During the first trimester, or up to 12 weeks of pregnancy, women may choose to undergo pregnancy termination with chemical or surgical abortions. If the pregnancy is less than six weeks by menstrual age, the patient may choose the chemical method. With this type of first trimester abortion, the patient takes a pill that contains mifepristone, which breaks down the uterine lining by inhibiting progesterone. After 24 to 48 hours, the patient takes misoprostol, a pill that results in the expulsion of the pregnancy in a manner similar to miscarriage. It may take a few hours to abort the pregnancy or it may take a few days. Women can expect to have a follow-up appointment with a gynecologist.

A gynecologist can perform a surgical abortion as soon as the pregnancy can be visualized on an ultrasound exam, which is usually five weeks by menstrual age or three weeks after conception. For a first trimester abortion, the gynecologist will perform suction dilatation and curettage (D&C), which involves gently suctioning out the uterine contents.

For safe, confidential, and legal pregnancy termination near Washington, D.C., you can turn to the gynecology team at Washington Surgi-Clinic. Call (202) 659-9403 to arrange an appointment or visit us on the Web to read more about chemical and surgical abortions , along with our other services, which include STD testing.

If you’re evaluating birth control methods, you may wish to ask your gynecologist about intrauterine devices (IUDs). An IUD is a small, T-shaped device that your gynecologist can insert into your uterus to prevent unwanted pregnancies. IUDs do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases, so you may still want to talk to a doctor about STD testing. One type of IUD is coated in copper. It works by creating an environment in the uterus that is toxic to sperm.

As you’ll learn when you watch this video, the other type of IUD slowly releases progesterone to thicken the cervical mucus. The hormonal IUD is effective for up to five years, while the copper IUD is effective for up to 10 years. Before getting an IUD, talk to your gynecologist about the benefits and risks.

Washington Surgi-Clinic provides a comprehensive range of birth control methods in Washington, D.C., including IUDs, pills, patches, injections, and emergency contraception. Visit our website to view our gynecology services or call us at (202) 659-9403.

Chlamydia is among the most common types of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). It is a bacterial infection caused by the Chlamydia trachomatis bacterium. Women who suspect that they might have chlamydia should see a gynecologist for testing and treatment. Although chlamydia is easily treated and is generally not serious, it may cause medical complications if left untreated.

Causes and Risk Factors

Most often, the bacteria that cause chlamydia are transmitted during vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Certain risk factors that may increase the likelihood of contracting chlamydia include having multiple sex partners within the past year, having a previous history of STDs, and not using condoms.

Signs and Symptoms

Chlamydia can be difficult to detect because it doesn’t always cause symptoms. This is why women who may be at a higher risk of chlamydia are advised to discuss STD testing with a gynecologist. When chlamydia does cause symptoms, women might notice abnormal vaginal discharge, painful urination, lower abdominal pain, and painful sexual intercourse. Women may also experience bleeding after sex or between periods.

Complications

If left untreated, it is possible for chlamydia to lead to complications such as pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). PID refers to an infection of the fallopian tubes and uterus, which may result in damage to the reproductive organs. When chlamydia results in scar tissue formation in the fallopian tubes, women may suffer from infertility. If a woman with untreated chlamydia does become pregnant, she is at risk of transferring the disease to her child during vaginal delivery. The newborn may develop pneumonia or an eye infection as a result.

Treatment Options

Women who test positive for chlamydia can clear up the infection with antibiotics. However, during this time, they must refrain from sexual intercourse. The patient’s sexual partners should also be treated for chlamydia, regardless of whether they display symptoms. Otherwise, the patient may contract the infection again.

Women can trust Washington Surgi-Clinic for compassionate, confidential gynecology services near Washington, D.C. Our gynecology services include STD testing, vaginal infection treatment, and morning after pills. Call (202) 659-9403 to schedule an appointment with one of our highly trained gynecologists.

Typical gynecology services include patient education regarding birth control methods. There are plenty of them to choose from, ranging from the pill to the shot to the patch, just to name a few. Yet, life is unpredictable and accidents can happen. Women who have unprotected sex can prevent an unwanted pregnancy with the morning after pill.

How the Pill Works

It’s a common misconception that the morning after pill is an abortion pill. In fact, it cannot result in pregnancy termination; it can only prevent pregnancy before it occurs. The way in which the pill works depends on where a woman is with regard to her menstrual cycle. It may work by preventing or delaying ovulation, or blocking fertilization of an egg. It may also help prevent a fertilized egg from implanting in the uterus. If a fertilized egg does implant, women may choose to seek pregnancy termination services at an abortion clinic.

How to Use the Pill

Despite the name, the pill can be used for a wider window of time than just the morning after unprotected sex. Generally, the sooner a woman takes the pill, the more effective it will be. There are two types of morning after pills. Plan B One-Step contains levonorgestrel , while ella contains ulipristal acetate. Plan B One-Step should be taken as soon as possible. It is not effective after three days following unprotected sex. Taking this pill within 24 hours offers the best protection. Women who use ella can take the pill up to five days after having unprotected sex. Women who vomit after taking a morning after pill should contact a gynecologist to ask if they need to take another dose. Additionally, women should be aware that the morning after pill does not offer extended protection; another method of birth control is necessary.

Where to Get the Pill

Plan B One-Step is available over-the-counter; no prescription is necessary. However, ella does require a prescription from a gynecologist or other physician.

Washington Surgi-Clinic is a proud provider of comprehensive gynecology services to empower women in their family planning decisions and to support their overall wellness. Women who need morning after pills near Washington, D.C. can call us at (202) 659-9403. Our women’s health clinic also offers HIV testing, first and second trimester abortion, and STD treatment.

Part of taking good care of yourself involves scheduling regular wellness exams and preventive screenings, including pelvic exams and Pap smears. During a Pap test, the gynecologist takes a small sample of cells from the cervix. A laboratory tests the sample for abnormalities that may be indicative of precancerous conditions. In other words, having a Pap test can let you know if you may be at risk of cervical cancer before the cancer develops.

It’s important to visit your gynecologist for regular Pap smears because it is possible to have a false negative result. By having a Pap smear on a regular basis, you increase the chances that your gynecologist will detect any precancerous changes. General guidelines recommend that all women have a Pap test no later than their 21 ^st birthday or within three years of first having sexual intercourse, if that date is earlier than the 21 ^st birthday. Since these are general guidelines, it’s advisable to ask your gynecologist when you should start having Pap tests and how often you should have them.

Washington Surgi-Clinic has been providing compassionate, confidential gynecology services near Washington, D.C. since 1973. To schedule an appointment for a Pap test, STD treatment, or pregnancy termination, call us at (202) 659-9403.

The birth control pill is among the most widely used birth control methods. There are actually many different formulations of birth control pills, using varying types and dosages of synthetic hormones to prevent pregnancy. For maximum effectiveness, it’s important to take the pill exactly as directed by a gynecologist.

As you’ll learn when you watch this interview with an OB/GYN, some birth control pills come in 28-day packs, while others come in three-week packs. The larger packs contain one week of placebo pills, which is the week during which you’ll have your period. The three-week packs lack a placebo week, which means you won’t take any pills for one week.

For help exploring your choices of birth control methods in Washington, D.C., you can turn to the trusted physicians at Washington Surgi-Clinic. Call (202) 659-9403 or visit our website for a list of our gynecology services , including STD testing.

If you’re considering talking to a gynecologist about pregnancy termination , you should know that you’re certainly not alone. Over a million women in the U.S. choose to terminate a pregnancy each year. Every woman has her own personal reasons for choosing pregnancy termination; however, the following are among the most common reasons.

Unplanned Pregnancy

Even when couples use birth control methods as directed, there is a possibility of becoming pregnant. The chances of becoming pregnant increase further if birth control methods, such as the pill, aren’t used as directed. Unplanned pregnancies frequently occur because a woman forgot to take a pill a few times or forgot to take it at the same time each day. The failure of birth control is a common reason for terminating an unplanned pregnancy; however, it isn’t the only one. Women may choose to terminate an unplanned pregnancy if they were the victim of rape or incest, or if it simply isn’t the right time to have a baby.

Relationship Issues

Another reason to seek pregnancy termination is experiencing problems within a relationship. In many cases, the father of the child remains in the family’s life, for better or worse. Some women may choose to terminate a pregnancy because of domestic violence issues, substance abuse, or other reasons that may make their partner an unsuitable influence.

Maternal Health

Sometimes, pregnancy termination is necessary to preserve the health of the mother. Women who have been diagnosed with cancer, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, heart disease, or mental health disorders may choose to have an abortion.

Fetal Health

In addition to maternal health, fetal health is often a concern for women who decide to terminate a pregnancy. A healthcare provider may determine through amniocentesis that the fetus has spina bifida, Down syndrome, muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, Tay-Sachs, anencephaly, or other serious medical conditions.

At Washington Surgi-Clinic , we firmly believe that every woman has the right to access safe, legal pregnancy termination services. We provide medical and surgical pregnancy termination near Washington, D.C. up to 26 weeks of pregnancy. We also provide morning after pills and STD testing. Contact us at (202) 659-9403 to schedule an appointment.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are quite common among both women and men. Even if you do not experience any of the possible symptoms of an STD, it is still possible to have one. To protect yourself, your gynecologist is likely to recommend using a barrier method of birth control, such as condoms, even if you are already using another birth control method. It’s also advisable to talk to a gynecologist about STD testing and whether it might be appropriate for you.

Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)

Almost every sexually active individual will acquire HPV at some point. There are many different types of HPV . An individual can contract HPV through skin-to-skin contact, as well as vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Some types of HPV do not cause health problems, while others can cause genital warts. It is also possible to develop cervical, vaginal, vulvar, anal, and oropharyngeal cancers from an HPV infection. You can talk to your gynecologist about having an HPV test, which is often done in the same appointment as a pelvic exam and Pap test.

Chlamydia

Another common STD is chlamydia, which is a bacterial infection that may not cause symptoms. When symptoms do occur, they typically develop within one to three weeks of infection. Women may experience abnormal vaginal discharge, bleeding between periods, and painful urination. Although chlamydia is easily treatable with antibiotics, it can lead to severe complications if left untreated. The infection can cause permanent damage to the reproductive system, which may lead to infertility. Chlamydia also increases the risk of an ectopic pregnancy.

Herpes

Herpes is a viral infection caused by the herpes simplex virus type one (HSV-1) and type two (HSV-2). This virus can affect the mouth or genitals, causing oral herpes and genital herpes, respectively. It’s not uncommon to have the herpes virus and not experience any symptoms. However, people with oral herpes may notice cold sores around the mouth. Those with genital herpes may notice blister-like sores on the genital area, including the buttocks. The sores may be painful and itchy. A gynecologist can prescribe medications to manage a herpes infection.

Washington Surgi-Clinic upholds the utmost standards of patient confidentiality. For information on STD treatment near Washington, D.C ., visit our website or call (202) 659-9403. Our gynecology services also include safe, legal pregnancy termination.

Since 1973, the healthcare practitioners of Washington Surgi-Clinic have been providing women with compassionate, supportive medical care with an abiding commitment toward maintaining the utmost standards of patient confidentiality. We offer gynecology and pregnancy termination services within our state-of-the-art medical facility. Our board-certified physicians have received extensive training regarding gynecology exams and abortion procedures. Our philosophy of personalized, patient-centered care is complemented by our firm commitment to offering our services at an affordable fee to ensure all of our patients have access to the quality healthcare they need.

The gynecologists at Washington Surgi-Clinic provide surgical and non-surgical abortions up to 26 weeks of pregnancy. Our professional staff members treat each patient courteously and respect her healthcare choices. In addition to pregnancy termination, our clinic provides testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), annual Pap tests, birth control methods, and HPV treatment.

Washington Surgi-Clinic accepts patients by appointment only for our gynecology services near Washington, D.C. To schedule your confidential appointment with a gynecologist , call (202) 683-7336.

Choosing a gynecologist may require careful consideration, since you will need to feel comfortable discussing personal health information with your doctor. Before selecting a gynecologist, you may wish to ask for recommendations from your family members, close friends, or family physician. You may also need to ensure that the office for gynecology in Washington, D.C. accepts your insurance plan or offers affordable fees.

For more helpful advice on choosing a gynecologist, watch this brief video. It recommends that women schedule a brief consultation with the doctor to get to know him or her. It also advises viewers to make sure the gynecologist offers the medical services they need.

Washington Surgi-Clinic provides a comprehensive range of women’s healthcare services in Washington, D.C., including HPV treatment, birth control methods, and morning after pills. New and current patients can reach us at (202) 683-7336.