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Gynecology Services

Health Checks for Your Best Life

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Annual Gynecologic Exams

  • Review your personal medical and family health history

  • Recommend appropriate screening tests (Pap, HPV, STI, hormone testing)

  • Perform a physical examination (depending on age and other factors), including breast and pelvic exam

  • Provide counseling / health education

  • Discuss healthy lifestyle choices

Woman & Doctor

Preventive Health

  • Breast Health

  • Contraception (birth control)

  • Exercise and Nutrition (general information)

  • Vaginal Health

  • Sexual Health and Sexuality

  • Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Prevention and Testing

  • Cervical cancer prevention (vaccines), screening, and management of HPV (human papilloma virus) infection.

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Perimenopause/Menopause

The menopausal transition can be a very challenging time for many women. You are officially “in menopause” when you have not had a period for a year. However, the time before this when your hormones start to decline and/or wildly fluctuate- “perimenopause”- is often more difficult.

Symptoms:

  • Hot flashes, night sweats

  • Vaginal dryness and painful intercourse.

  • Sleep problems

  • Depression and anxiety

  • Weight gain

  • Cognitive (memory) problems

  • Loss of sex drive

  • Fatigue

Not all of these symptoms are directly attributable to the loss of estrogen, but often may result from changes that accompany this stage of life and the loss of balance of the hormones.

Treatment options:

  • Alternative/herbal therapies: a variety of herbal remedies are available both over the counter and through health-care practitioners. We carry a full line of products in our office and we are happy to recommend ones that may be right for you. Keep in mind that these therapies have no data proving either efficacy or safety. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors have been used in breast cancer patients and seem to decrease hot flashes and night sweats in some patients.

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Hormone Replacement Therapy

Current recommendations are to take the lowest amount of hormone therapy for the shortest amount of time. Using hormones and trying to achieve a physiologic balance in the hormone levels to resolve symptoms and restore a normal sense of energy and well being. We also favor transdermal estrogens, found in patches, gels, troches or pellets, as they may be safer than oral estrogens. The advantages of transdermal estrogen compared to oral estrogen:

Does not affect the coagulation factors associated with increased risk of blood clots; Lower plasma triglycerides
No effect on cardiac CRP levels (an inflammatory marker associated with heart disease)
Lower rate of glucose intolerance
Associated with increased lean body mass (compared to oral estrogens)

Birth Control Options

Planning Your Future

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Intrauterine Contraception (IUC)

Long Term Planning For Your Future

For women who are interested in convenient long-term contraception
(5 or 10 years), intrauterine contraception is an option. This is commonly referred to as an IUD (intrauterine device). There are two types of IUDs available in the US, both are over 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. However if pregnancy does occur, there is an increased risk of ectopic pregnancy, or a pregnancy outside of the womb.

Scientists believe that IUDs work in many ways, not all of which are fully understood. They work mainly by interfering with fertilization of the egg. There are other differences between the two IUDs available that enhance their effectiveness.

For both types of IUDs, insertion is similar. It is done in the office and can cause cramping, bleeding and dizziness. Usually over the counter medicines such as Advil or Aleve can reduce any discomfort. Risks of inserting an IUD are bleeding, infection, uterine perforation, where the IUD goes through the uterus, and finally expulsion. Except for bleeding, these risks are rare. It is not uncommon for women to experience irregular bleeding for up to 12 weeks after insertion.

It is recommended that people who have an IUD inserted return after
one month to confirm the IUD is still in place. IUDs can be inserted in both women who have and have not had children. Talk with our providers to determine if an IUD is right for you.

***For women with certain types of cancer, uterine anomalies, or undiagnosed abnormal uterine bleeding, the IUD is not appropriate.
***The IUD does not protect against STDs.

Birth Control Treatment

Birth Control Treatment Options

Controlling Your Future On Your Timeline

  • Daily Birth Control Pills

  • Birth Control Shots

  • Male/Female Condoms

  • Female Diaphragms & Cervical Caps

  • Spermacides

  • Birth Control Patches

  • Vaginal Rings

  • Birth Control Implants

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Permanent Birth Control Options

When You Are Ready For The Next Chapter

  • Vasectomy for Men ; Medical Sterilization In Order to Prevent Future Pregnancies

  • Tubal Ligation for Women; Medical Sterilization In Order to Prevent Future Pregnancies

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