A full-service clinic for women - Siouxland OB/GYN offers obstetrics and gynecology care, and rejuvenation procedures

Located at 2730 Pierce St., Suite 201 in Physician Center Two, Siouxland OB/GYN is a full-service clinic providing obstetrics care, gynecological treatments, and rejuvenation procedures.

Siouxland OB/GYN offers in-house ultrasound - including 3-D along with non-stress testing, annual Pap smears, incontinence testing, breast care (with mammography available on the St. Luke's campus), artificial insemination, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccinations, and much more.

Some of their newer services include the new Rejuvenation Centre for hair removal and skin rejuvenation, endometrial ablations for heavy menstrual bleeding, and Trans Vaginal Taping for urinary incontinence/bladder leakage.

Rejuvenation Centre at Siouxland OB/GYN

Hair removal and skin rejuvenation are performed in a new, spa-like room by professionals who are well-trained in the procedures.

The physicians use non-laser Variable Pulsed Light technology, which emits light across a broad range of wavelengths to ensure more controlled absorption by the appropriate structures while minimizing heating of the surrounding skin.

"The advantage is less chance of burning," said Kim Leif, Practice Administrator at Siouxland OB/GYN. "We don't have to cool the skin before we do the treatment. It also allows us to treat a greater range of skin and hair types safely and effectively."

The VLP technology can remove unwanted hair from all parts of the body including the legs, chin, upper lip, bikini lines, underarm, back and chest.

In addition, it can successfully treat skin conditions caused by aging and sun damage including unsightly veins, rosacea, age spots, freckles, pigment changes, fine lines and wrinkles.

Endometrial ablations

If your life has been put on hold because of heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia), you're not alone. More than 1 woman in 5 share this common condition.

The good news is that women who experience excessive menstrual bleeding have other treatment options to consider besides a hysterectomy, Leif said. Siouxland OB/GYN offers hormone therapy, Dilation & Curettage (D&C), and two types of endometrial ablation.

The Balloon Therapy system is a simple, one-time, minimally invasive 30-minute outpatient procedure that uses heat to treat the endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus. It

requires no incisions and may be performed under local anesthesia.

Before treatment, your doctor may give you medicine to reduce cramping during and after the procedure. If your doctor doesn't give you medicine prior to the procedure, you should ask for an anti-inflammatory pain reliever such as ibuprofen. You may also be given a mild sedative to help you relax.

During endometrial ablation, a small, soft, flexible balloon attached to a thin catheter is first passed through the vagina and cervix, and then placed gently into the uterus. The balloon is made of silicone material, which eliminates the risk of allergy for latex-sensitive women. The balloon is then filled with fluid so that it inflates to the size and shape of the uterus. Next, the fluid is heated and circulated in the uterus for eight minutes while the lining of the uterus is treated. When the treatment is completed, all the fluid is withdrawn from the balloon, and it is removed. Nothing remains in the uterus. The treated uterine lining will slough off, or shed, like a period.

Following treatment, most women can expect light and less painful periods, or possibly no periods at all (most women experience an average of 86 percent reduction in menstrual flow). Nearly three out of four women evaluated three years after treatment experienced a reduction in menstrual pain and cramping. Nearly two out of three women reported either mild or no PMS symptoms three years after treatment. Most women return to normal activities the next day.

The second type of endometrial ablation delivers precisely measured electrical energy via a slender, handheld wand to remove the endometrial lining. It can be performed in an office or outpatient setting, and generally takes less than five minutes.

And, unlike other ablation procedures, no endometrial pre-treatment drug such as Lupron Depot is required to thin the lining of the uterus.

Most women who have had this type of endometrial ablation have seen a significant reduction in their level of menstrual bleeding. In a randomized, controlled clinical study, most patients returning for follow-up at 12 months had their bleeding reduced to light or moderate periods, and many reported that their bleeding had stopped completely.

Many women may also experience the added benefits of a significant reduction in painful menstruation as well as a meaningful reduction in PMS symptoms.

Trans Vaginal Taping for Urinary Incontinence

More than 13 million women in the United States have urinary incontinence or loss of bladder control at some point in their lives.

For some, it can be severe enough to slow them down and limit their life. It may cause them to restrict or avoid activities they love, like exercise, travel or social relationships.

But it doesn't have to be that way. At Siouxland OB/GYN, they offer safe and effective minimally invasive procedures that can help women control this condition, stay active, and be confident.

To determine the best treatment option, your doctor will establish the type of urinary incontinence you have. It could be stress urinary incontinence, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence or overflow incontinence.

Stress urinary incontinence is the sudden, unintentional release of urine during normal, everyday activities. You may have SUI if you lose urine when you cough, sneeze or laugh, walk, exercise or lift something, get up from a seated or lying position, or go to the bathroom frequently to avoid accidents. Sudden urine loss may mean your urethra (the tube from the bladder through which urine exits the body) does not stay closed until it's time to urinate.

Urge incontinence is the sudden, intense urge to urinate, followed by a loss of urine. You may feel like you never get to the bathroom fast enough, and you may wake several times a night with the strong urge to urinate.

Mixed incontinence occurs when women have symptoms of both stress and urge incontinence.

Overflow incontinence happens when the bladder doesn't completely empty. It may be caused by dysfunctional nerves or a blockage in the urethra that prevents urine flow.

To diagnose the type of urinary incontinence you have, your doctor may perform special tests to evaluate your bladder and urethral function. Once a diagnosis has been made, several treatment options are available including behavioral/muscle therapy, medication, and TVT, an innovative, minimally invasive 30-minute outpatient treatment with proven results for the effective treatment of stress urinary incontinence.

It stops urine leakage the way your body was designed to - by supporting your urethra.

Normally, the urethra is supported by the pelvic floor muscle to maintain a tight seal and prevent involuntary urine loss.

In women with SUI, the weakened pelvic floor muscle and connective tissue can't support the urethra in its normal position.

To correct this using TVT, your doctor will insert a ribbon-like strip of mesh under the urethra to provide support whenever you stress this area (such as during a cough or sneeze). This allows the urethra to remain closed, when appropriate, preventing involuntary urine loss.

TVT can be performed under local, regional or general anesthesia. With local, epidural or spinal anesthesia you will be awakened briefly to cough with a full bladder. Then your doctor will adjust the setting of the mesh. This cough test helps your doctor set the mesh "just right" for you. Two incisions will be made just above the pubic area or near the creases on the thighs. Your doctor finally monitors your ability to pass urine before you go home.

At your doctor's discretion, you may be able to go home as early as a few hours after your procedure and return to a relatively normal schedule of activities the next day. There will be very little or no discomfort after the procedure.

Siouxland OB/GYN is staffed by providers who have more than 40 years of combined experience. They are available to answer any questions you may have and to provide a full range of obstetric, gynecological and rejuvenation services.

For more detailed information about the services offered at Siouxland OB/GYN, call (712) 277-3141.