This area provides some brief background medical information on a variety of conditions we provide care for and treatments or procedures that are treated by our physicians.
Our office provides comprehensive obstetrical care from preconception to postpartum. Our experienced doctors provide general services to guide women through each and every step of their pregnancy to ensure proper growth and development, as well as a successful delivery. Our facilities are also fully equipped with the most advanced technology to help make your pregnancy as simple and efficient as possible.
During your pregnancy, you will visit your doctor on a regular basis for physical examinations, blood tests and ultrasounds in order to monitor the growth and development of your baby. We will also discuss with you your options for the delivery process, and then work with you to ensure that labor and delivery is comfortable and stress-free. We will also provide postpartum care and help women become acclimated to motherhood as well as a healthy lifestyle.
In addition to our general obstetrical services, we also provide care for high risk pregnancies, including women with pre-existing medical conditions, multiple births or abnormal pregnancies that carry an additional risk of complications. Our doctors strive to have strong, trusting relationships with their patients to help them experience a smooth pregnancy. They will also work in conjunction with Maternal Fetal Specialists when necessary . We can provide non-stress testing, biophysical profiles and additional sonograms to monitor these pregnancies more closely.
he standard definition of infertility is the inability to conceive after 12 months of unprotected sexual intercourse. In women over the age of 35, this is often modified to those who have failed to conceive after trying for 6 months.
A comprehensive evaluation for infertility is available in our office. This may include blood testing, imaging tests of the pelvic organs and a semen analysis. We will work with you to enhance your fertility based on your unique needs. We offer ovulation induction and ovulatory ultrasounds when appropriate. Our physicians may also refer you to a reproductive specialist when necessary.
Preventative care and the management of common gynecologic problems is the foundation of our practice. Annual exams are recommended for women who are sexually active or over the age of 18. During the exam, the doctor will examine your breasts and pelvic organs for any abnormalities or changes. During a Pap smear, he or she will remove some tissue from the cervix to carefully examine as well. An annual exam is one of the most important steps you can take in preventing disorders of the pelvic organs.
Endometriosis is a medical condition in women in which the uterine lining (endometrium) moves out of the uterus and into other parts of the pelvic area such as the ovaries, bowels or behind the uterus. This condition affects about five million women in the US and is one of the most common health problems. It is generally not a serious or harmful condition, but can be painful and may interfere with your daily life.
During your period, this tissue swells and bleeds and sheds from the lining to be released within the menstrual flow. When it is in other areas, this swelling causes pain and may form scar tissue. There is no known cause of this condition, but it tends to run in families. Symptoms of endometriosis include:
Endometriosis can be diagnosed through an ultrasound or MRI. There is no cure for the disease, but symptoms can be treated depending on their type and severity. Talk to your doctor today if you think you may be experiencing endometriosis.
An abnormal Pap smear doesn’t necessarily indicate a condition like HPV or cervical cancer. Pap smears are constructed to detect any changes within the cervical cells, and abnormal results may indicate other conditions such as inflammation, hyperkeratosis, or atypical squamous or glandular cells. False positives are also common from Pap smears, but we take every precaution we can to ensure your health.
Your doctor may perform a colposcopy after abnormal cells are found in order to examine the cervix more closely and take a biopsy of any abnormal tissues. Any necessary treatment will be performed after further examination.
Menstrual disorders can turn your monthly period from a minor hassle to a major, debilitating inconvenience. These disorders can cause physical and emotional symptoms and can severely disrupt your daily life for days or weeks at a time. Menstrual cycle disorders can cause symptoms like:
These symptoms are characteristic of several different menstrual disorders including abnormal uterine bleeding, amenorrhea, fibroids, dysmenorrhea, PMS and PMDD. While these disorders are not usually serious, they are often very painful. Fortunately, treatment methods, from over-the-counter medications to a hysterectomy, are usually successful in relieving these symptoms to make that time of the month a little less dreadful.
At a certain time in every woman's life, the ovaries cease production of eggs and the menstrual cycle ends. A woman is born with a finite number of eggs that cause the menstruation and ovulation process. Once these eggs run out, those processes end as well. This event brings about physical and emotional effects for women as their bodies adjust to the changes. The average age of menopause is approximately 51. Menopause is diagnosed when a menstrual period has been absent for 12 months. However, the entire process takes several years and begins when the ovaries start producing less estrogen. This stage is known as perimenopause and is when symptoms may begin. Menopause symptoms include:
Not all women experience symptoms of menopause. Those who do may be mild or severe. These symptoms can last from the perimenopause stage and for several years after menopause. Effective treatment, both hormonal and non-hormonal, for most menopause symptoms and for reducing the associated risks are available and your doctor can help decide which options are best for you.
Chronic female pelvic pain is classified as pain below the belly button lasting longer than 6 months. The pain can range from mild to severe, dull to sharp and may come and go or be constant. It is usually a symptom of another condition. Pelvic pain can be a result of several different causes, many of which can be successfully treated.
Although the cause of pelvic pain can not always be determined, some common causes include:
Patients who suffer from pelvic pain may undergo a Pap test, blood test, urine test, pregnancy test and STD test to determine the cause of pain. Imaging devices and even exploratory surgery may be used to if a cause cannot be found.
Treatment for pelvic pain depends on the cause, but can include:
Pelvic pain can be a debilitating condition that can affect your everyday life. It is important to work with your doctor to diagnose the cause of pain in order to receive effective treatment.
Clinical breast exams should start at age 20 and continue every 1 to 3 years until a woman reaches 40 years of age. At that time, women should receive a breast exam by a healthcare provider every year. Due to the high incidence of breast cancer in the US and the potential to reduce deaths from it when caught early, The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (The College) recently issued new breast cancer screening guidelines that recommend mammography screening be offered annually to women beginning at age 40. Previous College guidelines recommended mammograms every one to two years starting at age 40 and annually beginning at age 50.
The loss of bladder control is a common problem that affects many women, young and old. Factors ranging from childbirth to neurological conditions may leave a woman unable to control urinary function. Everyday occurrences such as laughing, sneezing, coughing and even jumping on the trampoline with your kids can create embarrassing situations.
Our doctors are aware of these common issues women face and believe urinary and stress incontinence are treatable conditions. We would love the opportunity to discuss treatment options to improve your condition through muscle therapy, medication or, if necessary, surgery. A simple discussion with us regarding this condition might provide the relief you desire.
(levonorgestrel-releasing instrauterine system) is an intrauterine contraceptive that delivers a small amount of hormone directly to the uterus. It is inserted in the office by your healthcare provider. Mirena is birth control that lasts as long as 5 years.
is a small, thin, implantable hormonal contraceptive that is effective for up to 3 years. Nexplanon prevents pregnancy in several ways. The most important way is by stopping release of an egg from you ovary. Nexplanon also thickens cervical mucus, which acts as a barrier to prevent sperm from fertilizing the egg.
The Essure system is a type of permanent birth control for women. During insertion of the Essure system, your healthcare provider threads small coils through your vagina and cervix, into your fallopian tubes. It requires a confirmatory test after 3 months.
