Good News for Women: Inova Loudoun Hospital Offers a Lifetime of Superior, Personalized Healthcare

Focus on Women

Throughout each stage of a woman’s life, Inova Loudoun Hospital is there to provide the services she needs to maintain optimal health. From breast care and gynecologic health to maternity services and genetic counseling, the hospital offers top-quality services provided by highly qualified healthcare specialists in a friendly, caring environment.

Screening Services

Breast Cancer Screening

When it comes to breast cancer, early detection is key. Inova Loudoun Hospital now provides 3-D mammography, improving the ability of its specialists to detect breast cancer by about 40 percent and decreasing the number of recalls by 15 percent, says Shannon Lehr, MD, a breast surgical oncologist and Medical Director of Inova Breast Care Institute at Inova Loudoun Hospital.

Dr. Lehr recommends that women with an average risk for breast cancer have a clinical breast exam annually to every three years between the ages of 20 and 39. In accordance with the American Cancer Society (ACS) guidelines, an annual screening mammogram should be added to an annual clinical breast exam starting at the age of 40.

Self breast exams are encouraged for women of all ages. A woman should promptly report a change in her breasts to her healthcare provider even if a recent mammogram was normal.

Gynecology Screening

Regarding gynecologic health, cervical cancer screening begins at age 21, with well woman visits performed each year. According to Anne Brown, MD, an obstetrician gynecologist at Inova Loudoun Hospital, a Pap test and an HPV (human papilloma virus) test are done every third annual visit in monogamous patients who are HPV negative, and more frequently in patients who have had abnormal Pap or HPV tests.

Childbirth Options

When you’re ready to welcome your new arrival into the world, Inova Loudoun Hospital Ladies Board Birthing Inn provides a personalized, homelike environment where you will be supported by a highly trained group of specialists. Featuring spacious labor and delivery rooms, recovery suites and private postpartum rooms that accommodate family and friends, The  Birthing Inn also offers specialized care for high-risk pregnancies and a level IIIA neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Menopause Care

Inova Loudoun Hospital is there to help women navigate transitional life stages as well. For a woman experiencing perimenopause, usually during her late 40s, symptoms may include changes in menstrual pattern, insomnia, heat intolerance and irritability.

“I recommend getting back to basics with good nutrition, good exercise, stress reduction and good sleep to help minimize these symptoms,” says Virginia Hackenberg, MD, a gynecologist at Inova Loudoun Hospital.

To lessen the effects of menopause, including hot flashes, insomnia, mood swings and night sweats, hormone therapy (HT) can be an effective solution. HT comes in newer formulations (patch, sprays and gels) and in lower dosages that can reduce the risk of blood clots and breast cancer associated with HT, says Dr. Hackenberg. For women who are unable to tolerate HT, non-hormonal medications such as paroxetine and gabapentin are available to relieve symptoms. For vaginal dryness, she recommends over-the-counter lubricants or topical estrogen therapies. Hot flashes may also be treated with lifestyle changes such as reducing stress and limiting hot beverages, spicy foods, sugar and alcohol, she adds.

Here for You

Click here to see a list of Women’s Health physicians associated with Inova Loudoun Hospital >

Learn more about women’s services at inova.org/women.

 

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