Every person has the right to make their own healthcare decisions, and no woman should feel pressured to explain her decision to seek an abortion . However, many women find the experience of speaking out about reproductive rights to be an empowering way to correct the many misconceptions and stigmas about this issue. The decision to terminate a pregnancy is one that is experienced a little differently by every woman, but there are some common motivating factors.

Terminating a Wanted Pregnancy

One of the many myths about abortion is that it’s always performed to terminate an unwanted pregnancy. In fact, many women who make this decision do truly want to be mothers, and many of them intentionally became pregnant. But life is unpredictable, and some prenatal tests performed around 18-to 20 weeks may reveal significant defects that would not allow the child to live after the birth. Unsurprisingly, women typically feel emotionally unable to carry a child to term, give birth, and watch the baby suffer before its death. It’s also not unheard of for a woman to undergo pregnancy termination because she would otherwise face the possibility of carrying a dead fetus.

Facing Significant Changes in Circumstances

Some women who have looked forward to becoming mothers decide that, due to circumstances beyond their control, they are no longer able to do so. At least one woman chose to terminate a pregnancy because she and her husband discovered that he had cancer. They decided that it wasn’t possible for her to carry the pregnancy to term, go into labor, and care for a new baby while also caring for a very sick family member. As any cancer caregiver can attest to, it’s a full-time job in itself.

Terminating an Unwanted Pregnancy

No informed woman views abortion as a birth control method. But birth control isn’t infallible, and sometimes women decide to terminate the resulting pregnancy when birth control fails. Rape is another common reason for choosing abortion. Sexual assault is far more common than many men realize, and no woman should be forced to carry a rapist’s child to term against her will.

Regardless of your reason for seeking an abortion, you deserve to receive exceptional care from courteous, compassionate providers who respect your decision. At Washington Surgi-Clinic , we maintain the utmost standards of patient confidentiality. Call (202) 659-9403 or visit us online to learn about our safe chemical and surgical pregnancy termination methods available in Washington, D.C.

Generally, women should get their periods every 21 to 35 days, or every 21 to 45 days during their teenage years. However, it’s possible for periods to come closer together in some cases, including two times in the same four-week period. If this change occurs during your menstrual cycle, consult with your gynecologist . In some cases, having more than one period in a month could indicate an underlying medical condition that needs to be treated. Here is a look at some of the potential causes of experiencing a shorter menstrual cycle.

Thyroid Problems

Your thyroid is a gland in your neck that produces a hormone that is required for a number of different activities in your body. When your thyroid either becomes overactive and produces too much hormone or underactive and produces too little, your menstrual cycle can be affected. If you are having multiple periods in a month, your gynecologist may perform a blood test to check your thyroid levels.

Menopause

At the onset of menopause, it’s common for periods to become irregular before they stop. Often, women will experience heavier periods than normal or have periods that come closer together than they used to. This is especially common in early-onset menopause. If your gynecologist determines that you’re entering menopause, he or she may recommend hormone replacement therapy to ease your symptoms.

Weight Fluctuations

Changes in your weight can have a significant impact on your menstrual cycle. Extreme weight loss or a sudden, extreme increase in weight can both change the length of your menstrual cycle and cause you to experience more than one period in a month. This can also occur as a result of extreme weight loss efforts, such as a sudden, drastic increase in exercising or decrease in calories.

Make an appointment with a gynecologist in Washington, D.C. at Washington Surgi-Clinic if you are experiencing changes in your menstrual cycle. Contact us today to schedule a visit by calling (202) 659-9403.

If you decide to end your pregnancy, a chemical abortion using the so-called abortion pill is one of the options your gynecologist will discuss with you. This method is typically recommended up to the 10 ^th week of pregnancy, at which point a surgical procedure may be necessary instead.

Watch this video to learn more about the abortion pill. There are actually two medications involved in this kind of first-trimester abortion. You will take the medications at home and will experience bleeding and cramping for up to 24 hours. Approximately a week after the procedure, your gynecologist will perform an exam to ensure the abortion was effective.

At Washington Surgi-Clinic , we’re committed to helping women make informed choices about their health. If you need more information about abortion in Washington, D.C., call us at (202) 659-9403.

Getting tested for HIV is a major step in taking control of your health. Although the idea of testing may be overwhelming, it is actually a simple, confidential process. Your gynecologist can answer all of the questions you have along the way so that you can make the right choices for your own health. Here is a look at some questions patients who are undergoing HIV testing frequently have, so you can arm yourself with the facts.

How is HIV testing done?

HIV testing can be done using a blood sample or oral swab. This sample is tested to see if it contains any antibodies consistent with HIV infection . The amount of time it takes to get test results depends on the kind of testing being performed. In some cases, results are available in as little as 30 minutes, while other tests can take a few weeks to come back. Your gynecologist will discuss the testing method he or she is using with you and tell you what to expect.

Who should get tested?

If you have been sexually active with someone whose HIV status you don’t know, you should consider getting tested. You should also consider getting tested after sharing needles, exchanging sex for money or drugs, or having sex with anyone who has engaged in those behaviors. Being sexually assaulted, having another STD, or having hepatitis or tuberculosis also means you have an increased risk of HIV and should consider getting tested. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says that everyone should be tested at least one time. Your gynecologist can help you decide if you should get tested more often.

What happens when I get my test results?

If your results are negative, your gynecologist will discuss safe sex strategies you can use to continue to avoid infection. If your results are positive, after confirming the results with another test, your doctor will discuss your HIV treatment options with you. There are many treatments available today that allow people to live long healthy lives while being HIV positive.

Let Washington Surgi-Clinic guide you through the process of HIV testing and treatment in Washington, D.C. To make an appointment for STD testing or other gynecology services, please call (202) 659-9403.