wrong: The barbell slipped off the rack and came down directly onto his face, crushing his nose. Motl’s injury was more extensive than it initially appeared and he wasn’t sleeping well. Eric Barbarite, MD, helped change that.
For patients living with joint pain, tendon injuries or chronic muscular conditions, treatment options can feel limited. Patients with these struggles may benefit from a regenerative treatment designed to support the body’s own healing process: Platelet-rich plasma, often called PRP.
For most people, sweating is a normal part of life. But for Azra Pervan, now 15, excessive sweating, a condition known as hyperhidrosis, controlled nearly every part of her life. She began experiencing symptoms at age five when her family noticed the excessive sweating of her palms and feet. Read her story.
The newborn stage comes with many unfamiliar sounds, movements and behaviors. While it is natural for parents to worry, many things that seem concerning at first are normal parts of early development. Danielle Larsen, MD, a WashU Medicine pediatrician at Arch Pediatrics, helps families understand what is expected during the first weeks and months of life so they can feel confident caring for their baby.
David Moore was living with chronic fatigue and other concerning symptoms. Thanks to his team of specialists at BJC HealthCare and WashU Medicine, a complication with one of his parathyroid glands was caught and treated.
Screens are part of daily life. From school assignments to staying connected with family and friends, children and teens are growing up in a digital world. “Screentime is unavoidable but should be purposeful,” says Lisa Ryan, MD, PhD, a WashU Medicine pediatrician at Woods Mill Pediatrics. Dr. Ryan works with families every day to create practical, age-appropriate plans that support healthy development while recognizing the realities of modern life.
An inguinal hernia is one of the most common conditions pediatric surgeons treat. While the word “hernia” can sound alarming, this is a well understood issue with a surgery and a smooth recovery for most children. Knowing what to look for and when to seek care can help parents feel confident if they find out their child has one.
For many people, weight loss is not a straight line. Some start with lifestyle changes, others begin treatment with GLP-1 medications and others explore procedural options when they want additional support. According to Vladimir M. Kushnir, MD, a WashU Medicine gastroenterologist, these options do not have to compete with one another. In many cases, they can work together.
The statistics show that almost 80% of Americans will develop back or neck pain at some point in their life. Knowing this, it can be difficult to know when to see a neurosurgeon specialized in spine diseases to help you. These are some signs that you to seek help from a neurosurgeon specialized in back or neck pain.
Female athletes face unique challenges throughout their lives — from navigating physical demands and body changes in youth sports to returning to activity after pregnancy and beyond. The WashU Medicine Female Athlete Program provides care for girls and women of all ages and activity levels.
Third space endoscopy is a type of minimally invasive procedure that lets gastroenterologists treat certain digestive problems from inside the body, without any cuts or incisions on the outside. Learn more.
Menopause is natural but often misunderstood. Conflicting information can be shared online or through word of mouth. WashU Medicine obstetrician-gynecologists (OB-GYNs) help patients separate fact from fiction so they can make informed decisions about their health and well-being.
As we grow older, staying healthy means focusing on the body and mind. At WashU Medicine, our older adult primary care specialists offer age-friendly care designed to help patients 65 and older stay active, independent and supported. They do this through a focus on the 4 Ms of care: Mobility, What Matters, Medications and Mentation
Parents know that children spread germs like wildfire. The school year often brings a wide array of illnesses. These are the most common ones your little one might bring home this fall.
Bedwetting (also called nighttime enuresis) is very common. Take this quiz to see what you know and learn how to support your child.
A growing number of people are being diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), a chronic inflammation of the intestines. WashU Medicine gastroenterologist Kayci Huff, MD, PhD, is here to help normalize and treat these conditions so patients don’t have to suffer in silence.
Fertility preservation offers hope for individuals facing health challenges that might hurt their chances of having a baby in the future. WashU Medicine reproductive endocrinologist Megan Gornet, MD, specializes in fertility preservation and explains the options.
A pulmonary embolism (PE) is a serious condition and happens when a blood clot gets stuck in a person’s lung. The road to recovery and follow-up care can be filled with challenges. That is why WashU Medicine created an outpatient clinic dedicated to post-PE care.
Many mental health problems begin to appear during adolescence (ages 10 to 19). Psychosis is one of these conditions. Knowing how psychosis impacts young people and where to turn for help could save their grades, relationships and even their life.
Arthritis is the #1 cause of disability in the U.S. Understanding the different types of arthritis and their symptoms can help you find the right WashU Medicine physician to help you manage your condition.
Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) is a treatment and can be an important tool in the care of patients with treatment-resistant depression, a type of depression that does not improve after trying antidepressant medications and talk therapy.
Choosing the right form of weight loss health care can be overwhelming. WashU Medicine physicians can help you start on the best path.
Cesar E. Gonzalez, PhD, is a WashU Medicine pain psychologist. He helps patients manage their pain in ways outside of medications. He reveals the top five most frequently asked questions he receives from patients.
Patients with keratoconus (ker-uh-toh-koh-nuhs) face difficult decisions about their eye health. With corneal cross-linking, vision can be preserved and improved with an outpatient procedure.
Early detection of skin cancer leads to better outcomes for patients. When skin cancer is caught early, it tends to be easier to treat, a person’s prognosis tends to be better and medical intervention can be done sooner. You can help detect changes early by doing regular skin screenings at home and letting your primary […]
Summer heat means swimming, popsicles and more time outdoors. Many people love warmer weather but do not always know the dangers. Three conditions caused by high temperatures that you should be aware of include heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heatstroke. All three conditions have similarities: Despite their similarities, the main differences are: You can help […]
What is a nerve transfer? Nerve transfer surgery is a newer procedure that can improve movement in the elbows, wrists and hands after a cervical spinal cord injury. In people with spinal cord injury, the nerves leaving the spinal cord above the area of injury continue to work while the ones below may not. The […]
Summer is in full swing and that means lots of playtime for the children in our lives. Running, jumping and roughhousing can naturally lead to injuries for kids. It can be challenging to know when to seek medical care and when to let them heal at home. Here are some guidelines to help you decide: […]