Gynecology

Gynecology is all about taking care of the female reproductive system. This includes parts of your body like your vagina and vulva on the outside, and also the inside parts like your cervix, fallopian tubes, ovaries and uterus. Gynecologists are doctors who specialize in this area. They're often called OB/GYNs, but some choose to focus only on gynecology, which means they take care of women's health issues that don't involve being pregnant or having a baby. At Ochsner, our teams of obstetrics (which deals with pregnancy) and gynecology work closely together if you're pregnant or trying to conceive. However, it's important to know that gynecological care covers a lot more than just pregnancy.

Starting from their teen years, it's important for girls and women to visit a gynecologist every year. At Ochsner, having regular check-ups helps you stay healthy at every stage of life. These visits may include:

• Breast exams

• Cervical cancer screenings

• Conversations about your sexual health and contraceptive options

• Pelvic exams

• Screening for domestic violence and mental health issues

• Testing for sexually transmitted infections

• Vaccinations to prevent hepatitis, HPV and other diseases

At Ochsner, our gynecologists are equipped to tackle any problem, no matter the size. We're experts in identifying and treating a variety of gynecological conditions.

• Abnormal uterine bleeding — bleeding or spotting between periods

• Endometriosis — a condition that can cause painful cramping and infertility

• Fertility issues

• Heavy periods

• Human papillomavirus (HPV)

• Irregular menstrual cycles

• Menopause —phase that begins one year after your last period

• Ovarian cysts —a solid or fluid-filled sac within or on the surface of the ovary

• Pain during sex

• Pelvic floor disorders — a group of conditions that can cause incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse, shifting of one or more organs in the pelvis that occurs when the muscles and tissues holding the pelvic organs in place become loose or weak

• Pelvic inflammatory disease — an infection of one or more of the female reproductive organs

• Pelvic pain

• Perimenopause — before menopause, marked by symptoms, such as hot flashes and emotional changes, as your hormones change

• Polycystic ovary syndrome — a hormonal disorder that causes ovarian cysts and can impact fertility

• Premenstrual dysphoric disorder — a severe form of premenstrual syndrome

• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) — when hormonal changes before your period cause mood swings and other symptoms

• Sexually transmitted infections, including chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhea and syphilis

• Unusual vaginal discharge

• Urinary incontinence — loss of bladder control

• Urinary tract infections — an infection in any part of the urinary system

• Uterine fibroids — benign tumors in the uterus that can affect your menstrual cycle

• Vaginal dryness

• Vaginitis — an inflammation of the vagina that can cause itching and pain

• Vulvar disorders, which may cause burning, itching or pain

• Yeast infections

Handling issues with women's health can be tricky. Some problems might need a change in how you live and medicine, while others could require surgery. At Ochsner, our team is dedicated to working closely with women to create treatment plans that also consider their future goals, like having kids, or their needs regarding their sexual health. We offer various ways to diagnose and treat these conditions.

• Biopsy

• Cryotherapy to remove abnormal cervical cells

• Hormone replacement therapy (HRT), including vaginal estrogen creams and suppositories

• Hysterectomy — surgical removal of the uterus

• Hysteroscopy — using a miniature camera to examine the cervix and uterus

• Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) to remove abnormal cervical tissue

• Myomectomy — surgical removal of fibroids that leaves the uterus intact

• Ovarian cyst removal

• Pelvic floor therapy

• Pelvic prolapse surgery — corrects when the pelvic organs are no longer supported and drop down

• Removal of painful scar tissue

• Sterilization for permanent birth control

• Uterine fibroid embolization — a minimally invasive treatment to shrink fibroids

• Uterine polyp removal

According to research published in JAMA, 87% of women choose to use contraception at some point during their lifetime. For most women, these needs change over time. Your Ochsner gynecologist can help you decide which birth control methods work with your lifestyle and prescribe contraception such as:

• Cervical cap or diaphragm that you can insert in the vagina to cover your cervix

• Contraceptive patch, which may be placed on the skin weekly to deliver hormones

• Implant, or a rod that your provider inserts under your skin

• Intrauterine device, or IUD, which is implanted into the uterus

• Oral contraceptives, or birth control pills

• Sterilization (tubal ligation)

Your gynecologist can also help you assess the pros and cons of over-the-counter birth control methods, such as condoms for your partner. Your provider can also share information about when to stop prescription contraception before trying to get pregnant.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, girls should first see a gynecologist between the ages of 13 and 15. A gynecologist can help teens with period problems and answer questions about sex that a child may feel are too awkward to ask a parent. A gynecologist is also a great resource for questions about gender and sexuality. If your older teen is sexually active, a gynecologist can ensure they find the right birth control.

Recommendations for Pap tests (Pap smears) have changed in recent years, and you may not need one as frequently as you did in the past. A Pap test is performed during a pelvic exam and screens for abnormal cells on the cervix, which can be a sign of cervical cancer. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends women start cervical cancer screenings at age 21 and get a Pap test every three years until age 29. Beginning at 30, women should get a Pap test every three years, a high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) test every five years, or a combined high-risk HPV and Pap test every five years. Most women over 65 do not need screening for cervical cancer.