Here is our third and final slideshow (for now) of your wonderful children! Enjoy! Enjoy! Enjoy!
Slideshow of Children Delivered by VPFW!
March 8th, 2010Oral Contrapceptives – Not Just for Birth Control
March 5th, 2010Birth control pills aren’t just for pregnancy prevention any more, ladies! Oral contraceptives (OCs) are about 99% effective for preventing pregnancy when taken properly, but there are numerous other benefits that pill users observe. Most women taking OCs will experience a very predictable menstrual period every 28 days that is lighter and perhaps shorter than the periods they are accustomed to. For this reason, birth control pills can be used to treat heavy or irregular cycles (your doctor may recommend certain diagnostic tests to first rule out medical problems that could be causing your menstrual irregularities). Oral contraceptives also improve menstrual cramps. Most women will experience a reduction in cramps and may even find that they are eliminated. Some women also experience other physical symptoms associated with their periods, such as bloating, nausea, lightheadedness, or headaches. Many of these complaints may improve when taking OCs as well.
If you are one of the millions of women who suffer from pre-menstrual mood changes, OCs may help with that, too. Certain pills will reduce complaints of menstrual-associated irritability, anxiety, depression, crying spells, and angry outbursts. If your family tells you they don’t like being around you when “it’s that time of the month,” ask your doctor whether OCs might help. Do you feel like you’ve tried every product at the drugstore to treat your acne? Most OCs will dramatically improve mild to moderate acne and may eliminate the need for other acne treatments. Birth control pills may also help with unwanted hair growth, also called hirsutism. The hormones in OCs may prevent further growth of coarse or dark hairs on the face and chest (again, your doctor might recommend blood work to rule out hormone problems in some instances).
Many women experience benign (non-cancerous) cysts or lumpy areas in their breasts called fibrocystic changes. Birth control pills may reduce these changes and reduce benign cysts in the breasts. Some women will notice breast tenderness when they first start taking OCs. This is a harmless side effect and usually will improve after the first month. However, OCs may increase the risk of certain types of breast cancer. Although this is felt to be a small risk overall, certain patients with personal or strong family histories of breast cancer shouldn’t take OCs, so this needs to be discussed with your physician. Have you ever experienced a painful ovarian cyst? Most are benign and go away without surgery, but they can cause significant pain. Birth control pills can significantly reduce your risk of ovarian cysts by preventing ovulation. Even better, OCs reduce the risk of both ovarian and endometrial (uterine) cancer!
Birth control can even be used to make periods less frequent, something which is especially helpful in women who experience intolerable pain or other symptoms along with their periods. There are now OCs available that safely reduce periods to once every 3 months or even eliminate periods over time (there’s usually an adjustment period during which you may have some unpredictable bleeding). But wait, the choices don’t stop there! If you don’t want to take a pill every day or feel that you might be forgetful, you can get the same benefits of OCs by using a convenient weekly adhesive patch or a monthly vaginal ring. Both of these options contain hormones similar to those found in OCs, and offer the same overall benefits. Please keep in mind that, although hormonal birth control is felt to be safe for the majority of women, taking these medications may increase your risk of stroke, heart attacks, blood clots, and high blood pressure. Smokers (especially over the age of 35) or women with certain medical problems therefore should not take OCs, and this needs to be discussed with your doctor. Many of our patients have recently asked us about television ads, which mention some of these risks associated with certain brands of birth control pills. Be aware that these risks exist with all estrogen-containing hormonal contraceptives and that the risks are likely not significantly different between brands. If you have any questions about the birth control you are currently taking, or if you are thinking of starting OCs for some of the benefits detailed above, your VPFW doctor will be happy to answer all of your questions!
Mary Lynn Coble, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.
Slideshow – More Children Delivered By VPFW
March 4th, 2010Due to the incredible amount of submissions we decided to create a second slideshow of children delivered by VPFW! Check out all of the beautiful faces! Still don’t see your child in one of our slideshows? No worries…upload your photo to our facebook page @ www.facebook.com/vapfw and we will gladly add your child’s photo!
Slideshow – Children Delivered By VPFW
March 3rd, 2010Babies! Babies! Babies! Check out our slideshow of photos that YOU submitted of children delivered by VPFW! Don’t see your child? Upload your photo and information to our facebook page @ www.facebook.com/vapfw and we will add your picture too!
RTD Correction – VPFW Name Used in Incorrect Reporting
February 26th, 2010Virginia Physicians for Women, would like to correct an article published in February 24th Richmond Times Dispatch, entitled “Payments to Lawyers from birth-injury fund ordered”. The author erroneously wrote “the LeClair Ryan law firm in Richmond, representing Dr. Shannon Weatherford and Virginia Physicians for Women”. Please note that Virginia Physicians for Women has never employed Dr. Weatherford and we are not involved in this case. The delivery and care of the mother and baby in this case was not provided by any of Virginia Physicians for Women’s physicians.
We wish to strongly emphasize that we are very disappointed that all of the facts in this case were not thoroughly researched before this article was printed. We take great pride in the quality of care that we deliver to you, our patients, and reading this erroneous statement hurts us in a way that is difficult to measure but nonetheless is felt personally by each of our physicians. The Richmond Times Dispatch has corrected their on-line content and will print a correction in tomorrow’s paper. Because of the seriousness of this false reporting and the fact that retractions or corrections are often time never seen, we felt that it was important to notify our patients directly about the incorrect reporting.
Warren Broocker, M.D.
President, Virginia Physicians for Women
Abnormal Bleeding – A Note from Dr. Todd E. Billett, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.
February 22nd, 2010Abnormal uterine bleeding is a common problem among women seeing their gynecologist. Abnormal bleeding includes complaints of:
• heavy of prolonged periods
• bleeding between periods
• bleeding after sex
• bleeding after menopause
• bleeding during pregnancy
• infrequent or no bleeding
The causes of abnormal bleeding may include:
• hormonal imbalances associated with annovulation
• uterine fibroids (benign tumors)
• uterine polyps
• gynecologic cancers
• miscarriage
• ectopic pregnancy
• blood clotting disorders
Your gynecologist can determine the appropriate course of evaluation which may include bloodwork, ultrasound, and/or biopsy.
The treatment of abnormal bleeding depends on the cause and may involve medication (hormonal and non-hormonal), minor surgical procedures (D&C, endometrial ablation, laparoscopy) and/or major surgical procedures (hysterectomy).
If you experience abnormal bleeding be sure to consult your physician, sooner rather than later, so that an accurate diagnosis can be made and a suitable course of treatment begun.
Bladder Health and Continence
February 18th, 2010More than 13 million people in the US suffer with urinary incontinence and 85% of them are women. Varying degrees of urinary incontinence may be the end result of “normal” life stresses such as pregnancy and childbirth over the years, but whatever the cause, it’s unnecessary for anyone to be limited by this condition. Our physicians offer state of the art evaluation and innovative therapies that help women regain control of their bodies and their lives.
Half of all women experience urinary incontinence at some point in their lives. Unfortunately, most of these women suffer in silence. You don’t have to. If you answer “yes” to any of the following questions, call us, we can help.
- Do you usually have a strong sense of urgency to urinate?
- Do you have difficulty starting your urine stream?
- Have you been treated for 3 or more urinary infections?
- Do you lose urine while coughing, laughing, sneezing, lifting, or running?
- Does the loss of urine affect your quality of life?
We offer Urodynamic testing. This is a simple, painless study that allows your physician to evaluate any problems with your bladder. The test will take about 15-30 minutes to complete. It does not involve any sedating medication and you will not require any out-of-the-ordinary assistance getting home. Wear normal street clothes to your appointment.
A small tube will be placed in your bladder while another tube may be placed in your vagina or rectum. These tubes will be used to fill your bladder with a sterile solution and to measure any pressures generated in your bladder at the same time. You may be asked to report any sensations you feel during this time and to cough, bear down or stand.
The results of this test will allow your physician to decide on a treatment that is best for your specific type of problem. By doing this, your chances of a successful outcome increases.
Check out our informative video by clicking the link below.
Services Beyond Your Expectations
February 14th, 2010
VPFW is proud to announce the addition of Andrea Stafford, a VA board of nursing certified massage therapist. She provides services such as Swedish, deep tissue, mycofascial, prenatal and post partum massages. These massages provide benefits to our patients such as alleviating back pain, reducing stress, improving circulation and increasing joint flexibility. Her schedule is open and we are excited about this new addition to the practice, so call to schedule your appointment today.
Prepregnancy Health, A Note from Dr. Stephen Bendheim
February 14th, 2010
Stephen H. Bendheim, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.
Ben Franklin said, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”, and while pregnancy is not a disease state, good health and planning prior to conception is optimal.
As Obstetrician/Gynecologists it is not uncommon for us to see patients who are of reproductive age and not using contraception. When asked about the risk of getting pregnant, we often hear–”I’m not really trying but if it happens it happens”. In fact, approximately 49% of all pregnancies in this country are unplanned. Often these women only find out they’re pregnant days or weeks after missing a period or once early pregnancy symptoms appear. The days that pass before recognition of the pregnancy are very important for a developing fetus. One’s health and nutritional status may have an impact on the baby’s growth and development. It is thus important for a woman who plans to conceive to consult with her physician before getting pregnant. It is equally important for those women not ready to conceive to seek reliable contraception.
The prepregnancy visit should occur well before a planned conception. At the visit a woman’s physician will review her history thoroughly, including but not necessarily limited to, her past medical and surgical history, reproductive history, medications and habits. He or she will also obtain a family history and a genetic history pertaining to the patient and her partner. An examination may or may not be performed depending on the practitioner’s familiarity with the patient or his/her preference.
Once all this information has been obtained, recommendations can be made regarding laboratory testing, good health practices and modification of risk factors. In some instances, planned timing of conception may be delayed in order to address pre-existing conditions or changes in medications that may not be safe for a developing fetus. By doing this we can give both mother and baby the best chances for a healthy gestation.
In conclusion, pregnancy is a normal physiologic state. Conditions that may complicate pregnancy, however, are not uncommon. A healthy lifestyle and modification of risk factors, among other things, may reduce risks in a future pregnancy. We at VPFW thus encourage all women who wish to conceive, as well as women who are sexually active, but not actively trying to conceive, to schedule a consultation. Our goals are the same, healthy mothers with healthy babies, and often, with a little forethought, we can make a difference.
Urinary Incontinence – Definitely NOT a Normal Part of Aging!
January 31st, 2010
Bryan Maxwell, DO, F.A.C.O.G
Welcome to the VPFW Blog!! My name is Dr. Bryan Maxwell and I am a board-certified OBGYN physician at Virginia Physicians For Women. I have a special interest in the evaluation and management of Urinary Incontinence. I will be using this blog to share information regarding Urinary Incontinence and the ways in which the physicians of VPFW can help improve your quality of life.
Although considered by some women to be a “natural part of aging”, Urinary Incontinence is NEVER normal or natural. In fact, the average age when a woman first experiences symptoms of Urinary Incontinence is 44. Indeed approximately 40% of women first experience incontinence symptoms before they are 40, and 23% have symptoms before the age 30. These symptoms can be severely debilitating and no woman should suffer without treatment.
I will be regularly posting updates to this Blog as we seek to educate our patients about the various ways we can assist in the evaluation and treatment of Urinary Incontinence. Please feel free to ask questions related to this important topic.
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