We strive to create individualized treatment plans for each of our patients as each person has a unique history and unique needs. Some of our services include:
- Pregnancy
- Pap Smear
- Colposcopy
- Birth Control
- Fibroids
- Hysterectomy
- Ovarian Cyst
- Menopause
- PCOS
- Laparoscopy
- Robotic Surgery
- Endometrial Ablation
Pregnancy
Regardless of where you are in your pregnancy or your journey to conceive, our team here at Oahu OB/GYN is here to provide the support and care you need each step of the way.
From preconception counseling and prenatal care to pregnancy management and preparation for childbirth, we offer expert advice and medical care to our patients. In fact, we are proud to be the champions of vaginal birth after Cesarean (VBAC) in !
Pap Smear
A Pap Smear is a test that is usually performed yearly after a woman turns 21 or becomes sexually active. The test is a simple, quick collection of cells. While a Pap Smear is not a diagnostic test for cervical cancer, it can detect any abnormalities which can then lead to further testing.
What to expect during a Pap Smear
At the start of the exam, you will be asked to remove your clothing from the waist down. You will be given a medical gown and a half sheet to cover your lap. At the medical center office, there is an examination chair with stirrups at the end for your feet. You will position yourself in the chair, with your feet in the stirrups, so that you can be examined. An instrument, called a speculum, is lubricated and inserted into the vagina. This tool allows the doctor to have a clear path to the cervix. It is important to remember to relax and breath. This will relax the muscles of the vagina and allow for an easier examination by the medical professional.
After the speculum is inserted, a tiny, thin bristle brush is used to collect some tissue from the back of the cervix. Most women do not feel anything besides a light sensation when this is performed while some experience a feeling similar to menstrual cramps. From here, the medical professional places the sample in a small tube to be sent off to a laboratory for testing. The speculum is removed and the Pap Smear is over. A Pap Smear procedure only takes a few minutes to complete. After the Pap Smear is completed you can get dressed and conclude your medical examination.
Colposcopy
At Oahu OB/GYN, we care about preventive healthcare and one of the services we offer is a colposcopy as part of screening for cervical cancer. A typical cervical cancer screening, known as Pap test or Pap smear, can sometimes come back with abnormal results.
It is important to note that abnormal results are common and do not necessarily mean you have cancer or precancerous cells. Sometimes your outside factors such as your menstrual cycle can interfere, so often follow-up tests are required. We may recommend a colposcopy if your recent Pap smear has come back abnormal.
Birth Control
For women who are sexually active but do not wish to become pregnant, there are several birth control options, or contraceptives, available that are safe and effective. We will work with you to find a form of birth control that is right for you and your lifestyle.
As mentioned above there are various kinds of birth control:
- Barrier
These methods of birth control include male and female condoms as well as diaphragms, or cups, that work to prevent sperm from entering the uterus. - Hormonal
Hormonal birth controls may come in the form of pills, patches, shots, or implants. These methods alter your hormone production to either prevent your body from releasing eggs or to thicken cervical mucus so that fertilization does not occur. - Procedural
These birth control methods involve undergoing minor procedures to prevent pregnancy. An IUD, or intrauterine contraception device, is a device placed within the uterus and works to decrease ovulation, thicken cervical mucus, or block sperm from entering the uterus.
Another form of procedural birth control is tubal ligation. This form is permanent as the Fallopian tubes are cut, clamped, or burned off. This prevents eggs from traveling to the uterus or sperm from reaching the eggs.
Effectiveness
Abstinence, or refraining from sexual intercourse, is the only means of birth control that is proven to prevent pregnancy 100%. However, many of the birth control options listed above have excellent rates with less than 1% of women becoming pregnant when using birth control correctly.
Risks and Benefits
Every contraceptive has its own risk and benefits. It is important that you make this decision together with your doctor so that you are aware of all your options and choose the one that is right for you.
Fibroids
Fibroids are noncancerous growths that develop either in or on your uterus. These growths can cause pain, heavy periods, and difficulty becoming pregnant. If you know or suspect you may have fibroids, we will help you achieve relief with the latest treatment options for fibroids.
What are fibroids?
Fibroids are abnormal growths that develop in or on a woman’s uterus. These are typically benign or noncancerous tumors. However, they can become quite large and cause severe pain in addition to other symptoms that may affect your quality of life.
- Intramural
This is the most common type of fibroid and appears within the muscular wall of the uterus. These growths may become large and stretch your womb. - Subserosal
Subserosal fibroids form on the outside of the uterus which is called the serosa. These growths can become large and make your womb appear bigger on one side. - Pedunculated
This type of tumor grows from a subserosal fibroid that develops a slender base or stem to support the tumor. - Submucosal
These fibroids develop in the middle muscle layer of the uterus and are the least common type.
Symptoms
Symptoms will depend on the number of tumors present as well as their size and location. Often smaller fibroids do not cause symptoms, but common signs and symptoms of fibroids include:
- Heavy bleeding between and during your period
- Pain in the pelvis or lower back
- Increased menstrual cramping
- Increased urge to urinate
- Pain during sexual intercourse
- Menstruation that lasts longer than a week
- Pressure or fullness felt in the lower abdomen
- Difficulty becoming pregnant
Your doctor can diagnose fibroids by feeling for any signs of abnormal growths in your uterus during a routine exam. An ultrasound or MRI can help to confirm the diagnosis and show the size and location of the fibroids.
Treatment
If the fibroids are small, do not cause health concerns, or do not affect your quality of life, treatment may not be necessary. Medications, lifestyle changes, and home remedies can help to relieve some discomfort. Other recommendations include:
- Yoga
- Massage
- Dietary Changes
- Regular exercise
- Stress management
Birth control may also help to control any excessive bleeding during your periods. In severe cases, surgery may be recommended to remove fibroids from your uterus.