Women's Wellness Checkup in Baltimore, MD

The Pap smear is a screening test for cervical cancer and precancerous cells of the cervix. While cervical cancer is rare (about 10,000 new cases per year in the US), the precancerous cells are quite common. In fact, over 3 million women are diagnosed with an abnormal Pap every year. You will receive your Pap smear results within one week. 

Premenstrual syndrome, or PMS, is a group of symptoms that are related to hormonal changes due to the menstrual cycle. About 40% have some symptoms of PMS and 7% suffer from severe symptoms.

A Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure, or LEEP, is an effective therapy for precancerous cells on the cervix. This procedure is usually done to treat women who have severe cervical dysplasia or mild dysplasia that has persisted for more than a year. It is performed in the office and cures the condition in 98% of cases.

HPV, or human papillomavirus, is the most common sexually transmitted disease. There are over 50 different strains of HPV. Some strains cause genital warts while others cause abnormal Paps and cervical cancers. 

One of the most important aspects of the annual wellness exam with your gynecologist is the screening for cancers of the female reproductive tract. Many of these diseases can be cured if detected early. You should notify your doctor if you have abdominal pain, changes in your menstrual cycles, or bleeding after menopause.

STD is an acronym that means “sexually transmitted disease.” “STI” is also used for “sexually transmitted infection”; both mean the same thing. That does not mean that you must have sexual intercourse to get the infection.

Genital warts are raised, asymptomatic lesions that occur on the vulva, mons pubis, or near the rectum.  They occur because of exposure to HPV, especially types 6 or 11.  Your doctor can usually make the diagnosis by looking at them or by doing a biopsy.

BRCA 1 and BRCA 2 are genes that suppress tumor growth.  If you have a mutation in either of these genes, you have an increased risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer. 

A bone density test is a special X-ray that screens for osteoporosis and thinning of the bones.  It measures how much calcium and other bone minerals are present.