About Us

A: A pelvic exam is looking at, or inspecting, your internal and external genitalia including your vulva, vagina, and cervix. The pap smear (sometimes called a pap test) is collecting cells from your cervix as a screening for cervical cancer. It gets sent to a lab and will show us any abnormal cellular changes. Typically the pelvic exam and pap smear are done at the same time.

A: We recommend first seeing a gynecologist between ages 13 and 15 years old and then yearly after that. We can see you for problems with menstruation such as heavy bleeding or irregular cycles, menopause, birth control counseling, pregnancy visits, urinary tract infections, STD screening, you name it.

A: Routine mammograms begin at age 40. We recommend getting one done yearly as a screening for breast cancer. If you have any breast complaints such as pain, feeling a lump, skin changes, or nipple discharge, you may need one before the age of 40.

A: HPV is the human papillomavirus. It is a virus that is spread through sexual transmission and can cause genital warts and cervical cancer. It is a slow-moving infection and most of the time, the body can clear it like any other infection. Most people who are sexually active will have the virus at some point in their lives. To help protect against HPV, we encourage the HPV vaccine. The Gardisil 9 vaccine is given to both girls and boys, preferably before they are sexually active (usually around ages 11-12) but the vaccine is approved in adults up to age 45.

A: Your options will depend on your medical history but can include birth control pills, a transdermal patch, a vaginal ring, an implant into your upper arm, an injection every 3 months, or an IUD (intrauterine device) that is placed in your uterus. Talk with your provider about the best option for you.

A: If you miss one day, take two pills now and continue with the same pill pack. Continue taking the remaining pills at the usual time. If you miss two consecutive pills, take the most recent missed pill as soon as possible and discard any leftover pills. Continue taking the remaining pills at the usual time. Use backup contraception, such as condoms, or avoid sex until you have consistently taken 7 days of your hormonal pills.

A: We will recommend the TDap (tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis) between 27 and 36 weeks of pregnancy. This is a safe way to protect your baby from serious illness associated with pertussis (also known as whooping cough) after delivery. When you get the vaccine, your body will make antibodies that get passed to your baby to help protect him or her. The influenza vaccine (flu shot) is also recommended during flu season. This is safe in pregnancy and encouraged.

A: When you are pregnant and have not gone into labor on your own, we may offer you an induction of labor. This means we will help your body get into labor so you can meet your new baby! We do this with a few medications that help soften your cervix and cause contractions. Pitocin is generally used.  This is all done in the hospital in the presence of hospital staff. You and your baby will both be monitored during this time.

A: Menopause often presents as hot flashes, mood changes, night sweats, trouble sleeping, vaginal dryness, and discomfort with intercourse. This is from the lack of estrogen being produced by your ovaries. We can officially say you are through menopause when you have gone 12 consecutive months without a period. However, your symptoms may last years before and years after this point. We can help alleviate your symptoms by replenishing your hormones using hormone replacement therapy. This is safe for most women and the first-line treatment for menopause symptoms.