- With Mayo Clinic internist
Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.
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Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.
Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.
Dr. Sandhya Pruthi, certified by the American Board of Family Practice, has been practicing medicine at Mayo Clinic since 1995 with special interests in breast diseases and women's health.
She is a consultant in the Department of Internal Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, and the Breast Diagnostic Clinic. She is an assistant professor of medicine at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Rochester, Minn.
The Winnipeg, Manitoba, native stresses education and patient-related research and has been active in both areas since joining Mayo Clinic. She is the primary investigator at Mayo Clinic of several clinical trials evaluating new agents for the prevention of breast cancer and identification of biomarkers for early detection of breast cancer. Her other research and clinical interests include managing the health of women who are at increased risk of breast cancer, breast pain and hot flashes, and developing patient education decision-making tools for breast-related concerns. She is director of the Breast Diagnostic Clinic and is a member of the Women's Health Executive Committee. Dr. Pruthi has been newly elected as a member to the board of directors for the American Society of Breast Disease. She has assisted with a variety of articles for MayoClinic.com.
"Having an opportunity to share information with my patients in the way that will help them to understand and be able to make educated decisions about their own health is very important to me," she says.
"The Web has become a major information site for people, and I want them to get the best and accurate information to be able to make informed choices for themselves, their family members and friends."
Women's health (2)
- Lead in lipstick: A health concern?
- Birth control pills for acne?
Breast health (3)
- Silicone breast implants: What happens if they rupture?
- Natural breast enhancement: Does it work?
- Sagging breasts: Inevitable after breast-feeding?
Women's sexual health (10)
- Vaginoplasty: OK for cosmetic purposes?
- Birth control: Can pre-ejaculation fluid cause pregnancy?
- Morning-after pill: Emergency birth control
- see all in Women's sexual health
Women's life stages (2)
- Menstrual cup: What is it?
- Asthma: Why are symptoms worse during my period?
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Question
Menstrual cup: What is it?
My 14-year-old granddaughter is curious about using a menstrual cup, specifically a product called DivaCup. I have some concerns about her using this device. What can you tell me about it?
Answer
from Sandhya Pruthi, M.D.
A menstrual cup is worn inside the vagina during menstruation to collect menstrual flow. It is used as an alternative to pads or tampons.
Menstrual cups have been around since the 1930s. The original cups were made of rubber. The DivaCup — one of several brands of menstrual cups available in the United States — is made of latex-free silicone. The reusable cup can hold 1 ounce (29.5 milliliters) of fluids; the average menstrual flow is 3 to 4 ounces (88.7 to 118.3 milliliters). When the cup is full, it is removed, emptied, cleaned and reinserted into the vagina.
Some women find a menstrual cup to be more comfortable and convenient than tampons or pads. Others find it uncomfortable to place and remove, and abandon its use. Menstrual cups are safe when used as directed. But they are not a very widely used method of menstrual hygiene.
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