Chris Sanchez, Author at FW Center for Pelvic Medicine

Common Questions About Ovarian Cysts

Any kind of abnormal pain that you have in your abdomen should be investigated as there are multiple reasons for the cause. One of those reasons is an ovarian cyst. This is something that is rather common among women of all ages. When you meet with our doctor, there are a few questions that you might have that other women have as well about what causes ovarian cysts to form and the treatment involved.

How Can You Tell if You Have a Cyst?

If you have an ovarian cyst, then you will likely experience pain in your lower abdomen near your pelvic region. You could also experience pain during and after intercourse or before and during your menstrual cycle. Another common sign is bloating in your abdomen that you might experience before your period begins. Menstrual cycles that are irregular or that are abnormally heavy are also signs that you might have an ovarian cyst. Sometimes, a cyst will bleed. If you notice a significant amount of bleeding at one time and it’s not during your menstrual cycle, then it could be from a ruptured cyst. This usually happens as the cyst reaches a size that is simply too large for the area to sustain any longer.

How Long Will I Be in Pain?

A question that you might have for our doctor is how long a cyst can cause pain. For most women, the pain that you experience tends to go away in about two or three months. This is because that’s usually about the length of time that it takes for a cyst to go away on its own without treatment. If you notice that there’s continued pain after about three months or it gets worse, then you should seek treatment from our doctor as it might need to be surgically removed.

Is a Cyst Hereditary?

If there has been a history of ovarian cysts in your family, then you might be predisposed to getting them. Keep in mind that there’s no clear indication that genetics is specifically linked to these cysts, so you usually don’t have to worry for the most part.

Do Cysts Affect Fertility?

When you meet with our doctor about ovarian cysts, you might want to know if they can cause issues with getting pregnant. They can make it difficult to get pregnant, especially if you have several cysts over a period of time. The cysts put pressure on the ovaries and other components of the reproductive system, which can then make it difficult to conceive.

To ask more questions about ovarian cysts, set up a time to visit Fort Worth Center for Pelvic Medicine in Fort Worth, TX. We are experts in vaginal health and offer various services ranging from MonaLisa Touch® to infertility treatments. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.

The Importance of Visiting Our OB/GYN

As a female, it’s important to take proper care of your body as there are issues that could arise that can be treated if they are seen in the early stages. You also need to take the proper steps by visiting an OB/GYN to ensure that your reproductive health is as good as possible if you want to have children in the future. Breast cancer can also be detected if our doctor feels any lumps during an exam or notices any abnormal areas after a mammogram is performed. Aside from your reproductive health, our doctor can monitor your overall health as well so that you don’t have to seek another office to visit.

One reason as to why you want to visit our OB/GYN is so that you can have clinical breast exams performed. Although you might know how to perform your own exam at home, there are some things that our doctor can look for that you don’t know how to detect. If there are any signs that something could be wrong, then our doctor can order a mammogram or other tests to make sure there are no signs of cancer present. You can also find out the proper way to conduct an exam at home if you’re not sure.

Since an OB/GYN can be your primary provider as well as your reproductive health provider, there are numerous aspects of your personal health that can be monitored. One is your mental health. You can feel free to talk about any emotional issues that you’re experiencing, especially if you’ve had a miscarriage or you’re facing difficulties getting pregnant. Your diet and exercise habits can be discussed so that you can make a plan to stay as healthy as possible. Various health screenings can be provided including a Pap smear and other exams to detect different types of cancers or other issues.

While at the office, you can talk about your menstrual cycle and what should be normal. If you’re of the proper age, you can also talk about what to expect when you go through menopause. If you’re sexually active, then it’s important to visit our OB/GYN to get information about how to prevent pregnancy or what to do if you think that you’re pregnant.

Learn more about why it’s important to visit an OB/GYN by consulting our specialists at Fort Worth Center for Pelvic Medicine in Fort Worth. Contact our office today to book your appointment!

What Can Microneedling with PRP Accomplish?

Microneedling with PRP is an innovative treatment that helps with a wide range of conditions from lines and wrinkles to stretch marks and everything in between. The method combines two great treatments into one procedure that is minimally-invasive and requires no hospitalization, sedation, or extensive downtime.

What is Microneedling?

Microneedling is a skin rejuvenation technique that is often used in cases of acne scars, wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, skin blemishes, stretch marks, and more. We use a special device to form thousands of microscopic channels in the surface layers of your skin to trigger the formation of new collagen and a reduction in common skin imperfections. Your body will do most of the work itself over the following weeks and months as your skin is rejuvenated and remodeled. Old, damaged skin tissue is replaced with fresh, more youthful-looking skin in a very soft and natural way.

What is the Treatment Like?

We gently glide the device over your skin in a series of sweeps. Each time the device moves over your skin, it forms numerous micro-openings in surface skin layers to trigger the production of new collagen.

In addition to making a fine treatment in its own right, microneedling can be combined with other treatments like topical skin care products. Topicals are able to take advantage of the numerous micro-channels created by the treatment process, allowing them to bypass the outer barrier of the skin and become much more effective through increased skin penetration.

What is PRP?

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) is a blood product derived from the patient’s own blood. We remove a certain amount of blood from the patient and spin it in a centrifuge, separating out blood platelets that are rich in growth factors. The product can then be applied to speed up healing of damaged tissues.

What is Microneedling with PRP?

PRP makes microneedling much more effective by contributing growth factors found in the PRP product. Since microneedling works by creating light skin damage, combining microneedling with PRP helps to greatly speed up the healing and skin remodeling process.

Learn More

If you would like to receive more information about how microneedling with PRP can help you, we encourage you to schedule your initial consultation at Fountain of Youth Medical & Wellness Spa. We would be more than happy to address whatever questions or concerns you may have about the treatment and the results. Our office is conveniently located in Sanford, FL. Contact us today to book your appointment and get started!

How Can an Infertility Specialist Benefit You?

As you age, many things play into your life. You may have had a complication with your reproductive organ. Your spouse may not have the necessary firepower. Whatever the cause of your fertility concerns, you may need to see an infertility specialist.

Generally, if you are more than 35 years old, it is advisable to see an infertility specialist. If you have tried to get pregnant for over a year without success, a specialist can assist you with that. If you have had a miscarriage lately, seeing an infertility specialist can help you understand the cause. Seeing a specialist has many benefits. Here are just some of them.

Understand Your Risk Factors

Problems with pregnancies range from not getting pregnant to giving birth to unhealthy children. If there is a genetic disorder running in your family, you may consider seeing a specialist about it to understand the risk factors. There is no way of changing the way genetics work, but you can know all the risk factors.

You can also prepare mentally for what to expect when you try to get pregnant. An infertility specialist can shed light on all of the risk factors related to infertility. They can help you understand viable sperm and ovum, the integrity of the cervix, uterine integrity, and many other things.

Prevent Miscarriages and Pre-Term Pregnancies

Losing a pregnancy can be devastating. It can land you in more trouble if you decide to get pregnant immediately without understanding the cause of the miscarriage. Carrying a full-term pregnancy requires an enabling environment. An infertility specialist can guide you on how to prepare the foundation before you get pregnant.

Give Birth to a Healthy Baby

Some children endure a bad environment to term, and they are born with malnutrition or other complications. Imagine a child trying to grow in an environment where he or she competes with a benign tumor. A specialist can work with you to prepare for the child.

Know Your Options in Advance

Getting pregnant the old-fashioned way is not possible for everyone. You may want to consider other options if this method fails. Lucky for you, there are several options available for you and your spouse. You can also get a baby when you are alone through other options.

You can consider all the options when you meet an infertility specialist, and if you are interested, you can also learn about the amazing MonaLisa Touch vaginal rejuvenation treatment. All you have to do is book an appointment at Fort Worth Center for Pelvic Medicine to get started. Contact us today to set up your consultation at our office in Fort Worth!

What is Menopausal Hormone Therapy?

Menopause is a normal part of a woman’s aging process. The word describes the changes that accompany the end of a woman’s reproductive period, which typically happens when she is in her early 50s. If you’re dealing with any issues related to menopause, hormone therapy could help.

During her reproductive years, a woman’s ovaries release an egg every month. They also produce the hormones progesterone and estrogen that regulate menstruation and ovulation. As a woman goes through menopause, her hormone levels drop and she gradually stops ovulating and menstruating.

While menopause is normal, it can cause a variety of unpleasant side effects like the following:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Vaginal dryness
• Trouble concentrating
• Insomnia
• Muscle weakness
• Urinary incontinence
• Painful intercourse
• Dizziness

Hormone therapy restores the patient’s hormones to their original levels and, thus, reduces the severity of menopause’s side effects or eliminates them altogether. Hormone therapy can also reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

What Does Hormone Therapy Involve?

Since several hormones are involved, and different patients will have different symptoms and hormone levels, we will have to customize the therapy for each patient. We will start by asking the patient about their symptoms and administering blood tests to determine the amount of hormones the patient will need.

There are different ways to administer hormones. The patient may choose from pellet insertion, oral therapy, injections, transdermal (skin patch), lotion, or gel. We will make sure to recommend the methods we think would be most suitable for the patient.

For example, oral therapy is not recommended for patients with liver problems. Such patients will be offered methods that don’t affect their liver. With skin patches, for example, the hormones bypass the liver and head straight into the bloodstream that transports them within the body.

How Does Pellet Therapy Work?

Pellet insertion or pellet therapy is a surprisingly old form of hormone replacement therapy that dates back to the 1930s. It is particularly popular in Australia and parts of Europe.

In pellet insertion, the hormones are contained within a pellet slightly bigger than a grain of rice. Over a period of months, the pellet will dissolve within the patient’s body and release a constant and steady stream of hormones. Pellet insertion avoids the fluctuations that accompany other forms of hormone replacement therapy.

Who is a Good Candidate for Hormone Therapy?

Simply book an appointment at Fort Worth Center for Pelvic Medicine to find out whether or not you qualify for hormone therapy. During this meeting, we can tell you about various treatments you may be interested in, including MonaLisa Touch®. Contact us today to set up your initial consultation at our office in Fort Worth!

Understanding Vulvodynia

Vulvodynia is classified as chronic vulvar pain with no known cause. There are variations in the location, severity and constancy of the pain for those affected. Some women have pain in numerous areas of the vulva, while others experience pain in just one. The most common symptom reported is burning with different descriptions of the pain. One woman stated the pain felt like a knife, another said it felt like her skin was being burned by acid. The two main types of vulvodynia are generalized and localized and they can co-exist.

Localized vulvodynia is when the pain is concentrated on one vulvar site. When the pain is located in the vestibule or the tissue around the opening of the vagina, it is diagnosed as vestibulodynia. The majority of women with this condition have PVD or Provoked Vestibulodynia. This is when pressure on the vestibule causes pain. This includes:

Inserting a tampon
Sitting for a prolonged period of time
Wearing tight or fitted pants
Sexual intercourse

Clitorodynia is a more uncommon form and causes severe pain in the clitoris. The classifications of PVD are primary and secondary. Women diagnosed with primary PVD have had vestibular pain since the first time they experienced vaginal penetration. Women diagnosed with secondary PVD can have sexual intercourse without pain before they develop vulvar pain.

GV or generalized vulvodynia causes spontaneous pain that is usually constant but periods of relief may be experienced. The symptoms usually become worse if pressure is applied to the vulva such as having sexual intercourse or sitting for long periods.

The Treatments for Vulvodynia

The treatments include surgery, therapy and medication. The most effective treatment for all women is combining more than one treatment. The best results occur when this combination is specifically tailored for the symptoms of each woman. Our physician will recommend the right treatment or treatments. Many women attend support groups or go to therapy due to the impact of chronic pain on their emotions.

The medication can be given by injection, topically or orally. This includes:

Topical estrogen creams
Nerve blocks
Local anesthetics including lidocaine
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors
Tricyclic antidepressants
Anti-inflammatory medications including mast cell inhibitors or steroids
Anticonvulsants
Spinal infusion pump and neurostimulation

Alternative or complementary medicine may also be recommended by the physician.

It is important to see one of our specialists at the Fort Worth Center for Pelvic Health in Fort Worth for this condition. Our physician can provide a recommendation regarding treatment. If you are suffering from any of the different types of vulvodynia and are interested in finding out more about the available treatments, please contact us today to schedule your consultation!

TVUS for Vaginal Health

You have most likely heard of a transdermal ultrasound exam. This is when images of your internal structures are produced by passing an ultrasound transducer over the surface of your skin. In order to see specific issues regarding your vaginal health, a TVUS or transvaginal ultrasound may be necessary. This procedure involves the placement of a transducer into the vagina. This enables a better assessment of certain conditions by providing clearer images.

The TVUS exam is beneficial and often necessary for controlling your overall health. If you are feeling apprehensive about the vaginal health exam, make certain you ask any questions you may have. Once you understand the procedure, you will most likely be much more relaxed. There are a lot of reasons your physician may have recommended this procedure. This may be to determine the cause of infertility, abnormal bleeding, unexplained pain, to identify tumors, fibroids, polyps or cysts, or to check the placement of an IUD.

The vaginal health exam is important during pregnancy to detect the fetal heartbeat earlier and identify and possible complications. Although there are alternatives for this exam, they do not have the same benefits.

The TVUS Procedure

The TVUS exam has similarities to a standard gynecological exam. Unlike a transabdominal ultrasound, the TVUS exam does not require that your bladder be full. The exam generally requires 10 to 15 minutes.

For some TVUS exams referred to as infusion sonograms or sonohysterograms, a small catheter is used to introduce a saline solution into the uterine cavity. This enables a better image of the uterine lining. Ultrasound images are taken prior to and after the introduction of saline solution. This procedure is not used if the woman is pregnant, but to determine the cause of abnormal bleeding, infertility or multiple miscarriages.

It is important to both understand and follow the directions provided by the physician. If the scheduled exam is a sonohysterography, it must take place during a specific point in your menstrual cycle. The standard exam can be given at any time. It is important to remain comfortable and fairly relaxed during the exam. If you become uncomfortable for any reason, make certain you tell your technologist.

You may have already been told by your doctor you should have a TVUS exam, you may have reasons of your own for believing you should have this exam or you may want more information. The learn more about this exam for vaginal health and the benefits it can offer, speak with the professionals at the Fort Worth Center for Pelvic Medicine in Fort Worth, TX. Contact us today to schedule your appointment!

What is Laparoscopic Surgery and How Can It Help?

The Definition of Laparoscopic Surgery

Laparoscopic surgery involves a specialized technique used to perform minimally invasive surgery. This technique has been used in the past for gynecologic surgeries. Laparoscopic surgery has been successfully used for intestinal surgery, open surgery, and traditional surgery for a number of years. The surgery begins when a single opening is made by the surgeon to enter the patient’s abdomen.

A tubular instrument is then inserted into the opening. A specialized camera or a laparoscope along with special instruments are used and pass directly inside. This allows the surgeon to see and work inside the patient’s abdomen. Images are transmitted by the laparoscope of the abdominal cavity to video monitors. These high-resolution images are sent directly to the monitors located in the operating room. During laparoscopic surgery, the surgeon is able to watch the monitors displaying highly detailed images of the patient’s abdomen. This type of surgery gives the surgeon the ability to use much smaller openings to perform the same operations used for traditional surgery.

It is important to note there have been several studies conducted recently regarding laparoscopic surgery. These studies revealed this type of surgery is safe for gynecologic cancer. The studies also showed when a comparison was made between laparoscopic and traditional open surgery, laparoscopic surgery offered a shorter recovery period, greater comfort, and less scarring.

Is This Procedure Safe?

Laparoscopic surgery is considered to be just as safe as traditional surgery. In some cases it may be necessary for the surgeon to increase the size of the opening to ensure a clear view and a successful operation. To determine if the individual is a good candidate for this type of surgery, the laparoscope is inserted close to the belly button via a very small opening. This enables the surgeon to determine if the surgery will be safe and effective for the patient.

Get In Touch with Us to Find Our More about Laparoscopic Surgery

If you are interested in laparoscopic surgery, we warmly invite you to get in touch and make an appointment with the Fort Worth Center for Pelvic Medicine! At our convenient location in Ft Worth, TX, our caring and knowledgeable professionals will be ready and eager to explain the particulars of this process, address any questions or concerns you may have, and help you decide if this procedure is right for you. Contact us today to set up your consultation – we look forward to speaking with you!

Can Pelvic Floor Therapy Make a Difference?

The pelvic floor is a very important part of the body that does not get as much attention as it should. When this area is weakened or injured, a long list of unpleasant symptoms can result. While surgery may be necessary in severe cases, many people can benefit from pelvic floor therapy instead. By learning how to strengthen and/or retrain your muscles, a variety of problems can be solved. Here at Fort Worth Center for Pelvic Medicine, we encourage you to learn more about how this therapy can benefit you.

What Can Pelvic Floor Therapy Treat?

There are many issues that can be helped through the use of pelvic floor therapy. It can be especially beneficial to women who have recently given birth or anyone who has experienced an injury to the area. Some symptoms that can be alleviated through this therapy include painful sexual intercourse, urinary tract infections, and urinary incontinence.

What to Expect with Pelvic Floor Therapy

Seeing a specialist for pelvic floor therapy can accomplish many things. Strength and flexibility can be assessed. After this, we can begin working on a personalized treatment plan for you. Recommendations for your self-care routine can be made as well. While some people may only need a few sessions to achieve their desired goals, others may need more extensive therapy. At your first appointment, you can expect to discuss in detail any symptoms you may be experiencing as well as your medical history.

Contact Us to Get More Information

You don’t have to suffer pelvic discomfort any longer. To learn more about pelvic floor therapy and how it can make a difference in your life, we warmly encourage you to reach out and make an appointment with Fort Worth Center for Pelvic Medicine! At our convenient location in Fort Worth, TX, our dedicated and knowledgeable staff will be ready and eager to explain your options in full, address any questions or concerns you may have, and help you life a more comfortable and satisfying life. We are also proud to offer such treatments as the MonaLisa Touch®. Contact us today to set up your consultation – we look forward to speaking with you!

When to Talk to a Doctor About Endometriosis

Endometriosis occurs when endometrial cells begin to grow outside the uterus. These cells are similar to those forming inside the uterus. The most common location for these cells is on organs of the pelvis, though they can grow elsewhere as well. The majority of women with this condition do not experience any symptoms. When symptoms are experienced they may include various kinds of pelvic pain and infertility.

Pelvic pain during ovulation or menstruation may be a symptom of endometriosis but does not necessarily mean the condition is present. The condition can be diagnosed according to the symptoms of the woman or during a physical examination. A type of surgery called a laparoscopy is usually required for a definite diagnosis.

The Stages of Endometriosis

Endometrial tissue is very similar to the tissues lining the uterus. When a woman menstruates, she sheds this tissue. When an area of endometrial tissue appears in an ectopic location. it is called an endometrial implant. These are most often located on the pelvic lining, the bowels, Fallopian tubes, and the surface of the uterus. The less common locations include the bladder, cervix and uterus. In rare cases, it is possible for an occurrence outside the pelvis.

There have been cases reported in the lungs, liver, and thighs. Although it is possible for endometrial implants to become serious, in most cases they are non-cancerous or benign. If a woman suspects she may have this condition she should consult with her physician as soon as possible for diagnosis and treatment. The majority of endometriosis cases are classified as mild or minimal. This means the scarring is mild and the implants are superficial. Severe and moderate cases often result in severe scarring.