Gynecology

Routine Gynecological Exam

All women age 21 or older (and all sexually active women) should have a gynecological exam, which includes a pelvic exam and may include a Pap smear.

Incontinence

Millions of women experience involuntary loss of urine called urinary incontinence (UI). Some women may lose a few drops of urine while running or coughing. Others may feel a strong, sudden urge to urinate just before losing a large amount of urine.

Breast Exam

A clinical breast examination (CBE) is a physical examination of the breast done by a health professional. Clinical breast examinations are used along with mammograms to check women for breast cancer. Clinical breast examinations are also used to check for other breast problems.

Contraception

Choosing a birth control method is one of the most personal health care decisions a woman makes. In nearly four decades of childbearing years, your need for birth control will most likely change many times. But at each life stage, you can make informed decisions by learning about all your contraceptive options and selecting one or more that best fits your reproductive health needs.

Hormone Replacement Therapy

BHRT, sometimes referred to as natural hormones, are used to treat menopause symptoms, perimenopause, and post-menopause.  Bio-identical hormones are those that are molecularly identical to the hormones that are produced in the body.  The hormones are chemicals that are derived from the sources of yam or soybean.  Steroids and hormones are taken from animals and plants then altered to be identical in molecular structure.  The steroids and hormones are then formed as a cream, oral, suppository or injections so the body can absorb them quickly.

Urodynamics

Urodynamics is the investigation of functional disorders of the lower urinary tract, i.e., the bladder and the urethra. Symptoms reported by the patient are often an unreliable guide to the underlying dysfunction of the lower urinary tract. The purpose of urodynamics is to provide objective confirmation of the pathology that a patient's symptoms would suggest.

Leep

If your doctor has told you that you need to have a LEEP procedure, it's because your annual Pap smear indicated the presence of abnormal cervical cells or cervical dysplasia. While the loop electrosurgical excision procedure, or LEEP procedure, may make you wonder if your doctor wants you to jump. The LEEP procedure has nothing to do with jumping. The LEEP procedure is one of several procedures your doctor has available to help diagnose and treat abnormal cervical cells.

Colposcopy

One of the most frightening times in a woman's life is when the gynecologist calls and says her Pap smear results are abnormal. Although you might think an abnormal Pap smear means you have cervical cancer, the fact is that the majority of abnormal Pap smears are not caused by cervical cancer. The more likely cause of abnormal Pap smear results is inflammation or a vaginal infection. Because the Pap smear is a screening tool and not a diagnostic tool, your gynecologist may want to take a closer look at your cervix to determine the cause of your abnormal Pap smear results. The tool your gynecologist uses to get a closer look at your cervix is called a colposcope.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy, also called cryosurgery, cryoablation or targeted cryoablation therapy, is a minimally invasive treatment that uses extreme cold to freeze and destroy diseased tissue, including cancer cells.

Ovulation Induction

Ovulation induction medications often referred to as fertility drugs, are used to stimulate the follicles in your ovaries resulting in the production of multiple eggs in one cycle. The medications also control the time that you release the eggs or ovulate, so sexual intercourse, intrauterine inseminations, and in vitro fertilization procedures can be scheduled at the most likely time to achieve pregnancy.

Infertility Evaluation

It is important that both partners be tested initially to carefully assess the extent of the fertility problems. The basic infertility evaluation for women includes a history and a physical examination. Additional testing to further refine the diagnosis is often completed as well. Approximately 45% of couples will have associated male infertility. It is for this reason that evaluation and treatment of the male is critical to a thorough comprehensive program for the infertile couple.

Pre-Conceptual Counseling

Preconception testing benefits women being treated for a condition such as sickle cell anemia, hypertension, heart disease or diabetes that may cause a high-risk pregnancy. Screening and preconception care can minimize complications for mother and fetus later on. Women seeking preconception counseling not because of special issues but in order to be well-prepared for pregnancy are also welcome.

Vaginal Pessaries

Pessaries are used as a nonsurgical approach to the treatment of pelvic organ prolapse. A vaginal pessary is a removable device placed into the vagina. It is designed to support areas of pelvic organ prolapse. There are a variety of pessaries available, made of rubber, plastic, or silicone-based material. Among common types of pessaries are the ring, donut, and Gellhorn. Your health professional will fit your pessary to hold the pelvic organs in position without causing discomfort. Pessaries come in a variety of sizes and should be fitted carefully.

Treatment of Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse is a very common condition, particularly among older women. It's estimated that half of the women who have children will experience some form of prolapse in later life, but because many women don't seek help from their doctor the actual number of women affected by prolapse is unknown. Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when the pelvic floor muscles become weak or damaged and can no longer support the pelvic organs.