Gynecological Health

Scroll below for some of the Gynecological Health Services provided to our patients. To book an appointment to see female doctor and gynecologist Dr. Kashyap about a Gynecological issue, please call our office at 702-983-2010 or click on a Book Appointment link.

Annual Wellness

Cancer Screening

What is a cancer screening test?

A screening test is used to find conditions in people who do not have signs or symptoms. This allows early treatment.

Why is cancer screening important?

In the United States, one in eight women will develop breast cancer by age 75. Regular screening can help find cancer at an early and more curable stage.

What are the screening tests for Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer?

Breast Cancer: Mammography is the primary tool used to screen for breast cancer and other problems. Mammography uses X-ray technology to view the breasts. The images created are called a mammogram.

Cervical Cancer: The Pap test checks for abnormal cell changes of the cervix This allows for early treatment so the abnormal cells do not become cancer. An HPV test also is available. It is used along with the Pap test to screen for cervical cancer in some women and as a follow-up test when a woman has an abnormal Pap test result.

When should I start screening for Breast Cancer and Cervical Cancer?

Breast Cancer: For women at average risk of breast cancer, screening mammography is recommended every year beginning at age 40 years.

Cervical Cancer: For women at average risk of cervical cancer, screening Pap is recommended beginning at age 21 years. Click here for additional details.

Adolescent / Teen Care

21 Reasons To See A Gynecologist Before You Turn 21

Although most young women don’t need to have a pap test until they are 21 years old, there are at least 21 reasons to see a gynecologist before then.

Download the 21 Reasons to See A Gynecologist Before You Turn 21 Infographic in PDF format.

Menstrual Issues

The normal length of the menstrual cycle is usually between 24 days and 38 days. For most women, the normal menstrual period last up to 8 days.

When bleeding is considered abnormal is when any of the following situations occur:

• Bleeding or spotting between periods
• Bleeding or spotting after sexual intercourse
• Heavy bleeding during your menstrual period
• Menstrual cycles that are longer than 38 days or shorter than 24 days
• “Irregular” periods in which cycle length varies by more than 7 to 9 days.
• Bleeding after menopause

To learn more about Menstrual Issues or Abnormal Uterine Bleeding click here.

Contraception / Family Planning

Contraception is another term for birth control. Contraception prevents pregnancy by interfering with the process of ovulation, fertilization and implantation.

When considering a birth control method think about the following:

• How well it prevents pregnancy
• How easy it is to use
• Whether you need a prescription to get it
• Whether it protects against sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Whether you have any health problems

When it comes to birth control methods that also protect against sexually transmitted infections, the male latex or polyurethane condom gives the best protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

The female condom provides some protection. With all other methods, you also should use a male or female condom to protect against STIs.

Are you wondering about which birth control methods are the best at preventing pregnancy?

The effectiveness chart below shows all of the birth control methods and how well they protect against pregnancy.

Sexually Transmitted Infections

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) are infections that are spread by sexual contact.

STIs can cause severe damage to your body—even death. Except for colds and flu, STIs are the most common contagious (easily spread) infections in the United States, with millions of new cases each year.

Although some STIs can be treated and cured, others cannot.

How are STIs transmitted?

A person with an STI can pass it to others by contact with skin, genitals, mouth, rectum, or body fluids. Anyone who has sexual contact—vaginal, anal, or oral sex—with another person may get an STI. STIs may not cause symptoms. Even if there are no symptoms, your health can be affected.

What causes STIs?

STIs are caused by bacterial or viral infections. STIs caused by bacteria are treated with antibiotics. Those caused by viruses cannot be cured, but symptoms can be treated.

To learn more about Sexually Transmitted Infections click here.

Infertility

What is infertility?

Infertility is defined as not having become pregnant after 1 year of having regular sexual intercourse without the use of birth control (see FAQ136 Evaluating Infertility).

If you are older than 35 years, an evaluation and possible treatment are recommended after 6 months.

If you are older than 40 years, an evaluation and possible treatment are recommended before you reach the 6-month mark.

What causes infertility?

The most common cause of female infertility is lack of or irregular ovulation. The most common causes of male infertility are problems in the testes that affect how sperm are made or how they function.

Other factors in women include problems with the reproductive organs or hormones. Scarring or blockages of the fallopian tubes may contribute to infertility. This may be the result of past sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Problems with the thyroid gland or pituitary gland also may contribute to infertility.

In men, blockage of the tubes that carry sperm from the testes may be a cause of infertility.

When should I consider having an infertility evaluation?

You should consider having an infertility evaluation if any of the following apply to you:

• You have not become pregnant after 1 year of having regular sexual intercourse without the use of birth control.
• You are older than age 35 years and have not become pregnant after trying for 6 months without using birth control.
• You are older than age 40 years and have not become pregnant within 6 months of trying without using birth control.
• Your menstrual cycle is not regular.
• You or your partner have a known fertility problem.

Source: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists

Pelvic Pain

What is chronic pelvic pain?

Chronic pelvic pain is pain in the pelvic area that lasts for 6 months or longer. Chronic pain can come and go, or it can be constant.

Sometimes chronic pelvic pain follows a regular cycle. For example, it may occur during menstruation. It also can occur only at certain times, such as before or after eating, while urinating, or during sex.

What causes chronic pelvic pain?

Chronic pelvic pain can be caused by a variety of conditions. Some of these conditions may not be related to the reproductive organs but to the urinary tract or bowel.

Some women have more than one condition that might be the cause of their pain.

Some of the common conditions of the reproductive organs that cause pelvic pain include:

• Endometriosis
• Ovarian Cysts
• Fibriods
• Pelvic Infections

Incontinence & Urinary Problems

What is urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence simply means leaking urine. Incontinence can range from leaking just a few drops of urine to complete emptying of the bladder.

What other symptoms occur with urinary incontinence?

It is common for other symptoms to occur along with urinary incontinence:

• Urgency—Having a strong urge to urinate
• Frequency—Urinating (also called voiding) more often than what is usual for you
• Nocturia—Waking from sleep to urinate
• Dysuria—Painful urination
• Nocturnal enuresis—Leaking urine while sleeping

What are the types of urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence in women can be divided into three main types:

1. Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) is leaking urine when coughing, laughing, or sneezing. Leaks also can happen when a woman walks, runs, or exercises.
2. Urgency urinary incontinence is a sudden strong urge to urinate that is hard to stop. Women with this type of urinary incontinence may leak urine on the way to the bathroom. If you have an “overactive bladder” (OAB), it means that you have symptoms of urgency and frequency that may or may not include incontinence.
3. Mixed incontinence combines symptoms of both SUI and urgency urinary incontinence.

Click here to learn more about Incontinence

Fibroids & Cysts

Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids are benign (not cancer) growths that develop from the muscle tissue of the uterus. They also are called leiomyomas or myomas.

The size, shape, and location of fibroids can vary greatly. They may be inside the uterus, on its outer surface or within its wall, or attached to it by a stem-like structure.

A woman may have only one fibroid or many of varying sizes. A fibroid may remain very small for a long time and suddenly grow rapidly, or grow slowly over a number of years.

Fibroids are most common in women aged 30–40 years, but they can occur at any age. Fibroids occur more often in African American women than in white women. They also seem to occur at a younger age and grow more quickly in African American women.

Click here to read the article Uterine Fibroids: Myomectomy vs. Hysterectomy

Ovarian Cysts

An ovarian cyst is a sac or pouch filled with fluid or other tissue that forms in or on an ovary. Ovarian cysts are very common. They can occur during the childbearing years or after menopause. Most ovarian cysts are benign (not cancer) and go away on their own without treatment.

HPV Vaccinations

Who should get the HPV vaccine and when?

Girls and boys should get the HPV vaccine as a series of shots. Vaccination works best when it is done before a person is sexually active and exposed to HPV, but it still can reduce the risk of getting HPV if given after a person has become sexually active.

The ideal age for HPV vaccination is age 11 years or 12 years, but it can be given starting at age 9 years and through age 26 years.

For those aged 9–14 years, two shots of vaccine are recommended. The second shot should be given 6–12 months after the first one. For those aged 15 years through 26 years, three shots of vaccine are recommended.

To learn more about HPV Vaccinations click here.

Pregnancy