Main Street OB/GYN Services

Cancer Genetic Testing

Specific inherited gene mutations may put you at risk of developing certain types of cancer. The all-female team of board-certified OB/GYNs at Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology in Ventura, California, provides in-office cancer genetic testing without blood draws. Call the office to learn more about cancer genetic testing or schedule an appointment online today.

What is cancer genetic testing?

Cancer genetic testing involves looking for inherited variants in your genes linked to certain types of cancer. Many diseases like cancer run in families, suggesting genetic links.

Researchers have identified gene variants that may increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer. Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology offers in-office cancer genetic testing for cancers common in women, like breast and ovarian cancer.

Who should have cancer genetic testing?

.
The team at Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology takes a collaborative approach to care and can help you decide if you should have cancer genetic testing. You may benefit from this type of testing if you have a family history of breast or ovarian cancer.

Your personal or family history of cancer may provide some clues if you’re at risk of having an inherited cancer gene. Some of the factors that may suggest a higher risk include:

• Cancer diagnosed at an early age (you or your family member)
• Family member diagnosed with more than one type of cancer
• Cancer in both breasts
• Many first-degree relatives (parent, sibling, children) have the same cancer type
• Unusual cancer cases (breast cancer in a male family member)

The team at Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology takes a detailed review of your personal and family history to determine whether you would benefit from cancer genetic testing.

What happens during cancer genetic testing?

The team reviews the details of the in-office cancer genetic testing at your initial consultation. They collect saliva or cells from the inside of your cheek and send the sample to the lab for evaluation.

There are no blood draws for the office-based cancer genetic test at Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology.

What do cancer genetic testing results mean?

The genetic counselor at Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology talks in-depth with you about what your test results mean. If your results are positive, it means the lab found a genetic variant associated with an inherited cancer.

Having a genetic variant for cancer doesn’t mean you will get cancer. However, it may help you decide when to start cancer screenings and whether you should take preventive measures.

Cancer genetic testing provides valuable information about your health. Call Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology or schedule an appointment online today.

Contraception

Family planning is vital to women’s health, helping prevent unintended pregnancies that affect physical, emotional, and financial well-being. The all-female team of board-certified OB/GYNs at Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology in Ventura, California, provides contraception care, helping you find the best method of birth control to meet your health and wellness needs now and in the future. Call the office to arrange your contraception consultation or schedule an appointment online today.

What is contraception?

Contraception, also known as birth control, is all the methods, medications, and devices people use to prevent pregnancy. There are many forms of contraception, some permanent and others temporary.

You can also use contraceptives to protect against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or help you manage symptoms caused by a gynecological condition.

Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology is an all-female OB/GYN practice. The team understands the unique health challenges women face and provide the individualized care they need to improve and maintain excellent health.

Taking a collaborative approach, they spend time educating you about the various forms of contraception so you can make an informed decision about your care.

What are the types of contraception?

Many types of contraception work in different ways, and no single method works for all. Some of your contraception options include:

Sterilization

Sterilization is a permanent form of contraception. Women who have their tubes tied (tubal ligation) are undergoing female sterilization to prevent future pregnancies.

Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs)

LARCs are birth control devices that get placed at one time and prevent pregnancy for several years (3-10 years). Intrauterine devices (IUDs) and birth control implants are LARCs.

Short-acting hormonal contraceptives

Short-acting hormone contraceptives are prescription medications that prevent pregnancy by stopping your ovaries from releasing an egg (ovulation) or preventing sperm from reaching the egg for fertilization.

The birth control pill, shot, and patch are examples of short-acting hormonal contraception.

Barrier methods

Barrier methods are forms of contraception that stop sperm from reaching the egg, like condoms, diaphragms, and spermicide.

Emergency contraception (EC)

EC is an emergency form of birth control. Women may need EC if they have sex without having other forms of birth control, their birth control method failed, or they were sexually assaulted.

What should I consider when choosing contraception?

When choosing a form of contraception, you need to consider how effective it is, how easy it is for you to use, and what steps you need to take to get it. Your sexual activity and future pregnancy plans are also things you need to consider when selecting a form of birth control.

But you don’t have to decide about contraception methods alone. The team at Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology can provide the expert guidance you need.

To arrange your contraception consultation, call Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology or schedule an appointment online today.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a common gynecological condition that can significantly affect your physical well-being. At Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology in Ventura, California, the all-female team of board-certified OB/GYNs provides individualized care for women with endometriosis, helping them manage symptoms and improve their quality of life. Call the office for compassionate and patient-centered care or schedule an appointment online today.

What is endometriosis?

Endometriosis is a gynecological condition characterized by the presence of tissue similar to the endometrium (the tissue lining the uterus) outside the uterus.

The endometrial-like growths, commonly called implants, are found on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum). The implants may also grow on the outside part of the uterus, intestines, bladder, or rectum.

Every month your uterus prepares the endometrium in preparation for pregnancy. When you don’t get pregnant, you shed the endometrium through menstruation.

Endometriosis implants grow and shed like the endometrium, causing pain, swelling, and scarring that may affect the structure and function of the organs in your lower abdominal area.

What are some of the symptoms of endometriosis?

Chronic pelvic pain is the most common symptom of endometriosis. The pain may occur before, during, or after your period. Or, you may have pain all the time.

If you have implants on the bladder or intestines, you may experience discomfort when urinating or having a bowel movement. Heavy or abnormal bleeding is also common in women with endometriosis.

However, it’s possible to have endometriosis and not have any symptoms at all. During an infertility evaluation, women with asymptomatic endometriosis may learn they have the gynecological condition.

Endometriosis is a common cause of infertility in women.

What tests diagnose endometriosis?

There’s no single test for diagnosing endometriosis. The team at Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology conducts a comprehensive evaluation when you come in with concerns about pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, or infertility to find the underlying cause of your symptoms.

They ask detailed questions about your concerns, medical and gynecological history, and menstrual cycle. They perform a physical and pelvic exam and may run tests, such as bloodwork and an ultrasound, to rule out other conditions.

The team may formulate a preliminary diagnosis after your exam and tests, but may recommend a diagnostic laparoscopy to confirm you have endometriosis.

During this procedure, the team uses minimally invasive gynecologic surgery to examine your reproductive organs, looking for endometriosis implants and taking tissue samples for evaluation.

What are the treatments for endometriosis?

The team at Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology customizes your endometriosis treatment plan based on symptoms and your current and future pregnancy plans. Treatment may include medications to manage pain and slow down endometrial tissue growth, surgery to remove implants, or both.

For compassionate gynecological management of your endometriosis, call Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology or schedule an appointment online today.

Fibroids

Many women develop uterine fibroids at some point in their lives. For women in Ventura, California, they rely on the compassionate team of board-certified OB/GYNs at Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology to help relieve the symptoms of uterine fibroids. Call the office if you need help with treating fibroids or schedule an appointment online today.

What are uterine fibroids?

Uterine fibroids, also called leiomyomas or myomas, are noncancerous growths that develop in the uterus. They are incredibly common, although many women are unaware they have fibroids. These muscular tumors rarely develop into cancer, and having uterine fibroids is not associated with an increased risk of uterine cancer.

Women between the ages of 30-40 are most likely to develop uterine fibroids, but they can occur in women of any age.

Fibroids can be so tiny you can’t detect them with the human eye, or so large they distend your abdomen. You can have one fibroid or many, and not all fibroids present symptoms.

What are the symptoms of uterine fibroids?

Many women have no idea they have fibroids, and if the growths aren’t causing symptoms, there may be no need to pursue treatment. When symptoms are present, they might include:

• Abnormally heavy menstrual bleeding
• Bleeding between periods
• Pain during sex
• Pelvic pressure or pain
• Constipation
• Frequent urge to urinate or trouble fully emptying your bladder

In some cases, infertility is the first symptom of uterine fibroids, and the condition is discovered as your OB/GYN searches for answers regarding your ability to conceive.

What are the treatments for uterine fibroids?

If you aren’t experiencing symptoms, the best course of action may be watchful waiting. Not all fibroids continue to grow, and they can shrink over time.

Medications can play a role in treating uterine fibroids. Hormonal birth control or hormone replacement therapy can control heavy bleeding and resolve anemia caused by fibroids. Other medications focus on altering your hormonal balance to shrink fibroids.

A procedure called fibroid embolization works by injecting a blocking agent into the arteries that feed your fibroids. Once that blood supply slows, fibroids shrink and symptoms lessen. Endometrial ablation is another approach and works by destroying a portion of your uterine lining to control bleeding.

Larger fibroids may need to be surgically removed. Minimally invasive techniques can remove larger fibroids. In rare cases, hysterectomy is the only way to eliminate large or painful fibroids.

To discuss uterine fibroid diagnostic and treatment options in more detail, call Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology or schedule an appointment online today.

High Risk Obstetrics

Every pregnancy has its own unique worries and concerns. When you have a more complicated pregnancy, the experienced team of board-certified OB/GYNs at Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology in Ventura, California, can provide the high-risk obstetrics care you need. Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology offers compassionate support and evidenced-based care throughout your entire journey. Call the office to arrange a pregnancy consultation or schedule an appointment online today.

What is high-risk obstetrics?

High-risk obstetrics is an area of medicine that specializes in managing the health needs of women during their high-risk pregnancies.

Any pregnancy that endangers the health or life of the mother or fetus is a high-risk pregnancy. These pregnancies require close monitoring so the mother and baby stay healthy and safe throughout gestation.

Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology is an all-female practice with a team of board-certified physicians who have advanced training in high-risk obstetrics care. The team provides individualized and comprehensive care before, during, and after pregnancy.

Who needs high-risk obstetrics?

Some pregnant women are at risk of complications because of their age or health history, while others may develop problems as their pregnancy progresses. In these cases, you need high-risk obstetrics:

You may need specialized pregnancy care at Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology if you:

• Are 35 or older
• Have an existing health condition (such as diabetes or hypertension)
• Develop a pregnancy-related health condition (gestational diabetes)
• Are carrying twins or triplets
• Are overweight or obese

A high-risk pregnancy doesn’t mean you’re going to have problems during your pregnancy. However, you need high-risk obstetrics so the team can closely monitor you and your baby’s health and manage issues before they become problems.

What type of care can I expect from high-risk obstetrics?

You can expect patient-centered and compassionate high-risk obstetrics care from the team at Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology. They consider it a privilege to support you during this very important part of your life and are committed to giving you excellent medical care with sensitivity and dedication.

The team performs a comprehensive initial evaluation at your first prenatal visit. They ask detailed questions about your personal and family medical history, perform a physical and pelvic exam, and discuss what you can expect during your pregnancy.

They also perform an ultrasound to evaluate your uterus and estimate your due date. They also order lab work to check for health conditions like anemia and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).

The team may have you come in for follow-up care every 1-4 weeks, depending on your pregnancy issues and weeks of gestation. They order any necessary tests and make referrals to specialists as needed.

Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology offers the best obstetrics care in Ventura County. Call the office or schedule an appointment online today.

Infertility

Infertility is a common problem, but it doesn’t mean your chances of having a baby are lost. The all-female team of board-certified OB/GYNs at Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology in Ventura, California, provides comprehensive and individualized infertility evaluations to find out why it’s so hard for you to get pregnant. Many female and male factors affect fertility. To get the answers you deserve, call the office or schedule an appointment online today.

What is infertility?

If you’re unable to get pregnant after 12 months of trying (or six months if you’re 35 or older), then you have infertility. Infertility doesn’t mean you can’t get pregnant, but it’s a sign that something is happening with your reproductive system.

Though many women feel completely responsible when they’re unable to get pregnant, infertility affects males and females equally. You and your partner should undergo an evaluation to find the root cause when struggling to get pregnant.

Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology performs infertility evaluations for women, providing information, answers, and direction.

What causes infertility in women?

Problems with ovulation are the most common cause of infertility in women. Ovulation is when your ovaries release an egg during the menstrual cycle.

Sperm then fertilizes the egg as it travels down the fallopian tubes to the uterus, creating an embryo. Without ovulation, there is no egg for fertilization.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common cause of infertility in women that affects ovulation. If you have an irregular period, you may not ovulate regularly, making it harder for you to get pregnant.

Structural problems affecting your reproductive organs may also cause infertility, such as fallopian tube scarring from endometriosis or uterine fibroids.

What happens during an infertility evaluation?

The team at Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology conducts a thorough evaluation when you come in with concerns about infertility. They want to find the root cause of your infertility so they can ensure you get the right treatment.

Your OB/GYN asks detailed questions about your menstrual cycle, gynecological history, and medical history. They perform a physical and pelvic exam and run lab work to check hormone levels. They may also perform an in-office ultrasound to evaluate your reproductive organs.

What are the treatments for infertility?

The team at Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology individualizes your infertility treatment plan based on the underlying cause. Treatment may include tracking your ovulation, taking medication to increase ovulation, or surgery to correct the structural problem.

They may also suggest other fertility treatments, such as artificial insemination or assisted reproductive technology (ART), like in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Many factors influence male and female fertility. To learn more about the underlying cause of your infertility, call Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology or schedule an appointment online today.

Management Of Abnormal Pap Smears

It’s normal to feel anxious after hearing your Pap smear results are abnormal, but it doesn’t mean you have cervical cancer. At Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology in Ventura, California, the team of board-certified OB/GYNs provides comprehensive management for abnormal Pap smears. This includes additional in-office testing and procedures to determine why your results are abnormal. Call the office for compassionate and supportive gynecological care or schedule an appointment online today.

What is a Pap smear?

A Pap smear is a screening test for cervical cancer. For a Pap smear, your OB/GYN collects cells from your cervix during a pelvic exam and sends the sample to a pathology lab for evaluation.

Women should start having Pap smears at age 21 and repeat the test every three years until age 65. The team at Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology may combine your Pap smear with a human papillomavirus (HPV) test when you reach age 30.

HPV is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) and the most common cause of cervical cancer. The team may recommend more frequent Pap smears if you test positive for HPV.

What do abnormal Pap smears mean?

Abnormal Pap smears mean the lab found unusual cells in the sample. Examples of abnormal cells include:

Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS)

Squamous cells grow on the surface of your cervix. Normally, these cells are flat and thin. ASCUS means your cells look unusual but not cancerous or precancerous.

Squamous intraepithelial lesion

Squamous intraepithelial lesion suggests you may have precancerous cells in the cervix. The grade of the cells determines how quickly the precancerous cells may turn into cancer.

Atypical glandular cells

The glandular cells are mucus-producing cells found in the opening of the cervix. Atypical glandular cells means these cells look unusual but not precancerous.

Squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma

Squamous cell carcinoma or adenocarcinoma from a Pap smear are concerning and may indicate cervical cancer.

Any abnormal Pap smear requires further testing to confirm or rule out the results from the pathology lab.

What type of testing happens with abnormal Pap smears?

Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology provides comprehensive management for abnormal Pap smears, offering in-office tests to determine what your results mean. Tests may include the following:

Repeat Pap smear

The team may repeat your Pap smear before continuing with additional tests to confirm your abnormal results.

Colposcopy and biopsy

During a colposcopy, your OB/GYN closely examines your cervix using a colposcope — a magnifying device. They biopsy any abnormal tissue and send it to the pathology lab for further testing.

How are abnormal Pap smears managed?

You may need additional treatments if your abnormal Pap smear indicates you have precancerous cells. Management of your abnormal Pap smear may include surgical excision of the abnormal cells or ablation to heat and destroy the cells.

To manage your abnormal Pap smear from a skilled and caring team, call Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology or schedule an appointment online today.

Menopause

Every woman’s menopause experience is unique and benefits from individualized care. The all-female team of board-certified OB/GYNs at Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology in Ventura, California, collaborates with you when developing a health plan for menopause. They use evidence-based care to ease symptoms and keep you in excellent physical and emotional health. Call the office to arrange your menopause consultation or schedule an appointment online today.

What is menopause?

Menopause is the point in your life when you stop having your period. You reach menopause when you go 12 months in a row without menstruating.

However, menopause doesn’t happen all at once. Before you reach menopause, you go through a transitional period called perimenopause, which may start in your mid-40s.

During perimenopause, your hormone levels (estrogen and progesterone) fluctuate, causing an irregular menstrual cycle. The hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause also cause the symptoms associated with the life transition.

What symptoms might I have during menopause?

Menopause symptoms vary in type and severity. Some women have mild symptoms that go unnoticed, while others have severe symptoms that disrupt daily life.

Common symptoms women experience during perimenopause and menopause include the following:

• Hot flashes
• Night sweats
• Mood changes
• Difficulty sleeping
• Fatigue
• Weight gain
• Hair loss
• Dry skin
• Vaginal dryness
• Pain during intercourse
• Low libido

The hormonal changes that occur during menopause also affect bone health, increasing rate of bone loss and your risk of developing osteoporosis.

When should I talk to my OB/GYN about menopause?

You should talk to your OB/GYN at Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology about menopause during your annual preventive care visits years before you start the transition. Your OB/GYN can tell you what to expect, how to recognize symptoms, and when to reach out for extra help.

The team also recommends coming in for an evaluation if you have symptoms that affect your daily life. They can perform a physical and pelvic exam and run lab work to check your hormone levels.

What are the treatments for menopause?

The team at Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology takes a collaborative approach to care and works closely with you when developing your menopause treatment plan. Treatment depends on your symptoms and health history.

If you have severe symptoms, you may benefit from hormone therapy. The team offers many options, including FDA-approved bioidentical hormone therapy (BHRT). Bioidentical hormones are plant-based hormones modified to match the structure and function of your natural hormones.

The team may suggest other therapies if you’re not a candidate for hormone therapy because you have a history of breast cancer or heart disease. This might include gabapentin to relieve hot flashes and vaginal lubricants to reduce vaginal discomfort.

You can’t stop menopause, but you don’t have to suffer through the symptoms. Call Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology or schedule an appointment online today.

Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery

The thought of gynecologic surgery can be distressing, but it’s sometimes the best treatment option. Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology in Ventura, California, has an all-female team offering minimally invasive gynecologic surgery. Their approach causes less tissue damage, so you experience significantly reduced pain with faster recovery and often no need for a hospital stay. Call the office to learn more about the benefits of minimally invasive surgery or schedule an appointment online today.

What is minimally invasive gynecologic surgery?

Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery treats female reproductive conditions but causes a fraction of the tissue damage typical of traditional (open) surgery. Advantages of minimally invasive gynecologic surgery include the following:

• Less postsurgical pain
• Reduced blood loss
• Fewer complications
• Lower risk of infection
• Short or no hospital stay
• Faster recovery
• Minimal scarring
• Better outcomes

The Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology team uses minimally invasive surgical techniques for most gynecological procedures wherever possible.

Am I a candidate for minimally invasive gynecologic surgery?

With all the benefits of gynecologic surgery using minimally invasive techniques, you might be wondering if you’re a good candidate for this type of procedure.

The team at Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology can help you determine which type of minimally invasive gynecologic surgery you need after reviewing your medical history and unique situation.

How is minimally invasive gynecologic surgery performed?

Several types of minimally invasive gynecologic surgery are available at Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology:

Laparoscopic surgery

Laparoscopic surgery uses an instrument (laparoscope) that fits into a small abdominal incision. The laparoscope is a flexible tube equipped with a light and tiny camera. Your surgeon views images of the surgery site sent by the camera to a monitor in the operating room. This enables them to perform the procedure without making large cuts.

Transvaginal surgery

Some procedures take advantage of the natural vaginal access to your reproductive organs. They use similar instruments to laparoscopic surgery but don’t require any incisions.

What minimally invasive surgery might I need?

The Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology team performs many gynecologic surgeries using minimally invasive techniques. These include:

Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy surgery removes the uterus, often leaving the ovaries and fallopian tubes intact. Salpingectomy is fallopian tube removal; oophorectomy is ovary removal. You may require a combination of these procedures depending on your condition.

Myomectomy

Myomectomy involves removing uterine fibroids, harmless but uncomfortable uterine growths.

Operative hysteroscopy

Hysteroscopy removes polyps, fibroids, and scar tissue adhesions. It’s also an alternative to endometrial ablation for treating endometriosis.

Tubal ligation

Tubal ligation ties off the fallopian tubes to permanently prevent pregnancy.

To learn more about these and other minimally invasive gynecologic surgeries, call Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology or schedule an appointment online today.

PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) affects an estimated 5-10% of women between the ages of 15 and 44. The all-female team at Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology in Ventura, California, offers thorough diagnostic and treatment options for PCOS. Call the office to learn more about PCOS treatments or schedule an appointment online today.

What is PCOS?

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition that affects women during their childbearing years. Your body produces a wide range of hormones that trigger numerous actions. Some of those hormones focus on reproductive functions.

Testosterone plays a big role in men’s health, but women also need a small amount of testosterone and other hormones associated with males. Polycystic ovary syndrome occurs when a woman produces abnormally large volumes of androgens or male hormones.

Women with PCOS have problems with ovulation, which in turn impacts hormone production and affects their fertility.

How is PCOS diagnosed?

There’s no single test that can diagnose PCOS. The team at Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology conducts a comprehensive examination when you come in with concerns about an irregular menstrual cycle or infertility to determine the underlying cause.

They may ask detailed questions about your menstrual cycle, gynecological and medical history, and family history. They might also perform a physical and pelvic exam, request an ultrasound to see if you have cysts on your ovaries, and run bloodwork to check your androgen levels.

What are the symptoms of PCOS?

Polycystic ovary syndrome creates many different symptoms, not all of which are clearly linked. This can make it challenging to diagnose, and many women struggle for years before they receive a proper diagnosis.

Some of the signs of PCOS include:

• Irregular periods
• Acne
• Heavy bleeding
• Weight gain
• Excess hair growth on the face, belly, back, and chest
• Male-pattern baldness
• Dark patches of skin
• Headaches

PCOS can make it difficult to get pregnant. For many women, infertility is the first symptom of PCOS, and also the factor that leads to a diagnosis.

How is PCOS treated?

At Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology, every woman receives a customized treatment plan. Lifestyle modifications are usually part of the process. Improving your diet, getting plenty of exercise, and generally boosting your health can make a world of difference in your quality of life.

Hormonal birth control can help regulate your hormonal balance. There are many different delivery systems to choose from, including pills, patches, vaginal rings, and more.

Medications can help address insulin deficiencies, hair loss, and headaches.

Many women pursue infertility care as part of treating PCOS. Your provider at Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology can help you navigate the available options and find a path that works for you.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of PCOS and want answers, call Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology or schedule an appointment online today.

Pelvic Pain

Pelvic pain could be musculoskeletal or related to your digestive or urinary system, but gynecological conditions are among the most common causes. If you have pelvic pain, talk to the experienced team of board-certified OB/GYNs at Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology in Ventura, California. They offer prompt diagnosis and comprehensive treatment. Call the office to discover what’s causing your pelvic pain or schedule an appointment online today.

What is pelvic pain?

You feel pelvic pain in your lower abdomen, from your belly button to your groin. The pain may spread from your pelvis (the bone connecting your lower spine and hips) into your back, hips, buttocks, and legs.

In women, pelvic pain is often caused by conditions affecting the female reproductive system, which consists of the following:

• Uterus
• Fallopian tubes
• Ovaries
• Cervix
• Vagina

Pelvic pain could also stem from your musculoskeletal system — the bones, joints, and connective tissues in your pelvic region. Or, it may be due to problems with your urinary or lower gastrointestinal systems.

The Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology team specializes in treating pelvic pain caused by reproductive system problems.

What gynecological conditions cause pelvic pain?

Conditions that may cause gynecological pelvic pain include:

• Endometriosis
• Uterine fibroids
• Ovarian cysts
• Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs)
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Cancer

Menstrual problems are among the most frequent causes of pelvic pain. Some women experience dysmenorrhea — disabling pain every month during their period.

How is pelvic pain diagnosed?

To diagnose pelvic pain, your Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology OB/GYN looks at your medical history and discusses your symptoms. They also perform a physical, likely including an internal pelvic exam.

You might require blood or urine tests to identify infections that could be causing your pelvic pain. Other diagnostic procedures you may need include:

• X-rays
• An ultrasound scan
• CT scan
• MRI
• STD swab
• Hysteroscopy
• Diagnostic laparoscopy

Hysteroscopy and laparoscopy are minimally invasive procedures that use endoscopic instruments to view your internal organs. A hysteroscope accesses your cervix and uterus through the vagina, while a laparoscope goes into a small abdominal incision.

What treatment might I need for pelvic pain?

The treatment your OB/GYN recommends for pelvic pain depends on its cause. You may need medication to ease pain or eliminate a bacterial infection. Birth control pills can address a hormonal problem causing dysmenorrhea or PCOS.

If your pain doesn’t improve or isn’t treatable with medication, you may need to undergo a minimally invasive procedure. For example, you might benefit from endometrial ablation to ease endometriosis pain.

The Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology team also excels at performing minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, including myomectomy to remove uterine fibroids and colpocleisis to repair pelvic organ prolapse.

If you suffer from pelvic pain, call Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology or schedule an appointment online today.

Periods

Periods are a natural monthly process that women and girls experience from puberty until they reach menopause, but some suffer from severe pain and other distressing symptoms. If you have painful periods, reach out to the all-female team of board-certified OB/GYNs at Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology in Ventura, California. They can identify the cause and offer effective solutions. Call the office to benefit from expert help or schedule an appointment online today.

Why do I have painful periods?

Many women have little or no discomfort during their period, while others experience problems like bloating, fatigue, mood changes, abdominal cramps, and disabling pain.

The medical name for painful periods is dysmenorrhea, which has two forms:

Primary dysmenorrhea

Primary dysmenorrhea is due to high prostaglandin levels. These chemicals increase before menstruation, causing the muscles to contract and expel the uterine lining tissue. High prostaglandin levels cause excessive menstrual cramping and pain that’s worse when your period starts and gradually improves as the prostaglandin levels fall.

Secondary dysmenorrhea

Secondary dysmenorrhea lasts longer than regular menstrual cramps, often starting a few days before your period and continuing after menstruation ends.

What conditions cause period pain?

Conditions that can cause period pain include:

Endometriosis

Endometriosis develops when uterine lining tissue (endometrium) grows outside the uterus, typically on your ovaries, fallopian tubes, or bladder. These endometrial plugs react to hormonal changes just like your uterine lining, so they bleed and shed during your period. However, because the blood can’t escape, it causes inflammation and scar tissue formation.

Adenomyosis

Adenomyosis is similar to endometriosis, but the tissues grow in the muscular uterine wall.

Uterine fibroids

Fibroids are noncancerous growths. They may develop within the uterine wall, outside the uterus, or in the mucosal tissues underneath the uterine lining. They’re often painless, but large ones can cause painful periods.

Painful periods typically worsen over time if you don’t receive treatment for the underlying cause.

What treatments might I need for my period?

The Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology team recommends treatment based on the cause of your painful periods and how badly they affect you. If you have primary dysmenorrhea, anti-inflammatory medication can help control pain. You might want to consider taking birth control hormones, which can significantly reduce period pain and bleeding.

Endometrial ablation is an option for women who don’t wish to have children in the future. This minimally invasive procedure removes the uterine lining, stopping prostaglandin production, but it’s unsuitable if you want to become pregnant.

If your painful periods are due to fibroids, the Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology team can perform a myomectomy — minimally invasive gynecologic surgery to remove the growths.

To find out what’s causing your painful periods and get effective relief, call Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology or schedule an appointment online today.

Prenatal Care

Ensuring your health and your baby’s development requires specialized prenatal care. If you are or think you might be pregnant, talk to the experienced OB/GYNs at Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology in Ventura, California. You can feel comfortable discussing any concerns with the compassionate team, who have considerable experience supporting women through all kinds of prenatal challenges. Call the office to arrange your prenatal care consultation or schedule an appointment online today.

What is prenatal care?

Prenatal care ensures you and your baby are healthy during pregnancy. The obstetricians at Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology are highly skilled specialists who monitor your progress, provide reliable, up-to-date advice on pregnancy, ensure you know what to expect, and manage any problems that arise.

Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology has the only all-female obstetrics team in the Ventura area. The practice doesn’t share calls with other providers, so you can be confident in knowing your delivering doctor.

The team is also comfortable with high-risk obstetrics, where they help women and their babies with pre-existing conditions or a greater risk of complications. They perform C-sections with high precision and skill and encourage skin-to-skin contact after delivery. Their emergency C-section rate is less than 10%.

What does prenatal care involve?

Prenatal care consists of regular visits to assess your health and your baby’s development. During a prenatal visit, your OB/GYN will:

• Check your weight
• Measure your blood pressure
• Take blood or urine for lab tests
• Listen to your baby’s heartbeat
• Help with morning sickness
• Offer diet and exercise advice

If you have common pregnancy problems like backache, swollen legs, and other types of discomfort, your OB/GYN can help with these after checking there’s no underlying problem.

In addition to prenatal visits, you also have at least two ultrasound scans. These safe procedures display moving images of your baby on a screen, enabling your OB/GYN to detect any problems and monitor your baby’s progress. If you want to know your baby’s sex, it’s usually possible to determine it during your ultrasound (anatomy) scan.

What are the benefits of prenatal care?

Prenatal care is a vital preventive health tool for you and your baby. Many women have no or few problems requiring medical treatment during pregnancy, but others develop issues that, if left untreated, could put them and their babies at risk.

Gestational diabetes is a good example of why prenatal care is so vital. This form of diabetes only occurs during pregnancy and often causes no symptoms or symptoms you might experience anyway, like fatigue and weight gain. However, untreated gestational diabetes can cause your baby to grow too large and could lead to a dangerous drop in blood sugar after delivery.

With prenatal care, you can be sure you get prompt, expert treatment for gestational diabetes and other pregnancy risks.

To arrange your prenatal checkup, call Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology or schedule an appointment online today.

STD Treatment

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can produce numerous problems ranging from genital itching and discharge to causing life-threatening complications. If you need STD treatment, talk to the experienced OB/GYNs at Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology in Ventura, California. They offer comprehensive care for conditions such as genital herpes, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. Call the office to take advantage of the efficient, fast STD testing and treatment available, or schedule an appointment online today.

What are STDs?

STDs are infections you pick up during intimate sexual activities. This includes genital, anal, and oral sex with someone who has the infection.

The most common STDs include:

• Gonorrhea
• Chlamydia
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Syphilis
• Hepatitis
• Genital herpes
• Trichomoniasis
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

STDs may cause obvious symptoms, like genital warts or an unpleasant discharge. Some might give you flu-like symptoms for a few days that you don’t realize are due to an STD. Others, like syphilis and hepatitis, can stay in the body for long periods before entering an active phase and making you sick.

Why would I need STD treatment?

STDs can have long-term health consequences in addition to causing unpleasant symptoms. Some can affect fertility, and several are potentially life-threatening. If you’re sexually active, practicing safe sex and undergoing regular STD testing protects you and your partner/s.

At Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology, you can benefit from a full panel STD test as part of your routine well-woman exam. In addition, if you develop STD symptoms or believe you’ve been exposed to infection, you can request STD testing anytime. Symptoms you should undergo STD testing for include:

• Irregular menstruation
• Painful urination
• Uncomfortable intercourse
• Bleeding after sex
• Genital itching
• Lower abdominal pain
• Sores, lumps, or blisters on your genitals
• Unusual vaginal discharge

The Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology team determines which STD treatment you need based on your test results.

What types of STD treatment are available?

The STD treatment your OB/GYN recommends varies depending on which condition you have. Antibiotics can treat bacterial infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. Antiviral medications can treat viruses like herpes and HIV but aren’t curative. You’ll likely need to take medicines like antiretrovirals for life if you have HIV.

Avoid sex during an acute infection until you’ve fully recovered, and practice safe sex to prevent spreading STDs. If you have any STDs, you must tell your current and recent sexual partners so they can go for testing and get the treatment they need.

To arrange STD testing and treatment, call Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology or schedule an appointment online today.

Ultrasound

Ultrasound is the safest form of diagnostic imaging, so it’s perfect for checking an unborn baby’s health and development. Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology in Ventura, California, provides in-office ultrasound scans for patient convenience. They use ultrasound to diagnose gynecological disorders in addition to providing prenatal care. Call the office to learn more ultrasounds or schedule an appointment online today.

What is an ultrasound?

An ultrasound or sonogram is a diagnostic and assessment procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce moving images of your internal organs and tissues.

The ultrasound machine has a handheld device (transducer) that transmits sound waves into your body. When they reach your organs and tissues, the sound waves bounce back to the transducer, sending the information to the ultrasound machine’s computer.

The software converts the echoing sound waves into images that you and your OB/GYN can see on a screen.

What are ultrasounds used for in gynecology?

Diagnostic ultrasounds help the Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology team determine what’s causing gynecologic symptoms like painful, heavy, or irregular periods and pelvic pain. Common conditions ultrasounds can help diagnose include:

• Endometriosis
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Ovarian cysts
• Uterine fibroids
• Uterine polyps
• Pelvic organ prolapse
• Dysmenorrhea

Your OB/GYN might order an ultrasound if they suspect you have endometrial or ovarian cancer. Ultrasounds are also routine during pregnancy.

How is ultrasound used during pregnancy?

Ultrasounds are vital to your prenatal care, enabling your OB/GYN to monitor your developing baby’s health and growth and rule out problems like ectopic pregnancy (where fertilization occurs in a fallopian tube). Ultrasounds can also:

• Confirm your pregnancy
• Determine if you’re expecting multiple babies
• Help estimate your due date
• Measure amniotic fluid levels
• Identify your baby’s sex

Ultrasound technology uses no radiation, unlike an X-ray or CT scan, so it’s completely safe for the mother and baby.

What does having an ultrasound involve?

The most widely used form of ultrasound is transabdominal. Your provider applies a slippery gel to your skin and moves the transducer over your abdomen. The gel helps the transducer glide easily and improves the image quality.

Transabdominal ultrasound is entirely non-invasive and usually painless. You may feel some pressure if your provider has to press the transducer down for a clearer picture.

In some cases, you might need a transvaginal ultrasound. In this procedure, your provider inserts a wand-shaped transducer into your vagina, providing clear images of your pelvic organs. You might need a transvaginal ultrasound if you have problems like irregular periods.

To learn more about ultrasound and its uses, call Main Street Obstetrics & Gynecology or schedule an appointment online today.