Comprehensive Gynecologic Services

Screening for:

• Breast cancer
• Gyn cancers
• Colorectal cancer
• Gene Mutations/Hereditary breast and ovarian cancers
• Sexually transmitted diseases

Services We Offer:

We provide comprehensive gynecologic care from as early as adolescence all the way through to menopause and beyond.

• Abnormal pap smear management/treatment
• Abnormal uterine bleeding
• Adenomyosis
• Adolescent gynecology
• Alternatives to hysterectomy
• Annual gynecological exams (Well Woman exams)
• Breast health/Self breast exam teaching
• Cervical dysplasia/HPV management & treatment (LEEP, Cryotherapy, Cervical Conization)
• Contraception/Birth control/Family planning
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Endometrial Ablation (Minerva)
• Endometriosis
• Female Sexuality
• Fibroids
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Hirsutism (increased hair growth)
• Hormone replacement therapy
• Hot flushes/night sweats
• Infertility
• Intrauterine device (IUD) placement (Mirena, Paragard)
• LGBTQ+ Friendly Practice
• Menopause symptoms
• Menstrual cycle irregularities (clots, prolonged periods, spotting that disrupts your normal routine)
• Ovarian cysts
• Osteoporosis
• Overactive bladder/Urinary urgency
• Pap smears
• Painful Intercourse
• Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
• Pelvic pain (cramps, ovarian cysts, pain, or endometriosis)
• Pelvic support problems (Prolapsed uterus/bladder/rectum)
• Pregnancy testing
• Premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• Sexual health/Sexual dysfunction
• Sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing and treatment
• Sterilization
• Urinary incontinence (uncontrolled leaking of urine with laughter, coughing, jumping)
• Urinary tract infections (UTI)
• Vaginal discharge
• Vulvar conditions and pain disorder

Annual Gynecology Wellness Visit

Gynecologists have a special perspective on preventative medicine. Most women think of a GYN annual visit as “coming in for my pap smear.” That is really just the tip of the iceberg.

There are several reasons to come in for an annual gynecology wellness visit. Many adults do not visit their primary care physician yearly for a checkup. It is important to track height, weight and blood pressure regularly, to discuss habits that are at odds with a healthy life such as smoking, drinking, a poor diet, and inactivity. We make sure that a woman’s menstrual cycle is normal and that she does not have sexual concerns. When appropriate, we stress practicing contraception to help her avoid an unintended pregnancy. We offer the full spectrum of contraceptive options. We discuss safer sexual practices to protect against sexually transmitted diseases. We test for STD’s when appropriate and offer vaccines for cervical cancer to women under 26. The physical exam includes a breast exam and full pelvic exam to assess for breast and gyn cancers. The pap smear screens for cervical cancer and can sometimes find other cancers. Every woman is also asked to give a detailed family history of cancer so that we can determine if she should be tested for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer gene mutations. There is another gene mutation, Lynch Syndrome, that predisposes an individual to uterine and ovarian cancer as well as colon cancer. Testing is offered when the family history suggests this mutation. Everyone over 40 is screened for colorectal cancer with a digital exam and testing for hidden blood in the stool. For women over 50, we offer colonoscopy referrals. We also offer bone density screening to identify women at risk for osteoporosis and offer interventions to prevent bone loss.

Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer

Does cancer run in your family?
Medical science is constantly uncovering new answers as to why an individual may get cancer. Often it is a combination of environmental factors (like diet or toxins or chronic stress) and a genetic predisposition. The Artemis Center is proud to offer counseling and testing for individuals who may have a risk for breast cancer and other gynecologic cancers.

All of our patients are screened for family histories that suggest they may carry a specific gene mutation that is known to be a major risk factor for developing cancer. Those who meet national guidelines are offered gene testing (a simple saliva test).

We also have an exciting new option of using computer models to analyze both family history and personal history factors (for example, the age when a woman begins menstruating) to estimate a woman’s lifetime risk of breast cancer. If the analysis shows that a woman has a greater than 20% lifetime risk of breast cancer, she may be eligible for yearly breast MRIs for screening and twice yearly clinical breast exams.

Women found to carry the BrCa gene mutation have sometimes opted for mastectomies and/or removal of their Fallopian tubes and ovaries once they have finished their childbearing. (see Breast Cancer Survivor story in News and Press)

Knowing that you are at increased risk for certain cancers may also help inspire individuals to change their lifestyles to reduce their risk of cancer. Knowledge is power.