Gynecology

Complete Gynecology Care for Every Age and Stage

Women’s health needs evolve throughout every decade of life. From your teen years through your golden years, it’s important to see a doctor who specializes in women’s healthcare. Depending on your age, you may need a doctor who specializes in pregnancy, breast care, bladder problems, or menopause.

Your gynecologist is a partner you can turn to for medical advice, screenings, or treatments. They help keep you healthy with annual well-woman appointments and preventive exams. They also coordinate access to specialized services and treatments like gynecologic cancer care or surgery.

Whether you need help with family planning, fibroids, or hot flashes, you’ll find the expert gynecology care you need, right here in Southeastern Pennsylvania.

Gynecologic Conditions We Treat 

Our gynecologists treat most medical problems that can affect a woman’s health. These include:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding. Types of unusual bleeding include absent periods (amenorrhea), very heavy periods, and bleeding between periods.
• Benign breast disease. These noncancerous problems include cysts, fibroadenomas, and intraductal papillomas.
• Bladder or bowel problems. Urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence can cause urine or stool leakage, or cause you to visit the toilet urgently or more often.
• Endometriosis. When endometrial tissue grows outside the uterus, it can build up and form scar tissue in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, bladder, or bowel. This can cause heavy, painful periods and ongoing pelvic pain.
• Gynecologic cancers. Cancer can grow anywhere in the female reproductive tract, including the vulva, vagina, cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus.
• Infections. Gynecologic infections include yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, mastitis, urinary tract infections, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like chlamydia.
• Pelvic inflammatory disease. Inflammation in the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or uterus caused by an untreated infection that spreads.
• Pelvic organ prolapse. When muscles in the pelvic floor weaken, the uterus, bladder, or rectum can drop into (or bulge out of) the vagina.
• Pelvic pain. Abnormal pelvic pain lasting six months or longer is often caused by endometriosis, ovarian cysts, or uterine fibroids.
• Polycystic ovary syndrome. Women with this condition have too much of a male hormone called androgen, which can cause irregular periods, excessive facial or body hair, and infertility.
• Sexual health. In addition to prescribing birth control and treating STIs, gynecologists help manage concerns like low sex drive and painful intercourse.

Gynecologic Services

Wellness Exams and Annual Check-Ups

Wellness exams let your gynecologist prevent potential health problems or catch them early. Depending on your age and needs, these yearly check-ups may include:

• Clinical breast exams. A physical examination of your breasts to feel for lumps and look for visible signs of cancer.
• Pelvic exams. Checks for problems with your internal and external reproductive organs, including the vulva, vagina, cervix, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and uterus.
• Pap tests. These tests, also known as Pap smears, are often performed at the same time as a pelvic exam. They collect cells from your cervix to look for signs of cervical cancer.
• Birth control counseling. An assessment of your contraception needs and expectations. Your doctor can help you evaluate different types of birth control, prescribe contraceptives, implant intrauterine devices (IUDs), or coordinate referrals for permanent sterilization.
• Pregnancy planning. Counseling on stopping birth control, making lifestyle changes to help you conceive, and maintaining a healthy pregnancy. Once you are pregnant, your gynecologist can refer you to an obstetrician.
• Fertility and reproductive health counseling. If you’re having a hard time getting pregnant, we can refer you to an infertility specialist. We offer the latest approaches in fertility testing for women and men, as well as assistive reproductive technology and minimally invasive surgery.
• Menopause management. Advice on managing menopause symptoms like night sweats, hot flashes, and vaginal dryness.

Adolescent Gynecology Care

Specialized care for teen girls and young women who may need help with irregular menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain, delayed puberty, or contraception.

• Menstrual problems, including absent periods (amenorrhea), irregular periods, or heavy bleeding.
• Common gynecologic problems, such as vaginal itching or yeast infections.
• Development concerns such as early or delayed puberty.
• Breast care, including evaluation of lumps or uneven development.
• Chronic pelvic pain, including tests or treatments for endometriosis and ovarian cysts.
• Birth control counseling, including educating teens about contraception options and effectiveness.
• Sexual health concerns, including sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention and treatment.

Midlife and Menopause Care 

Normal aging causes our bodies to change, especially as we get closer to middle age and menopause. Our gynecologists have experience managing:

• Bone health. Depending on your age and other risk factors, you may need treatments to help slow bone loss or prevent complications caused by osteoporosis.
• Breast health. We provide a full range of breast care services, including screening mammograms, breast biopsies, and breast cancer treatment.
• Bladder and pelvic floor problems. Our gynecologists and urogynecologists treat urinary incontinence and other pelvic floor conditions, including pelvic organ prolapse.
• Sexual health counseling. Your doctor can help with sexual health concerns such as low sex drive or painful intercourse.
• Menopause symptoms. We offer the care you need to get through perimenopause and menopause. Services include hormone therapy and other treatments for night sweats, hot flashes, sleep problems, or vaginal dryness.

Gynecologic Surgery 

If you need gynecologic surgery, you can count on us for safe, state-of-the-art care. Our surgeons offer the latest minimally invasive techniques, including robotic surgery and scarless surgery, to treat many women’s health conditions. These include uterine fibroids, endometriosis, urinary incontinence, pelvic organ prolapse, and cancers of the ovaries or uterus.

Other Gynecologic Services

• Obstetrics services. Counseling and care for women who need help starting a family, maintaining a healthy pregnancy, or preparing for labor and delivery.
• Fertility and reproductive care. Treatment of certain health conditions that make it harder to get pregnant, as well as male and female infertility testing and treatments.
• Endometriosis and pelvic pain care. Evaluation and treatment of problems that cause chronic pelvic pain, including endometriosis and uterine fibroids.
• Bladder and pelvic floor care. Specialized care for problems caused by a weak pelvic floor, including bladder or bowel leakage and pelvic organ prolapse.
• Gynecologic cancer care. Expert care for cancers of the cervix, ovary, uterus, and other parts of the female reproductive system.

Your Team for Coordinated Care

As we age, women are more likely than men to develop certain medical problems like depression or rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Fortunately, your gynecologist is just one part of a system-wide team that collaborates to care for you. At Tower Health locations, you have access to nearly every medical and surgical specialty, including:

• Behavioral health specialists who can help you manage anxiety, depression, or other mood disorders.
• Cardiologists who will help you manage or lower your risk of heart disease.
• Endocrinologists who treat thyroid problems, osteoporosis, and other conditions linked to hormone imbalance.
• Gastroenterologists who specialize in digestive disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and celiac disease.
• Neurologists who care for migraines, multiple sclerosis, and other conditions that affect the brain and nervous system.
• Rheumatologists who treat autoimmune disorders like lupus and RA.

Low-Cost Gynecologic Care at Reading Hospital 

All women deserve access to high-quality healthcare, regardless of their ability to pay. That’s why the Women’s Health Center at Reading Hospital offers free or low-cost pregnancy care, lab tests, sexual health services, and urinary incontinence care.

We charge for these services on a “sliding scale,” meaning your out-of-pocket costs are based on your income and other factors. We also offer free interpreter services to women who speak languages other than English.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 484-628-9797.