FW Center for Pelvic Medicine

Dr. Alan Johns has been in the practice of Gynecology since 1978. He has performed over 8,000 laparoscopic surgical procedures.

Call today! (817) 923-5559

Diagnosing and Treating Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a disease that affects somewhere between 5 percent and 10 percent of women in the United States today. It is a progressive disease that can lead to very painful symptoms, and in many cases infertility. The only way to definitively diagnose this disease is by doing a laparoscopy procedure.

We may prescribe medication that can prevent ovulation, and this can minimize pain. However, the recurrence rate after medical treatment is still high, and using medicine to alleviate the pain does not do anything to address the possibility of infertility.

Surgical treatments can be used to increase pregnancy rates, so we usually prefer this as a starting treatment if a person is battling with infertility associated with the endometriosis. Surgery has also been seen as a better option when it comes to pain relief over the long-term. It is more effective than simply using medicine.

Endometriosis is identified by the presence of endometrial tissue on the ovaries, fallopian tubes or other sites where it should not be. The symptoms it produces are extreme pain, discomfort and infertility.

When surgery is performed to address endometriosis, the goal is to get rid of the endometrial lesions. While endometriosis is likely to continue to be a problem as long as menstruation continues, the symptoms can be controlled or modulated with the right treatment at our office.

Endometriosis is usually diagnosed when a woman is between the ages of 25 and 29. The diagnosis is made in most cases because of infertility as opposed to a response to pain. Researchers have seen a genetic link in endometriosis. So, if other women in your family have it, your chances of having it as well are greatly increased.

A good portion of women who are diagnosed with endometriosis are asymptomatic. And a good portion of women who complain of about having pelvic pain are later found to have endometriosis.

Doctors will almost always consider endometriosis as an option in any woman who is of reproductive age and complains of pelvic pain. Often times, there is pain in the back that gets worse during menses. In some instances, rectal pain may be present as well.

Treatment will range from medical treatment to surgical treatment, depending on the progression of the disease. During a consultation with our specialist at Fort Worth Center for Pelvic Medicine, you can learn about your treatment options for your particular case. Contact us today to book an appointment at our office in Fort Worth.

Signs and Symptoms of Menopause

If you’re a woman in your forties or older, you may be experiencing issues that signal the approach of menopause, or the impending end of your menstrual cycle. Everyone experiences these bodily changes differently; however, there are several commonalities that are likely.

About Menopause

With age, a woman’s production of estrogen and her ovarian function start to decline. These changes gradually bring about menopause, which is simply the cessation of menstruation for a period of at least one year. It is typically around the age of 40 that this process begins to accelerate, and women will start to notice some cognitive and physical changes happen. The actual age in which menstruation ends will vary. Some women report the end of the menstrual cycle as early as 40, while others may not experience it until they reach 60 or later.

Stages and Symptoms

Menopause usually happens across three stages. The first is perimenopause, which generally occurs around age 40. Periods may become irregular in flow, with cycles of inconsistent lengths. Hot flashes may begin during this stage. Cognitive issues such as forgetfulness or brain fog along with emotional symptoms like mood swings are frequently noted by women in this stage.

The second or main stage is the actual menopause, in which menstrual cycles stop completely. This doesn’t officially occur until you have gone at least one year without a period. Hot flashes continue during this time, as well as symptoms like vaginal dryness, problems with sleep and continued mood swings. Lower sex drive is yet another symptom. Women enter the third stage, post-menopause, on the anniversary date of their last menstrual cycle.

Ways to Address the Symptoms

Eating well and cutting down on smoking and alcohol consumption can help to lessen overall symptoms and improve your health. While there aren’t always triggers, things like spicy food and caffeine can bring on hot flashes for some. Hormone therapy is a popular medical approach that can help to relieve some menopausal symptoms. MonaLisa Touch® treatments are another common treatment.

Menopause and the time leading up to it can be difficult due to hormonal changes in the body. When you work with the team at the Fort Worth Center for Pelvic Medicine, we can determine the best course of action to relieve the signs and symptoms of menopause in your particular case. Contact us today to schedule a consultation at our office in Fort Worth.

Reasons to Get a Gynecologic Ultrasound

A gynecologic ultrasound or pelvic ultrasound is a non-invasive diagnostic test that uses sound waves to form pictures of the structures and organs within the pelvis. Our board-certified doctor places the transducer on the patient’s body that sends sound waves through them. The process works like echolocation: as the sound waves bounce off the tissues and organs, they return to the transducer that sends them to a computer that converts the waves into images of what the doctor is examining.

How Does It Work?

During a gynecologic ultrasound, Dr. Johns will coat the transducer with the conductive gel and place it over the patient’s abdomen or insert it into the patient’s vagina. This will depend on the reason for the ultrasound. The process takes around 10 minutes to complete and produces 2D or 3D images to accurately capture the structure that the doctor is examining. The ultrasound has been described as feeling like a normal gynecological exam, so it is relatively comfortable.

During your visit, Dr. Johns will examine your results and give you feedback as to what could be causing your symptoms. Gynecologic ultrasounds are done on an outpatient basis and can be done in the comfort of our office in Fort Worth.

Why Are Pelvic Ultrasounds Done?

In some cases, the doctor will be looking for problems that affect both men and women like urinary problems or growths in the pelvis. They may also look for signs of colorectal cancer. If they are treating somebody with colorectal cancer, the doctor will use an ultrasound to see how the patient is responding to treatment. If the patient is a woman, Dr. Johns will be looking for anything that is abnormal in the position, size or shape of your organs, the blood flow to them, pregnancy and any problems involving it, causes for pain and discomfort in the pelvis, lumps and much more.

Contact Us

Whether you are experiencing discomfort, abnormalities or wish to have a pregnancy confirmation, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Johns at Fort Worth Center for Pelvic Medicine to have your reproductive system thoroughly checked via an ultrasound. Dr. Johns and his medical team would be happy to answer any questions or concerns you have about gynecologic ultrasounds. Don’t wait any longer to have your symptoms checked out! Contact us today to make an appointment in Fort Worth!

Can MonaLisa Touch Treatment Benefit Me?

The MonaLisa Touch® is a treatment for a variety of vaginal problems, and it can help women who have difficulty controlling their bladder. If you’ve been avoiding sexual intercourse because medical conditions have caused you to lose your libido, then this procedure is worth considering.

How the MonaLisa Touch® Can Help You
Aging is a natural part of life, and it comes with a variety of hormonal changes. As a result of these changes, you might experience painful intercourse, vaginal itching, dryness, burning and atrophy. It doesn’t take long for these unwanted changes to start having a negative impact on your daily activities and intimate relationships. The MonaLisa Touch® can give you relief from these symptoms and improve your overall gynecologic health.

What to Expect from Treatment
Since the MonaLisa Touch® is a non-surgical procedure, you can avoid the major risks associated with other invasive treatment options. During the procedure, a fractional CO2 laser is used to give you relief from unwanted symptoms.

With pulses of laser light, your body is stimulated to produce new collagen, and your vaginal walls will begin to heal. The laser is also effective for restoring normal pH, and it helps to restore lubrication and blood flow. If you’re dealing with urinary incontinence, painful intercourse and/or vaginal dryness, then the MonaLisa Touch® can give you relief for your irritating symptoms.

Who Will Benefit from This Treatment?
This procedure is performed on an outpatient basis in the comfort of our office. For optimal results, you might need to undergo multiple treatments, which are spaced a set amount of time apart. Fortunately, the treatments aren’t considered to be uncomfortable.

If you’re dealing with the uncomfortable hormonal changes caused by estrogen deficiency, then you can benefit from this procedure. It’s also a great treatment for women who are dealing with uncomfortable symptoms caused by menopause. The greatest benefit of undergoing the MonaLisa Touch® is relief from the symptoms of estrogen deficiency and atrophy of the vagina.

By the time you’re finished with your treatment or series of treatments, you should experience significant relief from your symptoms. The MonaLisa Touch® offers long-lasting results, but to maintain symptom relief, we usually recommend undergoing an annual maintenance treatment.

If your vaginal troubles are disrupting your daily life, then consider undergoing the MonaLisa Touch® treatment at the Fort Worth Center for Pelvic Medicine, conveniently located in Fort Worth. Contact us today to schedule a consultation to learn more.

Fort Worth
1250 8th Avenue Suite 330,
Fort Worth, TX - 76104
817-923-5559
Willow Park
134 El Chico Trail, Suite 103,
Willow Park, TX - 76087
817-441-1644
Glen Rose
1008 N E Big Bend Trail, Suite 400,
Glen Rose, TX - 76043
817-923-5559
Pecan Plantation
2800 Village Rd., Suite 112,
Granbury, TX - 76049
817-923-5559

Recent Posts