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• What age should my daughter
have her first pap?
Current guidelines say age 21, or 2 years after their first sexual encounter. Older
guidelines said age 18 or when they become sexually active, whichever comes first.
We prefer to begin around age 16 or 17, if possible, to begin health prevention
discussions. They can be seen for an annual and not have the pap portion of their
exam if they are not ready. If they have had sex, we encourage the pap portions
to screen for STD's.
• What is the best way to lose
weight?
We offer extensive diet/exercise planning that is individualized to each patient.
Schedule an appointment with our nurse practitioner for details
• What is the best way to combat
depression/anxiety?
Exercise, counseling and/or medication can be implemented as needed. Exercise has
been shown to be equally effective as Prozac 20mg if done for one hour daily. However,
when you are clinically depressed, getting out of bed may be a daunting task and
medication may be required first.
• What is the best way to get
pregnant?
Ideally, try to time sex to occur when you are ovulating. When is this? If you have
a 28 day cycle, it is usually around day 12-16. If you are unsure, you can buy and
over the counter ovulation kit for better accuracy. It is also better to have sex
once every other day around your ovulation time, rather than to have sex numerous
times on one day only.
• How long does it take the average
couple to get pregnant?
• What can I expect as I go through
menopause?
The average age of menopause is 51. You may notice that your menses occur more often,
around 21 days instead of every 28, or that your periods begin to get heavier. You
may then start to notice one or several of the following: forgetfulness, dry skin,
increased wrinkling, increased palpitations, increased LDL cholesterol, urinary
incontinence, vaginal dryness, decreased libido, decreased height, insomnia and
generalized moodiness. Some women go through menopause without any symptoms at all.
Make sure that you get your calcium and vitamin D (1300 and 800IU) in two divided
doses daily. You’ll also want to get a baseline bone density as well as keep up
with your mammograms yearly. Colonoscopy screening should begin at age 50, or sooner
if you notice bowl changes or have a family history of colon cancer.
• What can I do if I have painful
and heavy periods?
First you would want to schedule an appointment for a formal evaluation that may
include a pelvic exam, pelvic sonogram and a lab draw. We offer many medications
that can be useful. Those include anti-inflammatory medications for pain or one
of the many types of birth control that are great for thinning the lining of the
uterus, therefore making your periods lighter.
We also provide procedures like the Novasure, which is a 90 second in-office procedure
using thermal ablation of uterine lining, that will most likely stop your periods
all together. This can even be done in our office now.
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