Question 1: How often should a woman have a Pap smear?
Answer: Please see our articles in the FAQ section of our website.
Question 2: How often should someone have a mammogram?
Answer: Please see our articles in the FAQ section of our website.
Question 3: Are there alternatives to hysterectomy for abnormal uterine bleeding and heavy menses?
Answer: Please see our articles in the FAQ section of our website.
Question 4: Do my periods have to be 28-30 days apart to
be "normal"?
Answer: Cycles in which women ovulate tend to be about that
length, but cycles can vary somewhat without being "abnormal" or
requiring intervention. Prolonged time spans without menses prior to
menopause are not normal, nor are cycles about every two weeks during the reproductive years.
Question 5: When should a woman have her first GYN exam and Pap smear?
Answer: At any point in a female's life when there are problems of a GYN nature, she should be appropriately evaluated. However, the Pap smear as part of an exam should be initiated within the first 3 years of becoming sexually active. For more information, please see our articles in the FAQ section of our website.
Question 6: Are oral contraceptives safe?
Answer: Yes. Oral contraceptives have been in use for well over 50 years, and are proven to be one of the safest reversible means of contraception available. There is an increased risk of heart attack
and stroke in women who smoke and use oral contraceptives after
the
age of 35; therefore, the use of oral contraceptives is not
recommended. Otherwise, the prolonged use of oral contraceptives, even until menopause decreases one's lifetime risk of both ovarian and endometrial cancer, increases bone density as one reaches menopause, and has shown no adverse impact on breast cancer risk
or on cholesterol.
Question 7: Are there any new birth control options?
Answer: The relatively new Mirena IUD has excellent patient satisfaction, with minimal menses, lasting 5 years. A new subcutaneous implant "IMPLANON" lasts for 3 years, with limited occasional irregular menses. A newer means of tubal ligation by placing coils into fallopian tubes by hysteroscopy under anesthesia does require follow-up studies to confirm appropriate placement and likelihood of success. Please see linked websites to Mirena IUD and IMPLANON.
Question 8: What is "Her Option"?
Answer: A new FDA approved in office endometrial ablation procedure that is well tolerated, with excellent outcomes. For more information, please see our articles in the FAQ section of our website.
Question 9: What is the "HPV vaccine"?
Answer: A vaccine released in June of 2006 that targets 4 subtypes of the HPV virus most often associated with dysplasia (premalignant and malignant change of the cervix) and genital warts. It is called Gardasil. For more information on HPV and Gardasil, please see our articles in the FAQ section of our website.
Question 10: Should I take hormone replacement therapy/estrogen replacement therapy?
Answer: Menopausal symptoms remain an indication for appropriate hormone replacement therapy in most women. For more information, please see our articles in the FAQ section of our website.
Question 11: What is endometriosis?
Answer: Please see the “Our Services” section of our web site.
Question 12: What services are available at Washington
Women's Care?
Answer: We offer a full range of gynecologic services including surgery, as well as outpatient primary care for women. Please see the
“Our Services” section of our web site.
Question 13: What insurance is accepted at Washington
Women's Care?
Answer: We participate with almost all local plans, but you may contact our billing office to clarify any questions you may have.
What is Osteoporosis?
Why should I worry about osteoporosis?
Women and Pap Smears
The Best Protection is Early Detection
Her Option is Now Your Option
HPV, Cancer of the Cervix and Gardasil-The Virus and the Vaccine
Alternatives to Hysterectomy
Current Issues in Hormone Therapy
(252) 946-6544 •
1-800-675-5694
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