Office Procedures

Northwestern Women’s Health Associates provides an excellent standard of care for our patients. Some outpatient procedures can be performed in the comfort of our well-equipped office.

Sonohysterogram

Imaging is an important part of diagnostic testing, and the sonohysterogram allows us to see the minute details of the inside of a patient’s uterus. This brief procedure may be scheduled if we suspect the presence of fibroids or polyps in the uterus, if the uterine lining has thickened, or if a patient is experiencing abnormal menstrual bleeding.
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Uterine Biopsy

Biopsies are performed when a physician needs to examine tissue closely. A uterine biopsy will remove a small sample of tissue from the uterus for examination under a microscope. This diagnostic test may be performed if a patient is experiencing abnormal vaginal bleeding, if we see the need to rule out the presence of abnormal cells, if the uterine lining has thickened, or if another suspicious condition exists.
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Colposcopy

A colposcopy allows your physician to analyze the vulva, vagina, and cervix closely. A colposcope, which is a type of microscope, is used to achieve a close-up of tissues.

Colposcopy is commonly a follow-up procedure to an abnormal pap smear, as abnormality in test results indicates suspicious cells. Viewing the cervix through a microscope lets your physician clearly see cells after a solution has been applied to turn abnormal cells white. Biopsies are then taken of any abnormal areas to help determine if any treatment needs to be done. Other reasons a colposcopy may be performed include abnormal bleeding, lesions, polyps, inflammation of the cervix, or genital warts.
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IUD

An IUD is an intrauterine device that is inserted into the cervix as a method of birth control. This T-shaped device, when situated in the uterus, is highly effective at preventing pregnancy. Data from the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists indicates that, on average, only one in one hundred women become pregnant while an IUD is in place. While IUD is an effective method of birth control offered in our Chicago area practice, this device offers no protection against sexually transmitted diseases.

At Northwestern Women’s Health Associates we offer Mirena and Paraguard. During your consultation regarding IUD birth control, your physician will discuss your options and answer any questions you have so that the most suitable device for your needs is chosen.
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Hysteroscopy

Hysteroscopy is a procedure that may be performed for a number of reasons. Most commonly, gynecologists perform this procedure to identify and treat the cause of abnormal or heavy uterine bleeding. At Northwestern Women’s Health Associates, hysteroscopy is usually performed after a sonohysterogram has found an abnormality.

Performed after menstruation, the hysteroscopy procedure may begin after your physician gives you medication to aid in relaxation. Pain may be managed with local anesthesia. After dilating the cervix, your physician will insert the hysteroscope, a thin telescope device, into the vagina.
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Thermachoice Ablation

Thermachoice ablation is an in-office, non-hormonal procedure that may be used to treat extremely heavy periods. There are four steps to this procedure, performed in our Chicago office. Many patients find recovery so easy that they can resume normal activities the following day.

Thermachoice ablation is a form of endometrial ablation. Essentially, the four steps of this procedure will cause the uterine lining to shed naturally over the course of several days, mimicking the menstrual period, and then cause scarring that will decrease future bleeding.
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Essure Sterilization

For patients who know they do not want to have any more children, permanent sterilization makes it possible to achieve this goal without the continual use of hormones or other birth control methods. Essure is different from other permanent sterilization methods in that the procedure takes only about half an hour in the Chicago office of Northwestern Women’s Health Associates. You will be in our office for 1 ½ hours on the day of the procedure. The procedure requires no anesthesia because there is no cutting. The benefit to patients is the quick return to normal activities. Common after effects of this procedure include spotting or bleeding, nausea, and cramping. These effects are typically mild and short-lived.

In the Essure sterilization procedure, silicone-free inserts are placed into each Fallopian tube. Inserted vaginally, the inserts remain visible, allowing the confirmation of proper placement. In the three months that follow the placement of inserts, a barrier develops within each Fallopian tube, completing the sterilization process. At this time, your physician will perform a test to confirm sterilization has been achieved.

Sterilization testing is completed using dye and x-ray imaging. After introducing a dye into the uterus, your physician will take an x-ray to ensure the dye remains and does not pass through the Fallopian tubes. Until confirmation has been obtained, an alternate form of birth control is necessary.

It is important to note that Essure permanent sterilization is permanent. Patients seeking this treatment should be completely confident they would not want children in the future.
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