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Gynecology

Annual checkups with a primary care physician are important, but they are just one aspect of promoting overall good health. For women, maintaining good health also includes getting regular gynecological exams that include screening for breast cancer and various gynecological cancers. South Metro OB-GYN in Highlands Ranch, CO, offers a full range of gynecology services to help you be your healthiest.

  • Gynecology Services

    At CU South Metro OB-GYN, our physicians provide routine gynecological exams, breast exams, birth control options and treatment of symptoms associated with menopause. They are also skilled and experienced in the detection and treatment of osteoporosis.

    Breast exams are an integral part of gynecological exams. Research done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that breast cancer is the second most commonly occurring cancer in women. Gynecologists can help with early detection of breast cancer. During your exam, your gyecologist will check for lumps or other abnormalities in the breast area that might be associated with breast cancer. If there are any concerns, a mammogram can be scheduled for further screening.

    For women of childbearing age, several birth control options are available, including birth control pills, intrauterine devices and injections, such as Depo-Provera. Each birth control method offers its own benefits and advantages. Your gynecologist can help you determine which one is right for you.

    Osteoporosis is a condition associated with bone loss. It can affect women as early as age 35 when estrogen levels begin declining. Estrogen helps prevent bone loss, so when estrogen levels decline in the body, bone loss can occur. Gynecologists can recommend ways to prevent developing osteoporosis, as well as detect and treat it to minimize bone loss when it does occur.

    For women going through menopause, your doctor can help you deal with any uncomfortable symptoms. For instance, hot flashes, sleep disturbances, fatigue and vaginal dryness can all develop with menopause. Your gynecologist can recommend treatment options to help ease the discomfort associated with many of these menopausal symptoms.

    Whether you simply need routine gynecological exams, are interested in birth control methods or are dealing with menopausal symptoms, a gynecologist can address any questions and concerns you might have. The physicians at CU South Metro OB-GYN in Englewood, CO, provide all types of gynecology services and can help you maintain good health through regular checkups.

  • Annual Gynecological Exams

    Have you been to your OB-GYN for your annual exam? While receiving an annual exam may not always be pleasant, they are key to ensuring your good health as you age.

    The Importance of Annual Exams
    Annual gynecological exams serve a number of purposes. The most important is to diagnose any abnormalities as quickly as possible. The sooner you begin treatment, the better your chances of managing or recovering from a condition will be. By going in for annual exams, you may catch a potentially dangerous disease before it's too late.

    What Age Should Women Begin Getting Annual Exams
    The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that girls begin seeing for annual exams as early as thirteen years old, though these checkups won't be as comprehensive as later exams. Pelvic exams and Pap tests generally begin around age 21. Of course, women are always encouraged to see their doctors sooner if there is any cause for concern.

    What Happens at an Annual Exam?
    At your annual exam, the nurse and doctor will check you over to ensure you are in good health. They will start by taking your health history if they don't have it on file already. Then the nurse will take your measurements and vital signs, including your height, weight, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate and temperature.

    The doctor will examine your body to see that everything is in order. Depending on the type of exam, your doctor may also check your breasts and pelvis, either manually or by performing a Pap test.

    Because annual tests can be a little invasive, and because you should plan to have one every year, it is important to find a knowledgeable OB-GYN that you trust. If you have any nervousness about the exam, talk to your doctor. They can address any of your questions or concerns.

  • Ultrasound Exam

    Prenatal ultrasounds are common part of a new mother's prenatal testing. Using high-frequency sound waves, ultrasounds produce images of a fetus and the mother's reproductive organs. These sessions, which are usually performed in a doctor's office, track fetal growth and development and monitor for any ongoing problems.

    Standard ultrasounds are two-dimensional. A water-based gel is applied directly to the mother's abdomen, and a wand, also called a transducer, will be maneuvered around the area. Transvaginal ultrasounds may also be used, in which a smaller transducer is placed inside the vaginal canal.

    The images being captured will then be shown on a screen in black-and-white. These are used from the very beginning to pregnancy to confirm the gestational age and size of the fetus, monitor the fetal heartbeat, examine the mother's reproductive system, and diagnose any abnormalities. Doctors may also use ultrasounds to guide them as they perform other tests, such as an amniocentesis (an analysis of the amniotic fluid).

    Ultrasounds are usually performed as part of screening or medically recommended testing, and should not be performed solely to reveal the sex of the fetus. Doctors also do not recommend 'souvenir' ultrasounds, as these might pose as-yet unknown risks for the fetus.

  • Pap Smear

    A Pap smear, sometimes called Pap test or cervical smear, is a routine screening done at a gynecologist's office to detect irregularities in and on the cervix. Its name is an abbreviation of its inventor's, Greek doctor Georgios Papanikolaou, who developed the test in 1923. It is the most common form of cervical screening in the United States.

    Pap smears are in-office procedures performed by a doctor on an exam table. The vaginal opening and canal are expanded with a speculum; cells are then collected from the outside of the cervix using a tool called a spatula. The procedure itself only takes a few minutes. Some patients report mild cramping or spotting during or immediately following the test, both of which should be brief.

    The cervical cells are then transferred to a glass slide and examined under a microscope. The test's main objective is to identify any pre-cancerous conditions, most of which are caused by sexually transmitted viruses known as HPV. The results, which can take a week or two to come back, can also be used to diagnose other cervical problems.

    A Pap smear is recommended every three years for women beginning at approximately age 21 until 65, barring any pre-existing conditions or previous atypical results; these circumstances may warrant more frequent testing. Regular Pap screenings can reduce deaths from cervical cancer by as much as significantly, provided that patients with abnormal results follow their doctors' recommendations for treatment.

  • Contraceptives

    Contraception, also known as birth control, prevents pregnancy by using one or more methods, medications or devices. Medical contraception has been available since the 1960s, and, in that time, a wide variety of options have been introduced, ranging from permanent sterilization to products for one­-time usage.

    Intrauterine devices (IUD)
    Intrauterine devices (IUD) are the most efficient removable birth control implements available, with the failure rates less than 1 percent. IUDs are small T-shaped appliances that are placed in the uterus by an obstetrician during an outpatient appointment. They are long-acting contraceptives, meaning that they administer the active ingredient - either copper (a natural spermicide) or a hormone - without any maintenance on the user's part. Depending on the type of IUD, they can maintain effectiveness for as long as ten years before removal and reinsertion is needed.

    Hormonal Birth Control
    There are a number of other hormonal birth control methods on the market, including patches, implants, injections and pills, all of which prevent fertilization by stopping ovulation. The effectiveness of hormonal methods is generally dependent upon the user; those who take pill have a daily schedule they must follow, while the patch must be used in a cycle, changed every week for three weeks with a fourth week off. Implants, like IUDs, are long-acting, but must be replaced every three years.

    Methods
    Barrier methods of contraception, including condoms, diaphragms and sponges, work by preventing sperm from entering the uterus, sometimes with the inclusion of a spermicidal agent. These methods are popular because they are typically easy to use, readily available and inexpensive, but they tend to have higher failure rates due to the possibility of user error.

  • Childbirth Settings

    While most people immediately think of giving birth in a hospital, you may be surprised to hear that you do have other options, including home births and birth centers. Read on to find out which birthing option is best for you!

    Hospital
    Pros: Hospitals have plenty of emergency personnel on hand, so if anything goes wrong, you are in good hands. If you or your baby have any complications, a fully stocked and staffed OR and NICU are generally just an elevator ride away. Hospitals are the only option for patients who require a C-section, and are recommended for patients who have a high-risk pregnancy. Hospitals also offer round-the-clock help.

    Cons: Hospitals often have many strict guidelines, policies, rules and red tape that can interfere with a mother's birth plan. Mother and baby are also often separated following the birth.

    Home Birth
    Pros: The mother is allowed to give birth in a familiar, relaxing environment. She has much more control over the birth process, and can move around, eat, drink, shower and dress as she pleases. Children are welcome to attend. The cost of home birth is typically lower than the cost of a hospital birth. A trained midwife is generally still present to make sure everything goes well.

    Cons: Home birth may not be an option for women who are having twins or who have health conditions or complications, including diabetes, hypertension or preeclampsia. It is not an option for women who need a C-section. If something goes wrong, the mother and baby will still need to be transferred to the hospital. There are also no at-home options for pain relief.

    Birth Center
    Pros: A middle ground between a hospital and a home birth, birth centers take a natural, family centered approach to birth, while still offering low-tech medical interventions. Mothers have more freedom to give birth as they want than in a hospital setting. Pain relief options are often available. Certified nurse-midwives will typically care for the mother during birth. Childbirth is viewed as a normal, safe, and healthy process, but precautions are taken just in case. Many birth centers are now located inside hospitals, meaning that transfer to the hospital proper in case of an emergency would be faster.

    Cons: Dedicated birth centers have rigid requirements and usually only accept low-risk pregnancies. Mothers must still be transported to the hospital in case of a serious emergency, and while birth centers are more comfortable and relaxed than a hospital, they still aren't home.

    Hospitals, home births and dedicated birth centers are all excellent choices for different women. Speak to your doctor about your risk level and birthing requirements to see which option is best for you.

  • Sterilization

    Both male and female sterilization are minimally invasive surgical procedures that sever the channels through which reproductive cells travel. The recovery time is generally short and there are no long-term side effects. In fact, female sterilization (tubal ligation) may possibly reduce the risk of ovarian cancer.

    Sterilization is designed to be permanent, although there can be a measure of success in reversing the procedure, which varies depending on the gender of the person sterilized and the sterilization method that was used.

    All contraceptive methods have benefits and risks. Disclosing your medical history and your goals for contraception with your doctor will help to determine which method is best for you.

  • STI Screenings

    Sexually transmitted diseases, also called sexually transmitted infections, are spread through sexual contact. Because most of these infections do not immediately cause symptoms, it is important for sexually active people to have screening done regularly, to treat any STIs before complications occur or they are spread to others. Untreated STIs can have adverse effects on the entire body, and put you at a higher risk for contracting HIV.

    It is important to remember that STI screening is not usually a fundamental part of regular medical checkups. The patient must inquire about testing; most doctors do not automatically suggest it unless symptoms are present. Various STIs have different screening schedules, so talk to your doctor about your sexual history and current sexual activity to decide which diseases you should be screened for.

    Many STIs can be detected with a urinalysis or a cotton swab. Some infections, including HIV, hepatitis, and syphilis, are diagnosed with a blood test. Pap tests, also called Pap smears, are performed at a gynecologist's office during a woman's yearly exam. This test can check for HPV, but doing so isn’t routine, so you should ask your doctor if you would like to have an HPV test at this time.

    If a test is positive, appropriate treatment measures should be taken. Current and former sex partners should be notified so that they can receive testing as well.

    Concerned that you may have symptoms of an STI? Contact your OB/GYN immediately to schedule testing, and catch the infection now.

  • Menopause

    Menopause is a natural and expected hormonal shift that marks the end the childbearing age with the cessation of the menstrual cycle. Nearly all women go through this change at some point in their lives, with the vast majority of women experiencing it between the ages of 40 and 60. Menopause can happen earlier, however, as the result of medical interventions. Menopause is considered official when a woman misses 12 menstrual cycles in a row.

    What are Common Menopause Symptoms?
    Irregular periods and hot flashes are the menopause symptoms that are the most well known, but the symptoms don't end there. Women going through menopause often also experience vaginal dryness, night sweats, mood changes and loss of breast fullness. Sleep problems, a slowed metabolism, weight gain and thinning hair are all common menopause symptoms as well.

    Any bleeding or spotting after menopause is complete is not normal. Consult with your doctor right away if you notice any of these symptoms, especially if you thought you were done having menstrual cycles.

    What Causes Menopause?
    When menopause occurs naturally, it happens as a result of the natural decline in reproductive hormones that occurs as women age. Menopause can also occur as the result of a hysterectomy, radiation or chemotherapy.

    What Menopause Treatments are Available?
    Common treatments for menopause are not designed to reverse the condition, but rather to alleviate any annoying, painful or inconvenient symptoms that accompany it and to make the transition easier for the women going through it. For example, the first measures doctors will generally recommend include eating a better diet, exercising, getting enough sleep, quitting smoking and wearing layers to help prevent overheating during a hot flash.

    For women whose symptoms are more serious, doctors may also recommend treatments including hormone therapy, antidepressants, medications and supplements. If you think you may be going through menopause, talk to your doctor about your symptoms and ask which treatment method might be right for you.

  • Menopausal Hormonal Therapy

    Hormone replacement therapy is a medical intervention designed to boost a woman's hormone levels. As women get closer to menopause (the average age at onset is 51), their naturally occurring hormone levels - particularly estrogen and progesterone decrease considerably. This deficiency can bring on uncomfortable symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, painful intercourse due to vaginal dryness, mood swings and problems sleeping. The prospect of osteoporosis - a loss of bone density - also increases. Menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) works to reestablish those hormone levels, which can curtail the negative side effects and help to prevent osteoporosis.

    Estrogen/progesterone therapy is appropriate for women who have reached menopause naturally. These therapies work best for women who are having severe menopausal symptoms or those who are genetically predisposed to osteoporosis. Women who have a history of breast cancer, heart or liver disease, and blood clots are not good candidates for MHT. Both treatments are available in a variety of forms: pills, patches, and gels. For those with predominantly vaginal symptoms, topical creams and intravaginal rings can be prescribed.

    Health professionals recommend that all women use the lowest dosage possible, for the shortest amount of time possible. Long-term, high-volume doses have been associated with an increased risk of breast cancer and heart disease. Talk to your doctor about whether hormone replacement might be right for you.