What is Menopause? As you grow older, you will begin to experience changes in your body. One day you may wake up to find more gray in your hair or a wrinkle you hadn’t noticed before. Inside, too, you experience changes that affect your menstrual period and the way your body naturally produces hormones. As women experience menopause, they may suffer various discomforts due to decline in hormones. These changes can begin just before or after you stop menstruating. Your ovaries have stopped releasing eggs and producing most of their estrogen, and this marks the end of your reproductive abilities. Menopause is a normal condition that all women experience. What is Peri-Menopause? Peri-Menopause is the natural transition period preceding menopause that is often symptomatic of hormonal imbalance and fluctuations. In many ways it is the flip side of puberty. It’s a progression than a series of specific events. Are you experiencing symptoms that may be affecting your life, but in a way you can manage? Then you may well be experiencing peri-menopause. Menopause Symptoms: As your estrogen hormone levels fluctuate and continue to get lower, you may begin experiencing menopause symptoms. One of the most talked about is Hot Flashes. With hormone imbalance, you may experience symptoms, such as: Common Symptoms: Hot Flashes, Night Sweats, Irregular Periods, Loss of Libido, Vaginal Dryness and Mood Swings. Changes: Fatigue, Hair Loss, Sleep Disorders, Difficulty Concentrating, Memory Lapses, Dizziness, Weight Gain, Incontinence, Bloating, Allergies, Brittle Nails, Changes in Odor, Irregular Heartbeat, Depression, Anxiety, Irritability and Panic Disorder. Pains: Breast Pain, Headaches, Joint Pain, Burning Tongue, Electric Shocks, Digestive Problems, Gum Problems, Muscle Tension, Itchy Skin and Tingling Extremities. Other Symptoms: Osteoporosis Treatment for Menopause: Hormone replacement therapy (HRP) Your body needs a balance of hormones to function, so it is important to talk with your doctor about the treatments available and what will work best for you. Hormone replacement therapy (HRP) is used to supplement your body with either estrogen alone or estrogen and progesterone together. This can help relieve some of your menopause symptoms and help prevent osteoporosis. The Group for Women can help you face these natural changes with grace and strength. When you consult with any of our doctors, we will provide thorough information on hormone replacement therapies available to you, and determine the best course of action for your continued health. Hormone replacement treatments are designed to help you overcome issues associated with aging and menopause, recovery from illness, and problems with sexual drive. Please visit http://menopause.acog.org/ for the latest medical findings on Menopause. Please contact The Group for Women today at 757-466-6350 to learn more about menopause and hormone replacement therapies for women and to schedule your appointment.  

What is menstruation and why is it important? Menstruation is the time in your life when your body shed the lining of your uterus. The blood and tissue leave your body through a small opening in your cervix and out through your vagina. The beginning of menstruation marks an important time in your female reproductive cycle. It marks a time when your body is ready to produce an egg to be fertilized, so you can become pregnant. Your menstrual period can have both a different flow, light to heavy, and can last for different period of time. Every woman is different. Your period may be painful, and you may have heavy bleeding. Sometimes you can even skip your period. If you experience painful periods, a heating pad or a warm bath can be helpful and soothing. There are also some over-the-counter medications that can help with symptoms. If you are worried about your menstrual flow or having severe pain during your period, contact The Group for Women to speak with a triage nurse or to make an appointment with your doctor or one of our nurse practitioners. 757-466-6350 What is your menstrual cycle? For most women, menstruation lasts from 3 to 5 days and can be a light to heavy flow. The monthly cycle that your body goes through, menstrual cycle, is your body’s natural way of getting ready to be pregnant. It’s a sign of a healthy reproductive system. Your body’s natural estrogen increases causing your uterus walls to thicken. At the same time, an egg (ovum) in one of your ovaries begins to mature. Halfway through your cycle, this egg leaves the ovary, goes through your fallopian tube and into your uterus. This called ovulation. During this time, 3 days before or when you ovulate, the egg can be fertilized by a man’s sperm and can attach to your thickened uterine wall. If this happens, you are pregnant. If your egg does not become fertilized, it will break apart. Your hormone levels will drop, and your uterus will begin to shed its thickened lining, beginning your menstrual period. Your menstrual cycle can range from 21 days to 35 days in adult women. With young women and women in peri-menopause, the cycle is not as consistent. When will you get first period? The average age for a girl in the United States to get her first period is age 12. Keep in mind that time is an average. Your period may start sooner or much later, but if it has not started by the age of 15, you should consult your doctor. Your period will last until you begin menopause, typically between the ages of 45 and 55. Again, it is different for every woman, and the timing is not exact. If you have questions about your adolescent daughter’s period, contact The Group for Women to speak with a triage nurse or to make an appointment with your doctor or one of our nurse practitioners. 757-466-6350  

As a teenager, you may be seeking to have more of a voice in your own health. The Group for Women doctors are with you every step of the way to help you set the stage for a bright and healthy future! It’s important to establish a relationship with your doctor. Annual appointments should begin in your teen years and are especially important when you are sexual activity. These appointments focus on your unique issues, needs and concerns in an atmosphere that allows you to feel comfortable talking about your health Your doctor can discuss: Your menstrual cycle, including when you will start your period, heavy bleeding, missed periods, menstrual cramps and any irregularities. Physical changes in your body Pelvic pain and infections Vaginal pain, infections and discharge Breast health, growth, pain and lumps Birth control counseling and educational materials Prevention, testing and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases Vaccines like the HPV Vaccine Call for your appointment today at 757-466-5751.

Endometriosis is a common condition among women aged 25 to 35, and sometimes older. This health disorder occurs when cells lining the uterus begin to grow elsewhere in a woman’s body. Symptoms of endometriosis may include: Abdominal pain Irregular uterine bleeding Problems with infertility Endometriosis is also known in some cases to be genetic. The doctors at The Group for Women offer many services for the diagnosis and treatment of endometriosis. Pelvic examinations and transvaginal ultrasounds are two methods we can use to determine if you have endometriosis. Depending on the severity of your condition and other factors such as age and your desire to have children, we may suggest medication and/or surgery to relieve pain and other symptoms. If you are past childbearing age or do not wish to get pregnant, your doctor can discuss other options. At The Group for Women, we care about your health. When you visit any of our doctors for treatment of endometriosis and other conditions, we will counsel you with regards to the best option for your body and health, and will see you through treatment and recovery with the utmost care. If you have questions about treatment, we are happy to answer them. Contact The Group for Women today at 757-466-5751 to schedule your appointment. The Group for Women is a leader in women’s healthcare providing OBGYN services, Urogynecology, Birth Control, Hormone Replacement Therapy, office procedures and minimally invasive and outpatient surgical procedures to patients in the cities of Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Newport News and Hampton throughout Hampton Roads and beyond. Call us today for your appointment 757-466-5751.

The Group for Women cares for all of your female health needs, both routine and when you have problems. Throughout your life you may experience female health problems that may need tests, medications and possibly surgery. The Group for Women uses the latest tests, procedures and state-of-the-art surgical techniques to help diagnose and provide treatment. It is important that you let your doctor know if you are experiencing any of these conditions. If you have pain or unusual bleeding, please call our office immediately at 757-466-6350 so we can see you as soon as possible, in most cases that same day. However, if this is an emergency, call 911. Types of Gynecologic Problems: Menstrual Problems: Premenstrual Stress Disorder; Menstrual irregularity, pain or excessive flow; Breast Disorders: nipple discharge, pain, masses Abnormal Pap Smear Hormonal Disorders Contraceptive (Birth Control) Management Pelvic pain from Endometriosis or Fibroids Disorders of the ovaries Menopause: Pre-Menopause symptoms; Post-Menopausal bleeding; Hormones Urinary: Bladder infections; Pelvic relaxation; Urinary Incontinence Infections of the Vagina and Vulvar (external female genitals): Burning, stinging or itching; Appears red and swollen Bone Density: Osteoporosis Fertility: Evaluations and treatment for infertility Call for your appointment today at 757-466-5751. The Group for Women is a leader in women’s healthcare providing OBGYN services, Urogynecology, Birth Control, Hormone Replacement Therapy, office procedures and minimally invasive and outpatient surgical procedures to patients in the cities of Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Newport News and Hampton throughout Hampton Roads and beyond. Call us today for your appointment 757-466-5751.

As you grow older and your body changes, you will notice that you do not naturally produce as many hormones as you did in your youth. Some external changes are easily noticed – skin discoloration, wrinkles, gray hair – but as you approach menopause you are also at risk developing osteoporosis. Over time, your bone tissue may become thinner and bone density decreases, leaving your bones brittle and more susceptible to fractures and breakage. A bone density test can help determine the best care of your body to prevent these problems. The Group for Women is dedicated to helping you maintain optimal bone health as you mature. It is not uncommon for women over the age of 50 to suffer bone fractures – especially broken hips – and we are here to consult with you and offer treatment options best suited to your needs. A bone density test is a good way to know the state of your bone tissue and determine whether hormone replacement therapy, a change in diet and exercise, or surgery is the best course of action for you. Unfortunately, many women do not realize the symptoms of osteoporosis until the disease has reached a late stage. As a patient at The Group for Women, we can help monitor your health and work toward preventative measures so you can grow older with grace and strength. Getting a bone density test is a good first step. Mid-Atlantic Imaging Centers If you answer yes to any of the following questions you may be at risk for osteoporosis: Do you have a fair complexion? Are you over 40 years old? Do you smoke cigarettes? Do you have a family history of osteoporosis? Do you consume low amounts of dairy products? Are you currently on thyroid medications? Through a Bone Density Scan, which measures your bone mass, osteoporosis can be detected early and treated. Mid-Atlantic Imaging Centers perform full bed (hip and spine) Bone Density Scans at all five imaging centers located in Chesapeake, Newport News, Norfolk and Virginia Beach offices. Contact The Group for Women today at 757-466-5751 to schedule your appointment. The Group for Women is a leader in women’s healthcare providing OBGYN services, Urogynecology, Birth Control, Hormone Replacement Therapy, office procedures and minimally invasive and outpatient surgical procedures to patients in the cities of Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Newport News and Hampton throughout Hampton Roads and beyond. Call us today for your appointment 757-466-5751.

Who Needs Routine Preventative Care? Women of all ages, from their adolescent teenage years through their senior years. What are Routine Preventative Care Appointments? They are annual appointments with your gynecologist, and they are an important part of your care with The Group for Women. These annual appointments should begin in your teen years and are especially important when you are sexually active. During your appointment, your doctor will: Perform a pelvic exam Take a pap smear Have routine blood work and a urinalysis done to check for any abnormalities Examine your breasts, show you how to perform a self-breast exam and recommend the age when you should begin to have a mammography Offer contraceptive counseling Perform other gynecologic screenings as needed Discuss your diet and exercise Recommend any supplements for bone health like calcium Ask you about any other questions or concerns you have about your health care Why are Routine Preventative Care Appointments important? An annual appointment with your gynecologist is very important because abnormalities can be detected and treated quickly. Because your female organs are internal, they cannot be seen without a special exam and tests. For example, a pap smear can detect many minor abnormalities long before they are able to be seen even by your doctor or felt by you, the patient. A pap smear is a test that checks for changes in the cells of your cervix which is the lower part of the uterus (womb) that opens into the vagina (birth canal). The doctor performs this test by taking a swab of your cervix. It is done in the examination room and is painless. The pap smear can tell if you have an infection, abnormal (unhealthy) cervical cells, or cervical cancer. Annual appointments give you an opportunity to discuss any issues you may be having and ask questions to your doctor. Depending on your age, your doctor can discuss many issues including menstrual difficulties, menopause, hormone therapies, birth control, pregnancy plans and problems with intimacy. Who will you see for your Routine Preventative Care Appointment? The Group for Women encourages you to establish a relationship with one of the practice’s doctors, so they can get to know your healthcare needs. Throughout your life, however, you may need to see another one of our highly qualified doctors for a special problem or procedure, so we encourage you to be familiar with our team of doctors and nurses. To learn more about the services we provide, please contact us today at 757-466-6350.  

Charlette King and Nancy Sinibaldi, our nurse practitioners, are registered nurses who have specialized training in obstetrics and gynecology. Charlette received her BSN from Long Island University in Brooklyn and her MSN from Hampton University. Charlette is fluent in French as well as English. Prior to joining The Group for Women, Charlette worked for Planned Parenthood in Southeastern Virginia. Charlette is also on the Adjunct faculty of Hampton University. As one of our nurse practitioners, Charlette provides the following types of medical care: yearly gynecological exams and Pap smears; contraceptive methods and counseling; routine prenatal and postpartum care; diagnosis and treatment of infections, evaluation of menstrual irregularities and discomforts; and hormone replacement therapy.