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The routine gynecological exams we offer at Alpha OB GYN are an important part of your preventive health care plan.
The well-woman exams that Sowmya Reddy, MD, FACOG, provides can reveal a lot about your reproductive health and even provide insight into the health of your hormones.
A well-woman exam is a routine gynecological exam that gives Dr. Reddy an opportunity to evaluate your reproductive organs and identify potential health issues before you have symptoms.
Your well-woman exam includes:
During your exam, Dr. Reddy and our team review your medical history and discuss any changes in your physical, reproductive, and sexual health since your last visit.
You can also expect a pelvic exam where Dr. Reddy manually checks your vagina, uterus, and other organs for abnormalities, like large fibroids or genital warts.
We also collect a sample of cells from your cervix (Pap smear) to check for changes that indicate cervical cancer and check your breasts for lumps or skin changes related to breast cancer.
As part of your routine exam, Dr. Reddy is also looking for indications of a hormone imbalance.
Some women experience hormone imbalances because of existing health issues. All women will transition into menopause, the time when your body slows down its production of reproductive hormones like estrogen and progesterone. This decline in hormones can affect your health in many ways.
Hormone imbalances can cause physical symptoms. During your well-woman exam, Dr. Reddy can identify potential warning signs of imbalanced hormones, including:
If you have these symptoms, we can order blood testing to get a better understanding of your hormone levels. We also discuss other symptoms you have to determine what’s causing the imbalance.
Possible reasons you have a hormone imbalance besides menopause include pregnancy and thyroid disorders. Your hormone levels can also be interrupted by stress and using certain medications.
When your gynecological exam and blood testing show an imbalance in your hormone levels, Dr. Reddy helps you explore your options for treatment. If you don’t have any symptoms of an imbalance, you may not need treatment immediately, and we’ll continue to monitor your health.
If you have bothersome symptoms of a hormone imbalance, such as hot flashes, mood swings, or loss of libido, Dr. Reddy can determine if you’re a candidate for hormone replacement therapy (HRT). This treatment involves taking supplemental synthetic hormones to rebalance your natural hormone levels.
We help you find the right delivery method (oral pills, injections, topical creams) and work with you to find the optimal dose that provides symptom relief.
Typically, HRT is highly effective at easing disruptive symptoms, and Dr. Reddy can also recommend lifestyle and diet changes that further improve your results.
If it’s been longer than a year since your last gynecological exam, call the Alpha OB GYN office near you or book an appointment online today.
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