Abnormal uterine bleeding is classified as any bleeding that occurs between regular menstrual periods. In some cases, abnormal uterine bleeding occurs after intercourse, or in women who are postmenopausal. Heavier-than-normal menstrual bleeding that lasts for more than seven days is considered abnormal uterine bleeding.

A woman's breasts may change over time due to different levels of hormones in the body caused by menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause. There are a number of benign, or non-cancerous, conditions that may develop within the breasts. Because there are many conditions, benign and malignant, that may be associated with the breast, patients are advised to perform breast self-exams in addition to scheduling routine exams with a physician.

Breast exams are physical and visual inspections of the breasts that can help identify unusual lumps or suspicious growths around the breasts. Breast exams are useful for the early diagnosis of breast cancer.

Contraception is any method used to prevent pregnancy. Choosing the method of contraception to use is an important decision that will impact a woman's daily life. Speaking with your doctor about which method to use will provide you and your partner with protection. We will supply you with information about the different types of contraception available and the respective advantages and disadvantages of these methods.

Endometriosis is a medical condition affecting about five million women. It occurs when the lining of the uterus, known as endometrium, moves out of the uterus and into other parts of the pelvic area such as the ovaries, bowels or behind the uterus.

Endometriosis is a common health problem. It is generally not a serious or harmful condition, but can be painful and may interfere with your daily life.

During your period, this endometrial tissue swells and bleeds and sheds from the lining to be released in the menstrual flow. When the tissue is in other areas, this swelling causes pain and may form scar tissue. There is no known cause of this condition, but it has a tendency to run in families.

Symptoms of endometriosis include:

• Painful menstrual cramps

• Chronic lower back and pelvic pain

• Pain during or after sex

• Heavy and/or long menstrual periods

• Infertility

Endometriosis can be diagnosed through an ultrasound or MRI. There is no cure for the disease, but symptoms can be treated depending on their type and severity. Talk to your doctor today if you think you may be experiencing endometriosis.

As you age, your body slowly ceases to produce estrogen and progesterone, two hormones that thicken the uterus to prepare it for the implantation of a fertilized egg. These hormones also protect the body from developing uterine cancer and osteoporosis. The decrease of these hormone levels is also responsible for many of the symptoms of menopause.

As these hormones are valuable to women's health, many women choose to replace them synthetically through a pill, patch or cream to retain the benefits produced through hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Estrogen, by itself, helps relieve menopause symptoms and prevent osteoporosis. When combined with progesterone, the therapy allows for the uterine lining shedding each month without the regular bleeding. While there are risks associated with HRT, it is important to take the lowest dosage possible re-evaluating your therapy annually. Your doctor can help you decide which type of HRT, if any, is right for you.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is a virus that causes genital warts. There are more than 100 different kinds of viruses and some of them may increase the risk for cancer. While some types can cause genital warts, others will show no symptoms but can eventually lead to cancers of the cervix, vulva, vagina and anus. Contracted through sexual contact, the risk of infection can be reduced by using latex condoms.

Menopause is the time in a woman's life when her menstrual period has stopped. Menopause is caused by a decrease in the ovaries' production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which eventually results in the ovaries' ceasing to produce eggs, and the end of menstruation.

A woman has reached menopause when she has not had a menstrual period for at least 12 months. Menopause is a natural process that takes several years. During this time, fertility decreases, and periods often change in duration, frequency, and amount of blood flow. This stage is known as perimenopause, and it is often when symptoms of menopause begin. The average age that menopause occurs is 51, although it may occur prematurely in women who have had total hysterectomies or have received chemotherapy or radiation treatments.

Women making this difficult transition in their lives will receive a health-status assessment so they can receive appropriate counsel and treatment. After screening you for conditions, we will provide treatment for associated symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, insomnia and irritability.

An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac that can form in the ovaries. The ovaries are two small organs that produce eggs and female hormones. The ovaries affect our body's appearance, menstrual cycle and pregnancy.

What types of ovarian cysts are there?

There are several types of ovarian cysts. The most common form of a cyst is a functional cyst. Functional cysts form during ovulation. Eggs that are produced each month are grown in tiny sacs called follicles. After these sacs release the egg, the sac dissolves turning into corpus luteum, which produces hormones. If the sac does not dissolve, a functional cyst will form from the sac and cause them to grow. Normally the cysts disappear within a few months. They are rarely cancerous but can cause mild symptoms.

Symptoms of an ovarian cyst

Other types of cysts can form as a result of disease or from the egg not being released. These may be larger and more painful. While some ovarian cysts don't cause any symptoms, others may experience the following symptoms:

• Pressure, swelling or pain in the abdomen

• Pelvic pain

• Pain during sex

• Weight gain

• Abnormal bleeding

• Nausea

• Vomiting

how are ovarian cysts diagnosed?

We use pelvic exams and ultrasounds to diagnose ovarian cysts and provide medical and/or surgical treatment for symptomatic women. If a cancerous ovarian mass is identified, referral to a gynecologic oncologist (female cancer specialist) is made.

Sometimes women will have symptoms of fullness, pelvic pressure or the sensation of something having “dropped.” We offer a variety of treatments for pelvic support defects, which may include cystoceles, rectoceles, enteroceles, and vaginal vault prolapse. All can be corrected surgically, sometimes in conjunction with a urologist or other surgical specialist.

A number of conditions can cause pelvic pain. We work to diagnose gynecologic and non-gynecologic sources, then provide medical/surgical treatments or refer you to other specialists if needed.

This hormonal condition is often characterized by irregular (or lack of) menstrual cycles, oily skin with or without acne, excess hair growth, fertility problems and (usually) obesity. It is diagnosed with a sonogram and/or lab evaluation. Treatment depends on fertility desires and includes oral contraceptives, anti-androgen medications or ovulation induction medications.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a group of symptoms that women commonly experience before their monthly menstrual period, usually going away after the period starts. About 85 percent of women suffer from at least one symptom of PMS during each menstrual cycle, although most cases are fairly mild and may not interfere with a woman's normal activities. Severe cases of PMS may be diagnosed as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD).

The specific cause of PMS is not known, but it is linked to the hormone changes involved in the menstrual cycle, and can also be affected by stress and emotional problems. While symptoms can vary for each woman, some of the common symptoms of PMS include:

• Breast swelling and tenderness

• Fatigue

• Difficulty sleeping

• Bloating

• Constipation or diarrhea

• Joint or muscle pain

• Acne

• Appetite changes

• Anxiety

• Depression

Women who suspect that they have a severe case of PMS and are seeking medical attention for their condition should monitor symptoms and their severity for a few months to help their doctor accurately diagnose the condition.

We can help you control these symptoms with a variety of medications and/or behavior modifications.

Using the new da Vinci minimally invasive robotic surgical system, patients are now able to have gynecologic surgeries performed with shorter hospital stays, less blood loss and less postoperative pain. There is less risk of wound infection, less scarring, and in many cases, better clinical outcomes. Procedures that lend themselves to the robotic surgical system include hysterectomies and myomectomies (removal of uterine fibroids). Click here for more information at da Vinci's official website.

We offer surgical procedures for diagnosis and treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding, sterilization, management of pelvic pain, ovarian cysts, ectopic pregnancies, precancerous cervical lesions and pelvic support defects. Office and hospital operating-room procedures are available.

Screening is offered for a variety of infections, including but not limited to: chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, syphilis, hepatitis, human papilloma virus (HPV), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and trichomonas.