Women's Health & Pregnancy
In the Women’s Clinic we put our client first, providing privacy, always being respectful, caring and professional. The Women’s Clinic at Andrew Rader US Army Health Center provides gynecological health care needs for females 13 years of age through post menopausal years.
Services Offered
- Contraception and counseling
- Sexually Transmitted Infections
- Pregnancy Testing
- Postpartum Exam
- Infertility
- Morning after pill
- IUD Removal
- Menstrual Disorder
- Peri menopause/Menopause/HRT
- Osteopenia/Osteoporosis
- Urinary Tract Infections
- Abnormal Uterine Bleeding
- Dysmenorrhea
- Health maintenance
Referrals for
- Infertility work up
- Mammogram
- Bone Density Screen
- Colonoscopy Screen
- HPV vaccine (ages 9-26)
Self-referral
- Tobacco Cessation 703-696-7924
- Medication Management 703-696-7924
- Behavioral Health 703-696-3456
- Dietitian Clinic 703-696-7951
Information on Services Offered
Contraceptives
- Birth control pills
- Nuvaring
- Patch - Combination of estrogen/progesterone, each patch last 7 days; patches are used for 3 weeks followed by 7 days of hormone free interval.
- Depo Provera Injection - Intramuscular injection administered every 12 weeks.
- IUD - progesterone only contraception provides protection up to 5 yrs.
- Condoms
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Chlamydia infection is the most commonly reported disease in the United States. The infection which is usually asymptomatic can result in pelvic inflammatory disease, which is a major cause of infertility, ectopic pregnancy and chronic pelvic pain. Gonorrhea is the second most commonly reported disease in the US. Gonorrhea can also cause pelvic inflammatory disease leading to infertility, ectopic pregnancy and chronic pelvic pain. Trichomoniasis is caused by a protozoan sexually transmitted. Most men do not have symptoms. Women will have a malodorous, yellowish-green discharge with vulvar irritation. Human papillomavirus can lead to anogenital cancers. There is an HPV vaccine which provides protection against types 6,11,16, and 18. Types 6 and 11 are associated with genital warts, while 16 and 18 are high-risk cancer types associated with anogenital cancers. Gardisil vaccine is provided for the ages between 9-27. Herpes Simplex Virus is a incurable viral disease that can be recurring. Syphilis is a genital ulcerative disease which can cause significant complications if untreated. Initial signs of infection are ulcers at infection site. Secondary infection include rash, lesions and third stage of infection can be heart, nerves, eyes, hearing and tissue. For more detailed information please click here.
Please click on the above link for the Center of Disease Control for further information and answers.
Pregnancy Testing
If you are requesting a pregnancy testing, you may walk in to the clinic between 07:30 -3:30 for a serum HCG. This is a hormone that is released when a fertilized egg implants into the uterus. Usually 6 days after conception. If results are positive or you have a positive home pregnancy test and you need an appointment to begin prenatal care, you can call:
- Fort Belvoir Community Hospital, Ob/Gyn Clinic: 571-231-3442 / 3446
- Bethesda Naval Hospital Ob/Gyn Clinic: 301-319-4471
- Malcolm Grow, Andrew’s Air Force Base, Ob/Gyn Clinic (you will need a referral)
You can better prepare for a healthy pregnancy and outcome by healthy eating, taking your vitamins, decrease stress, exercise 4-5 times a week, if you smoke (stop), minimize alcohol intake, make sure you are at your optimal weight, make sure your immunizations are up to date, limit your exposure to infectious adults and children.
Postpartum Check
Physical Exam is performed to check:
- Blood pressure, pulse, weight, heart and lungs
- Breast, uterus, bleeding, circulation
- Labs if needed
- Discuss emotional state and contraception if desired.
Infertility
Initial lab work and referral to Walter Reed Infertility Clinic can be made through the Women’s Clinic at Andrew Rader. Infertility evaluation can be indicated when a couple have not been able to conceive after having intercourse 2-3 times a week for 12 months.
Menstrual Disorder
Abnormal Uterine Bleeding (AUB) refers to any abnormal bleeding pattern characterized by a change in frequency, duration, or amount of blood loss that differs from the regular menstrual cycle.
Amenorrhea is the absence of menstrual periods during reproductive years.
Dysmenorrhea is painful menstruation. Course of treatment without physical causes may include oral contraceptives, Progesterone IUD, Ibuprofen, naproxen, heat, hot baths.
Premenstrual Disorder is having mild to moderate emotional and physical symptoms severe enough to affect quality of life. This usually occurs during the week before your period. Treatment options make include exercise, relaxation techniques, oral contraceptives and vitamin supplements.
Perimenopause/ Menopause
When a woman reaches middle age, usually in her 40’s or 50’s her periods begin to change. Menopause is the time of life when there has been a cessation of cyclic bleeding for 12 months. The period of gradual change before menopause is called perimenopause. Women may experience menopause symptoms for many years before and after.
Perimenopause is those years leading up to and following the menopause.
The symptoms you may experience:
- Night sweats and hot flashes
- Vaginal dryness
- Pain on intercourse
- Urinary frequency
- Skin/hair changes
- Depression
- Anxiety/tense feeling
- Irritability
- Sleep disturbance
- Changes in menstrual pattern
Hormone Replacement Therapy
There are a number of hormone regiments available. There are creams, tablets, rings and patches. The dosing and type of regiment would be tailored to clients health status and symptoms. The intent is to improve quality of life with the lowest dosing for the shortest amount of time.
Hormone Therapy that we have available at the Women’s Clinic:
Estrogen / Progesterone Therapy
Oral
- Activella
- Premphase
- Prempro
Transdermal
Estrogen Only Therapy
Oral
Patch
Vaginal
- Estrace (cream)
- Estring (ring)
- Premarin (cream)
Health Maintenance
Health Maintenance will include: Vaginal exam with pap testing, breast exam, thyroid, glucose, cholesterol check, colonoscopy referral, bone density referral, also nutrition and exercise.
Pap
A pap smear is a microscopic examination of cells scraped from the cervix that is used to detect cancerous or precancerous conditions of the cervix.
How should you prepare for a Pap test?
Many things can cause wrong test results by washing away or hiding abnormal cells. For two days before the test you should avoid:
- Douching
- Using tampons
- Using vaginal creams, suppositories, and medicines
- Using vaginal deodorant sprays or powders
- Having sex
Depending on the abnormality, specific follow-up will be recommended. This can be anything from simple treatment of mild infection or repeating your pap smear or further evaluation with colposcopy.
Think of cervical cancer as a slow progression from totally normal to abnormal and eventually malignant and cancerous. Our goal is finding an abnormality on the normal end of the time line, so we can prevent it from progressing further.
First initial pap is performed at 21 years of age, every two years thereafter until the age of 30, then every 3 years until the age of 65 providing you have and continue to have normal results.