“I wanted to be sure to THANK YOU for a successful surgery. The da Vinci robot is an outstanding tool. I am very grateful for a pain-free, nausea free surgery……Dr. Rubin is a great surgeon and doctor. The da Vinci allowed me to return to my everyday living so quickly, no one even knew I was missing……My life is so much better now……Thank you for your service and for bringing the da Vinci robot to Hunterdon and changing lives.”
- Pamela R.
“Dr. Masterton is an exceptional doctor – she demonstrates compassion and care and quickly earns your trust as a new patient. I am eternally grateful to her for guiding me through a very difficult situation, and performing my required surgery with great skill. Thanks to Dr. Masterton, I am now on my way back to good health and well-being.”
- Phyllis Conklu
“I just wanted to thank you for always being so kind and caring when I have visited your office. 17 years ago Dr. Rubin delivered my son, and I am still happy with the great service this group provides!”
- Kristin Polito
“Thank you so much for all the patience, support and caring you showed during my surgery. It is greatly appreciated. I am always grateful for all you have done for me.”
- The Benegas Family
“We wanted to take a moment to express our gratitude for the attentive and compassionate care delivered by this practice… thank you for going above and beyond for our family.”
- The Cwynar Family
“We cannot thank you enough for the care you took with us in the birth of our son. We appreciate your patience, expertise, and support…”
- Erin Rocchietti
“Thank you for such great care! You are amazing doctors and I couldn’t be happier with all you have done. Thank you! My husband and I are forever grateful!”
- Yannery Ferreiro
Thank you so much for all of your care and support! I appreciate all the encouragement you gave me and know that you truly care about your patients!
- The Weintraub Family
“Thank you for everything you did for our family over the last 9 months!”
- The Sales Family
“Thank you for your kindness. I really appreciate your friendly faces and willingness to solve any problem that arises. It is not often you see people go above and beyond and I want you to know it didn’t go unnoticed. Thanks again!”
- Jessie B.
“Thank you so much for all your kind support and well wishes during my surgery and recovery.”
- Monique D.
“Thank you all so very much for your patience, concern, and love. Two years ago you took so much care with me and it did not go unnoticed. Without all of you as a team caring for me, this pregnancy would have been unbearable. You are very special. Thank you!”
- Amber G.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) can be detrimental to your wellbeing if left undetected. It’s transmitted via sexual contact with an infected partner via your mouth, bodily fluids, skin, genitals and rectum. Some are treatable, and others non-treatable or lethal. Regular STD testing is crucial if you’re sexually active, have a history of STIs, have numerous partners, or if you’ve been using intravenous drugs. Here are some of the most common types of STD testing.
HIV
One of our healthcare professionals will first discuss your sexual health and the procedure with you. You may be given a post-exposure prophylaxis if you test within 72 hours of a suspected contagion. A tiny sample of your oral fluid or your blood will be tested. You can expect results within 20 minutes with a rapid test. If your test is sent to the lab, expect results within 2 weeks.
Chlamydia
Testing can be detected via a urine test or sample fluid from your urethra, eye, cervix, throat or rectum. Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) are conducted from urine. Positive results here are always indicative of an infection, as false positives are rare. Chlamydia cultures are derived from the non-urine tests.
Syphilis
This STD test searches for the presence of antibodies for syphilis-causing bacteria. A second screening is conducted if your initial test is positive. A sample of tissue, blood, or culture from syphilis sores is tested via a rapid plasma regain (RPR), or venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) test.
Genital HPV Infection
This test detects the presence of the human papillomavirus. Here a sample of cells will be collected from your cervix. The test should reveal whether a high-risk kind of HPV is prevalent. These could be types 16, 18, 31, and 45, and you could also have abnormal changes on your Pap test.
Gonorrhea
STD testing here can be derived from a urine sample. Sometimes fluid can also be extracted from areas such as your throat, rectum, eye, urethra, or cervix. Urine tests are done via nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT), and other types via gonorrhea cultures. We may also conduct sensitivity testing to decipher the best treatment.
Genital Herpes
Testing here includes the PCR blood test. This reveals the presence of the disease even if you have not experienced any symptoms. It’s highly accurate and searches for traces of herpes DNA.
Book an appointment for your STD screening with one of our healthcare professionals today.
Mammogram screening plays a pivotal role in diagnosing breast cancer. Early detection may save your life and your breasts, as localized cancer can be removed without a mastectomy. Not knowing what to expect can be disconcerting though. Here are some mammogram screening guidelines to help put your mind at ease.
WHEN TO GO
The American Cancer Society recommends that mammograms should be made available to all women aged 40-44 years. They recommend annual mammograms for 45-54-year-olds. Those older than 55 years should be screened every two years, or annually if they prefer.
There is no benchmark for when mammograms should cease, as long as the woman has a sustained life expectancy. Your individual risk is also affected by your family and medical history, so these benchmarks may change.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Screening should take 20-30 minutes. You’ll be greeted by a friendly mammography practitioner who will question you on any history of breast disease or symptoms you may have. You may ask questions here too.
You will be asked to undress from the waist up and wear a gown. You can sit or stand at the machine, and the radiographer will place and compress each breast between the plates. Compression occurs for a few seconds, and two images are taken.
MAMMOGRAPHY RESULTS
Your mammogram result is deciphered by radiologists and conveyed to your doctor. This could be normal, false positive, false negative, positive or benign.
It’s not uncommon to get a false positive result. This usually requires further testing, and is more common in younger women, those who are using synthetic hormones, or those who have had a breast biopsy. Further testing may comprise additional mammogram screening, a core biopsy, a fine needle aspiration, or an ultrasound.
A false negative result reveals the absence of cancer cells, where it’s actually present. Always opt for digital mammogram testing if your breasts are dense, as this detects abnormalities easier. Some lumps screened are benign. These occur as a result of cyclical changes in your body. A common form of benign breast mass is called fibroadenoma. It’s commonly found in women younger than 35 years, and may require surgical removal.
Results positive for a ductal carcinoma in situ is pre-cancerous, non-invasive, pre-invasive, or intraductal. Cancer is localized within the milk ducts. If this is untreated it may develop into invasive cancer.
Consult one of our caring mammography practitioners today for a screening.
At Advanced Obstetrics and Gynecology, LLC, we believe that education is a cornerstone of good health. There are many misconceptions about women’s health, and our knowledgeable clinicians are committed to helping our patients learn as much as they can about how to lead healthy and happy lives.
WOMEN LOSE INTEREST IN SEX AS THEY AGE
Sexual desire is affected by many different factors — relationships, stress levels, physical and emotional health and hormonal fluctuations, to name a few. Medications such as heart and blood pressure medicines and some antidepressants also can affect arousal, levels of sexual desire, and/or orgasms.
While some women experience vaginal dryness, irritation or painful sexual intercourse during and after menopause, this discomfort may be alleviated with vaginal moisturizers, lubricants and topical estrogen applied directly to the vagina. If you are dealing with a low libido or other sexual issues, talk candidly with your healthcare provider about possible solutions.
HEART DISEASE AFFECTS MEN MORE OFTEN THAN WOMEN
This dangerous myth is simply not true. Each year, more women die from heart disease than men. Type II diabetes, obesity and hypertension can increase your chances of developing heart disease. Exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet and quitting smoking are just a few ways you can help keep your heart healthy. Visit your doctor regularly and ask about other steps you can take to prevent heart disease.
OLDER WOMEN DON’T NEED TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT PREGNANCY AND STIS
After teenagers, women in their 40s are the second-largest group to experience unplanned pregnancies. Unless you have gone one full year without a period, pregnancy is possible. About 90 percent of women have passed through menopause by age 54, so it is generally safe to say that birth control is no longer necessary if you are post-menopausal. Until then, make sure you and your partner use birth control.
Even if birth control is no longer an issue, it is essential to protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections and other diseases, especially with new or multiple partners. Using condoms and other safe-sex practices are the best ways to avoid contracting an STI. If you are concerned about unplanned pregnancy or STI, your doctor can answer any questions you may have and arm you with the knowledge you need to protect your sexual health and overall well-being.
For more information on women’s health and gynecological care, contact Advanced Obstetrics and Gynecology, LLC, to schedule an appointment today.
The idea of comfortably sleeping during pregnancy can seem like a fantasy, particularly for first-time mothers or those who were chronic stomach sleepers before pregnancy. In truth, there are a variety of steps you can take to ensure sleeping during pregnancy is enjoyable for both you and your unborn child. Bear in mind that your body has changed, and it can take a few nights to adjust to a new sleeping style or position. So it is in your best interests to give positions a reasonable trial period unless they are painful or uncomfortable.
DON’T BE AFRAID TO MAKE BIG CHANGES
Sometimes comfortably sleeping during pregnancy requires big changes, like a half dozen large pillows. Don’t be afraid to do what you need to do to be comfortable. Some mothers need multiple pillows and others may find the only way to get to sleep is in a recliner. Before you head off furniture shopping, give some specialty pillows a try. Wedge pillows for propping yourself up and maternity pillows for full body support are favorites of many expectant mothers, regardless of how comical they appear. As long as it is safe for you and your child, try it.
THINGS TO AVOID
Positional concerns aren’t all that interfere with a good night’s rest. Acid reflux, frequent urination and even nausea can affect your sleep. To cut down on reflux issues, try to make dinner your lightest meal of the day and avoid eating too close to bedtime. For frequent urination, avoid drinking within 3 hours of bedtime and try to have most of your daily water intake down by 4 p.m. Lastly, back sleeping is a big no-no beyond the first trimester and can cause all kinds of symptoms from nausea to hypotension. The weight of your growing baby will put pressure on one of your body’s most important veins, and negatively affect the flow of blood and nutrients to the placenta.
Our physicians will support and guide you through every step of your pregnancy while providing you with unparalleled health care for you and your unborn child. To schedule an appointment with our office, contact us at your nearest location.
Obstetric sonography, more commonly called an ultrasound, is a non-invasive screening tool that uses sound waves to create a picture of the inside of a woman’s uterus. Both safe and effective, ultrasounds allow our physicians to accurately monitor patients without the use of radiation or potentially risky side effects. Whether you need diagnostic assistance or are anxiously awaiting your first look at your growing child, our in-office obstetric sonography is a convenient, safe and painless approach.
PREPARING FOR AN ULTRASOUND
An ultrasound is relatively quick and requires very little preparation. You likely won’t even have to disrobe; though some ultrasounds may necessitate changing into a hospital gown, most of the time you just need to wear loose-fitting clothes. The sonographer or radiologist will simply expose the part of your abdomen relevant to the exam.
YOUR OBSTETRIC SONOGRAPHY EXAM
Thanks to the use of simple sounds waves, sonographs create images almost instantaneously, allowing your technician and/or physician to identify certain structures, monitor your pregnancy and provide diagnoses as needed. During the exam, your doctor may:
- Establish the existence of a fetus
- Determine the number of fetuses in the uterus
- Estimate the age of the pregnancy
- Measure the heart rate and breathing of the fetus
- Assess the fetus’s size, weight, position and rate of movement
- Estimate the amount of amniotic fluid
- Gauge the position of the placenta
- Determine the fetus’s gender
- Evaluate the condition of the cervix
Ultrasounds may be performed transvaginally, using a wand placed internally, or transabdominally, using a transducer placed on your abdomen.
SAFE, ACCREDITED SERVICE
Safety and professionalism are of utmost important at Advanced Obstetrics & Gynecology, LLC, which is why we’re proud to offer obstetric sonography services validated by two respected organizations:
- The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) has recognized ADV OB/GYN as a practice that exhibits a passion for high-quality care and meets or exceeds national standards.
- Following a peer-review evaluation, the American College of Radiology accredited ADV OB/GYN as a practice that achieves high standards in the areas of quality control procedures and programs as well as personal qualifications and adequacy of facility equipment.
CONTACT OUR OFFICE
Obstetric sonography could give you the first glimpse of your baby or an answer to a lingering medical question. Either way, the first step is to make an appointment at one of our New Jersey locations. To schedule your visit, contact us today.
Seasonal Affective Mood Disorder is a form of depression that is caused by the changes in the seasons. It occurs most frequently during the fall and winter, when there is less daylight.
WHAT ARE THE COMMON SYMPTOMS?
Some of the most common symptoms of this disorder include:
- Continual depression
- Low energy during the day
- Loss of enjoyment of your favorite activities
- Difficulty with concentration
- Sudden changes in your appetite or weight
Although these symptoms are associated with several conditions, if you experience them in conjunction with a change in the seasons, it could well be Seasonal Affective Mood Disorder.
Cases that occur during the fall and winter often have additional symptoms, including:
- Overeating and weight gain
- Cravings for sugar and foods high in carbohydrates
- Excessive sleepiness
Although most cases occur in the fall and winter months, it also can occur in the spring and summer. In these cases, there are sometimes additional symptoms, including:
- Insomnia
- Loss of appetite
- Anxiety
HOW CAN I TREAT IT?
The exact causes of Seasonal Affective Mood Disorder aren’t known, but there are some known risk factors. The farther people live from the equator, the more likely they are to develop it. Women are more likely to develop it than men, and young adults are at higher risk to develop it than older adults. Also, if you already have another depression or another mood disorder, you are at higher risk to develop Seasonal Affective Mood Disorder.
Light treatment is the most common form of treatment for Seasonal Affective Mood Disorder. Sun lamps are lamps designed to simulate the effect of sunlight on your body without harmful UV rays. Daily treatment with sun lamps can prevent and treat the symptoms of this disorder.
Additionally, your doctor can prescribe medication as well as vitamin supplements to help treat the effects of the disorder, and can refer you to a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist to receive psychotherapy. Schedule an appointment with Advanced Obstetrics & Gynecology, LLC, if you think you might have this affliction, and we can help you feel better.