Annual well-woman examinations are a crucial facet of your reproductive and overall health. Understanding how these exams work, how often you should have them, and why they are important can help you commit to your reproductive health. Find out more about well-woman examinations and how they can benefit you with your OBGYN at South Metro Obstetrics and Gynecology with two locations in Englewood and Lone Tree, CO.

What is a well-woman examination? 
A well-woman examination includes a breast exam, pelvic exam, and PAP smear to screen for cervical cancer. Though these three elements make up most well-woman exams, your doctor may suggest other tests or procedures like a blood draw to test for STDs or a mammogram to investigate breast lumps or search for signs of breast cancer.

How often should I get a well-woman examination? 
Doctors recommend that women have a well-woman examination annually after age 21. These frequent visits give your doctor the chance to find and treat issues in their earliest, most treatable stages and, if necessary, discuss family planning, and contraception.

What can I expect from a well-woman examination? 
Your doctor will perform the breast and pelvic exams, then talk with you about your health. They will ask you questions about your reproductive and sexual health. In addition, your doctor may also talk to you about other lifestyle choices like exercise, alcohol consumption, smoking, and nutrition. This is also your time to address any questions or concerns you have with your doctor.

Annual Well-Woman Examinations in Englewood, CO, and Lone Tree, CO 
Your well-woman visits are an important part of ensuring that both your reproductive and overall health remain in top condition. For more information on well-woman examinations, please contact South Metro Obstetrics and Gynecology with two locations in Englewood and Lone Tree, CO. Call (303) 788-7888 to schedule your appointment at either office today!

Let’s sit down and discuss your contraceptive options right here in Englewood, CO.

If you aren’t planning on becoming pregnant then you may be considering contraception. Today, women have many different options when it comes to family planning that it can sometimes feel daunting. Which contraception is right for you? What will fit into your lifestyle the best? This is where our Lone Tree and Englewood, CO, OBGYNs can help you decide.

What are my contraceptive options?

There are many different contraceptive methods out there. They can best be categorized as:

• Hormonal contraception
• Barrier methods
• Intrauterine Device (IUD)
• Abstinence
• Emergency contraception

Hormonal contraception includes birth control pills, as well as the patch or vaginal ring. Some contraceptive pills contain estrogen and progestin while there are other options out there that only contain progestin. Women who’ve experienced side effects on estrogen birth control may experience fewer side effects on progestin-only contraception.

Barrier methods include condoms, sponges, and spermicides, which prevent the sperm from reaching the egg. Of course, while these methods can prevent pregnancy not all options will fully protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

An IUD is a small contraceptive device that is inserted by our Englewood, CO, gynecologist into the vagina to prevent pregnancy. Once an IUD is placed it can remain for several years before needing to be replaced. And if you choose to get pregnant while you have your IUD all you have to do is come in to have it removed. You can also choose from a hormonal IUD or non-hormonal copper IUD.

While emergency contraception shouldn’t be used as everyday contraception is can be a great option if you’ve had unprotected sex and are worried about pregnancy. When taken within five days of having unprotected sex, emergency contraception can be extremely effective for preventing pregnancy.

What does contraceptive counseling entail?

Whether this is your first time getting contraception or you want to change your current method this is the perfect time to speak with one of our Lone Tree and Englewood, CO, gynecologists. We will sit down with you and ask you questions regarding your health, contraceptive goals and lifestyle to see which option might work best for you. We can also answer any questions you might have regarding different contraceptive methods and your sexual health.

If you are ready to discuss your contraceptive options with us then call South Metro Obstetrics & Gynecology today to schedule an appointment with us. We offer locations in Englewood and Lone Tree, CO, to provide reliable and convenient OBGYN services whenever you need it.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that approximately 10 percent of women ages 15-44 struggle with infertility. About 7 percent of men are infertile according to a study published in the Human Reproduction Update. This issue doesn’t just take a physical toll, it can also affect women emotionally in significant ways. There may be options for treating infertility that you can explore with an OB/GYN at South Metro Obstetrics & Gynecology in Lone Tree and Englewood, CO.

Understanding Infertility
Infertility is the inability or difficulty to conceive and carry a child to full term. If a woman under the age of 35 is unable to conceive after a year of unprotected sex, infertility may be the issue (six months for women over 35). It is a very stressful situation for couples who desperately want to have a baby. Keep in mind that both men and women can be infertile, which is why it’s important to narrow down the exact cause, whenever possible, with extensive testing of both partners.

Possible Causes of Infertility
In some cases, infertility is a problem that is inherited. It can also be caused by gynecological conditions like fibroids and endometriosis. Women who have only one functioning ovary or trouble ovulating often find it more difficult to conceive. Polycystic ovarian syndrome (a hormonal imbalance) is the most common cause of infertility in women according to The Office on Women's Health. Infertility in men (low sperm count) may be caused by poor diet, substance abuse, smoking, certain medications, or STDs that have gone untreated for many years. 

Infertility Treatments
An extensive round of testing by your Lone Tree and Englewood OB/GYN is necessary before a course of treatment can be recommended. Some couples choose to explore IVF (in vitro fertilization) treatments to overcome infertility issues. Some medications or a surgical procedure may help, depending on the diagnosis. Dietary and lifestyle changes may also be crucial to increasing the chance of conception.

Talk to an OB/GYN About Your Options
If you’re having trouble conceiving, infertility is an issue that you should discuss with a trusted and experienced OB/GYN. Call (303) 788-7888 today to schedule a consultation and evaluation with a women’s doctor at South Metro Obstetrics & Gynecology in Lone Tree or Englewood, CO.

Pregnancy among teens has decreased in recent years, but it is still a concern. Statistics gathered by the Centers for Disease Control in recent years reveal more than 249,000 babies were born to teen moms between the ages of 15-19 in the U.S. in a single year. Sexually active teens are at risk of contracting various sexually transmitted diseases, such as HPV, and babies born to teen moms are at higher risk of certain problems, as well. South Metro Obstetrics and Gynecology are your providers for teen contraception and prevention of teen pregnancy in Englewood, CO.

Risks of Teen Pregnancy

Teen pregnancy is associated with certain risks that do not affect adult pregnancies as readily. For instance, sexually active teens are at risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, particularly HPV. HPV stands for the Human Papilloma Virus and is associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer. Fortunately, a vaccine for HPV is now available. If your teen is sexually active or thinking about it, a doctor who deals with teen pregnancy in Englewood can discuss the advantages of getting the vaccine with you and your teen.

In addition to the risks of contracting sexually transmitted diseases, the babies born to sexually active teens who become pregnant are at higher risk of certain problems. Babies born to teens are at higher risk of a low birth weight and tend to have more health problems than children born to adult parents. Babies born to teens are also more likely to have difficulty in school when they get older. Finally, baby girls born to teens are more likely to also become teen mothers themselves.

In Englewood, help for teen pregnancy is available at South Metro Obstetrics and Gynecology. The doctors and staff there can educate your teen about the facts of teen pregnancy, including the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases. They can also discuss contraception options. To schedule an appointment at either the Englewood or Lone Tree, CO location, call (303) 788-7888.

Find out why we recommend getting regular ultrasounds throughout your pregnancy.

Whether you already received a positive pregnancy test or you think you might be pregnant it’s important to schedule an appointment with our Lone Tree and Englewood, CO, OBGYNS as soon as possible so that we can confirm the pregnancy and start providing you with the care you need during this exciting and transitional time.

The number of ultrasounds you will need throughout the course of your pregnancy will be determined by one of our Lone Tree and Englewood obstetricians and will be based on factors such as preexisting health conditions, conditions that develop during your pregnancy (e.g. high blood pressure), etc.

Ultrasounds are performed during your first, second and third trimesters. During the first trimester, it will be used to confirm the fetus’s heartbeat, to confirm a due date and to check for signs of an ectopic or molar pregnancy. The fetus can’t actually be detected until the sixth week, (the gestational sac is the only thing that can be detected at around the fifth week of pregnancy via an ultrasound), which is why most doctors will recommend that you don’t get an ultrasound to confirm the pregnancy until around the sixth week. An ultrasound can often detect a heartbeat at approximately six-and-a-half weeks.

During the second trimester (often around the 18th and 22nd weeks of pregnancy), ultrasounds can be used to check the overall health of the fetus and to thoroughly examine all organs and systems within the body to look for any malformations (e.g. cleft lip) or genetic disorders (e.g. Downs syndrome).

Ultrasounds aren’t always required during the third trimester but there are many reasons we may choose to perform one. For example, women who are high-risk pregnancies should be monitored closely to make sure that nothing changes with their health the baby’s health. Furthermore, it can also provide women with the peace of mind they need until the arrival of their new addition.

South Metro OBGYN in Englewood and Lone Tree, CO, is here for you for all of your obstetric and gynecological needs. Whether you need to schedule an ultrasound, have questions about your pregnancy or just need to get your next annual exam on the books, call our office today.