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Gynecological Information and Services

Conditions

WOMEN'S HEALTH CONDITIONS

Abnormal Uterine Bleeding â€‹

  • ​Abnormal Uterine Bleeding is one of the most common reasons women see their heath care providers. It can occur at any age and has many causes. Finding the cause is the first step in treatment.  

Dysmenorrhea 

  • Pain associated with menstruation is called dysmenorrhea. Dysmenorrhea is the most commonly reported menstrual disorder.More than on half of women who menstruate have some pain for usually 1-2 days each month. Usually the pain is mild. But for some women, the pain is so severe that it prevents them from doing their normal day-to-day activities for several days a month.

Endometriosis 

  • Endometriosis is a condition in which the type of tissue that forms the lining of the uterus (the endometrium) is found outside the uterus. It occurs in about one in ten women of reproductive age. Many women with endometriosis have no symptoms or only mild discomfort. Others have pain that is so severe that it prevents them from doing their normal activities. Endometriosis also is a leading cause of infertility.  

Premenstrual Syndrome

  • Many women feel physical or mood changes during the days before menstruation. When these changes affect a woman's normal life, they are know as premenstrual syndrome (PMS). Premenstrual syndrome can affect menstruating women of all ages and backgrounds. The cause of PMS is unclear; however, the symptoms can be managed in many women. 

Uterine Fibroids 

  • Uterine fibroids are benign (not cancer) growths in the uterus. They are the most common type of growth  found in a woman's pelvis. In some women, fibroids remain small and do not cause symptoms or problems. However, in some women, fibroids can cause problems because of their size, number, and location.  A new procedure, Acessa, has been developed to treat even large fibroids with a minimally invasive, outpatient surgery. Click here to learn more about Acessa

Dyspareunia 

  • Pain during sexual intercourse is call dyspareunia. Pain that occurs during other sexual activities is called non-coital sexual; pain disorder. Pain during intercourse is very common-nearly 3 out of 4 women have pain during intercourse at some time during their lives. For some women, the pain is only a temporary problem; for others, it is a long-term problem. Painful intercourse has many possible causes. Successful treatment depends on finding the right cause and sometimes trying different treatment options.  

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES AND INFECTIONS

Gonorrhea & Chlamydia 

  • Gonorrhea and Chlamydia are two of the most common sexually transmitted diseases (STD's) that is caused by bacteria. These STD's can cause serious long-term problems if they are not treated, especially in teenagers and young women. It is important to learn how to recognize these STD's and take steps to prevent them.  

Syphilis 

  • Syphilis, another STD, also is caused by bacteria. It differs from gonorrhea and chlamydia because it occurs in stages. It is more easily spread in some stages than in others. This STD can cause serious long-term problems if they are not treated, especially in teenagers and young women. It is important to learn how to recognize these STD's and take steps to prevent them.  

Vaginitis​​

  • Vaginitis is an inflammation of a woman's vagina. As many as one third of women will have symptoms of vaginitis sometime during their lives. Vaginitis affects women of all ages but is most common during the reproductive years. There are many possible causes, and the type of treatment depends on the cause.  

Urinary Tract Infection

  • Many women have a urinary tract infection (UTI) at some point during their lives. Some women will have repeat infections and may have them  often. Most UTIs are not serious. They are easy to treat with antibiotics, and symptoms can be relieved quickly.

Genital Herpes

  • Genital herpes is a viral infection that can be spread through sexual contact. It affects one in five adults in the United States-about 45 million people. It is more common in women than in men. 

Human Papillomavirus Infection

  • Infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is very common in both women and men. More than 100 types of HPV have been found, and about 30 of these types are spread from person to person through sexual contact. Some types of HPV cause genital warts, while others case cancer of the cervix. Two vaccines are available that can protect against some of these HPV types.   

Diseases and Infections

WOMEN'S HEALTH AND AGING 

Perimenopause

  • Perimenopause are the years leading up to menopause. Perimenopause is a natural event that some women compare to puberty- another time when the body undergoes major changes. You may have only a few symptoms, or you may have many. Knowing what to expect can make this natural transition easier.  

Menopause

  • Menopause is the time in a woman life when she naturally stops having menstrual periods. Menopause marks the end of the reproductive years. The average age of menopause for women in the United States is 51 years.    

Osteoporosis​

  • Throughout life, bones go through a constant process of loss and regrowth.  As a person ages, more bone loss occurs than growth, the quality of bone declines, and the structure of the bone weakens. These changes can lead to a condition known as osteoporosis. Osteoporosis occurs five times more often in women than in men. Several types of medication are available to treat osteoporosis. Prevention also maybe possible by recognizing risk factors and keeping bones healthy throughout each stage of life.   

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WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTORS FOR A HEALTHY AGING LIFESTYLE?

  • Be an informed patient and know what you can do now to prevent, maintain or possibly even improve your health and wellness. 

  • Routine screenings for early diagnosis and treatment of conditions and ailments that are common as we age is an important key factor in quality care management.

Health and Aging

TEEN HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Teens

What to Expect at Your First Visit!  

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists girls should have their first gynecologic visit between the ages of 13 years and 15 years.

  • The first visit may be just a talk between you and your doctor. 

  • You also may have certain exams.  

 

Your doctor may ask you a lot of questions about 

  • you 

  • your family 

  • your menstrual period 

  • your sexual activities (including vaginal, oral, or anal sex) 

 

To learn more details about your first visit click here    

CONTRACEPTION

Contraception
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Birth Control

  • Making the decision to whether to have sex can be difficult. You should make up your own mind when the time is right for you. If you think you are ready to have sex or of you are already having sex-even only now and then- you should take steps to avoid pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STD's). 

Types of Birth Control

  • Hormonal Methods- does NOT protect against STD's 

    • Oral Contraceptive Pill 

    • Skin Patch 

    • Vaginal Ring

    • Birth Control Shot

    • Implant

    • Intrauterine Device (IUD)  

  • Barrier Methods- some methods do NOT protect against STD's ​

    • Spermicides - does NOT protect against STD's ​

    • Male and Female Condoms - DOES provide protection against STD's 

    • Diaphragm - does NOT protect against STD's 

    • Cervical Cap - does NOT protect against STD's 

    • Sponge - does NOT protect against STD's 

Birth Control in an Emergency 

  • If you have sex without using any birth control, if the birth control method did not work (for instance the condom broke during sex), or if you are raped, you can use emergency birth control to prevent pregnancy. It should only be used in an emergency-NOT for regular birth control. To learn more about your emergency contraceptive options click here  

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For More Information on Birth Control Forms 

  • Oral Contraceptive Pills (OCP) - Birth control pills, often referred to as the "pill", are the most popular hormonal method. You have to take a pill at the same times every day. If you miss a pill, you need to know what to do. Read the directions that came with your pack of pills. There are many types of pills and your health care provider can help you choose the right one for you. 

  • Vaginal Ring - The ring is a flexible plastic ring that you insert into the upper vagina. It is worn inside the vagina for 21 days then removed for 7 days. 

  • Birth Control Shot - This shot is given in the upper arm or buttock every 3 months. The birth control shot may be a good choice for people who have trouble remembering to take a daily pill. 

  • Implant - The implant is a small plastic rod about the size of a matchstick hat your health care provider inserts under the skin of the upper arm. The implant protects against pregnancy for 3 years. It may be a good choice for people who have trouble remembering to take a daily pill. 

  • Intrauterine Device (IUD) - The IUD is a small. T-shaped, plastic device that is inserted and left inside the uterus.  Two types are available in the United states 

  1. The Hormonal IUD - lasts up to 5 years 

  2. The Copper IUD - lasts as long as 10 years 

  • Once the IUD is inserted, nothing else needs to be done to prevent pregnancy. It has a sring that can be checked to be sure the device is in place. 

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