Templeton Specialty Center - Obstetrics and Gynecology

This clinic treats the following conditions, among others.

Breast changes: A breast change is any change in the breast from what is usual for you. It's common to experience a variation in breast size or tenderness during your menstrual cycle, usually caused by changes in the levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone.

Chronic pelvic pain: Chronic pelvic pain is pain in your lower abdomen that usually lasts for 6 months or more. It may be constant or come and go and range from mild to severe. Many things can cause chronic pelvic pain, including endometriosis. No matter what's causing pain, treatment can help.

Cyst: A cyst is a sac-shaped structure in the body. Cysts usually are filled with fluid, which may be blood, clear fluid, or pus. A cyst can be normal, abnormal, or, in rare cases, cancerous. In some cases, a cyst may be drained either with a needle or by cutting it open, or it may be removed entirely.

Endometriosis: Endometriosis (say "en-doh-mee-tree-OH-sus") occurs when cells that are like the cells that line the inside of your uterus grow outside of your uterus. These cells form growths that often attach to the ovaries or other organs, and they may bleed during your period and cause pain. They may also make it hard for you to get pregnant.

Gestational diabetes: Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that some women get during pregnancy. You treat it by making certain eating changes, exercising, checking blood sugar levels, and possibly taking diabetes medicine or insulin shots. With treatment, most women who have gestational diabetes will have healthy babies. Gestational diabetes usually goes away after the baby is born.

Hot flashes: A hot flash is a sudden sensation of intense body heat, often with profuse sweating and reddening of the head, neck, and chest. These symptoms can be accompanied by mild to severe heart palpitations, anxiety, irritability and, in rare cases, panic. Hot flashes are the most common symptom of changing estrogen levels around the time of menopause. They strike unexpectedly, often at night, and usually last several seconds to minutes.

Immunization: An immunization, also called a vaccination, is a way to keep you from getting a disease. The medicine causes your body to make antibodies that can then recognize and fight the illness if you are later exposed to it. Besides keeping you from getting sick, immunizations also help reduce the spread of disease to others and prevent epidemics.

Infertility: Infertility means not being able to get pregnant after trying for at least 1 year (or 6 months if you're over 35). It can be caused by problems inside the body. But sometimes no cause can be found. Being told that you have this problem doesn't necessarily mean that you will never get pregnant. Some people eventually conceive without help. But medical treatments do help many people.

Miscarriage: A miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy during the first 20 weeks. It's usually the body's way of ending a problem pregnancy. For some, a miscarriage can be hard. But it's no one's fault and it can't be prevented. You may need treatment if any tissue remains in the uterus after the miscarriage.

Menopause: Menopause is the point in your life when your ovaries stop producing enough hormones to keep the menstrual cycle going. After 1 year of having no periods, you've reached menopause. It usually happens around age 50, but everyone's body has its own timeline. Having cancer treatment or surgery to remove the ovaries can cause menopause to start early. Menopause is a natural part of growing older. You don't need treatment unless your symptoms bother you.

Urinary tract infection: A urinary tract infection is a general term for an infection anywhere between the kidneys and the urethra (where urine comes out). Most urinary tract infections are bladder infections. They often cause pain or burning when you urinate. They're caused by bacteria and can be cured with antibiotics.

Heavy menstrual periods (menorrhagia): Heavy menstrual periods (menorrhagia) are periods in which bleeding is heavier or lasts longer than normal. You may pass large blood clots and have to change pads or tampons often. Or your periods may last longer than 7 days. Heavy periods have many possible causes. Most of them aren't serious. But heavy periods can lead to anemia. Treatment can help reduce bleeding and prevent anemia.

Missed or irregular periods: Menstrual periods often occur every 21 to 35 days. But you may be different. Missed or irregular periods must be looked at in terms of what is normal for you. Menstrual periods often aren't regular during the first few years after your period starts. It may take several years for the hormones that control menstruation to reach a balance. Periods also may not be regular when you get closer to perimenopause and menopause. Menopause occurs when it has been 12 months since you had a period. Pregnancy is the most common cause of a missed period. If you might be pregnant, treat yourself as if you are pregnant until you know for sure. Use a home pregnancy test as the first step to find out if you are pregnant.

Perimenopause: Perimenopause is the process of change that leads up to menopause. It can start as early as your late 30s or as late as your early 50s. How long perimenopause lasts varies, but it usually lasts from 2 to 8 years. You may have irregular periods or other symptoms during this time.

Premenstrual syndrome (PMS): Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) is a set of physical or mood-related symptoms that occur before your menstrual period each month. Symptoms begin about 1 to 2 weeks before your period starts. These symptoms go away in the first few days of your period. With PMS, these symptoms—like breast tenderness or irritability—are so bad that they interfere with your life.

Preeclampsia: Preeclampsia is high blood pressure and signs of organ damage, such as protein in the urine, usually after 20 weeks of pregnancy. It may cause symptoms such as a severe headache, vision problems, rapid weight gain, and sudden swelling of the hands and face. If it's not managed, preeclampsia can harm you or your baby.

Preterm labor: Preterm labor is labor that starts too early, between 20 and 37 weeks of pregnancy. It can be caused by a problem involving the baby, the mother, or both. But sometimes the cause isn't known. The earlier delivery happens, the greater the chances are that the baby will have serious problems.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are infections spread by sexual contact. If you're pregnant, you can also spread them to your baby before or during delivery. STIs are also called sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Some examples of STIs include chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, human papillomavirus (HPV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Vaginal yeast infection: A vaginal yeast infection is an overgrowth of normal yeast cells in your vagina. It may be itchy and annoying, but a yeast infection usually isn't serious.

This clinic performs the following procedures, among others.

Breast exam: A clinical breast examination (CBE) is a physical examination of the breast done by a health professional. During this exam, your doctor will carefully feel your breasts and under your arms to check for lumps or other changes. Clinical breast exams may be used along with mammograms to check high-risk people for breast cancer. Clinical breast exams are also used to check for other breast problems.

Genetic counseling: Genetic counseling is done by specially trained health professionals who offer guidance to people concerned about their risk of genetic diseases.

Intrauterine device (IUD): The intrauterine device (IUD) is used to prevent pregnancy. It's a small, plastic, T-shaped device. Your doctor places the IUD in your uterus. This can also be done right after you have a baby. You have a choice between a hormonal IUD and a copper IUD.

Pap smear: The Pap test (also called a Pap smear) is a screening test for cancer of the cervix, which is the lower part of the uterus that opens into the vagina. The test can help your doctor find early changes in the cells that could lead to cancer. The sample of cells taken during your test has been sent to a lab so that an expert can look at the cells. It usually takes a week or two to get the results back.

Postpartum depression: Postpartum depression is a serious illness that can make you feel very sad, hopeless, and worthless in the first few months after childbirth. You may have trouble caring for and bonding with your baby. Postpartum depression is more than the "baby blues," which usually go away within a couple of weeks. The symptoms of postpartum depression can last for months. It's treated with counseling and antidepressant medicines.

Prenatal visits: Regular prenatal visits are very important during any pregnancy. These quick office visits may seem simple and routine. But they can help you have a safe and healthy pregnancy. Your doctor is watching for problems that can only be found through regular checkups. The visits also give you and your doctor time to build a good relationship.

Pacific Central Coast Health Centers contracts with most health insurance plans, including Medi-Cal, and provides health care services that fit your health plan benefits. If you have questions about the health insurance plans we accept, contact the office where you would like to be seen and our staff would be happy to answer any questions you may have.

• Aetna
• Blue Cross
  
• Blue Shield
• CenCal
• Cigna
• Coventry – First Health
• Health Net
  
• Healthsmart – Interplan
• MCS
  
• Medi-Cal
• Medicare
• Multiplan – Beech Street
• Networks by Design
• Physicians Choice Medical Group
• United Healthcare
• United Tricare
• Western Growers