A healthy vagina maintains a delicate balance of microorganisms often referred to as vaginal flora. Anything that upsets this balance can cause a wide variety of infections that are more than inconvenient; they can impact your overall health. Our patients often ask what is considered normal and what is not, so we’ve compiled this series of useful articles. If you have any concerns, please contact us today to schedule an appointment.
Has your love life gone from satisfying to physically painful sex? Do you have a chronically dry vagina? Do you have more frequent urinary tract infections? If these sound too familiar, you may have signs of vaginal atrophy. When most women hear of vaginal atrophy, they think of something that occurs after menopause. However, it […]
No one likes to talk about it, but almost every woman has experienced it. A dry vagina is not only uncomfortable, but it can lead to painful sex, itching and other problems. “Vaginal dryness is a common symptom of several conditions,” said Dr. Chappell. “This is one reason why we encourage you to schedule an […]
Because these words sound alike, it’s easy to mistake one with the other. We’ve taken the mystery out of these terms, and by examining a few simple facts, you’ll understand the difference between vaginosis and vaginitis.“The good news is that these conditions are highly treatable, we have extensive options available,” said Dr. Joshua Hardison.. “We also understand how these terms can be easily confused, and we encourage patients to ask one of our physicians or nurse midwives questions.”
Yeast infections are not only annoying, they are very common. Three out of four women will have a yeast infection at some point in their lives, and most women experience at least two infections. Those with recurrent infections may experience as many as four or more a year. “Most yeast infections are easily treated. However, […]
Almost all women are familiar with the symptoms of PMS, which causes cramps, bloating and tender breasts. However, an estimated 3 to 5 percent of menstruating women have PMDD, which is an often debilitating condition that you could think of as an extreme case of PMS. Learn the signs.
Amenorrhea—the absence of menstrual periods—does not always signify a serious problem. It may be caused by natural hormonal changes such as menopause or something as common as stress. The key to treating amenorrhea successfully depends upon addressing the underlying cause. Learn the 5 commons reasons your period has stopped (not including pregnancy).
Irregular periods can interfere with a scheduled annual exam or Pap smear. Ideally, your annual exam and Pap smear should be conducted when you are not on your period. While heavy menses may possibly interfere with Pap smear interpretation, we generally can see someone when they are on their period, including a pelvic exam and successfully collect their Pap. Understandably, many patients are more comfortable to be examined when they are not on their period, and we are happy to reschedule if they request. Continue reading to learn about the causes of an irregular period and how to treat it.
LEEP — loop electrosurgical excision procedure—is a procedure that removes abnormal or pre-cancerous cells from the surface of the cervix. These cells will be examined for cancer or, if it’s determined that cancer is already present, a LEEP may be used to remove the cancerous tissues. This procedure may also be called a conization, as […]
Almost half of women over 35 years of age will experience uterine fibroid tumors, which may cause many problems ranging from pelvic pain to complications during pregnancy. These benign growths are responsible for one-third of the hysterectomies performed in the U.S. (The Cleveland Clinic). If left untreated, some fibroids can grow to be the size […]
A hysteroscopy is a useful procedure that allows us to diagnose and treat a number of issues such as abnormal bleeding or uterine fibroids. Depending upon your individual situation, it can be performed in our office or as an outpatient under general anesthesia. Read more about the benefits of a hysteroscopy and how to prepare for one…