• 3D/4D Ultrasound
• Breast Self-Exam
• Menopause
• Osteoporosis

The new General Electric Voluson and Logiq 5 Expert are state-of-the-art systems for obstetric and gynecologic ultrasound imaging. The Women's Center has recently begun offering 3D/4D ultrasound technology to the patients of Heritage Physician Group and the surrounding community.

• Better visualization of a sub-optimally positioned baby
• Better visualization of baby's tone and movement
• Easily view the four chambers of the baby's heart
• Better visualization of baby's upper lip and palate
• Anatomic detail of baby's spine and skeleton
• Increased Mother-Baby bonding

The OB/GYN department is in the process of attaining national accreditation in the OB/GYN ultrasound imaging from the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine in order to provide you with an added level of confidence and reassurance in the ultrasound exam we provide.

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Remember that a self-exam is the best way of detecting breast cancer early. More than 90 percent of breast cancer cases in women are detected by women themselves. However, many women continue to make excuses for not doing BSEs. A recent poll reveals that only 27 percent of American women practice regular, monthly breast self-examination.

It is highly recommended that premenopausal women do a self-exam one week after menstruation stops, and postmenopausal women do so on the first day of each month. Most lumps are benign but should be checked by your doctor as soon as possible. Patients and doctors should work in full cooperation so if a lump develops, it is detected, diagnosed and treated as early as possible.

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Menopause is a natural stage in every woman's life, occurring at an average age of 51. It is a result of the decrease in the production of the sex hormones estrogen and progesterone, especially estrogen. More than 40 million American women are experiencing menopause right now, and 3,500 more women enter menopause every day.

The first signs of menopause are usually irregular periods, hot flashes, night sweats, breast tenderness and bloating. As women enter menopause, they are often faced with the question of whether or not to take estrogen for the relief of menopausal symptoms. It is important to discuss this option with your healthcare provider to fully understand the benefits, side effects and risks that go along with a hormone replacement therapy, or HRT.

When discussing HRT with your doctor, remember to mention if you have had any of the following:

• Breast or uterine cancer
• Blood-clotting disorder
• Phlebitis (inflammation of a vein)
• Liver disease
• Severe headaches
• Abnormal vaginal bleeding
• Gallbladder disease
• Heart disease

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Osteoporosis, or "brittle bone" condition, is caused by a thinning of the bones. It usually occurs in postmenopausal women, but many times the calcium loss in the bones starts before menopause. After menopause, women lose their bone mass six times more rapidly than men. Osteoporosis affects around 25% of women and can lead to bone fractures, loss of height, spinal pain, difficulty breathing or a hump in the back.

The following conditions put women at a higher risk for osteoporosis: familial history; petite structure; having ovaries removed; consuming a lot of fat, caffeine or salt; consuming too little milk or other dairy products; a sedentary lifestyle; alcohol consumption; or smoking.

Your doctor can perform a bone mineral density, or BMD, test to measure the density of your bones. The results of the test will help your doctor map out a plan toward protecting your bone health. If osteoporosis is diagnosed, remember that there are treatments available the can increase your bone density and reduce the risk of a fracture.

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The Obstetrics/Gynecology physicians look forward to serving you with our newest procedures and equipment. Call today for your appointment!