Your Women’s Health Questions, Answered with Dr. Coiner

Dr. Jack Coiner was back for another Health Talk, and once again, he delivered.

After his first virtual Health Talk, it was clear the conversation was far from over. Women came with questions - the ones we all quietly wonder about, the ones we are not always sure how to ask, who to ask, or whether what we are experiencing is normal.

Back by popular demand, Part 2 of his health talk picked up right where he left off. From prolapse and hormones to vaginal dryness and PCOS, Dr. Coiner answered the questions women think about every day but do not always feel comfortable saying out loud. And true to who he is, he made the conversation approachable, honest, and added just the right amount of humor.

“Is prolapse normal… and do I need surgery?”

If you’ve ever felt pressure, leaking, or that strange “something feels off” sensation, you’re not alone. Dr. Coiner explained that prolapse is incredibly common, especially after childbirth or with age. But surgery is not his first step. “The first step is always pelvic floor physical therapy,” he said. “Not necessarily jumping straight to surgery just because of prolapse.”

He wants women to know that treatment depends on how it affects their daily life. If it isn’t causing symptoms, sometimes the best approach is simply monitoring. “If it’s not causing you any problems, as long as we can still pee and poop normally, let’s see if we can get some time before we have to do anything about it [surgically].”

“How do I know if I have endometriosis?”

Endometriosis can be frustrating and confusing, especially because symptoms vary so much from person to person. Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the uterus (called the endometrium) grows outside the uterus, where it doesn’t belong.

Some women experience severe symptoms, while others may not realize they have it at all.

The classic signs include:

• Painful periods
• Pain with intercourse
• Pain with bowel movements

While there is no single cure for endometriosis, there are several effective ways to manage symptoms. Dr. Coiner emphasized that for many women, treatment starts with non-surgical options. Hormonal therapies like birth control pills, progesterone IUDs, or hormone-blocking medications can help regulate or suppress cycles, which can reduce inflammation and pain.

If symptoms continue or significantly affect quality of life, minimally invasive surgery may be recommended. Specialized gynecologic surgeons, like Dr. Coiner, can remove endometriosis tissue using advanced surgical techniques.

Even with surgery, endometriosis is something that requires ongoing management, “It is a chronic condition,” Dr. Coiner shared. “The goal of therapy is really to try to limit those menstrual events to get things [inflammation] calmed down.”

“Do I need to cancel my appointment if I’m on my period?”

This is one of the most common questions women have, and if you’ve ever considered rescheduling because of your period, you’re not alone. “I promise you that if you have a gynecologist that is scared of a menstrual period, you need to find a new gynecologist,” Dr. Coiner answered. He emphasized that from a medical perspective, it is completely fine to keep your appointment.

That said, there is one small exception when it comes to Pap smears. On heavier flow days, blood can interfere with the sample and may make it harder to read accurately. In those cases, the results may come back as insufficient, meaning you might have to repeat the test later.

Ultimately, it comes down to your comfort. If keeping the appointment works best for your schedule, it is completely fine to go. But if you would feel more comfortable waiting until your period has passed, that is okay too.

“What treatment options are available for PCOS?”

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, or PCOS, is one of the most common hormone conditions affecting women, yet it is also one of the most misunderstood. At its core, PCOS affects how the ovaries function and how hormones communicate with the brain. As Dr. Coiner explained, PCOS happens “when the eggs aren’t released regularly,” often because the ovary produces higher levels of testosterone, which disrupts normal ovulation.

When ovulation does not occur consistently, it can affect many different parts of the body. This is why PCOS is not just about fertility. It can impact menstrual cycles, weight, skin, hair growth, and overall hormone balance. Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Irregular or missed periods
• Difficulty getting pregnant
• Weight gain or difficulty losing weight
• Acne or oily skin
• Unwanted hair growth on the face, chest, or abdomen
• Thinning hair on the scalp

For many women, an irregular cycle is the first sign that something is off. “If we’re not cycling consistently, I don’t want the inside lining of your uterus growing and growing and never shedding,” Dr. Coiner explained. This is why birth control is often recommended, not just for pregnancy prevention, but to regulate hormones and protect the uterus.

Treatment for PCOS depends on your symptoms and your goals. Options may include hormonal birth control, medications to help balance hormone levels, and lifestyle changes that support overall hormone health. For women thinking about fertility, there are also effective options to help encourage ovulation when the time is right. “When it is game time, most of the drugs that we have for PCOS are just to encourage ovulation to happen on a consistent basis,” Dr. Coiner said. In other words, PCOS does not mean pregnancy is impossible. It simply means your body may need extra support.

The most important thing to know is that PCOS is manageable. With the right care and guidance, many women are able to regulate their cycles, improve symptoms, and feel more confident and in control of their health. And as Dr. Coiner emphasized throughout the Health Talk, having a provider who listens and works with you makes all the difference.

When to see Dr. Coiner

If you’ve been wondering whether your symptoms are normal, if hormones are affecting your mood or energy, or if something simply feels off, you do not have to figure it out alone.

Dr. Coiner is trained in minimally invasive gynecologic surgery and provides full scope gynecologic care at Chestnut Ridge Medical in Blowing Rock, NC. To schedule an appointment, call 828-386-3350.

And if Dr. Coiner’s health talks have taught us anything, it is this: No question is too awkward. No concern is too small. And you deserve answers that make you feel comfortable, informed, and confident in your own body.

To watch the second part of Dr. Coiner's Health Talk, click the video link below.