Risk Factors of Ectopic Pregnancy

Prior to starting a consulting role with the Georgia Division of Aging Services, Dr. Maureen Muoneke spent nearly a decade delivering care at a private women's health care clinic. Dr. Maureen Muoneke specializes in treating infertility and pregnancy complications, such as ectopic pregnancies.

Ectopic pregnancy is a potentially life-threatening condition in which a fertilized egg begins to develop before implanting in the uterus. Since other parts of the reproductive system cannot accommodate a growing embryo, an ectopic pregnancy can cause considerable damage.

While any woman of childbearing age can develop an ectopic pregnancy, the condition is more prevalent in the following circumstances:

1. Using an intrauterine device (IUD) - This type of contraceptive uses hormones to prevent fertilization and ovulation. However, less than 1 percent of women with an IUD may still become pregnant. Since the IUD blocks implementation in the uterus, an ectopic pregnancy is more likely.

2. Endometriosis - This disorder causes uterine tissue to grow in other areas of the reproductive system. This can cause cysts and scar tissue to develop from the ovaries to the fallopian tubes and impede a fertilized egg from reaching the uterus.

3. Prior ectopic pregnancies - A history of ectopic pregnancies may suggest a chronic issue with the reproductive system. This includes abnormal fallopian tubes, infection, or inflammation.

Vaginitis - Types And Causes

With an M.D. from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Dr. Maureen Muoneke served as a chief resident of obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Maryland Medical Systems. For eight years, Dr. Maureen Muoneke operated her private medical practice, Women's Care LLC, where she provided infertility treatment and care for various gynecologic conditions such as vaginitis and endometriosis.

An inflammation of the vagina, vaginitis can either be infectious or non-infectious. Infectious vaginitis is caused by microbes, such as yeast infection, bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, viral vaginitis, and gonorrhea. Non-infectious vaginitis, on the other hand, can be caused by excessive use of antibiotics or allergic reactions in vulvar or vaginal tissues from perfumed soaps, vaginal sprays, scented detergents, and antibiotics. Other non-infectious vaginitis are caused by a low level of estrogen, which can result from menopause, certain contraceptives, or a surgery that involves removal of the ovaries (bilateral oophorectomy).

Vaginitis symptoms may include painful urination, uncomfortable sex, heavier vaginal discharge with irregular odor and color, vaginal itching or irritation, and swelling around or outside the vagina.

Some of the microbes that cause vaginitis are bacteria and fungi that are normally present in a healthy vagina but a much lower amount. When a person uses antibiotics in excess, this can destroy a large number of other microbes in the vagina that help maintain the normal population of the causative microorganisms, allowing the causative microorganisms to grow in excess and cause irritation. Some other causative microorganisms, like the ones responsible for gonorrhea or trichomoniasis, can be contracted through sex.

Non-invasive Treatment for Uterine Fibroids with Symptoms

A fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Maureen Muoneke is the former owner and attending physician at Women's Care, LLC. Throughout her career, Dr. Maureen Muoneke has provided non-invasive treatments for various gynecologic conditions, including symptomatic uterine fibroids.

Also called myomas or leiomyomas, uterine fibroids are noncancerous growths in the uterus that occur during childbearing years. In the uterus, there can be a single fibroid or multiple fibroids. Multiple fibroids, at their extreme, can cause a significant increase in weight and expand the uterus, pushing it against the rib cage. Depending on the size, location, and number of fibroids, uterine fibroid show symptoms (symptomatic uterine fibroids) or not (asymptomatic uterine fibroids). Symptoms include pelvic pain or pressure, constipation, frequent urination, backache or leg pains, longer menstrual periods, and difficulty emptying the bladder.

Often, uterine fibroids are detected incidentally during routine pelvic examinations. If a patient report symptoms to their doctor, however, the doctor may order an ultrasound imaging of the uterus. If ultrasound doesn't provide adequate information, other imaging such as MRI, hysteroscopy, hysterosalpingography, and hysterosonography may be done. The doctor may also order for blood tests if the patient report abnormal menstrual bleeding.

Certain symptoms of uterine fibroids - like pelvic pressure and heavy menstrual bleeding - can be controlled with medications. These medications may only shrink fibroids; they don't eliminate them. A non-invasive surgical procedure for symptomatic uterine fibroids is MRI-guided focused ultrasound surgery (FUS). Done on an outpatient basis, the surgery is performed while the patient is in an MRI scanner, and it involves finding the precise location of the fibroids and destroying the fibroids with soundwaves from an ultrasound transducer that heat small areas of fibroid tissue. The procedure requires no incision.

Hyperandrogenism - Endocrine Disorder in Women

A fellow of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Maureen Muoneke is a former attending physician at Seton Medical Group. Dr. Maureen Muoneke has provided gynecologic care to female patients of various age groups and is also experienced in treating reproductive endocrine disorders, including hyperandrogenism.

Hyperandrogenism is characterized by the excessive level of male sex hormones (also known as testosterone) in females. This can happen when there is a high level of circulating testosterone, low level of a testosterone binding protein called SHBG, and an increase in the conversion of weak androgens to stronger androgens.

Disorder of endocrine glands, such as pituitary gland and adrenal gland, obesity, and hormonal imbalance, which may be caused by some medications such as anabolic steroids, testosterone, and recombinant IGF-1 are some causes of hyperandrogenism. Hyperandrogenism can affect a person's appearance, such as when it results in female pattern baldness, hirsutism, acne, male pattern baldness, and masculine appearance, which is characterized by increased muscle mass and decreased breast size. Aside from appearance, it can also affect the reproductive system, causing irregular menstruation, and infertility.

Due to the fact that hyperandrogenism can result in a variety of endocrine disorders, blood tests for hormones such as testosterone, follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, and 17-hydroxyprogesterone are ideal for diagnosis and identification of the exact cause. A pelvic ultrasound scan can also be done. Hormone therapy can help reverse the effect of excess androgen.

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Volunteer Opportunities at Georgia’s Division of Aging Services

A resident of Atlanta, Georgia, Dr. Maureen Muoneke earned her medical degree from the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology from the University of Maryland Medical Systems. Dr. Maureen Muoneke serves as a medical consultant to the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency within Georgia’s Division of Aging Services (DAS).

The division exists to provide support to people with disabilities, at-risk individuals and the elderly, helping them live healthy and productive lives. A range of volunteer opportunities are presented by the DAS to assist elders including raising awareness about elder abuse. For example, volunteers who wish to be involved in providing community education are encouraged to contact the DAS to access materials and arrange speakers. Similarly, GeorgiaCares SHIP is a volunteer opportunity that involves educating the public. This role requires training and involves teaching people how to protect themselves from Medicare fraud and abuse.

The DAS encourages volunteers to work in the area of elder abuse and consumer fraud prevention through 12 programs offered by local state agencies focused on aging. Volunteers are needed to work at health fairs, act as an information resource over the phone, and to facilitate community presentations.

Prospective volunteers are encouraged to contact the DAS and speak to a volunteer coordinator to learn about the many volunteer options available in their local area.

Risk Factors of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

A member of the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Dr. Maureen Muoneke is the owner and attending physician at Women's Care, LLC. Dr. Maureen Muoneke has practiced non-invasive treatment for various reproductive disorders, including polycystic ovary syndrome and premature menopause.

A reproductive disorder associated with females who are of reproductive age, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) has various symptoms and can lead to several reproductive complications. The symptoms of the conditions include irregular periods, polycystic ovaries, and excess androgen. Infertility, premature birth, miscarriage, gestational diabetes, and depression are some possible complications of the disorder.

Research has suggested a link between PCOS and certain genes. In most cases, however, the disorder is associated with the imbalance of androgen in the body. In some cases, a female with excess androgen levels can develop the disorder, accompanied by some other symptoms such as acne and hirsutism (excess body hair growth and facial hair in women). Sometimes, the excess androgen level results from the resistance of cells to the hormone insulin, which helps the body regulate blood sugar. If these hormones are not used by cells, they may build up in the blood, and in turn, increase androgen production, which leads to difficulty in ovulation when in excess. As shown by research, women diagnosed with PCOS have a particular low-grade inflammation, which prompts polycystic ovaries to secrete more androgen, which can further cause problems in the circulatory system.

Women are advised to see their doctor if they are having fertility problems, irregular menstrual periods, or symptoms of excess androgen such as acne, hirsutism, and male pattern baldness.

Signs and Treatment of Endometriosis

female health

An experienced OB/GYN, Dr. Maureen Muoneke serves as a medical consultant at the Georgia Division of Aging Services in Atlanta, where she helps evaluate the eligibility of disability applicants. A former practicing OB/GYN, Dr. Maureen Muoneke is experienced in treating a number of women’s health conditions, such as endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue that is normally found within the uterus begins growing outside of it, typically on the fallopian tubes and sometimes even the ovaries themselves. This is a very painful condition that, if left unchecked, can cause infertility or increase the risk of developing ovarian cancer. Pelvic pain most commonly occurs during the menstrual cycle, sexual intercourse, or while urinating or having a bowel movement. Abnormally heavy bleeding while menstruating is also another common symptom.

Regular pelvic exams are important for early detection. A doctor may detect the signs of endometriosis during a pelvic exam and use further imaging and/or laparoscopic methods of determining the extent of the endometriosis and exactly where it is located. In addition to treating the pain, a doctor may prescribe hormone therapy to regulate the condition. Laparoscopic surgery can be used to remove the tissue in instances where the woman is trying to conceive a child.