Conditions We Treat

At Women’s Healthcare Associates of Redding, we diagnose and treat a variety of women-specific conditions. Our OBGYN team is committed to providing women with the best treatment options to help them achieve optimal health in all stages of life.

Endometriosis

Endometriosis affects one in 10 women across the United States. Endometriosis is a medical condition in which the uterine lining (endometrium) moves out of the uterus and into other parts of the pelvic area such as the ovaries, bowels, or behind the uterus. It is generally not a serious or harmful condition, but it can impact your quality of life, causing symptoms such as painful menstrual cramps, heavy menstrual periods, chronic back and pelvic pain, infertility and other health concerns.

At Women’s Healthcare Associates of Redding, we offer comprehensive endometriosis diagnostics and treatment options to alleviate your pain and help you manage abnormal, painful periods. We can even perform minimally invasive surgical procedures to remove endometrial tissue growth with minimal downtime.

Although endometriosis cannot be cured, our women’s healthcare providers can help you manage your symptoms through different treatment options, including pain medication, hormone therapy, conservative surgery, or a hysterectomy. We will discuss all your options so you can make an informed decision on which treatment is right for you.

Endometriosis FAQ

  • Endometriosis is a condition that affects the lining of your uterus. This lining, called the endometrium, moves out of the uterus and begins growing in other areas of your body, including your ovaries, fallopian tubes, and other pelvic organs.

    The excess endometrial tissue continues to function as it would normally, thickening and then breaking down with each menstrual cycle. As the tissue has no way to leave your body, it becomes trapped, irritating surrounding tissue and, in some cases, causes scar tissue that makes your pelvic organs stick together.  

    While the condition isn’t usually life-threatening, it can cause significant, ongoing pain and heavy bleeding that can interfere with your daily life.

  • Endometriosis can cause several symptoms, including:

    • Painful menstrual cramps

    • Heavy menstrual bleeding

    • Prolonged menstrual cycles

    • Chronic pain in your pelvis or back

    In some cases, untreated endometriosis can result in fertility issues that make it difficult to conceive a child or maintain a pregnancy.

  • To diagnose endometriosis, your doctor first performs a pelvic exam to feel for abnormalities around your ovaries. To gain a clearer picture of the abnormal growth of your uterine lining, your doctor may also use an ultrasound that creates images of your uterus and other pelvic organs.

    For further exploration, you may need a laparoscopy where your doctor inserts a laparoscope, a small instrument with an attached camera, to get a close up look at your pelvic region and identify abnormal tissue growth.

  • Depending on the severity of your symptoms and extent of tissue growth, your doctor may initially treat endometriosis using medication, including over-the-counter anti-inflammatory drugs and pain relievers.

    Hormone therapy is also available to control heavy menstrual cramping and bleeding. Your doctor may prescribe birth control pills, provided you are a non-smoker and under the age of 35. Progestin-only hormone treatments can also help stop menstrual periods and the growth of endometrial tissue.

    If these therapies aren’t effective in reducing your pain, your doctor may recommend surgery. To remove excess endometrial tissue, he may perform laparoscopic or traditional surgery. For severe cases of endometriosis, a hysterectomy may be the last resort if you aren’t planning to have children in the future.

    To learn more about treatment options for endometriosis, schedule a consultation by calling our office.

Woman experiencing a painful period before visiting a gynecologist in Redding, CA

Heavy, Painful Menstrual Periods

While most women experience a mild degree of discomfort the first few days of their period, many women suffer from irregular, heavy, or excessively painful periods than what is considered normal. Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for painful periods or menstrual cramps. Primary dysmenorrhea refers to common recurring menstrual cramps, while secondary dysmenorrhea results from reproductive system disorders. Fortunately, both can be treated.

Every woman is different and menstrual cycles can change throughout various stages of life. However, if you’re experiencing unusually high levels of discomfort or irregularity with your cycle, there might be an underlying cause. Addressing your painful periods and finding the right treatment plan is key to lessening the severity of menstrual pain and getting back to enjoying life.

It is important for your reproductive and overall health to identify why your periods may be irregular or hurting more than usual. Whether it’s finding the right birth control to manage symptoms or a more complex treatment like surgery, Woman’s Healthcare Associates of Redding is here to guide you to a happier, healthier life.

Symptoms of Painful Periods:

  • Abdominal cramps

  • Lower back pain

  • Pain down legs

  • Nausea

  • Vomiting

  • Diarrhea

  • Fatigue

  • Weakness

  • Fainting

  • Headaches

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition that involves enlarged ovaries that may contain many cysts and produce high levels of male hormones. This condition affects one in every ten women in the US and is the leading cause of infertility in women. Possible symptoms of PCOS include: missed periods, irregular periods, or very light periods, ovarian cysts, excess body hair, weight gain, acne, infertility, and others.

Nearly every woman will develop an ovarian cyst at some point in her life. While most ovarian cysts are harmless and don’t require treatment, there are times when a cyst grows or ruptures, leaving you in persistent pain. At Women’s Healthcare Associates in Redding, our gynecological services include routine pelvic exams and advanced diagnostics to identify cysts. We also offer effective treatments, including minimally invasive surgery to remove cysts while leaving your ovary intact.

Although there is no cure for PCOS, there are several treatment options available to help relieve symptoms and prevent permanent damage. Depending on the severity of your condition and your overall health, your doctor may recommend birth control pills, diabetes medication, fertility medication, or lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise. Surgery to induce ovulation may be required for severe cases. Please schedule an appointment to speak with our doctors about your treatment options.

PCOS FAQ

  • Ovarian cysts are fluid-filled sacs that develop in or on the surface of your ovaries. Typically, ovarian cysts are nothing to worry about, and most women will get them at some point in their lives. They usually remain small in size and don’t cause any symptoms. Your doctor often finds ovarian cysts during a routine pelvic exam.

    However, ovarian cysts can rupture, causing pain and vaginal bleeding. If left untreated, cysts may cause persistent pain or develop cystic masses that can become cancerous.

  • Ovarian cysts often develop due to your menstrual cycle and are known as functional cysts. Your ovaries grow follicles each month that produce reproductive hormones and release an egg during ovulation. When these follicles continue to grow, you develop a functional cyst. These cysts often go away without treatment after several menstrual cycles.

    You can develop other types of cysts on your ovaries not related to menstruation. Some of these cysts can grow large and disrupt the placement of your ovary, causing it to twist. If your ovary twists out of place, it can lead to decreased or stopped blood flow to your ovary that results in damage.

  • Your Women’s Healthcare Associates of Redding doctor provides several treatment options for ovarian cysts. Initially, you may need to wait and see how the cyst develops over a few months before other treatments are necessary.

    If cysts change in size or cause you pain, your doctor may prescribe birth control to prevent the growth of new cysts. Such hormone treatments won’t shrink existing cysts though, and depending on the unique situation, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove them.

    Your doctor can perform an ovarian cystectomy, removing the cyst but leaving your ovary intact. He may also choose to remove only the affected ovary, using a procedure known as an oophorectomy.

    Schedule a consultation online or by calling the office to learn more about treating ovarian cysts.

  • While most women will develop cysts at some point, you may be at increased risk due to:

    • Pregnancy

    • Endometriosis

    • Pelvic Infections

    • Hormone Imbalances

    If you’ve previously had cysts, there is a strong chance you’ll develop more throughout your lifetime.

Woman on couch after visiting a vaginal infection doctor in Redding, CA

Vaginal Infections

Vaginal infections are extremely common among women and account for more than 10 million gynecologist visits each year. Vaginitis or vaginal infections is the inflammation of the vagina due to an imbalance of yeast and bacteria that normally live in the vagina. In addition to some discomfort, you may also notice a smell that's different than usual. Vaginal infections may be caused by bacteria, yeast, or viruses. Chemicals in products or clothing that come in contact with this area could also be causing irritation of the delicate skin and tissues.

At Women’s Healthcare Associates of Redding, our gynecology services include both the treatment and prevention of vaginal infections. The most common types of vaginal infections are yeast infections, bacterial vaginosis, and trichomoniasis, a sexually transmitted infection. Your healthcare provider will discuss treatment options with you, depending on the type of infection.

Symptoms of Vaginal Infections:

  • Lower abdominal pain

  • Vaginal itchiness or soreness

  • Pain during sex or urination

  • Unusual discharge

  • Bleeding between periods

  • Warts or ulcers near vulva

Sexually Transmitted Infections

It can be frightening to think about having a sexually transmitted disease or STD, but they are more common than you think. The healthcare providers at Women’s Healthcare Associates of Redding will answer your questions about STDs and present you with treatment options. Our healthcare practice in Redding, offers STD testing, which is an easy and painless process that usually only takes a few minutes. STDs don’t get better without treatment, so don’t wait to find out if you’re infected, call to book an appointment for testing immediately.

Most sexually transmitted infections (STIs) do not cause any symptoms, especially in women, making it hard for some patients to know when they have been infected. Anyone with multiple sexual partners should undergo regular STD testing, even if they are having protected sex. If you are diagnosed with an STD, we will provide the most effective treatment available to help minimize any symptoms and prevent permanent damage. Unfortunately, most STIs cannot be cured, but can be managed through medications. It is important to practice safe sex and get tested often in order to protect yourself against STIs.

STIs & STDs FAQ

  • Sexually transmitted disease or STD testing can check for any kind of infection using blood, urine, swab tests, or tissue samples. Most STDs are bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections, and the most commonly tested for STDs include:

    • Chlamydia

    • Gonorrhea

    • Hepatitis B

    • Genital herpes

    • HIV

    • Human papillomavirus (HPV)

    • Syphilis

    • Trichomoniasis

    Depending on your specific symptoms, your provider can also test for other less common STDs, including chancroid, molluscum contagiosum, and granuloma inguinale. 

  • The team recommends a testing schedule appropriate for your situation. In general, you need STD testing if you have symptoms such as:

    • New genital discharge

    • Genital pain

    • Pain during intercourse

    • Pelvic area pain

    • Fever

    • Genital itchiness or burning

    • Genital skin changes, including bumps, sores, or other growths

    If you have sex with anyone who’s tested positive for an STD, or who has active symptoms of an STD, schedule a test as soon as possible. 

    The following guidelines also exist for STD testing, regardless of sexual habits: 

    • Everyone 13-64 needs a minimum of one HIV test during their life

    • Women under 25 need annual gonorrhea and chlamydia testing

    • Women 25 and older with multiple partners or new partners need annual testing

    • All pregnant women need hepatitis B, HIV, and syphilis testing

    • At-risk pregnant mothers need gonorrhea and chlamydia testing

    • Women who have unprotected sex need annual HIV tests

    • Women who share drug needles need HIV tests yearly

    Don’t be afraid to discuss your sex life and personal habits with your non-judgemental and caring OB/GYN. This information can help them to personalize your STD testing and keep you as healthy as possible.

  • Your provider explains the results and what they mean for you. Generally, a positive test means that you have an active infection requiring treatment. 

    The specific STD treatment varies with the disease but often includes antibiotics, antivirals, or other types of oral or topical medication. Your provider may also provide counseling on safe-sex practices and how to protect yourself from STDs in the future or decrease the risk of infecting your partner.

    An abnormal Pap smear, which often means you have HPV, is a bit different because it may not require immediate treatment. But, your provider may recommend more frequent monitoring so they can remove the HPV cells if they’re likely to become cervical cancer. 

    Women’s Healthcare Associates of Redding makes it easy to get your STD testing and treatment in a confidential and supportive environment. Call the office or arrange your STD testing through online booking.  

Woman before her visit to the gynecologist for pelvic prolapse

Pelvic Prolapse

Pelvic prolapse occurs when one or more pelvic organs drops from its normal location and pushes against the walls of the vagina. Symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse include feelings of fullness, pulled muscles and, urinary incontinence. This condition commonly occurs in women when the muscles in the area are weakened from childbirth or surgery.

Simple self-care measures such as kegel exercises, avoiding heavy lifting, and pessary devices may provide relief or help prevent worsening prolapse. However, pelvic prolapse often requires surgery to correct the moved organs and alleviate symptoms. Surgery varies depending on which organ is affected, but may include repairing the bladder or urethra, closing the vagina, or a hysterectomy.

Menopausal Treatment 

For many women, the journey through menopause can be confusing and some symptoms may even be frightening. The changes your body is going through can interfere with your daily life and make it difficult to work, take care of your kids, or even enjoy your free time. Women’s Healthcare Associates of Redding provides compassionate care and support during your menopausal years. We also offer a variety of treatment options to help you manage your menopause symptoms.

Menopause symptoms include irregular bleeding, hot flashes, insomnia, night sweats, fatigue, depression, and more. There are several treatments available to help relieve these symptoms, and our healthcare providers can help you decide which option is best for you. Menopausal symptoms can be treated with hormone replacement therapy, such as bio-identical hormone, which supplies the body with estrogen and progesterone to offset the drop of these hormones during menopause. Patients can also seek treatment for their individual symptoms and should maintain an active and healthy lifestyle to help feel their best. To learn more about managing menopause, please schedule an appointment.

Menopause FAQ

  • Menopause officially occurs when you’ve gone 12 consecutive months without a menstrual period. This transition signals that you are no longer able to bear children.

    While the average age of menopause for women in the United States is 51, you can start experiencing menopausal symptoms in your early 40’s. Menopause that occurs before you reach 40 is known as premature menopause.

    The time leading up to the cessation of your periods is known as perimenopause, where dramatic hormone fluctuations can cause a variety of symptoms. Perimenopause can last 1-10 years before your periods stop for good.

    If you have a hysterectomy, you may enter into medical menopause, where your periods stop after your surgery.

  • Throughout perimenopause and menopause, your supply of estrogen and progesterone are reaching their lowest levels. You can experience a wide range of symptoms, including:

    • Anxiety

    • Hair loss

    • Dry skin

    • Hot flashes

    • Depression

    • Weight gain

    • Night sweats

    • Chronic fatigue

    • Feelings of confusion

    • Lack of concentration

    These symptoms can range from mild to severe, and even significantly disrupt your life.

  • In many cases, once your hormones level out after reaching your postmenopausal years, your symptoms start to dissipate. Your doctor works closely with you to determine the best treatment for your postmenopausal years, based on your medical history and the severity of your symptoms.

    Schedule a consultation by phone to learn more about menopause treatment.

  • There is no one-size-fits-all solution to menopause symptoms. Dr. Mooney and Dr. Peña offer a variety of treatment options to manage your symptoms based on your specific needs. You can rely on their experienced and compassionate medical team to help guide you through your transition.

    Hormone therapy is a common treatment for menopause symptoms. If you’re a non-smoker, your doctor may prescribe birth control pills to provide a steady stream of hormones and help reduce the drastic fluctuations. If you can’t tolerate birth control, other hormone therapies come in oral, patch, cream, or injection forms.

    Your doctor may also recommend lifestyle changes, including dietary improvements and incorporating more exercise into your daily routine.

    Some women find that a low-dose antidepressant is helpful in reducing depression and anxiety that often accompanies perimenopause. Your doctor can discuss your options for alleviating the mental and emotional strain of menopause during your consultation to determine how to address your specific needs.