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Gynecology Care in Newport News

From adolescence to young adulthood to middle age to post-menopause, every transitional phase of a woman’s life introduces new medical concerns that require the attention of a trusted gynecologist. When health issues exclusive to women require treatment by physicians specializing in gynecology, Newport News, Oyster Point, and Norfolk residents can always depend on OBGYN Associates of Hampton to provide state-of-the-art, personalized care. Our years of experience in the field of women’s health is one of the many reasons we are a leading OBGYN center in Virginia.

The OBGYN Associates of Hampton is proud of the wonderful staff, physicians, clinical administrators, and certified nurse practitioners who genuinely care about women’s health and well-being. Whether your appointment involves a routine examination, Pap screenings, mammograms, or treatment for gynecological problems, we make every effort to ease your anxieties and ensure you are as comfortable as possible during your appointment.

Please call (757) 722-7401 to learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment. We are open Monday through Thursday, from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. On Fridays, we are open between 8:30 am and 1:00 pm. You can also contact us via our online contact form.

What is Gynecology Care?

Gynecology is a branch of medicine that focuses exclusively on the functioning and health of the female reproductive system. Gynecologists provide treatment for conditions affecting the reproductive organs (uterus, ovaries, Fallopian tubes). They also diagnose and treat medical issues involving the vagina, cervix, endocrine system, bladder, and breasts.

Gynecology is often confused with another branch of medicine called obstetrics. Obstetrical care involves an obstetrician providing professional care for pregnant women only. They do not normally provide reproductive health services equal to a gynecologist. However, a physician can be both an obstetrician and a gynecologist. A doctor who is an obstetrician/gynecologist (OB/GYN) provides healthcare for non-pregnant and pregnant women.

Treatment and services provided by OB/GYN Associates of Hampton for Newport News residents include:

  • Ultrasound diagnostic scanning
  • Bladder infection/urinary incontinence
  • Management of perimenopause and menopause symptoms
  • Family planning/birth control
  • Gynecological surgery
  • Ablation (laser removal of diseased tissues)
  • Treatment for STDs
  • Infertility treatment
  • Breast cancer screening
  • Preconception counseling and testing

Gynecological care for post-menopausal women is also essential for female health. Women over 65 are at an increased risk for breast and ovarian cancer, especially if they smoke, are diabetic, and struggle with obesity. We highly recommend women over 35, regardless if they are considered high-risk, schedule regular mammograms and Pap screenings at OB/GYN Associates of Hampton.

Non-pregnancy Healthcare for Women

Adolescence

Gynecological problems affecting teen girls primarily involve menstruation and urinary tract infections. Following the onset of menstruation, some teens experience dysmenorrhea or extremely painful periods. Symptoms of dysmenorrhea include severe cramping, headache, feeling faint, and nausea. Medications are available to alleviate painful periods in adolescent girls.

Young Adulthood (18 to 35 years of age)

Common gynecological conditions diagnosed in pre-menopausal women include:

  • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID)
  • Endometriosis
  • Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
  • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
  • Uterine Fibroids
  • Ovarian cysts
  • Yeast infections (vulvovaginitis)
  • Ovarian cysts
  • UTIs

Most of these conditions share several symptoms, such as unusual pain in the pelvic and lower abdominal area, abnormal vaginal discharge, and inability to get pregnant. Anytime you have these symptoms, please call our office to schedule an appointment with a board-certified gynecologist.

Mammograms and Women’s Health

Mammograms use state-of-the-art digital imaging technology to detect breast cancer in its earliest stage. The earlier breast cancer is discovered, the easier and more likely it is to treat and eradicate it. Doctors recommend women over 40 years old undergo a mammogram annually, especially women with the following risk factors:

  • Over 50 years of age
  • Having early menstrual periods (prior to age 12) or late menopause (after 55)
  • Having dense breasts (breasts with more connective tissue than fatty tissue)
  • Family history of ovarian and/or breast cancer

For women with a family history of breast cancer, a genetic test is available to detect the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes known to significantly increase the risk of breast cancer in women.

Pap Tests

A Pap smear takes less than 20 minutes and involves your gynecologist swabbing samples of cervical fluid that are examined for signs of cellular abnormalities. Pap tests are the fastest and best way to detect cervical cancer for early treatment. Women in their 20s and 30s should have a Pap test done once every two years. Women over 40 may not need a Pap test performed as frequently, depending on their health and lifestyle. Talk to your primary care doctor or one of our gynecologists about when you should schedule Pap tests.

You may be at risk for cervical cancer if:

  • You have HIV
  • Smoke
  • Have taken birth control pills for more than five years
  • Have given birth to more than three children
  • Have had multiple sexual partners

Cervical cancer is caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV) which can easily be passed to partners during sexual intercourse. Some HPV types appear as abnormal rather than cancerous on Pap test results. Women with abnormal Pap test results should consider having more frequent Pap tests than recommended by the CDC.

Perimenopause and Menopause

Several years before actual menopause occurs, some women begin having hot flashes, mood swings, and other signs of menopause even though they are still menstruating. Perimenopause is defined as the time when the ovaries gradually stop producing eggs and reduce their production of estrogen. Women can enter perimenopause as early as their late 30s.

By the time they are in their early 50s, most women have stopped having periods and are considered menopausal. In addition to hot flashes, weight gain, and insomnia, menopause can also promote recurring vaginal/bladder infections, loss of interest in sex, headaches, joint aches, and brain “fog”.

Medications, lifestyle changes, and other gynecological services are available at OB/GYN Associates of Hampton for Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, and Newport News women suffering symptoms of perimenopause and menopause.

Difficulty Getting Pregnant and Infertility

Women who have tried to become pregnant for at least one year without conceiving may need to consider options for increasing fertility. Before discussing these options, your gynecologist will take the following factors into consideration:

  • History of miscarriages/previous pregnancies
  • Menstrual irregularities
  • Pelvic infections
  • Abnormal vaginal bleeding
  • Results of Pap tests
  • Results of pelvic exams and/or ultrasounds
  • Blood tests to evaluate hormone levels

Some blood tests must be taken during certain times of a patient’s menstrual cycle. For example, to measure follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and progesterone levels, your family medicine doctor will need to schedule a blood test on or around days 22 and 23 of your menstrual cycle. Progesterone is critical for supporting ovulation and conception, while FSH levels can provide information about whether a woman is experiencing perimenopause or is, for some reason, not producing eggs.

Diagnosing the cause or causes of infertility may also include your gynecologist examining the fallopian tubes for abnormalities and blockages. A laparoscopy is a non-invasive procedure that uses a tiny camera attached to a thin tube to examine a woman’s reproductive organs. Other modern procedures such as hysteroscopies and transvaginal ultrasounds can provide doctors with more information about the causes of a woman’s infertility.

Infertility Treatments

Absent or infrequent ovulation is one of the leading causes of infertility.  Other reasons for female infertility include:

  • Uterine fibroids, polyps, or scarring
  • Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
  • Hypothalamic dysfunction (the pituitary gland does not produce enough hormones to stimulate ovulation)
  • Premature ovarian failure
  • Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
  • Endometriosis
  • Undiagnosed uterine or cervical cancer

Gynecological surgery may be necessary to correct an abnormality causing infertility. In most cases, it is an ovulation disorder that is primarily responsible for a woman’s inability to get pregnant. Ovulation disorders can be overcome with intrauterine insemination (when the woman’s partner has a low sperm count), in vitro fertilization (IVF), or medications like Clomiphene or Letrozole to stimulate ovulation. IVF may be recommended when a woman is diagnosed with endometriosis, unexplained infertility, pelvic scarring, or blocked fallopian tubes.

Why Choose Obstetrics and Gynecology Associates of Hampton

From routine gynecological exams to providing family planning counseling to delivering your baby, our caring staff and board-certified physicians are here to provide the superior, personalized attention you deserve and need to maintain the best health possible.

As one of our many Newport News patients, you will enjoy these advantages when relying on us for obstetrics and gynecology services:

  • Office-based diagnostics
  • In-house laboratory testing
  • Noninvasive treatment options
  • A team of board-certified obstetricians, gynecologists, OB/GYNs, and skilled nurse practitioners
  • Exceptional surgical treatment and care at Bons Secours Mary Immaculate Hospital

Please call (757) 722-7401 to schedule an appointment for gynecological care in Newport News, Virginia. We are always happy to discuss our services, procedures, coronavirus protections, and reproductive health concerns with you over the phone or at a consultation appointment. You can also contact OBGYN Associates of Hampton via our online form. New patients are always welcome!

Our Newport News office is located on Thimble Shoals Blvd, STE 500B.