If you are sexually active, you should get STD tests. It is an essential part of your overall health. How often you should be tested is dependent on your current and past sexual situation. Let’s find out what experts say about who should get STD tests and how often.
Being disappointed time after time while you keep trying to conceive is a frustrating feeling. After trying for over one full year, it is recommended you undergo female fertility testing. Keep reading to discover what you can expect.
Atlanta Gyn Center is here to provide compassionate and comprehensive female fertility testing. Contact Dr. Rita Sharma in Tucker, GA today by calling (770) 723-1545.
The fertility testing journey begins with a lot of questions and tests. This usually happens after you have been actively trying to become pregnant for at least one year, but no success.
You will start by talking with Dr. Rita Sharma about your medical health and habits. It might be a bit embarrassing, but it’s the only way they can evaluate what is causing the problem. Many times there are a combination of problems causing infertility.
They will ask about your medical history and any surgeries, prescription medications, use of caffeine, alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, and any exposure to chemicals, toxins, or radiation.
In addition, they will ask about your sexual habits: how often you have sex, your history of problems, STDs, or any sex outside the relationship.
You will also be asked about the following:
Female infertility can be due to an issue with ovulation. For a man it could be a problem with sperm and how they function. Sometimes no cause is found.
A young couple in their 20s and early 30s have a 25-30% chance of getting pregnant in any single menstrual period. The percentage declines in the early 30s and even more after age 37. At age 40, a woman has a 10% chance of getting pregnant.
Being overweight, underweight, or drinking moderate amounts of alcohol plus smoking can affect a woman’s fertility. Heavy drinking, smoking, and marijuana use can affect a man’s fertility.
These can include pituitary or thyroid gland problems, hormonal issues, STDs, PCOS, endometriosis, and more.
You will have lab tests like blood and urine, imaging tests, and sometimes procedures.
These tests will help find the underlying cause of infertility. Once the cause is found, we can determine possible treatments and next steps.
Most infertility evaluations are finished within a few menstrual cycles.
Lastly, expect that after all testing is completed, many couples have an idea why they’re having trouble getting pregnant.
Contact Dr. Rita Sharma at (770) 723-1545 if you are considering female fertility testing in Tucker, GA.
Each year almost 600K hysterectomies are performed. It is a surgery to remove the uterus. Afterward, patients won’t be able to become pregnant, and they will no longer have their period. Depending on the reason for the surgery, your surgeon may also remove the fallopian tubes and the ovaries. That’s a lot of surgeries, so for what reasons is a hysterectomy performed?
Our board-certified OBGYN, URPS, Dr. Rita Sharma is highly trained in performing a hysterectomy. Contact our gynecology clinic in Tucker, GA to schedule a one-on-one consultation. Call us at (770) 723-1545.
First and foremost, find out why your physician is recommending a hysterectomy. Is it to relieve symptoms of a condition? Will you go into early menopause? What exactly will be removed? Ask about any possible complications or side effects, and be clear about how your life will change before deciding to go forward.
The best preparation is to understand why you are having the surgery and how it may improve your life.
Endometriosis is a condition where the tissue that lines the uterine wall grows abnormally outside the uterus. It causes severe pain, and irregular periods and can also lead to infertility. Unfortunately, this condition can recur even after surgery. Ask Dr. Sharma about this possibility.
Cancer may be the most serious reason for a hysterectomy, and it accounts for about 10% of all surgeries. It is recommended if you have cancer of the uterus, cervix, endometrium, or ovaries. It can be considered if you have abnormalities that could lead to cancer.
Hysterectomy is an option for treating uterine fibroids. They are non-cancerous growths inside the uterus causing pain, heavy bleeding, and bloating, and may affect fertility. There are procedures to remove the fibroids but preserve the uterus. Talk with Dr. Sharma about your options.
PID is a bacterial infection that causes severe pain. It can be treated with antibiotics if caught early enough, but removing the uterus is an option.
This is a condition that causes the lining of the uterus to become thicker resulting in pain and heavy bleeding. It can also lead to cancer. Discuss hysterectomy with Dr. Sharma and decide if it’s right for you.
A hysterectomy is usually a last resort with a prolapse. This is when the uterus drops downward onto the vagina due to muscle weakness. It can cause urinary incontinence and difficulty with bowel movements. Exercises and devices can be tried first, but if not successful, a hysterectomy may be recommended.
Other reasons can include the following:
If your ovaries were removed, you may experience menopausal symptoms like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, loss of libido, and insomnia. Discuss treatment options like hormone replacement therapy to help relieve the side effects of menopause.
You will walk around as soon as possible after the surgery to avoid blood clots in the legs. Dr. Sharma will monitor your recovery and restrict strenuous activities, sexual intercourse, and heavy exercise for several weeks. Recovery will take anywhere from four to six weeks.
Consider all the benefits and side effects of a hysterectomy before making a decision.
Contact our board-certified OBGYN, Dr. Rita Sharma at (770) 723-1545 if you want to discuss your options at our office in Tucker, GA.
Whenever you have a medical condition or a concerning issue, you want to see the very best medical professional you can find. You want someone who is highly trained with above-average expertise. Some might call this person a specialist or someone highly skilled in a specific field. This describes a urogynecologist.
Concerned about pelvic health? Trust our board-certified gynecologist, Dr. Rita Sharma, at Atlantia GYN Center. Don’t wait—schedule your urogynecology consultation by requesting an appointment online today at our gynecology clinic in Atlanta, GA.
A urogynecologist provides the best of two worlds with an in-depth knowledge of certain female issues. This specialist has studied both urology and gynecology with extra training and expertise in urinary incontinence, prolapse, and pelvic floor disorders.
A urogynecologist completes medical school and then a residency in obstetrics/gynecology or urology. In addition, they complete a 2 or 3-year fellowship in conditions concerning the pelvic floor.
In 2011 urogynecology became a sub-specialty, with the first physicians becoming board certified in 2013.
If coughing, laughing, or sneezing causes you to leak urine, see a urogynecologist like Dr. Sharma. Specially trained to care for stress incontinence and an overactive bladder, this symptom of a pelvic floor problem can be handled by a urogynecologist.
Maybe you’ve already gone to your GYN or even a urologist with no lasting improvement. A urogynecologist is specially trained to help even when other treatments have failed.
The time from perimenopause through to menopause, a woman’s symptoms can become debilitating. From hot flashes, night sweats, mood changes, reduced libido, and vaginal dryness, this time is a nightmare for many women. A urogynecologist can help you find relief.
If you have 2 or more urinary tract infections in 6 months or 3 or more within a year, it’s time to see a urogynecologist. Sometimes these UTIs can be symptomatic of other complex problems. Dr. Sharma will perform non-invasive tests to determine the cause(s) before recommending treatments.
As women get older, the muscles in the pelvic area become weakened and some organs can fall. This can be a frightening scenario however, you are not alone—fifty percent of women will sustain pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in their lifetime.
A urogynecologist like Dr. Sharma is specially trained in the most advanced procedures to treat POP.
Seek out the best for chronic pelvic pain, pain during intercourse, and all pelvic floor disorders.
Contact board-certified gynecologist, Dr. Rita Sharma at (770) 723-1545 if you want a professional diagnosis and treatment plan in Atlanta, GA.
Breast cancer and its treatments can impact a woman’s sexual desire due to various physical and emotional factors. If this is happening to you, know you are not alone and there are simple, convenient, and drug-free solutions known as vaginal laser therapy to help those with gynecologic and sexual function changes find relief.
Our board certified gynecologist and obstetrician, Dr. Rita Sharma, is highly trained in providing Vaginal Laser Therapy. Contact our gynecology clinic in Atlanta, GA to schedule an appointment by filling out our secure form.
Breast cancer treatment, including chemotherapy and hormone therapy medicines, frequently causes patients to enter early menopause. While the level and side effects may vary from woman to woman, many patients experience vaginal and urinary
effects, known as the genitourinary syndrome of menopause. These side effects can be more intense than symptoms of natural menopause.
Common genitourinary syndrome symptoms include:
Even after a successful fight against cancer, many patients’ quality of lives are impacted due to lack of sexual function. This not only is caused by early menopause as we discussed above, but also due to the physical, emotional, and mental changes that breast cancer patients experience.
Common causes which affect a breast cancer survivor’s sexual function include:
The good news is breast cancer survivors don’t have to wait to manage symptoms and there is a safe and effective treatment to help—vaginal laser therapy.
Non-invasive and painless, vaginal laser therapy utilizes laser energy to trigger the synthesis of collagen and elastin in vaginal tissues. This process enhances the strength of vaginal muscles, refining the tone and texture of the skin. The outcome is an enhancement in vaginal health and function.
In the laser therapy session, a specialized laser device is introduced into the vagina, releasing controlled bursts of laser energy. This energy is absorbed by the vaginal tissue, encouraging the synthesis of collagen and elastin. The procedure is painless and typically concludes within approximately 30 minutes.
To attain optimal results, most individuals will undergo a series of treatments, typically spanning 3 to 5 sessions with intervals of several weeks between each. The number of treatments is dependent on the degree of symptoms at hand.
Vaginal laser therapy is a safe, effective, and hormone-free treatment for individuals struggling with the gynecologic and urinary changes after breast cancer. Discover if you’re a candidate for vaginal laser therapy by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Rita Sharma.
If you’re ready to get back to enjoying what you once loved, contact Atlanta GYN Center at (770) 723-1545 to schedule an appointment to discuss your symptoms and explore treatment.
Breast cancer affects millions of women worldwide. While you can’t change some factors, there are proactive measures you can take to lower your risk.
Excess body weight can increase hormone levels and the risk of breast cancer.
Adopting a balanced diet and engaging in regular physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight.
Alcohol can raise estrogen levels, contributing to an increased risk. Try to limit your alcohol intake to reduce your breast cancer risk.
Regular exercise not only helps maintain a healthy weight, but also reduces the risk of breast cancer. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise each week.
It has been shown to have a protective effect against breast cancer.
Stay informed and consult with your healthcare provider. Remember, these steps don’t guarantee prevention, but they can help to reduce your risk of breast cancer. Contact our clinic in Atlanta, GA to schedule a breast cancer screening. Our board-certified gynecologist is trained in providing comprehensive screenings. Schedule an appointment today using our secure online form.
