Gynecologic care and Pelvic health
At Adventist Health, we provide a full range of gynecologic gynecologic and pelvic health services, from education and screenings to treatment for complex conditions.
We treat:
- Abnormal pap tests
- Endometriosis
- Gynecologic cancers
- Menorrhagia (excessive bleeding)
- Pelvic pain
- Pelvic prolapse
- Sexual dysfunction
- Urinary incontinence (urology)
- Uterine fibroids
Preventive gynecologic care
Regular pelvic exams can help increase your chances of living a longer, healthier life by detecting many conditions early, when they’re easiest to treat.
Pap smears
Also called a Pap test or screening, a Pap smear has been proven to be the best tool to detect cell changes in the cervix that may indicate cancer or a precancerous condition. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina.
The test, performed in a clinic or doctor’s office, is simple, quick and painless. Some women experience mild discomfort. After undressing from the waist down, you will lie on an exam table. A doctor, physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner will gently insert an instrument called a speculum into your vagina so they can easily see inside. He or she will use a soft brush or flat scraping device to painlessly collect a sampling of cells from your cervix. The cells are later examined in a lab and the results are provided to you and your primary care physician.
If unusual cells are detected, it doesn’t mean you have cancer. Further tests will determine what treatment you may need.
Women should begin getting Pap tests when they reach age 21 or become sexually active, whichever comes first. Your age and health history will determine how often you need the test after that; typically, every three years. Ask your doctor what is appropriate for you.
Urology
The most common reason women visit a urologist is urinary incontinence. Incontinence is not a disease, but a symptom of an issue in the urinary tract. While it can affect women of any age, it is more common in older women. We know the embarrassment this condition can cause, and our compassionate experts treat and often cure incontinence with respect and sensitivity.
Gynecologic surgery
At Adventist Health, our experienced surgeons and clinical teams provide personalized, patient-focused care using advanced technology. We perform a wide variety of gynecological surgeries, most using minimally-invasive techniques.
Benefits of using the da Vinci Surgical System
At Adventist Health Lodi Memorial and Adventist Health Bakersfield our gynecologic surgeons sometimes use robot-assisted surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System. This may be the most effective, least invasive option for many gynecological surgeries. Through tiny incisions, surgeons using the da Vinci System can operate with greater precision and control. This minimizes the pain and risk associated with large incisions while increasing the likelihood of a fast recovery and excellent clinical outcomes.
Benefits of using interventional radiology to treat uterine fibroids
Interventional radiology uses X-ray-guided imaging to perform minimally invasive procedures that once required surgery. Most procedures can now be done on an outpatient basis and require a shorter recovery time. This includes uterine fibroid embolization (UFE), an alternative to hysterectomy for some women. UFE is performed by a specially trained interventional radiologist, typically in an outpatient setting, and is available at Adventist Health Bakersfield.
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