In-office surgeries mean quicker recovery, less cost and no general anesthesia

At Premier Women’s Care of Southwest Florida, we place a priority on comfort and convenience for our patients.

This includes performing in-office procedures that offer the advantages of avoiding hospital visits and general anesthesia, along with a quicker recovery, less post-operative pain and more reasonable costs to patients and insurance companies.

We offer both diagnostic and operative in-office procedures using Level 1 protocols, meaning local anesthesia combined with oral and intravenous pain management. These include diagnostic and operative hysteroscopies, dilation and evacuations, Loop Electrical Excision procedures and colposcopies with biopsies.

Colposcopies are recommended to evaluate abnormal Pap smears and abnormal lesions of the vulva. The way I like to explain it to my patients, colposcopies are like longer Pap smears. We use solutions and microscopy to look for color and pattern changes that might suggest precancers and cancers of the cervix, vagina and vulva. Almost all of these are caused by HPV, or human papillomavirus. Most patients experience very little discomfort with colposcopies. Some feel a small pinch but no severe pain. There is minimal bleeding, and the procedure usually takes less than 5 to 10 minutes.

LEEP stands for Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure. We use a LEEP to remove precancerous changes of the cervix that, if left untreated, can become cervical cancer. A LEEP works by passing a mild electric current through a loop-like wire that allows us to remove the abnormal cervical tissue while leaving the normal cervical tissue. We usually block pain in the cervix with local anesthesia. The procedure normally takes only a few minutes, and most patients experience only mild discomfort. Removing the cells also enables us to examine them and determine appropriate follow-up. The results come back in about a week.

Hysteroscopies involve the use of a thin, lighted tube that allows us to evaluate abnormalities of the endometrium, the innermost lining inside the uterus, in patients with abnormal or heavy periods or postmenopausal bleeding. These abnormalities can include polyps or fibroids, which can be removed as part of the procedure. Hysteroscopic evaluation is much more accurate than blind dilation and curettage, also known as D&C. For instance, a D&C can reach an accurate diagnosis at most 75% of the time and cannot remove the whole lesion, whereas a hysteroscopic-directed evaluation has almost 100% accuracy and can almost always remove the entire pathology. The procedure lasts less than 10 minutes, and with the protocol used at Premier Women’s Care of Southwest Florida, most patients have very mild discomfort.

An endometrial ablation is a procedure indicated for heavy and/or irregular periods. It involves surgically treating the lining of the uterus to reduce bleeding. First, we usually conduct an ultrasound to rule out any other pathology, as well as a biopsy. Premier Women’s Care of Southwest Florida is one of the few practices to offer endometrial ablation in the office under local anesthesia. We use the NovaSure radiofrequency endometrial ablation procedure. In general, 60% of patients have no further bleeding, and more than 90% of patients are satisfied with the procedure. At Premier Women’s Care of Southwest Florida, we use the latest hysteroscopic equipment and resection technologies and follow strict protocols that result in good outcomes and excellent patient experiences.

Painful intercourse—when menopause is the gift that keeps on giving

Painful intercourse generally doesn’t become an issue until after the menopausal transition. Although some symptoms occur immediately as the menopausal transition occurs, other changes continue the longer we lack estrogen. Over time, a loss of elasticity, thinning skin, and dryness inside and out can lead to painful intercourse, vaginal irritation and infections, and bladder irritation and infections. Luckily, we have many options to help with these symptoms. So, if these symptoms sound like what you are experiencing, then be sure to share your concerns with your physician.

Premier Women’s Care of Southwest Florida to cut the ribbon on its new Cape Coral medical office building Monday, Feb. 2

Premier Women’s Care of Southwest Florida will cut the ribbon on its new 40,797-square-foot medical office building at 1606 Santa Barbara Blvd. in Cape Coral Monday, Feb. 2.

Caring for our community’s cowgirls and other equestrians

As a gynecologist at Premier Women’s Care of Southwest Florida, I appreciate the opportunity to work with women from all walks of life. And as a rodeo mom, I especially enjoy taking care of cowgirls and other equestrians, whose active lifestyle contributes to good health throughout life.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a Time to Act

As women we don’t just need to be made aware of breast cancer, we need to take action to prevent breast cancer. Awareness and education spark action. Breast cancer doesn't have to be the number two cause of death in women. It could be so much less if every woman acted today.

The Advantages of Robotic Gynecologic Surgery

Robotic gynecologic surgery offers patients smaller incisions, less pain, and faster recovery than traditional open surgery. That’s why several of the gynecologic surgeons at Premier Women’s Care of Southwest Florida often choose to use state-of-the-art robotics when performing surgeries.

Integrative medicine combines conventional treatments with natural remedies

As a physician, Dr. Heather Auld takes a holistic approach to medicine that offers patients the best of mainstream medicine along with the healing power of natural herbs and plants, which have been used for millennia to restore and improve health.

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