Patient Education

Gail Cansler would like to be your partner in health care. Feel free to ask your questions and share your concerns with us. We will work with you to develop a wellness program for the care and treatment you need.

We welcome you to our practice and look forward to caring for you.

Gail Cansler provides a full range of medical services including the following:

Adolescent Gynecology

Gynecological exams are valuable to adolescents in many ways. It is important for young women to be assessed early, especially if they are sexually active, and to begin a relationship with a doctor that may guide them through many important milestones in their lives. The adolescent gynecologist provides wellness consultations for adolescents with a goal of establishing a bond of trust and confidence with each patient. Adolescent gynecology is a subspecialty of obstetrics and gynecology. ...

Annual Gynecological Exam

The annual gynecological exam, also known as a gynecological well-visit, is a yearly preventative and diagnostic examination that serves to maintain the wellness of female patients, as well as to monitor any ongoing physical or hormonal conditions. This annual visit is an opportunity for doctors to counsel patients about maintaining healthy lifestyles and minimizing health risks. The examination includes a routine breast and pelvic exam, and may include a screening for sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia or gonorrhea. ...

Cesarean Section

A Cesarean section, also referred to as a C-section, is surgery to deliver a baby. During a C-section, the baby is surgically removed through surgical incisions in the mother's abdomen and uterus. It may be planned by a physician ahead of time due to pregnancy complications, or may be necessary when unexpected problems arise during labor and/or delivery. ...

Contraception

Contraception is any method of birth control used to prevent pregnancy. A woman has many birth control options; which are appropriate depend on her age, overall health and lifestyle. Contraception can be permanent or temporary. Some types of contraception are more effective than others, and it is up to each woman to decide which type is right for her. ...

Endometriosis

Endometriosis is a painful medical condition that affects many women. It occurs when the endometrium (the tissue that normally lines the uterus) grows beyond the uterus and into other parts of the pelvic area. Endometriosis most commonly affects the ovaries, fallopian tubes and bowels, and the pelvic region behind the uterus. In rare cases, endometrial tissue can spread beyond the pelvis to other areas of the body. ...

Uterine Fibroids

Uterine fibroids (myomas) are tumors that grow in the uterine walls. They are usually benign, and vary in size and quantity. The exact cause of uterine fibroids is unknown, but their formation may be affected by genetics, with a woman being more likely to develop them if she has a family member similarly afflicted. Most fibroids do not cause any symptoms and do not require any treatment, although, in some cases, they lead to pregnancy complications. Uterine fibroids are most common in women older than 30, and during the reproductive years. ...

High-Risk-Pregnancy Management

Although any pregnancy has the potential of complications, one defined as "high risk" is more likely to have complications that potentially threaten the health of both the mother and fetus, so requires a greater level of attention and monitoring. A high-risk pregnancy increases a baby's chances for health and developmental problems at birth and beyond. ...

Labor and Delivery

As her due date approaches, an expectant mother often looks for signs that her labor is starting. It is important for a woman to be aware of the changes that her body is going through as it prepares for labor, and what to expect when the labor process begins. If a woman suspects that she is in labor, she should contact her doctor or midwife immediately. ...

Mammogram

A mammogram is an X-ray examination of the breast that is performed to detect breast cancer in its earliest stages, often before any signs or symptoms are present. Mammograms allow early detection of small tumors, which are easier to treat than larger, more developed ones. They can also detect ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), small abnormal growths in a breast's milk ducts. Early removal of these growths helps to reduce the risk of future problems. ...

Menopause

Menopause is the time in a woman's life when her menstrual period has stopped. Menopause is caused by a decrease in the ovaries' production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone, which eventually results in the ovaries' ceasing to produce eggs, and the end of menstruation.

A woman has reached menopause when she has not had a menstrual period for at least 12 months. Menopause is a natural process that takes several years. During this time, fertility decreases, and periods often change in duration, frequency, and amount of blood flow. This stage is known as perimenopause, and it is often when symptoms of menopause begin. The average age that menopause occurs is 51, although it may occur prematurely in women who have had total hysterectomies or have received chemotherapy or radiation treatments. ...

Obstetric Consultation

An obstetric consultation is an opportunity for a woman to meet with a doctor to discuss the details of her pregnancy. Regular visits with a doctor throughout a pregnancy are recommended, because they allow for professional monitoring of the woman's and baby's health. These consultations also provide time for the woman and doctor to develop a trusting relationship, and discuss any possible health issues that may affect her and her baby. ...

Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian cancer occurs when normal cells in an ovary change and grow uncontrollably, forming a mass called a tumor, which can be malignant or benign. Ovarian cancer is rare, and often not detected until it has spread to other areas of the body. When detected early, it can usually be eradicated without major complications. ...

Premenstrual Syndrome

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a condition characterized by a group of symptoms women commonly experience before their monthly menstrual period. These symptoms usually abate once the menstrual flow begins. About 85 percent of women suffer from at least one symptom of PMS during each menstrual cycle, although most cases are fairly mild and do not interfere with a woman's normal activities. Severe cases of PMS may be diagnosed as premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD). ...

Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia, previously known as toxemia, is the sudden increase in blood pressure of a pregnant woman. If this condition occurs it is usually by the 20th week of pregnancy, resulting in hypertension and, usually, elevated protein levels in the urine. Preeclampsia, if left untreated, can result in serious complications for both mother and fetus. Eclampsia is a more severe form of preeclampsia. ...

Prenatal Testing

Prenatal testing is an important part of prenatal care, essential in ensuring the healthy growth and development of the fetus. Women who receive prenatal care have healthier babies, are less likely to deliver prematurely, and have fewer pregnancy-related problems. Prenatal care should begin as early as possible in the pregnancy. Doctor visits are usually monthly, and become more frequent as the pregnancy progresses. Routine tests at these visits include urine testing and blood-pressure checks. In addition, there are several prenatal tests performed only at specific times during the pregnancy. They are administered to monitor the health of the fetus and, in some cases, the mother. ...

Preterm Labor

Preterm (premature) labor is a condition that occurs when a woman's body starts preparing itself to give birth too early in a pregnancy. Normal pregnancies typically last 40 weeks. In cases of preterm labor, however, a woman begins experiencing regular contractions that prepare the cervix for labor between the 20th and 37th weeks of pregnancy. ...

Sonography

Sonography (ultrasound procedure) is a quick, painless diagnostic imaging technique. It uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the internal organs. A sonogram is the image that is produced by performing sonography or ultrasonography. During pregnancy, a sonogram is performed to obtain information about how the fetus is developing. It is used to check the fetus's blood flow and heartbeat, as well as estimate its age and delivery date. It is also performed to check the female pelvic organs during pregnancy. ...

Sexually Transmitted Diseases

A sexually transmitted disease (STD) is a disease or infection that is spread from one person to another through sexual contact. Most STDs are caused by bacteria, parasites or viruses that are transmitted through contact with the genitals, skin, mouth, rectum or bodily fluids. Sexually transmitted diseases can cause problems ranging from mild irritation to severe pain. Left untreated, some STDs can cause illness, cancer and infertility, or harm to a fetus. ...

Vaginal Birth After Cesarean Section

A woman who has previously delivered a child by Cesarean section (C-section) may be able to deliver her next child vaginally. This process, known as vaginal birth after Cesarean section, or VBAC, had not been an option in the past. Once a woman delivered by C-section, all successive births were C-sections. Medical advancements and improvements in surgical methods have now made VBAC a safe and fairly common delivery procedure. ...

Uterine Cancer

Uterine cancer is the fourth-most-common cancer in women in the United States. The two most common types of uterine cancer are endometrial cancer and uterine sarcoma, although cases of uterine sarcoma are rare. Endometrial cancer forms in the uterine lining (endometrium); uterine sarcoma forms in uterine muscle and supporting tissue. There are no reliable screening tests or exams for either type of uterine cancer. ...

Vaginal Yeast Infection Treatment

A vaginal yeast infection is a common condition that affects over 75 percent of women at least once in their life, caused by a fungus called Candida albicans. While this type of fungus exists naturally in the vagina, too much of it can cause a vaginal infection. A yeast infection causes itching, burning, redness and irritation in the vaginal area, as well as a white discharge that looks similar to cottage cheese and pain during sexual intercourse. ...

Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

Menstruation is the monthly vaginal bleeding women experience as the uterine lining is shed. Every month, an ovary releases an egg that travels down the fallopian tube to the uterus. If the egg is not fertilized, the egg and lining of the uterus are shed, resulting in menstruation. The average menstrual period lasts from 3 to 5 days, although it can vary from person to person and month to month. ...

Female Urinary Incontinence

Urinary incontinence, the involuntary loss of urine, is more common in women, especially during and after pregnancy, although it can affect people of all ages. While not usually a serious medical condition, incontinence can be embarrassing and can adversely affect quality of life. A symptom, rather than a condition, female urinary incontinence can range from mild stress incontinence to complete loss of bladder control. ...

Prenatal Nutrition

A balanced diet is essential to maintaining a healthy pregnancy. It can prevent excessive weight gain, and keep gestational diabetes and high blood pressure (preeclampsia) from developing. Every expectant mother can benefit from following a diet that provides her with sufficient nutrients, vitamins and minerals, and her baby will benefit as well. ...

Pelvic Organ Prolapse

Pelvic organ prolapse (vaginal prolapse) is a common condition in women, occurring when a pelvic organ shifts from its normal position to push against the vaginal walls. This movement causes pressure, stretching and pain. Most frequently, pelvic organ prolapse occurs after childbirth, menopause, or a hysterectomy when the muscles and ligaments supporting a woman's pelvic organs become more lax. ...