Your gynecologist can help you with much more than just cervical cancer screenings through pap smears. During your appointment, you should feel free to discuss any health concerns you may have. Perhaps you’ve noticed unusual symptoms or you’re thinking about switching your birth control method. Your doctor genuinely wants to help you enjoy better health.

Atypical Vaginal Symptoms

Women can often tell when they have a yeast infection or a urinary tract infection based on their symptoms. But if your discomfort doesn’t go away, or it’s the first time you’ve experienced these symptoms, you should speak up. Your gynecologist can give you an accurate diagnosis, prescribe medications if necessary, and recommend lifestyle changes or at-home remedies to relieve itching and burning.

Sexual Discomfort

Pain during sex shouldn’t be perceived as normal, but many women feel a little awkward discussing it with their doctors. Often, painful sex is caused by vaginal dryness. Endometriosis and uterine fibroids are other possible causes. Your doctor can explain your treatment options.

Menstrual Abnormalities

Periods differ from woman to woman, but in general, they shouldn’t last longer than seven days, and they shouldn’t occur more than 35 days or less than 21 days apart from each other. Other abnormalities to tell your gynecologist about include:

• Very heavy or very light menstrual flow
• Bleeding after menopause, between periods, or after sex
• Absence of three consecutive periods
• Very painful periods
• Periods accompanied by nausea and vomiting

Your treatment options will depend on the cause of the abnormalities, but may include birth control pills to regulate your period.

Sexual Assault

A significant percentage of sexual assaults go unreported. Even if you’re hesitant to seek help from the police, you should talk to your gynecologist. Your doctor can check your physical health, provide morning after pills if the assault occurred recently, and offer a sympathetic ear. Your provider can also point you in the direction of local resources you may be interested in, such as anonymous support groups or crisis hotlines.

At Washington Surgi-Clinic , we firmly believe that every woman deserves compassionate and sensitive healthcare delivered within a supportive environment. Our gynecology services are available in Washington, D.C. for ladies who need health screenings, birth control, or pregnancy termination. New and current patients can reach us at (202) 659-9403.

In the U.S., women have the legal right to choose not to continue an unintended pregnancy. When a pregnancy test comes back positive and the news is unwelcome, consulting a gynecologist quickly can keep certain options open to you, such as a nonsurgical abortion. Talk to the doctor about the pros and cons of choosing a chemical abortion or a surgical procedure.

Availability

Some women prefer to end an unintentional pregnancy as quickly as possible. Surgical abortions are available during the first trimester, which is up to 12 weeks. However, the doctor has to wait until an ultrasound exam can detect the pregnancy, which will be no sooner than five weeks by menstrual age. Up to six weeks of pregnancy, women may choose the chemical method. Second-trimester abortions take place between 12 and 26 weeks of pregnancy. During this time, only the surgical method is available.

Method

Both types require the care of a gynecologist, but chemical abortions won’t take place in the clinic. Instead, the doctor will prescribe medications that you’ll take at home. These medications cause your body to expel the pregnancy in the same way that your uterus naturally sheds its lining during menstruation. After this point, you’ll have another appointment to confirm the termination. The surgical method does not require any incisions—it is minimally invasive. The gynecologist inserts specialized, sterile instruments through the cervix into the uterus to empty the contents of the uterus.

Effectiveness

Both chemical and surgical abortions are highly effective, but the surgical approach does have a slightly higher success rate. On the rare occasion that a woman doesn’t respond well to the medications, she can choose to have the procedure instead.

Safety

Both methods have a well-established, longstanding safety record. It’s well-known that pregnancy termination actually has a lower rate of medical complications compared to bringing a pregnancy to term. There is no scientific evidence to suggest that an abortion will affect fertility or future pregnancies in any way.

Surgical and nonsurgical abortions are available at Washington Surgi-Clinic , up to 26 weeks of pregnancy. Our pregnancy termination services fully comply with Washington, D.C. and federal regulations, and are delivered by friendly, courteous providers. Call (202) 659-9403.

It’s a common misconception that a woman no longer has a reason to see a gynecologist if she has undergone a hysterectomy. The truth is that women should continue to see a gynecologist once per year even after this type of procedure because other aspects of their health should be regularly evaluated.

During an annual checkup, your gynecologist can look for palpable masses in the pelvis, as well as assess the vaginal and vulvar tissues, which can be especially important for women who have undergone HPV treatment. Also, depending on the reason for your hysterectomy, it may be important that you continue to receive Pap smears. Finally, during your appointment, your gynecologist can discuss any necessary screenings and tests that can help promote your health.

Washington Surgi-Clinic offers comprehensive gynecology services in Washington, D.C. If you would like to learn more or schedule an appointment with one of our gynecologists, then please call (202) 659-9403.

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.

There are different types of anesthesia, only one of which renders a patient completely unconscious. General anesthesia allows patients to have surgical procedures without feeling pain or being aware of anything. If you’re planning to have a first or second-trimester abortion , general anesthesia may be one of your options. The gynecologist will explain your choices and make sure that general anesthesia is safe for you.

Discuss general anesthesia with your gynecologist.

Your doctor will help you determine if general anesthesia is right for you. You’ll discuss your health history, including whether you have any allergies and whether you smoke. Disclose all of the medications and supplements you’re taking, as some medicines may increase the risk of anesthesia-related complications. If you’ve previously had general anesthesia with no complications, it’s likely that you’ll be able to have it again.

Follow the pre-procedure directions carefully.

Your gynecologist will give you detailed instructions to follow leading up to your pregnancy termination. For your own safety, it’s crucial to follow these directions and to let the doctor know if you had any problems with adherence. Your doctor will let you know when you need to stop eating and drinking before the procedure. If you have to take medications, you may be told to do so with a small sip of water. For 1 to 2 weeks before the surgery, your doctor may instruct you to discontinue certain medicines, such as blood thinners.

Make arrangements for your recovery.

All patients who have general anesthesia are unable to drive or operate heavy machinery for the rest of the day. You’ll need to have a responsible adult take you home and stay with you for about 24 hours. After general anesthesia, it’s normal to feel groggy, disoriented, and slightly confused. These side effects won’t last long, but don’t hesitate to call your doctor if you think you might be experiencing complications.

Patients at Washington Surgi-Clinic can choose from local anesthesia, conscious sedation, and general anesthesia when having a surgical abortion in Washington, D.C. We are committed to patient safety, and always have a certified nurse anesthetist present during every minute of the procedure. Call (202) 659-9403 to request a confidential pregnancy termination consultation.

A diagnosis of a life-threatening disease is never easy to cope with. If your gynecologist has recently informed you that your HIV test was positive, you may experience strong emotions that mimic the grieving process. It’s important to arm yourself with accurate information, sound medical guidance, and strong social support during this time. Remember that being HIV positive is not the same as having AIDS. With the right medical care, you can still live life on your own terms.

Find a qualified specialist.

After a positive test result, the first step is to find a doctor to coordinate your care. Your gynecologist may offer some recommendations or you can check with your health insurance carrier. Local HIV/AIDS support organizations can also be helpful for finding physician referrals. Choose a doctor who is board certified in internal medicine and has an infectious disease subspecialty. Some doctors specialize in treating HIV patients.

Get an HIV baseline evaluation.

An HIV baseline evaluation is an exhaustive medical assessment. The HIV specialist will use information secured through a baseline evaluation to assess the progression of the infection and develop a treatment plan. The evaluation includes a physical exam, medical history review, and multiple lab tests.

Begin your HIV treatment.

Early treatment is crucial for HIV patients, but your HIV specialist will take the time to ensure you are able to comply with the treatment requirements first. Once you start taking the medications, you’ll have to be committed to taking them every day for the rest of your life. If you anticipate any problems, such as inadequate health insurance, you should discuss your concerns with the doctor as soon as possible.

At Washington Surgi-Clinic, we understand that women often come to us for gynecology services during very difficult times in their lives . If you need an HIV test in the Washington, D.C. area, you’ll find our clinic to be a warm, welcoming, and supportive place that maintains strict standards of patient confidentiality. Call us today at (202) 659-9403.