HerHealth Clinic Education and Resources

Washington Regional offers a new level of minimally invasive hysterectomy surgery. This advanced procedure — known as vNOTES, or vaginal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery — offers many benefits for patients....

It can be easy to put off scheduling your first annual well-woman exam if you aren't sure what to expect. Dr. Alexis McCollum of Washington Regional HerHealth Clinic talks through each step of an annual exam....

With the incidence of sexually transmitted infections on the rise, testing is more important than ever for those who may be at risk. “Anyone who is sexually active in any capacity, however that looks, is potentially at risk,” says Dr. Alexis McCollum, one of the OB/GYNs at Washington Regional’s HerHealth Clinic. Sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, are infections that are spread by any type of sexual contact....

When it comes to preparing for a visit to the gynecologist, Dr. Alexis McCollum of Washington Regional HerHealth Clinic says providers don’t want you to stress....

By preventing unplanned pregnancies, birth control (contraception) allows a woman to decide the best time for her to start a family – and how large that family will be. From permanent options such as tubal ligation to flexible choices like LARCs (long-acting reversible contraception), each form of birth control has its pros and cons. The best method of birth control is one that fits your lifestyle and health. With so many options available, it’s important to discuss birth control with your health care provider, such as an OB-GYN....

A pelvic exam is a routine physical exam of a woman's reproductive organs. Dr. Alexis McCollum of Washington Regional HerHealth Clinic walks through the three steps of a pelvic exam....

Couples struggling with infertility can often feel as if they are walking a lonely path, says Dr. Laura Collins, an OB/GYN at Washington Regional’s HerHealth Clinic. “I think a lot of couples can feel alone in their struggles, but infertility actually affects about one in eight American couples, and the rate is as high as 30% for women over the age of 40,” she says....

Dr. Alexis McCollum of Washington Regional HerHealth Clinic answers the most common questions that gynecologists get asked....

Hot flashes. Insomnia. Vaginal dryness. Sounds like a list of typical menopause symptoms, right? Precisely speaking, however, those bothersome symptoms are likely due to perimenopause, the years when a woman’s body begins to produce less of the hormone estrogen as it transitions out of the childbearing phase....

In the first few days after giving birth, many women experience feelings of sadness, anxiety or frustration. They may cry easily and even question whether they can care for their baby. These feelings, which are sometimes called “the baby blues,” are not unusual and typically go away within a couple weeks. When such feelings continue or intensify, however, you should talk with your health care provider about postpartum depression....

Human papilloma virus, or HPV, is extremely common. But it can have serious consequences, says. Dr. Alexis McCollum, an OB-GYN at Washington Regional HerHealth Clinic. “We care about it because it is responsible or can be linked to several types of cancers.”...

For most girls, their mother is their role model – that’s what makes the mother-daughter bond so special. And when navigating the teen years, the power of that bond can help mothers and daughters find ways to have important discussions about health and self-esteem. “Talking openly and honestly with your daughter about growing up and becoming a healthy young woman has a huge impact on her self-esteem and the way she learns to value herself as a person,” says Dr. Laura Collins, an OB/GYN at Washington Regional’s HerHealth Clinic....

To live well and reduce the risk of serious illness, it is important for women to have an annual physical, or checkup. Regular checkups can help find problems early or prevent health problems before they occur. In addition to the annual checkup is a well-woman exam....

Pregnant women don’t have to choose between the serenity of a low-intervention birth and the safety of a hospital delivery, says Dr. Amy Scott, an OB-GYN at Washington Regional’s HerHealth Clinic. “A lot of patients ask me if we offer low-intervention birth options, and I’m pleased to say that we offer those here at Washington Regional,” Dr. Scott says. “Low-intervention birth options mean that it is as natural a delivery as you can get – we’re just doing this in the hospital setting.”...

With Covid-19 vaccines promising the return of family gatherings and celebrations, pregnant women may be looking for guidance as they consider their vaccination options. “Based on the way the Covid-19 vaccine is made and based on what we know about vaccines in pregnancy, we believe the vaccine is safe for pregnant women,” says Dr. Mary Pat Hardman, an OB-GYN at Washington Regional’s HerHealth Clinic....

If you experience chronic pelvic pain or have painful periods, endometriosis could be to blame. Endometriosis is an overgrowth of the inside lining of the uterus that is implanted in places other than the uterus. “Endometriosis creates a cyclic inflammatory response that that over time could create chronic inflammation and lead to chronic pain or scarring within the pelvis,” says Dr. Erin Large of HerHealth Clinic. “We estimate 10% of women have endometriosis and many more may go undiagnosed.”...

Some of the most important things a mom can do for the health of her baby start before she even becomes pregnant, such as ensuring that her diet includes vital nutrients. “Prior to becoming pregnant, it is important for women to take a prenatal vitamin or some type of multivitamin, specifically one that contains folic acid,” says Dr. Erin Large, an OB-GYN at Washington Regional’s HerHealth Clinic....

Early detection of breast cancer relies on appropriate and timely screening. Although screening cannot prevent breast cancer, it can help find the cancer early, when it is easier to treat. "When breast cancer is detected early and treated early, the survival rate is reassuringly high,” says Dr. Erin Large, an OB-GYN at Washington Regional’s HerHealth Clinic....

With a vaccine available and a pre-cancer screening test provided at their doctor’s office, most women have the tools to prevent cervical cancer. “Cervical cancer prevention and screening is an incredibly important part of what we offer as gynecologists,” says Dr. Alexis McCollum, an OB-GYN at Washington Regional’s HerHealth Clinic. “Cervical cancer is predominantly caused by a virus called the human papillomavirus, also known as HPV,” Dr. McCollum says....

The best prenatal care addresses issues many pregnant women haven’t even heard of, such as Group B strep. “Group B strep is one of the many streptococcal bacteria that live in the body, and it can be found in the lower genital tract of even healthy women,” says Dr. Britte Smith, an OB-GYN at Washington Regional’s HerHealth Clinic. About 1 in 4 women are carriers of the Group B strep bacteria, she says, which generally poses no problems. However, in a pregnant woman, it can pass to the baby during labor and delivery and cause serious complications....