Our services cover all aspects of general gynecology for women - in childhood, adolescence, adulthood and the senior years. We also encourage healthy lifestyle and disease prevention in general. In this way, we complement and support your primary care physician.
   
Advanced Laser Surgery
When surgery is needed, we utilize the most advanced techniques and technologies available. Whenever possible, our approach is "minimally invasive," meaning the surgery is performed through one or more small incisions (commonly called laser surgery). A laparoscope is then inserted into the incision and Dr. Biggerstaff performs the surgery using lasers and other instruments, assisted by video cameras. Because the incisions are small and the surgery often more precise, the hospital stay is shorter, recovery is less painful and the return to normal activity is quicker for many patients. Another "minimally invasive" technique we use is called hysteroscopy.  95% of the gynecologic surgery we perform is done using "minimally invasive techniques" witha maximum one-night hospital stay. Our advanced surgery has proven especially effective, with excellent long-term results, in the treatment of endometriosis, adhesions, pelvic prolapse, urinary incontinence, and fibroid tumors. Dr. Biggerstaff frequently serves as a referral source for more difficult surgical cases.

"For almost two years I suffered with severe bleeding and pain from my periods. I consulted with several different doctors about my low back pain only to be told many women complain but there was no medical reason why it happens. You explained it to me, which made me feel much better to know that I was not just a complainer. I have never been to a doctor where every staff member cared about you as a person and any problems you were having either medically or with your insurance. Thank you for caring about me and helping me to feel like a new person." L.K.

Early Detection and Prevention
Detecting medical problems as early as possible or preventing these problems altogether are keys to maintaining your health. So, we offer on-site health screenings and evaluations for women of the most frequent health issues affecting women. They include screening for:

• osteoporosis, the "brittle-bone disease" affecting more than 23 million American women, using state-of-the-art DXA scan technology
• urinary incontinence, the uncontrolled loss of urine, using urodynamics to determine the cause
• abnormal bleeding and other pelvic problems using ultrasound

We also work with your primary care physician to help detect:

• Cardiovascular disease, the leading health problem among women today
• Breast cancer, the most common form of cancer in women
• Colon cancer, the third leading cause of cancer deaths in women after breast and lung cancer.

New screening programs are regularly added to our practice.

WHAT WE TREAT
At Advanced Healthcare for Women, we diagnose and treat a wide variety of conditions affecting physical and emotional health.

Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain
Endometriosis is a condition that occurs in women when tissue similar to the lining of the uterus grows in the pelvis or abdomen outside the uterus. This misplaced tissue responds to the hormones of the menstrual cycle. Adhesions or scar tissue often form as a result of endometriosis, in addition to infection or previous surgery. Symptoms can include very painful menstrual cramps, pain with intercourse, abnormal or heavy menstrual flow, and difficulty becoming pregnant. While there is no guaranteed cure for endometriosis or adhesions, there are many ways to lessen or sometimes eliminate the symptoms, including laser surgery and/or medication.
Pelvic pain is one of the most common complaints we hear. Its treatment depends on an accurate diagnosis. Evaluation of the pain may involve a physical examination, blood tests, urinalysis, culture analysis, ultrasound or other radiology tests and video laparoscopy. Causes of severe pelvic pain can range from endometriosis and pelvic infection to urinary tract infection and inflammatory bowel disease.

PMS and Other Hormonal Concerns
Premenstrual syndrome occurs monthly before, during and/or after the menstrual cycle. The symptoms may last a few days or three out of four weeks. Common symptoms include mood swings, headaches, bloatedness, breast tenderness, and weight gain. Medication and lifestyle change are most commonly used to treat this and other hormonal conditions.

Urinary Incontinence and Pelvic Prolapse
Urinary incontinence is the uncontrollable loss of urine and is seen in 50% of women over 50. Pelvic prolapse is the decreased support of the bladder, uterus, vagina, and rectum. In addition to urinary incontinence, pelvic prolapse can also cause uncomfortable pelvic pressure and difficulty having a bowel movement. Treatment depends on the cause or causes of the incontinence and prolapse. Treatment options include estrogen therapy, medication to treat bladder irritability, at-home exercises to strengthen the muscles, various surgical procedures, or biofeedback, a painless exercise that can be performed in the office.

Osteoporosis and Other Menopausal Concerns
Osteoporosis is a condition in which bone becomes brittle, weak and more likely to fracture. A bone density test can be performed in the office to determine if a patient has decreased bone mass. Prevention or treatment of the condition may require that the patient take estrogen or an estrogen substitute, increase the amount of calcium she consumes either through diet or a calcium supplement and perform weight-bearing exercises. Lifestyle changes also may be recommended to decrease risk factors associated with osteoporosis including smoking, excessive consumption of alcohol or caffeine and lack of physical activity. In addition to the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis, the special needs of women as they go through the menopause and after the menopause are addressed.

Infertility
About one in every eight couples suffers from infertility - the inability to achieve pregnancy for a year with regular intercourse. Causes of infertility in women include congenital abnormalities, endometriosis, irregular ovulation, antibodies in the cervix or uterine fibroids, benign tumors that grow in the uterus. A basic work-up, which could include several different kinds of tests, is required to determine the cause of the infertility. Depending on the problem, treatment can range from fertility drugs to surgery to in-vitro fertilization.

Sexual Function
Medical studies show up to half of all women have concerns regarding their sexual function. Among the common problems experienced by women are decreased desire for sexual intercourse, inadequate lubrication, pain with intercourse, and failure to reach orgasm. Most approaches to treatment are non-surgical, although surgery may be necessary with certain causes of painful intercourse such as endometriosis.

Fibroids and Abnormal Bleeding
Fibroid tumors and polyps are usually benign tumors in the uterus that can cause abnormal bleeding and infertility problems. Some fibroids and all polyps can be removed from the uterine cavity using a minimally invasive procedure called a hysteroscopy. A small, telescope-like instrument is inserted into the uterus through the vagina, allowing inspection of the cavity of the uterus. Small surgical instruments are then inserted through the hysteroscope, and are used to remove the fibroids or polyps.