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Gynecology Q & A
How often are well-woman visits recommended?
Well-woman visits are recommended at least once a year to include medical history review, discussion of any current concerns or complaints, a complete pelvic examination, and a breast examination. Additional testing may be recommended for patients as they reach certain age milestones including colonoscopy, cholesterol screening, and mammograms.
What are signs and symptoms of vaginal infection?
Bacterial vaginosis is a common vaginal infection caused by an imbalance in the natural organisms in the vagina. The signs and symptoms of vaginal infection include itching, burning, blisters, and unusual or foul-smelling discharge. Patients who suspect bacterial vaginosis or another vaginal infection should schedule an appointment right away. Untreated infections can result in a serious condition called Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID).
Which options do patients have for contraception?
The team at Pali Women’s Health Center work with patients to ensure contraception meets their needs and lifestyle. Options available include:
- Prescription birth control medications such as oral medications, injections, patches and vaginal rings.
- Long-acting reversible contraceptives (*LARC*) which provide effective contraception for 3-10 years without requiring user action such as IUD's (Mirena, Skyla, Kylena,Paraguard), or Nexplanon (subdermal implant in the arm).
- Permanent birth control such as tubal ligation.
- Over-the-counter birth control methods such as condoms, and spermicide
- Assistance with natural family planning including monitoring temperature, predicting ovulation, abstaining from sex on fertile days, etc.
When do abnormal periods require medical intervention?
Abnormal periods may be a sign of an underlying medical problem. Patients who sometimes experience abnormal periods can mention the concern to their doctor during their annual well-woman visit, but patients who frequently miss periods or frequently experience long or heavy periods should schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
How can patients talk to their doctors about urinary incontinence?
The compassionate team at Pali Women’s Health Center understand how embarrassing it can feel to discuss urinary incontinence with a doctor. However, urinary incontinence is simply a medical diagnosis requiring treatment that is both sensitive and confidential. The goal of the team is always to treat the condition to the fullest extent possible to improve quality of life.
Can patients choose which provider to see?
When appointments are scheduled in advance, patients have full freedom to select the provider who best meets their needs or with whom they are most comfortable. However, there may be less flexibility with short-notice or emergency appointments. All of the doctors at Pali Women’s Health Center aim to make patients as comfortable as possible in situations like these.
