Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley

Obstetrics and Gynecology
Austin, TX
37 years experience female

About

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 and Gynecology

Doctor Q&A

419 Answers
54 Agrees
The number of answers this doctor has agreed with.
A member asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Hormonal medication: Arrest of pubertal development can be treated with hormonal medications. Whether or not you can have children on your own depends in part on how marke... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A member asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Sure you can: Spotting on the depo-provera shot is not uncommon. And there should be no problem in swimming: enjoy the exercise!
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 49-year-old member asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Be supportive: A "female problem" is hard to define. If you suspect she is having hormonal difficulties, encourage her to see a gynecologist.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 42-year-old member asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
That's tough!: Infertility can be a very emotionally difficult situation. The resolve organization offers some wonderful support, has online services, and chapters j... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Yes: A miscarriage can happen at any time, and unfortunately is quite common. If you have vaginal bleeding or pain contact your OB doctor.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 45-year-old male asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Probably not: Going through menopause should not in itself be a reason for swelling. It depends a lot on where the swelling is: abdominal bloating vs. Leg swelling.... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Endometriosis/IBS: Some symptoms that would be more common in endometriosis are pain with intercourse, pain that begins shortly before menses and becomes severe with men... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A female asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Severe pain: The most important symptom of pelvic inflammatory disease is pelvic pain. You may also have fever, nausea, or vaginal discharge. If you think you migh... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 34-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Very accurate: The pituitary adenoma will not decrease the accuracy of the blood pregnancy tests unless it is lh the adenoma is secreting, which is very rare. Most p... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Very sorry: In a normal pregnancy the HCG level should double every 2 days or so. If your level has not increased, it seems to mean an early miscarriage. The ligh... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Not uncommon: Any pregnancy can stimulate the breast glands that make milk, and that can last quite some time after the pregnancy ends. However after 2 years usuall... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 20-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Something else: Antibiotics for a UTI should resolve symptoms if the pain is UTI related. Sometimes an antibiotic will not be the right one for that particular bacter... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Possibly: If you haven't been using birth control it's possible you are pregnant. But there are a number of other reasons you might have some spotting or blood ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Hormonal changes: It's likely you are not ovulating regularly. The brown discharge is likely spotting, as if a period "wants to come." if you continue to skip periods, ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 28-year-old male asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Semen analysis: If you have not previously tried to father a child, the best answer would come from doing a semen analysis. Many doctors don't suggest doing that unti... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 39-year-old member asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Perhaps yes: Some spotting or brown discharge a couple days prior to your period is fairly common. If you have any pain or vaginal irritation it might indicate an ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 24-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Perhaps ovulation: At the time near ovulation some clear or white cervical secretions are very normal. Sometimes there can be some pink color to this with some very mini... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 35-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Probably OK: The best way to know if your pregnancy is normal is to repeat the HCG level in 48-72 hours. Some mild discomfort may be common around ovulation or ear... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 33-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Discharge, pregnant: The hormones of pregnancy significantly change the cervical secretions. If the discharge is clear or white, and is not burning, itching, or otherwise ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Probably normal.: I would guess the shot you had was depo-provera, the birth control injection you get once every three months. Irregular bleeding is, unfortunately, re... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Depends on why: The answer depends on why you are infertile. If it is because your fallopian tubes are blocked, you can still get your period. If you have been told y... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Sometimes: A woman will not have a true period if she is pregnant. However some bleeding in pregnancy is not rare, and sometimes it can be hard to tell the diffe... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A female asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Yes: Sperm can survive for a number of days after entering the female reproductive tract. Sperm present on day 9 may still be alive when you ovulate in a f... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Early pregnancy test: Implantation bleeding happens very commonly. The only real way to answer whether this is an early miscarriage or not is to monitor HCG levels - the qu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Probably not: Ella (ulipristal acetate) is very likely to change the timing and character of your period. But this spotting may very well have not been your normal ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Normal: As your uterus gets larger, it places more pressure on the bladder, so there is less room for it to expand and hold as much urine as before. If you ha... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Ovaries restarting: The simplest way to think of it is your ovaries are likely taking some time to start working normally again after the depo-provera injection. If your ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Possibly: If you truly ovulated 19 days ago, then you very well may be pregnant. Check a pregnancy test.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A female asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Probably not: I would guess you are talking about depo-provera, used for contraception every 3 months. If you had depo-provera 2 months ago, the chance of you becom... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 27-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Hormonal changes: Missing periods may be due to a range of hormonal problems such as pcos, thyroid dysfunction, or others. It would be wise to see your gynecologist for... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 23-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Not ovulating: Assuming you are not using any hormonal medication, you are not ovulating normally. There can be a number of possible reasons for this. It would be wi... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 62-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Yes: There should be no reason you cannot take both fish oil and femara (letrozole). Sounds like you are doing all you can to take card of yourself.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 25-year-old male asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Hormonal problems: If you're not pregnant, it sounds like you are not ovulating regularly. And facial break-outs may indicate excess male hormones (androgens). You may h... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 29-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Possibly: Polycystic ovarian syndrome includes irregular or absent ovulation: skipping periods and episodes of abnormal prolonged bleeding may indicate problems... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 34-year-old male asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Difficult to answer: With unexplained infertility it is difficult to say what might assist you in getting pregnant in the future. There is certainly no harm in trying on y... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 22-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Not likely: Lidocaine is not likely to be helpful for endometriosis. Others injections are much more likely to help, such as depo-lupron, which can suppress estro... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 40-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Hot flashes, others: The hormonal changes of menopause can lead to hot flashes, mood changes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and others. If you have any of these symptoms,... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 18-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Irregular periods: Having such irregular periods indicates you likely have some hormonal problems. Thyroid disorder, polycystic ovary syndrome, and other hormonal issues... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 19-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Normal: Depo-provera can lead to irregular spotting in quite a few women. It may get better with time. The cramps: you might try ibuprofen. If that doesn't he... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 33-year-old member asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Rule out pregnancy: First do a pregnancy test if there is any chance you might be pregnant. If you're not, there are many other hormonal issues that it could be. Sometime... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 34-year-old member asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Generally No: If an ovarian cyst is of moderate size and ruptures, you may have some short-lived pain, but it should not harm any remaining egg cells in your ovary.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 22-year-old male asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Yes: Both hsv1 and hsv2 can sometimes cause body aches, even fever, especially with the first time you become infected. Medication can dramatically less fu... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Yes, certainly: A serious traumatic event can lead to symptoms months or sometimes even years later. If you are struggling with flashbacks, anxiety, or depression sym... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 21-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Pregnancy test: First, be sure whether you are pregnant or not. If not, sometimes a woman's period will be a few days late: that by itself is not a problem if you eve... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 35-year-old member asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Yes: Sperm can survive for several days in the cervical mucous. Having intercourse prior to and on the day of ovulation should give you a good chance of pr... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 26-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Day 3or 5: Normally you would begin on cycle day 3 or 5. There are times when other times are appropriate: follow your infertility doctor's recommendations.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 25-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
May not be normal: Egg-white discharge vaginally is not uncommon at 35 wks, but is not the same as the water breaking, which would be clear water-like fluid. If you're n... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 41-year-old member asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Possibly: If a woman has scarring in the uterine cavity (such as asherman's syndrome, or an endometrial ablation) all the hormonal changes of a menstrual cycle ... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 30-year-old female asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Could be pregnant: If you started your second pack of pills a week after you should have, it's possible you were already close to ovulation. And withdrawal is not an ade... Read More
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
A 37-year-old member asked:
Dr. Carol Peters-tanksley
Obstetrics and Gynecology 37 years experience
Many things: Thyroid dysfunction, a significant change in weight or stress level, pcos, or other medical problems may change the menstrual cycle.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.

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

2
Recommendations
438
Thank you notes
HealthTap member
Mar 30, 2015
Dr. Peters-Tanksley is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Mar 31, 2015
Dr. Peters-Tanksley is an amazing doctor! #nationaldoctorsday2015 #virtualflower1
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! Thanks doctor, my period do comes at a month interval and at times two months. Am scared doctor will I get pregnant when I want to?
HealthTap member
Thank you, your answer was very helpful! Thank you for your answer. I really needed to know what direction to take. My periods have been a problem for a long time.
HealthTap member
Thanks for your quick reply! I am planning to get pregnant. my ovulation time is 8th to 12th may, how much should I rely on ovulation kit?

Education & Training

Medical/Graduate school

Loma Linda University School of Medicine, CA
Graduated 1986MD

Residency

LOMA LINDA UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER
Completed 1990

Awards

Top Doctor, Second Place, Austin, TX - Winter
2013
Top Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Third Place, Texas - Winter
2013
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