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Urogynecologist FAQs
Urogynecologist FAQs
Accord Physicians Urology Division's expert in the field of female urology and gynecology with over a decade of experience, leading one of the largest specialized clinics in Brooklyn, Lyudmila Emag, answers your questions.
Is the annual pelvic exam important? Who should get it done and why?
Of course, it is very important! Unfortunately, from my experience, I can tell you that most women come to us after the appearance of painful symptoms of various gynecological and urological diseases. The most severe consequence of such "negligence" in relation to health becomes cancer and chronic inflammatory processes of the reproductive system, often leading to infertility.
These diseases could be easily avoided if there was time to detect them at an early stage in a gynecological examination.
Given this, most doctors recommend that women undergo a routine pelvic examination at least once a year, starting when they first become sexually active. In America, this is usually at age 16. By this point, women should begin discussing birth control methods and safe sex practices with their doctor. It is often recommended to begin these examinations even before the start of sexual relations.
In general, a regular visit includes a standard physical examination, a breast exam, an external and internal genital examination, and the extraction of epithelial cells for laboratory analysis.
You mentioned an opportunity to identify cancer. Can you tell us more about it?
A pelvic examination can detect a dangerous disease like cancer of the cervix at an early stage. It is very important, because at the beginning of the disease, the treatment poses no difficulties, is painless and does not force doctors to resort to surgery.
Cervical cancer is the only cancer that is caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV) 100% of the time. It is one of the most common viruses transmitted through sexual contact. 50% to 70% of sexually active people acquire this infection. Because it has no signs or symptoms, most people do not know that they are infected.
In addition to cancer in both women and men, some strains (6 and 11) may lead to the formation of genital warts.
There is another way to combat the virus through the use of the modern vaccine, Gardasil. In our clinic, we intentionally vaccinate against the four cancer-causing types of the human papillomavirus. Vaccination induces the body to develop immunity to the virus and helps prevent dangerous consequences.
What symptoms require an unexpected pelvic examination?
The reason for an unforeseen visit to a specialist can be because of a disruption in menstruation, or discharge uncharacteristic for the current phase of the menstrual cycle. Non-menstrual abdominal pain, blood in urine, absence or delay of the menstrual cycle, as well as a woman's desire to choose the safest form of contraception for herself is based on the individual characteristics of the organism.
Sometimes patients come to us when their pelvic organs (uterus, bladder or vagina) fall out of place. These conditions significantly complicate the lives of the patient by inhibiting bodily movement. This leads to sharp pains during sexual intercourse, and as a result, a complete cessation of sexual activity develops.
In our clinic, for many years, we have successfully used a number of simple and painless techniques to positively treat these above-mentioned problems.
And the last question: Why is your clinic is so popular?
You see, most often we find that the patient has not one, but several gynecological, urological or sexually transmitted diseases. However, many of them have very similar symptoms. Only integrated diagnostics can detect the presence of concomitant diseases.
Available at our clinic is a specialized laboratory and modern radiology center. All this is in one building, so the patient does not have to go from office to office for a diagnostic procedure or lab analysis. Furthermore, we can obtain same-day test results for a speedy diagnosis.
Proper diagnosis, a rapid and effective treatment, caring and attentive staff. I think that's why so many people choose our clinic.