Sunnyvale, CA 94087
Facsímil: (650) 233-2872
As an experienced pediatric and adolescent gynecologist, my mission is to help empower girls and young women to flourish by advancing their reproductive and sexual health while also managing their health concerns and conditions. I find it extremely gratifying to get to the crux of a complex health challenge and watch my patients grow, evolve, and become excited about their futures.
Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, 05/21/1995
UC Davis Dept of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sacramento, CA, 06/30/1999
Obstetrics & Gynecology, American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Obstetrics and Gynecology Designation, American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology
View details for DOI 10.1136/bmjsrh-2023-201972
View details for PubMedID 37643875
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.epsc.2023.102613
View details for Web of Science ID 000956552000001
View details for DOI DOI 10.3843/GLOWM.418433
View details for DOI 10.1177/00099228221142125
View details for PubMedID 36475328
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2022.08.007
View details for PubMedID 36096900
Diagnosis of gynecologic emergencies in the pediatric and adolescent population requires a high index of suspicion to avoid delayed or incorrect diagnoses. This article aims to dispel common misunderstandings and aid with diagnosis and management of 3 common pediatric and adolescent gynecologic emergencies: adnexal torsion, vulvovaginal lacerations, and nonsexually acquired genital ulcers.
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ogc.2022.02.017
View details for PubMedID 36122983
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the current literature on the multiple types and uses of progestins in reproductive healthcare.RECENT FINDINGS: Progestins for contraceptive use are available in multiple forms, with the ongoing development of transdermal, intravaginal, and male contraception formulations. Noncontraceptive use of progestins often overlaps with contraceptive indications, which allows for simultaneous multipurpose progestin use, especially in reproductive-aged patients. More studies are needed to determine contraceptive doses of progestins used for noncontraceptive purposes. Side effect profiles of progestins are dependent on their formulation and cross-reactivity with other steroid receptors. Development of newer progestins includes manipulating pharmacologic properties to avoid undesired side effects.SUMMARY: Progestins have multiple uses in reproductive healthcare, including contraception, menstrual suppression, endometrial protection, and hormonal replacement therapy. The development of progestins for these indications can expand therapy for people with contraindications to estrogen-based hormonal therapy.
View details for DOI 10.1097/GCO.0000000000000819
View details for PubMedID 36036464
The recently announced decision of the Supreme Court in the Dobbs v. Jackson case has left health care providers, researchers, and administrators struggling to defend reproductive health care against legal restrictions. Although some hospital-based providers may not consider reproductive health care as part of their "wheelhouse," anyone who cares for adolescents and young adults must see this as a call to action. Reproductive health screening is often missed in the primary care setting1 which has led to recommendations to provide this care wherever adolescents and young adults present for care.2 As adolescents are under the legal age of majority and typically have less experience, education, and resources to help them access reproductive health care when needed, these new abortion laws will create disproportionate burdens on the adolescent population. For low-income youth and adolescent and young adults of color, this will likely worsen the disparities that already exist with regard to access to reproductive health care.3 Adolescents have the highest rates of unintended pregnancy4 and these pregnancies are more likely to end in abortion than adult pregnancies.5,6 Adolescents younger than age 20 make up 12% of individuals who have abortions in the US; minors who are 17 years or younger account for about 4% of all abortions in the US.7.
View details for DOI 10.1542/hpeds.2022-006829
View details for PubMedID 35799327
View details for DOI 10.1002/ijgo.14311
View details for PubMedID 35781656
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2022.08.007
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpag.2020.12.015
View details for PubMedID 33485521
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2020.10.020
View details for PubMedID 33541602
Vulvar masses in adolescents have a broad differential diagnosis, yet few reports exist detailing masses of mammary origin.A nulliparous, healthy 16-year-old adolescent presented with a longstanding, ulcerated, 17-cm vulvar mass of unknown origin and pronounced inguinal lymphadenopathy. The patient underwent a left radical partial vulvectomy, with pathology revealing terminal duct lobular units consistent with polymastia.Differential diagnosis of a vulvar mass in an adolescent should include polymastia.
View details for DOI 10.1097/AOG.0000000000004563
View details for PubMedID 34735404
PURPOSE: There is growing advocacy for use of long-acting reversible contraception among sexually active adolescents. Our primary aims were to evaluate etonogestrel subdermal contraceptive implant (SCI) insertion trends among adolescents, as well as SCI retention at 1, 2 and 3 years, indications for removal, and to identify pregnancies occurring during SCI use.METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of adolescents aged 13-19 with SCI insertions in 2008-2014 within a large integrated healthcare system. Demographic and clinical characteristics included age, race/ethnicity, BMI, gravidity, parity, insertions, reinsertions, indications for removal, and pregnancy. Electronic medical record review was conducted on a randomized sample of 540 adolescents with insertions during 2008-2011 for the retention objective to validate electronically extracted variables. Analyses included descriptive statistics, survival analysis with Kaplan-Meier estimates for implant retention and Cochran-Armitage trend test for insertions by year during 2008-2014.RESULTS: Most adolescent SCI users were non-Hispanic White (43%), or Hispanic (34.2%) and 16 years or older (84.2%) at the time of insertion. Overall, 1-, 2- and 3-year retention rates were 78.6%, 59.4% and 26.2% respectively, with retention at 44.3% at 2 years 9 months (indicative of removal of method for near expiration of 3- year device). The insertion rate trend demonstrated statistically significant increases annually, from 0.14% in 2008 to 0.91% in 2014, p< 0.0001. No pregnancies were documented during implant use. The most common indication for SCI removal was device expiration.CONCLUSIONS: SCI insertions increased annually among adolescents, with more than a six-fold increase over the 6-year study period, and over half of the SCIs retained through 2 years of use.
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpag.2020.12.019
View details for PubMedID 33388444
IMPORTANCE: Catamenial epilepsy (CE) is exacerbated by hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle. Approximately 1.7 million women have epilepsy in the United States. CE affects more than 40% of women with epilepsy. There is a paucity of literature addressing this condition from a clinical standpoint, and the literature that does exist is limited to the neurological community. This article reviews the diagnosis and management of CE for the non-neurologist. Women with CE have early touch points in their care with numerous health care providers before ever consulting with a specialist, including OB/GYNs, pediatricians, emergency department physicians, and family medicine providers. In addition, women affected by CE have seizures that are more recalcitrant to traditional epilepsy treatment regimens. To optimize management in patients affected by CE, menstrual physiology must be understood, individualized hormonal contraception treatment considered, and adjustments and interactions with antiepileptic drugs addressed.OBSERVATIONS: CE is a unique subset of seizure disorders affected by menstrual fluctuations of progesterone and estrogen. The diagnosis of CE has been refined and clarified. There is an ever-increasing understanding of the importance and variety of options of hormonal contraception available to help manage CE. Furthermore, antiepileptic drugs and contraception can interact, so attention must be directed to optimizing both regimens to prevent uncontrolled seizures and pregnancy.CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: CE can be diagnosed with charting of menstrual cycles and seizure activity. Hormonal treatments that induce amenorrhea have been shown to reduce CE. Optimizing antiepileptic drug dosing and contraceptive methods also can minimize unplanned pregnancies in women affected by CE.
View details for DOI 10.7812/TPP/19.145
View details for PubMedID 33482944
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpag.2020.05.003
The current article explores some of the more complex subtopics concerning adolescents and long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC).Recent research has highlighted ways in which LARC provision can be optimized in adolescents and has identified gaps in adolescent LARC access and utilization.Contraceptive counseling for adolescents should be patient-centered, not necessarily LARC-first, to avoid coercion. There are increasing applications for the noncontraceptive benefits of LARC for several unique patient populations and medical conditions.
View details for DOI 10.1097/GCO.0000000000000668
View details for PubMedID 33002953
Contraception is paramount to the overall health and longevity of women. Most women in the United States use birth control in their reproductive lifetimes. All options should be available and easily accessible to permit individualization and optimization of chosen methods. Current contraceptive methods available in the United States are reviewed. Emergency contraception, contraception in the postpartum period, and strategies to tailor methods to those affected by partner violence are also addressed. Tables and flow charts help providers and patients compare various contraceptive methods, optimize the start of a method, and identify resources for addressing safety in those with underlying medical conditions.
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.ogc.2019.04.002
View details for PubMedID 31378285
Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare multisystem necrotizing vasculitis associated with eosinophilia and extravascular granuloma and classically involving the upper and lower airways. There have only been a few reported cases of gynecologic involvement in EGPA.We present an 8-year-old girl diagnosed with EGPA with a vulvar granuloma in what is, to our knowledge, the first reported pediatric gynecologic manifestation of EGPA. Interestingly, the vulvar granuloma did not respond to initial immunosuppressant treatment with prednisone and methotrexate and required treatment regimen modification with mycophenolate mofetil resulting in granuloma resolution.EGPA in the pediatric population has a relatively high mortality rate compared with in the adult population thus it is important that vulvar granulomas associated with EGPA should be included in the differential diagnosis of a vulvar mass allowing for the prompt diagnosis and treatment of this potentially fatal disease in children.
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpag.2019.03.002
View details for PubMedID 30904627
In North America, 30% of children are overweight or obese. Child obesity is a precursor to adult health risks. Diagnosis of childhood obesity is difficult. The best measurement is BMI percentile charts. Obesity in children and adolescents can be treated by diet and activity changes. Family involvement in healthy lifestyle changes is best for weight loss and prevention.
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2017.06.003
View details for PubMedID 28838829
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpag.2016.10.009
View details for PubMedID 27989918
Although adnexal masses and ovarian torsion are common causes of acute pain in the female adolescent, fibroids are an uncommon etiology and little is reported in the literature. Because of the rarity of adolescent leiomyomas, the best surgical management is still unknown.To our knowledge, this is the first case report of a laparoscopic myomectomy in the adolescent population. The removed fibroid is one of the largest documented cases of uterine leiomyoma in adolescents.Degenerative fibroids, albeit less common, should be kept on the differential diagnosis, as a possible cause of pelvic mass and pain in the adolescent population. Fibroids in the adolescent patient, like the adult, can be managed with minimally invasive surgery with excellent clinical outcomes.
View details for DOI 10.1016/j.jpag.2016.05.007
View details for PubMedID 27262836
Long-acting reversible contraceptive methods are the most effective reversible contraceptives and have an excellent safety record. Although uncommon, possible long-acting reversible contraceptive complications should be included in the informed consent process. Obstetrician-gynecologists and other gynecologic care providers should understand the diagnosis and management of common clinical challenges. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends the algorithms included in this document for management of the most common clinical challenges.
View details for DOI 10.1097/AOG.0000000000001644
View details for PubMedID 27548557
Obstetrician-gynecologists are responsible for promoting healthy eating and physical activity in adolescents during annual screening examinations. Adolescents with a body mass index for age greater than or equal to the 95th percentile should undergo an in-depth health assessment to determine psychosocial morbidity and risk of cardiovascular disease. Further research is needed to determine the most efficacious approach to the prevention and treatment of obesity in adolescents. For now, it is best to extrapolate an approach from data pertaining to children and adults, while being cognizant of the special psychosocial and physical needs of adolescents.
View details for DOI 10.1097/GRF.0b013e31816d2282
View details for PubMedID 18463456