At Southern OB/GYN, we believe in providing the best health care throughout your life, from adolescence, through reproductive, and into menopausal years to identify and treat any health conditions.

Our women’s well care includes:

Well care service includes:

Routine Annual Exams
Exercise and Nutrition Help
Cholesterol Screening
Cancer Screening
Screening, Prevention, and Treatment of Osteoporosis
Breast Health
Cessation of Smoking
We encourage all women to be proactive with regularly scheduled annual exams. Before your next exam, here are a few things to keep in mind.

HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR MY EXAM?
Women should be prepared to discuss their family medical history and be ready for questions about their menstrual cycle. Some of the most commonly asked questions your provider may ask include:

When was your last period?
How long does your period typically last?
What age did you start your period?
Are you sexually active?
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FOR MY ANNUAL EXAM?
The pelvic exam, which includes a pap smear, only lasts a few minutes and the exam itself doesn’t hurt. Your doctor will explain the process before beginning the exam. The annual exam typically consists of the following steps:

Breast Exam. Your doctor will typically begin the annual exam with a breast exam to check for lumps that may be a sign of cancer.
External Check. Your physician will then check the external genital area for irritations, cysts or other problems.
Internal Check. Next, the physician will conduct a pap smear to check for cancerous and pre-cancerous cells. The final step in the physical exam includes a check of the uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries. Note: For patients age 40 and over, we highly recommend a mammography screening.
Not only does the annual exam ensure that you maintain good gynecological health, but is an opportunity for early detection of health problems. Depending on test results, your doctor will notify you if additional follow-up is needed.

Southern OB/GYN offers an array of birth control options.

Birth control, also known as contraception, is any method used to prevent pregnancy. Choosing birth control is a personal choice, and it is important to learn as much as you can about the various methods – both hormonal and non-hormonal. Each has advantages and disadvantages, including effectiveness, side effects and health risks. All available options can be discussed in great detail with your doctor.

CONTRACEPTIVE INJECTIONS (DEPO-PROVERA)
Depo-Provera is a hormonal injection administered every three months. Using synthetic progesterone, Depo-Provera prevents the ovaries from releasing eggs. This causes the cervical mucus to thicken and changes the uterine lining, which makes it more difficult for sperm to enter or survive in the uterus.

CONTRACEPTIVE IMPLANTS
Implanon is a type of implantable birth control for women. It is a flexible plastic rod the size of a matchstick that is put under the skin of your arm. Implanon contains a hormone called etonogestrel. You can use a single Implanon rod for up to four years.

CONTRACEPTIVE PATCH (ORTHEVRA)
The Contraceptive Patch looks like a square Band-Aid® and is applied to your abdomen, buttocks, upper arm or upper torso. It works by slowly releasing a combination of estrogen and progestin hormones through your skin. These hormones prevent ovulation and thicken the cervical mucus, creating a barrier to prevent sperm from entering the uterus.

ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES (THE PILL)
The Pill is available in different doses, and is dispensed in packs of 21 or 28 pills. The first 21 pills contain a combination of synthetic estrogen and progesterone hormones. The Pill works by stopping ovulation. It also thickens cervical mucus, making it more difficult for sperm to enter the uterus.

PROGESTIN-RELEASING INTRAUTERINE DEVICE
An intrauterine device (IUD) is a small object inserted through the cervix and placed in the uterus. IUDs affect the movement of eggs and sperm, preventing fertilization. They also change the lining of the uterus and prevent implantation. One hormone-releasing IUD, called the Mirena®, releases small amounts of a synthetic progesterone hormone. The suggested length of use for progestin-releasing IUDs is five years or less.

VAGINAL RING (NUVARING)
The vaginal ring is a thin, transparent, flexible ring you insert into your vagina. The vaginal ring slowly releases estrogen and progestin hormones into your body, which stop ovulation and thicken the cervical mucus, creating a barrier to prevent sperm from fertilizing an egg. The vaginal ring provides one month of birth control.

It is important to remember that while birth control protects you from pregnancy, most methods do not protect you from STDs. If you have questions or concerns about which birth control method is best for you or how to protect yourself from STDs, please talk to your doctor.

Our staff is well trained to identify and address an array of women’s health conditions and concerns.

VAGINAL INFECTIONS
Though it may not be a conventional subject of conversation, vaginal infections happen. Sometimes they may be difficult to recognize because they can cause subtle pelvic changes. If you are experiencing discomfort such as itching, burning, redness or abnormal discharge, you should be examined by your doctor. Your physician can perform tests to determine the type of infection you have and the best way to treat it.

ABNORMAL VAGINAL BLEEDING
Many women may experience bleeding or spotting between periods. Vaginal bleeding is considered abnormal if it occurs when you are not expecting your menstrual period or when your menstrual flow is lighter or heavier than what is normal for you. Bleeding is also considered abnormal if it occurs at a time in your life when it is not expected, such as during pregnancy or after menopause. Abnormal vaginal bleeding can have many possible causes and does not necessarily indicate a serious condition; however, if you experience abnormal vaginal bleeding, contact your doctor immediately so he or she can perform a pelvic exam and/or other tests to determine the cause.

PELVIC PAIN
We understand that pelvic pain can be a source of frustration for many women, as it is often times difficult to determine the cause. Some of the most common sources of pelvic pain include the following conditions:

Endometriosis

This is a disease in which cells that look and act like those lining the uterus (endometrial cells) are found in other areas in your body, usually in your pelvis. Endometriosis can cause pelvic pain, painful periods and pain during intercourse and may also affect your fertility.

Pelvic Adhesions

A pelvic adhesion is scar tissue that forms between two structures or organs not normally connected to each other. This tissue may attach to nearby surfaces because of inflammation, gynecological conditions (such as endometriosis) or previous surgeries. Adhesions can cause pain, blockage or other problems.

Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are non-cancerous growths that develop in the uterus. They can grow on the inside of your uterus, within the uterine muscle wall or on the outer surface of your uterus. Fibroids can alter the shape of the uterus as they grow, and the size, shape, location and symptoms of fibroids may change over time.

Ovarian Cysts

These fluid-filled sacs can form in your ovary. They are the most common ovarian growths in women of childbearing age, 20 to 35 years old. If you experience pelvic pain, see your doctor so he or she can perform a pelvic exam to help determine the cause of your pain.

MENOPAUSE
Menopause is a natural stage in every woman’s life when her ovaries cease functioning and her menstrual periods stop, marking the end of her childbearing years. While the average age of menopause is around 50, every woman’s body has its own unique timeline. You may experience unpleasant symptoms, including hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness and sleep disturbances.

PELVIC ORGAN PROLAPSE
Pelvic organ prolapse occurs when one or more of the organs inside the pelvis falls from its normal position. The condition may cause a feeling of fullness or pressure in your lower abdomen, problems passing urine or having a bowel movement, urine leakage, pain or pressure in your lower back or problems having intercourse. This may be caused by one or more of the following factors: vaginal childbirth, hormonal changes occurring with menopause, constant coughing (due to bronchitis or smoking), heavy lifting, chronic straining (due to constipation) or being overweight. The prolapse may be mild, moderate or severe, and you may have more than one type of prolapse.

URINARY INCONTINENCE
Urinary incontinence is defined as the involuntary leakage of urine. The problem afflicts approximately 13 million adults in the United States, 85% of them being women. There are many conditions that can cause loss of bladder control. Among women, the problem is most commonly associated with a specific condition called Stress Urinary Incontinence or SUI.

Stress urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine during physical activity such as coughing, laughing, or lifting. The muscles that support the urethra (the small tube that carries urine out of the body) and bladder neck (the opening that connects the urethra to the bladder) have weakened, causing the urethra to drop during physical activity, resulting in urine leaking out of the body. This type of incontinence can be treated both surgically and nonsurgical.

What causes SUI?

The first condition is called hyper mobility, (“hyper” means too much and “mobility” refers to movement) which is common condition resulting from childbirth, previous pelvic surgery or hormonal changes. Hyper mobility occurs when the normal pelvic floor muscles can no longer provide the necessary support to the urethra and bladder neck. As a result, the bladder neck is free to drop when any downward pressure is applied and thus, involuntary leakage occurs.

The second condition is called intrinsic sphincter deficiency, usually called ISD. This medical term refers to the weakening of the urethral sphincter muscles or closing mechanism. As a result of this weakening, the sphincter does not function normally regardless of the position of the bladder neck or urethra.

SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES (STDS)
We make it a point to discuss sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) with patients of all ages. Many of those who have contracted an STD have such mild symptoms that they are unaware of the potential health hazard. The more a woman understands about STDs and how to prevent them, the more empowered she is to guard her health.