Gynecology & Annual Exams

Heavy bleeding has many causes, among which include hormonal imbalance, the onset of menopause, uterine fibroid tumors, cervical or endometrial polyps or cancer, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), lupus, intrauterine devices (IUDs) and bleeding disorders.Letting your doctor know about the history and symptoms of your excessive bleeding will allow her to perform the appropriate tests and prescribe the proper treatment for you.

“A patient will say to me, ‘Hey, doc, sometimes a little urine comes out when I laugh, but that’s just a part of getting older, right?,’” Dr. Gandhi says. The strength of the pelvic floor often has more to do with pregnancy, childbirth, even excess weight than age. Your doctor can recommend several very effective treatments — including Kegel exercises — which may alleviate your symptoms without the need for surgery or medication.

Patients may experience pain or pressure in the back or bowel area, or the sensation of a bladder infection or general malaise when they “overdo” certain activities. If you do have a “fallen bladder,” your doctor may prescribe pelvic floor strengthening muscles, insert a “pessary” device or recommend surgery to correct the problem.

Only 5 to 15 percent of cancers are inherited. Your doctor will perform appropriate screenings and offer suggestions to you — including diet, exercise and lifestyle choices — that may help you minimize your risk.

Discuss the history of the pain with your doctor, whether it is something new or has been going on for some time. She will conduct a thorough physical examination and recommend the appropriate treatment for you, as necessary.

Again, more than 80 to 90 percent of all breast lumps are benign, particularly in women under age 40, but it warrants a conversation with your doctor. If symptoms include nipple discharge, “dimpling” of the skin on the breast, a lump in the armpit or a hard, painless lump, your doctor may recommend a biopsy.

Painful periods are the number one cause of time missed at school or work for women in their teens and 20s. While the pain is rarely related to any specific problems, your doctor can rule out abnormalities and recommend a range of options for pain management and treatment.

Pain, burning sensation, urinary urgency and blood in the urine often are the result of E. Coli bacteria in the urinary tract. Your doctor will perform a urine culture to determine the type of bacteria causing your infection and prescribe the appropriate treatment for you.