Northlake OB/GYN

"Providing the Highest Quality, Comprehensive Women's Healthcare Possible"

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• About
• Doctors
  • Bruce J. Roberts, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.
  • Jean McClintock, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.
  • M. Todd Ruk, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.
  • Garrett H. Garner, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.
  • Jennifer Campbell, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.
  • Jennifer Denning, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.
  • Kristi Ryder, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.
  • Courtney G. Trylovich, M.D., F.A.C.O.G.
  • Jason Harn, M.D.
  • Pari Ghodsi, M.D.
• Services
  • Gynecological Services
    • Abnormal Pap Smears
    • Annual Exams
    • Bone Density Screening
    • Endometriosis
    • Gynecological Surgery
    • Hormone Imbalances
    • In Office Laboratory
    • In Office Procedures
    • In Office Sonography
    • Menstrual Disorders
    • Menopause
    • Ovarian Cancer Screening
    • Pelvic Pain
  • Obstetric Services
    • General Obstetrical Care
    • High Risk Obstetrical Care
    • Infertility
    • In Office Sonography
• Patient Information
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  • Patient Forms
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Gynecological Services

Abnormal Pap Smears

An abnormal Pap smear doesn’t necessarily indicate a condition like HPV or cervical cancer. Pap smears are constructed to detect any changes within the cervical cells, and abnormal results may indicate other conditions such as inflammation, hyperkeratosis, or atypical squamous or glandular cells. False positives are also common from Pap smears, but we take every precaution we can to ensure your health.

Your doctor may perform a colposcopy after abnormal cells are found in order to examine the cervix more closely and take a biopsy of any abnormal tissues. Any necessary treatment will be performed after further examination.

Annual Exams

Yearly pelvic exams and Pap smears are important in monitoring your gynecologic health and screening for infection, inflammation or other abnormal cells that may indicate disease. Early detection is important in treating any disease and especially important for cervical cancer and other potentially life-threatening diseases.

Annual exams are recommended for women who are sexually active or over the age of 18. During the exam, the doctor will examine your breasts and pelvic organs for any abnormalities or changes. During a Pap smear, he or she will remove some tissue from the cervix to carefully examine as well. An annual exam is one of the most important steps you can take in preventing disorders of the pelvic organs.

Bone Density Screening

DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) is an enhanced X-ray image of the skeleton that provides the most accurate measurements of bone density available. Bone density tests are used to determine whether patients have osteoporosis, a condition in which bones are weakened and fracture easily.

During the procedure, a beam of low-dose X-rays is targeted at the area, usually the lower spine and hips. The energy is measured as it is absorbed by soft tissue and by bone, and computer software then processes the gathered information. Exams are painless and take 10-30 minutes.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a medical condition in women in which the uterine lining (endometrium) moves out of the uterus and into other parts of the pelvic area such as the ovaries, bowels or behind the uterus. This condition affects about five million women in the US and is one of the most common health problems. It is generally not a serious or harmful condition, but can be painful and may interfere with your daily life.

During your period, this tissue swells and bleeds and sheds from the lining to be released within the menstrual flow. When it is in other areas, this swelling causes pain and may form scar tissue. There is no known cause of this condition, but it tends to run in families. Symptoms of endometriosis include:

Endometriosis can be diagnosed through an ultrasound or MRI. There is no cure for the disease, but symptoms can be treated depending on their type and severity. Talk to your doctor today if you think you may be experiencing endometriosis.

Gynecological Surgery

Surgery Center treatment options include:

Hormone Imbalances

As you get older, your body slowly ceases to produce estrogen and progesterone, two hormones that thicken the uterus to prepare for implantation of a fertilized egg. However, these hormones also protect the body from developing uterine cancer and osteoporosis. The decrease is also responsible for many symptoms of menopause.

Since these hormones are valuable to our health, many women choose to replace them through a pill, patch or cream and retain the benefits that they produce through hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Estrogen by itself helps to relieve menopause symptoms and prevent osteoporosis. When taken with progesterone, the combination therapy allows the uterine lining to shed each month without the regular bleeding. Since there are risks associated with HRT, it is important to take the lowest dosage possible and reevaluate your therapy each year. Your doctor can help you decide which, if any, type of HRT is right for you.

In Office Laboratory

At Northlake OB/GYN, we perform blood tests and other routine laboratory procedures right in our office, eliminating the hassle of visiting a separate testing lab before or after your appointment. We hope that our patients can benefit from the convenience of this service.

In Office Procedures

Northlake OB/Gyn offers a wide variety of gynecological services to meet the specific healthcare needs of you, our valued patient.  Gynecology services and procedures range from the first gynecologic office visit experience to the difficult and challenging problems that might occur.   These services are provided by our physicians with expertise in all aspects of gynecologic care.

Office Gynecological care includes:

Our physicians have extensive training and expertise in advanced gynecological care for abnormal pap smears, excessive uterine bleeding, endometriosis, pelvic relaxation and incontinence.

We look forward to meeting your needs and expectations.

Menstrual Disorders

Menstrual disorders can turn your monthly period from a minor hassle to a major, debilitating inconvenience. These disorders can cause physical and emotional symptoms and can severely disrupt your daily life for days or weeks at a time. Menstrual cycle disorders can cause symptoms like:

These symptoms are characteristic of several different menstrual disorders including abnormal uterine bleeding, amenorrhea, fibroids, dysmenorrhea, PMS and PMDD. While these disorders are not usually serious, they are often very painful. Fortunately, treatment methods, from over-the-counter medications to a hysterectomy, are usually successful in relieving these symptoms to make that time of the month a little less dreadful.

Menopause

At a certain time in every woman's life, the ovaries cease production of eggs and the menstrual cycle ends. A woman is born with a finite number of eggs that cause the menstruation and ovulation process. Once these eggs run out, those processes end as well. This event brings about physical and emotional effects for women as their bodies adjust to the changes. Menopause usually occurs naturally after the age of 40. Early menopause can occur as a result of disease or damage to the ovaries. 

Menopause is diagnosed when a menstrual period has been absent for 12 months. However, the entire process takes several years and begins when the ovaries start producing less estrogen. This stage is known as perimenopause and is when symptoms may begin. Menopause symptoms include:

Not all women experience symptoms of menopause. Those who do may be mild or severe. These symptoms can last from the perimenopause stage and for several years after menopause. The loss of estrogen production also increases the risk of osteoporosis, heart disease and Alzheimer's disease.

Effective treatment for most menopause symptoms and for reducing the associated risks are available and your doctor can help decide which options are best for you. 

Ovarian Cancer Screening

Women can screen for ovarian cancer by undergoing annual pelvic exams, which can help detect any abnormalities or changes to the ovaries as soon as possible. Women who have a higher risk of developing ovarian cancer should be aware of their risk and discuss the best prevention method with their doctor. Early detection is important in achieving effective results from the disease and lowering the number of associated deaths.

While there are ultrasound and other diagnostic procedures that can detect abnormalities within the ovaries, there is no universal screening test for ovarian cancer. These exams do not distinguish between ovarian cancer and benign ovarian cysts, and may cause many women to undergo major, invasive procedures to further examine and remove the detected abnormality that is most likely benign and harmless.

Pelvic Pain

Chronic female pelvic pain is classified as pain below the belly button lasting longer than 6 months. The pain can range from mild to severe, dull to sharp and may come and go or be constant. It is usually a symptom of another condition. Pelvic pain can be a result of several different causes, many of which can be successfully treated.

Although the cause of pelvic pain can not always be determined, some common causes include:

Patients who suffer from pelvic pain may undergo a Pap test, blood test, urine test, pregnancy test and STD test to determine the cause of pain. Imaging devices and even exploratory surgery may be used to if a cause cannot be found.

Treatment for pelvic pain depends on the cause, but can include:

Pelvic pain can be a debilitating condition that can affect your everyday life. It is important to work with your doctor to diagnose the cause of pain in order to receive effective treatment.

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