The staff at Associated Obstetrics and Gynecology knows a woman needs a doctor to listen and treat her as an individual, a physician who understands the changes and challenges she experiences ‘someone who will help her stay healthy over the years.
‘We’re very much into preventative medicine, picking things up before they become problematic,? said Adam Ziff, D.O. ‘Every doctor here has a caring attitude that takes a look at the whole person.?
The office offers many services in both obstetrics and gynecology.
For example, Ziff recommends the human papillomavirus’HPV’vaccine to all younger patients.
The vaccine was FDA approved as a preventative treatment for girls and women ages 9 to 26.
‘We know HPV is a sexually transmitted infection that causes cervical cancer,? said Ziff. ‘It also causes non-cancerous genital warts.?
The vaccine is not a substitute for PAP tests, Ziff warned, and it does not guarantee a person will never contract HPV’more than 100 different types of the virus exist, but the vaccine is preventative against the four most common, which account for 90 percent of warts, and 70 percent of cervical cancers.
‘It’s the only cancer vaccine,? said Ziff. ‘It’s a huge, huge medical breakthrough and we’re recommending it.?
A new permanent contraceptive is also available in the office.
Essure is non-invasive procedure that will not change a woman hormonally and can be performed in-office in as little as 20 minutes.
The physician inserts a tiny camera through the cervix and into the uterus, where tube openings become visible. A tiny coil is released into the tube, and a fiber inside the coil forms a natural blockage to prevent pregnancy.
‘Most women describe it as having a PAP smear,? said Paul J. Corsi, M.D. ‘That’s how much discomfort they have.?
Patients return to their normal routine the next day’if not that same day.
‘The success rate is very high; three months later we do a test to ensure complete blockage,? he said. ‘There has never been a pregnancy once proper blockage is confirmed.?
Women who are over 35, finished having children, still taking birth control and seeking a permanent form of contraception are ideal candidates for Essure.
‘A lot of husbands just keep on saying, ‘oh I’ll have a vasectomy,?? Corsi said. ‘Or the husbands don’t want a vasectomy. This is a good alternative.?
Several physicians in the office are also practicing a relatively new treatment for heavy bleeding.
‘It’s a wonderful alternative to hysterectomy,? said Patricia Kondratenko, D.O ‘Years ago, we had options of doing a D & C or a hysterectomy, which is obviously a very invasive procedure.?
The procedure, generally known as endometrial ablation, can significantly reduce menstrual flow.
Several variations of the procedure exist, said Kondratenko.
‘The one I do quite a bit is Novasure,? she said, explaining that a small catheter is inserted into the uterus, where it opens like a fan. ‘As it touches the uterus it uses electricity to ablate the lining of the uterus. It takes approximately 90 seconds and is extremely effective.?
Novasure can be performed under anesthetic, as well as a same day surgical procedure for patients who don’t want a delay in getting back to normal activities.
HTA’hydrothermal ablation’is another type of the procedure, and is similar to Novasure but uses hot fluid to ablate the uterus lining and reduce menstrual flow.
The success rates of HTA, she said, are comparible to Novasure, and doctors will recommend the best option for women on an individual basis.
Risks and side effects from the procedure are minimal.
‘You can have a light watery discharge averaging about 11 days,? said Kondratenko, ‘After the procedure, usually within the first 24 hours, most women will experience cramping.?
The procedure is not for women who are planning a pregnancy, and is not recommended as a birth control’it can decrease the odds of getting pregnant, but contraceptives should still be used.
Associated Obstetrics and Gynecology includes a full staff of physicians ready to treat ‘the whole woman?: Dr. Stanley Dorfman, M.D., Chief of Staff at St. Joseph Mercy-Oakland; Dr. Robert Robins, M.D.; Dr. William H. Jewell, Jr., M.D., Chairman of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology; Dr. Paul J. Corsi, M.D.; Dr. Patricia Kondratenko, D.O.; and Dr. Adam Ziff, D.O.
Associated Obstetrics and Gynecology is located at 7210 N. Main Street, with office hours Monday through Friday. Call 248-620-2800 or visit www.associatedobgyn.net.