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As your partner in women's health, we want you to know your health care options, and have an understanding about what is available to you. This glossary of health terms should help. These are conditions we can treat, or services we offer. Heavy periods/abnormal uterine bleeding Bone density scans Measurement of the amount of calcium in bone to determine if a patient has osteoporosis, and, to what degree. Unlike some scanners, which evaluate only the finger or heel, our scanner assesses the bone density of both hips and the lumbar spine, a much more reliable indicator of disease. It is done in-office, is quick and pain-free. The test is completed in a few minutes and results are available instantly. Recommended for ages 50 and up, or at an earlier age for high-risk individuals. Return to the top of this page. Chronic pelvic pain Female pelvic pain is pain below a woman's navel. It is considered chronic if you have had it for at least 6 months. The type of pain varies from woman to woman. In some women, it is a mild ache that comes and goes. In others, the pain is so steady and severe that it's hard to sleep, work or enjoy life. Helping with chronic pelvic pain is one of our specialties. Just schedule an appointment at 952-893-9100 or email us. Return to the top of this page. Endometriosis Every month the lining of the uterus (called the endometrium) thickens in preparation for the implantation of an embryo. If a pregnancy does not occur, the body sheds this lining and menstruation takes place. Endometriosis occurs when the endometrial cells grow in places outside the uterus and attach to the ovaries and other pelvic organs, causing them to become inflamed. Sometimes there are no symptoms, other times it causes long and painful menstrual periods and abnormal bleeding. It is a major cause of infertility in America. Endometriosis can be treated with medications or surgery, depending on the situation. We can help. Talk with us. Return to the top of this page. Endometrial Ablation Endometrial ablation is a procedure that uses a lighted viewing instrument (hysteroscope) and other instruments to destroy (ablate) the uterine lining, or endometrium. Endometrial ablation can be done using laser beams, heat, freezing, radiofrequency and normal saline. The endometrium heals by scarring, which usually reduces or prevents uterine bleeding. This procedure is used to treat irregular or excessive uterine bleeding. Recovery time is short and depends on the patient's condition. Return to the top of this page. Essure We're proud to be the first in the state to offer Essure, a permanent birth control method. Essure is a non-invasive office procedure in which a soft, flexible micro-insert is placed into each fallopian tube via your bodies natural pathways. Essure is a cost-effective birth control method and is covered by most insurance companies. Fast facts about Essure:
Wondering if Essure is right for you? Just talk with us: call 952-893-9100 or email us. Return to the top of this page. First period In the United States, the average age in which a girl gets her period is 12. Usually, the menstruation cycle lasts an average of 28 days, with day 1 of the cycle designated as that day on which menstrual flow begins. Sometimes menses can be irregular, heavy or painful. If you would like a Doctor or Nurse Practitioner to talk with your daughter about this new chapter in her life, please call 952-893-9100 or email us. We are happy to help. Return to the top of this page. Heavy periods/abnormal uterine bleeding Irregular vaginal bleeding that is not caused by a serious medical problem, such as miscarriage or cancer. In most cases, abnormal uterine bleeding is related to changes in hormone levels. Guidelines to determine abnormal irregular vaginal bleeding:
We specialize in treatment of abnormal uterine bleeding and can review options with you, including minimally invasive surgery, such as hysterectomy or endometrial ablation. Most of these treatments can be done in office, with short recovery times. Note: If you have abnormal uterine bleeding, you should be examined for other causes of symptoms, as well as being tested for anemia (low red blood cell count). Return to the top of this page. Her Option® Her Option® is a procedure to treat menorrhagia: periods that are too heavy, too frequent or last too long. It is a natural alternative to a hysterectomy and for maintaining your natural hormones. This in-office procedure uses cryoablation (cold temperatures) and usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. Patients see good results. Call 952-893-9100 or email us to see if Her Option® is right for you. Return to the top of this page. Hormone replacement therapy Many women are on hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to help relieve the symptoms of menopause and to prevent osteoporosis. A few years ago, news broke that for some women taking a combination of estrogen and progestin (PREMPRO™), the risks of HRT may outweigh the benefit. This news was confusing to many women and has made it difficult to clearly understand all the issues. Our message to you: Don't panic. These increased risks must be viewed in the context of several other factors. As always, it is important to individualize treatment based on each woman's situation. HRT is still approved for many conditions, and is very effective when used where indicated. If you are currently on HRT, please do not stop your therapy without speaking to your Physician. If you have any concerns, please continue with your current regimen and discuss your options with us. Understanding how important this issue is to you, we have made additional appointments available for HRT consultation. Return to the top of this page. Hysteroscopy Hysteroscopy uses a hysteroscope, which is a thin telescope that is inserted through the cervix into the uterus. Modern hysteroscopes are so thin that they can fit through the cervix with minimal or no dilation. At Minnesota Gynecology and Surgery, hysteroscopy is usually done in office. Return to the top of this page. Hysterectomy A surgical procedure whereby the uterus is removed. The most common reason hysterectomy is performed is for uterine fibroids The next most common reasons are abnormal uterine bleeding, endometriosis, and uterine prolapse (including pelvic relaxation). Less than 10% of hysterectomy is performed for cancer. While many women may think of a hysterectomy as an arduous, hospital-based, invasive surgery, we specialize in minimally-invasive techniques that can sometimes even be done in our office. The recovery time is a few days. This is excellent news for women, and Minnesota Gynecology and Surgery is proud to be on the leading edge for this advancement in women's health. We want all women to know: you have options! Return to the top of this page. Laparoscopy Laparoscopy is the most common procedure used to diagnose and remove mild to moderate endometriosis. Instead of using a large abdominal incision, the surgeon inserts a lighted viewing instrument called a laparoscope through a small incision. If the surgeon needs better access, he or she makes one or two more small incisions for inserting other surgical instruments. Laporoscopy is done in a hospital outpatient setting. Recovery is quicker than more invasive techniques; you are able to go home usually in a matter of hours. Return to the top of this page. Mammograms Mammography uses special X-ray images to detect abnormal growths or changes in the breast tissue. Using a machine and X-ray film made especially for breast tissue, a technician compresses the breast and takes pictures from at least two different angles. A technician will place your breast between two radiographic breast supports. The supports will be pressed together, gently flattening the breast. By compressing the breast, the health-care provider can get a clear picture while using a low dose of radiation. You may feel some discomfort or slight pain from this pressure, but it will only last for a few seconds while the X-ray is being taken. Compression is necessary to obtain the clearest possible picture with the least amount of radiation. To minimize discomfort during compression, you may want to consider scheduling your appointment seven to 10 days after the start of your period, when your breasts are least likely to be tender. A yearly mammogram is especially important if you are over age 40. Minnesota Gynecology and Surgery is proud to offer in-office mammograms for our patients. Return to the top of this page. Menorrhagia Menorrhagia is a medical term for menstrual periods that are too heavy, too frequent, or last too long. Minnesota Gynecology and Surgery offers Her Option, a procedure that typically takes 20 to 30 minutes and uses cryoablation (cold temperatures) and IV sedation is available if needed. Her Option is a natural choice for women with heavy periods who are looking for an alternative to a hysterectomy - maintaining their natural hormones. We find Her Option, while not right for every woman, is very effective. Return to the top of this page. Menopause Menopause is the point in a woman's life when she has not had a menstrual period for 1 year. For most women, menopause happens around age 50, but every woman's body has its own timeline. Some women stop having periods in their mid-40s. Others continue well into their 50s. Menopause is a natural part of growing older and reflects normal hormonal changes. You don't need treatment for it unless your symptoms are abnormal or are bothersome. If you have questions or concerns, please call 952-893-9100 or email us. Return to the top of this page. Microdermabrasion A skin-rejuvenating technique done in our office. We want you to feel good inside and out. Our Nurse Practitioners can help. Return to the top of this page. Pap Smear A Pap Smear is a way to look at a sample of cells taken from a woman's cervix. The test is used to look for changes in the cells of the cervix that show cervical cancer or conditions that may develop into cancer. All women who have reached age 21 or are sexually active should have an annual Pap Smear. It is your best tool to detect pre-cancerous conditions and hidden, small tumors that may lead to cervical cancer. If detected early, cervical cancer can be cured. Here at Minnesota Gynecology and Surgery, Pap Smears are part of a yearly wellness exam. Return to the top of this page. Stress urinary incontinence Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) is the involuntary loss of urine when engaging in daily physical activities such as coughing, laughing, sneezing or exercising. It affects up to 30% of women between the ages of 20 and 64. We have solutions. Call 952-893-9100 or email us. Return to the top of this page. Urodynamics A biofeedback test we can perform in our office using a series of different measurements of bladder function. It is used to determine the cause of a variety of bladder conditions. This procedure is done in-office and usually takes 20-30 minutes. Return to the top of this page. Wellness care (yearly exams) At Minnesota Gynecology and Surgery, we are your partner in women's health. Our yearly exams are all about keeping you healthy. We screen for a variety of health problems, review changes in your health history and address any concerns you have, keeping in mind that early identification of problems allows for more treatment options and a greater chance of success. Each exam includes full laboratory services with immediate results that we can talk about during your appointment. It will also include a pap smear and may also include an in-office mammogram and/or bone density scan. Call 952-893-9100 for an appointment or email us. Return to the top of this page.  © 2008 Minnesota Gynecology and Surgery. Click here for privacy information. |
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