Women’s Health and Menopause Center physicians want patients to feel comfortable and informed when it comes to their health. They offer these brief definitions to some medical terminology and women’s health concerns, together with links to accurate, informative web sites with more details:
Adolescent gynecology: Growing girls and young women have both medical and emotional needs. Several WHMC physicians are trained and experienced in their care. Younger patients are often seen for pelvic pain, menstrual cramps and disorders, vulvovaginal problems, STDs, and contraceptives.
Alternatives to hysterectomy: Instead of surgery to remove the uterus when fibroids, endometriosis, bleeding and other problems arise, new medications, technologies and procedures can be used. The benefits are lower risk, quicker recovery, and less expense. Your physician can help you find the right solution.
Colposcopy: This is an in-office test done following an abnormal PAP smear result. The physician uses a magnifying device to look more closely at the area, and may take a sample of cells from the cervix to examine under a microscope.
Cryoablation:
When menstrual periods are too heavy, too frequent or last too long, this simple in-office procedure cools the uterus, which can effectively return periods to normal or even lighter than usual. It is done in the office in about 30 minutes and does not require anesthesia.
Endometrial ablation: An in-office procedure, endometrial ablation is used to control heavy or prolonged bleeding. The physician uses laser, heat, or a freezing technique and local anesthesia.
Endometriosis: This is a condition in which the tissue that normally lines the uterus (endometrium) grows in other areas of the body. It can cause pain, irregular bleeding, and possible infertility.
Excessive vaginal bleeding: At any age, excessive bleeding during a period or at other times may occur. There are many reasons for excessive bleeding, and your physician will work with you to uncover the cause and offer solutions.
Hormone therapy: Menopausal women often experience symptom relief from hormone therapy, usually estrogen. Bioidentical hormones are an exact chemical match to those made naturally by humans.
For more information visit:
http://women.webmd.com/news/20090115/oprah-and-bioidentical-hormones-faq
HPV (human papillomavirus): A sexually transmitted virus, HPV is usually harmless and may even go away on its own. However, the virus can cause genital warts and cancer of the cervix, vagina or vulva. Women under 26 can be vaccinated against HPV.
Hysterectomy: In some cases, removing the uterus may be necessary to treat certain conditions, including cancer and large fibroids. It may be done through the vagina or through in an incision in the abdomen. There are also many alternatives to hysterectomy.
For more information visit:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/vaginal-hysterectomy/MY00099 (vaginal hysterectomy)
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hysterectomy/MY00163 (abdominal hysterectomy)
Hysteroscopy: Often used to detect fibroids and diagnose bleeding, infertility, miscarriages, or adhesions. A hysteroscope is a thin instrument insert through the cervix that allows the physician to see the uterus. Other instruments may be used to treat the problem once it is detected.
Laparoscopy: A minimally-invasive surgical technique that uses thin instruments inserted into small incisions, usually in the abdomen. Laparoscopy is often used to diagnose and treat endometriosis, ectopic pregnancy and pelvic inflammatory disease.
For more information visit:
http://www.webmd.com/infertility-and-reproduction/guide/laparoscopic-surgery-for-endometriosis
Laser cervical procedures/laser ablation: If abnormal cells are detected during a colposcopy, a laser may be used to remove the tissue. The procedure takes about 15 minutes in the office, and local anesthesia is used to numb the area.
Minimally invasive surgery: Minimally invasive surgery does not involve a large incision. Usually, one or more small incisions are made and specially designed surgical instruments inserted. Many gynecologic surgeries are now performed with minimally invasive techniques. Hysteroscopy and laparoscopy are examples of minimally invasive gynecologic surgeries.
Menopause: The time after monthly periods and fertility have ended. Hormonal changes and physical symptoms leading up to menopause occur during peri-menopause, and can range from uncomfortable to disruptive.
Menopausal Clinician: The North American Menopause Society provides experienced medical professionals with advanced certification. Women’s Health and Menopause Center has two of six certified physicians throughout the state of Michigan.
Osteoporosis: As women age, bones may become weak and lead to fractures. A bone density scan measures bone strength. Once detected, women can take steps to strengthen their bones.
Peri-menopause: Peri-menopause marks the two- to eight-year time period that starts at the beginning of the body’s transition to menopause and ends after the first year without periods. A natural biological process, the hormonal changes and physical symptoms can range from uncomfortable to disruptive.
It is not WHMC’s intention to provide specific medical advice to users of its website. We provide users with information to help them better understand their health, diagnosed conditions, and the current approaches related to treatment, prevention, screening, and supportive care. This web site and the links to other sites offered within it provide general information for educational purposes. It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, opinion, treatment or services for these or any other medical conditions or concerns. In addition, WHMC does not endorse, warrant or guarantee the products, services or information described or offered at the linked internet sites. This information is not a substitute for medical or professional care, and you should not use the information in place of a visit or the advice of your physician or other healthcare provider. The WHMC urges users to consult with a qualified health care professional for diagnosis and answers to their personal medical questions.
