Finding the right gynecologist for you may take some trial and error. You may need to meet with several local gynecologists to find one you feel comfortable with, particularly since gynecology services are highly personal in nature. Listed below are a few tips to help you when you are choosing a gynecologist.

Consider Your Gynecology Needs

Of course, it can be impossible to predict all of the gynecology services you may need in the future. However, you’re likely to have a good idea of your required services when considering your family planning preferences . For example, you may wish to make sure that the gynecology office you select offers your preferred type of birth control. Unfortunately, even the most effective method of birth control can sometimes fail. Because of this, you might also wish to look for a gynecology office that provides safe, legal abortions.

Do a Little Investigative Work

After you’ve determined what specific types of gynecology services you’re looking for, it’s time to evaluate gynecologists in your area. You might ask for referrals from friends and family members, or you might prefer to visit the websites of different gynecology offices. No matter what, make sure the doctor you choose is board-certified.

Evaluate the Gynecology Office

Visit the gynecology office or take a virtual tour of it to assess whether it might be right for you. Consider factors such as the affordability of the services offered. If you decide to visit the office, consider whether the staff treats you courteously and warmly, and whether you feel comfortable within that setting.

Schedule an Appointment

When you meet a new gynecologist for the first time, consider whether his or her bedside manner appeals to you. Your physician should treat you respectfully and should carefully listen to all of your concerns. You should feel comfortable that your doctor has fully answered any questions you may have.

The gynecologists of Washington Surgi-Clinic are friendly professionals that treat every patient with respect and provide personalized well woman care. At our state-of-the-art gynecology office, you’ll find an array of services, including affordable abortions and STD testing. To schedule an appointment with one of our highly trained gynecologists, please call our office in Washington, D.C. at (202) 683-7336.

The Pap smear is a quick test your gynecologist can perform to check for any abnormal changes in the cells of your cervix. During a Pap smear, your gynecologist will place a speculum into the vagina and then use a small instrument to collect a sample of cells from the cervix. These cells are then sent to a laboratory for analysis. If you’re not sure when you should start or stop having Pap smears, you can turn to a local gynecologist for guidance. If you are wondering why Pap smears are so important, continue reading below.

Early Detection of Precancerous Changes

The most significant reason why having a yearly Pap smear is so important is because it can save lives. With a Pap smear, your gynecologist can detect potentially precancerous changes and treat the problem before it develops into cervical cancer. Thanks to Pap smears, cervical cancer is among the most preventable types of cancer. Additionally, it has now become common to undergo testing for the human papilloma virus (HPV) at the same time as the Pap test. The combination of these tests further increases the chances of detecting precancerous changes early on.

Checkup for General Wellness

Many women avoid going to their doctor’s office unless they become ill. However, preventive medicine is one of the cornerstones of a healthy lifestyle. By visiting your gynecologist at least once a year for your regular Pap smear, you can support your general wellness. You can ask your gynecologist questions about any unusual symptoms you’ve been experiencing or you may wish to talk about switching your method of birth control. The current guidelines recommend that all women begin having Pap smears at the age of 21. However, depending on your sexual history, your gynecologist might recommend getting them earlier. You should continue to have regular Pap smears throughout most of your life, even when you are not sexually active. Talk to your gynecologist for more specific recommendations based on your medical history.

If you would like to schedule a Pap smear or other gynecology service, you can call Washington Surgi-Clinic at (202) 683-7336. Our women’s clinic in Washington, D.C. provides a full range of gynecology services at an affordable fee, including safe abortions. Women throughout the Virginia and Maryland areas are encouraged to visit our website to learn more about us.

Genital herpes is a chronic condition for which there is no cure. It goes through periods of remissions and flare-ups, though flare-ups tend to be most common in the first few years of infection and then wane. Controlling flare-ups is central to managing herpes. Knowing your triggers will help you keep flare-ups at bay.

Not everyone with herpes has outbreak triggers, and what triggers a flare-up in one person may not affect someone else. However, there are some common things that tend to lead to outbreaks, including emotional stress, fatigue, and infections like the flu. Sometimes, a new sex partner or irritation in the genital area can cause herpes to flare-up. Some women experience symptoms during menstruation. If you have a condition that weakens the immune system, like HIV, then you may be more prone to outbreaks.

The doctors at Washington Surgi-Clinic can diagnose herpes and help you learn to control it. Although there is no cure, there are medications that can reduce your discomfort. If you think you have herpes or another STD, make an appointment at our DC women’s clinic by calling (202) 683-7336.

Trichomoniasis, also called trich, is a bacterial STD that mainly impacts women. It is a common cause of burning in the vaginal canal, or vaginitis. If you experience symptoms of trich, see your doctor as soon as possible, as it is curable with antibiotics.

Watch this video to learn about the symptoms, treatment, and prevention of trich. Trich causes burning with urination, tender vaginal skin, and a discharge with a strong odor. Once diagnosed, a course of antibiotics can cure trich completely. You can avoid trich infection by using a barrier method of protection, such as a condom, when you’re sexually active.

If you think you could have trich, make an appointment at the Washington Surgi-Clinic. We offer full-service gynecological care and abortions in our DC clinic. To make an appointment , call (202) 683-7336.

For women, focusing on vaginal health is an important part of maintaining your overall wellbeing. The vagina is very sensitive, so adhering to certain rules about care can help you avoid irrigation and infection. Start by having regular appointments at your women’s health clinic and reporting any unusual symptoms to your doctor right away. These tips with also help your protect your vaginal health.

Avoid Douching

A healthy pH balance is central to vaginal health , and douching can throw that balance off. Douching reduces the acidity of the vagina, which creates the perfect environment for bacterial infection. If you’re douching because of vaginal odor, see your gynecologist instead. The odor may be the sign of an infection, and douching will only mask the symptom, not cure the cause.

Practice Safe Sex

Protect yourself from the transmission of diseases that impact your vaginal health by using a barrier protection, like a condom, when you are sexually active. Condoms reduce the risk of contracting many STDs, including HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. If you have symptoms of an STD, see your doctor right away, regardless of whether or not you used a condom. Some STDs are easier to treat in their early stages. Plus, when left untreated, some STDs can cause long-term complications, including fertility issues and even cancer.

Have Check-Ups

Women should begin having regular gynecological exams within three years of becoming sexually active or no later than age 21. During these exams, your doctor can diagnose problems with your vaginal health and detect cancer in its early stages. Most women should have a gynecological exam every one to three years, depending on the doctor’s recommendations.

At Washington Surgi-Clinic , our doctors offer gynecological care to help you maintain your vaginal health. We also provide abortion services for patients in DC, Virginia, and Maryland. If you have questions about women’s health issues or abortion, make an appointment today. You can call our women’s clinic at (202) 683-7336.

For women seeking an abortion between 12 and 26 weeks of pregnancy, medications are not an option. Second trimester abortions usually involve a surgical procedure and may require two or more visits to the clinic to complete. There are a few different methods that can be used for second trimester abortions. Your doctor will discuss the procedures with you and explain which is the best choice for your needs. Here is a look at what you can expect.

Dilation

No matter which method of abortion your doctor chooses, it is necessary to dilate your cervix. To accomplish this, laminaria sticks are inserted gently into the cervix. The sticks are completely sterile and only used once. Because the laminaria sticks take time to work, you may be sent home and asked to return to the clinic the next morning. Some women experience cramping and nausea with the laminaria sticks. If you have intense pain, talk to your doctor.

Abortion Procedure

For second trimester abortions, doctors almost always choose dilation and curettage (D&C) or dilation and evacuation (D&E) .  D&Cs can generally be performed up to 16 weeks and use a curettage tool to complete the abortion. D&E is more commonly used during the second trimester and uses suction and grasping instruments. You will be given an option to have general anesthesia, conscious sedation, or local anesthesia.

After the Procedure

After the abortion, you may experience spotting for a few weeks. You may need medications for pain and to contract your uterus. Your doctor will tell you when it is safe to become sexually active again. Your doctor will also discuss warning signs of complications or infections that you should report right away if you experience them.

At Washington Surgi-Clinic, we’re committed to providing access to safe abortions and care before and after the procedure to women in DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Let us help you understand your options for your reproductive health, including answering your questions about birth control and abortion. Schedule an appointment at our women’s clinic today by calling (202) 683-7336.

When you visit your gynecologist for your annual exam, the results of the Pap smear may be abnormal. This does not always indicate the presence of cancer, however. Sometimes, it may indicate a human papilloma virus (HPV) infection. An HPV infection can sometimes cause precancerous changes. If the Pap smear is abnormal, the physician may conduct further tests on the sample to confirm the presence of HPV.

Another way in which an HPV infection might be detected is through the presence of genital warts. If genital warts are not visible, the gynecologist may apply a vinegar solution, which will “highlight” any warts and lesions infected by HPV. Then, a biopsy from the genital warts may be sent to the lab for analysis. Another method of diagnosing HPV infections is with a DNA test, which is recommended for women 30 years and older. The DNA test is performed on cervical cells. However, it is not intended to be a replacement for your usual Pap smear. Your gynecologist may recommend that you have both tests.

Washington Surgi-Clinic, a full-service gynecology office in Washington, D.C., offers comprehensive sexual health diagnostics and treatments. Those in Maryland and Virginia can schedule an exam by calling (202) 683-7336.

All women who are sexually active and those who are 21 years of age and older should visit a gynecologist once per year for a checkup, including a breast exam and Pap smear. These exams are critical steps in safeguarding your health. While the breast exam checks for abnormalities that could indicate breast cancer, a Pap smear is a lab test of your cervical cells to check for gynecological cancer. By having these tests annually, you can facilitate the early detection of cancer, which could save your life.

You can watch this video to hear more about the importance of the annual visit to the gynecologist’s office. You’ll hear a doctor explain what you can expect during your visit and why an abnormal Pap smear is not necessarily cause for alarm.

At Washington Surgi-Clinic, you’ll find a comfortable, relaxing atmosphere with caring gynecologists who are committed to helping you safeguard your health . Women throughout Maryland, Virginia, and D.C. can call our women’s clinic at (202) 683-7336.

Many women follow preventive healthcare guidelines by visiting a gynecologist each year for an exam and Pap smear. Unfortunately, even when women are generally proactive about their health, it’s all too easy to avoid discussing sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) with a partner. Often, the question isn’t raised until after a partner begins to notice symptoms and schedules testing at a women’s clinic . If you’ve met a special someone and are anticipating intimacy, it’s best to discuss STDs sooner, rather than later.

Visit Your Gynecologist

If you’ve already been intimate with your partner or you’ve previously had sexual relations with someone else, it’s a good idea to visit your gynecologist. Ask to be tested for STDs. STD testing is easy, affordable, and confidential. After you’ve been tested, you can either share your clean bill of health with your partner or discuss how to keep your partner safe.

Ask a Direct Question

When it’s time to have the conversation with your partner, be open and direct about the issue. Instead of trying to hint that you’re curious about your partner’s sexual health, simply ask if he or she has ever been diagnosed with an STD. If your partner has had prior sexual relations and has never been tested for an STD, you can suggest that he or she get tested. Explain that you’ve been tested to ensure his or her sexual health and that you’d appreciate reciprocity.

Explain Your Health Issues

If your gynecologist did discover that you have an STD, be honest when explaining this to your partner. Explain that you’re undergoing treatment for the infection. Some STDs are curable, while others must be managed with medications.

Agree on Preventive Measures

Even if you’re on another form of birth control, gynecologists strongly recommend the use of condoms. Hormonal birth control such as the pill cannot prevent STD transmission, while condoms can. Explain to your partner that it’s important to you that condoms are used to protect the health of each partner .

Women throughout Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia can find comprehensive gynecology and family planning services at Washington Surgi-Clinic. Our gynecologists offer affordable testing for STDs, including herpes, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. If you wish to schedule an appointment at our women’s clinic, please call (202) 683-7336.

Not all abortions require an invasive procedure. Sometimes, a pregnancy termination can be accomplished with medications, which is known as a medical abortion. The type of abortion you can have will depend on how far along in your pregnancy you are. A gynecologist at a women’s clinic can explain the type of abortion that may be right for you.

Medical Abortion

Medical abortions are sometimes called chemical abortions because they involve the use of pharmaceuticals, or medications. This type of abortion may be used during the first trimester, provided the pregnancy is less than six weeks along. The gynecologist will provide medications that prevent the pregnancy from growing further and will expel it during an event that is comparable to a miscarriage. Medical abortions have a high rate of success. They can be accomplished with a series of pills or with a single dose. If you choose a medical abortion, you can expect to pass tissue and to bleed in a manner that is similar to heavy menstruation. After this occurs, you’ll visit the gynecologist again to confirm the success of the abortion.

Suction Dilatation and Curettage (D&C)

If you are too far along in your pregnancy for a medical abortion or if you prefer a surgical abortion, your gynecologist can recommend a D&C if you are no further along than 12 weeks. The gynecologist will dilate the cervix and gently suction out the contents of your uterus.

Dilation and Evacuation (D&E)

D&E is considered to be the safest method of abortion for women in their second trimesters, or between 12 and 26 weeks of pregnancy. A D&E may require more than one office visit. First, the gynecologist will gently insert disposable laminaria sticks to dilate the cervix. They may be left in place overnight. The next morning, the gynecologist completes the evacuation of the uterine contents.

Washington Surgi-Clinic is proud to serve women throughout D.C., Maryland, and Virginia with safe, legal abortions, including chemical abortions and surgical abortions. Our gynecology and family planning services are very affordable and strictly confidential. If you have any questions about the services available at our women’s health clinic, call (202) 683-7336.