Routine Gynecologic Care

Hormonal contraception is a highly effective way to prevent pregnancy. Women can choose from various hormonal contraception methods, all of which are safe with minimal-to-no adverse side effects. Many women choose hormonal contraception because it is reliable and convenient.

How Does Hormonal Contraception Work?

Whichever form of hormonal contraception you use, the hormones work in similar ways to prevent pregnancy. The hormones used for contraception are a small amount of synthetic estrogen, progestin or a combination of both. Those hormones work by changing the normal levels of estrogen, progesterone, and certain other hormones in your body. This can prevent pregnancy in three ways:

• They stop your body from releasing an egg (ovulation). Without an egg to fertilize, you cannot get pregnant.
• They change your cervical mucus so that sperm cannot swim through it to reach an egg and fertilize it.
• They change the lining of your uterus so that any fertilized egg cannot attach itself.

What Are the Different Forms of Hormonal Contraception Methods?

Hormonal contraception is available to women in a variety of forms. They are:

• Pill
• Patch
• Vaginal ring
• Injection
• Intrauterine device (IUD)
• Implant

Your healthcare provider can evaluate which of these contraceptive methods is safest for you based on your health history and best suits your lifestyle.

What Is the Effectiveness of Hormonal Contraception?

Hormonal contraception is exceptionally effective at preventing pregnancy. The most effective method is the implant. The implant is placed under the skin of your upper arm by your healthcare provider. Once implanted, it protects against pregnancy for three years. It is over 99% effective because the implant eliminates human error risk—there is no pill to remember to take or device to insert properly. In contrast, using a condom (one of the most popular forms of non-hormonal contraceptive techniques) is less than 90% effective.

Make Hormonal Contraception Effective Immediately

Hormonal contraception becomes effective very quickly. Whether it becomes effective immediately when you begin the regimen or within a couple of weeks depends on where you are in your menstrual cycle when you start the contraception. If you begin during your period, most hormonal contraception methods are effective immediately. Your health care provider can provide you with specific information about that and assist you with scheduling as needed.

Are There Possible Side Effects?

Many women experience some side effects from hormonal contraception, particularly during the first few months while their bodies adjust to the hormones. As time goes by, any negative side effects often subside. Some women experience no negative side effects at all. The nature and extent of side effects vary with each individual.

Common Physical Side Effects

Among the most common physical side effects that women notice with hormonal contraception are changes to the duration and volume of period bleeding. Frequently, hormonal contraceptives will cause your periods to become lighter and shorter in duration. For that reason, hormonal contraceptives may benefit women who normally have heavy periods, problems with menstruation-related anemia or iron deficiency, or irregular periods. Hormonal contraceptives can also provide relief to women who have painful menstruation caused by endometriosis.

Another common side effect is the changes in your complexion. Estrogen can be an effective way to treat acne. Other hormones in hormonal contraceptives may cause you to develop acne, melasma or experience other negative changes to your skin’s appearance. Those negative side effects can usually be resolved by changing to a hormonal contraceptive that uses a different formula.

Depending on the contraceptive you use, other side effects commonly experienced can include nausea, headaches, breast tenderness, weight gain, and libido changes.

Effect On Breast Cancer Risks

Research on the effect hormonal contraceptives have on your breast cancer risk is mixed. Researchers believe that different formulations of the hormones may have different effects on breast cancer risks and women with a family history of breast cancer. Your healthcare provider can discuss this with you and assess your risk profile.

Common Mental Side Effects

The hormones in some contraceptives can reduce the mood-regulating neurotransmitter, serotonin, anin the brain. Some women report changes in their moods while using contraception that contains progestin. It is unclear whether the hormonal contraceptives in fact cause mood changes.

The relationship between hormonal contraceptives and depression has not been clearly established. Researchers believe that the effect is likely different for different women. Nonetheless, they believe the overall mental health risks to women using hormonal contraceptives are small. In fact,, women who have severe PMS or a major depressive disorder may experience positive changes to their mood from hormonal contraceptives.

Talk with Raleigh Gynecology and Wellness for More Information about Hormonal Contraceptive Options

Hormonal contraceptives are extremely popular because they are highly effective and convenient to use. If you are interested in learning more about what type of hormonal contraceptive would be best for you, contact the experts at Raleigh Gynecology and Wellness. They are available to answer your questions and schedule an appointment with one of their experienced women’s health specialists.

Knowing how to prepare for a mammogram is crucial for the best experience possible. A mammogram is one of the best tools available for early detection of breast cancer. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer in women in the United States. Annual mammograms should be part of every woman’s health regimen.

Preparing For Your Mammogram

Mammograms are performed using a safe, low-dose x-ray machine designed to take images of your breast tissue. The mammography x-ray machine is equipped with flat surfaces called compression paddles. The compression paddles compress each breast so that all of your breast tissue can be x-rayed. During that time, you need to remain still so that the images are clear and you will not have to do it over.

Having a mammogram done is easy, but there are a few things you will need to do to make sure yours goes smoothly:

Schedule Your Mammogram When Breast Tenderness Will Be Low

To enable the x-ray machine to capture an accurate image of your breast tissue, your breast tissue needs to be spread out as much as possible, which is the function of the compression paddles. The x-ray technician will position you in such a way that the compression paddles can compress your breasts and flatten them without too much discomfort.

One way that you can minimize the discomfort is to schedule your mammogram at a time when you are not experiencing unusual tenderness or soreness in your breasts due to the onset of your menstrual cycle. If possible, you can try to reschedule your appointment to another time of the month. Usually, the week following your menstrual cycle is a good choice.

Bring Previous Mammogram Images

If you are going to have your mammogram performed in a new facility, they will probably ask you to provide your prior mammograms. Your radiologist will want to compare them with your new images. You can arrange to have them sent by your doctor or you can request to have them placed on a CD to bring with you to your appointment.

Take A Mild Pain Reliever Before Your Mammogram

Some women find that taking an aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen about an hour before the mammogram helps with the discomfort of the mammogram.

Avoid Using Any Deodorant Or Body Lotions

On the day of your mammogram do not apply any deodorants, antiperspirants, powders, lotions, creams or perfumes under your arms or on your breasts. Those products often contain metallic particles which your mammogram can detect and cause false readings. You may have to redo the mammogram in such a case.

Dress Comfortably

You will be asked to remove any jewelry such as necklaces and earrings for the mammogram. You will have to leave these items in a secure location along with any other valuables you bring into the exam room. To minimize risk of loss, it may be better to not wear any jewelry into the facility.

You will also have to remove your clothing from the waist up for the mammogram. You will be given a hospital gown to cover up until you are in the x-ray room. Most women choose to wear a two piece outfit to the mammogram so that they only have to remove their top and bra; you can remain dressed from the waist down.

Budget Enough Time

The mammogram itself only takes a few minutes to complete; however, some facilities are very busy and you may have to wait a while before they are ready for you. Also, after your x-ray, you will have to wait until the technician determines that the images are clear and of sufficient quality for the radiologist. If not, you will have to have one or more images re-done before you leave. In most cases, the entire process can be completed in an hour or less.

Radiologist Will Send Written Report To Your Doctor

Do not expect to learn the results at the time of your mammogram. The x-ray images of your breast tissue will be analyzed by a radiologist. The radiologist will send a written report of the analysis and any findings to your doctor. In analyzing the images, the radiologist will look for any evidence of cancer or abnormal non-cancerous tissue. Those findings usually require further testing and examination. Most abnormal findings on mammograms are not cancer.

Mammogram facilities are required by law to send your results within 30 days to you, although it usually takes one or two weeks. Ask the technicians at your facility when you can expect to learn your results.

Schedule An Appointment With Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness

Mammograms are an important, non-invasive tool for identifying changes in your breast tissue and early detection of cancer. Regular mammograms are critically important to women’s health, and an annual mammogram is the best practice for most women over age 40. To schedule your mammogram or to discuss any questions or concerns you have about them, contact the specialists at Raleigh Gynecology and Wellness.

Many of the conditions that affect women’s health can be present without any obvious signs. Because of this, annual gynecology exams are one of the best ways a woman can keep tabs on her health. An annual GYN exam can catch critical risks and lead to improved health through preventive maintenance.

If you are considering scheduling a gynecology exam, it can be helpful to know what to expect. Your health is personal and you deserve to be fully informed. Below we’ve laid out what an annual GYN exam consists of so you can schedule your next appointment with clarity and comfort.

What to expect

The exam starts with your provider collecting a comprehensive medical history including your family history. Vital signs like your blood pressure, heart rate, height, and weight will be measured. You will also be asked about your periods, pregnancy history, sexual activity, contraception needs, history of GYN problems, history of GYN surgeries, and any current symptoms you are having.

Your provider will listen to your heart and lungs, feel the thyroid gland in your throat, and feel your abdomen. You will also have a breast and pelvic exam. The pelvic exam consists of three parts: an external examination of the vulva, an internal examination of the vagina and cervix with a speculum, and an examination of the uterus and ovaries with a gloved hand. During the speculum exam, cells may be gently brushed from the cervix and sent to the laboratory for examination; this is a Pap smear. The exam will also focus on evaluating any symptoms you may be experiencing. If you find the pelvic exam extremely uncomfortable or anxiety-provoking, tell your provider as they would want to try to improve your experience in any way possible.

Finally, you and your provider will discuss ways to improve your health including lifestyle changes, screening tests, or vaccinations based on your age or other risk factors.

Schedule an Annual GYN Exam With Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness

Annual GYN exams are important to overall health and preventative maintenance. In some cases, they can be lifesaving. If you are a woman over the age of 21, it is recommended you schedule a full GYN exam annually. While it can sound overwhelming, the reality is that the right gynecologist can make an annual exam quick, painless, and insightful.

Our medical staff is here to help you get the care you need in a setting that is comfortable. At Raleigh Gynecology, we strive to make our patients feel comfortable and heard while we provide care. We help patients understand the full benefits of an annual GYN exam. Be proactive about your health and schedule an appointment with Raleigh Gynecology & Wellness today.