If you are considering pregnancy termination and you are less than six weeks along in your pregnancy by menstrual age, then your gynecologist may recommend a chemical abortion. Chemical abortions are non-invasive, but they are not right for every patient. Your gynecologist will help you weigh up the pros and cons of all of your options.

A chemical abortion is performed by administering medications that stop the pregnancy. The pregnancy is expelled in a way that is akin to having a miscarriage. Many women appreciate that a chemical abortion is non-invasive and has a shorter recovery time, but your gynecologist will consider many different factors when deciding which type of pregnancy termination meets your needs. For abortions later in the first and second trimesters, chemical procedures are not appropriate.

At Washington Surgi-Clinic, our compassionate team is dedicated to helping you make the right choices about your reproductive health, from STD testing to pregnancy termination in Washington, D.C. , with complete patient confidentiality. Make an appointment today by calling (202) 659-9403.

The obvious benefit of birth control pills is that they help to prevent pregnancy, but they offer other advantages to women as well. Talk to your gynecologist about some of the benefits of taking birth control pills to see if they could be right for you.

Watch this video to learn about some of the advantages of taking birth control pills. In addition to pregnancy prevention, your birth control pill can make your periods lighter and more regular, help to prevent acne, and let you skip your period when you’re on vacation.

Keep in mind that birth control pills don’t provide protection against HIV or other STDs, and you will still need STD testing if you have risk factors for contracting a disease. Explore all of your birth control options by calling Washington Surgi-Clinic for an appointment with a gynecologist in Washington, D.C. You can reach us today at (202) 659-9403.

Vaginal infections can cause itching, odor, discomfort, and painful intercourse. Although many women assume they have a yeast infection when they have symptoms of a vaginal infection and try to treat it with over the counter medications, it is important to get a definitive diagnosis from a gynecologist . Using the wrong treatment can not only fail to cure the infection but can actually make it worse. If you suspect that you have a vaginal infection, here is a look at some of the most common causes.

Yeast Infection

This type of vaginal infection is the kind with which many women are most familiar. A yeast infection occurs when there is an imbalance of bacteria happens in the vagina, allowing a type of fungus called Candida to grow. Yeast infections usually cause a thick, white discharge as well as vaginal itching and skin irritation. Over-the-counter treatments are available, but if you have persistent yeast infections, see your gynecologist to determine the cause.

Bacterial Vaginosis

Many women who think that they have yeast infections actually have bacterial vaginosis. This infection occurs as the result of falling levels of healthy, lactobacilli and increasing levels of infectious bacteria, such as Gardnerella. Bacterial vaginosis causes a thick discharge that can be either white or clear as well as a fishy odor that may be particularly noticeable during intercourse. Unlike yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis typically does not cause itching.

Trichomoniasis

Trichomoniasis —or trich, as it is often called—is a sexually transmitted infection that caused by a parasite that can be transmitted through intercourse. Trich causes redness, swelling, yellow or greenish discharge, burning, and pain during urination. Your gynecologist may treat trich with an antibiotic.

Don’t let a vaginal infection go undiagnosed and untreated. See your gynecologist at Washington Surgi-Clinic today to testing and vaginal infection treatment in Washington, D.C. We provide comprehensive gynecology and pregnancy termination services with complete confidentiality. To make an appointment or learn more, please call (202) 659-9403.

HPV, or human papilloma virus, is the most common STD in the United States, but myths about the infection still persist. These misconceptions can be dangerous, since some of the strains of HPV are known to cause cancer. If you are sexually active, talk to your gynecologist about STD testing , including testing for HPV. Here are some myths about the virus that could be affecting your health.

Myth: HPV is a woman’s disease.

HPV infections occur in both men and women. The difference is how the disease is diagnosed. In women, HPV can be detected during a Pap test. For men, no FDA-approved diagnostic test exists. Because both men and women are at risk for HPV, many doctors recommend that both groups consider getting vaccinated, when possible.

Myth: I would know if I had HPV.

Not all STDs cause symptoms, and most people with HPV don’t experience any signs of the virus at all. In some people, genital and anal warts caused by HPV appear, but the symptoms are so rare that you cannot be confident that you are free of HPV simply because you are not experiencing any signs. Likewise, you cannot look at a partner and know if he or she has HPV. The strains of HPV that cause warts tend to have lower cancer risks than the strains that don’t cause any signs at all. The only way to know for sure if you have HPV is to ask your gynecologist to perform a test.

Myth: I can’t get HPV if my partner uses a condom.

HPV can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, so using a condom does not protect you from HPV. Because of the way HPV is transmitted, you can also contract it from having sexual contact without having intercourse. Condoms are essential for protecting you from other STDs, but HPV can be transmitted even if you have safe sex.

Your gynecologist in Washington, D.C. at Washington Surgi-Clinic can help you understand your risk for HPV and other STDs and recommend testing and STD treatment as needed. To make an appointment, please call (202) 659-9403.