Our office offers comprehensive care for women from the
early teen years to the late
years after the menopause. We offer specialized care for women that
include but are
not limited to:
- Obstetrics
- Gynecology
- Preventive Care
- Infertility
- Gyn Surgery
- Laparoscopic Hysterectomy
- Bioidentical Hormones
- Perimenopause / Menopause
- 3D/4D Ultrasound
Care of normal and high risk pregnancies
including in-house 3D/4D diagnostic ultrasound.
We offer Vaginal Birth After Ceaserian Section or VBAC to selected
women.
Medical and surgical treatment of
gynecologic conditions including in-house
diagnostic ultrasound and saline injection sonogram or SIS. Some
of the conditions
treated include abnormal bleeding, pelvic pain, endometriosis, uterine
fibroids, abnormal
pap smear, and many others…
Including yearly gynecologic and
breast examination with pap smear. Recommendations
for contraception and preventive care for women. Teen counseling.
We offer the new HPV virus vaccination.
A full workup to diagnose the causes of infertility in the couple, and offer some treatments that may restore fertility and speed up the start or completion of the family.
GYN SURGERYBoth open and laparoscopic surgery
to treat most female surgical conditions. Such as
tubal ligation, Essure, endometrial ablation, myomectomy, hysterectomy,
surgery for pelvic organ prolapse, and others…
The purpose of this surgical approach
is to take procedures that traditionally would have been done through
a large open incision and turn them into surgeries that can be done
laparoscopically through very small incisions. Advantages are staying
in the hospital only for overnight, a faster recovery, and return
to normal activities within three weeks.
This surgical approach offers two options of treatment:
1. Laparoscopic total hysterectomy.
It consists of removal of uterus and cervix.
2. Laparoscopic supracervical hysterectomy. It consists of removal
of the uterus with the preservation of the cervix. Our feeling
in general is that if there is not a good medical reason to remove the cervix, then a woman
should have the option of keeping it if she wishes.
Bioidentical hormones have the same chemical structure as the hormones naturally made by your body. Because they are identical to the hormones produced by the body, it eliminates the unwanted side effects (breast tenderness, breakthrough bleeding, fluid retention) caused by other processed hormones. Bioidentical hormones are derived in a chemical extraction from soybeans and yams.
The main hormones in women are estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and DHEA. There are three types of estrogen: estrone, estradiol, and estriol. Estrone is found in increased concentrations in postmenopausal women. Its function is similar to estradiol but is a weaker hormone. Estradiol is the primary estrogen produced by the ovaries. Its concentration is highest during the reproductive years and decreases as menopause begins. Estradiol therapy can be affective for the relief of hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and osteoporosis. Estriol is produced at the greatest concentrations during pregnancy. It is useful in treating dryness and atrophy of the vagina, and vulva. Progesterone is necessary to protect the uterine lining and balance the affects of estrogen. Adequate levels can mean feelings of calm and well-being, while decreased levels can cause anxiety and irritability. Testosterone is produced by the ovaries in women in much smaller amounts then found in men. DHEA is a precursor of other hormones and can be deleted when women are suffering from adrenal fatigue.
Bioidentical hormones can be compounded or found in conventional hormone products. Compounded hormones can be delivered in many various strengths, dosages and delivery systems. Compounded hormones can be in the form of gels, creams, sustained release capsules and vaginal creams to meet each woman's needs.
Suggested Readings :
Natural Hormone Balance for Women. Uzzi
Reiss, M.D.
You've Hit Menopause, Now What? George
Gillson, M.D. and Tracy Marsden, BSc Pharm
The Hormone Solution.
Ericka Schwartz
PERIMENOPAUSE
Perimenopause is a process that begins 10 - 15 years before menopause. This time in a woman's life is characterized by the erratic production of hormones which causes changes in menstrual cycles, moodiness, hot flashes, and night sweats. Treatment options are available to help women with the symptoms experienced during this transition.
MENOPAUSEMore than 30 million American women are menopausal. Menopause is defined as the permanent cessation of menstruation. Menopause usually occurs between the ages of 48 - 52 years of age. It is caused by the decreased production of hormones. Typical symptoms include hot flashes, vaginal dryness, low sex drive, weight gain, irritability, moodiness, and sleep disturbances. Women can experience these symptoms as mild or severe. There are many options available to women including conventional hormone therapy, bioidentical hormone therapy, and alternative treatment options along with lifestyle changes.
Suggested Readings:
The Wisdom of Menopause: Creating physical and emotional
health and healing during the change. Christine
Northrup, M.D.