Gynecology

Gynecology in Anchorage, Alaska

Alaska Regional Hospital provides a full range of gynecological services to meet the needs of women in all stages of life. Whether in need of a well-woman exam, help through menopause or in need of gynecologic surgery, thousands of women turn to Alaska Regional each year to ensure their total health and wellness. Our specialists utilize cutting-edge medical and surgical technology to make sure you get back to your daily activities as quickly as possible.

To learn more about our gynecology services, or to find a doctor who can help you, call our 24/7 physician referral line at (888) 254-7884.

Nationally accredited gynecological services

Alaska Regional has been acknowledged as a Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology (COEMIG™). The COEMIG™ program focuses on improving the safety and quality of gynecologic patient care and expanding awareness of and access to minimally invasive gynecology procedures. To earn this designation, surgeons and hospitals must partner together and demonstrate a cross-organizational commitment to minimally invasive gynecologic surgical care. Patients who undergo minimally invasive gynecologic surgery experience:

• Faster recovery
• Fewer complications
• Less pain
• Reduced blood loss
• Shorter hospital stays

Conditions we treat

Gynecological conditions cover a broad range of female issues. As with most specialties, the best tools a gynecologist has at their disposal are the examination of the patient’s medical history, along with a thorough gynecological exam. While these exams can be much more intimate than a standard physical, they are critical to determining your overall gynecological health and well-being.

Gynecological symptoms can closely resemble those of other medical conditions or urological issues, so it is important to schedule an appointment with your physician should any of the following occur:

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding, particularly during or after intercourse
• Bleeding between periods
• Frequent and urgent need to urinate
• Genital sores or lumps
• Irregular pain or pressure in your pelvis
• Pain or discomfort during intercourse
• Vaginal discharge with an unusual odor or color
• Vaginal itching, burning, swelling, redness, or soreness

These symptoms can lead to a variety of diagnoses. Our gynecologists in Anchorage treat the following possible gynecological disorders:

• Endometriosis
• Female incontinence
• Menopausal uterine changes
• Menorrhagia
• Ovarian cysts
• Perimenopausal
• Polyps
• Tumors
• Unexpected pregnancy
• Uterine fibroids
• Uterine prolapse

Gynecologic oncology

In conjunction with oncology care, we treat a variety of gynecologic or, reproductive, cancers. Reproductive cancers affect more than 80,000 women in the U.S. each year, the most common of which being:

• Cervical cancer
• Endometrial cancer
• Fallopian tube cancer
• Ovarian cancer
• Peritoneal cancer
• Uterine cancer
• Vaginal cancer
• Vulvar cancer

At Alaska Regional, you will find cancer-fighting research, detection, treatment, clinical trials, education and support. Our treatment options include:

• Brachytherapy
• Cancer pain management
• Chemotherapy
• Outpatient infusion therapy
• Radiation therapy

Gynecological treatments

Our team of specialists offer female patients a wide range of gynecological procedures, including:

• Hormonal evaluation and hormone replacement therapy
• Management of abnormal vaginal bleeding
• Management of irregular periods or lack of periods
• Management of premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
• Management of menopause
• Pap smears

Additionally, we offer evaluation of breast lumps and full cancer screenings on an inpatient basis, as well as through the Alaska Imaging Alliance, our outpatient imaging center. There, on an outpatient basis, patients can receive computerized tomography scans (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, stereotactic biopsies and bone-density scans (DEXA).

Gynecological surgery

When medication and non-invasive procedures are unable to relieve symptoms, surgical care remains the most accepted and effective form of treatment for many gynecologic conditions.

With gynecologic oncology surgery specifically, minimally invasive, laparoscopic procedures may be an option. These use several small incisions rather than the large incisions of traditional surgery.

Minimally invasive surgeries reduce trauma on the body. These include:

• Endometrial resection
• Myomectomy
• Ovarian cystectomy
• Robotic gynecology surgery

Robotic surgical options

Robotic surgery is now an option for a number of gynecologic procedures, including hysterectomies. Our surgical robot was the first in Alaska, proving to be the most effective, least invasive treatment option for many patients.

During robotic surgery, your surgeon will make several small incisions, similar to traditional laparoscopy, before using the advanced 3D, high-definition viewing capabilities to help navigate through your procedure. The robotic surgical system gives your surgeon increased precision and control throughout your procedure.

Some of the benefits of robotic gynecologic surgery include:

• Faster recovery time
• Less pain
• Less scarring
• Lower risk of infection
• Reduced blood loss
• Shorter hospital stay