Frequently Asked Questions

Is a referral from another doctor necessary?

We accept patients who are self-referred or those who are sent by another physician or health care provider.  Each insurance plan has specific requirements.  We are pleased that patients from all over Central Florida and other states choose to seek care at our Center.    You can call your plan to ask if a referral is necessary, or call our office and we will assist you.  If you come from another physician’s office, we will send your doctor or clinician a summary of how we diagnosed and treated your symptoms so that your primary doctor will have a record for your chart. 

What are menstrual periods?

In ancient times, menstruation was considered a magical process related to the cycles of the moon.  There have been books written on the subject, dozens of words or phrases used to describe it, hundreds of different types of products invented to avoid embarrassing accidents, and even art produced celebrating it.  Some consider the first period as a rite of passage for girls as they become young women.  Women trying to start a family keep track of their periods so they know their optimal times for conception.  And, each year millions of women seek medical care because their menstrual cycle has gone awry. 

What is the function of the menstrual cycle?

During adolescence, a number of hormones increase and start to affect the uterus. The brain sends chemical messages to the ovaries, which lie alongside the uterus and produce hormones such as estrogen and progesterone. These hormones enter the uterus and cause the uterine lining to grow. Most women have a cycle that is about 28 days apart.  About half-way through the cycle, which is day 14, one ovary produces an egg that “pops out” of a small cyst on the ovary.  If the egg is not fertilized by a sperm that month, the hormone levels decrease, the lining of the uterus breaks apart and menstrual bleeding occurs.  Most menses last three to five days.  The average amount of blood lost is 35ml, which is about the equivalent of six teaspoons.

The menstrual cycle is a complicated process involving a number of organs and hormones.  Most doctors like to categorize menstrual disorders into 2 groups:  abnormal hormones and problems with the uterus.. Generally, most women with irregular periods (cycles that “skip around”) have a hormonal imbalance or similar problem.  Women with regular but heavy menses usually have a problem with the uterus, such as a fibroid tumor or uterine polyp.