Chances are good, especially if you are a woman over 21 years old, that you’ve heard or already undergone at least one Pap smear during your lifetime. Maybe you are wondering whether you should get a Pap smear. Perhaps you don’t even remember when your last test was. Our OBGYNs understand that when it comes to certain diagnostic procedures, particularly Pap smears, that you may have questions. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Pap tests,

What is the purpose of a Pap smear?

A Pap smear is the best tool at our disposal for being able to detect precancerous cells within the cervix. By catching these cells early, we can remove them before they turn into cervical cancer.

When should a woman get her first Pap smear?

Women should start getting regular Pap smears from their OBGYN once they reach 21 years old, or once they become sexually active. Women will continue to get Pap smears until 65 years old.

How often should women get tested?

Women between the ages of 21 and 29 should get tested every three years. Once you reach age 30 you should get tested every five years (often alongside an HPV test). Women who have had abnormal Pap results in the past may need to come more often for testing.

Will it hurt?

While getting a Pap smear may feel a bit weird or maybe even a little uncomfortable (especially the first time when you’re not sure exactly what to expect), it shouldn’t hurt. You may notice a slight pinch but that’s usually about it. While a traditional OBGYN screening will usually take up to 20 minutes to perform, the Pap smear itself usually takes just a couple of minutes.

How quickly will I get results back?

It’s typical to get your results within one week after your test, but your OBGYN will let you know when results will be available to you.

Do abnormal or inconclusive results mean that I have cervical cancer?

Not typically. An inconclusive test just means that the sample that we collected wasn’t useable. This can happen if you’ve been sexually active or used tampons with two days before your test. Your doctor will usually recommend repeating the test.

Abnormal results, while stressful, could be due to inflammation, infections, trichomoniasis, HPV or herpes. If your tests are abnormal your doctor will discuss further testing with you or provide you with proper medication if an infection is found.

If you still have questions about Pap smears, don’t hesitate to call your OBGYN. We are here to make sure that you fully understand any and all care you receive at our office.

When women reach their 40s and 50s their bodies begin transitioning into menopause. At this point, many women will experience hot flashes or other symptoms to alert them to these changes. While most menopause symptoms are manageable, sometimes they can still be severe or impact your emotional and mental wellbeing. This is why it’s so important to have an OBGYN that you can turn to for managing your symptoms and help you navigate this new transitional period in your life.

Have I Started Menopause?

Common symptoms of menopause include:

If your symptoms are minor than you may choose just to ride out the occasional hot flash or night sweat; however, if these symptoms are affecting your quality of life then it’s time to speak with your OBGYN.

When it comes to managing menopause symptoms there are a variety of options. A lot will depend on the type of symptoms you are experiencing, how severe the symptoms are, and your current health. Lifestyle changes can go a long way to improving your symptoms. These changes may include:

If a woman’s symptoms are particularly severe your OBGYN may discuss the benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Hormone replacement therapy involves using a medication that mimics real hormones like estrogen to help balance out hormone levels and alleviate symptoms.

Women who are dealing with particularly intense and all-consuming hot flashes, night sweats, and vaginal dryness will often find incredible relief through hormone replacement therapy. Plus, hormone replacement therapy can also protect against osteoporosis, a condition that leads to bone weakness and fracturing.

If you are dealing with night sweats, hot flashes, weight gain, and other symptoms associated with menopause, turn to an OBGYN to help you find ways to manage these symptoms effectively.

A trip to the gynecologist is inevitable for all women. Regular gynecological visits, just like an annual doctor’s checkups, are crucial for keeping you healthy. So, when should you turn to a gynecologist for treatment and care? Here are the top reasons you should schedule an appointment with an OBGYN:

It’s Time for Your Annual

This is the most common reason women visit the OBGYN. Most women should start visiting their gynecologist once a year for checkups starting at 21 years old. These exams typically involve a standard pelvic exam to check for any symptoms or potential issues that could affect the uterus, cervix, and other female reproductive organs. Your doctor will also perform a breast exam and a Pap smear, which detects suspicious and potentially cancerous cells in the cervix.

You Think You’re Pregnant

Whether you just got a positive pregnancy test or you’re experiencing symptoms of being pregnant, it’s important to confirm your pregnancy with your OBGYN. By confirming your pregnancy as soon as possible, your OBGYN can provide you with the treatment and care you need to ensure that you have a healthy pregnancy and delivery.

You are Concerned about STDs

If you are concerned that you might have been exposed to an STD, this is another reason to make an immediate appointment with your OBGYN. If you notice any unusual vaginal discharge, sores, or other symptoms, give us a call. Of course, many STDs don’t cause symptoms, so it is possible to have an STD and not even know it. This is why it’s a good idea to get regular STD testing, even if you aren’t experiencing symptoms.

You Want to Know Your Birth Control Options

There are so many different birth control options these days that you may feel a bit overwhelmed by your choices. This is when an OBGYN can talk you through the different options, weigh the pros and cons, and help you determine the best one for you based on your health and lifestyle.

You are Experiencing Symptoms of an Infection

Itching, discharge, and burning with urination are all signs of an infection. Whether you think you are dealing with a urinary tract infection, bacterial infection, bladder issue, or yeast infection, your OBGYN will be able to diagnose and treat it quickly and easily.

Your Periods are Out of Whack

If you are dealing with painful, extremely heavy, or irregular periods, you will want to discuss these changes with your gynecologist as these could be signs of an underlying problem such as polycystic ovarian syndrome, endometriosis, or nutritional deficiencies.

An OBGYN specializes in offering comprehensive care for all women’s reproductive health issues and can provide everything from routine checkups and Pap smears to STD testing and family planning options. Call your OBGYN to schedule an appointment for you or your teenager today.

While menopause is something that happens to all women, we also know that the symptoms that come along with it vary from woman to woman. Some women breeze through menopause with nothing more than a single, minor hot flash; however, for many women, menopause is full of bothersome symptoms that make it challenging to sleep or get through the day. If this is something that you’re dealing with then you may want to consult with your OBGYN for menopause counseling to discuss treatment options.

Why Seek Menopause Counseling?

You may want to consider seeing an OBGYN about menopause symptoms if you are dealing with regular, persistent, or severe:

The good news is that there are many ways for an OBGYN to help you alleviate menopause symptoms. These include:

Lifestyle changes: One way that women can improve their symptoms is by changing their lifestyle around to ensure that they are practicing good self-care. This includes everything from getting regular exercise to stress management and deep breathing to healthy eating and meditation.

Counseling or therapy: We understand that for many women, menopause brings a lot of changes, some of which are emotional. If you are feeling anxious, depressed, or irritable you may find therapy to be particularly helpful for talking through your feelings and learning new and more effective strategies to help you cope with these stressors.

Hormone therapy: As women transition into menopause, certain hormones are not being produced by the body. These hormone fluctuations are why women deal with everything from vaginal dryness to hot flashes. Based on the symptoms you are experiencing your OBGYN can determine the best type of hormone therapy for you. This may come in the form of a cream, patch, pill, or injection. You must talk to your doctor about the pros and cons associated with hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Osteoporosis treatment: Many women going through menopause also develop osteoporosis, a weakening of the bones. This can increase a woman’s risk for fractures or serious bone injuries. This is why menopausal women should have a bone density scan done. By catching osteoporosis early, we can provide you with the proper treatment as well as exercises and diet to slow the progression of the disease.

Don’t let hot flashes, mood swings, and weight gain dictate your life or your happiness. Talk with your OBGYN today to find ways to help alleviate your menopause symptoms.

Congratulations! You just found out you are expecting. This is such an exciting time in a woman’s life. Of course, one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your child is to make sure that you are getting prenatal care from a qualified OBGYN throughout your pregnancy. Here’s what you should know about prenatal care and why it’s important for all mothers-to-be.

Why Moms Need Prenatal Care

Once you suspect you are pregnant or get a positive pregnancy test you should schedule your first prenatal visit with your OBGYN. These visits are incredibly important no matter how healthy a mom is. That's because these routine checkups allow our medical team to monitor the development of your unborn child, along with detecting health problems in you or your baby early on. This gives us the chance to treat the problem right away. Women who don’t get prenatal care are seven times more likely to deliver a premature baby. It doesn’t matter whether this is your first or fourth child, these prenatal checkups are for all expectant mothers.

Your Prenatal Care

The first prenatal visit is essential as it confirms the pregnancy. Depending on how far along you are in your pregnancy this may also be baby’s first ultrasound, which will allow your OBGYN to be able to check the health and development of the fetus, as well as provide you with a projected due date. This first checkup is incredibly important as you and your doctor will discuss different lifestyle changes that you will need to make to your home, diet, exercise routine, and more. If you have any questions about do’s and don’ts during pregnancy, these prenatal care checkups are the perfect time to ask.

You will visit your OBGYN about once a month from weeks 4 through 28. Once you reach week 28, you will visit the doctor biweekly until week 36. Once you reach week 36 and until birth you will visit your doctor weekly. Women who are over 35 years old or have a high-risk pregnancy should see the doctor more often.

Along with monitoring you and your baby’s health, certain tests are performed throughout your pregnancy to check for everything from diabetes and anemia to STIs and certain genetic tests. Following a schedule is incredibly important for you and your baby throughout your pregnancy.

Whether you suspect that you might be pregnant, or you have questions about the prenatal services we offer, don’t hesitate to call our OBGYN practice to schedule an appointment.