Women's Specialty Services

Obstetrical care, midwife services and treatment for gynecological problems, breast disease, infertility, incontinence, urological disorders, osteoporosis and other women's health concerns. Other advanced services include the following:

Laparoscopy is a minor surgical procedure in which a very small incision is made at the site of the belly button through which a slender, light-transmitting telescope is inserted in order to view the pelvic area. This allows a physician to diagnose and treat many problems such as ovarian cysts, ectopic pregnancies, fibroid tumors or the uterus, endometriosis and other disorders of the reproductive organs. Because laparoscopy allows physicians to make more accurate diagnoses, fewer hysterectomies are performed, and when they are, the uterus (and ovaries, if appropriate) may be removed through use of laparoscopic equipment, eliminating major surgery and its inherent hospital stay and 4-6 week recuperation period.

Hysteroscopy is a minor surgical procedure in which a slender, light-transmitting telescope is inserted into the uterus via the vagina and cervix. This allows a physician to view the inside of the uterus as well as the openings of the fallopian tubes into the uterine cavity. In this way, a physician may be able to detect causes for abnormal bleeding, infertility or repeated miscarriages and correct them without need for further treatment or other major surgery. Also hysteroscopy often enables a physician to take a sample of the uterine lining to detect changes in response to hormones, or to biopsy a suspicious growth in the uterus to determine whether it is cancerous or not. Another procedure made possible by hysteroscopy is endometrial ablation, or permanent removal of the lining of the uterus. This is a surgical procedure that permanently ends menstruation without altering the hormonal system of a woman's body. Since this frequently same-day, out-patient procedure often replaces hysterectomies (a major surgical procedure) as a cure for abnormal bleeding, it is a great advancement in women's health.

Hormone Therapy is used for many different situations, ranging from controlling abnormal menstrual bleeding to slowing osteoporosis. Strides have been made in understanding the hormonal system in the body. We now know much more about how and why it undergoes change monthly and throughout a lifetime. This knowledge has led to the successful production of synthetic hormones which relieve symptoms caused by overproduction or underproduction of these natural substances.

Location: Guthrie Healthcare System