Comprehensive Gynecology Services
During your annual well woman exam, Dr. Ensley will address your concerns about birth control, perform a gentle pelvic exam, and keep you informed throughout the process. A pelvic exam is recommended annually to monitor your pelvic health, while a Pap smear is only necessary every 3 to 5 years unless there is a concern from a previous test.
Women experience constant changes in their bodies from puberty to menopause. While menopause can bring positive changes, it can also be uncomfortable. Dr. Ensley provides various solutions for PMS, abnormal Pap smears, bladder control issues, and menopause symptoms, such as hormone replacement therapy. With advanced treatments and Dr. Ensley's expertise, you can make this stage of your life the best it can be.
Schedule Appointment
Our staff is happy to schedule a convenient appointment for you.
Heavy or Prolonged Bleeding
By educating you about what is going on in your body, Dr. Ensley desires for you to participate in the shared decision-making process about your gynecological health. He will discuss the possible causes of your menstrual problems and your options for further evaluation, which may include an ultrasound or blood test, and treatment options.
Menstrual irregularities, including heavy bleeding (changing a tampon or pad more than once an hour) or prolonged bleeding (period lasting longer than seven days), can have different causes. Some of these causes are listed below:
- Hormone imbalance in women
- Anovulation (lack of ovulation)
- Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS)
- Benign growths (polyps or fibroids)
- Adenomyosis (uterine glands embedded in uterine muscle)
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- Inherited blood disorders
- Cancers
- Ectopic pregnancy
- Medications
Excessive bleeding can also cause anemia (iron deficiency), which leads to fatigue and other problems. It may be caused by an underlying or unidentified medical condition. In most cases, Dr. Ensley can treat abnormally heavy or prolonged periods with great success. His methods include discussing a change in your lifestyle, supplements, medications, minor procedures as well as having a hysterectomy.
Family Planning
Family planning is the practice of controlling the number of children in a family and the intervals between their births, particularly by means of the rhythm method or contraception. With guidance from Dr. Ensley, you can achieve your desired family size and spacing.
Menopause & Osteoporosis Care
Menopause is also commonly referred to as the “change of life” and may include a variety of symptoms from mild to severe.
- Irregular menstrual cycles
- Heavy bleeding might occur for a day or two
- Excessive sweating during night
- Hot flashes
- Vaginal dryness, itching and pain during sexual intercourse
- Frequent urinary tract infections
- Mood swings
- Fatigue
- Weight gain due to uneven fat distribution
Osteoporosis is a disease often encountered by women during menopause. It weakens bones and increases the risk of sudden, unexpected fractures. Osteoporosis often progresses without symptoms or pain and may not be discovered until weakened bones cause painful fractures in the hips or spine (causing chronic back pain).
Hormone therapy (HRT) can be useful for preventing or slowing the rate of bone loss that leads to osteoporosis. Dr. Ensley generally recommends hormone therapy for postmenopausal women who have:
- Early menopause
- Low bone mass as measured by a bone density test and menopausal symptoms
- Risk factors for osteoporosis, such as a petite, thin frame, a family history of osteoporosis
Surgery
If you’re suffering from a gynecologic problem, take comfort in Dr. Ensley’s twenty three years of experience in performing surgeries. Using some of today’s most advanced testing and treatment methods, he can evaluate and treat Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS), pelvic pain or painful periods, abnormal uterine or vaginal bleeding, abnormal Pap smears, painful intercourse, endometriosis and many other gynecologic conditions. Here are a few of the advanced procedures available to you under Dr. Ensley’s care:
Colposcopy
Dr. Ensley examines the cervix and vagina with a magnifying device to help him identify cervical cancer and precancerous abnormalities. This procedure is done in our office.
Hysteroscopy
Using a specialized scope to view the lining of the uterus, this test is often performed to determine the source of abnormal, heavy or prolonged bleeding.
Laparoscopic Surgery
When nonsurgical treatment is ineffective, Dr. Ensley is skilled with this minimally invasive technique. Used to relieve conditions such as endometriosis and to perform alternatives to a hysterectomy, laparoscopic techniques require tiny incisions and usually result in quicker, easier recovery with less scarring.
Hysterectomy Surgery
Hysterectomy may be necessary for women to resolve gynecological issues and most report feeling normal again after the procedure. This surgery involves removing the cervix and uterus, and often the Fallopian tubes as well since they serve no hormonal purpose once the uterus is removed. Before the procedure, it's important to discuss with the doctor whether one or both ovaries need to be removed for medical reasons. Dr. Ensley typically performs the surgery using laparoscopy, which involves small incisions, followed by vaginal removal of the uterus to ensure a quicker recovery. When a hysterectomy is done in a minimally invasive manner, there is no benefit to performing it robotically compared to performing it in the traditional manner which is Laparoscopic Assisted Vaginal Hysterectomy (LAVH). However, for some women, an abdominal incision may be necessary due to the placement or size of the uterus. Despite this, many women are able to go home the day after surgery and experience less post-operative pain.