3 Women’s Health Options in Lone Tree & Castle Rock, CO: Prevention Comes First 

Women’s Health: A Preventive Approach

Preventive care is essential for any patient, but women are affected by certain female conditions that require early diagnosis. Without treatment, these illnesses develop in silence, leading to severe complications that are preventable with routine checkups and provider guidance.

Scheduled appointments like well-woman exams, mammograms, cervical cancer screenings,  and testing for HIV and chlamydia can help women identify and address health risks related to their reproductive organs and hormones. To maintain long lasting overall well being here are some conditions that women need to be aware of:

• Endometriosis.
• Uterine fibroids.
• Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome (PMOS).
• Hormone Imbalance (perimenopause and menopause)
• Gynecological/female-specific cancers (cervical, ovarian, uterine, breast).
• STIs (chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhea, HIV, HPV).

♀️Read more about it: Pap Smear in Lone Tree & Castle Rock, CO: Your Cervical Health Matters

Preventive Women’s Health Services

Gynecologists offer a wide variety of services focused on women specific concerns, tailoring them to their age, lifestyle and medical history. While each patient has a different diagnosis, these preventive care services are essential for every woman:

• HPV Testing
• Birth Control
• Pelvic Ultrasounds

1. HPV Testing

In women, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)  is the main cause behind cervical cancer. HPV is a common sexually transmitted infection that affects 42 million Americans. When this disease goes undetected and the symptoms develop, it can lead to precancerous cervical lesions and progress to cancer. Some testings used to diagnose HPV include:

• Pap Test (Cytology): The Pap Smear Test checks for cellular abnormalities in the cervix that indicate precancerous lesions or malignant cells. During the procedure, the provider places a speculum inside the cervix and uses a small brush to collect a sample of cells that are sent to a lab. Results can take up to a week.
• HPV Molecular Test: Using molecular techniques such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), this test detects the DNA of high-risk HPV types in cervical samples. It can identify HPV infection even when a Pap smear shows no visible abnormalities in cervical cells.  
• HPV Genotyping: This molecular test identifies the specific type or types of HPV present in a cervical sample. Many HPV genotyping tests use a technique called multiplex fluorescent PCR, which can detect several HPV types at the same time. The results help healthcare providers determine whether the infection involves low-risk HPV types, which are unlikely to cause cancer, or high-risk HPV types, which are associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer.

2. Birth Control Pills 

Birth control pills are a type of oral contraception that uses hormones like estrogen and progesterone to prevent pregnancy. They work by hindering ovulation, thickening cervical mucus to impede sperm from entering and fertilizing the egg, and thinning the uterine lining. Depending on your medical needs, your gynecologist might prescribe one of these types of birth control:

• Combination birth control pills: These pills contain synthetic estrogen and a progestin to help prevent pregnancy, primarily by stopping ovulation. They also thicken cervical mucus and thin the lining of the uterus, making pregnancy less likely. In addition to preventing pregnancy, combination pills may help improve acne, reduce heavy menstrual bleeding and painful periods, and lower the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancers. 
• Progesterone pills (Minipills): These birth control pills contain only progesterone. Providers usually prescribe these pills for women who are breastfeeding, cannot use estrogen containing birth control such as those who have high blood pressure or migraines.  

3. Pelvic Ultrasounds

A pelvic ultrasound is a non-invasive screening that allows the provider to assess the organs and structures inside the female pelvis, including the uterus, cervix, vagina, fallopian tubes and ovaries. 

During the procedure, an ultrasound uses a transducer that is placed on the targeted area, which sends out ultrasound waves that move through the body to the organs and structures within. The sound waves come off the organs like an echo, returning to the transducer, which processes the reflected waves that are converted into an image. Depending on factors like your age and health goals, your doctor might perform one of these two types of ultrasounds:

• Transabdominal (through the abdomen): A transducer is moved over the abdomen after a conductive gel is applied to the skin. The gel helps the sound waves travel between the transducer and the body to create images. 
• Transvaginal (through the vagina): A long, thin transducer is covered with a protective sheath (such as plastic or latex, if appropriate) and coated with a small amount of conductive gel before being gently inserted into the vagina. Because it is closer to the pelvic organs, it provides more detailed images of the uterus, ovaries, and other pelvic structures. 

About Lone Tree’s Mission

Lone Tree OB/GYN & Midwives is a full-service obstetrics and gynecology office with a team of highly regarded providers recognized throughout the Castle Rock, Colorado, community for their exceptional care.