Services
Women's Health
These are the Women's Health services we provide at HEARTLAND:
General Gynecology
We offer basic gynecology practices for women of all ages. Whether your concern is fertility, incontinence, menopause or the maintenance of your general health, our dedicated physicians, nurses and lab technicians are here to address your needs.
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccine
There is now a vaccine that prevents the types of genital human papillomavirus (HPV) that cause most cases of cervical cancer and genital warts. The vaccine Gardasil® is given in three shots over six-months. The vaccine is routinely recommended for 11 and 12 year old girls. It is also recommended for girls and women age 13 through 26 who have not yet been vaccinated or completed the vaccine series.
Menopause
The term menopause refers to the permanent cessation of menstruation. By age 40, the ovaries become less responsive to hormonal signals from the brain and produce less estrogen and progesterone. As a result, menstrual periods change in character and may become heavier, lighter or irregular. Eventually, the ovaries stop releasing eggs and estrogen production dramatically declines. Menopause usually occurs between 42 and 56 years of age.
Early menopause is the cessation of menstrual periods due to failure of the ovaries before the age of 40. Medical advances, combined with adequate diet and exercise, can treat the symptoms of early menopause and help patients maintain good health. With the aid of assisted reproductive technologies, some women with early menopause can experience pregnancy and childbirth. Perimenopause is the term for the period between regular menstruation and menopause. It usually begins in the mid 40s and can last five to seven years.
During perimenopause, ovulation occurs less often because the eggs in the ovaries are being depleted so menstrual periods become irregular. Symptoms such as hot flashes, night sweats, changes in bladder function, vaginal dryness, mood swings, and a decrease in sexual drive may occur.
Menopause marks the end of monthly bleeding and signals a major decline in estrogen production. Menopause is complete when a woman is in her 40s or 50s and has not had a period for 12 months.
Postmenopause is the final stage. In the five years following menopause, a lack of estrogen leads to changes which may include bone loss and rising levels of blood cholesterol. Hot flashes, night sweats and mood changes may continue for one or two more years. Over time, the long term low estrogen levels increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. Cardiovascular disease includes high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke. Osteoporosis is a degenerative disease of the bone. Most women reach maximum bone density by 35 years of age. Thereafter, bone density slowly declines at a rate of up to one percent per year until menopause occurs at which time there is rapid bone loss for about five years. Common sites of bone fracture due to osteoporosis are the spine, hip and forearm. Bone density can be measured and monitored using densitometers. Weight-bearing exercise three to five times weekly and adequate calcium and vitamin D intake are important for maintaining healthy bones, but will not prevent osteoporosis.
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can prevent or reduce many of the symptoms associated with menopause. Estrogen replacement is often recommended and can be given orally, vaginally or by skin patch or gel. Natural progesterone or progestins are also recommended for most women except those who have had a hysterectomy. Studies demonstrate some of the long-term health benefits associated with HRT. These include decreased risk of osteoporosis, bone fractures, and colon cancer. There is an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and breast cancer. The absolute changes in risk are very small. Each woman has unique health needs and risks, so the decision to take hormone replacement therapy should be made in consultation with a well-informed physician.
Incontinence
Incontinence is an extremely common, distressing and socially disabling condition. It is the involuntary leakage of urine and is common in women undergoing physical changes such as pregnancy, childbirth and menopause. All of these can lead to stress incontinence, meaning the pelvic floor muscles are weak, lacking sufficient pressure around the urethra.
Certain medications, absorbent products and vaginal exercises such as Kegels maybe recommended forms of treatment. Trans-vaginal tape (TVT) is a minimally invasive procedure that can also be done to help restore control.
Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
A number of factors can cause abnormal uterine bleeding at any age. Finding the cause could involve a vaginal ultrasound, endometrial biopsy, blood count check, or hysteroscopy. Treatment will depend on the cause and will be determined after evaluation by your physician and fertility expert.
Treatment can vary from hormonal therapy, The Mirena (IUD) ,Global Balloon or Hysteroscopic Endometrial Ablation.
