Whether
you are pregnant and searching for an obstetrics doctor, need an annual exam,
or require more specific gynecological care, Women's Health Services is the ideal
destination for thousands of area women who enjoy the prompt scheduling, professional
atmosphere and compassionate service that comes from our team of physicians, advanced
registered nurse practitioners and full medical support staff.
1.
Heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia).
The
worst cases of excessive menstrual bleeding can cause severe anemia and even require
blood transfusions. Many women with milder forms needlessly allow their lives
to be controlled by heavy menstrual bleeding because they are not aware of medical
advances that often allow quick and easy treatment.
Do
your periods control your life?
Do
you miss work or limit your activities because of your periods?
Do
you ever soak through your clothing?
Do
you stay close to a bathroom during your periods?
Do
you need to take iron to keep from being anemic?
Does
bleeding limit your intimate time with your partner?
Diagnosing
abnormal uterine bleeding--
Now, most heavy
bleeding can be easily treated without major surgery!
- Medication. Birth control
pills can decrease bleeding. Most bleeding caused by hormone imbalance can be
treated medically.
- Progesterone
IUD. The Mirena IUD may decrease bleeding.
- Endometrial
cryoablation. This is a quick outpatient procedure that will eliminate or decrease
menstrual bleeding. It is not for women who desire continued fertility.
- D
& C. The cervix is opened wider and tissue is suctioned from the lining of the
uterus. This can be done in the office on an outpatient basis and often eliminates,
at least for a time, heavy or abnormal bleeding.
When
paired with a hysteroscopy it is possible to find out what the cause of the bleeding
may be. During this office procedure, a thin device is inserted through the vagina
or cervix so the doctor can see the inside of the uterus.
- Hysterectomy.
This is removal of the uterus and is the only option that guarantees an end to
bleeding. This may be done when other forms of treatment have failed or are not
an option.
2.
Abnormal Uterine Bleeding -Bleeding is considered abnormal if a woman
has longer or heavier periods than usual, bleeds between periods or has any bleeding
after her periods have stopped at menopause.
Hysteroscopy
is a way to look inside the uterus to help the doctor find the reason for the
abnormal bleeding. This can usually be done in the office setting. You will be
given a sedative to help you relax, and a drug will be injected. You will be awake
during the procedure but will only experience some cramping.
Following
the procedure, you will be able to go home within a short time. Because of the
sedative, you will need someone to drive you.
3.
Pelvic Pain-Most women experience pelvic pain at some time during their
lives. Many times pelvic pain is just the normal functioning of the reproductive
or other organs. Other times pelvic pain may indicate a serious problem that needs
urgent treatment.
Pelvic
pain can be
- A
serious problem that needs urgent surgery or hospitalization. Examples of this
would be a ruptured tubal pregnancy or appendicitis.
- A
problem may need treatment but not on an urgent basis. Examples of this would
be pain from endometriosis or a growing fibroid tumor, or infections, such as
pelvic inflammatory disease.
- Part
of the normal functioning of the reproductive organs and will probably resolve
without treatment. An example of this would be a functional ovarian cyst, pain
experienced during ovulation.
Diagnosis.
Because there are so many causes, there are a wide variety
of tests that may be done, including ultrasound, CT scan, laparoscopy, and referral
to other specialties.
Treatment
may include medications, such as antibiotics, vaginal creams, hormones, ibuprofen
or anti-depressants. Certain problems can be treated with surgery.
4.
Hysterectomy
Why
do women have hysterectomies?
Hysterectomy
is used to treat:
Fibroids.
More hysterectomies are done because of fibroids than any other problem of the
uterus. For many women with fibroids, symptoms are minimal and require no treatment.
Also, the fibroids often shrink after menopause. But fibroids can cause heavy
bleeding or pain in some women.
- Endometriosis.
This happens when the tissue lining the inside of your uterus grows outside the
uterus on your ovaries, fallopian tubes, or other pelvic or abdominal organs.
When medication and surgery do not cure endometriosis, a hysterectomy often is
performed.
- Uterine
prolapse. This is when the uterus moves from its usual place down into the vagina.
This can lead to urinary problems, pelvic pressure, or difficulty with bowel movements.
- Cancer.
If you have cancer of the uterus, cervix, or ovary a hysterectomy may be part
of the treatment your doctor recommends.
- Persistent
vaginal bleeding. If your periods are heavy, not regular, or last for many days
each cycle and nonsurgical methods have not helped to control bleeding, a hysterectomy
may bring relief.
- Chronic
pelvic pain. Surgery is a last resort for women who have chronic pelvic pain that
clearly comes from the uterus. However, many forms of pelvic pain aren't cured
by a hysterectomy, and so this approach can be a permanent mistake.
A
hysterectomy involves some major and minor risks. Most women do not have problems
during or after the operation. Some risks include:
- Heavy
blood loss, that requires blood transfusion
- Bowel
injury
- Bladder
injury
- Anesthesia
problems (such as breathing or heart problems)
- Need
to change to abdominal incision during surgery
- Wound
pulling open
WHS
doctors perform most hysterectomies vaginally rather than through a cut in the
abdomen (abdominal hysterectomy). The type of surgery that is done depends on
the reason for the surgery. Abdominal hysterectomies are more common and usually
require a longer recovery time.
- Vaginal
hysterectomies require a shorter hospital stay, often less than 24 hours, and
speedier recovery time.
- Talk
to your doctor about your options. Ask about other treatments for your condition.
- Ask
about possible complications of surgery.
- Keep
in mind that every woman is different and every situation is different. A good
treatment choice for one woman may not be good for another.
Link
to Abnormal Pap Smears
