What is Women’s Health, otherwise known as Women’s Care? How can understanding your unique medical needs improve your quality of life? At South Lake OB/GYN in Clermont, FL, we offer a range of services specifically for women. Read on, and we will explain what is meant by these terms and what our team can do for you.
What Is Women’s Health, or Women’s Care?
Women’s Health, or Women’s Care, is the area of medicine that pertains specifically to women and their bodies. It includes care for parts of the body that only women have. It also includes screening and treatments for diseases that are more likely to occur in women, even though men can develop them, too. Several categories of Women’s Health include:
- Obstetrics
- Gynecology
- Certain cancer screenings
- Treatments for Female incontinence
- Treatments for Infertility
What We Do
Helping you live your best, healthiest life means giving you the information and resources you need to thrive, catching problems early, and providing the right treatments as soon as they are needed. Our clinic offers regular check-ups and screenings to monitor your health and detect issues while they are treatable. We provide expert treatments for the major issues that are unique to women, like infertility and incontinence. Lastly, we encourage our patients to optimize their lifestyle in order to enjoy good health.
Here are some areas of Women’s Health or Women’s Care at our practice:
Gynecology
What Is Gynecology?
One of the most important areas of Women’s Health, or Women’s Care, is gynecology. Gynecology is the medical specialty that pertains to your reproductive organs, including the outer and inner genitalia, cervix, uterus, and pelvis. By receiving the right care in a comfortable environment, you can keep your body healthy and prevent complications that can be uncomfortable and detrimental to your well-being.
What We Offer
The Gynecological Exam
Our clinic offers regular gynecological exams that include a gentle examination of the vagina and cervix. During the exam, we do a pap smear to collect a sample of cells, which we test for signs of cancer. Certain STIs can also be detected during this exam, and if needed, we will make a plan for treating them. The exam usually takes less than half an hour and is not painful.
Treatment of Menstrual Concerns
Having a healthy menstrual cycle can benefit your well-being overall and help you avoid discomfort. Our doctors treat a number of concerns including:
- Amenorrhea (loss of your period)
- Dysmenorrhea (discomfort during your period)
- Menorrhea (Unusually heavy flow during your period)
Adolescent Gynecology
It is normal for girls to start menstruating at age 12-13. At this time, it is important for them to have a supportive environment where they can ask questions about their health. Our experts provide support and expertise during this exciting time of change.
Treatment of Female Incontinence
Did you know that women are twice as likely as men to experience incontinence? There are multiple factors that can cause this condition, including aging, pregnancy, and hormonal fluctuations. Sometimes, several different causes contribute to the problem. Fortunately, we can help you understand why you are experiencing incontinence and recommend treatment.
Treatments can be very successful, especially if the cause of the problem is a UTI (urinary tract infection) or a reaction to a certain medication. Depending on the individual case, we can recommend injections, behavioral therapy, physiotherapy, surgery, and/or medications.
Treatment of Infertility
If you are having trouble getting pregnant despite having tried for a long period of time, there might be a treatable explanation. Issues with the reproductive organs including the fallopian tubes, cervix, or uterus might be the reason. You might also be experiencing some hormonal imbalances. Our gynecologists have worked with many patients in your situation, and we offer a wide range of tests and treatments to help.
Tests
Diagnosing the cause of infertility starts with bloodwork that will determine your hormone levels, and whether or not they are normal. Ultrasounds and x-rays can be used to understand the health of a reproductive organ called your Hysterosalpingography (HSG). We will also check for problems with the lining of your uterus and for an obstruction of your fallopian tubes.
Treatments
With today’s advances, there are some amazingly effective ways to treat infertility. They range from surgeries that repair reproductive organs to artificial insemination. Here are a few of the options:
- Laparoscopy
- Hysteroscopy
- Medical therapy to help you release more eggs
- Intrauterine insemination
- In-vitro Fertilization
Our doctors will work with you so that you understand all of your options and your chances of conception. Sometimes, if one approach doesn’t work, another method or a combination of solutions can yield success.
Obstetrics
What Is Obstetrics?
The term “obstetrics” refers to the care a woman receives for herself and her growing baby while she is pregnant. Our obstetricians carefully monitor the health of our patients during all three trimesters, conducting check-ups and screenings to make sure everything is going well. Our care can include:
- Lifestyle coaching
- Screening and monitoring throughout the pregnancy
- Treatments for complications
- Inducing pregnancy when needed
- Post-pregnancy check-ups
4D Ultrasound
Are you awaiting the moment when you first get sight of your new baby? Sharing this experience with mothers-to-be and their families is one that we are overjoyed to have as part of the journey. Our GE Voluson 4D ultrasound machine is a world-class instrument that will give you incredible 4D images of your baby. After the ultrasound, you will be able to take them home with you on a CD.
The “Early Screen”
During your first trimester, we can provide the “Early Screen” test, which can give some information on the likelihood that the fetus has a chromosomal condition such as Down syndrome. At the same time, we can let you know the sex of your baby! This test usually combines bloodwork with an ultrasound and a finger stick.
Intrauterine Fetal Testing
Another way to get important information about the health of the fetus is intrauterine fetal testing, or testing for various conditions while the baby is still unborn. With advances in medicine today, much can be detected, including:
- muscular dystrophy
- thalassemia
- Down’s syndrome
- Fragile X syndrome
- cystic fibrosis
- cleft palate
- Spina Bifida
- sickle cell anemia
There are two types of intrauterine fetal testing. Non-invasive testing is extremely safe, and can signal the likelihood of one of the conditions listed above. Invasive testing is done when it is very important to have as much information as possible, such as when a non-invasive test comes back with some red flags.
Prenatal Education
For pregnant women who want to prepare for labor and the postpartum period, our prenatal education classes can provide a wealth of information and support. We will teach you how to get ready for the delivery, how to make it as comfortable as possible, and what to expect after. Our classes also focus on caring for your new baby with information on breastfeeding, CPR, and Newborn Care.
Care That Is Your Own
Women’s Health or Women’s Care is a medical field that puts your needs first. From optimizing your lifestyle and energy to supporting you through pregnancy to your routine check-ups, we believe that you deserve high-quality care and expertise. Contact us today for more information on Women’s Health or Women’s Care at South Lake OB/GYN in Clermont, FL!