Seeing a gynecologist is one of your most important self-care routines
Your gynecologist is an expert in the unique complexities of the female body and can provide care for a broad and diverse range of health concerns.
At Baylor Scott & White, you have access to compassionate gynecology care and a comprehensive range of gynecology services, from annual exams and preventive screenings to specialized surgical procedures, to help you achieve better health at every age.
Complete care for all gynecologic conditions
Gynecologists diagnose and treat issues relevant to women’s health and the female reproductive system, while obstetricians support you with pregnancy, labor and delivery and postpartum issues. Providers trained in both branches of women's healthcare are called obstetrician-gynecologists or OBGYNs.
Your needs for gynecologic care change as your body evolves. The right provider for you may also change depending on your needs, preferences and stage of life. Gynecologists provide a continuum of care for women, starting with the first visit in the early teenage years, through your reproductive years, the time leading up to menopause, the post-menopause years and beyond.
There are many good reasons to make time for an annual gynecology visit. A few of the many things your gynecologist can help you with include:
- Bladder issues such as incontinence (leaking urine) and urinary tract infections
- Breast health checkups
- Concerns around sexuality and intimate relationships, including safe sex practices and sexually transmitted disease prevention and management
- Family planning and birth control
- Infertility
- Menopause-related concerns, such as hot flashes, sexual dysfunction, vaginal dryness, painful intercourse and mood swings
- Menstrual problems and premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
- Osteoporosis
- Pre-pregnancy counseling and support throughout pregnancy, from prenatal visits through labor and delivery
- Reproductive endocrinology, thyroid dysfunction and other hormone disorders
- Urogynecologic issues, such as bowel control problems, pelvic organ prolapse and pelvic pain
In addition to helping with health conditions and concerns, your gynecologist can provide advice on healthy eating, exercise and other lifestyle habits that promote good overall health.
You can also talk to your gynecologist about women’s mental health issues that affect your quality of life, such as stress, anxiety and depression.
Preventive gynecologic care for all women
Your journey toward better gynecologic health starts with preventing and detecting gynecologic disorders. This is accomplished through regular gynecology checkups, screening tests and preventive services.
Preventive care may include:
- Breast imaging to evaluate benign breast lumps, such as cysts and fibroadenomas
- Clinical breast exams
- Genetic testing to help determine your risk of breast or gynecologic cancers
- Human papillomavirus (HPV) test to detect types of HPV that are more likely to lead to cervical cancer
- The HPV vaccine, if appropriate for your age, to prevent cervical cancer
- Mammograms to screen for breast cancer
- Pap tests to identify precancerous changes that can lead to cervical cancer
- Pelvic exams to check for signs of reproductive system diseases
Advanced gynecologic treatments and services
If your provider suspects you may have a gynecologic disorder, you have many diagnostic procedures and treatment options available to you. Your provider will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan of action.
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Imaging techniques
Imaging techniques
Pelvic ultrasounds detect abnormalities in the pelvis, such as endometrial polyps, ovarian cysts, fibroid tumors and other uterine growths.
CT scans provide a detailed view of the reproductive organs and surrounding tissues, which can help pinpoint the source of pelvic pain, look for abscesses and other signs of infection, or evaluate pelvic masses, including suspected cancers.
MRI scans create images that aid in the diagnosis of problems, such as uterine fibroids, which can cause abnormal menstrual bleeding and may affect fertility.
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Surgical procedures
Surgical procedures
The gynecologists at Baylor Scott & White perform a variety of minimally invasive surgical procedures to:
- Address abnormal bleeding, such as dilation and curettage and endometrial ablation
- Identify and treat cervical cancer, such as cervical loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) and colposcopy
- Identify and treat conditions affecting the uterus, such as hysteroscopy (a procedure to view the uterus) and hysterectomy (removal of the uterus)
- Reconstructive surgery for urogynecology conditions, such as pelvic organ prolapse
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Symptom management
Symptom management
Your gynecologist can help you manage symptoms in various ways. Possible options include relaxation techniques to manage pain, pelvic floor physical therapy to strengthen pelvic floor muscles and medications such as hormone replacement therapy.
These and many other techniques can be useful for conditions such as premenstrual syndrome, painful intercourse, pelvic prolapse and overactive bladder, as well as for managing menopause.
Imaging techniques
Pelvic ultrasounds detect abnormalities in the pelvis, such as endometrial polyps, ovarian cysts, fibroid tumors and other uterine growths.
CT scans provide a detailed view of the reproductive organs and surrounding tissues, which can help pinpoint the source of pelvic pain, look for abscesses and other signs of infection, or evaluate pelvic masses, including suspected cancers.
MRI scans create images that aid in the diagnosis of problems, such as uterine fibroids, which can cause abnormal menstrual bleeding and may affect fertility.
Surgical procedures
The gynecologists at Baylor Scott & White perform a variety of minimally invasive surgical procedures to:
- Address abnormal bleeding, such as dilation and curettage and endometrial ablation
- Identify and treat cervical cancer, such as cervical loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) and colposcopy
- Identify and treat conditions affecting the uterus, such as hysteroscopy (a procedure to view the uterus) and hysterectomy (removal of the uterus)
- Reconstructive surgery for urogynecology conditions, such as pelvic organ prolapse
Symptom management
Your gynecologist can help you manage symptoms in various ways. Possible options include relaxation techniques to manage pain, pelvic floor physical therapy to strengthen pelvic floor muscles and medications such as hormone replacement therapy.
These and many other techniques can be useful for conditions such as premenstrual syndrome, painful intercourse, pelvic prolapse and overactive bladder, as well as for managing menopause.
Find a location near you
You can find comprehensive gynecology care at Baylor Scott & White locations throughout North and Central Texas. No matter which location you choose, you’ll have access to women’s health services throughout our system.
If you need a specialist, such as a gynecologic oncologist, your referral will be seamless, and your specialist can communicate with your gynecologist throughout your care.
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