Jan
20
Implanon® has been FDA approved for over three years and remains underutilized as one of the most effective hormonal contraceptives ever developed. It is a flexible plastic rod the size of a matchstick that is inserted under the skin on the inner side of a woman’s upper arm. Implanon® contains a progestin called etonogestrel, also found in some birth control pills. Implanon® prevents pregnancy for three years by several mechanisms of action: Inhibiting ovulation, altering cervical mucus to reduce sperm migration, and changing the inner lining of the uterus so it’s unreceptive to egg implantation. The chance of getting pregnant is very low (less than one pregnancy per 100 women who use Implanon® for one year).
Because Implanon® contains only progestin and provides up to 3 years of protection without daily, weekly, or even monthly action, it is well-suited for:
- Women who wish to or need to avoid estrogen (e.g. minimizes attributable side-effects of nausea, headaches, and blood clots)
- Teens who find adherence to a contraceptive regimen difficult
- Current Depo-Provera® users looking for greater convenience & avoiding adverse effects on bone density
- Healthy adult women who desire the convenience of long-term protection
- Women who are breastfeeding
The most common side effect of Implanon® is a change in a woman’s menstrual periods. While menstrual periods may be irregular and unpredictable, there is usually less bleeding, and some women will have no periods. A few women also gain weight.
Implanon® must be removed after three years when the implant runs out of hormones. It also can be removed anytime beforehand if the woman wants to become pregnant, where the ability to conceive returns quickly. In conclusion, most women are satisfied with Implanon®, citing its long duration, high efficacy, and convenience.
PS: We have extra H1N1 vaccine and wish to invite you & your husband to schedule an appointment before the end of flu season in late March
Wishing you good health,
Women’s Health Specialists
2299 Mowry Avenue, Suite #3C
Fremont, CA 94538
510.796.7057
www.WomensHealthFremont.com
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Dec
27
In the United States the incidence of cervical cancer has decreased more than 50% in the past 30 years because of widespread screening with the Pap smear. Attributable deaths have undergone a similar decrease. The discovery of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) as a necessary factor in cancer of the cervix has resulted in the development of new screening technologies and vaccines. Consequently, screening recommendations need to be updated.
The American College of Obstetricians & Gynecologists just released new cervical cancer screening guidelines. Highlights include the following:
- Begin screening women at age 21
- Screen women 21 29 years old every 2 years
- Screen women 30 and over every 3 years once they accumulate 3 consecutive negative traditional Paps
Alternatively, consider addition of High Risk HPV test. If both Pap & HPV negative then do not screen sooner than 3 years with this combination.
[This is what we do at Women’s Health Specialists] - Stop cervical cancer screening at 65-70 years old and the woman has 3 consecutive negative Paps
- Women who have undergone a total hysterectomy (removal of cervix) may discontinue screening if they don’t have a history of high grade pre cancerous growths or cervical cancer
- High risk patients need screening annually:
- Previously treated high grade pre cancerous growths for at least 20 years afterwards
- Immunosuppressed patients & HIV
- Women whose mother’s took DES (Diethylstilbestrol) while pregnant
Women often find it helpful to know that 80% of adults will be infected with HPV during their lifetime and most will clear it within 8 to 24 months. The combination of a negative PAP and High Risk HPV screen reassures us better than 99% by excluding the presence of high grade pre cancerous growths or cervical cancer. We hope this information helps clarify any confusion resulting from recent media announcements. We look forward to seeing you every year, not only keep you up-to-date on health screening tests but also advances in women’s health care that may apply to you.
PS: Dr. Wong got married in November!
Wishing you good health,
Women’s Health Specialists
2299 Mowry Avenue, Suite #3C
Fremont, CA 94538
510.796.7057
www.WomensHealthFremont.com
Share this newsletter with those you care about… sisters, mothers, friends
Oct
18
Breast Cancer - Myths vs. Facts
Filed Under Women's Health News
Although many advances have been made in breast cancer detection and treatment over the last quarter century, the fact is we still don’t know much about the causes or cures. This leaves many people misunderstanding the facts. It’s time we dispel those myths and replace them with what we know is true about breast cancer in 2009.
1. Myth: I’m too young to worry about breast cancer.
Fact: While it’s true that your breast cancer risk increases as you get older, the fact is that women of all ages are at risk for developing breast cancer.
2. Myth: There’s never been a case of breast cancer in my family so I don’t need to worry about it happening to me.
Fact: The truth is the majority of women diagnosed with breast cancer don’t have a family history of this common cancer. However, if your mother or sister ever had breast cancer your risk is significantly increased.
3. Myth: I don’t have a mutated breast cancer gene, BRCA1 or BRCA2, so I’m sure breast cancer is not in my future.
Fact: Don’t fool yourself! Not having a breast cancer gene does not mean you won’t get breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, the truth is that almost all women (90 to 95 percent) diagnosed with breast cancer have neither a family history nor mutated BRCA genes.
4. Myth: The majority of women diagnosed with breast cancer had more than one risk factor prior to diagnosis.
Fact: All women are at risk for developing breast cancer whether they have known risk factors. In fact, the majority of breast cancer patients had no known risk factors, other than being female, for this frightening disease.
5. Myth: Breast cancer is preventable.
Fact: Although drugs classified as anti estrogens, such as Tamoxifen or Evista®, may decrease breast cancer risk in certain women, the cause of breast cancer remains unknown and is not completely preventable. The real key to surviving breast cancer is early detection and treatment.
6. Myth: Having yearly mammograms will expose me to too much radiation and result in developing cancer.
Fact: According to the American College of Radiology, the benefits of annual mammograms far outweigh any risks that may occur because of the minute amount of radiation used during this screening procedure that can detect disease before it can be felt as a lump.
7. Myth: I’m not going to breastfeed because breastfeeding would increase my risk of getting breast cancer.
Fact: Just the opposite is true. Breastfeeding may actually decrease the risk of breast cancer.
So what can you do? In 2009 the recommendations are as follows: Monthly self breast exams. Annual examinations with your physician. Annual mammograms after 40 years of age.
Wishing you good health!
Women’s Health Specialists
2299 Mowry Avenue, Suite #3C
Fremont, CA 94538
510.796.7057
www.WomensHealthFremont.com
Share this newsletter with those you care… sisters, mothers, friends
