Dr. Helayne Merkin
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Park Ridge, IL
47 years experience female
Locations
Office
Park Ridge, IL
Phone
Practice website
Insurances accepted
Aetna Life Insurance Company
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois
CIGNA Health Care
United HealthCare Insurance Company
Humana Insurance Company
About
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.
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Languages spoken
English
Doctor Q&A
25 Answers
17 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 18-year-old member asked:
Dr. Helayne Merkinanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 47 years experience
There are many: The most common early symptoms of pregnancy are fatigue, nausea and breast tenderness.Many people feel cramps in early pregnancy, like the way they fe... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years agoMerged
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Helayne Merkinanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 47 years experience
PREGNANCY / TIMING: In a 28-30 day cycle, you look for the "mid-cycle", day 14-16 and subtract 3 days and add 3 days to this date and then you have a fertile week. You sh... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:
Dr. Helayne Merkinanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 47 years experience
Condoms-good choice: Many married couples are very compliant and pleased with condoms for long term contraception. It is usually well tolerated by all and is very effectiv... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Helayne Merkinanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 47 years experience
Paragard or Mirena (levonorgestrel): With paragard, period may have same or heavier flow and same or heavier cramping than before insertion. With mirena, (levonorgestrel) Progesterone is ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 43-year-old member asked:
Dr. Helayne Merkinanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 47 years experience
It depends on job: As long as women are able to perform their jobs without significant changes and are carrying the same level of responsibility they had before, they wi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Helayne Merkinanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 47 years experience
Within 3 days : If the ultrasound is done in the 1st trimester it is very accurate in dating the pregnancy usually within 3 days of accuracy. The later in pregnancy t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old female asked:
Dr. Helayne Merkinanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 47 years experience
Not harmful: There doesn't appear to be any ingredients in the product that would be harmful. Most topical treatments do not penetrate the skin and go into the blo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 17-year-old female asked:
Dr. Helayne Merkinanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 47 years experience
Nl period symptoms: The body releases a chemical called prostaglandin that peaks before and with the start of a period.The chemical can cause headaches, cramping, fever c... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Helayne Merkinanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 47 years experience
Not a true pregnancy: The uterine environment may be hostile, such as with an iud, or when there are polyps or fibroids in the uterus, or hormonal balance may not be right,... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Helayne Merkinanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 47 years experience
Mid-cyle calculation: The 1st day of one period to the first day of the next is your cycle length. Find the avg. Midpoint, day 15-16 and add 3 days and subtract 3 days and ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Helayne Merkinanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 47 years experience
Depends on severity: Nausea+vomiting in pregnancy can start at 5-6 weeks, peak at 8-10 weeks and for most women it resolves at 12 weeks.Approximately 20% continue to have ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. Helayne Merkinanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 47 years experience
Vaginal health: Sometimes an odor after a period can be due to old blood or it can also be due to feminine products and the chemicals they are made with, such as pad... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old male asked:
Dr. Helayne Merkinanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 47 years experience
Pregnancy symptoms: The most common symptoms of early pregnancy are fatigue, breast pain and nausea. Many women feel "pre-menstrual" but more exaggerated when they are in... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Helayne Merkinanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 47 years experience
Can be normal: Many people have 32-35 day cycles so this can be normal. If no period after 60 days+test is neg+ you want to conceive, i would call your doctor for Pr... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 16-year-old female asked:
Dr. Helayne Merkinanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 47 years experience
Cramps can be nl: Menstrual cramps or dysmenorrhea can be a very normal symptom of your period. It is caused by a chemical called prostaglandin that can cause cramps, h... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Helayne Merkinanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 47 years experience
Major+minor issues : Minor issues are headache, nausea, bloating, water weight gain, breakthrough bleeding, and decreased libido.
Major issues are heart attack, blood clo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:
Dr. Helayne Merkinanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 47 years experience
Endorphins = calm: When one exercises at a moderate comfortable level, the mind has time to solve problems and answer questions that you may be pondering when you are mo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Helayne Merkinanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 47 years experience
Not usually a worry: The Mirena (levonorgestrel) iud does have 2 strings but many people cannot feel them when they are both there. When 1 is felt, the other one has proba... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Helayne Merkinanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 47 years experience
Common Sense Rules: During pregnancy it is always best not to lie flat on one's back but propped up on 2+ pillows or lying on left or right side.It is also good to have s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Helayne Merkinanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 47 years experience
Healthy lifestyle: This is the time when many life changes are happening and healthy lifestyle plays a huge role.Eating right, exercising, sleeping well, avoiding tobacc... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. Helayne Merkinanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 47 years experience
Dysmenorrhea: Many people have flulike symptoms with a period. You should be evaluated for pelvic pain with an exam and ultrasound and if all is well can be offered... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Helayne Merkinanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 47 years experience
Depo is 100% safe: Using Depo-Provera is 100% effective as long as you are on time with receiving the medication.
There is no interference from other meds and along wit... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A member asked:
Dr. Helayne Merkinanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 47 years experience
Paragard and Periods: Most people continue to have periods on paragard. Often, the periods are heavier and more painful. The usual things should be ruled out when you miss ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Helayne Merkinanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 47 years experience
It's possible: With any surgical procedure on the uterus, there is a risk of infection which can lead to scarring in the uterus and infertility. Also, if too much ti... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 29-year-old member asked:
Dr. Helayne Merkinanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 47 years experience
Vagina healthier: Estrace (estradiol) cream, when used regularly will increase blood flow the the vulva, vagina and urethra.It will help with lubrication and increase t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k 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.
2
Recommendations
114
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Merkin is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Merkin is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
i appreciate your answer but ialso have UC so i can only take tylenol
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer or tip was very helpful!
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful!
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Medical College of Pennsylvania
Graduated 1976MD
Residency
University of Massachusetts Medical Center
Awards
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