Women's Health Preventative Care
East Georgia Women’s Center can help you maintain optimal health throughout your life. Start by making an appointment for a gynecology exam. A physical exam includes a pap smear, breast exam, pelvic exam, and routine labwork. Dr. Palmer recommends that women come in once a year for their physical with pap. If you have an abnormal pap smear you may be asked to come in more frequently to keep a check on any abnormalities.
Call 912-871-4800 to schedule your appointment now.
A typical menstrual period occurs every 28 days (from the first day of one period to the first day of the next) but anywhere between 21 and 35 days is normal. The average flow is five days long. Many women don’t fit neatly into this typical profile. If you are experiencing abnormal bleeding with cycles shorter than 21 days or longer than 35 days apart, if your flow is longer than 7-10 days, or if you have other concerns about your period, please call us to make an appointment at 912-871-4800.
East Georgia Women’s Center offers a full range of choices, including pills, IUD’s, injections and permanent techniques. Finding the birth control method that’s right for you means understanding the options, their effectiveness, and possible side effects. Below is a list of some of the options we offer:
- Mirena IUD A device that is inserted through the vagina that releases hormones and prevents pregnancy. Click here to visit the Mirena website.
- Prescriptions for birth control pills and nuva ring.
- Depo Provera injections (given once every 3 months)
- Tubal Ligation: This procedure is done while the patient is put to sleep at East Georgia Regional Medical Center. Unlike pills or the IUD, the tubal ligation is meant to be permanent and is difficult to reverse. So you want to be sure that you are satisfied with your family size as this procedure is life-long.
- Essure: Is a procedure that is done in the office, you will not be put to sleep. This too is a permanent sterilization. So you want to be sure that you are satisfied with your family size as this procedure is life-long.Click here to visit the Essure website.
East Georgia Women’s Center offers the Gardisil HPV vaccination. This vaccine is recommended for all women ages 9-26 to protect against a common virus that may cause cervical cancer. Studies have shown that the non-mature cervix of an adolescent is more susceptible to HPV. In addition, young women usually have a robust immune response to vaccination. To complete the vaccination process you will need to get 3 different injections that are spread about over several months.
According to the American Pregnancy Association infertility is a condition of the reproductive system that prevents the conception of children. It affects approximately 6.1 million individuals throughout the United States. The diagnosis of infertility is usually given to couples who have been attempting to conceive for at least 1 year without success. Dr. Palmer is passionate about making sure women who desire pregnancy are successful in getting pregnant. He offers several options for infertility including: monthly hormone level tests, prescription medicine, testing of spouse and surgical procedures. If Dr. Palmer finds that you need more specialized care he will then refer you to an infertility and reproduction specialist.
The American Cancer Society recommends women get an annual mammography to screen for breast cancer every other year starting around age 40 and then annually after age 50. This screening may change based on family history or other factors. We support this recommendation and also encourage women to do routine self-examinations. If you have not had a mammogram done and think that you need to schedule one please contact our office today and we will refer you to a facility that will take care of your mammogram screening.
If you are suffering from a possible yeast infection, urinary tract infection, vaginal odor or itching please contact our office to set up an appointment. While these issues may seem minor they are equally important to our staff. Your health is our priority.
As we age, some women lose bone density, which can lead to fractures, spine problems and mobility issues. If you’re over 50, losing height, are thin, or have a history of broken bones or steroid use, make an appointment for your annual gynecology exam and we will write you an order for a bone density scan. Then, if necessary, we’ll help make a plan to get you on the right path to better bone health.
Many women experience pelvic or lower abdominal pain during their period or in between periods. There are a couple of factors that can contribute to such pain. You may be experiencing ovarian cysts which can be diagnosed by a performing a pelvic ultrasound and can most of the time be treated with birth control to reduce size of cysts. In some cases surgery is required to remove cysts from ovaries if other conservative treatment is not successful. Endometriosis may also be the source of pelvic pain. Endometriosis is a condition where the tissues that line the uterus grow on other organs outside of it. This condition can also cause pain during intercourse and interfere with daily activities. It is treated with a surgery in which the tissue that has spread to other organs is removed with a laser.
Do you experience urgency, urinary frequency, or other problems related to your bladder? If so, our office can get you on the road to recovery with a variety of treatments. We offer medicines, bladder function tests, as well as surgery to help you get your bladder issues under control.
Dr. Palmer recommends diet and exercise as a normal part of your daily regimen. Eating healthy and staying in shape is of vital importance. However, if you are struggling with weight loss Dr. Palmer can recommend a supplement to help you reach your weight loss goals. Call today to set up a consultation.
Are you interested in or think you may require one of the following procedures? If so contact us today!
- Total Abdominal Hysterectomy
- Laparoscopic Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy
- Transvaginal Hysterectomy
- Myomectomy (removal of fibroid tumors)
- Transobturator Tape
- Essure Procedure
- Anterior & Posterior Repair
- Laser Laparoscopy
- Hysterosopy D&C