Highland Women's Care

 

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 		 Essure
The Essure procedure is different than the traditional method of a surgical tubal ligation. With Essure there is no cutting into the body. Instead, Dr Martin inserts spring-like coils, called micro-inserts, through the body’s natural pathways (vagina, cervix, and uterus) and into your fallopian tubes. The procedure can be performed in the comfort of our Kunkle Blvd office without general anesthesia .

During the first 3 months following the procedure, your body and the micro-inserts work together to form a tissue barrier that prevents sperm from reaching the egg. During this period, you will need to use another form of birth control.

After 3 months you will have an Essure Confirmation Test, a special type of x-ray to confirm that your tubes are completely blocked and you can rely on the Essure micro-inserts for birth control. Unlike birth control pills, patches, rings, and some forms of IUDs, Essure does not contain hormones to interfere with your natural menstrual cycle. Your periods should more or less continue in their natural state.

The Essure procedure is the first and only FDA approved female sterilization procedure to have zero pregnancies in the clinical trials. The Essure procedure is permanent and is NOT reversible. Therefore, you should be sure you do not want children in the future. Visit the Essure website for more details or call our office at 815-233-0999.

NovaSure

The NovaSure procedure is a one time endometrial ablation treatment which gently removes the lining of the uterus to control heavy bleeding. Without side effects of hormones or having a hysterectomy, NovaSure is a minor procedure with quick recovery time. Visit the NovaSure website for more details or call our office at 815-233-0999.

Implanon

Implanon is a form of birth control that is more than 99% effective (talk with Dr Martin for details). It is a flexible plastic rod the size of a matchstick that is put under the skin of your arm in an in-office procedure that lasts up to 3 years. Efficacy does not depend on daily, weekly or monthly dosing and is reversible. Visit the Implanon website for more details or call our office at 815-233-0999.
Urodynamic Testing

Incontinence comes in many forms, but the three most prevalent are stress, urge and mixed.

  • Stress incontinence is characterized by urine leakage due to increased abdominal pressure. If you suffer from stress incontinence, you may experience short spurts of urine loss when coughing, sneezing, laughing, running and jumping.
  • Urge incontinence is most frequently associated with an inability to make it to the bathroom in time. If you suffer from urge incontinence, your bladder empties completely and automatically in response to physiological triggers.
  • Mixed incontinence is represented by a combination of the symptoms with stress and urge incontinence noted above. This may require a combination of medical therapy and/or surgical therapy.

Urodynamics is a study that assesses how the bladder and urethra are performing their job of storing and releasing urine. Urodynamic testing is performed in our office to help Dr Martin see how well your bladder and sphincter muscles work and can help explain symptoms such as:

  • Incontinence
  • Frequent urination
  • Sudden, strong urges to urinate
  • Problems starting a urine stream
  • Painful urination
  • Problems emptying your bladder completely
  • Recurrent urinary tract infection

Incontinence is not a normal part of the aging process and you do not have to live with such symptoms. Urinary incontinence is highly curable and new innovations are making treatments safe and extremely effective. Call the office today at 815-233-0999 for more information.

Is the HPV vaccine for cervical cancer right for you?

Cervical Cancer article by Sara Smith APN/CNP

HPV Types 16 and 18 cause 70% of cervical cancer cases, and HPV Types 6 and 11 cause 90% of genital warts cases. GARDASIL may not fully protect everyone and does not prevent all types of cervical cancer, so it is important to continue regular cervical cancer screenings. GARDASIL is for girls and women ages 9 to 26. GARDASIL works when given before you have any contact with HPV Types 6, 11, 16, and 18.

If you've already been infected with HPV, you may still benefit from GARDASIL because it is unlikely that you have been infected with all 4 types of the virus covered by the vaccine. Dr Martin and Sara Smith APN/CNP can help you understand more.

GARDASIL is given as 3 injections over 6 months.

  • First dose: At a date you choose
  • Second dose: 2 months after the first dose
  • Third dose: 6 months after the first dose
GARDASIL will not treat diseases and will not protect against diseases caused by other types of HPV. It is not for women who are pregnant or women who are allergic to the ingredients of GARDASIL. Talk to Dr Martin or Sara Smith APN/CNP today if you have questions regarding whether the vaccine is right for you or your daughter.