Women's Health

Women’s health matters are important and personal, so you deserve an expert team you can trust with your health and life. As Augusta’s River Region’s only academic women’s health program, we offer the most advanced treatments using the latest technology. We offer:

• Specialized care: Our team of obstetrician-gynecologists (OBGYNs) and women’s health specialists cover a wide range of obstetric, or pregnancy, and gynecologic care, delivering you the expert care you need. We offer specialized care for high-risk pregnancy, gynecologic cancer, reproductive endocrinology and infertility, and pelvic floor disorders.
• Expertise: Our fertility specialists and geneticists have earned national recognition in diagnosing and treating infertility and genetic disorders. We also have three of Augusta’s River Region’s four menopause experts who are credentialed by the North American Menopause Society.
• Board-certified urogynecologists: We offer Augusta’s River Region’s only board-certified urogynecologists. They provide specialized care for pelvic floor disorders, including pelvic organ prolapse and urinary and fecal incontinence.
• Latest diagnostic testing: We use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for characterizing large uterine fibroids and uterine cancer. MRI shows in detail the size and location of fibroids and allows doctors to determine types of tumors and recommend appropriate treatment options.
• Minimally invasive treatments: We are the only health center in Augusta’s River Region that offers Acessa, a minimally invasive treatment for uterine fibroids. We also offer robotic surgery using the da Vinci Surgical System for treating gynecologic conditions, gynecologic cancer and pelvic floor These minimally invasive treatments offer less pain, blood loss and scarring and provide a faster recovery and return to usual activities.
• Teamwork: Our OBGYNs and women’s health specialists work hand-in-hand on an ongoing basis to diagnose and treat complex conditions from all angles. Our specialists from gynecologic cancer, infertility and reproductive endocrinology, and urogynecology participate in weekly Tumor Board meetings, where they discuss complicated cases and plan treatment.
• Collaboration: Our doctors partner with other Augusta University Health specialists across multiple fields of medicine. They work with specialists from anesthesia, general surgery, interventional radiology, radiology, urology and the neonatal intensive care unit at the adjoining Children’s Hospital of Georgia (CHOG).
• Convenient care: We offer same- or next-day care and procedures at our Grovetown location, including loop electrical excision procedure (LEEP) for abnormal, precancerous cells on the cervix and uterine ablations for heavy vaginal bleeding. We also offer day surgery at our Columbia County Surgery Center.
• Clinical Trials: We are constantly working to expand our nonsurgical treatment options. We are also always looking for better ways to deliver high-risk pregnancy care to all women and to help more moms and babies successfully breastfeed.

We treat all types of women’s health conditions, including gynecologic conditions, pregnancy, gynecologic cancers, infertility and pelvic floor disorders. Our OBGYNs and women’s health specialists are trained to diagnose and treat each condition within their specific field of gynecology. They are dedicated to getting to the root of any symptoms you may be experiencing to help you live your life to the fullest.

Gynecologic conditions

We understand that dealing with a gynecologic condition and its symptoms can feel painful and worrisome. We treat all types of gynecologic conditions:

• Cervical dysplasia, or abnormal, precancerous cells on the cervix
• Menstrual disorders, such as periods that are absent, painful, long and heavy, too frequent or infrequent, as well as premenstrual syndrome (PMS) or premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD)
• Ovarian cysts, or fluid-filled sacs in or on one or both ovaries, the part of the female reproductive system that produces eggs during childbearing years
• Pelvic pain, which can originate in the female reproductive organs, urinary or digestive tract, or bones and tissue
• Sex hormone disorders, such as androgen excess, hirsutism, menopause, perimenopause and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
• Sexual dysfunction, including painful sex, loss of interest and being unable to achieve orgasm
• Teen health concerns, such as abnormal menstrual disorders, acne, body image, eating disorders, sexually transmitted infections, and substance abuse
• Uterine conditions, such as adenomyosis, endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial polyps, endometriosis and uterine fibroids
• Vaginal infections, such as bacterial vaginosis, cervicitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, sexually transmitted infections, urinary tract infection and vaginal yeast infection

• Learn more about our gynecology services.

Pregnancy

Achieving and experiencing pregnancy can lead to emotions ranging from joy to grief. We treat all types of pregnancy conditions, including:

• Low-risk pregnancy, or when neither the mom nor baby is experiencing any known health conditions that could complicate pregnancy
• High-risk pregnancy, or when the mom or baby experience a health condition that could complicate pregnancy and lead to problems
• Ectopic pregnancy, or a tubal pregnancy, when an embryo implants in the fallopian tube, ovary or cervix instead of the uterus
• Miscarriage, or when an embryo or unborn baby dies before 20 weeks of pregnancy
• Stillbirth, or when an unborn baby dies after 20 weeks of pregnancy

• Learn more about our obstetrics services.

Gynecologic cancers

Receiving a gynecologic cancer diagnosis may cause you to feel concern not only for your life but also your future. We treat all types of gynecologic cancers, including:

• Cervical cancer, or cancer of the cervix, the canal that connects the vagina and uterus
• Ovarian cancer, or cancer in one or both ovaries, the glands that produce eggs during childbearing years and hormones, including estrogen, progesterone and testosterone
• Uterine cancer, or cancer of the uterus, or womb, an organ in the female reproductive system where an unborn baby develops and grows
• Vaginal cancer, or cancer of the vagina, the canal that leads to the uterus
• Vulvar cancer, or cancer of the vulva, the outer female genitalia, which includes the clitoris, vaginal lips and vaginal opening

• Learn more about our gynecologic cancer services.

Infertility

Experiencing infertility, or being unable to get pregnant after a year of trying or six months for women age 35 and older can feel frustrating and heartbreaking. We treat all types of infertility, including:

• Female-factor infertility, or infertility resulting from an ovulation disorder, damage to one or both fallopian tubes, endometriosis or issues with the uterus or cervix
• Male-factor infertility, or infertility resulting from low sperm count, abnormally shaped sperm, abnormal movement of sperm and blockages that prevent sperm from exiting the body
• Unexplained infertility, or infertility resulting from an unknown cause

• Learn more about our infertility and reproductive endocrinology services.

Pelvic floor disorders

Dealing with a pelvic floor disorder can feel inconvenient and even painful. We treat all types of pelvic floor disorders, including:

• Urinary incontinence, which involves losing bladder control, ranging from leaking urine to experiencing sudden urges to involuntarily urinate
• Fecal incontinence and constipation, which involves losing bowel control, ranging from leaking stool to experiencing sudden urges to involuntarily having a bowel movement
• Pelvic organ prolapse and discomfort, when the bladder, uterus or cervix, rectum, intestines or urethra drop into or out of the vagina, resulting from the muscles and tissues that support these organs becoming weakened or damaged

• Learn more about our urogynecology services.

When you’re experiencing symptoms of women’s health conditions, it’s important to get to the root of the problem. Your health and quality of life depend on it. We offer a full range of diagnostic tests to help your doctor determine which treatments may be right for you.

Pelvic Exams

Whether you visit your doctor for an annual checkup or to address a concern, they will perform a pelvic exam. During the exam, they will manually check your reproductive organs, which include the vulva, vagina, cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries.

Imaging Tests

To determine the cause of any symptoms you may be experiencing, your doctor may need to visualize your reproductive organs. We offer a full range of imaging tests:

• Ultrasound uses soundwaves to produce images of the reproductive organs using either abdominal or transvaginal, meaning “through the vagina,” equipment.
• Hysterosalpingogram (HSG) involves injecting contrast dye into your uterus with a thin, flexible tube and performing an X-ray to visualize the inside of your uterus and fallopian tubes.
• Saline ultrasound, also called saline infusion sonohysterography (SIS or SHG), involves injecting saline into your uterus with a thin, flexible tube and performing an ultrasound to visualize the inside of your uterus.
• Computed tomography (CT) uses a small amount of radiation, and sometimes injected contrast dye, to produce multiple X-ray images of the ovarie
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses a magnetic field and radiofrequency waves to produce detailed images of your uterus to look for endometriosis and pelvic masses, such as uterine fibroids. 

Diagnostic Procedures

Diagnostic procedures allow your doctor to check for abnormal cells or determine the cause of abnormal uterine bleeding. Locating and removing abnormal cells can help prevent them from developing into cancer or treat it early. We offer a full range of diagnostic procedures:

• Pap smear, or Pap test, allows your doctor to screen for cervical cancer by collecting a sample of cells from your cervix. Your doctor will then send the sample to the laboratory for testing to determine whether or not the cells are abnormal. This test is usually part of your annual checkup.
• Diagnostic hysteroscopy allows your doctor to examine your cervix and the inside of your uterus to diagnose problems in your uterus. Your doctor performs hysteroscopy by inserting a hysteroscope, a thin tube with a video camera and light on the end, into the vagina.
• Colposcopy allows your doctor to examine your vulva, vagina and cervix to look for abnormal cells using a colposcope, an instrument with a light and magnifying glass. If your doctor locates abnormal cells during the procedure, they may perform a biopsy.
• Biopsy, which includes cervical biopsy and endometrial biopsy, allows your doctor to collect tissue from the cervix or the lining of your uterus, called the endometrium. Your doctor will then send the tissue sample to the laboratory for testing to determine whether or not the cells are cancerous.
• Loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP) allows your doctor to remove cervical dysplasia using a small electrical wire loop. Your doctor will then send the tissue sample to the laboratory for testing to determine whether or not the cells are cancerous.

Your health plays an important role in making your goals a reality. Our OBGYNs and women’s health specialists partner with you to understand your wishes for your health and life so they can tailor your care plan specifically to you.

We provide a full range of women’s health treatments using the latest technology. We offer:

• Gynecologic treatments, such as birth control, hormone replacement therapy and other medications
• Pregnancy care, such as prenatal care and counseling before and during pregnancy, prenatal visits, labor and delivery, and postpartum care
• Gynecologic cancer treatments, such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation
• Infertility treatments, such as medications and surgery to treat female- and male-factor infertility, fertility drugs to stimulate the release of one or multiple eggs in women, intrauterine insemination, in vitro fertilization (IVF) and surgery for conditions that may be causing infertility
• Pelvic floor disorder treatments, such as exercises, medications and medical devices to treat incontinence and minimally invasive surgical procedures to treat pelvic organ prolapse

Support services

Your doctor may recommend certain support services to complement their care plan so you can experience the best possible outcome. To address your whole body’s health, we offer:

• Nutrition counseling through our certified dietitians to prevent and treat diabetes during pregnancy, high blood pressure, hyperlipidemia, infertility and obesity
• Pelvic floor physical therapy for pelvic floor disorders and menopause
• Support groups to help those who are navigating motherhood, breastfeeding and cancer

While delivering the latest care options available today, our OBGYNs and women’s health specialists are working to discover the tests and treatments of tomorrow. Our dedication to translating research to medical breakthroughs gives you access to lifechanging tests and treatments first. And as national thought leaders in women’s health care, we share our medical breakthroughs with our colleagues across the country.

Our OBGYNs and women’s health specialists are also actively involved in teaching the next generation of doctors. This role guarantees that they are working with the most up to date knowledge, advanced techniques and latest technology.

All of our doctors are board-certified in gynecology, and our specialists are fellowship trained in their respective fields of gynecology. Fellowships provide the highest level of training in a specialized field of medicine.

Our team of OBGYNs and women’s health specialists includes:

• Geneticists, specialists who study, diagnose and manage genetic disorders
• Gynecologic oncologists, or gynecologic cancer doctors, specialists who diagnose and treat cancer of the reproductive system
• Maternal-fetal medicine specialists, specialists who diagnose and treat high-risk pregnancy
• Reproductive endocrinologists, or fertility specialists, doctors who specialize in diagnosing and treating infertility and its causes
• Urogynecologists, specialists who diagnose and treat pelvic floor disorders
• Advanced practice providers
• Certified nurse-midwives, licensed healthcare professionals who specialize in women’s reproductive health and childbirth and perform annual exams, provide counseling and write prescriptions

 

Meet Our Providers