Gynecology

Our providers perform a Pap smear or test to check women for cervical or ovarian cancer. By collecting cells from your cervix, your doctor can run tests to determine if cancer cells are present or not. Early detection increases your chance of curing cervical cancer.

An abnormal Pap smear could indicate a number of things such as an infection, sexually transmitted disease, HPV (Human Papilloma Virus) or even dysplasia, which are abnormal cells that can be pre-cancerous. It is important to remember that these are just indications of what could possibly cause an abnormal Pap smear. Further tests are needed to determine if there is an actual problem or not.

We recommend women begin getting annual Pap smears at the age of 21 or within three years of becoming sexually active.

Endometriosis gets its name from the endometrium, a type of tissue commonly found on the inside lining of the uterus. When tissue that resembles the endometrium begins growing in other parts of the abdomen besides the inner lining of the uterus, we refer to this condition as endometriosis. In nearly half the cases of endometriosis, the offending tissue will grow on or around the ovaries. It can, however, occur in many other places, almost always appearing, however, in the pelvic region.

The most common and easily identified symptom of endometriosis is some form of pain. Any occurrence or combination of pelvic pain, painful sex, painful urination or bowel movements, intense menstrual cramping or lower back pain could indicate endometriosis. The amount, type or frequency of pain does not, however, indicate the scale or progression of the condition. Many widespread and advanced stages of endometriosis can produce little or no pain, while other cases of severe pain or cramping can be caused by relatively small occurrences of endometriosis in an early stage. Because of this, it is important to have regular screenings and check-ups, particularly if you experience any painful symptoms as described above.

While its cause is currently unknown, and there is no cure, several treatment options are available for endometriosis that can alleviate or eliminate symptoms and aid the disease’s regression. Depending on the circumstances, location and progress of the occurrence, endometriosis can help be controlled by a combination of hormone therapy, medication, and, in some cases, surgical procedures.

Hormones affect so many areas of your daily functions. If you're experiencing a hormonal imbalance, it could be affecting your period, sleep, skin, mood, appetite, libido, mental health, and more. Your gynecologist can perform an evaluation and test to determine which hormones need adjustments and can prescribe you hormone therapy to help. Your gynecologist will discuss with you both the benefits and the risks associated with hormone therapy to determine if it's right for you.

Though there are dozens of types of viruses known as HPV, or Human Papillomavirus, four types are more important to know about than the other, because those four types are, together, responsible for over 70% of cases of cervical cancer and over 90% of genital warts.

Our office offers Gardasil®, a convenient and safe vaccination that can help safeguard you against these four types of HPV, significantly decreasing (but not eliminating) your chance of contracting cervical cancer and genital warts. Because other risks for these conditions exist, our providers recommend regular cancer screenings and examinations for vaccinated women. For more information on Gardasil®, visit the Gardasil® homepage.

Incontinence is the leaking of urine. It might happen when you cough or lift something heavy. You also might not be able to make it to the bathroom in time. It's important to talk to your gynecologist if you're having incontinence issues. Incontinence can be caused by:

• Age
• Childbirth
• Weakening of your pelvic floor muscles
• Urinary tract infections

Incontinence can be more than just inconvenient. It can lead to rashes, sores, skin infections, and urinary tract infections as well as affects your confidence and social activities. Treatment can include medication, physical therapy, or surgery.

There could be a number of reasons you or your significant other are experiencing infertility. Being unable to conceive a child or bring a pregnancy to full term can be emotionally stressful, but our gynecologists may be able to help. Infertility can be found in either the female or male partner. There are three different types of infertility:

• Primary - refers to a couple's inability to conceive their first child
• Secondary - refers to an inability to conceive a pregnancy after a pregnancy has already been brought to full term
• Subinfertility - refers to an inability to conceive a child (usually trying unsuccessfully for more than 12 months) but is not biologically incapable of doing so.

Female infertility can be caused by many conditions, such as endometriosis, fallopian tube damage, uterine fibroids, or hormone imbalance. Male infertility can be caused by low sperm count, varicocele (testicle condition), or a vasectomy. Infertility can also result from age, genetic factors, or diseases. In about 15% of infertility cases, there is no identifiable cause.

While infertility can be emotionally stressful and damaging, medical treatments can give many couples hope of conception. Infertility treatments usually begin with medication designed to increase the woman’s fertility, man, or both. Failing that, there are also other procedures, such as in-vitro fertilization, which can attempt to complete the fertilization outside the human body, and artificial insemination, which attempts to complete fertilization inside the body. While the field of infertility treatment grows every day, medical treatments are still an invaluable resource: a little more than half of the couples that seek medical intervention for infertility can expect a successful pregnancy.

Usually occurring between the ages of 45 and 55, menopause is the end of your menstrual cycle. This results in the woman’s body producing less estrogen and progesterone, which can produce symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and eventual osteoporosis.

Treatments such as hormone therapy exist for these symptoms, but overall health improvements such as a healthy diet (for post-menopausal women, a diet heavy in green leafy vegetables, soy products, legumes, nuts and seeds, and cold-water fish is usually recommended), weight loss and exercise can go a long way to reducing or eliminating both the symptoms and health risks of menopause. It should also be noted that a decrease in sexual desire is not a “normal symptom” of menopause and you should monitor this like any other vital sign.

During a regular exam, your gynecologist will discuss your current health, answer your questions, and perform recommended screenings. In addition to a breast exam and pelvic exam, your gynecologist may also perform a pap smear, a test to check for cervical cancer. An abnormal pap smear could indicate a number of things including infection, sexually transmitted disease, HPV (human papillomavirus), or pre-cancerous cells.

A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of your uterus, and in some cases, one or both ovaries and the fallopian tubes are also removed. Ranked as the most common surgical procedure among women, a hysterectomy is usually performed for those who have gynecological cancer, endometriosis, fibroids, uterine prolapse, constant vaginal bleeding or chronic pelvic pain. Hysterectomies remove the ability to become pregnant so if you think you still might want to conceive in the future, you should discuss any alternative treatments available with your doctor. In some cases, a hysterectomy is the only possible treatment solution.

Our surgeons perform a hysterectomy as an inpatient procedure under general anesthesia. The surgical procedure lasts from one to two hours, not including the prep time. Your stay in the hospital generally ranges from one to four days. Hysterectomies also require a recovery period that lasts several weeks. You should arrange for help at home if needed.

A hysteroscopy is a technique used to look inside the uterus. Using a thin, camera device placed inside the uterus through the vagina and cervix, your doctor will be able to diagnose or treat a problem in the uterus. Our surgeons commonly perform hysteroscopies to remove a polyp or fibroid from inside the uterus. It may also be used in conjunction with a D&C to determine if there are any abnormalities in the uterus’ interior lining.

Hysteroscopies are performed as an outpatient procedure. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight prior to the surgery. Pain medications or general anesthesia may be used to alleviate any pain associated with the procedure, so it is important to have someone drive you home from the hospital. Mild to moderate cramping and spotting can be expected. Avoid sexual intercourse for at least one week following the procedure. Please schedule a follow-up appointment one week after the surgery.

There are many options for birth control available today, and consulting with a medical professional is the easiest and most efficient way to find out which method is best for you.

Choices include contraceptive patches, barrier methods (condoms and diaphragms), birth control pills and vaginal rings. While their intention is the same, each method has unique properties, and one may be better suited to you than the others.

Schedule a consultation with us, and we can help determine what birth control method makes the most sense for your needs and lifestyle.