The GI Health Center for Women focuses on women’s issues in Gastroenterology, Liver Disease and Nutrition. The Center is directed by female Gastroenterologists with special interests in women’s health issues including Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Gallbladder Disease, Liver Disease, GI Health in Pregnancy, Colon Cancer Screening and Prevention, and Rectal Disorders (hemorrhoids and female incontinence).

Today, women need information and a system where they feel comfortable discussing their intestinal health and concerns. The Center will not only provide medical care but will also help women educate themselves about health topics that concern them the most. The Center encourages women to seek medical attention and to embrace healthy lifestyles to promote wellness and prevent disease.

Visit Women's Health Services at North Shore University Hospital.

Common Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases in women include:

Gastroesophageal Reflux is the phrase used to describe the backward flow of gastric acid into the esophagus. Typical symptoms include a burning discomfort behind the breast bone, sour taste in the mouth or regurgitation of food. Occasionally, GERD will cause unusual symptoms such as unexplained cough, asthma, hoarseness or sore throat.

For women, the first experience with heartburn is often during pregnancy. This is due to hormones of pregnancy and pressure from the growing fetus. Symptoms of heartburn resolve in most of these women after delivery of the baby.

Many women with infrequent heartburn can easily control symptoms with diet and lifestyle changes. Long standing GERD, however, can cause serious problems. In severe cases, acid reflux may cause esophageal ulcers, strictures and a pre-cancerous disorder called Barrett’s esophagitis. In these cases, further testing may be indicated.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a very common gastrointestinal condition seen by both specialists and primary care physicians. Symptoms often include chronic abdominal pain and/or discomfort and altered bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation). IBS is among the most common gastrointestinal disorders for which women seek medical attention. The disorder is much more common among women by a 3 to 1 ratio. IBS is the second leading cause of work absenteeism. Patients with IBS often suffer from depression and anxiety. Even though the disorder can cause a great deal of discomfort and distress, it is not life threatening. Talking to a specialist about the problem is the first helpful step. This is to ensure that there is no underlying disease causing the symptoms and to educate patients on how to control their symptoms with diet, exercise and medications.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects women in their childbearing years. IBD primarily encompasses two disorders, Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease. Some women remain childless for fear of disease transmission to their offspring, fear of intimacy or dyspareunia (painful intercourse). Women with active Crohn’s disease can also have difficulty with conception, and has been shown to have poorer pregnancy outcomes than healthy women. For these reasons, many women have questions regarding their reproductive health, and need special attention before and during pregnancy.

Gallstones occur in up to 20% of American women. Women between the ages of 20 and 60 years are three times more likely to develop gallstones than men. Most people with gallstones have no symptoms of pain. Patients with symptomatic gallstones usually experience pain the right upper region of the abdomen that may radiate to the back, and associated with nausea and vomiting. Since 80% of persons with gallstones have no symptoms, it is important to realize that tests for gallstones are only needed when symptoms are present. Persons with symptomatic gallstones usually undergo surgery to remove the gallbladder.

Colon Cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women in the United States. Colon cancer strikes equally among women and men. Colon cancer occurs in mid-life, after the age of 50 years, and often strikes without any warning signs or symptoms. Like breast, cervical, and prostate cancer screening, everyone should be screened to prevent colon cancer. Average risks individuals include everyone over age 50. High risks include people with family history of colon cancer, colon polyps, personal history of colon polyps, personal history of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Fecal Incontinence is defined as either the involuntary passage or the inability to control the discharge of fecal matter through the anus. Although fecal incontinence affects people of all ages, its prevalence is disproportionally higher in women and in the elderly. The severity of incontinence can range from the unintentional elimination of flatus to the seepage of liquid fecal matter or sometimes the complete evacuation of bowel contents.

Not surprisingly, these events cause considerable embarrassment, which in turn can lead to a loss of self-esteem, social isolation and a diminished quality of life.