Dr. Douglas Lawson
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Portage, IN
30 years experience male
Locations
Office
Portage, IN
My office hours
Thursday: 830am - 430pm
Show morePhone
Insurances accepted
Medicaid
Aetna
Affinity Health Plan
Alliance Health
Allina Health
AmeriHealth
CIGNA Health Care
Anthem BC Life & Health Insurance Company
CHAMPUS
Hoosier Healthwise
M Plan Inc
Northwestern Mutual
UnitedHealthcare
Medical Mutual of Ohio
Medicare
Physicians Health Plan of Northern Indiana
About
Bio
Board certified OB/GYN practicing in Northwestern Indiana.
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
2.1K Answers
37 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 24-year-old female asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Absolutely: Not all bleeding is your period. When the embryo implants into the wall of your uterus (the endometrium), you may have bleeding called implantation b... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 48-year-old member asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
A range of normal: A menstrual cycle is the time from the start of one menses to the next. It can vary from 21 to 35 days, but most women are around 28-30 days. The me... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Couple things: Sex involved friction of penile tissue to female genital tissue. So, prolonged sex may cause temporary swelling from friction. However, infection is... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 22-year-old member asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Depends up severity: Some antidepressants can be used starting in the second trimester. Consult with your ob/gyn about the severity of your symptoms first as some mood di... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
6.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 28-year-old female asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Several: Chlamydia in some people is asymptomatic. It can cause UTI symptoms, pelvic pain, and vaginal discharge. If you are sexually active and not using co... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old member asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Due date/paternity: I would have to know her due date to even approach this question. The delivery date and due date are different. Using her edc should at least give m... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 38-year-old member asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Hymenal tag: It could very well be a hymenal tag, which is normal. However, you can also get skin tags and genital warts near the vaginal opening. The only way t... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Often the same: many women confuse PMS and pregnancy symptoms. However, with urine pregnancy testing so easily available, it is best to get a home test to help deter... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Breakthrough bleed: Many patients have irregular and/or heavy bleeding the first three months on Depo-Provera (medroxyprogesterone) provera (medroxyprogesterone). If you... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Its possible: Sperm stay around at least 24 hours usually, though in fewer numbers. So, having said that it is possible.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Cyst: Probably its a follicular or hair follicle cyst if its on the ouside of the lip. If on the inner lip it may be a gland issue. You can also get vulva... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Of course: You certainly could be pregnant. Try checking a pregnancy test a couple weeks after your lh surge. Without knowing more of your history and your par... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old female asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Pregnancy test: You could be pregnant, so check a pregnancy test. Otherwise it is not uncommon after age 35 to occasionally not ovulate for the cycle cause delayed b... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 18-year-old female asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Yes: Yes, you need to check a pregnancy test. If you are not using birth control, the spotting could be implantation of a pregnancy into the wall of your ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old male asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Unprotected oral sex: While unprotected oral sex is less likely to transfer stds than vaginal or anal sex, you can pick up non genital (cold sore) type herpes and gonorrhea... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Unclear: Herbals like flax seed oil are not regulated by the fda and while some people take this for heart health, it may also provide a large dose of vitamin ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A member asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Maybe: Loose stools can cause contractions. The headache isn't likely related to labor. It could just be a headache, unless you have an elevated blood pres... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Sometimes: If you stop your pill mid cycle you are more likely to have withdrawal bleeding and some women have post pill amenorrhea for several months (meaning n... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Dysparunea: The vaginal wall can expand quite a bit. If you think about the size of a baby passing thru the vagina, you can imagine to amount it can stretch. Ho... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old female asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
OTC vs script: Over the counter remedies include emetrol and vitamin b6. For significant nausea i usually prescribe phenergan, (promethazine) though occasionally I ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.6k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 36-year-old female asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Yes: The light bleeding could be implantation bleeding and not your period.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Sleep: Your body will move to whatever position it wants to while you are asleep. Later in pregnancy most women lie on there side, but again, during your sl... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Labido: Yes this may be normal. Sex drive has a variety of factors associated with it. Some women have more drive while pregnant, others little or none. Hi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 24-year-old male asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
E. coli: E coli is the most frequent bacterial cause of urinary tract infections. While utis are more common in sexually active people, it is not an std.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 24-year-old female asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Preggo: Check a pregnancy test first as your symptoms could be that. It could also be that you didn't ovulate last cycle and and now have a thickened endomet... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 38-year-old female asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Bleeding: Women tend to think that all vaginal bleeding is your period. If you're pregnant and having bleeding its not a period. There are several reasons for ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Couple things: For women they may have some light bleeding or cramping after sex the first time. Possibly some vaginal discomfort and maybe even UTI symptoms (honey... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 37-year-old female asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Perineal shaving: I recommend using a good razor and a shaving cream or lotion that is made for the pubic area. There actually is a product called coochie (fun name, b... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 27-year-old male asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Fertility work up: Consider seeing your gyn about causes of her irregular periods. You can also consider using ovulation prediction kits and start using around 13-14 da... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 29-year-old female asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Spots: There are a variety of things that can be seen in the liver. Not all of them are metastatic tumors. You can have benign nodules. However, ct is a be... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Yeast: Without seeing it, no one can be certain. It sounds like a monilial rash or non vaginal yeast infection. I would see your doctor, but if you can't y... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.4k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 22-year-old female asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Missed pills: Well sprintec is a generic and what i tell my patients is more than one pill missed per cycle may mean a pregnancy more likely. I would check a pregn... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 39-year-old member asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Primary: primary dysmenorrhea starts shortly after your periods start (menarche). Birth control especially continuous birth control works well. Add NSAIDs li... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Endometrial thicknes: Close to your period its not uncommon to have a endometrial thickness of up to about 15mm, so this sounds ok based on the info you gave
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 35-year-old female asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Possible: only way to know for sure is to check a pregnancy test. It could also be a cycle where you didn't ovulate too. Again, start by checking a pregnancy ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Yes: Cholestasis can occur at anytime.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old female asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Depo: depo isn't 100% effective, so there is always a potential for failure. Check a pregnancy test.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 30-year-old female asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Lots of other: Lots of other causes of insomnia including depression. The dry skin may be a separate issue, but again unlikely HIV related. There are other skin is... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 29-year-old male asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
No: HIV can take a period or weeks to a few months to convert to positive, so repeat that test. In addition exposure to HPV, Genital Herpes and the HPV s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 17-year-old female asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Dysmenorrhea: Start taking a NSAID like ibuprofen as soon as period cramps start and continue taking 3-4 times a day until your period is over. Getting on birth co... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 19-year-old female asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Nausea: It could be a gatrointestinal issue, however I'm assuming you're asking because you're concerned about pregnancy. You still need to check a pregnancy... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 36-year-old member asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Discharge: excessive discharge may be due to infection, so it is best to have that checked out.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
2.1k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 45-year-old member asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Odor: Odor can be a sign of infection, so I would suggest you see your GYN or a family physician for evaluation. To reduce the symptoms in the meantime you... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 37-year-old member asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Post op: If the bleeding is coming from your incision please call your OB doc today. If it is vaginal, it depends on how heavy it is. Most women bleeding alm... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 32-year-old female asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Bleeding: In general bleeding lasts about 2 weeks, then gets lighter the third week and then back to period like week 4 (if bottle feeding, this is your first p... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 25-year-old female asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Depends: Kinda depends on how your doc is dating your pregnancy. If you haven't had an US yet, that is possible. However, if you had a first trimester US it ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 21-year-old female asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Cyst: If you mean a subchorionic bleed site that might increase the risk of loss slightly, but otherwise you should be fine.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.9k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
1 comment
A 20-year-old female asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Round ligament pain: This is probably round ligament pain, which is quite common and made worse with activity. Round ligament pain or syndrome usually gets better with res... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.3k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
A 23-year-old female asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Should be fine: I think you don't have anything to worry about. Only thing i would recommend is make sure when you use cleaning products that the room is well ventil... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
A 20-year-old female asked:

Dr. Douglas Lawsonanswered
Obstetrics and Gynecology 30 years experience
Safe meds: Ask your OB if they have a llst of meds for pregnancy. On my list i put milk of magnesia, (magnesium hydroxide) colace, fiber supplements like metamu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.1k viewsAnswered >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.
9
Recommendations
1.6K
Thank you notes
Aug 14, 2014
Excellent HealthTap physician with educated, thoughtful, precise and in-depth answers. Great bedside manner. Highly recommend.
Nov 29, 2014
Dr. Lawson is a very knowledgeable and compassionate doctor. Always enjoy reading her insightful answers. Highly recommended.
May 27, 2013
Very expert responses.
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! I do appreciate your answering me. I work in healthcare. I needed to know what the possibilites could be since I cannot get into see my obgyn until July 28th. Thanks so ...Read More
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer or tip was very helpful! Thank you so much for a quick and detailed reply. I appreciate you taking time from your schedule to answer my question. I've learned alot
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! Thank you. I am having an ultrasound next week. My dr wasn't very concerned or attentive but due to my family history I want to be checked out further
Education & Training
Medical/Graduate school
Indiana University School of Medicine, IN
Graduated 1993MD
Residency
PROVIDENCE HOSPITAL AND MEDICAL CENTERS
Awards
Top Doctor, First Place, Louisville, KY - Winter
2013
Top Obstetrician and Gynecologist, First Place, Kentucky - Winter
2013
Top Doctor, Second Place, Northwest Indiana, IN - Summer
2013
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