Mary Faith Terkildsen, MD, FACOG, IF, CSC, MSCP

Mary Faith Terkildsen, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN and AASECT-certified sex counselor at Beyond Gyne Health in Gurnee, Illinois. She is passionate about helping women feel their best at every stage of life, with a special focus on sexual wellness and menopause care.

Dr. Terkildsen earned both her undergraduate degree in psychology and neuroscience and her medical degree from Tulane University, then completed her OB/GYN residency at Northwestern University’s Prentice Women’s Hospital, where she served as administrative chief resident.

Over the years, she discovered that many women have questions about sexual health that aren’t often addressed in traditional medical care. Wanting to change that, she pursued additional training at the University of Michigan and became certified by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT). In 2022, she launched a Women’s Sexual Health program and partnered with the Kellogg Cancer Center to support women during and after cancer treatment. Inspired by her patients’ needs, she expanded her work to include menopause and hormone therapy, earning her Menopause Society Certified Practitioner (MSCP) designation in 2025.

Dr. Terkildsen is active in national organizations dedicated to women’s sexual health and serves as a Fellow of the International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health (ISSWSH), where she contributes to the Fellowship Committee.

Outside of work, Dr. Terkildsen loves to cook, plan parties, and volunteer her time to support women and healthcare professionals running for public office. She and her husband enjoy traveling with their two adult children and spending cozy time at home with their beloved and spoiled cats, Rocky & Adrian.