In all sexual relationships, it is important to discuss birth control options with your partner. When you’re considering birth control, your gynecologist can help you understanding which choices could be a good match for you. With this medical advice in hand, use these tips to have this important conversation with your partner.

Talk About STD Protection

If you are not in a monogamous relationship, or if you are but you and your partner haven’t undergone STD testing since becoming monogamous, STD protection should be part of your discussion about birth control. Your gynecologist may recommend a barrier method of birth control, such as condoms, which help to prevent STD infections as well as unwanted pregnancies. If you are in a monogamous relationship with a partner who has been tested and is free of STDs, you could consider options that only prevent pregnancy. You can also combine options, such as using birth control pills to prevent pregnancy and condoms for STD protection.

Consider Short and Long-Term Needs

Could you and your partner consider starting a family in the near-future, or do you know that you want to avoid pregnancy for an extended period of time? If you know that starting a family is off the table, then your gynecologist can offer birth control options that provide protection for several years at a time. If you want more flexibility, birth control pills, patches, or shots could be more appropriate.

Be Honest About Preferences

You and your partner should openly discuss your birth control preferences, as you’ll be less likely to use a method that you’re not comfortable with. If you prefer not to use a barrier method, discuss how you will protect yourselves from STDs. If you would rather not use a hormonal method, be upfront about your need for a different solution.

Make an appointment with a gynecologist in Washington, D.C. at Washington Surgi-Clinic to learn about all of your birth control options. Call us today at (202) 659-9403 to schedule a visit.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , one in seven people with HIV don’t know that they are infected. For this reason, they recommend that everyone between the age of 13 and 64 has at least one HIV test, but people in higher risk groups may need to be tested more often. Your gynecologist can help you make smart decisions about HIV testing that are right for you. Keep these general guidelines in mind as you consider getting tested for HIV.

After Unprotected Sex

Having unprotected sex outside of a monogamous relationship with a non-infected partner leaves you vulnerable to HIV. Because HIV does not show up in the blood stream right away, you can’t get tested immediately after your potential exposure. In most cases, HIV will show up in a test three months after the last potential exposure event, though your gynecologist may recommend repeating the test at the six-month mark for maximum accuracy. Keep in mind that unprotected sex means any instance of vaginal, anal, or oral sex without protection.

After Sharing Needles

Sharing needles with an injected person, such as syringes used for drugs, also increases your risk. Like HIV testing after unprotected sex, you will need to be tested three months after your last potential exposure, and in some cases, again six months after exposure. Keep in mind that if you continue to share needles, you will need to have more regular HIV testing.

After Exchanging Sex for Drugs or Money

Exchanging sex puts you at risk of exposure to HIV from people with high-risk lifestyles. The same testing window applies. Talk to your gynecologist after this kind of sexual activity, as he or she may recommend additional STD testing.

At Washington Surgi-Clinic, we offer confidential HIV testing in Washington, D.C. , alongside a range of gynecology services and STD treatment options. To learn more about HIV testing and our other services, please call (202) 659-9403.

When you choose to terminate a pregnancy, one of the first things your doctor will discuss with you is the stage of your pregnancy. There are time limitations for pregnancy termination that your doctor must adhere to. Further, first trimester abortion and second trimester abortion procedures are different, so knowing your pregnancy stage is an important part of your care.

At Washington Surgi-Clinic, we can terminate pregnancies up to 26 weeks, based on the start date of your last period. For a first trimester abortion, we offer both surgical and chemical procedures. Surgical abortions are used when the pregnancy can be seen on an ultrasound, beginning at about five weeks of menstrual age. Chemical abortions are performed before six weeks of menstrual age. For second trimester abortions, between 12 and 26 weeks of pregnancy, surgical abortion using dilation and evacuation (D&E) is performed.

At Washington Surgi-Clinic, our supportive staff offers complete guidance and support as you make a decision about pregnancy termination near Washington, D.C. , and total patient privacy is guaranteed for patients of all ages. To schedule a consultation, call (202) 659-9403.

Whether you are currently using birth control or want to start birth control for the first time, it is always a good idea to periodically review your options with your gynecologist. Contraception choices are constantly evolving, and a new, better method may be available to you.

Watch this video to learn more about advances in birth control methods. Birth control pills, IUD devices, and other implants are more effective than ever, and because they have fewer side effects, more women can use them safely.

Review your birth control options at your appointment with your gynecologist at Washington Surgi-Clinic . We provide comprehensive women’s health service, from Pap smear services to pregnancy termination in Washington, D.C. To make an appointment, call (202) 659-9403.

A Pap test, sometimes called a Pap smear, is performed to detect abnormal cervical cells that could indicate cervical cancer. Women between ages 21 and 65 should generally have Pap tests every three years, though after age 30, women may be able to have the tests every five years, as long the test is combined with an HPV test. However, your gynecologist will help you determine the appropriate testing schedule for you. Here is a look at what you can expect when you have a Pap test.

Preparation

In your gynecologist’s office, your doctor will review your medical history and current medications with you. Next, you will be asked to undress, either completely or only from the waist down, and given a gown to cover yourself. You will then lie down on the exam table and place your heels in stirrups with your knees bent towards your chest and your buttocks at the edge of the table. Your doctor or the nurse assisting in the test will help you get into a position that is comfortable for you and that allows your doctor to perform the test.

Test Procedure

To perform the Pap test, your doctor will gently insert a speculum into your vagina. He or she will ensure that the speculum is a comfortable size and temperature and may use lubrication to make insertion easier. You may feel pressure when the speculum is inserted and when your doctor opens it gently to hold the vagina open to access the cervix. Your doctor will gently scrape cells off of your uterus using a flat spatula or soft brush. These cells are put on a slide to be examined.

Recovery

You can resume your normal activities after a Pap test. Most women don’t experience any discomfort, though some mild tenderness is possible. Your gynecologist can tell you when to expect the Pap test results.

Washington Surgi-Clinic is committed to making your Pap smear in Washington, D.C. as comfortable as possible, and we are available to help with questions about birth control methods and more. Make an appointment today by calling (202) 659-9403.

Gardnerella is a type of bacteria that is associated with a vaginal infection called bacterial vaginosis. Although many women with a gardnerella infection do not experience any symptoms, those that do often mistakenly believe they have a yeast infection and attempt to treat it with over-the-counter remedies rather than visiting the gynecologist for a diagnosis. If you have these vaginal infection symptoms, visit your doctor. Determining the proper diagnosis is essential for effective vaginal infection treatment.

Odor

Odor is one of the most defining characteristics of a gardnerella infection that sets it apart from other vaginal issues. The odor usually described as having a fishy odor. Your gynecologist may screen for this odor using a process called the whiff test. A small amount of vaginal discharge is placed on a slide and combined with a drop of potassium hydroxide. If this creates a fishy odor, gardnerella could be present.

Discharge

Many type of vaginal infections cause a discharge, so your gynecologist will examine the type of discharge you have closely. Typically, bacterial vaginosis associated with gardnerella is thin and yellowish or white in color. This characteristic helps to distinguish between gardnerella and yeast infections, which usually cause a thicker, clumpier discharge. Gardnerella discharge is not usually accompanied by vaginal irritation, as the discharge caused by yeast infections often is. Your gynecologist may also test the pH of the discharge. Bacterial vaginosis causes a low acidity discharge with a pH higher than 4.5.

White Coating

A white coating frequently appears on the vaginal walls with this type of infection. Your gynecologist can identify this coating during a pelvic exam. Typically, patients are diagnosed with bacterial vaginosis if they have this symptom along with other symptoms, rather than by having this symptom alone.

If you have the symptoms of a vaginal infection, visit a gynecologist in Washington, D.C. at Washington Surgi-Clinic for a fast diagnosis and treatment. We’re committed to providing compassionate care with complete patient confidentiality. Call (202) 659-9403 for more information.

Sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs, are diseases that can pass from one partner to another during sex. STD testing is fast and easy, and typically only requires a blood sample, urine sample, or small tissue sample, such as a pap smear. There are several reasons to schedule STD testing, such as seeing a new sexual partner or engaging in sexual activities with several partners. Additionally, if you have had unprotected sex with a partner that has not undergone recent STD testing, it’s also a good idea to contact your gynecologist for an STD test. Because many sexually-transmitted diseases do not cause immediate or noticeable symptoms, it’s important to get tested even if you have not developed any new or concerning symptoms. Even if you are in a monogamous relationship, you may still wish to get tested once a year during your gynecological exam for convenience.

Washington Surgi-Clinic offers STD testing and STD treatment as part of our gynecology services near Washington, D.C., including testing for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, and HIV. You can learn more about STD testing, birth control, and reproductive health on our website, or call (202) 659-9403 to speak with a staff member today.

Today, there are several birth control methods available if you wish to avoid a pregnancy. In addition to IUD placement and taking birth control pills, the birth control patch offers effective and easy birth control for women of all ages.

Like many other forms of birth control, the birth control patch releases hormones that prevent you from becoming pregnant. However, instead of remembering to take a birth control pill each day, the birth control patch only requires replacement once a week. You can learn more about the birth control patch and its risks and benefits by watching this short video.

Your gynecologist at Washington Surgi-Clinic can help you choose the right birth control option for your needs. You can schedule a gynecology appointment, pap smear, or STD test by calling (202) 659-9403, or visit us on the web to learn more about our available birth control methods in Washington, D.C.

Pain that occurs in the pelvis, or lowest part of the torso, may be an indicator of many conditions. Pelvic pain is much more common in women than in men, and is often, though not always, associated with the reproductive system. If you experience frequent or unexplained pelvic pain, schedule a visit with your gynecologist to determine its cause and the best course of treatment.

Pregnancy Problems

If you are currently pregnant or trying to become pregnant, pelvic pain should always prompt you to visit your gynecologist. Pelvic pain can be a sign of pregnancy complications that include ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, or placental abruption. Particularly if pelvic pain is sharp or extreme, or is accompanied by vaginal bleeding, it’s essential to seek medical care quickly—conditions such as ectopic pregnancy can threaten your health and well-being if they are not addressed immediately.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

Pelvic inflammatory disease, sometimes called PID, is an infection of the uterus. The most common PIDs are chlamydia and gonorrhea; if your gynecologist suspects that you are suffering from a uterine infection, you may undergo STD testing to find the cause of your PID to ensure your treatment targets the bacteria responsible for the infection.

Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that occur in the tissue of the uterus in some women. In most cases, fibroids cause no symptoms as they grow or shrink on their own; however, some women experience pelvic pain associated with these fibroids, especially as they undergo changes in size or experience fibroid degeneration. If your gynecologist suspects that you suffer from uterine fibroids, she may perform an ultrasound exam or a physical exam of your vagina and uterus to confirm this diagnosis before recommending treatment.

At Washington Surgi-Clinic, we provide comprehensive gynecology services near Washington, D.C. , including treatment for pelvic pain, vaginal infection, and STDs. You can find out more about us when you visit our website, or call (202) 659-9403 to discuss scheduling a pap smear, HIV testing, or IUD placement.

If you have decided to opt for pregnancy termination , there are two different options available to you. Medical abortion ends a pregnancy using drugs or medications to induce a miscarriage. Surgical abortion is a procedure during which a physician physically removes the pregnancy from your uterus. There are several factors that can help you determine the pregnancy termination procedure that is right for you, including your personal preferences and the stage of your pregnancy.

Medical Abortion

Medical abortion is an option for women who have recently become pregnant; typically, you may choose medical abortion if you are between seven and nine weeks pregnant. There are several drugs that may be used during a medical abortion, such as mifepristone, misoprostol, and methotrexate. These drugs may be given orally, placed inside the vagina, or injected during a medical abortion. Depending on the drugs you receive, the pregnancy termination may take several days to complete. Your gynecologist will typically perform an ultrasound within one to two weeks of medication administration to check the progress of the abortion and administer additional medication if needed. If you choose medical abortion, you should expect bleeding for several hours or days as the uterus sheds its lining.

Surgical Abortion

There are two types of surgical abortion : vacuum aspiration and dilation and evacuation. Aspiration may be performed if you are between six and sixteen weeks pregnant, while dilation and evacuation is needed if you are more than sixteen weeks pregnant. During both procedures, the cervix is numbed and widened, then instruments are used to remove the pregnancy tissue from your uterus through the vagina, ending the pregnancy immediately. The most common side effects associated with this procedure are cramping, bleeding, and nausea. You may be given an antibiotic to prevent infection following the procedure.

If you’d like more information about first and second trimester abortion in Washington, D.C., please contact the Washington Surgi-Clinic today by calling (202) 659-9403. You can also find more information about pregnancy termination, STD and HIV testing , and birth control methods on our website.