Women’s health care both in preventive care and in treatment has undergone major changes in the past few years. In the area of preventive care, guidelines for initiation and frequency of Pap smears have changed dramatically as we have discovered the cause of cervical cancer and developed new technology providing improved accuracy and reliability in the test itself. There is now a vaccination available to prevent infection with the most common strains of the Human Papilloma Virus, now known to be the cause of cervical cancer. Young women who have not had the vaccine are encouraged to get it. Sexually transmitted infections, especially Chlamydia, are being seen in record numbers however, and recommendations for testing and treating have changed as well. Medication that helps prevent the transmission of herpes from an infected person to a non-infected person is also available.

In older women mammograms remain important but some studies have emerged questioning the frequency of screening. Bone density testing has become more important as we learn new and better ways to treat osteoporosis. Hormone therapy for menopausal women was standard treatment a few years ago, but discoveries about the side effects of long term use have decreased the use dramatically. However, the therapy is still considered to be safe if taken for only a few years to manage symptoms of menopause. Many women who might benefit from this treatment are afraid to use the medication and need to be educated about reasonable short term use.

Other medical problems such as heart disease may present with much different symptoms than in men and need to be evaluated and treated with that in mind. Dr. Bowers provides patient care with sensitivity to these special issues.