We are located on the Lower Bucks Hospital campus next to the main hospital in the Bucks County Surgery Center and Physician Office Suites building. We are wheelchair accessible with ample, free parking. We are proud to serve our neighbors in Bristol, Levittown, and Bensalem
The first gyn visit, also known as a "well woman visit," generally happens between the ages of 13 to 15. It's usually just a chat with the doctor and typically does not include a pelvic exam. Women's health topics you might discuss with the medical provider include your periods- do you skip months/ are they heavy or painful/ any difficulties with premenstrual syndrome(PMS). If you're sexually active, you might discuss birth control and STD testing.
Seeing the gynecologist doesn't always mean having a pelvic exam. Unless there is a medical problem such as not having a period by age 15, most women should have their first pelvic exam around the age of 21.
There are no additional medical risks associated with having sex during your period. As far as getting pregnant, you are the least fertile, that is the least likely to get pregnant during your period and the most fertile 1 1/2 to 2 weeks after the first, not the last, day of the period. As far as getting an STD, the risk is similar whether or not you are having your period and the most effective way to protect yourself is to use condoms.
Women age 40 and older may get a mammogram every 1-2 years and almost all women should get yearly mammograms by age 50. However, if you have a close relative who was diagnosed with breast cancer in their 30s to 40s, ask your doctor about getting a mammogram before age 40 as you may be at higher risk.
A common misconception is that birth control pills cause weight gain, however, comparison studies of women taking birth control pills and women taking sugar pills consistently show no difference in weight gain between the two groups. In fact, both weight loss and weight gain are listed as possible side effects on the product information pamphlet for birth control pills based on the range of symptoms women have reported. In the end, everyone's response to medication including birth control is individual, but a major effect on weight is unlikely.
Since vaginal itching can have many causes -some of which are serious such as vaginal cancer and STDs, some of which are long term such as eczema, some of which are harmless such as yeast infections, wearing damp clothes for too long, pants that are too tight- it can be hard to know when to worry. If the itching is persistent especially at one spot, if there is a skin growth, ulcer, or rash, if there is bleeding- you should definitely call the doctor. Or if it's just plain bothersome, you can also call the doctor, oftentimes we can prescribe medication over the phone.
Since vaginal itching can have many causes -some of which are serious such as vaginal cancer and STDs, some of which are long term such as eczema, some of which are harmless such as yeast infections, wearing damp clothes for too long, pants that are too tight- it can be hard to know when to worry. If the itching is persistent especially at one spot, if there is a skin growth, ulcer, or rash, if there is bleeding- you should definitely call the doctor. Or if it's just plain bothersome, you can also call the doctor, oftentimes we can prescribe medication over the phone
Yes, you can get a prescription for birth control on your own without a parent's permission according to Pennsylvania state law.
Your doctor visits are confidential and by state law your privacy is specifically protected for STD testing, birth control, and pregnancy testing. We will only provide information to your parents at your request and with your permission. It's possible if you are under your parent's health insurance that the insurance company will mail a notification stating that their insurance was used for the doctor's visit, but this notification won't have any information regarding the purpose of the visit.
Call the office immediately to discuss your symptoms with a nurse or doctor.
No. HPV is contracted through skin to skin contact typically during sexual contact. It’s often best to avoid any sexual partner who has genital warts or a known history of HPV. One major problem is that most people who carry HPV are completely unaware.
Like any other part of your body, your vagina should be given regular hygienic attention. Your vagina is regularly exposed to urine, and sweat, and it is in close proximity to your anus, so keeping the area clean is critical to prevent unwanted bacterial build-up and to avoid unwanted odors.
No! The active cleaning ingredients used in most douches can upset the healthy vaginal discharge and pH balance and create a yeast or bacterial infection.
Call our office to schedule an exam.
The HPV vaccine is recommended for adolescent girls who are not sexually active. Females who are sexually active may also benefit from the vaccine. The HPV vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women.
You will always talk to the medical provider before having a pelvic exam and the pelvic exam is always voluntary. When the time comes for the exam, you will lie down on the table with a sheet over your legs and stomach, and your feet up in holders called stirrups. Next, the medical provider will examine the outside of the vaginal area. Afterwards, the medical provider will slide a thin piece of plastic or metal that looks like a duckbill into your vagina to check inside. The provider may use a swab to collect some discharge for an STD test or a small brush to collect some cells for a Pap test. Lastly, the medical provider may check your ovaries and uterus with one hand on the lower abdomen and two gloved fingers inside the vagina.
No, in this office a pelvic exam is not a requirement prior to being prescribed birth control. Besides pregnancy, there are no other conditions that could possibly be found during a pelvic exam that would prevent the use of birth control medication. A pelvic exam to check for pregnancy, however, is unnecessary -there are other ways of doing this.
No, we can test for STDs in ways that don't require a pelvic exam.
No, you can get treatment for heavy cycles without having a pelvic exam especially if you are in your teens.
No, you can get treatment for painful cycles without having a pelvic exam especially if you are in your teens.
Yes, you can get STD testing and treatment without a parent's permission or involvement according to Pennsylvania state law.
Yes, if you have health insurance we can provide many birth control options for free. If you don't have insurance we can get you started on free birth control pills in the office and direct you to long term birth control under $10 a month through a pharmacy discount program.
Yes, if you have health insurance we can provide free STD testing and treatment. If you don't have insurance we can provide free STD treatment and discounted testing.