Andrea J. Rapkin, MD
Accepting New Patients

Andrea J. Rapkin, MD

(she/her)
  • Gynecology
Westwood OBGYN |
200 Medical Plaza, Suite 430, Los Angeles, CA 90095
310-794-7274
+1 more location

About

Dr. Rapkin received her undergraduate degree from Cornell University in 1975. She went on to study medicine at the University of New York in Buffalo where she received her M.D. in 1979. Dr. Rapkin completed a residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at UCLA School of Medicine in 1983. She is Board Certified by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (of which she is also a fellow). After obtaining her M.D., she joined the faculty at UCLA and is a Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

She also directs the UCLA Pelvic Pain Clinic. Dr. Rapkin has published extensively in the areas of premenstrual syndrome, chronic pelvic pain, vulvodynia  and women’s reproductive health, with numerous research articles and contributions to textbooks in the area of menstrual-cycle-related mood disorders and pelvic pain.

Dr. Rapkin was one of the first Obstetrician-Gynecologists to adapt the multidisciplinary pain management approach to the evaluation and treatment of women with pelvic and vulvar pain. Founded by Dr. Rapkin, the UCLA Chronic Pelvic Pain and Vulvodynia Program includes professionals from the areas of psychology, anesthesiology, and physical therapy and provides patient care, resident medical student education, and a fruitful environment for clinical research.

Patient Care Compliments

  • Dr. Rapkin is an amazing doctor! Very caring and she takes her time to talk to you and help you understand what you are dealing with. Anyone who is her patient is truly blessed.

Languages

English

Education

Medical Board Certification

Obstetrics and Gynecology, American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1985

Residency

Obstetrics & Gynecology, UCLA School of Medicine, 1983

Internship

Obstetrics & Gynecology, SUNY Health Science Center at Buffalo, 1980

Degree

MD, SUNY Buffalo School of Medicine & Biomed Sciences, 1979

Recognitions

  • Award for Excellence in Education David Geffen School of Medicine 2008
  • Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics Excellence for Teaching Award 1998 and 2004

Locations

Hospital Affiliations

Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center

UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center

Areas of Focus

Videos

Mind-Body Treatments for Vulvodynia | UCLA Obstetrics and Gynecology
Vulvodynia: Current Trends in Treatment & New Research

Research

Interests

  • Premenstrual Syndrome
  • Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
  • Menopause
  • Chronic Pelvic Pain
  • Vulvodynia

Publications

Selected Publications (for full list see PUBMED (Link is external):

  1. Oughourlian T, Guistinna T, Antony K, Gupta A, Mays V, Mayer E, Rapkin A, Labus J. Symptom-associated alterations in functional connectivity in primary and secondary provoked vestibulodynia. Pain. 2022 Aug 15. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000002754. Online ahead of print. PMID: 35972459
  2. Lo L, Lamvu G, Alappattu M, Witzeman K, Markovic D, Rapkin A. Predictors of Mucosal and Muscle Pain in Vulvodynia: A Cross-Sectional Analysis from the National Vulvodynia Registry. J Pain. 2020 Jul 14: S1526-5900(20)30050-X. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2020.07.001. Online ahead of print J Pain. 2020. PMID: 32679255.
  3. Bhatt R, Gupta A, Rapkin A, Kilpatrick L, Hamadani K, Pazmany #, Van Oudenhove L, Stains J, Aerts L, Enzlin P, Tillisch K, Mayer E. Labus J.  Altered Gray Matter Volume in Sensorimotor and Thalamic Regions associated with Pain in Localized Provoked Vulvodynia: A Voxel-based Morphometry Study in Pain.  Pain. 2019 Feb 25. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001532. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 30817440
  4. Petersen N, Liang L, Ghahremari D, Goldman L, London E, Rapkin A. Emotion regulation in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder.  Arch Womens Ment Health. (Link is external) 2016 Oct;19(5):891-8. doi: 10.1007/s00737-016-0634-4. Epub 2016 May 7.  PMID: 27155663
  5. Gupta A, Rapkin A, Gill Z, Kilpatrick L, Fling C, Stains J, Masghati S, Tillisch K, Mayer E, Labus J. Disease-Related Differences in Resting State Networks: A Comparison between Localized Provoked Vulvodynia, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Healthy Control Subjects. Pain. (Link is external) 2015 May;156(5):809-19. doi: 10.1097/01.j.pain.0000461289.65571.54. PMID: 25735001
  6. Berman S, London E, Morgan M, Rapkin A. Elevated Gray Matter Volume of the Emotional Cerebellum in Women with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. J Affect Disord. (Link is external) 2013 Apr 5;146(2):266-71. PMID: 22868063
  7. Berman S, London E, Morgan M, Rapkin A. Elevated Gray Matter Volume of the Emotional Cerebellum in Women with Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. J Affect Disord. (Link is external) 2013 Apr 5;146(2):266-71. PMID: 22868063
  8. Rapkin AJ, Berman SM, Mandelkern MA, Silverman DHS, Morgan M, London E.Neuroimaging evidence of cerebellar involvement in premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Biological Psychiatry 2011; 69 (4);374-80. PMID: 21092938
  9. Lee M, Morgan M, Rapkin A.  Clitoral and vulvar vestibular sensation in women taking 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol combined oral contraceptives: A preliminary study.  Journal of Sexual Medicine
    2011; 8:213-218. PMID: 20955310
  10. Rapkin A, Morgan M, Biggio G, Sera M, Pisu M, Rasgon, N.  Neuroactive steroids after estrogen exposure in depressed postmenopausal women treated with sertraline and asymptomatic postmenopausal women.  Arch Womens Ment Health 2010; 13(1):91-98. PMID: 19728035
  11. Rasgon NL, Dunkin J. Fairbanks L., Altshuler LL, Troung C, Elman S, Wroolie TE, Brunhuber MV, Rapkin A.  Estrogen and response to sertraline in post menopausal women with major depressive disorder: a pilot study.  J Psychiatr Res 2007; 41(3-4): 338-343. PMID : 16697413
  12. Rapkin A.  Vasomotor symptoms in menopause: Physiologic condition and central nervous system approaches to treatment.  Am J Obstet Gynecol 2007; 196(2):97-106. Review. PMID: 17306645
  13. Morgan ML, Cook IA, Rapkin AJ, Leuchter AF.  Neurophysiologic changes during estrogen augmentation in perimenopausal depression.  Maturitas 2007; 56(1):54-60. PMID: 16835012
  14. Dunkin J, Rasgon N, Zeller M, Wagner-Steh K, David S, Altshuler L, Rapkin A.  Estrogen replacement and cognition in postmenopausal women:  Effect of years since menopause on response to treatment.  Drug Development Research 2006; 66:150-159. PMID: 15511602
  15. Yonkers KA, Brown C, Pearlstein TB, Foegh, M., Sampson-Landers C, Rapkin A.  Efficacy of a New Low-Dose Oral Contraceptive with Drospirenone in Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder.  Obstet Gynecol 2005; 106(3):492-501. PMID: 16135578
  16. Morgan ML, Cook IA, Rapkin AJ, Leuchter AF.  Estrogen Augmentation in Perimenopausal Depression:  A Pilot Study.  J Clin Psychiatry 2005; 66(6):774-780.  PMID: 15960574
  17. Berkley KJ, Rapkin AJ, Papka RE.  The Pains of Endometriosis.  Science 2005; 308:1587-1589. PMID: 15947176
  18. Dunkin J, Rasgon N, Wagner-Steh KLW, David S, Altshuler L, Rapkin A.  Reproductive Events Modify the Effects of Estrogen Replacement Therapy on Cognition in Healthy Postmenopausal Women.  Psychoneuroendocrinology 2005; 30(3):284-296. PMID: 15511602
  19. Rasgon NL, Altshuler LL, Fairbanks LA, Dunkin J, Davtyan C, Elman S, Rapkin A. Estrogen replacement therapy (ERT) in the treatment of major depressive disorder in perimenopausal women.  J Clin Psychiatry 2002; 63(7 Suppl):45-48. PMID: 11995778
  20. Rasgon N, Serra M, Biggio G, Pizu G, Fairbanks L, Rapkin, A.  Neurosteroid-serotonergic interaction: Responses to an intravenous L-tryptophan challenge in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder.  European Journal of Endocrinology 2001; 145:25-33. PMID: 11415849
  21. Rapkin AJ, Morgan M, Goldman L, Brann DW, Simone D, Mahesh VB.  Progesterone metabolite allopregnanolone in women with premenstrual syndrome.  Obstet Gynecol 1997; 90(5):709-714. PMID: 9351749
  22. Rapkin AJ, Shoupe D, Reading A, Mahesh V.  Decreased opioid tone in PMS: LH response to naxolone.  J Soc Gynecol Invest 1996 March-April; 93-98.
  23. Rapkin AJ, Reading AE, Woo S.  Tryptophan and neutral amino acids in premenstrual syndrome.  Am J Obstet Gynecol 1991; 165:1830-1833. PMID: 1750482
  24. Rapkin AJ, Kames LD, Darke LL.  Stampler F, Naliboff B.  History of physical and sexual abuse in women with chronic pelvic pain.  Obstet Gynecol 1990; 76(1):92-96. PMID: 2359571
  25. Kames LD, Rapkin AJ, Naliboff BD, Afifi S, Ferrer-Brechner T.  Effectiveness of an interdisciplinary pain management program for the treatment of chronic pelvic pain.   PAIN 1990; 41:41-46. PMID: 2352765
  26. Rapkin AJ, Edelmuth E, McGuire M.  Whole‑blood serotonin in premenstrual syndrome. Obstet Gynecol 1987; 70:533‑537. PMID: 3627623
  27. Rapkin AJ.  Adhesions and Pelvic Pain: A retrospective study, Obstet Gynecol 1986; 68(1):13‑15. PMID: 2941707

Insurance

  • Aetna
  • Anthem Blue Cross
  • Blue Shield of California
  • Centivo
  • Cigna
  • First Health
  • Health Net of California
  • Interplan (part of HealthSmart)
  • Medicare Advantage
  • MultiPlan
  • UFCM Health System
  • Prime Health Services
  • Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
  • TRICARE
  • UnitedHealthcare

The list of health care plans above may not be comprehensive and could change. 
Please contact your benefits coordinator or health insurance company directly to verify coverage.

Visit our health insurance information page for more details.

Recognitions

  • Award for Excellence in Education David Geffen School of Medicine 2008
  • Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics Excellence for Teaching Award 1998 and 2004

Links