Women's Health
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Commonwealth Internal Medicine
Internal Medicine & Primary Care Practice located in Fredericksburg, VA
Women are designed differently than men and have a unique subset of health care needs. The dedicated team of medical professionals at Commonwealth Internal Medicine is experienced in diagnosing and treating women’s health conditions and performing screenings and Pap smears to pick up the earliest signs of problems with your reproductive system. Call the office in Fredericksburg, Virginia, today to schedule a well-woman checkup.
Women's Health Q & A
What is women’s health?
Women’s health focuses on the female reproductive system and related problems. The types of conditions that come under women’s health include:
- Menstrual problems
- Painful intercourse
- Hormonal imbalances
- Endometriosis
- Prolapsed organs
- Yeast and bacterial infections
- Vaginal atrophy
- Ovarian cysts
- Uterine fibroids
Cancer can also affect women’s reproductive organs. Examples include cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, and uterine cancer, as well as breast cancer. Regular health screenings and an annual physical or well-woman checkup are vital to ensuring women’s health.
What’s involved in a well-woman checkup?
A well-woman checkup each year involves a pelvic exam where your provider at Commonwealth Internal Medicine carries out an internal exam to check for signs of any infection or abnormality. You can also undergo screening tests for several sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
You should have a Pap smear to check for early signs of cervical cancer. Your provider takes a sample of cells from your cervix using a swab, which they send to the lab for analysis. Catching cervical cancer early significantly increases the effectiveness of treatment and your chances of recovery.
What are some other women’s health services you offer?
You might need to discuss birth control with your provider at Commonwealth Internal Medicine. Preventing unwanted pregnancy is vital for your well-being, so choosing the best method for your personal circumstances is essential.
When you’re ready to start a family, you might encounter problems with fertility. This can often be due to underlying problems, such as endometriosis, which your provider can diagnose and treat.
Later on in life, menopause can cause some women considerable problems. This time of life signals the end of fertility and results from a natural slowing down of the production of female sex hormones. Unfortunately, the reduction in hormone levels can cause some unpleasant side effects, such as:
- Hot flashes
- Vaginal dryness
- Night sweats
- Incontinence
- Sleep problems
- Depression
- Dry hair and skin
Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can be an effective treatment for many women, but the team at Commonwealth Internal Medicine also offers effective alternatives for women who can’t or prefer not to take HRT.
If you’re due for a well-woman checkup or a Pap smear, or you’re concerned about any other women’s health issues, call Commonwealth Internal Medicine today.
