If a women detects a mass during a self-exam, she should first see her physician for a full history and examination.  I would first recommend an ultrasound if she is less than 30 years of age due to the fact that the breast tissue is quite dense, therefore limiting the sensitivity of mammography.  If she is older than 30, I would recommend both a mammogram and ultrasound to evaluate the mass.  Mammograms can screen the entire breast at once, making it a superior diagnostic tool. However, ultrasound distinguish between a fluid-filled cyst, and a solid mass. For this reason, an ultrasound is often used to confirm mammogram findings. There are also instances when a breast MRI is necessary, such as if the patient’s medical history has indicated her to be at a higher risk for breast cancer.  Upon confirmation of a mass by one of these technologies, follow up examinations become imperative to ensure stability and resolution of any findings.  Overall, every patient situation can be different, so be sure to seek your physician’s advice regarding detection and treatment if you’ve experienced any concerning changes in breast health.

Join Dr. Cova and staff for an evening of fabulous specials, live Botox injection demos, hors d’ ouevres, Q&A with experts, and exciting new products! Call for more details!

Discuss what option might be right for you. The answer could be as simple as a series of Laser Hair Removal treatments. Laser Hair Removal specifically targets the hair, while minimizing damage to the skin or surrounding tissue. Usually a series of treatments is appropriate, which can be done easily and quickly in our office. However, if you experience other accompanying symptoms, such as weight gain, worsening acne, irregular periods, and/or thinning hair on the head, a hormone panel test and/or pelvic exam may be suggested. Medications, such as oral contraceptives and Metformin, are often the prescribed treatment for PCOS.

Regardless of the cause, excess body hair is treatable, so ask about treatment options today!

I want to make sure yours is free of cervical cancer and genital warts.

Gardisil can protect against diseases caused by human papillomavirus (HPV).

It is the only HPV vaccine that helps protect against 4 types of HPV.

In girls and young women, Gardasil protects against 4 types of HPV that cause cervical cancer and genital warts. In boys and young men, Gardasil protects against genital warts.

Gardasil also helps protect girls and young women against vaginal and vulvar cancers.

Be sure to ask me about Gardasil at your next appointment. Together, we can plan a healthy and happy future for you.

No one wants to talk about incontinence. Unfortunately, it’s a part of getting older.

However, you shouldn’t let the myths of incontinence prevent you from getting the help you need to live an active lifestyle.

Knowing the facts can help you relieve the embarrassment of this condition.

Urinary incontinence involves involuntary leakage of urine.

Incontinence can be mild to severe (depending on the person). Some leak urine when coughing, sneezing, or laughing. Others have a sudden urge to urinate or leak urine. Some leak small amounts throughout the day or while sleeping.

Incontinence can be caused by a variety of health problems.

Some are temporary, and some are not.

Don’t be one of the thousands of women who feel it must be accepted. If left untreated, you run the risk of having your condition worsen.

Help is available.

On your first visit, I’ll establish the cause of your incontinence. Then I’ll work with you to find the best treatment option.

Treatments may include exploring behavioral or drug therapy. They also may include minimal surgical procedures, such as the MiniArc sling.

I look forward to discussing treatment options with you soon, so we can restore your quality of life.

Before I go into the different therapies, I want to be sure you understand the difference between perimenopause and menopause.

Perimenopause is a prelude to menopause.

It can start when you are in your 30s or as late as your early 50s.

When you’re perimenopausal, you can have erratic periods. Some months the flow can be heavy. Others scanty. And there can be months in between when you don’t even have a period. This process can last between 2 and 8 years.

All of this is normal.

Menopause is simply the cessation of periods for more than 1 year in women over the age of 40. For most women, menopause happens around age 50. But every woman’s body has its own timeline.

Just because you’re menopausal doesn’t mean you’ll experience symptoms.

If you’re suffering from such symptoms as hot flashes, vaginal dryness, pain during sex, or mood swings, you may want to consider hormone replacement therapies.

Most women tolerate hormone replacement therapy really well.

If you’ve had breast cancer, uterine cancer, stroke, blood clots, or heart disease, we’ll need to discuss alternate treatments. This is because these conditions put you at too high a risk to be on hormone replacement therapy.

At the Complete Women’s Practice, we offer traditional hormone replacement therapy as well as bio-identical hormone therapy. Both are successful in treating menopausal symptoms.

I am happy to schedule a consult to discuss which option would work best for you.