When it comes to pregnancy termination, many people are unclear about the abortion process. If you are considering terminating a pregnancy and want to have a better understanding of the procedures that are used, then watch this video to learn about the science of abortion.

Abortion procedures can range from taking a pill to undergoing surgery, and what option is right for you can depend on availability and how far along you are in your pregnancy. Oral tablets can be used to terminate a pregnancy if they are taken within 49 days of your last menstrual period. Up to about 16 weeks after conception, vacuum aspiration can be performed to abort a pregnancy.

If you have questions about the first or second trimester abortion process, then please contact Washington Surgi-Clinic at (202) 659-9403 to schedule your appointment with one of our compassionate gynecologists in Washington, D.C.

Some of the most common vaginal infections treated by gynecologists are yeast infections, which affect as many as 3 out of 4 women at so vaginal candidiasis me point in their life. Sometimes referred to as vaginal candidiasis, this type of infection can cause discharge, irritation, and intense itchiness of the vulva and vagina. Keep reading to learn what you can do to reduce your risk of these infections.

Choose Breathable Clothing

Wearing undergarments, pantyhose, or pants that are non-absorbent, tight-fitting, or hold in moisture and warmth can increase your risk of a vaginal yeast infection because they promote a more hospitable environment for the yeast fungus. For this reason, you should opt for underwear, pantyhose, and pants that are loose fitting and made from a breathable material, such as cotton. Sleeping without underwear can also be beneficial.

Keep Yourself Dry

The moist environment that can be caused by tight-fitting, non-absorbent clothing can also result from other factors. You should always change out of wet clothing, such as swimming suits or workout gear, as soon as possible to help reduce your risk of a vaginal yeast infection. Also, the hot, wet environment of a hot tub or hot bath can promote the growth of yeast, so it’s ideal to stay out of the jacuzzi and choose showers over baths to reduce your risk of a yeast infection.

Avoid Antibiotic Use

Antibiotics are medications that are prescribed to kill harmful bacteria that are affecting someone’s health in some way. However, antibiotics can also kill off beneficial bacteria that help your body keep a healthy balance between yeast and bacteria in the vagina. Because of this, taking antibiotics can allow too much yeast to grow in the vagina and lead to an infection, so their use should be avoided when possible.

The gynecologists at Washington Surgi-Clinic provide compassionate and comprehensive care for a wide range of female health issues. If you need vaginal infection treatment near Washington, D.C. , then please give us a call at (202) 659-9403.

For many reasons, it is important for women to see a gynecologist once per year for an exam. During these exams, your doctor can check for female health issues , such as cervical dysplasia, which is a precancerous condition that usually causes no symptoms. Continue reading to get the facts about cervical dysplasia.

Overview

Cervical dysplasia is associated with abnormal cell growth on the endocervical canal or the surface lining of the cervix. This precancerous condition is sometimes referred to as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and it is more likely in women who require HPV treatment.

Risk Factors

Cervical dysplasia is most common in women under age 30, but the greatest risk factor for this condition is a persistent HPV infection. Women are more likely to develop a persistent HPV infection if they have multiple sex partners, sex with a partner who has had multiple sex partners, sex with an uncircumcised man, or experienced an early initiation to sexual activity.

Causes

For most women who contract HPV, their immune system clears out the infection. In others, however, the infection continues and causes cervical dysplasia. There are more than 100 strains of HPV, but HPV 16 and HPV 18 are the 2 types that are strongly associated with cervical dysplasia.

Diagnosis

For most women, pelvic exams do not reveal the presence of cervical dysplasia. Instead, a Pap smear can be used to identify the condition.

Treatment

Factors like the age of the patient and the severity of the condition can influence the treatment of cervical dysplasia. Often, mild cervical dysplasia only requires repeat Pap tests and continued monitoring. Other treatments include loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), cone biopsy, laser surgery, electrocauterization, and cryosurgery. All patients require follow-up testing following their treatment.

At Washington Surgi-Clinic , our board-certified physicians provide individualized care and gynecology services near Washington D.C. If you have concerns about cervical dysplasia, then please call (202) 659-9403 to schedule your gynecology appointment.

Every medication can result in side effects, and birth control pills are no exception. In most cases, the side effects are minor and resolve once the patient’s body has adjusted to the medicine. Unfortunately, women who smoke and use oral contraceptives do have a higher risk of a serious complication—blood clots. This is why your gynecologist will ask if you smoke before prescribing hormonal birth control pills.

The risk of blood clots among women who use birth control pills appears to be higher in patients over 35 years of age and those who smoke 15 or more cigarettes daily. Although quitting smoking is the healthiest course of action, your gynecologist can recommend non-hormonal birth control options if you aren’t ready to quit yet. These include barrier methods and the copper IUD. It’s also considered safe to use hormonal birth control that only contains progestin, not estrogen. The implant, the progestin-based IUD, and the shot are all free of estrogen.

If you live near Washington, D.C. and you’re looking for birth control methods that are safe for you, you can call (202) 659-9403. The gynecologists at Washington Surgi-Clinic encourage our patients to ask questions and openly share their concerns.

If you’re trying to become pregnant or you’re worried that you might have an unintended pregnancy, your first step is to purchase a home pregnancy test. Some brands of pregnancy tests can detect a pregnancy sooner than others. In general, gynecologists recommend taking a pregnancy​​​​ on the day that your period ordinarily would have begun.

You can hear more about pregnancy testing by listening to the nurse in this featured video. She explains what you should do to avoid false negatives. You’ll also learn what to do if you get a negative result, but are concerned about your history of irregular periods.

If you think you might be pregnant and you’re looking for a gynecologist near Washington, D.C., you can turn to the caring providers of Washington Surgi-Clinic. Call us at (202) 659-9403 or check out our website to look up our other gynecology services, which include morning after pills.