Gynecology

This procedure (also called a "D&C") removes tissue from inside your uterus. Your uterus is the organ responsible for pregnancies and menstrual periods. We may do a D&C to get a sample of tissue to study. We call this a "biopsy". We may do it to treat a problem inside your uterus. Or, we may do it to clear away tissue that was left behind after a miscarriage or a delivery.

This lets your surgeon examine and treat problems of organs in your pelvic area. It's done with a viewing device called a "laparoscope."

This outpatient procedure reshapes or reduces the size of the labia minora, commonly called the inner lips of the vagina. These are the flaps of skin on both sides of the vaginal canal. Some women have large, protruding or irregularly-shaped labia minora, and this can be uncomfortable and may cause a woman to feel self-conscious. Labiaplasty can give the labia an appearance that a woman believes is more standard.

This test looks for abnormal cells on your cervix. That's the lower part of your uterus. We do this test to find cells that may become cancer. It also helps us find cancer that is still in its early stages.

This surgery repairs a damaged perineum. That's the space between your vagina and anus. We use this surgery to fix problems linked to childbirth or some other injury. It treats scar tissue that has formed after a tear. It can help strengthen the area around weakened vaginal walls. And it may help relieve pain you feel during sex.

Endometrial biopsy is a procedure used to study the lining of the uterus. It is usually done in your healthcare provider's office.

Endometrial ablation is an outpatient surgery that can reduce or stop heavy uterine bleeding. Treatment takes less than an hour, and you can go home later that day.

A cone biopsy is a quick outpatient surgery used to find and treat a problem in the cervix. Your healthcare provider may do a cone biopsy if 1 or more Pap tests and a colposcopy (microscope) exam showed abnormal cells on your cervix.

Colposcopy is a procedure that gives your health care provider a magnified view of the cervix. It is done using a lighted microscope called a colposcope. In most cases, a sample of cervical cells is taken during a biopsy.

Tubal sterilization is one of the most effective forms of birth control. It blocks the egg from being fertilized by sperm. This prevents pregnancy.

Endometriosis can cause symptoms such as pain. The condition can also cause trouble getting pregnant. But endometriosis can be treated. Hormones and surgery are the most common options. Talk with your healthcare provider.

Pelvic laparoscopy is often used to diagnose and treat the causes of pelvic problems, such as pain and infertility.

Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure is an effective outpatient treatment for abnormal cell growth. A fine wire loop with a special high-frequency current allows your healthcare provider to precisely remove the abnormal tissue from your cervix.

Your healthcare provider has recommended you have a dilation and curettage. This common procedure helps your healthcare provider learn more about problems inside your uterus or is done to treat a miscarriage.

Pelvic ultrasound is an imaging test that uses sound waves to form pictures of your organs. It can help assess pain or other symptoms within your pelvis. In pregnant women, it is used to check the health of the unborn baby.

Cervical cryotherapy is a procedure that removes abnormal cells from the cervix. Here's what you need to know about the procedure.

You may go home the day of surgery, or you may stay in the hospital for 1 or more days. The length of your stay is based on the surgery you had.

If your pelvic organ prolapse is mild or doesn't bother you much, or if you have health conditions that make surgery too risky, nonsurgical treatment may be a good choice. A device (pessary) to wear in your vagina can help ease your symptoms. You may also be given certain exercises (Kegels) and asked to make lifestyle changes.

Cystocele is when the bladder sags into the vagina. The goal of surgery is to repair the problem and relieve your symptoms. Your surgery may include one or more repairs.

Urinary incontinence (urine leakage) can be treated during pelvic organ prolapse surgery. The goal of surgery is to hold the urethra and bladder firmly in place to prevent leakage and relieve your symptoms.

Rectocele is when the rectum bulges into the vagina. Enterocele is when the small intestine bulges into the vagina. The goal of surgery is to repair the problem and relieve your symptoms.

Uterine prolapse is when the uterus drops into the vagina. In severe cases, the uterus can stick out from the vagina. The goal of surgery is to fix the problem and relieve your symptoms.

Vaginal vault prolapse is when the walls of the vagina fall in on themselves. This can happen after the uterus has been removed.

A cone biopsy is a quick outpatient surgery used to find and treat a problem in the cervix. It takes less than an hour, and you'll be able to go home the same day.

Many reproductive organ surgeries are done using laparoscopy. Most often, the goal of surgery is to find and sometimes treat a problem. Here are some common reasons women may need this type of surgery.

Transvaginal ultrasound uses a special probe that is placed directly into the vagina. This gives a clearer picture of the uterus, ovaries, and other pelvic organs.

Learn what to expect during a laparoscopic tubal sterilization.

Laparoscopic tubal sterilization is an effective form of permanent birth control.

As soon as PID has been diagnosed, it should treated with antibiotics. Two or more types of antibiotics may be taken at the same time. This ensures that all the bacteria are killed. It's very important to take all of your medicine as prescribed, or the infection may not go away.

The reasons for having this procedure vary from person to person. Here are ways to care for yourself at home.

There is no cure for endometriosis, but you can be treated. You and your doctor decided on laparoscopic treatment for you. Here's what you can do at home to help you recover.

Here's what you can do to speed your recovery following your surgical sterilization.

You had surgery to remove one or both of your ovaries Here are instructions to help you recover at home.

Pelvic laparoscopy lets your doctor directly see the reproductive organs. He or she can see what's causing problems. Problems may include pain, bleeding, or trouble getting pregnant.

Robotic-assisted sacrocolpopexy is a type of surgery. It's done to repair pelvic organ prolapse. The surgery is done with special tools and a robotic controller.

Uterine ultrasound is a test that uses sound waves and a computer to make pictures of the inside of the uterus. It is safe and fairly painless. It does not use radiation.

Robotic-assisted sacrocolpopexy is a type of surgery. It's done to repair pelvic organ prolapse. The surgery is done with special tools and a robotic controller.

Uterine ulstrasound is a test that uses sound waves and a computer to make pictures of the inside of the uterus. It is safe and painless. It does not use radiation.

A bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is a type of surgery. During the surgery, a surgeon removes both ovaries and fallopian tubes from your pelvis.

This surgery fixes an ovary that has twisted. When such twisting happens, it's called ovarian torsion.

An ovarian cystectomy is a type of surgery. It removes a cyst from your ovaries. It's usually done only if the cyst is large or painful.

A unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy is a type of surgery. A surgeon removes one ovary and one fallopian tube from your pelvis. Read on for details about the surgery.

Endocervical curettage is when the healthcare provider takes some tissue from inside your cervix. This tissue is sent to a lab. It is checked for any problems, such as cancer.

Manual vacuum aspiration (MVA) is a type of abortion. It's a procedure that ends an early pregnancy. It uses gentle suction to empty the uterus.

Watch this to learn what happens in the body when someone has endometriosis.

This minimally-invasive surgical procedure is performed to remove a cyst that has developed on an ovary. It is performed with the aid of a lighted viewing telescope, called a laparoscope, and is performed in an outpatient setting.

A cyst is often a fluid-filled sac, like a small water balloon. Cysts are almost always harmless, and many go away on their own. Here are details about different types of cysts.

Read on to learn about ovarian cysts, including treatment when one ruptures and follow-up care.

An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac that forms on or inside an ovary. These cysts are very common in women of all ages.

Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is when the ovaries stop working normally before the age of 40. An ovary does not release an egg each month as it should. This can cause symptoms and make it much less likely to get pregnant.

An ovarian cyst is a fluid-filled sac that forms on or inside an ovary. These cysts are very common in women of all ages.

Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is when the ovaries stop working normally before the age of 40. An ovary does not release an egg each month as it should. This can cause symptoms and make it hard to get pregnant.

This procedure removes abnormal tissue from your cervix. Your cervix is the thick-walled tunnel that connects your vagina to your uterus. Your uterus is the organ responsible for pregnancies and menstrual periods. LEEP helps us diagnose and treat problems with your cervix. It removes cells that, if left untreated, may turn into cancer.

Cells in the cervix are always changing. In some cases, these cells can change to become abnormal. This is called dysplasia. Dysplasia can turn into cancer. But with regular Pap tests, dysplasia can be caught and treated early.

This surgery, which may be done at the same time as a hysterectomy, lifts and supports your vagina. We do this surgery when the top of your vagina has collapsed and fallen out of its normal position. That's a condition called "vaginal prolapse."

This is a bulge in your vagina. It happens when the muscles of your vaginal walls weaken. This lets organs and structures move out of position and push into your vagina.

To prevent vaginitis, don't use douches (unless recommended by your health care provider), vaginal sprays, scented toilet paper, or scented pads or tampons. They contain chemicals that can irritate your vagina.

For 48 hours before the test, do not douche, use vaginal medicines or creams. For 24 hours before, do not have sexual intercourse.

The Pap test is a screening test that checks for cell changes in the cervix, the opening of the uterus. In some cases, it checks for a virus that can cause cervical cancer. If your Pap results were abnormal, you may be worried. But there is no reason to panic. An abnormal Pap test result can mean many things.

When your Pap test is sent to the lab, the lab studies your cell samples and reports any abnormal cell changes. Your healthcare provider can discuss these changes with you. In some cases, an abnormal Pap test is due to an infection.

A normal healthy vaginal environment has bacteria and other organisms. If this becomes out of balance, infection can result.

Both good and bad bacteria are present in a healthy vagina. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) occurs when these bacteria get out of balance.

Vaginal yeast infections are a type of fungal infection. Talk with your health care provider about whether you can treat it yourself.

Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted infection. Both partners need to be treated.

These steps can help you stay comfortable during treatment of a vaginal infection. They also help prevent vaginal infections in the future.

A Pap test is an important part of screening for cervical cancer, but most women don't need it every year.

During vaginoplasty, a vaginal canal and a vulva are created. Learn more about this procedure and the recovery.

During a vulvoplasty, the outer female genitals are created. This includes the clitoris and inner and outer labia. Learn more about this procedure and the recovery.

Vaginal dryness can occur for different reasons. But it's more common after someone no longer has their menstrual period (menopause).

Acute salpingitis is infection of the fallopian tubes. These 2 tubes carry the eggs from the ovary to the uterus. Pelvic pain is the main symptom of acute salpingitis.

Pain in a woman's vulva is called vulvodynia. Some women feel pain in a specific spot. Others may feel pain in different areas or over the whole area.

Fibroids are growths that usually form in the wall of your uterus. Fibroids are the most common tumor in women. They are almost always noncancer (benign) and harmless. .

A normal menstrual cycle is described. And it's rare but possible to become pregnant during your period, especially if your cycle is irregular.

Condoms can help protect you from most STDs, but they're not perfect. Sometimes they break. A condom can break if it's put on the wrong way.

Endometriosis is a disease that affects your reproductive organs and monthly menstrual cycle. Constant irritation may cause scar tissue to form. This scar tissue can cause infertility.

Birth control keeps you from getting pregnant during sex. There are many types of birth control. Some are more effective than others. New types are being tested all the time. Your healthcare provider can help you decide which type of birth control is best for you.

PID is an infection of the reproductive organs. Left untreated, it can cause severe damage to the body, including infertility.

Your uterine bleeding may be heavy. Or you may have bleeding between periods. These problems may be caused by hormonal imbalance. Or they can be caused by uterine growths, an intrauterine device (IUD), bleeding disorder, or pregnancy.

Pelvic organ prolapse is when 1 or more of the pelvic organs slip from their normal positions. Normally, muscles and tissues in the pelvic region support the pelvic organs and hold them in place.

A woman goes through many stages during her lifetime. These stages are a natural part of being a woman. Physical and emotional changes take place during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, motherhood, and menopause. These changes can affect sleep, even cause insomnia. But there are ways you can improve your sleep.

Pregnancy begins when a woman's egg and a man's sperm join. This is called conception or fertilization.

Birth control prevents pregnancy by preventing conception. Some methods prevent an egg from maturing. Some keep the sperm and egg from meeting. And some methods work in both ways.

PMS is a real condition caused by changing levels of hormones during your monthly period. No one knows why some women have PMS and others don't.

"Track your PMS symptoms to better understand when they may occur. Rank each symptom's severity from ""worst"" to ""none."" Track any other symptoms in the blank rows. At the top of the chart, circle the days of your period. This will help identify the weeks of your cycle."

Maintaining a healthy diet helps your body counter PMS. Certain foods boost serotonin levels and give you the energy to cope with symptoms. Other foods can be avoided to ease symptoms.

The trick to coping with PMS is to work helpful strategies into your daily life. Read on to learn more.

Complications from untreated PID can take many years to develop. The longer a woman has untreated PID, the greater the chance that these problems will occur.

If you have PID, talking about it can be hard. But your health is at stake. If a recent STI caused your PID, your partner must be tested and treated. If you've had PID for many years, you and your partner may now need to discuss problems such as infertility.

Pelvic congestion syndrome is a condition that causes chronic pelvic pain. It is thought to be caused by problems with the veins in the pelvic area. The pelvic area is inside the lower part of your belly (abdomen).

The Bartholin glands are on the sides of the vaginal opening. If a tube (duct) in one of these glands becomes blocked, it can cause a cyst or abscess.