Gynecologic Health
OB-GYNs, or obstetrician-gynecologists, are highly-trained doctors who work with women to maintain the health of their reproductive systems. Often they provide well-woman health checkups and general women’s health services.
OB-GYNs, or obstetrician-gynecologists, are highly-trained doctors who work with women to maintain the health of their reproductive systems. Often they provide well-woman health checkups and general women’s health services.
As a woman, you have different health needs at every stage of your life. Our providers are dedicated to providing a range of services to meet these ongoing needs. From your yearly check-up to maternity care and menopause treatments, we are here to support you at each and every stage.
Services include:
At some of our locations, residents are part of your care team. Residents are doctors who work alongside our obstetric-gynecologic faculty to complete three years of training in treating patients.
We provide a full range of healthcare services, including:
Other services include:
It is important to see your provider at least once a year for an overall physical. This appointment is about preventive care and lets your doctor find potential health problems before they become a health problem. For women, basic gynecology care should be included in the overall wellness visit along with breast screenings, immunizations, and the appropriate guidance for the patient’s stage of life. Gynecology care includes pap smears and sexual health testing for women of all ages, from pre-hormonal ages to post-menopausal.
We provide family planning services so you can achieve your desired number and spacing of children. Proper amounts of time between pregnancies are important as they increase the chances that a baby will be born healthy. During this visit pregnancy testing and counseling will be offered, assistance in helping you achieve pregnancy can be addressed, basic infertility services evaluated, and sexual health screenings reviewed.
A hysterectomy is the surgical removal of a woman's uterus. While some hysterectomies are performed due to cancer, the vast majority is performed for non-cancerous conditions, such as fibroids, abnormal uterine bleeding, and prolapse of the pelvic organs.
Your case is unique, which means your treatment will be designed to fit your needs. Often we will recommend treatments based on best practices that have worked for other patients, consideration of your specific illness, the results of any tests done, as well as your personal preferences.
We provide treatments for these general conditions:
Abnormal vaginal and uterine bleeding is defined as bleeding that occurs at a time other than your normal monthly period. However, if you have extremely heavy bleeding during your period, it may also be considered abnormal. In fact, the most common type of abnormal uterine bleeding, known as Menorrhagia, is characterized by heavy and prolonged menstrual bleeding, lasting more than 7 days. Women who have menorrhagia may bleed enough to soak through one or more tampons or sanitary pads every hour.
Endometriosis is a common gynecological condition where tissue from the lining of your uterus may grow on your ovaries, in your pelvis, and even on your bladder. When you menstruate, this tissue swells and bleeds resulting in pain and scar tissue. This condition is particularly found among women of childbearing age. It affects an estimated two to 10 percent of American women in this age group. Endometriosis can be a debilitating disease for some women who experience ongoing pain, while others may be asymptomatic. It is also a factor in infertility.
Fibroids are the most frequently seen tumors of the female reproductive system. Fibroids, also known as uterine myomas, leiomyomas, or fibromas, are firm, compact tumors that are made of smooth muscle cells and fibrous connective tissue that develop in the uterus. It is estimated that between 20 to 50 percent of women of reproductive age have fibroids, although not all are diagnosed. Some estimates state that up to 30 to 77 percent of women will develop fibroids sometime during their childbearing years, although only about one-third of these fibroids are large enough to be detected by a healthcare provider during a physical examination.
Uterine Fibroids (Uterine Myomas)
Infertility is classified as the inability to conceive a child. There are various causes and types of infertility. Our providers work with you on a case-by-case basis to understand what type of infertility may be affecting you and what treatments may be available.
Learn more about infertility.
When a woman permanently stops having menstrual periods, she has reached the stage of life called menopause. Often called the change of life, this stage signals the end of a woman's ability to have children. Many healthcare providers actually use the term menopause to refer to the period of time when a woman's hormone levels begin to change. Menopause is said to be complete when menstrual periods have ceased for one continuous year.
An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac that forms on or in the ovary. Most cysts are harmless and occur because of ovulation, or the releasing of an egg from the ovary. Most are asymptomatic, meaning they don't cause any symptoms.
Pelvic pain is a common complaint among women. Its nature and intensity may fluctuate, and its cause is often obscure. In some cases, no disease is evident. Pelvic pain can be categorized as either acute, meaning the pain is sudden and severe, or chronic, meaning the pain either comes and goes or is constant, lasting for a period of six months or longer.
Perimenopause refers to the transitional period of time before menstruation actually stops. This is often marked by changes in the menstrual cycle, along with other physical and emotional symptoms. Perimenopause can last two to 10 years.
Polycystic ovary syndrome (also called PCOS or Stein Leventhal syndrome) is the most common hormonal and reproductive problem affecting women of childbearing age. It's estimated that about five percent of women in the U.S. have this disorder. PCOS occurs when there is an imbalance of hormone levels in a woman’s body and this causes cysts to form in the ovaries. PCOS can cause changes to a women’s menstrual cycle, hormone levels, heart and blood vessels, affect fertility, and even change a women’s appearance.
Urinary incontinence (UI) is the loss of urine control, or the inability to hold your urine until you can reach a restroom. According to the National Association for Continence, approximately 25 million adult Americans experience temporary or chronic urinary incontinence. UI can strike at any age. Women over age 50 are the most likely to develop UI.
Clear or white, thin or thick, without an odor or itching is a sign of normal vaginal discharge. Changes that may signal a problem include a change in the color or smell of the discharge, an increase in the amount of discharge or irritation, itchiness or burning in or around your vagina. A discharge that’s stained with blood when you’re not having your period could also be a sign of a problem.
Getting screening tests and vaccinations is an important part of maintaining your health. Find out which tests are recommended for your age. Use these guidelines when discussing a disease prevention plan with your OB-GYN. You may need a plan that is different, depending on your situation.
This is fast and noninvasive screening, which assesses your risk for osteoporosis and bone loss.
You should start mammogram screening for breast cancer at the age of 40 or 50. Screening tests are recommended at a minimum of every two years.
A procedure in which cells are scraped from the cervix for examination under a microscope. It is used to detect cancer and changes that may lead to cancer. A Pap smear can also show conditions, such as infection or inflammation, which are not cancer. Also called Pap test and Papanicolaou test.
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