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Dr. Stephen Richards

Obstetrics & Gynecology
Columbus, OH
44 years experience male

Locations

Womankind Obstetrics and Gynecology

Columbus, OH

Address

4030 Easton Station, Suite 200, Columbus, OH, US
Directions

My office hours

Thursday: 8:00am - 5:00pm
Show more

Practice website

Fax

(614) 759-8403

Insurances accepted

Aetna Life Insurance Company

CIGNA Health Care

Humana Insurance Company

Medical Mutual of Ohio

Mount Carmel Health Plan

UnitedHealthcare

Medicare

Anthem BC Life & Health Insurance Company

About

Bio

I am a central Ohio native and received my medical training at The Ohio State Univ. I am Board Certified and am a member of the American Urogyn Society. I was the first Columbus gyn to be accredited by the Council for Gyn Endoscopy in both laparoscopy and hysteroscopy. I was the first to perform laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy, laparoscopic bladder suspension, office endometrial ablation, and office sling procedures for incontinence in Columbus. I have more than 20 published article. My wife and I are high school sweethearts and we have 9 children.

Specialties
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 & Gynecology

Gynecology

Obstetrics & Gynecology - Urogynecology

Obstetrics and Gynecology

Licenses

United States: Ohio

Languages spoken

English

Doctor Q&A

481 Answers
515 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Dark spots: Yes- most things applied to the skin are locally acting and safe during pregnancy.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 26-year-old male asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Masturbation: Masturbation is a normal function, practiced by men and women of all creeds and religions. Sexual desire in normal and leads to masturbation. It is o... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Polyps: If there are polyps in your uterus (not on your cervix), generally they are removed because they can cause abnormal bleeding. Cervical polyps are remo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 32-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Plugged gland: Depending on location this could be a sebaceous (lubricating) gland around a hair follicle or a specialized female lubricating gland (bartholin's). Ap... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Producing milk: I assume you missed a period or two and you are either on the pill or recently stopped. You need to have some blood tests performed for pregnancy, th... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 29-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Not likely: Modus, a progestin, would need to be taken several days (usually 5-10), then stopped before a withdrawal bleeding (not a true period) would be initiat... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 32-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Labia: The labia have a high concentration of lubricating glands called sebaceous glands. These glands can become irritated and blocked. This can lead to inf... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Pregnancy bleeding: Sometimes this is referred to as implantation bleeding when everything else is normal. Having a blood pregnancy test and repeating it in 48 hr to look... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Period: If you have a 30 day cycle (1st day to 1st day), should have started about jan 2. There is normal variation, +/- a few days.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Cold sore: Most cold sores are due to a herpes virus. This can be verified with your doctor. Over the counter abreva has some benefit. If it is a herpes virus, s... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 25-year-old male asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Discharge: Need more info-like how long ago was the miscarriage. Otherwise an unusual discharge and vaginal tingling could represent a vaginal infection. See you... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Labial cuts: Could could have an infection. See your doc.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 45-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
PCOS: Pcos means that you don't normally ovulate. If your treatment is giving you regular periods and you are ovulating, then preg is possible. See your doc... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Bleeding and preg: First, confirm pregnancy. If you are pregnant these are symptoms of a possible miscarriage. You need to see your doctor and get an ultrasound.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
HPV: Many woman do not have not signs or symptoms with hpv. Hpv is a family of viruses, if you have the right one, you could have genital warts.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Tuumy: If you are early pregnant, your tummy will not be "chubby" until about 12-14 weeks.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Depoprovera: Initial nausea is not unusual. Hopefully it will only last a couple of days. You can try a antihistamine like benadryl, (diphenhydramine) but that cou... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Pregnant: Though symptoms wouldn't be usual for a very early pregnancy.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 36-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Ovarian cysts: In normally cycling women (age 12->50 ish), cysts come and go each cycle and are ususally not symptomatic. This is all part of making a monthly egg. T... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Plan b: Good question- your period maybe delayed by plan b. If you haven't had one by mid june, see your doctor.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Uti and prolapse: A rectocele could contribute is causing some degree of urinary obstruction or if having difficulty cleaning after bm's. Prolapse in general can increa... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 17-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Oral contraception: Reclipsen is one of many birth control pills. Most pills prevent ovulation (egg release) as there main mechanism of action.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 28-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Mittleschmertz: This pain at mid cycle is associated with ovulation. Should only last a few days.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A male asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Sex and bleeding: No, bleeding with sex is not normal. You need to see your doctor.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 31-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Back pain: Your pain is not likely related to your tubal unless significant and unusual complications during surgery. See your family doctor about causes of back... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
HSG: Heavy bleeding should not be a consequence of this x-ray. The cervix is grasped with a clamp and this could cause bleeding, usually not for 3days. Cal... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 51-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Menopause: Why change either? Are you having bleeding? You could do either (decrease estrogen or increase progestin), lowering you estrogen dose may increase yo... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Time intercourse: As you have been pregnant once- try timing sex at midcyle. You can plot your BBT (basal body temperature), if it goes up and says up about 14 days you... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Irregular: Will you are taking the pill your periods will definitely be regular and a good solution.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Hpv: Not illegal-but you should warn him. You can transmit the virus (hpv). This can put him at risk and potentially any of his future partners. Best to us... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Preg and flying: Flying during pregnancy carries no risk. If your pregnancy is otherwise normal and you have no history of premature labor, trip is ok. Check with your... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 21-year-old male asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Sex: Sorry-don't know if you are male or female-i assume you are male. Could be meds or stress. See your doctor.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 30-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Menses: This could represent ovulatory bleeding at mid cycle. You should see your doctor.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Tracking: Use an app. Otherwise, take your first morning temperature and plot a basal body temperature chart. Use urine ovulation prediction kit ~d 11-14 if you... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 50-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Endometrium: On ultrasound the endometrial stripe or thickness is measured. After menopause a thickness of 5mm or less is considered normal. If within the stripe ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Semen: Are you sure he came? If he did, prior ejaculations near this time would reduce volume.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 32-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Pain: I don't think pregnancy per se is the cause of your pain. It is probably something else muscular related. See your doctor.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 29-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Hashimoto's Thyroidi: If you are now stable with normal thyroid testing- on or off replacement, you should have no problem.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Pregnant: That is a somewhat low value. You should have the level repeated, it should double approximately every 48 hrs if things are normal.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 33-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
30 weeks ultrasound: The error in the ultrasound measurements at 30 weeks is +/- 3wk. If you had an early scan that confirmed your dates, it is more accurate for dating. I... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Yep: When you are on the pill, your cycle is artificial (pill regulated). When you stop the pill, your uterus responds to the drop in hormone level and res... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 17-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Not likely: You should be preforming regular checks yourself and with your doctor. If you still feel something but the ultrasound doesn't show anything, your doct... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 34-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Probably normal: The first few periods after delivery can be heavier than usual. Have you had your postpartum visit yet? if that was normal, things are probably ok
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 38-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Spinal Anesthesia: Very very rarely. I have never seen it. If you have a fever and stiff neck->doctor asap.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 55-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Meds working?: If the hormonal treatment is working-no surgery necessary. However, at 55, menopause should be happening soon. Do you have periods off the hormones? C... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Not abnormal: Obviously this is a change for you- just watch is if it persists, talked to your doctor. This amount of flow is not out of the normal range.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Yeast: If your infection is truly yeast, his chances of getting it are slim.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Painful sex: Sorry you are having pain. You need a thorough exam and possibly additional labs and ultrasound to answer the question
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
"boil": Sounds like a inflamed sebaceous gland. Apply moist heat and see your doctor.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A female asked:
Dr. Stephen Richards
Obstetrics & Gynecology 44 years experience
Midcycle spotting: Assuming you are not on the pill, mid cycle spotting can be a normal physiologic happening during ovulation. This can occur some months, but not other... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

Testimonials
Recommendations and Thank you notes are endorsements given from patients or other doctors.

3
Recommendations
502
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Richards is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Richards is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Jul 31, 2014
Thanks for the instant reply!
HealthTap member
This was very helpful. Thanks! I'll have to make a return visit to the dermatologist regarding the original removal as this spot has turned, remained white and maybe grown in size
HealthTap member
This made me feel good. Thanks! Thank you for making it clear to me I though it was due to lower estrogen but none of the doctors here will prescribe it to me in Australia
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! I have already seen a dr. about the cysts, but all they found was a lot of fluid. the groin pain just started over a week ago. Thanks again!

Education & Training

Medical/Graduate school

The Ohio State University College of Medicine, OH
Graduated 1979MD

Awards

Top Doctor, First Place, Mason City, IA - Winter
2013
Most Influential, First Place, Mason City, IA - Winter
2013
Thought Leader, First Place, Mason City, IA - Winter
2013

Affiliations

American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists
American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS)
American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL)
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