Care through the stages of life
Women's health is not a single appointment. It covers contraception and family planning, cycle problems, planning ahead for pregnancy, the perimenopausal years, menopause and the decades after it. The questions change; the person asking them doesn't.
Because this is a solo practice, you see Dr. Gisi rather than whoever is free, and your history is already in the room.
Contraception and family planning
Dr. Gisi will go through the methods available to you — hormonal and non-hormonal — including how well each one works in practice, what the drawbacks and risks are, and what suits your health history and your plans. If a method needs to be fitted, she will explain what that involves and how it is arranged. There is more detail on the family planning page.
Hormones, perimenopause and menopause
Changes in sleep, mood, energy, weight, concentration and sex drive are common in the years around menopause — and they are also common in thyroid problems, low vitamin D, anemia and stress. The approach is to test what can be tested and treat what is treatable, rather than assume.
Where hormone therapy is appropriate, it is discussed on its own terms — benefits, risks and monitoring. See hormone replacement.
Screening and prevention
Preventive care is a large part of women's health: routine physicals, immunizations, blood screening, cardiac risk assessment, and counseling about which cancer screenings are recommended for your age and family history. Dr. Gisi will tell you what is due, why it is due, and what the result actually means. See preventive care.
Everyday medicine, in the same place
Blood pressure, cholesterol, thyroid, diabetes, asthma, infections, aches, low mood — the ordinary business of family practice does not get handed to somebody else. It is looked after alongside everything above, and referred on to a specialist when a specialist is genuinely needed.
What to expect at your visit
- Time to talk through your history and what has actually changed, in your words
- A physical examination appropriate to your concern
- Blood work or other testing where it will change the plan
- A clear explanation of the options, including doing nothing for now
- A follow-up interval so nothing is left hanging