Current guidelines say age 21, or 2 years after their first sexual encounter. Older guidelines said age 18 or when they become sexually active, whichever comes first. We prefer to begin around age 16 or 17, if possible, to begin health prevention discussions.

They can be seen for an annual and not have the pap portion of their exam if they are not ready. If they have had sex, we encourage the pap portions to screen for STD's.

We offer extensive diet/exercise planning that is individualized to each patient. Schedule an appointment with our nurse practitioner for details

Exercise, counseling and/or medication can be implemented as needed. Exercise has been shown to be equally effective as Prozac 20mg if done for one hour daily. However, when you are clinically depressed, getting out of bed may be a daunting task and medication may be required first.

Ideally, try to time sex to occur when you are ovulating. When is this? If you have a 28 day cycle, it is usually around day 12-16. If you are unsure, you can buy and over the counter ovulation kit for better accuracy.

It is also better to have sex once every other day around your ovulation time, rather than to have sex numerous times on one day only.

Six months.

The average age of menopause is 51. You may notice that your menses occur more often, around 21 days instead of every 28, or that your periods begin to get heavier. You may then start to notice one or several of the following: forgetfulness, dry skin, increased wrinkling, increased palpitations, increased LDL cholesterol, urinary incontinence, vaginal dryness, decreased libido, decreased height, insomnia and generalized moodiness. Some women go through menopause without any symptoms at all.

Make sure that you get your calcium and vitamin D (1300 and 800IU) in two divided doses daily. You’ll also want to get a baseline bone density as well as keep up with your mammograms yearly. Colonoscopy screening should begin at age 50, or sooner if you notice bowl changes or have a family history of colon cancer.

First you would want to schedule an appointment for a formal evaluation that may include a pelvic exam, pelvic sonogram and a lab draw. We offer many medications that can be useful. Those include anti-inflammatory medications for pain or one of the many types of birth control that are great for thinning the lining of the uterus, therefore making your periods lighter.

We also provide procedures like the Novasure, which is a 90 second in-office procedure using thermal ablation of uterine lining, that will most likely stop your periods all together. This can even be done in our office now.

COLDS:  Actifed, Sudafed, Tylenol (any type), Dimetapp, Benadryl, Mucinex DM

ALLERGIES:  Claritin, Benadryl, Zyrtec, Flonase

SORE THROAT:  Throat lozenges, Halls, Chloroseptic, Vicks

COUGHS:  Robitussin DM, Mucinex DM

HEARTBURN & GAS:  Gaviscon, Mylicon, Mylanta, Maalox, Tums, Zantac, Pepcid, Prilosec, Gas X

DIARRHEA:  Imodium, Kaopectate

CONSTIPATION:  Milk of Magnesia, Colace, Metamucil, Citrucel, Pericolace, Dulcolax suppositories, Fleets enema, Miralax, Magnesium Citrate

HEADACHES:  Tylenol

YEAST INFECTION:  Monistat

Exercise, Intercourse, Hair color, Flu shots, Hot baths, Travel up to 36 weeks of pregnancy, Dental visits and dental work, Painting with adequate ventilation, Using household cleaning products, Manicure/Pedicure