Blog Archive
Hearing you have fibroids may be unsettling, and hearing you need surgery may be downright scary, but the more information you have, the more relaxed you’ll be about your health and your future. The first thing you need to know is that fibroids aren’t cancerous. They are benign lumps of...
Dr. Khashayar Shakiba, at Women’s Pelvic Surgery of North Jersey in Hackensack, may recommend a hysterectomy — the removal of your uterus — for any of several reasons. For example, the procedure that may become necessary if you have fibroids, endometriosis, uterine prolapse, abnormal vaginal bleeding, or cancer. While a...
If your bladder betrays you every time you lift, laugh, sneeze, or cough, you’re not alone. About one-third of women over 45 and half of women over 65 have stress incontinence, the type that causes leaks when you exert a little pressure by exercising or sneezing. Although men get urinary...
There are things in life you take for granted: the sun rises, the sun sets, and your internal organs stay inside your body. Unfortunately, this last one isn’t always a given. If the muscles and ligaments in your pelvic floor become weakened with age or multiple deliveries, your uterus can...
Minimally invasive pelvic surgery is, as the name implies, minimally invasive surgery done on the pelvic region for women. There are a wide array of conditions and surgical procedures women undergo to maintain optimal health, and in the past, these often meant serious surgeries with large incisions, and long recovery...
Millions of women suffer through painful sexual experiences because they’re embarrassed to talk about it or think it’s normal. But sex should be an enjoyable aspect of a healthy adult life, and if that doesn’t describe your intimate encounters, there are things you can — and should — do about...
If you’ve been told you need a hysterectomy, you may be worried about the procedure, the recovery, and your future. These are normal, healthy emotions. And whether the path that led you to this day has been long and painful or sudden and shocking, you’ve arrived at the conclusion that...
Endometriosis occurs when the lining in your uterus grows outside your womb. Once it breaches its boundaries, it attaches itself to anything nearby, including your ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the outside of your uterus. It can even reach other organs like your bladder, bowels, and liver. Dr. Khashayar Shakiba at...
Most women develop a few ovarian cysts throughout their lifetime and never even know it, and after menopause, about 18% of women get them. These tiny sacs filled with fluid can usually only be seen with ultrasound, and they typically go away without any treatment. Regardless of your age, most...
Usually benign and typically harmless, uterine fibroids are tumors that grow on or in your uterus. They start out as just a single muscle cell, which then grows and multiplies into a mass of cells. Eventually, fibroids increase in size, anywhere from the size of a pea to a melon....
Have you noticed that it’s getting a little harder to “hold it” when the urge hits to head to the restroom? Have you had a couple of “oops” moments after laughing at a joke or jogging down the street? These are the beginning stages of urinary incontinence, and it happens...
Periods are never fun, but some can be worse than others. Menstruation, even regular cycles, can be unpredictable — heavy bleeding, sharp cramps, and an elongated duration are just a few of the varying characteristics each month has in store. So how do you know when it’s just “one of...
Fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in the uterus and can cause a range of symptoms such as heavy periods, pelvic pain, and frequent urination. While fibroids are not life-threatening, they can impact a woman's quality of life and may require treatment. Traditionally, fibroids were treated with a hysterectomy, a...
Urinary incontinence is one of those frustrating and embarrassing medical issues that can be difficult to bring up with your doctor. If you leak when you cough, laugh, sneeze, or when pressure is placed on your belly, you may be among many other women who experience urinary incontinence. This condition...
Any bleeding that occurs between periods is considered to be abnormal. If you have been experiencing heavy or abnormal bleeding, it may be an indication of a serious issue. While these symptoms may make your daily life uncomfortable, troublesome, or inconvenient, it should never be shrugged off or overlooked. Your health...
Pelvic pain can indicate any of several conditions. And since many of these share symptoms with one another, the only way to know for certain what you’re dealing with is to seek an expert diagnosis from a qualified medical professional like Dr. Khashayar Shakiba at Women’s Pelvic Surgery of North...
Unlike the tissue in other parts of the body, the lining in your uterus has a tendency to wander. When this occurs — a condition called endometriosis — endometrial tissue creeps outside your uterus and attaches itself to other surfaces and organs, including your ovaries and fallopian tubes. In advanced...
Millions of women are plagued by medical issues such as fibroids, adenomyosis, endometriosis, pelvic pain, uterine/ pelvic organ prolapses, and uterine/ abnormal bleeding. For these, among other issues, robotic hysterectomies are becoming a popular option for treatment due to the many benefits this surgery can provide. Though traditional hysterectomies are...
Pelvic organ prolapses are quite common after pregnancy and childbirth, and a variety of prolapses can occur, such as uterine prolapse, bladder prolapse (cystocele), vaginal prolapse, and rectal prolapse (rectocele). What prolapse refers to is the dropping of these organs from their original placements. In many cases, women feel like...
Have you been given a diagnosis that warrants a hysterectomy as your only treatment option? Are you aware that there are several different options that may be available to you for this surgery? If you are in the area of northern New Jersey, Dr. Shakiba of Women’s Pelvic Surgery of...
Oh, the joys of womanhood! For all the positive, powerful, and splendid aspects of being female, there are a few parts we’d all take a pass on if we could. We’re talking about incontinence — that embarrassing leak of liquid that dampens your undies every time you laugh, cough, sneeze,...
Like most things in life that fall into the “out of sight, out of mind” category, you probably don’t think much about your pelvic floor, but you should — more than one-third of all women have at least one pelvic floor disorder. Your pelvic floor performs a host of important...
As you get older and hit menopause, your body produces less estrogen. This decrease in estrogen can lead to pelvic organ prolapse, a condition in which one of your pelvic organs moves or falls out of place. Khashayar Shakiba, MD, at Women’s Pelvic Surgery of North Jersey in Hackensack, New...
Unless you and your partner are actively trying to conceive, a late period may be cause for concern. Your first thought may be an unplanned pregnancy, but the reality is there are dozens of possible reasons for irregular menstruation. If your period is more than a week late, consider taking...
If you have never tried to conceive, you may have never even thought of questioning your fertility. For most women, though, it does not take more than a few months of trying to become pregnant before they start worrying about their reproductive health. According to WebMD, a woman is considered infertile...
Most women associate a missed period with pregnancy. Although dozens of factors can affect menstruation, it is normal to assume that if you are sexually active and you miss a period, pregnancy is a very real possibility. What if other symptoms accompany your missed period, though, and they are not...
Endometriosis is a little-known, but widespread medical condition that effects 1 in 10 women. Many women suffer from endometriosis in silence because they don’t know they have it, gynecologists and other medical practitioners do not take their complaints seriously and undermine the severity of their symptoms, or they are misdiagnosed....
Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, is a common hormonal disorder that affects many women of reproductive age. This syndrome is caused by an imbalance of hormones, including androgens like testosterone. The high levels of testosterone have an impact on multiple organs and cause symptoms including irregular or absent menses, infertility, excessive...
Urinary incontinence is an issue that affects millions of women. Statistics state that about one-third of women have incontinence at some point during their lifetimes. It can be annoying, inconvenient, humiliating, and at times, stressful. Above all, incontinence is frustrating because whether it is a mild case or an extreme one, it...
Painful intercourse can be troublesome from both a physiological perspective and a psychological one. If sex has suddenly become uncomfortable for you, you may be suffering from a medical condition that requires treatment. And if the lack of intimacy is affecting your relationship, you’re probably suffering on an emotional level,...
According to the Endometriosis Foundation of America, 1 in 10 women in the United States suffer from endometriosis, and it affects more than 175 million women worldwide. Although symptoms typically appear during the reproductive years, many women remain undiagnosed throughout the duration of their lives. The specific cause of endometriosis is...
Urinary incontinence is a common condition that affects females at all stages of life. Incontinence, or involuntary leakage of urine, is caused by weakened or damage pelvic floor muscles that are unable to control the flow of urine. Risk factors for incontinence include vaginal birth, obesity, chronic cough or asthma,...
Vaginal bleeding is normal under certain circumstances, but in many cases, it indicates a potentially serious complication. If you are experiencing vaginal bleeding outside of your usual menstruation, contact your gynecologist immediately. According to WebMD, there are several possible causes of abnormal bleeding. In some cases, it may resolve itself, but...
Life is never fun when you have a Urinary Tract Infection because let’s face it, it can be extremely painful. While you might be familiar with what the symptoms of a UTI are, what exactly is a UTI? Well, a UTI, also known as a urinary tract infection, “is an...
Hysteroscopy is a common procedure used in gynecology and one that many patients will undergo. During hysteroscopy, a thin tube carrying a camera and light is placed through the cervix into the uterus to visualize the uterine cavity. Since the natural cervical opening is used, no incisions or cuts are...
Dyspareunia, or painful intercourse, is a common problem that affects many women as they age. Estrogen is a hormone that is responsible for maintaining the natural health and moisture of the vagina. After menopause the levels of estrogen dramatically decrease which results in vaginal tissue that is thin, dry, and...
More and more women are speaking up about their experiences after childbirth. Until recently, few people were talking about bladder prolapse and about the medical conditions women can develop after labor. There are many complications associated with childbirth, from vaginal tears to bladder prolapse. While some of these conditions often...
Pelvic pain, for many women, is a common experience. Yet, not all types of pelvic pain are normal. What is normal pelvic pain and when does it make sense to schedule a visit with your gynecologist? Certain kinds of pelvic pain are normal. For example, according to WebMD it is common for...
According to Teen Vogue, endometriosis affects approximately 6.3 million women. The condition can lead to excruciating pain during menstruation. Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue normally found inside the uterus is located outside the uterus. When the hormones that lead to menstruation are present in the body, the...
While the pathology underlying endometriosis has been studied extensively, many questions remain about the cause and varied symptomology of this disease. It is unclear why some patients with extensive endometriosis implants have few symptoms while others present with debilitating pain and only have minimal disease on surgical exploration. One of...
About half of all women will experience some form of pelvic organ prolapse in their lifetime. Yet many women know little to nothing about this common problem and its surgical fix. Or what they have heard scares them. Dr. Khashayar Shakiba is a board-certified urogynecologist and skilled surgeon who specializes...
Fibroids are benign growths in the muscular wall of the uterus. These fibroids, or leiomyomas, can range in size and cause a variety of symptoms. Fibroids are very common and affect up to 80% of females by age 50. Symptoms include heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain or pressure, urinary frequency/urgency,...
Do you suffer from discomfort or pain when urinating? Do you have bladder pressure or pelvic pain? If so, you may be suffering from interstitial cystitis (IC). Fortunately, there are a number of treatment options. Here at Women's Pelvic Surgery of North Jersey in Hackensack, Dr. Khashayar Shakiba uses innovative...
Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a chronic and disabling condition that causes pain in the bladder and/or pelvic region. Patients with this condition report frequent urination, urinary urgency, pain with sex, discomfort with urination, or a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder. The symptoms of interstitial cystitis may be so...
Do you suffer from endometriosis? Are you aware that your symptoms and discomfort may be able to be treated with highly advanced, minimally invasive robotic surgery? Keep reading to learn more about this innovative technology that is helping women undergo gentler, more manageable surgeries for endometriosis! What is Endometriosis? Endometriosis...
Ovarian cysts are benign growths that can develop on the ovaries. With each menstrual cycle, the ovary produces a cyst that ruptures and releases an egg. These cysts are harmless and do not require any treatment. However, some cysts may become abnormally large and cause discomfort. Symptoms of ovarian cysts...
Cervical cancer, the leading cause of cancer deaths in women worldwide, is easily prevented with regular screening and prompt treatment. If the initial cervical cancer screening, or pap smear, is abnormal, the next step is often a colposcopy. A colposcopy is an in-office procedure that uses a colposcope to magnify the...
As women age and go through various hormonal and physical changes, it's not uncommon for them to experience pelvic floor disorders. These can range from urinary incontinence to pelvic organ prolapse and can be both physically and emotionally debilitating. Many women accept these changes as a part of the natural...
Recurrent urinary tract infection’s are a very bothersome and common problem among women. It could involve a variety of ages, starting from age 16 or even younger til post-menopausal and elderly patients. Because of recurrent urinary tract infections, which vary on different age group, and of course any women who...
Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus, called the endometrium, grows outside of the uterus. This tissue can attach to organs in the pelvis such as the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and even the bladder or colon and lead to inflammation. While...
Pudendal neuralgia is a painful condition caused bydamage or irritation of the pudendal nerve, animportant nerve which runs through the pelvis andinnervates the genitals, anus, and perineum. Despite itsprevalence, pudendal neuralgia can be difficult todiagnose due to its complex symptoms and limitedknowledge about the condition. Symptoms of pudendal neuralgia include...
Did you know endometriosis could be the cause of abdominal bloating by affecting the pelvic nerve, more specially hypogastric plexus. The inflammation could cause irritation of nerve, and not only cause urinary urgency and frequency, but also cause abdominal bloating. If you are experiencing above problem/symptoms please make appointment to...
If you are experiencing the following symptoms of heavy bleeding, painful ovulation, painful periods, pain during or after sexual intercourse, chronic pelvic pain and infertility, do not hesitate to have a consult with Dr. Khashayar Shakiba. If you’ve been living with these persistent symptoms, it’s time to seek help...
At Women’s Pelvic Surgery of North Jersey we are in contact with many patient’s, young women before menopause and many women after menopause, who come to the office to consult with me with the diagnosis of recurrent UTI. They usually receive multiple courses of antibiotic treatment without success and become...
No one wants to hear they need a hysterectomy. Losing any part of your anatomy can be frightening, but it may be the best solution for your quality of life and overall health. But how do you know it’s the best choice for you? Women who live in or near...
You could have an ovarian cyst right now and not even know it. These little fluid-filled sacs aren’t uncommon — in fact, most women will get at least one at some point during their life. When they’re small, they’re usually asymptomatic and disappear without causing any trouble. When they do...
Sexual dysfunction is more common than you may realize In fact, about 40% of women aren’t enjoying sex for one reason or another. Unfortunately, many of them don’t seek help because they’re either embarrassed to talk about it, or they think it’s normal. Dr. Khashayar Shakiba at Women’s Pelvic Surgery...
Optimal health occurs when all your body parts function properly according to their unique roles. So, what happens if one of those parts goes rogue and invades the territory of a neighboring body part? That’s endometriosis — when the lining in your uterus sneaks out and attaches itself to your...
If you’re relying on your primary care physician for all your health care needs, you may be doing yourself a disservice. Family practice and internal medical doctors are a valuable part of your overall health care, but they should never replace a gynecologist, who specializes in the female anatomy. Dr....
As enjoyable as sex is, it also comes with a potential downside. The bodily fluids that you share with your partner may contain bacteria and viruses that can lead to serious complications, including infertility, blindness, damage to your organs, and even certain cancers. These sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) come in...
The thought of having a stranger, even a highly qualified doctor, examine your body can be unsettling. Here to put your mind and body at ease, Dr. Khashayar Shakiba and our experienced, compassionate team at Women’s Pelvic Surgery of North Jersey address all your questions and concerns about the well-woman...
Pelvic pain can be tough to diagnose. Many symptoms you may experience are common to several conditions. Take interstitial cystitis (IC) for example. The classic signs of pain and frequent urination also apply to urinary tract infections, fibroids, endometriosis, and other pelvic disorders. But IC is different. It’s not an...
The changes that come along with menopause are no secret. There’s no shortage of songs, movies, plays, and stand-up comedy acts poking fun at the stereotypical symptoms, like hot flashes and mood swings. But if you’re a woman experiencing these life-changing symptoms and more, you know it’s no laughing matter....
From urinary incontinence to painful endometriosis, board-certified OB/GYN Dr. Khashayar Shakiba helps myriad patients achieve a far better quality of life at his clinic in North Jersey. Using a variety of tools, from our minimally invasive, state-of-the-art da Vinci® robotic system to Electronic Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification for evaluating pelvic...
Is intercourse uncomfortable? Are you no longer in sync with your partner? Almost half of all women experience some type of sexual dysfunction at some point in their lives. You're not alone. Our caring team at Women’s Pelvic Surgery of North Jersey will put the necessary time and effort into...
It can be hard to carve time out of your busy day to see your doctor, especially when you’re feeling fine. If it ain’t broke, right? But when it comes to your health, it’s not always best to wait until things go wrong. At Women’s Pelvic Surgery of North Jersey,...
Endometriosis is a condition in which the tissue found inside the uterus develops outside the organ. The resulting endometrial lesions typically occur next to the fallopian tubes and the cervix. In rare cases, they can even be found next to the rectum, liver, and lungs. Estimates suggest that 1 in...
On the surface, infertility is a symptom of a problem. The North Carolina Medical Journal finds that the causes vary among male-factor infertility (30%), female-factor infertility (30%), and infertility that’s the result of a variety of factors or unexplained infertility (40%). No matter what kind of infertility you are suffering...
Approximately 75% of women experience some form of physical pain during sexual intercourse. The causes could be from a hormonal imbalance, menopause, hysterectomies, cancer, or damage to the vaginal area from childbirth. Whatever the reason, if artificial lubricants and pelvic floor exercises aren’t working out for you, you have another...
Approximately 75% of women experience some form of physical pain during sexual intercourse. The causes could be from a hormonal imbalance, menopause, hysterectomies, cancer, or damage to the vaginal area from childbirth. Whatever the reason, if artificial lubricants and pelvic floor exercises aren’t working out for you, you have another...
It can be heartstopping to hear that your Pap test result came back abnormal or positive. After all, you know that a Pap test — also called a Pap smear — screens for cervical cancer. If you’ve received that news, of if you’re about to get a Pap test and...
Urinary incontinence is an embarrassing problem, but it’s a common issue for many adults. While it can affect anyone, twice as many women have urinary incontinence compared to men, and more than 4 out of 10 women 65 and older struggle with it. Urinary incontinence describes bladder control issues that...
A woman’s pelvis holds a set of muscles shaped somewhat like a bowl. They act like a sling to support your bladder, bowel, uterus, and rectum. When these muscles are tight, you may experience pelvic pain. When they aren’t strong enough, your internal organs aren’t supported well, and you could...
Do you suffer from discomfort or pain when urinating? Do you have bladder pressure or pelvic pain? If so, you may be suffering from interstitial cystitis (IC). Fortunately, there are a number of treatment options. Here at Women's Pelvic Surgery of North Jersey in Hackensack, Dr. Khashayar Shakiba uses innovative...
About half of all women will experience some form of pelvic organ prolapse in their lifetime. Yet many women know little to nothing about this common problem and its surgical fix. Or what they have heard scares them. Dr. Khashayar Shakiba is a board-certified urogynecologist and skilled surgeon who specializes...
Endometriosis is a common but sometimes life-altering health problem that causes endometrial tissue (the lining of the uterus shed during menstruation) to build up in other parts of the abdomen and pelvis. Despite its dislocation, this tissue acts just like endometrial tissue in that it builds up during your cycle...
The need for a hysterectomy can hit hard for many women. The good news is, this procedure has come a long way. Perhaps your mother or grandmother spent several nights in the hospital after undergoing a hysterectomy, followed by many weeks in bed at home. Thanks to robotic-assistance, that's no...
Pelvic organ prolapse affects millions of women every year, yet many women don’t recognize the symptoms or know they can be treated. Prolapse occurs when the strong muscles and ligaments of the pelvic floor weaken and can no longer support the pelvic organs (the uterus, vagina, and bladder). This weakness...
If you’re experiencing the frustration and embarrassment of urinary incontinence, you’ve probably heard about performing Kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles and help prevent unexpected urine leakage.And you’re certainly not alone if you have trouble isolating these muscles or are uncertain about whether you’re doing the moves correctly....
The da Vinci® Surgical System is a highly advanced, highly specific medical technology that is changing the way surgeries are performed. Dr. Shakiba of Women’s Pelvic Surgery of North Jersey utilizes this method in many procedures such as robotic hysterectomies, robotic myectomies, and robotic ovarian cystectomies. As a result, he has...