Gynecology

When you’re ready to discuss contraception, we can provide you with critical information about the various birth control methods available to you, including:

• Barrier methods. Barrier methods stop sperm from meeting the egg, thus preventing fertilization. Examples include condoms, the diaphragm, and the sponge.
• Short-acting hormonal methods. This contraception alters your hormonal status to prevent pregnancy. Your options include the pill or Depo-Provera shot. You must take them daily or monthly.
• Long-acting reversible contraceptives. Intrauterine devices (IUDs) use hormones or copper to change the quality of your cervical mucus and discourage conception. This category also includes implants such as Nexplanon, which is placed just under the skin of your arm.
• Natural rhythm methods. With this type of birth control, you don’t take a pill or use a device, but you track your cycle and avoid intercourse on your most fertile days.
• Sterilization. Surgical methods that permanently prevent pregnancy include tubal ligation (for a woman) or vasectomy (for a man). These should only be discussed if you’re absolutely sure you don’t want to add to your family.

Most birth control methods are effective at preventing pregnancy if used correctly. Certain types have a greater risk of user error, however. For example, it’s easy to put on a condom incorrectly, miss signals while cycle tracking, or forget to take your birth control pill daily.

The most reliable methods are the most foolproof ones. For example, IUDs and hormonal implants like Nexplanon are 99% effective in preventing pregnancy. They require no real effort after insertion and can remain effective for up to 10 years.

There are many factors to consider when choosing a contraceptive method, such as:

• Are you in a mutually monogamous relationship?
• Do you want to have a family one day, and how soon?
• Do you have any existing health problems?
• What are the side effects of each method?
• How often do you have sex?
• How committed are you to regularly using the chosen birth control method?
• How does your partner feel about the available methods?
• Do you have any ethical concerns about birth control?

You can schedule a contraceptive counseling appointment with a Dekalb Women’s Specialists provider, who can provide the information you need and help determine the right option for you.

The annual well-woman exam typically begins when a girl is between 13-15 years old. These visits don’t usually include a pelvic exam – unless the patient is sexually active. A well-woman exam is the ideal time to ask your provider questions about your menstrual cycle, any unusual pelvic or vaginal symptoms you are experiencing, as well as any questions about sexuality.

For women 21 and older, the well-woman exam is an important time to include certain preventive screenings such as a Pap smear, which can identify the earliest signs of cervical cancer, as well as STD testing.

An annual well-woman exam is recommended for women through menopause and beyond.

 

The best way to take control of your health is to properly prepare yourself before you come to the office for your well-woman exam. Your annual well-woman exam is a good time to raise questions about your gynecological health, including issues related to:

• Birth control
• Fertility
• Menstruation
• STDs
• Symptoms you may be experiencing, such as:
  • Abdominal bloating
  • Irregular bleeding
  • Pain during intercourse
  • Pelvic pain
  • Vaginal discharge or pain
• Weight management

Your provider will ask a lot of detailed questions about your personal and family health.

Some of the questions may include:

• When was your last period?
• How long does your period last?
• What age did you start your period?
• Are you sexually active?

The information you provide about your health helps us create a more personalized treatment plan specific to your needs and health risks.

We understand you may feel a little anxious about the exam – especially if it’s your first time. Rest assured knowing that we will go above and beyond to make sure you’re comfortable.

• Your provider will first spend time talking to you about your personal health, sexual history, gynecological history, family history, and menstrual cycle.
• Physical Exam. Your provider will explain what you can expect during the physical exam portion of your appointment. Your provider will conduct a breast exam to check for lumps and signs of breast cancer. Then, your provider will evaluate your external genitalia for irritations, cysts, or other issues.
• Pelvic Exam. During the pelvic exam, a device called a speculum is inserted into the vaginal canal. This helps to separate the vaginal walls and allows your provider to visually assess the condition of your vagina and cervix. Your provider will then check your uterus, fallopian tubes, and ovaries by inserting gloved fingers into the vagina and simultaneously pressing down on your abdomen.

Depending on your unique needs, your provider at Dekalb Women’s Specialists may recommend a variety of health screenings during your well-woman exam. These screenings may include:

• Pap smear to screen for cervical cancer
• HPV test to assess your risk of cervical cancer
• Mammogram to check for breast cancer
• Ultrasound to look for fibroids or ovarian cysts
• Urine or blood tests to look for UTIs or other infections
• Bone density test to assess your risk of osteoporosis
• Colonoscopy to screen for colon cancer

The Pap smear and HPV test, when called for, are conducted during the pelvic exam portion of your well-woman appointment. Both involve taking a sample of cells for laboratory analysis.

Which types of additional testing you need will depend on your age and any concerns you have, as well as your personal and family medical health histories.

No. How often your provider recommends you get a Pap smear will depend on your age, health, and any risk factors for cervical cancer. Pap smears are typically performed every 3 years for healthy adult women.

Mammograms, in which your breasts are X-rayed using specialized equipment, are an important way to identify the earliest signs of breast cancer. Yearly mammograms are recommended starting at age 40. However, if you have a family or personal history of breast cancer, you may need to start mammograms earlier or have them more frequently. Ask your OB-GYN at your annual well-woman exam what schedule is appropriate for you.

Infertility occurs when you’re unable to get pregnant after 12 months of trying. If a woman is 35 or older, infertility may be diagnosed after 6 months of unsuccessfully trying to get pregnant.

Age is an important factor for women who are trying to get pregnant. You are most fertile in your late 20s. After the age of 35, a woman’s fertility decreases and the risk of miscarriage increases.

If you are younger than 35, you may want to give yourself more time to get pregnant. Many couples conceive without assistance during their second year of trying.

If you are 35 or older, the team at Dekalb Women’s Specialists recommends you schedule an infertility evaluation if you fail to conceive after 6 months of trying.

When the problem is due to issues with a woman’s reproductive system, the problem commonly involves ovulation, the fallopian tubes, or the uterus.

When the problem is due to issues with a man’s reproductive system, a low sperm count is the most common cause.

Sometimes, both partners have an issue that contributes to infertility. Additionally, in a small number of cases, no cause can be identified.

At Dekalb Women's Specialists, our gynecology team will begin by conducting an in-depth history assessment to help identify the source of the problem. We will review your personal medical, sexual, and family history, as well as that of your partner. You can expect your provider to ask about your lifestyle habits, such as how often you exercise and whether you drink alcohol or use drugs.

You will undergo a physical and pelvic exam, and your provider may order certain diagnostic testing, such as an ultrasound to better evaluate your reproductive system or rule out certain conditions. You and your partner may be asked to undergo blood testing to determine hormone levels that can affect your ability to become pregnant. Your partner may also be asked to provide a semen sample for laboratory evaluation.

If you have been diagnosed with infertility, we can create a personalized infertility treatment plan for you based on the underlying cause.

Your treatment options may include:

• Medication that improves ovulation
• Intrauterine insemination
• Minimally invasive surgery to address physical issues with your reproductive system

If you continue to struggle with conceiving, the Dekalb Women’s Specialists team may recommend in vitro fertilization (IVF). During IVF, mature eggs are retrieved from the woman and fertilized by sperm in a lab. Then, one or more of the fertilized eggs are placed in the woman’s uterus.

Pelvic pain refers to any type of discomfort you feel in your lower abdominal area. Your pain may be a dull ache or a sharp shooting pain. In women, pelvic pain may be intermittent, occurring only during menstruation.

Although you may be able to manage your pelvic pain at home, if your pain is chronic, severe, or interfering with your daily activities, you should schedule a consultation with the experts at Dekalb Women's Specialists. Your pain may be a symptom of a more serious health issue.

Your lower abdominal area is home to many organ systems, including your reproductive system, digestive system, and urinary system. Your pelvic pain may develop from any condition or disease that affects any of these systems.

Some of the most common gynecological conditions that cause pelvic pain include:

• Endometriosis
• Fibroids
• Ovarian cysts
• Adenomyosis
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Ovarian cancer
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Miscarriage
• Vulvodynia

Other causes of pelvic pain include menstruation, irritable bowel syndrome, urinary tract infections, and kidney stones.

At your appointment, we will conduct a comprehensive evaluation that includes a review of your symptoms, as well as your gynecological, medical, sexual, and family history. A physical and pelvic exam will also be performed. Additional testing may be needed to confirm or rule out a diagnosis. This additional testing may include:

• Urinalysis
• Blood work
• Pap smear
• STD tests
• Ultrasound
• MRI

In some cases, the team may perform a minimally invasive procedure to help diagnose the root cause of your pelvic pain.

Your provider will work with you to create an individualized treatment plan to best manage your pain based on its underlying cause.

When possible, we will opt for a conservative approach that may include:

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Physical therapy
• Hormonal contraceptives
• Lifestyle changes

If conservative methods fail to alleviate your pelvic pain, your provider may recommend various procedures to address the underlying cause of your symptoms. Our experienced OB-GYN team specializes in minimally invasive surgery, including robotic surgery, should it be necessary.

STDs include bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic infections passed from person to person through sexual contact. The infections may be passed through vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

There are at least 20 types of STDs, including:

• Chlamydia
• Genital herpes
• Genital warts and the human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Gonorrhea
• Hepatitis B
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
• Syphilis
• Trichomoniasis

Bacterial, fungal, and parasitic STDs can be treated and cured. Viral STDs, however, have no cure, but can be managed with medication.

If you think you have an STD, you should contact Dekalb Women's Specialists right away to schedule an STD test. Failing to get an accurate diagnosis and the right treatment may affect your future health.

Your annual well-woman exam may include STD screenings, too, depending on your age and sexual activity. For example:

• All sexually active women should be tested for chlamydia and gonorrhea annually
• All pregnant women are tested for syphilis, HIV, and hepatitis B
• All sexually active people should be tested for HIV

STDs don’t always cause symptoms, so very often, a woman may opt to have an STD screening performed after sex with a new partner.

If you experience any of the following signs or symptoms, you should call for an immediate STD test:

• Vaginal pain
• Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
• Genital sores or warts

Before your test, your provider will discuss your symptoms, sexual history, and gynecological history, and may perform a physical and/or pelvic exam.

Depending on the type of STD being tested for, it may require:

• A urine sample
• Blood draw
• Sample of vaginal secretions
• Swab of sores or warts
• Collection of cells from your cervix

Your provider will discuss your STD testing options with you, so you know what to expect.

Your test results will depend on the type of testing being performed. Ask your provider what you can expect – as well as steps you should take in the meantime to protect yourself.

Should you test positive for an STD, your provider will recommend a preferred course of treatment or what your next steps should be.