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  • When should I take my teenage daughter to the gynecologist?

    Many parents wonder when they should take their daughter to a gynecologist. Is it with their first period? Is it when they become sexually active? When do they need a pap smear? Some women dread their own appointments and worry their daughters will have a traumatic experience. Well, the good news is that gynecologic care for adolescents has come a long way, and teens can be provided with important information in a sensitive and caring way, and many girls do not even need a pelvic exam!

    What's normal?

    First, let me cover a bit of what’s normal. Most girls begin breast development around 10-11 years of age, and the average age girls start their periods in the U.S. is about 12.5 years. Most girls will bleed 5-7 days and cycles occur every 25-40 days. If a girl hasn’t started her period by age 14, she should be evaluated, and although some girls just need more time, others may have a real problem. Many girls have irregular menses for the first 2-4 years after they start their periods, but if a girl has been bleeding more than 10 days per month, they should be evaluated to prevent problems with anemia. I’ve seen girls who have bled for 6 months before seeing a gynecologist and some have been so anemic by then that they required blood transfusion. Most girls will notice an increase in menstrual cramps about two years after they start their periods, as this is when they start to actually ovulate. Severe cramps so that a girl is missing school are not normal and she should also be seen. Finally, if a girl has had regular menses and then the menses become irregular, skipping months or becoming more frequent, she should also be evaluated. Sometimes there is a hormonal disorder that needs to be evaluated.

  • My Journey Through Post-Partum Depression: Jenn's Story

    I gave birth to my second child in October of 2012. I had an un-medicated, quick vaginal birthing experience. It was wonderful! The first two weeks were blissful with this precious baby girl in my arms snuggling and nursing. Life was good.

  • Christina Applegate and Selma Blair shine a light on MS diagnosis and treatment

    If you watched the latest seasons of Dead to Me or Dancing with the Stars, you saw two well-known actors powering through the symptoms of multiple sclerosis.

  • Despite the Long Odds, My Boys Survived Their 20 Percent Chance

    My husband and I had been trying to have a baby for quite some time, so in 2008 when we found out we were pregnant, we were overjoyed! When we learned I was carrying twins, we were doubly ecstatic! I knew instantly that I would want to deliver at Orlando Health Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women & Babies. 

  • A Legacy of Trust: Mary Rogers, MSN/Ed, RN, NEA-BC, Chief Nursing Officer, Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, Assistant Vice President, Orlando Health

    How Mary Rogers found her way into nursing would likely surprise many young people today. The youngest of five siblings, Mary was destined at a young age to become a nurse. Her father had strong ideas about what his children should pursue for their careers — and for Mary, that meant she was to become a nurse. 

  • Veronica L Schimp, DO

    An expert in minimally invasive surgery, Veronica Schimp, DO, is chief of Gynecologic Oncology at Orlando Health Cancer Institute and chair of the Robotics/Minimally Invasive Surgical Quality Committee at Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies. She is board-certified in obstetrics and gynecology as well as gynecologic oncology.

  • Vijay Mehta, DO

    Dr. Vijay Mehta is a board-certified pediatric gastroenterologist at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children Center for Digestive Health and Nutrition. He diagnoses and treats gastrointestinal, liver and nutritional disorders in pediatric patients ranging from premature babies to young adults. He has special interest in:

  • William O'Brien, DO, FAOCR

    Dr. William O'Brien Sr. is a board-certified neuroradiologist and serves as Chief of Pediatric Neuroradiology at Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children. His expertise covers all aspects of pediatric neuroimaging with a particular focus on head and neck pathology in children. His experience includes:

  • Lainy Peralta, LMHC

    Lainy Peralta is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) with Orlando Health Medical Group Behavioral Health. Her specialties include:

  • Nanda Nair, DO, FACC

    Dr. Nanda Nair is a board-certified and fellowship-trained cardiologist with the Orlando Health Heart and Vascular Institute. His expertise includes: