As Family Medicine Physicians, all our providers are well versed in providing care for patients of any age or gender. Several of our providers have focused interest in providing health care for women.
Whole Life Care
It’s important for your primary care physician to understand you at your stage of life.
Well woman exams focus on discussion of age-appropriate preventive care including mammograms, pap smears, colonoscopies, and vaccinations. Our goal is also to get to know each other over time, developing a trusted relationship and partnering with you for the healthcare needs throughout your life.
Many young women have concerns about preventing pregnancy, screening for STIs, and management of depression or anxiety. Women wanting to start or expand their families come to us for a unique experience, as we will see them through the pregnancy, delivery baby, and take care of mom and baby after delivery. Older women need help with menopausal symptoms, decreased libido, incontinence, and management of chronic conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid disorders, or high cholesterol. We can manage these conditions all under one roof.
In addition to years of experience delivering babies, our providers are experienced in a variety of gynecologic procedures like IUD & Nexplanon placement, colposcopy, and endometrial biopsy. Northwest Family Clinics welcomes the opportunity to become your trusted medical partner.
Prenatal Care & Delivering your Baby
Northwest Family Physicians provides expert obstetric care, including prenatal visits and baby delivery. Many patients prefer a family-focused clinic that can take care of the mother's pregnancy and delivery, while also managing the care of their new baby and rest of the growing family.
We strongly encourage you to establish care with one provider. This primary provider will be selected at your initial pregnancy visit and will care for you throughout your pregnancy. Our goal is to be there with you during your pregnancy, and for delivery! If that is not possible, one of our partners will be there to assist you.
We welcome babies into the world at both North Memorial Medical Center and Maple Grove Hospital.
Click here for more information about our prenatal and baby delivery care and at what hospitals we deliver.
Click here for our new pregnancy form.
Gynecology
Many gynecological conditions can be diagnosed and treated by your primary care physician. We offer a wide range of routine gynecologic care. Common issues addressed include:
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
- Incontinence
- STIs
- Menopausal symptoms
- Hormone replacement therapy
- Breast concerns
- Menstrual disorders
- Abnormal pap smears
- Family planning & Birth control
- Post-menopausal weight gain
We offer several additional services including: IUD or Nexplanon insertion, endometrial biopsy for abnormal bleeding, and colposcopy evaluation of abnormal pap smears and many more.
Endometrial Biopsy
Endometrial biopsy is a safe and effective method for evaluation of the tissue lining inside of the uterus for the presence of cancer or precancerous cells. Most women who have this procedure done have abnormal uterine bleeding, or prolonged absence of their period (amenorrhea). A plastic catheter is slipped into the uterus, and a small amount of the endometrial lining is suctioned into the catheter. The sample is sent to a laboratory for examination by a specialist physician called a pathologist. Once the report of the tissue examination is completed, your doctor will want to talk to you about the treatment plan that is best for you.
Colposcopy
Colposcopy is the examination of a woman's cervix and genital tissues with a special microscope called a colposcope. Colposcopies are often performed after an abnormal Pap smear to examine for abnormal growths or check for pre-cancerous changes. The Pap smear is a good screening test for disease, but results can be over-estimate or underestimate the abnormality up to 30% of the time. Colposcopy can evaluate more accurately the extent of disease on the cervix. If the tissue appears abnormal, the doctor will perform scraping and biopsies. The small pieces of tissue removed are examined in a laboratory by a specialist physician called a pathologist. Your doctor will want to talk to you about the treatment plan that is best for you once the report of the tissue examination is completed.
IUD
An IUD is a T-shaped plastic device, about the size of a quarter, that is placed inside the uterus to prevent pregnancy. Two types of IUDs are available: one is covered with copper (non-hormonal) and the other type releases the hormone progestin (hormonal). Common progestin IUDs are Mirena and Kyleena and provides up to 7 and 5 years of protection, respectively. ParaGard is the copper IUD and lasts up to 10 years. Any IUD can be placed in a simple, short office procedure.
NEXPLANON
NEXPLANON is a small, thin and flexible arm implant that provides up to 3 years of continuous birth control. Nexplanon placement is quick and easy and can be done during a short office visit.
Colonoscopy
Colon cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States. The Colonoscopy procedure is an extremely effective tool in the prevention and early detection of colon cancer. Many lives are saved if precancerous growths (polyps) are discovered before they become cancerous. If colon cancer is detected, earlier is better. Early detection of colon cancer greatly increases the chances for successful treatment.
If you are 45 years of age or older, talk with your provider about scheduling this important screening procedure. We offer screening colonoscopies at each of our three clinics. Click here for more info on colonoscopy including procedure prep instructions.
Endoscopy
For patients with persistent acid reflux, gastritis, difficulty swallowing and some types of abdominal pain, we offer upper endoscopies. These are available at our Crystal location and are performed by Dr. Chris Stuart.
Joint Injections
Joint injections are non-surgical procedures that apply a solution of anesthetic and corticosteroid directly to damaged, painful joint tissue. Sometime excess fluid is also removed from a joint. At Northwest Family, we routinely perform knee, shoulder, hip, elbow, finger & toe joint injections. We also perform injections to treat plantar fasciitis, carpal tunnel, trigger finger, and De Quervain tenosynovitis.
Minor Office Procedures
Northwest Family Clinics perform many minor surgical procedures right in our offices. Procedures are performed by our own skilled physicians and are typically quicker and more cost-effective than hospital alternatives. Some procedures include:
- Laceration repair
- Skin biopsy
- Incision and drainage of skin lesions
- Toenail removal
- Cryotherapy
- Mole removal
- Joint injections
- Ear wax removal
- Sebaceous cyst removal
Botox® for Chronic Migraines
Botox® for migraines is a safe and effective preventive treatment for chronic migraine sufferers. It is for patients 18 years of age or older with eight or more migraine headaches per month. The procedure takes just 20 minutes and lasts for 3 months. It is covered by most insurance plans, and there is also a reimbursement program through Botox® to help cover the cost. Northwest Family offers Botox® injections for migraines at our Rogers clinic with Dr. Jennifer Purifoy. Call our clinic, schedule online or talk with your provider about how to get started.
Cosmetic Botox®
Botox® has been around since the 1970s and has become increasingly popular as a minimally invasive way to look years younger by relaxing facial muscles and reducing dynamic facial lines and wrinkles. With just a 20-minute clinic procedure, you can look 10 years younger. New evidence also shows Botox® placement in the face may help improve mood. Northwest Family offers cosmetic Botox® injections at our Rogers clinic with Dr. Jennifer Purifoy. Call our clinic, schedule online or talk with your provider about how to schedule a consultation or treatment.
Click here for all procedures and specialty services at Northwest Family.
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