Dr. Katherine Sutherland
Gynecology
Mt. View, CA
45 years experience female
Locations
Office
Mt. View, CA
Phone
Practice website
About
Bio
Following medical school and residency at Stanford, Dr. Sutherland began private practice in Mt. View. In 1983, she cofounded Women Physicians Ob-Gyn Medical Group which set the standard in the community for Care of Women by Women.
She stopped delivering babies in 2010. She now focuses her full-time practice on health care for women of all ages. She has a special interest in gynecologic issues including pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, fibroids, endometriosis, and ovarian cysts. She began using the daVinci robot in 2009 and now does almost all of her laparoscopies, myomectomies, and hysterectomies using that minimally invasive technique.
In 1995, she was diagnosed with an early and treatable breast cancer. Since that time, she has been actively involved with cancer prevention, early diagnosis and treatment. She is active in cancer volunteer organizations, including Relay For Life of Mountain View and PINCC.
She is married with 2 grown daughters who are pursuing careers in international business and international law.
SpecialtiesDoctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Doctors may have more than one area of specialty interest. Board certification in a specialty area means the doctor has completed formal training and has practice experience in that specialty, and has passed the certification examination from the corresponding accredited medical specialty board.
Gynecology
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Doctor Q&A
274 Answers
360 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 26-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
Fiber: First, try to avoid hemorrhoids by increasing fiber, fluids, and regular exercise. Minimize straining or sitting for long periods. If they occur, use... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
6 weeks: You can usually first see the baby's heart beat and the fetal pole on an ultrasound at 6 to 6.5 weeks from the last menstrual period or 4 to 4.5 weeks... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
Yes: At less than 3 or 4 months of age, a baby can't get too much cuddling, contact, and comfort, including rocking to sleep. Though there is some debate ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
Depends: If you test positive for a known mutation, you have an increased lifetime risk of ovarian cancer, 40% for brca and 12% for lynch syndrome. If you tes... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
8 hrs: Leave the diaphragm in for 8 hours after intercourse. If you have sex again before the 8 hours is up, do not remove the diaphragm, but add more of th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
Yes: Different labs have different upper limits of normal, but 8.6 would be normal for most labs. The ca125 test has many false positives and false negati... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
Minimally invasive: A robotic hysterectomy is a type of laparoscopic hysterectomy using small incisions which means less pain and shorter recovery time than a large incis... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
Yes: Alcohol, especially in conjunction with smoking, can increase the risk of head and neck cancers (mouth, larynx, pharynx) and esophageal cancer. Alcoh... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
No: Dizzy spells are not a usual symptom of perimenopause. You should be checked by your doctor, especially if there is a chance of pregnancy. A tubal p... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
No: Brca testing requires a doctor's order. It is important that you have counseling to understand what is being tested for and what the results will mea... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
No: Most laparoscopic oophorectomies can be done on an outpatient basis, meaning you have the surgery in a surgicenter or hospital but you go home the sam... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old female asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
Probably: Your doctor may be giving you the Progesterone to distinguish between different causes of missing a period. If your period was simply delayed, you ar... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
Yes: The best way to make a diagnosis of trichomonas is by collecting a sample of discharge in saline and looking at it under the microscope. The doctor ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
Not common: If you have never had intercourse, don't be concerned about not being able to tolerate it. You can prepare by using tampons and becoming familiar wit... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
Depends: The iud is immediately effective for pregnancy prevention, but it does not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. If you or your partner are ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
5 days: Metrogel should be used by inserting 1 applicator daily for 5 days. Unfortunately, bacterial vaginosis is sometimes difficult to eradicate or will fr... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
Odor, discharge: A "fishy" odor is the single most diagnostic symptom of bv, usually accompanied by a thin greyish white discharge. It does not usually cause itching ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 54-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
Yes: A hysteroscopic myomectomy is the best approach for submucosal fibroids < 3.5 cm located inside the cavity of the uterus. The robotic myomectomy is b... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
Yes: During breastfeeding, you can use progesterone-only birth control pills. You should avoid estrogen containing pills because they can decrease your mi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
No: Fragmin (dalteparin) is an anticoagulant or blood thinner that may be necessary in pregnancy to prevent or treat blood clots. It is rated as a catego... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 30-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
Yes: Pregnancy and nursing can reduce the risk of uterine cancer. Other risk reducing strategies like maintaining a normal weight, eating a low-fat diet, ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
Encourage Labor: Your doctor may strip the membranes if you are at or past your due date to encourage labor. If the cervix has started to dilate, the doctor can slip ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 32-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
Both: The PCR technique used for both is very sensitive for even very small amounts of chlamydia. If a urine is obtained, don't do a midstream "clean-catch... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 42-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
Yes: Childbirth classes can help you prepare for your delivery and thereby reduce anxiety about a very exciting but terrifying experience. And they are fu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
No: The ultrasound and mammogram complement each other, but neither is fail proof on its own. The mammogram is much better at picking up small microcalci... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
No: Although it is common to gain extra weight, it is not the best thing for you or your pregnancy. You are more likely to develop gestational diabetes.... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
No: Pre-cancer of the cervix, also called dysplasia, is often treated with leep surgery which would not affect a tubal ligation. More serious invasive ca... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
Yes: A pelvic exam to check the uterus and ovaries can be done at any time, including during heavy bleeding. If the pelvic exam is being done to check for... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
No: If you go for a year without bleeding, any additional bleeding is considered abnormal and requires investigation. One cannot assume it is just a regu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
3 to 7 days: Many women can have the procedure done on a friday and be able to return to work and light activities on monday though there will still be some sorene... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
Depends: The cost of genetic testing is a moving target these days as the costs of sequencing has come down substantially. Several companies are offering pane... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 27-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
See your doctor: It is not normal to still have pain 6 months after an oophorectomy. The cause of the pain should be diagnosed and treated. If the surgery was done f... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
Pap smear and biopsy: The pap smear is a good screen to suggest that atypical cells or dysplastic cells are present. Because the pap is performed blindly, it doesn't alway... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 33-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
Go for a check-up: Black loose stools can be a sign of blood that could be coming from high in the GI tract. Blood in the stool should never be ignored. Sometimes the ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
Increased: His risk is about 30x that of someone who has never smoked. If he continues to smoke, he will have a 1 in 10 chance of developing lung cancer. It is... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 44-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
Certain situations: Most of the time an ultrasound can visualize the uterus and ovaries as well or better than an mri. Exceptions are if adenomyosis is suspected or if mo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
Multiple indications.: If 1) pain is chronic and interfering with normal activities, sexual functioning, mood, and/or relationships, 2)conservative measures like birth contr... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 31-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
Yes: A strong family history, especially one that includes a male breast cancer, is a red flag for a possible gene mutation, like brca 1 or 2, that is asso... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
NSAIDs: Over the counter medicines called nsaids, like Ibuprofen (brand name - Motrin or advil) or naprosyn (brand name aleve) are very effective. If cramps ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
Keep track.: Weigh yourself weekly and aim to gain 1/2 to 1 pound per week. The doctor weighs you at each visit, but we sometimes see patients gain 12-15 pounds i... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
Many factors: The risk of endometrial cancer is increased by obesity, diabetes, and persistently high estrogen levels, such as may occur with a condition like polyc... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
Late 40s/ early 50s: The average age of menopause, defined as the very last period, is 51 though it can vary anywhere from 45 to 55. Perimenopause generally refers to th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
Yes: With rare exceptions, i recommend a rectal exam with the pelvic exam. It allows the doctor to feel behind the uterus making it easier to detect ovari... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
No: The pap smear is just a screening device that samples cells from a scraping. A more precise diagnosis requires a colposcopy and biopsy to look at a p... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
Abnormalities: The doctor will check for 1) vulva problems like herpes of thinning of the vulva, 2) vaginal problems like discharge due to yeast or bv, 3) cervical ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
Maybe: The best solution for you will depend on the size and location of the fibroids and your age. It may be possible to control your symptoms with endomet... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 46-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
Not usually: The first pelvic exam is usually more scary than painful. If you have used a tampon, it should feel no more painful than that. If not, it may be a s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 40-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
Yes: Ten to twenty percent of women with ovarian cancer will have a normal ca125.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
Primary outbreak: A first time infection with herpes during pregnancy is very serious since the virus can go from your blood stream through the placenta and cause an in... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsAnswered >2 years agoMerged
A 43-year-old member asked:

Dr. Katherine Sutherlandanswered
Gynecology 45 years experience
Specific changes.: Periods often change becoming longer or shorter, heavier or lighter, or with differing intervals. As a general rule, you should check with your doctor... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
TestimonialsRecommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.
3
Recommendations
826
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Jun 18, 2012
very helpful answers to the question i asked. would very much recommend Dr. Katherine Sutherland.
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Sutherland is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Sutherland is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thanks so much for getting back to me. Your office called and followed up and I'll be sending over my medical records to you in the next few days. Happy 4th of July!
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! I am 34 , hysterectomy with one ovary I had the same question, same symptoms I will schedule an apt. Tomorrow . Thank you!
HealthTap member
thank you we are working on everything that can be done I will be having a MRI tomarrow I am really praying its nothing major.I do want to have babies ono day.
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Stanford University School of Medicine, CA
Graduated 1978MD
Residency
STANFORD HOSPITAL
Awards
HealthTap Founding Doctor
HealthTap ClubMD
Affiliations
Women Physicians GYN Medical Group
Genomics Medical Institute of El Camino Hospital
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions, provide medical advice, write prescriptions, and more.
Answer emailed
in 24 hours or less