Women's Health
Gynecology Services:
General female examinations, annual examinations - Evaluation of gynecologic diseases and symptoms, including abnormal Pap smears and pelvic pain
- Infertility evaluation and treatment
- Evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of benign and malignant diseases of female organs
Surgical gynecologic services include laparoscopic and hysteroscopic procedures, as well as traditional surgery - Urogynecology evaluation and treatment of incontinence and pelvic relaxation
- Colposcopy equipment to evaluate the cervix in case of an abnormal Pap exam
- Leep treatment for abnormal cervical cells
- Birth control counseling and services
Menopause evaluations, education and treatment options - Premenstrual syndrome evaluation, education and treatment options.
A Woman's Checklist
Review the list below for the cancer-related exams and tests you'll need, depending on your age and medical history. For additional information or to set an appointment, call 985-873-7244.
Physical exams: A cancer-related check-up should include an examination of your entire body for early signs of skin cancer, as well as specific exams for cancers of the thyroid, mouth, ovaries and lymph nodes.
Breast cancer: Women 40 or older should have a mammogram and clinical breast exam every year. Women ages 20-39 need a clinical breast exam about every three years. Breast self-exam (BSE) is an option for women starting in their 20s.
Women at increased risk (e.g., family history, genetic tendency, past breast cancer) should talk with their doctors about the benefits and limitations of starting mammography screening earlier, having additional tests (e.g., breast ultrasound or MRI), or having more frequent exams.
Cervical cancer: Cervical cancer screening should begin about three years after a woman begins having vaginal intercourse, but no later than 21 years of age. It should be done every year with regular Pap tests or every two years using liquid-based Pap tests.
At or after age 30, women who have had three normal test results in a row may get screened every two to three years. A doctor may suggest getting the test more often if a woman has certain risk factors such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or a weakened immune system.
Another reasonable option for women over 30 is to get screened every three years (but not more frequently) with either the conventional or liquid-based Pap test, plus the HPV DNA test.
Women 70 years of age and older who have had three or more normal Pap tests and no abnormal Pap tests in the past 10 years may choose to stop cervical cancer screening.
Screening after total hysterectomy (with removal of the cervix) is not necessary, unless the surgery was done as a treatment for cervical cancer or precancer. Women who have had a hysterectomy without removal of the cervix should continue to follow the guidelines above.
Uterine/Endometrial cancer: Beginning at 35, women who have hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (or are at high risk for it) should ask about an annual endometrial biopsy.
Ovarian cancer: Regular pelvic and rectal exams are important for detecting ovarian cancer as early as possible.
Colon cancer: All women 50 or older need to follow one of these five testing schedules:
- Yearly stool blood test
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years
- Yearly stool blood test and flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years (preferred over either option alone)
- Double contrast barium enema every five years
- Colonoscopy every 10 years
Please feel free to call us (985.873.7244) with any questions regarding these women's health exams or to set up an appointment for a women's health exam.