Okay, no excuses; if we require our adolescents to undergo regular gynecological exams, then we must set an example and do the same. Annual visits are important for maintaining continued health as we grow into our bodies. And when we’re thinking of something as important as preconception, regular exams allow us to be in the position to screen for problems before they may occur. These exams will generally include:

• Detailed history
• General Physical exam
  • Palpation of the thyroid gland
  • Breast examination
  • Palpation of the abdomen
• Pelvic examination
• Pap smear
• Tests for STD’s if the patient thinks she has been exposed.
• Urine screening

Did you know that nearly half of all pregnancies are unplanned? Nowadays, most pregnancies end successfully, but complications do happen. The more knowledge a woman has when planning to have her baby, (what we like to call ‘preconception’) the more opportunities there are to reduce the risks during this important time.

When considering conception, there are a number questions a physician has for a woman; questions involving her immunization records, family history, prior medical conditions, etc. Engaging in this kind of dialogue with an experienced gynecologist will result in an ongoing educational process that addresses the immediate health concerns of the mother.

Bottom line; understanding these issues greatly improves one’s ability to complete a successful pregnancy.

 Screening of cholesterol levels and thyroid screening

The American College of Obstetrics & Gynecology recommends regular thyroid and cholesterol testing for women during the reproductive years. When a troubled thyroid is left untreated, it can sometimes result in pre-term delivery, infertility and even heart failure.

Thyroid disease is the second most common endocrine disease that affects women of reproductive age. The signs and symptoms include nervousness, tremors, excessive sweating, and weight loss.

Yearly cholesterol screenings are important since elevated levels may be associated with increased risk of heart attack and strokes. If cholesterol levels are elevated, modifications of diet and exercise, as well as medication, may be advised. Additionally, screening for C-Reactive Protein may be done. CRP is a general marker for inflammation and is used as a very rough gauge for heart disease risk.

Pelvic Ultrasound

For pelvic symptoms an ultrasound is often performed. Pelvic ultrasound uses sound waves to produce images of the bladder, ovaries, uterus, cervix and fallopian tubes. This useful tool helps your physician evaluate several common gynecological problems including endometriosis, abnormal vaginal bleeding, pelvic pain and fibroids.

We use two types of ultrasound:

Transadominal ultrasound, which uses a small handheld transducer passed over the lower abdominal region. This is helpful in finding large fibroids.

Transvaginal ultrasound makes use of a small transducer which is inserted into a women’s vagina. This is useful in examining the endometrium or lining of the uterus, the ovaries, and bladder.

Sometimes both types of ultrasound may be used by your physician to gain a more complete understanding of the pelvic area.

As always, the associates at the Hubbard Clinic will provide initial counseling so that our patients feel at ease with the ultrasound procedure.

Nutrition counseling

Even though we age and mature, sometimes our body image doesn’t. Hard to believe, but the positive (and sometimes negative) thoughts we develop in our younger years often follow us into our middle ones.

Although we may be able to block out media images of bodily ‘perfection,’ sometimes problems arise regardless of the circumstances or social conditions. And it’s still important to remember that it’s okay, at any age, to seek help.

We understand this. Our counseling programs provide a safe, instructive environment that can give anyone the tools to handle whatever new or old challenges may come along.

Weight and nutritional counseling can bring us health and bodily awareness that makes physical changes in our transitional years less of a challenge.

Weight control counseling

Managing one’s weight through the reproductive years is very important. Maintaining one's ideal weight fights off the onset on chronic diseases such as vascular disease and diabetes that can crop up in later life, as well a minimizes some of the weight related complications that accompany pregnancy.

We offer informed weight control counseling to set life long healthy habits that impact one's overall health for years to come. Good nutritional choices affects one’s well being and quality of life, so it’s important that we give our bodies the proper consideration it deserves.

Additionally, we offer total body composition indexing which measures one's percentage of body fat (click the thumbnail). Body composition indexing can be a very effective tool in evaluating weight control and weight managament goals.