Andrea J. Rapkin, MD
(she/her) - Gynecology
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.
Languages
Education
Medical Board Certification
Residency
Internship
Degree
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
Medical Services
Areas of Focus
Videos
Research
Interests
- Premenstrual Syndrome
- Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
- Menopause
- Chronic Pelvic Pain
- Vulvodynia
Publications
Selected Publications (for full list see PUBMED:
- 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
- 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.
- 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
- Petersen N, Liang L, Ghahremari D, Goldman L, London E, Rapkin A. Emotion regulation in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Arch Womens Ment Health. 2016 Oct;19(5):891-8. doi: 10.1007/s00737-016-0634-4. Epub 2016 May 7. PMID: 27155663
- 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. 2015 May;156(5):809-19. doi: 10.1097/01.j.pain.0000461289.65571.54. PMID: 25735001
- 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. 2013 Apr 5;146(2):266-71. PMID: 22868063
- 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. 2013 Apr 5;146(2):266-71. PMID: 22868063
- 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
- 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 - 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
- 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
- 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
- Morgan ML, Cook IA, Rapkin AJ, Leuchter AF. Neurophysiologic changes during estrogen augmentation in perimenopausal depression. Maturitas 2007; 56(1):54-60. PMID: 16835012
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Berkley KJ, Rapkin AJ, Papka RE. The Pains of Endometriosis. Science 2005; 308:1587-1589. PMID: 15947176
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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.
- Rapkin AJ, Reading AE, Woo S. Tryptophan and neutral amino acids in premenstrual syndrome. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1991; 165:1830-1833. PMID: 1750482
- 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
- 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
- Rapkin AJ, Edelmuth E, McGuire M. Whole‑blood serotonin in premenstrual syndrome. Obstet Gynecol 1987; 70:533‑537. PMID: 3627623
- 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)
- L.A. Care
- 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.
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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