General Gynecology - Colorado Springs CO

Abnormal Uterine Bleeding

Abnormal uterine bleeding is a common condition that is defined as heavy menstrual flow, or unexpected or prolonged bleeding. The incidence of abnormal uterine bleeding increases as women grow older.

Adenomyosis

Adenomyosis, a form of endometriosis, is a condition whereby endometrial tissue implants itself within the uterine musculature.

Adnexal Torsion

Adnexal torsion is an infrequent but serious cause of acute (sudden onset) abdominal pain. Studies have shown that adnexal torsion accounts for 2.5% of all gynecologic surgical emergencies in the United States.

Allergies

An allergy is defined as a harmful, increased susceptibility to a specific substance,also known as hypersensitivity.

Anovulation

Cycles are often irregular during the first 2 years after the onset of menstruation. These early cycles are often anovulatory-there is no ovulation during the menstrual cycle and therefore the luteal phase does not occur properly.

Asherman's Syndrome

Asherman's syndrome is characterized by intrauterine adhesions that typically occur as a result of scar formation after uterine surgery, especially after a dilatation and curettage.

Bacterial Vaginosis

Vaginitis is usually characterized by a vaginal discharge or by vulvar itching and irritation; a vaginal odor may be present.

Bartholin's Duct Cyst

Bartholin's duct cysts and abscesses are common vaginal lesions that can cause a lot of discomfort.

Benign Ovarian Cysts

Non-cancerous ovarian cysts are common among women of reproductive age. Doctors often rule out cancer before diagnosing a condition such as benign ovarian cysts.

Benign Ovarian Tumors

Ovarian masses and cysts are common in women. It is important to realize that the vast majority of these are benign.

Biopsy

Many medical conditions, including all cases of cancer, must be diagnosed by removing a sample of tissue from the patient and sending it to a pathologist for examination.

Bladder Control

The involuntary loss of urine is called incontience. There are a number of causes and a wide variety of available treatments.

Breast Pain

Breast pain, also called mastalgia, is tenderness of the breasts that can occur at any time in a woman's life. It may or may not be associated with her menstrual cycle. Breast pain is not necessarily an indication of a more serious condition.

Candidiasis

Candidiasis is an infection caused by a yeast (candida albicans).

Cervical Polyps

Cervical polyps are growths originating from the mucosal surface or inside lining of the cervix which project from the cervical wall on stalks. They can appear singly or in groups and are most common in women over age 40.

Cervicitis

Cervicitis may be caused by a non-sexually transmitted infection of the cervix, or by one of several sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

Colposcopy

A colposcopy is a procedure in which the cervix is visualized through a colposcope (an instrument similar to a microscope).

Cysts

A cyst is a closed pocket or pouch of tissue, which may be filled with air, fluid, pus, or other material.

DES (Diethylstilbestrol)

DES (diethylstilbestrol) is a synthetic form of estrogen, a female hormone. It was prescribed from the early 1940s until 1971 to help women with certain complications of pregnancy. It is no longer used.

Douching

Despite all the advertising by manufacturers of feminine hygiene products, there are no practical reasons for women to douche on a regular basis.

Dysfunctional Uterine Bleeding

Dysfunctional uterine bleeding is a term used to describe abnormal bleeding from the uterus that is not explained by an anatomic lesion of the uterus.

Dysmenorrhea

Dysmenorrhea, or uterine cramping at the onset or during menstruation, is a symptom and is not a condition or disease.

Endometrial Ablation

Endometrial ablation is a procedure in which the uterine lining is destroyed either with a laser electrosurgery, or another method.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis can present itself in many different ways, but most common is pain in the pelvic region particularly during menstrual periods.

Enterocele

An enterocele is one of several pelvic organ support problems. It is like a hernia that occurs in the vagina.

Female Genital Cutting/Circumcision

Female genital cutting (FGC) is the collective name given to traditional practices that involve the partial or total cutting away of the female external genitalia or other injury to the female genitals, whether for cultural or other non-therapeutic reasons.

Fibrocystic Breast Disease

Fibrocystic Breast Disease is not really a disease, but a common condition in which breast pain, cysts, and noncancerous lumps occur together.

Gartner's Duct Cyst

Gartner's duct cysts are vaginal or vulvar cysts that are of embryologic origin. The majority of these cysts are small and display no symptoms.

Heart Failure

Heart failure occurs when the heart loses its natural ability to pump enough blood through the body.

Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy is the most common non-pregnancy related major surgery performed on women in the United States. Approximately 600,000 women undergo this procedure every year. Hysterectomy refers to surgical removal of the uterus. Frequently, the ovaries are removed at the same time. Hysterectomy is widely accepted both by medical professionals and the public as appropriate treatment for uterine cancer and for various common non-cancerous uterine conditions that can produce disabling symptoms of pain, discomfort, uterine bleeding, emotional distress, and related complaints. Yet, while hysterectomy can alleviate uterine problems, less invasive treatments are available for some conditions.

Interstitial Cystitis

Interstitial cystitis is a painful inflammation of the tissues of the bladder wall. There is no infection present.

Labial Adhesions

Labial adhesions occur in prepubertal girls and in older women following menopause. The cause of labial adhesions is not known, but it is probably related to low levels of estrogen in these two age groups.

Lichen Sclerosis

Lichen sclerosus is a painful skin condition that affects the vulval and perianal area. This condition falls under the general category of vulvodaynia.

Nabothian Cysts

Nabothian cysts are mucous cysts formed in the Nabothian gland of the cervix. They are also called cervical cysts.

Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis leads to 1.5 million fractures or breaks per year, occurring mostly in the hip, spine, and wrist. It costs $14 billion annually, and threatens 28 million Americans. Osteoporosis which means "porous bones," is a condition of excessive skeletal fragility resulting in bones that break easily.

Painful Urination

This symptom describes pain, discomfort, or a burning sensation when urinating.

Pap Smear

The Pap test is a way to examine cells collected from the cervix and vagina. This test can show the presence of infection, inflammation, abnormal cells, or cancer.

Pelvic Floor Biofeedback

Biofeedback is the visual and/or auditory response of a machine programmed to measure changes in the human body's physiological activity.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease

The most serious and common complication of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among women is pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), an infection of the upper genital tract.

Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Genital prolapse is the protrusion or projection of pelvic organs into the vagina or outside the vaginal opening.

Perimenopause

Perimenopause is the 'around menopause' stage. Knowing what to expect, as well as how to handle the changes that occur can help make the best of this transitional phase.

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome occurs in women of reproductive age. Symptoms include infrequent, irregular, or absent menstruation.

Postmenopausal Bleeding

Vaginal and/or genital bleeding in women who are in the menopause is abnormal unless it is related to hormone replacement therapy.

Postpartum Sterilization

Surgical sterilization is a common form of contraception chosen by many women. Worldwide over 170 million women use this method of birth control.

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)

Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) is a group of physical and emotional symptoms that occur before your menstrual period begins. The symptoms occur 2 to 14 days before your period begins and decrease or disappear when your period starts.

Pruritus Vulvae (Vulvar and Vaginal Itching)

Pruritus vulvae is the persistent itching of the vagina and the surrounding area.

Rectocele

Rectocele is one of many pelvic organ support problems. Each year many women endure pelvic organ prolapse, and many undergo surgical procedures for correction of these problems.

Rectovaginal Fistulas

Rectovaginal fistulas are usually the result of obstetrical trauma. In underdeveloped countries, these fistulas are often the result of prolonged labor and prolonged pressure on the tissues between the vagina and the rectum.

Sebaceous Cysts

A sebaceous cyst is a benign, slow-growing bump containing dead skin, skin excretions, and other skin particles. They can appear anywhere on the body, but most commonly appear on the scalp, ears, face, back, and vulvar region or scrotum.

Trichomoniasis

Vaginitis is usually characterized by a vaginal discharge or vulvar itching and irritation; a vaginal odor may be present.

TSS: Reducing the Risk

TSS is a rare but potentially fatal disease that, when related to menstruation, occurs most frequently in young women aged 15 to 24, usually in association with tampon use.

Urinary Tract Infection

A urinary tract infection (UTI) occurs when microorganisms, usually bacteria from the digestive tract, cling to the opening of the urethra and begin to multiply.

Uterine and Vaginal Prolapse

Each year many women endure pelvic organ support problems (pelvic organ prolapse). There are surgical and non-surgical treatment options. These disorders usually are the result of trauma to the pelvic connective tissue and muscles, and often are the result of childbirth. The surgical procedures to correct these defects are considered elective, since women are at no medical risk.

Uterine prolapse is when the uterus drops down into the vagina. The distance of the descent of the uterus may vary. Your physician will grade the degree of your prolapse, and treatment options will be dependent on the grade and your symptoms. Mild prolapse may need no treatment. More significant uterine prolapse may cause women to have pelvic pressure, or the sensation that something is "falling out of the vagina."

Vaginal prolapse can occur after hysterectomy. This is when the highest point of the vagina loses its support and drops within itself. Women with this problem often notice a bulge in the vaginal area and may notice bladder and bowel dysfunction.

Uterine Fibroids

Fibroids are the most common tumor of the uterus. Most don't cause symptoms. However, when they do, a variety of treatments are available.

Uterosacral Nerve Ablation

Laparoscopic uterosacral nerve ablation is a procedure that uses denervation (destruction of the nerves) of the uterus to relieve pain.

Vaginitis

Vaginitis is a medical term that is used to refer to any infection or inflammation of the vagina. The symptoms of vaginitis are common and most women will have at least one form of vaginitis in their lifetime.

Vaginitis Candidiasis (Yeast Infection)

Vaginitis is usually characterized by a vaginal discharge or vulvar itching and irritation; a vaginal odor may be present.

Vesicovaginal Fistulas

Vesicovaginal fistulas (connections between the vagina and bladder) are rare complications seen in the United States, but are fairly common in developing countries.

Vulvitis

Vulvitis is the inflammation of the external female genitalia, called the vulva. It can be caused by the vulva coming in contact with irritants that can cause dermatitis, eczema, or allergic reactions.

Vulvodynia

Vulvodynia is a chronic pain condition that can be severely debilitating to a woman. It is a common symptom that affects people of all ages, races, and backgrounds and describes persistent vulvar pain.