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Home > CA Providers > Obstetricians & Gynecologists: OB-GYNs

Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD

Accepting New Patients

(Dr. Karen Callen, M.D.)

(5 Ratings)

Specializes in: Obstetrics & Gynecology

Tulane University School of Medicine

Professional interests include: fibroids (leiomyoma), ovarian cyst, secondary amenorrhea, and more.

225 California Drive
Burlingame, CA 94010

(650) 341-9135

Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD is an obstetrician and gynecologist in San Francisco, CA specializing in obstetrics & gynecology. She graduated from Tulane University School of Medicine. Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD is affiliated with UCSF Health, St. Francis Memorial Hospital, Brown and Toland Physicians, Sutter Health, California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC), Hill Physicians and REGENTS UNIV OF CALIFORNIA UCSF.

Office Locations

California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC)

1725 Montgomery Street Suite 200
San Francisco, CA 94111

(415) 666-1250

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California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC)

225 California Drive
Burlingame, CA 94010

(650) 341-9135

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Some issues Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD can help you with:

Hysteroscopy

A hysteroscopy is a diagnostic procedure performed to examine the inside of the uterus. A thin tube with a camera and light at the end, called a hysteroscope, is inserted through the vagina. It allows the physician to view the cervix and uterine walls. Sometimes, gas or liquid is used to expand the uterus and allow a better view. If necessary, tiny instruments can also be passed through the tube and used for certain procedures, such as taking a biopsy or removing a polyp.

Hysteroscopy is often done to figure out the cause of abnormal menstrual bleeding. However, it can also be used to:

Identify the cause of recurrent miscarriage
Remove polyps or fibroids, non-cancerous growths in the uterus
Remove adhesions, scar tissue within the uterus
Identify uterine septums, a wall of tissue dividing the uterus
Perform ablation, the removal of excess uterine lining

If surgery is necessary, hysteroscopy is often used along with laparoscopy, a kind of surgery performed through small incisions in the abdomen. Tiny tools are passed through the incisions, and the hysteroscope guides the doctors while surgery is performed.

Laparoscopic Surgery

Laparoscopic surgery is a kind of minimally invasive surgery using a thin, narrow tube called a laparoscope. Usually performed on the abdomen or the pelvic region, the surgeon makes a few very small incisions instead of one large one.

During the procedure, the surgeon inserts the laparoscope, which contains a light and camera that allows the surgeon to see what is happening inside the body. Then tiny tools are placed through the small openings and used to perform the surgery.

The most common laparoscopic surgery is gallbladder removal, but laparoscopic surgery may also be used for the removal of a kidney or appendix, to treat certain cysts and tumors, for bariatric surgery, for some GERD treatments, or for hernia repairs, among others.

Because laparoscopic surgery only uses a few tiny incisions, the scars are minimal and recovery is easier than with open surgery.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a common endocrine disorder that causes symptoms such as acne, facial hair, and weight gain. It is often diagnosed when patients experience problems getting pregnant, because PCOS can interfere with ovulation. There is no cure for PCOS, but there are effective treatments that can lessen the severity of the symptoms.

Despite the name, not everyone with polycystic ovarian syndrome develops cysts on their ovaries. It is also possible to have ovarian cysts without having PCOS. The symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome are actually related to insulin resistance, a condition where the insulin made by the body is not effectively recognized by the cells. This causes the pancreas to release higher levels of insulin in order to keep blood sugar levels stable, and the excess insulin interferes with hormone production in the pituitary and ovaries, causing the PCOS symptoms.

The symptoms of PCOS include:

Weight gain
Acne
Facial or body hair
Thinning head hair
Missing or irregular periods
Infertility

PCOS is a syndrome, which means that if patients have PCOS, they might not have each and every symptom. Even a few of them might be enough to have physicians check for polycystic ovarian syndrome. A doctor might perform an exam and order blood tests to measure hormone levels.

Treatment for PCOS may include:

Insulin sensitizers, which help the body use insulin more effectively, lowering hormone levels. The most commonly used insulin sensitizer is metformin.
Weight loss. Being overweight does not cause PCOS, and PCOS can make losing weight difficult. Still, weight loss can improve symptoms for many women.
Birth control pills to regulate menstruation and sometimes reduce symptoms such as acne.
Fertility medications, especially medications to stimulate ovulation such as clomiphene.
Anti-androgen medications, which work to treat symptoms such as acne and facial hair.
Low-carb diets, which work similarly to insulin sensitizers to lower hormone levels and help reduce weight.
Ovarian drilling or resectioning, surgical procedures sometimes performed if infertility is a persistent problem. These procedures open up the wall of the ovary to temporarily make ovulation more likely.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is one of the most common endocrine disorders affecting women. Left untreated, it can increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. Fortunately there are many good treatment options available.

In The News

“San Francisco OB/GYN, Dr. Karen Callen, delivered three babies on Thursday.”—"Coronavirus impact: Bay Area moms, mothers-to-be, OB/GYN weigh-in on parenting in the age of COVID-19", ABC7 News, March 2020

Noteworthy Medicare Patient Procedures Performed by Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD in 2023

Click on any procedure below to see further details on volume and pricing among Medicare patients.

Top 25%

By Volume:

breast exam

pelvic exam

In 2012, Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD performed more breast exam, and pelvic exam procedures for Medicare patients than 75% of providers in related specialties within California.

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2012 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD treated as an obstetrician and gynecologist in San Francisco, CA during 2012 were preventive care, cytology, gynecologic pathology and breast exam.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD for Medicare patients.

breast exam	84
cytology	86
doctor visit	63
gynecologic pathology	86
gynecologic procedures	84
preventive care	86

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2013 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD treated as an obstetrician and gynecologist in San Francisco, CA during 2013 were breast exam, gynecologic procedures, preventive care and cytology.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD for Medicare patients.

breast exam	44
cytology	20
doctor visit	42
gynecologic pathology	20
gynecologic procedures	44
preventive care	20

2013 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD.

**Gender**
Male	0
Female	115

**Age**
From 65 to 74	82
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD in 2013

Hypertension	33
High Cholesterol	41
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	0
Depression	14
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2014 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD treated as an obstetrician and gynecologist in San Francisco, CA during 2014 were breast exam and gynecologic procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD for Medicare patients.

breast exam	60
doctor visit	18
gynecologic procedures	60

2014 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD.

**Gender**
Male	0
Female	82

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	68
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	60
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD in 2014

Hypertension	26
High Cholesterol	34
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	0
Depression	0
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2015 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD treated as an obstetrician and gynecologist in San Francisco, CA during 2015 were breast exam and gynecologic procedures.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD for Medicare patients.

breast exam	70
doctor visit	19
gynecologic procedures	70

2015 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD.

**Gender**
Male	0
Female	200

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	166
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	160
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD in 2015

Hypertension	34
High Cholesterol	30
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	12
Depression	0
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	11

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2016 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD treated as an obstetrician and gynecologist in San Francisco, CA during 2016 were breast exam, gynecologic procedures, preventive care and cytology.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD for Medicare patients.

breast exam	70
cytology	12
doctor visit	16
gynecologic pathology	12
gynecologic procedures	70
preventive care	12

2016 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD.

**Gender**
Male	0
Female	108

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	87
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	78
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD in 2016

Hypertension	32
High Cholesterol	30
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	0
Depression	0
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	15
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2017 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD treated as an obstetrician and gynecologist in San Francisco, CA during 2017 were breast exam, gynecologic procedures, preventive care and cytology.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD for Medicare patients.

breast exam	53
cytology	13
doctor visit	12
gynecologic pathology	13
gynecologic procedures	53
preventive care	13

2017 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD.

**Gender**
Male	0
Female	92

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	74
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	69
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD in 2017

Hypertension	32
High Cholesterol	24
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	0
Depression	14
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	13
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	17

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2018 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD treated as an obstetrician and gynecologist in San Francisco, CA during 2018 were breast exam, gynecologic procedures, preventive care and cytology.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD for Medicare patients.

breast exam	61
cytology	11
doctor visit	17
gynecologic pathology	11
gynecologic procedures	61
preventive care	11

2018 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD.

**Gender**
Male	0
Female	102

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	83
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	76
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD in 2018

Hypertension	28
High Cholesterol	35
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	0
Depression	13
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	14
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	17

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2019 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD treated as an obstetrician and gynecologist in San Francisco, CA during 2019 were breast exam, gynecologic procedures, preventive care and cytology.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD for Medicare patients.

breast exam	51
cytology	20
doctor visit	20
gynecologic pathology	20
gynecologic procedures	51
preventive care	20

2019 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD.

**Gender**
Male	0
Female	99

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	73
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	13
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	69
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD in 2019

Hypertension	36
High Cholesterol	35
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	0
Depression	14
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	12
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	15

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2020 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD treated as an obstetrician and gynecologist in San Francisco, CA during 2020 were breast exam, gynecologic procedures, preventive care and cytology.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD for Medicare patients.

breast exam	54
cytology	24
doctor visit	39
gynecologic pathology	24
gynecologic procedures	54
preventive care	24

2020 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD.

**Gender**
Male	0
Female	102

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	75
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	15
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	69
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD in 2020

Hypertension	31
High Cholesterol	37
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	15
Depression	15
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	17
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2021 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD treated as an obstetrician and gynecologist in San Francisco, CA during 2021 were breast exam, gynecologic procedures, preventive care and cytology.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD for Medicare patients.

breast exam	70
cytology	14
doctor visit	28
gynecologic pathology	14
gynecologic procedures	70
preventive care	14

2021 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD.

**Gender**
Male	0
Female	117

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	91
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	12
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	79
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD in 2021

Hypertension	36
High Cholesterol	43
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	15
Depression	13
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	17
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	9
Dementia	0
Cancer	12

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

2022 Medicare Procedure Volume

The top procedures that Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD treated as an obstetrician and gynecologist in San Francisco, CA during 2022 were breast exam, gynecologic procedures, preventive care and cytology.

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD for Medicare patients.

breast exam	84
cytology	26
doctor visit	46
gynecologic pathology	26
gynecologic procedures	84
preventive care	26

2022 Medicare Patient Data

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD.

**Gender**
Male	0
Female	133

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	105
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	13
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	86
From 75 to 84	36
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0

Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD in 2022

Hypertension	45
High Cholesterol	60
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	11
Depression	14
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	22
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	8
Dementia	0
Cancer	13

Medicare Procedure and Patient Information

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2012 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD treated as an obstetrician and gynecologist in San Francisco, CA were breast exam, gynecologic procedures, preventive care and cytology.

breast exam	63
cytology	25
doctor visit	29
gynecologic pathology	25
gynecologic procedures	63
preventive care	25

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2012 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD.

**Gender**
Male	0
Female	104

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	0
Asian / Pacific Islander	3
Non-Hispanic White	74
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	0
Other	1

**Age**
75 to 84	3
85 and over	0
Less than 65	0
65 to 74	75

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD From 2012 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD treated were high cholesterol, hypertension, osteoperosis and cancer.

Hypertension	30
High Cholesterol	33
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	4
Depression	8
Chronic Kidney Disease	0
Asthma	1
Osteoporosis	11
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	1
Atrial Fibrillation	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	9

Education & Training

Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD graduated from Tulane University School of Medicine. She completed residency at UCSF Medical Center at Mount Zion. She is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and has a state license in California.

Medical School: Tulane University School of Medicine

Residency: UCSF Medical Center at Mount Zion

Board Certification: American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Licensed In: California

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

UCSF Health

St. Francis Memorial Hospital

Brown and Toland Physicians

Sutter Health

California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC)

Hill Physicians

REGENTS UNIV OF CALIFORNIA UCSF

Insurance Information

Please note: Insurance information may change at any time, and the provider may accept your insurance plan even if it is not listed below. Please contact the provider's office to confirm that your insurance is accepted.

Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Cigna, Aetna, Blue Shield of California, Anthem, SCAN Health Plan, UnitedHealthcare, Health Net, Hill Physicians Care Solutions, Central Health Plan, CCHP Health Plan (Chinese Community Health Plan) and Canopy Health.

Insurance Accepted by Provider includes:

According to our sources, Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD accepts the following insurance providers:

Cigna

Aetna

Blue Shield of California

Anthem

SCAN Health Plan

UnitedHealthcare

Health Net

Hill Physicians Care Solutions

Central Health Plan

CCHP Health Plan (Chinese Community Health Plan)

Canopy Health

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD has a high overall rating with an average of 4.4 out of 5 stars based on 5 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in San Francisco, CA.

4.4

Overall Rating

(5 Ratings)

Leave a Review

General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Karen Richter Callen, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Merz North America, Inc.	$724 $724
Allergan Inc.	$607 LO LOESTRIN FE $129	Liletta $39	BOTOX $39	BOTOX COSMETIC $30	RESTASIS $20	Other $350
Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals Inc.	$412 Skyla $276	Mirena $82	Essure $54
Merck Sharp & Dohme Corporation	$354 GARDASIL9 $157	NEXPLANON $102	NUVARING $77	NON-PRODUCT $18
AbbVie Inc.	$298 LO LOESTRIN FE $175	ORIAHNN $107	Orilissa $16
Other	$3,749 Prolia $291	myRisk $221	PARAGARD $219	Makena $209	OFIRMEV $168	Other $2,640

**Types of Payments**
Food and Beverage	$5,893
Education	$186
Gift	$66

Biography

Dr. Karen Callen is a specialist in obstetrics & gynecology. She attended Tulane University School of Medicine and subsequently trained at UCSF Medical Center at Mount Zion for residency. These areas are among her clinical interests: colposcopy, menopause, and uterine prolapse. On average, patients gave Dr. Callen a rating of 4.5 stars (out of 5). Blue Shield, Health Net, and Anthem appears to be the insurance carriers that Dr. Callen takes. She speaks Spanish. Dr. Callen is affiliated with California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC), Brown and Toland Physicians, and UCSF Health. According to Brown and Toland Physicians, she is currently accepting new patients at her office in San Francisco, CA.