Gynecology

The unique needs of women’s health are a specialty at The Heart Center of the Oranges, PA. At the office in East Orange, New Jersey, their physicians offer comprehensive gynecology services to protect your reproductive and sexual health. You can schedule your annual Pap smear, receive menopause care, and get the resources you need to support your overall health and wellness. To learn more about the gynecology services available at The Heart Center of the Oranges, PA, call the office or request an appointment online today. 

Why is gynecology care important?

All women need routine gynecological checkups to ensure good reproductive health. The team at The Heart Center of the Oranges, PA, offers routine pelvic exams, which allow them to assess your reproductive organs and your vaginal health.

The staff also provides on-site diagnostic testing for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), cervical cancer, and breast cancer.

By scheduling an annual gynecology exam, your provider can track any changes in your reproductive health from year to year. This ensures they can identify diseases or disorders in the earliest stages when treatment is most effective.

What happens during a pelvic exam?

During your pelvic exam, you lie on the exam table. Your physician first examines your external vaginal area and performs a manual breast exam, checking both areas for abnormalities.

To access your internal reproductive structures, your provider inserts a speculum into the vaginal canal and manually examines your uterus, fallopian tubes, and other organs for signs of inflammation or infection.

If you need a Pap smear, your provider at The Heart Center of the Oranges, PA, inserts a cotton swab to collect cells at the opening of your cervix. They send the cell sample to a medical lab to determine if there are cell changes that may indicate cervical cancer.

In general, a pelvic exam is painless, but you may feel some pressure or discomfort that resolves after your exam. If you have your period on the day of your exam, you need to call The Heart Center of the Oranges, PA, to reschedule your appointment.

In addition to your pelvic exam, your provider at The Heart Center of the Oranges, PA, can discuss any concerns or questions you have about your reproductive or sexual health during your appointment. They can address women-specific issues, like irregular periods, menopause, and pelvic pain, through in-office diagnostic testing and customized treatment plans.

What do abnormal Pap smear results mean?

If the results of your Pap smear are abnormal, it doesn’t mean you have cervical cancer. Your physician may first request additional diagnostic testing to determine the root cause of your results.

Infections and recent sexual activity can influence your Pap smear results. Depending on the results of your additional screenings, your physician can recommend options for moving forward and provide a referral to a specialist if necessary.

The staff at The Heart Center of the Oranges, PA, also provides additional resources if your gynecology exam or STD test results are abnormal.

To schedule a routine gynecology visit, contact The Heart Center of the Oranges, PA, or request an appointment online today.