Comprehensive Women’s Health Care at AHN Wexford Hospital

Too often, women ignore their own health concerns, brushing off uncomfortable symptoms as normal or putting their care behind other responsibilities like work or family.

At AHN, we know that finding trusted care close to home can make all the difference in getting the support you need. That’s why we offer complete health care for women of all ages at AHN Wexford Hospital — so caring for you can come first.

Specialty care across the spectrum of life

Women’s health needs are unique, and they change throughout your lifetime. Specialists at Wexford are here for you every step of the way.

Your care journey will often start with a visit to our OB-GYN physicians. For teens and women of all ages, the OB-GYN team in Wexford can provide care including annual exams, preventive screenings, family planning and contraceptive (birth control) support, and more.

If your health needs go beyond general OB-GYN services, Wexford offers women’s specialty care in many areas.

“Our OB-GYNs are like traffic controllers, helping direct people to the right specialty care,” said Rachel Cullifer, MD, minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon at AHN. “That level of connection helps patients get the right care faster and easier.”

Your AHN care team may refer you to:

• Maternal-fetal medicine – Care and resources for women with high-risk pregnancy. 
• Labor and delivery – Advanced amenities and care for expectant mothers, and a Level II NICU (neonatal intensive care unit) for babies who need extra attention.
• Midlife women’s care – Specialized care for women over age 40 to help navigate menopause, support bone health, and more as you age.
• Urogynecology – Physicians focus on treating pelvic floor disorders, like urinary incontinence (loss of bladder control) or pelvic organ prolapse (weakening of pelvic muscles).
• Pelvic floor therapy – Specialists use targeted physical therapy techniques to treat pelvic pain, weakness, and tightness impacting the pelvic floor to improve overall function and control.
• Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery – Surgeons use small incisions to perform procedures to treat conditions like endometriosis, abnormal bleeding, and pelvic pain, which generally leads to faster, more comfortable recovery.
• Women’s Heart Center – Services for heart disease and other heart problems that result from menopause, cancer, or pregnancy.
• Oncology – Specialized care for gynecologic cancers (cancers of the uterus, ovaries, cervix, vagina, and vulva) and breast cancer.

The importance of preventive screenings

To help you live a long, healthy life, the best kind of care is preventive care, which can stop health problems before they start. Wexford offers many preventive screenings to help you catch anything out of the ordinary and get care as soon as possible.

While every patient is different, the following screenings are often recommended throughout a patient’s lifetime:

• Pap smear – Screens for cervical cancer; should begin at age 21, and take place every 3–5 years.
• Mammogram – Screens for breast cancer; should begin at age 40.
• Colonoscopy – Screens for colon cancer; should begin at age 45.
• DEXA scan – Evaluates bone health; should begin at age 65 or around menopause age (50–64) if you have additional risk factors.

Your doctors will talk with you about when you should get certain health screenings. Some tests may be recommended sooner, or more or less frequently, based on your age and personal health or family history.

Symptoms you shouldn’t brush off

Screenings can help doctors catch issues early, but there are signs and symptoms you should look out for, too. See a doctor if you:

• Feel a lump or mass in your breast
• Have period pain so extreme it interrupts your daily life
• Have abdominal bloating or unexplained changes in your weight
• Experience bleeding after menopause
• Have symptoms that feel abnormal to you or disrupt your daily life

“Sometimes people think period pain is just part of being a woman,” said Dr. Cullifer. “But if you’re adjusting your life because of painful periods or other symptoms, that’s not normal.”

If you ever experience severe pain, dizziness, shortness of breath, or extremely heavy bleeding, go to your nearest emergency room right away.

Prioritize your health

From preventive screenings to providing specialty care when you need it most, AHN Wexford offers comprehensive women’s care to help you put your health first.

Our women’s services are available across AHN Wexford Hospital and at the Women’s Center at AHN Wexford Health + Wellness Pavilion. Both are conveniently located off Perry Highway, keeping your care right in the community.

Make an appointment by calling (412) DOCTORS or schedule online.