FAQs old

[expand title=”How often do I need to be seen?” rel=”tips-highlander” trigclass=”collapsehead”]I continue to recommend annual visits for medication follow-up and health maintenance. There is great information available at the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists website. [/expand][expand title=”When should I start getting pap tests?” rel=”tips-highlander” trigclass=”collapsehead”]Pap testing for cervical cancer is now recommended to begin at age 21.[/expand][expand title=”When should I stop getting pap tests?” rel=”tips-highlander” trigclass=”collapsehead”]Currently, there is no upper age limit for pap testing.[/expand][expand title=”How often should I have a pap test done?” rel=”tips-highlander” trigclass=”collapsehead”]  If you have high risk factors, you should follow the recommendations of your current provider.  If you do not have high risk factors, you may have pap tests done every 2-3 years.  You should discuss this with your provider to determine your specific risk.[/expand][expand title=”When should I start getting mammograms?” rel=”tips-highlander” trigclass=”collapsehead”]If you do not have high risk factors, you should start breast cancer screening at age 40, repeat every year.  You should also have clinical breast exam every 1-3 years and consider regular self breast examinations.  BreastMRIis an additional screening option for women with a lifetime risk of breast cancer greater than 30%.[/expand][expand title=”What are the modifiable risk factors for breast cancer?” rel=”tips-highlander” trigclass=”collapsehead”]Obesity, lack of exercise, not breastfeeding, excessive alcohol use, HRT

[/expand][expand title=”When should I start getting colon cancer screening?” rel=”tips-highlander” trigclass=”collapsehead”]  If you do not have high risk factors, you should start at age 50.

[/expand][expand title=”When should I start bone density testing?” rel=”tips-highlander” trigclass=”collapsehead”]Peak bone density occurs for most women in our 30s, after than we begin to lose bone progressively for the remainder of our lives.  This bone loss accellorates at menopause.  If you do not have high risk factors for bone loss, most women can start screening for osteroporosis after the onset of menopause.  National recommendation encourage bone density testing prior to 60 with risk factors and by age 65 without risk factors.

[/expand][expand title=”How many procedures do you do?” rel=”tips-highlander” trigclass=”collapsehead”]The most common procedures I do are colposcopies and endometrial biopsies.  These are both procedures that are done in the office, usally without anesthesia.  On average, I do one colposcopy per week and 2 endometrial biopsies per week.  For hospital procedures with anesthesia, the most common procedure I do is hysterectomy (vaginal, abdominal, and laparoscopic), followed by laparoscopy then hysteroscopy and endometrial ablations.  In total, I perform ??? hospital procedures per year.

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[expand title=”What cancers can I obtain screening tests for?” rel=”tips-highlander” trigclass=”collapsehead”]There are screening tests available for breast, colon, skin, and cervical cancer.  Obviously, there are many more cancers for which we do not yet have reliable screening tests.[/expand][expand title=”What can I do to reduce my risk of cancer?” rel=”tips-highlander” trigclass=”collapsehead”]1. eat right  2. get active  3. quit smoking  4. get regular health checks  5. protect my skin.  See the American Cancer Societies website for lots of cancer prevention options. Join the “Choose You” Campaign at www.chooseyou.com.[/expand][expand title=”What are the leading causes of death for women?” rel=”tips-highlander” trigclass=”collapsehead”]Heart disease and cancer are by far the most common cause of death in women.  Other conditions associated with death include stroke, chronic respiratory disease, Alzheimer’s disease and unintentional injuries.[/expand][expand title=”What is my hormone therapy philosophy?” rel=”tips-highlander” trigclass=”collapsehead”]I believe hormone therapy is an effective treatment for menopausal symptoms.  As with all therapies and intervention, they are not without risk.  Each individual much decide, after discussion with your provider, whether the benefit of the therapy is greater than its risk.  Hormones should be used in the lowest effective dose and for the shortest duration possible.[/expand][expand title=”Do I prescribe bioidentical hormones?” rel=”tips-highlander” trigclass=”collapsehead”]Yes I will prescribe them and I agree with the North American Menopause Society’s position on bioidentical hormones.[/expand]