Physicians for Women

Services

• Normal and High Risk Pregnancy
• Midwifery Care / Natural Childbirth
• 3-D/4-D Ultrasound
• Infertility Evaluation and Management
• Menopause Management
• Urinary Incontinence Evaluation and Treatment
• Laparoscopic Hysterectomy and Urinary Incontinence Surgery
• Essure Sterilization
• Abnormal Pap smear Evaluation and Treatment

Pap smear

You first pap smear should occur within the first 2 years after your first sexual intercourse experience or by the age of 21 years old whichever comes first.

A pap smear is a screening test for cervical cancer. Unlike many other cancers, cervical cancer can occur frequently in young patients. That is because the #1 cause of cervical cancer and pre-cancer is the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). It is a common virus with no cure and is sexually transmitted. In most patients it has no symptoms or warnings although some patients may develop warts. Most males can carry the virus with no symptoms. The new vaccine to protect against HPV called GARDISIL is now available in our office for our patients between the ages of 9 and 26.

The pap smear is not a test for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). If you want to be tested for STDs then you need to tell your doctor or nurse.

Colposcopy

It is a procedure that is done if you have an abnormal pap smear result that is indicative of possible pre-cancer cells. Remember a pap smear is only a screening test and may be wrong. The colposcopy is a procedure where the doctor looks at the cervix through a microscope, after cleaning the cervix off with a vinegar-based solution. The doctor may elect to perform a biopsy of the cervix to determine if pre-cancerous cells (known as dysplasia) are present. The biopsies are tiny and the procedure takes about 15 minutes. You may have some light bleeding for 1-2 days afterward with some mild cramping only. You should not have sex for 1 week after the procedure; otherwise you may resume normal activity. Results take 7-10 days to come back.

LEEP procedure

If the colposcopy shows dysplasia (pre-cancer) on your cervix then a LEEP procedure is used to remove the abnormal cells and its surrounding tissue. It is done in the office under local anesthesia (lidocaine). It takes about 15 minutes to complete. You will experience some discharge, bleeding, and cramping for 1-3 days after the procedure. You should refrain from sex or tampon use for at least 3 weeks as instructed by your doctor. If you experience heavy bleeding, then you should call the office.

Endometrial biopsy

An endometrial biopsy is performed in the office to evaluate abnormal bleeding. It is done to obtain tissue from the lining of the uterus (the endometrium). It is very quick and you may feel mild cramping during the procedure. You may also have some mild cramping and spotting for 24 -48 hours afterwards. It is never performed during pregnancy.

3D/4D Sonogram

3D and 4D sonography allows us to see images of developing babies which were previously unseen before. The following information may help answer some of the questions that you may have about this new technology.

1. The 3D/4D sonogram is not an x-ray. It uses the same sound wave principals of the sonograms that we have always used.

2. This sonogram is not intended to replace the 2D sonogram which is performed between 21 and 23 weeks. That sonogram, done at that time, remains the most sensitive test for detecting some birth defects.

3. The 3D/4D sonogram captures a more realistic image of the physical characteristics and appearance of a developing infant. It is best done between 26 and 30 weeks of your pregnancy.

4. The cost for the 3D/4D sonogram is not currently covered by insurance.

We offer a package that includes 3D/4D sonogram recorded on your VHS tape, two 3 ½ x 5 color photographs and two 2 ½ x 3 ½ black and white images on thermal sonogram paper plus digital still shots and digital video recorded to a CD-ROM. This allows for the captured images and videos to be viewed, printed and emailed from your personal computer. Price - $150.00

In many cases the images are incredible in their detail; however, the quality of the sonogram is dependent on the position, movement of the baby, and size of the mother. Due to the time requirement of these sonograms, no refund is offered as a result of these reasons.