Menopause marks the end of the reproductive years in a woman’s life. It is when women naturally stop having menstrual periods. The average age that women go through menopause is 51 years. The years leading up to menopause are called perimenopause, and the transition to menopause is not always smooth.

Some of the common symptoms of perimenopause and menopause are: hot flashes, sleep problems, bone loss and increased risk for osteoporosis, and vaginal and urinary tract problems.

During and after menopause, routine health care visits, even if you are not sick, can help detect problems early and to learn about available recommended treatment options.

To schedule your appointment, call our office at (845) 433-0101.

Family planning services include educational information about your reproductive system and fertility awareness. Family planning, as defined by the World Health Organization, encompasses services leading up to conception, and education on methods of family planning. Some of these methods and services may include education and access to contraceptive methods, including oral contraceptives, Nexplanon, and IUD placement.

To schedule your appointment, call our office at (845) 433-0101.

Uterine fibroids, also known as leiomyomas or myomas, are generally benign growths that develop from the muscle tissue of the uterus. The size, shape, and location of fibroids can vary greatly. They can occur at any age but are most common in women aged 30–40 years.

According to The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, fibroids may cause the following symptoms:

• Changes in menstruation pattern and flow, such as: longer, more frequent, or heavy menstrual periods; menstrual pain (cramps); vaginal bleeding at times other than menstruation; and anemia (from blood loss).
• Pain in the abdomen or lower back, or during sex.
• Pressure such as difficulty urinating or frequent urination, constipation, rectal pain, or difficult bowel movements, and abdominal cramps.
• Enlarged uterus and abdomen.
• Miscarriages.
• Infertility.
• Or they may also cause no symptoms.

Fibroids may be found during a routine pelvic exam or tests to address symptoms. Please consult with your gynecologist about different treatment options for fibroids.

To schedule your appointment, call our office at (845) 433-0101.

Pregnancy is an exciting chapter of your life. We will get to know you and you will see us at every visit, and almost always, we deliver our own patients at Vassar Brothers Medical Center.

Some of the obstetrical services offered are:

• Preconception counseling.
• Infertility testing and treatment.
• Prenatal care of both low-risk and high-risk pregnancy.
• Vaginal birth after cesarean section.
• Postpartum care.

To schedule your appointment, call our office at (845) 433-0101.

The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends an annual visit to your gynecologist for a well-woman examination for some of the following reasons:

• Cancer screening: learn more about breast cancer, cervical cancer, colon cancer, and other types of cancer, and available screening methods.
• Health screening: get screened for high blood pressure, diabetes, bone density for osteoporosis, and more.
• Sexually transmitted infections screening: sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and genital herpes, are infections that are spread by sexual contact.
• Birth control: learn about choosing the right birth control method for you. Some examples include: birth control pills, intrauterine device (IUD), implants, or bilateral tubal ligation.
• Issues with your menstrual period: discuss premenstrual syndrome (PMS), painful periods, heavy or irregular bleeding.
• Preconception counseling: if you are planning to become pregnant, it is a good idea to visit your obstetrician–gynecologist for a consultation.
• Other reasons: obtain information about perimenopause, menopause, pelvic organ prolapse, and urinary problems such as incontinence and retention.

To schedule your appointment, call our office at (845) 433-0101.

According to The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology, hysterectomy is the surgery to remove the uterus, and it is a very common type of surgery for women in the United States. Hysterectomy is one of the safest surgical procedures, however as with any other surgery some risks may be associated with this surgery too.

Hysterectomy is used to treat many women’s health conditions such as: uterine fibroids, endometriosis, abnormal uterine bleeding, irregular and heavy menstruation, chronic pelvic pain and gynecological cancers.

Hysterectomy can be done either through the vagina, abdomen, or with laparoscopy. The method used will depend on the reason for having the surgery, and other factors. During the hysterectomy, other organs such as your tubes and / or ovaries may also be removed, if necessary. A detailed risk assessment and review of your treatment plan will help you in making this decision with your gynecologist. After your surgery, you should continue to see your gynecologist for routine annual checkups.

To schedule your appointment, call our office at (845) 433-0101.

Genitourinary Symptoms of Menopause (GSM) previously known as Atrophic Vaginitis is a chronic, progressive vulvovaginal, sexual and lower urinary tract condition. GSM mainly occurs due to lack of estrogen after onset of natural menopause, surgery or chemotherapy for certain conditions such as breast cancer. Symptoms of GSM are experienced by more than 50 percent of menopausal women.

Some of the symptoms of GSM are: vaginal dryness, itching, irritation and burning in vaginal and vulvar areas, pain during sex, bleeding and burning after sex, urinary frequency, urgency and incontinence.

Besides other treatments, laser therapy has become a treatment options for GSM. In 2014 FDA approved the use of fractional CO2 laser for gynecological surgeries. At a specific diode setting, application of this laser therapy — MonaLisa Touch® — to vaginal mucosa has been shown to improve glycogen storage, vascularity and to stimulate production of collagen and other components of tissue resulting in an increase in thickness and viability of vaginal mucosa. MonaLisa Touch® is not a vaginal rejuvenation tool or a cosmetic procedure.

Treatment with MonaLisa Touch® is an office procedure done in a series of three treatments, six weeks apart.

To schedule your appointment, call our office at (845) 433-0101.

Gynecology is the medical practice dealing with the health of women’s reproductive systems and the breasts. We offer a wide range of gynecological and surgical services for women at every stage of their lives, from adolescence to post menopause. Some of the gynecological services we offer are:

• Annual checkup and screening exams.
• Adolescent gynecology.
• Sexually transmitted infections (STI) screening and treatment.
• Contraception and family planning services.
• Perimenopause and menopausal management.
• Irregular periods and abnormal uterine bleeding management.
• Uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts management.
• Gynecological procedures including; colposcopy, LEEP, D&C Hysteroscopy and polypectomy, Hysterectomy, Myomectomy, Endometrial ablation via Novasure® and minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery.
• Treatment of abnormal Pap smears.
• Treatment of pelvic pain and endometriosis.

To schedule your appointment, call our office at (845) 433-0101.