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Dr. Beverly Joyce, M.D.

OB-GYN (Obstetrician-Gynecologist) | Gynecology

Dr. Beverly Joyce is an OB-GYN with a focus in Gynecology, gynecologic surgery and minimally invasive surgery. She performs hysteroscopic and laparoscopic surgery at Sequoia Hospital.  She does office procedures including colposcopy, LEEP, ultrasound, saline infusion sonography, hysteroscopy, IUD insertions, endometrial biospy, and intrauterine insemination. She has expertise in menopause/perimenopause and in management with hormonal and non-hormonal therapies. She is a NAMS Certified Menopause Practitioner. She provides well-woman care to women of all ages. 
Dr. Joyce has a passion for wellness. She incorporates this into her patient care by listening to her patients' stories, understanding what their challenges are, and addressing those specifically along with their medical needs. 
She has trained as a life coach, and coaches other physicians who may be struggling with career and life stressors. You can find her at DrJoyCoaching.net. 
Learn More About Me
40 years Experience
Dr. Beverly Joyce, M.D.
  • Redwood City, CA
  • Mount Holyoke College
  • Accepting new patients

Early period?

It is probably due to taking the pills continuously, but it's never a bad idea to do a pregnancy test to be certain.

Cancer or BV?

Make sure your pap smear is up to date, and you may want to get tests for other types of infection. If you are having pain, I would suggest an ultrasound.

Peri-implantation bleed?

Hopefully the report also states that there is a normal-sized fetus with a normal heart rate. These kinds of bleeds typically resolve with time.
Best wishes,
Dr. Joyce

Pregnancy test?

It means you are definitely far enough along to get an ultrasound and see the fetus.

Ovarian cysts & other complications?

Cysts on the ovary can come and go. When they are bigger than 5cm there is a risk or rupture or torsion (where the ovary twists on its blood supply) and these can both cause acute READ MORE
Cysts on the ovary can come and go. When they are bigger than 5cm there is a risk or rupture or torsion (where the ovary twists on its blood supply) and these can both cause acute pain. An 11cm cyst is not likely to go away—you may need it surgically removed. If you are continuing to have severe pain, go to the Emergency Department.

Positive pregnancy tests..but negative blood test?

There can be false positive and false negatives. If you're 6 weeks pregnant (2 weeks late) I would expect both the home test AND the blood test to be positive. I would repeat READ MORE
There can be false positive and false negatives. If you're 6 weeks pregnant (2 weeks late) I would expect both the home test AND the blood test to be positive.
I would repeat the blood testing and ask for a pelvic ultrasound.
Dr. Joyce

Am I pregnant?

Your ObGyn will evaluate why you are not getting your period . She can also give you medication to bring on the period if you are not pregnant.

Abnormal bleeding?

I would take a look with a mirror and see if there's any tearing of the skin around the vagina. If there's a break in the skin, you will need to let it heal before you have intercourse READ MORE
I would take a look with a mirror and see if there's any tearing of the skin around the vagina. If there's a break in the skin, you will need to let it heal before you have intercourse again. At that point, make you are lubricated- either naturally or with a lubricant- before trying again.

Heavy period after covid?

Menstrual changes are common with Covid, but you're also in an age range that there could be something else going on- fibroids, or hormonal changes. I would recommend seeing your READ MORE
Menstrual changes are common with Covid, but you're also in an age range that there could be something else going on- fibroids, or hormonal changes. I would recommend seeing your primary care doc or gynecologist.

Can I take norethisterone as well as the progesterone only pill?

Yes, you could take both to delay the period.

Bleeding again?

Have you had a recent exam and Pap? Your history is concerning for something going on in the cervix. Other reasons for bleeding like this: pregnancy-related, infection-related, READ MORE
Have you had a recent exam and Pap? Your history is concerning for something going on in the cervix.
Other reasons for bleeding like this: pregnancy-related, infection-related, or hormonal.
Please see your gynecologist.

I would see your gynecologist.

Pregnancy possibility?

If you have regular periods then you had unprotected sex around ovulation and could become pregnant. If you are still within 72-96 hours you can take Plan B to try to prevent pregnancy. READ MORE
If you have regular periods then you had unprotected sex around ovulation and could become pregnant. If you are still within 72-96 hours you can take Plan B to try to prevent pregnancy. But if your period is late, do a pregnancy test. Also you may want to consider STD testing unless you have both been tested recently.

Is it normal to test positive for HPV after being clear for 6 years and not sexually active?

Hi, yes we see this all the time. Many women who have been clear for years turn up positive with no explanation. More than 80% of women are exposed to HPV over their lifetime, READ MORE
Hi, yes we see this all the time. Many women who have been clear for years turn up positive with no explanation. More than 80% of women are exposed to HPV over their lifetime, usually in their 20s. It is suppressed by the immune system but can turn up randomly assuming no new sexual partners. Repeat your pap in one year and don’t smoke. Most of the time it resolves spontaneously.

Vaginal bleeding about 3-4 days since my last period?

I would certainly do a pregnancy test. Please talk to your doctor or nurse practitioner about using contraception.

Possible STD?

Those are normal. But please get STD tested if you are not using a condom.

Irregular bleeding?

There are two issues: why are you bleeding so often, and are your symptoms of fatigue related to anemia? Is there any chance you're pregnant? If not, it sounds like you are not READ MORE
There are two issues: why are you bleeding so often, and are your symptoms of fatigue related to anemia?
Is there any chance you're pregnant?
If not, it sounds like you are not ovulating regularly, but you need some blood tests and an ultrasound.
Please see your primary care doc or your gynecologist.
Best,
Dr. Joyce

Period concerns and birth control?

Did you restart the active pills on time? If so, you should be protected from a contraception standpoint. Since you haven't bled for 3 months, that may be why the bleeding is a READ MORE
Did you restart the active pills on time? If so, you should be protected from a contraception standpoint. Since you haven't bled for 3 months, that may be why the bleeding is a little longer.

Going off birth control?

At 61, you are at a much higher risk of heart attack, stroke, or DVT on the doses of estrogen in birth control pills. If you are a candidate for menopausal hormone replacement READ MORE
At 61, you are at a much higher risk of heart attack, stroke, or DVT on the doses of estrogen in birth control pills.
If you are a candidate for menopausal hormone replacement therapy, you can switch. It's best to be on an estrogen patch, rather than oral estrogen to reduce your risks. Also make sure you are up to date on your pap and mammogram.

Sphincterplasty from obstetric injury?

I’m sorry you’re going through this. Several kinds of surgeons could do this but you want one who does female pelvic surgery, like a urogynecologist or pelvic surgery specialist. READ MORE
I’m sorry you’re going through this. Several kinds of surgeons could do this but you want one who does female pelvic surgery, like a urogynecologist or pelvic surgery specialist. There’s a high success rate with the first repair so you want to make sure it’s done right. Also super important to keep your stools soft and not strain. Good luck.

Childbirth ability?

No, not due to masturbating.