Services
PCOS Q & A
Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a common endocrine disorder that causes a hormonal imbalance in about 10% of women in their childbearing years. PCOS often prevents the development of your eggs or their release from your ovaries.
When your ovaries don’t function properly to release the eggs, cysts form. The cysts cause you to have irregular or unusually heavy periods.
PCOS is a leading cause of infertility because of its interference with ovulation. If you’re having trouble getting pregnant, PCOS may be the reason why.
- Irregular periods: a menstrual cycle that exceeds 35 days and fewer than eight periods per calendar year
- Bleeding between periods
- Thinning hair on your head
- Unwanted hair growth on your face
- Weight gain
- Acne
- Fertility problems
If you’re experiencing symptoms of PCOS, contact ACE OBGYN for help.
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular disease
- Infertility
- High blood pressure
- Sleep apnea
- Depression
- Anxiety
Though less common, your risk for endometrial cancer rises if you have PCOS.
If you’re trying to conceive, he’ll gear your treatment to enhance your fertility. He may also recommend certain medications that increase your ovulation. Oral contraceptives can help stabilize your hormones, and prescription medications improve severe acne.
Lifestyle modifications are almost always part of a PCOS treatment plan. With a healthy diet, exercise, and weight loss, most women get relief from their symptoms. Dr. Novac recommends dietary changes that minimize sugar and fast-burning carbohydrates to help stabilize your insulin and hormone levels.
If you have irregular periods and other symptoms of PCOS, the team at ACE OBGYN is equipped to help you. Call the office to schedule a consultation, or use the online scheduling feature to book an appointment at your convenience.
Colposcopy Q & A
A colposcopy is a minimally invasive test that Dr. Novac uses to get a closer look at your cervix, vulva, and vagina after an abnormal Pap smear. Using a colposcope, a magnifying device with a light, he’s able to further evaluate abnormalities.
- Unexplained vaginal bleeding
- Unexplained pain
- Polyps
- Genital warts
- Human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Inflammation
The quick in-office procedure helps your care team at ACE OBGYN diagnose your problem and move toward a permanent solution.
- Abstain from sex for 24 hours beforehand
- Don’t douche for the 24-hour period prior to the exam
- Avoid tampons for 48 hours before the exam
- Refrain from using vaginal medications for 48 hours prior to the test
In addition, it’s best if you aren’t menstruating at the time of your colposcopy because it can interfere with Dr. Novac’s ability to get a clear view of your abnormal cells.
While your legs are in stirrups, Dr. Novac inserts the colposcope into your vagina and shines the magnified light. You may feel a slight pinch as you do during a Pap smear or a bit of heat from the light, but it isn’t painful.
If you’ve been told you need a colposcopy, try not to worry. The entire team at ACE OBGYN is extremely knowledgeable and will take great care of you. Call today for a confidential consultation, or use the online scheduler to book now.
Contraception Q & A
- Birth control pills and patches
- IUDs
- Condoms
- Vaginal rings
- Diaphragms
- Implants
- Injections
Another popular way to prevent pregnancy is to use the rhythm method, but Dr. Novac cautions that this is not always a foolproof strategy.
The active ingredient in Skyla is levonorgestrel, which triggers your cervix to produce thick mucus that makes it difficult for sperm to make it to the uterus or for a fertilized egg to attach and become viable.
Women choose Skyla because it’s 99% effective at preventing pregnancy and works for three years. You’ll like the convenience of not having to remember pills or condoms and the fact that this method of contraception is reversible if you decide to get pregnant.
Other aspects of Mirena that make it a top choice for an IUD is that it’s free of estrogen, can be reversed and is extremely low maintenance. The only requirement for Mirena is for you to do a monthly thread check. It’s quick and easy. Dr. Novac shows you how to do the thread check when he places the Mirena IUD in your uterus.
Like Mirena, it’s also important to do a monthly thread check. Dr. Novac demonstrates how to do it so you understand what you need to do once a month.
To learn which form of contraception is the best fit for you, call the office to schedule an appointment, or use the online scheduler to book now.
Pap Smear
A Pap smear, often called a Pap test, is a screening that Dr. Novac uses to check for abnormal cell changes on your cervix, which could mean there’s a problem. The test gets its name from the man who created it, George Papanicolaou. It’s recommended for women between the ages of 21 and 65.
Because abnormal cell changes can be a sign of precancerous conditions or that cervical cancer has developed, the Pap smear is a crucial component of your gynecological health care.
Dr. Novac can also use a Pap smear to test for certain sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as HPV, chlamydia, and gonorrhea.
- LEEP, or Loop Electrosurgical Excision Procedure: removal of the abnormal tissue through the use of an electrical current
- Conization: also called cone biopsy because cone-shaped pieces of abnormal cells are removed and further tested at the lab
- Cryotherapy: removal of abnormal cells by freezing them off
- Laser therapy: removal of abnormal cells using heat and light energy
To find out more about Pap smears and how to catch potential cervical problems early, call ACE OBGYN, or use the online scheduler to book now.
Endometriosis Q & A
You have a specific type of tissue called endometrial tissue that grows inside your uterus. Your body sheds this tissue that lines your uterus during your monthly menstrual cycle.
Endometriosis is a painful condition that occurs when your endometrial tissue begins to grow erratically outside the uterus. If you have endometriosis, the endometrial tissue can grow on your Fallopian tubes, ovaries, ureters, bladder, rectum, or intestines.
The tissue still sheds during your monthly period, but it’s trapped in your body and can’t exit as it normally would through your vagina. When this happens, symptoms arise.
- Pelvic and lower back pain
- Difficulty getting pregnant
- Pain during intercourse
- Spotting between periods
- Difficulty with bowel movements
- Pain during urination
- Strong menstruation cramps
Other common symptoms include fatigue, bloating, and frequent nausea.
- Immune system disorder
- Problems with the flow of your menstrual blood
- Cells outside the uterus can transform into uterine cells
- Spread through surgery
There’s also evidence that endometriosis has a genetic component as it seems to run in the family.
Other treatment measures include birth control pills, hormone treatments, and surgical procedures to remove the abnormal tissue growth. In extreme cases, a hysterectomy may be the best solution.
Dr. Novac customizes a plan to meet your specific needs. He’ll go over your treatment options with you so that you know exactly what to expect.
If you think you may have endometriosis, you don’t have to suffer any longer. Dr. Novac and his committed team can help. Call the office to schedule an appointment, or use the online scheduler to book now.
Pregnancy Q & A
What is prenatal care?
To keep you healthy before and during your pregnancy, Dr. Novac provides prenatal care. The word prenatal means “before birth” and includes all the care you and your baby receive before delivery. He’ll educate you along the way about your baby’s growth and how things are changing in your body.
- sample
- Routine lab tests
- Weight measurements
- Bedside ultrasound
- Noninvasive prenatal testing
- Screening for gestational diabetes
- Uterine growth measurement
- Fetal heartbeat monitoring
- Blood pressure reading
- Amniocentesis
- Multiple marker screening
- Nutrition guidelines
- Genetic screening
Dr. Novac monitors your health closely to prevent and treat complications during your pregnancy.
- >Once a month until week 28
- >Twice a month from 28-36 weeks
- >Weekly from 36 weeks until delivery
If you’re considered high risk or have other specific needs, Dr. Novac may recommend more frequent visits to safeguard your health while you are pregnant.
The life of mother and baby are Dr. Novac’s highest priority. For superior prenatal, pregnancy, and postpartum care, call ACE OBGYN, or use the online scheduler to book now.
Fibroids Q & A
Fibroids are muscular tumors that form in your uterus. They can be as small as a tiny pebble or as large as a cantaloupe.
Fibroids can grow alone or form in clusters in your uterus. Some grow fast, and some grow slowly, and many are never detectable by examination.
- Painful periods
- Low back pain
- Painful intercourse
- Full feeling in the pelvic area
- Bloated feeling
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Complications during pregnancy, labor, and delivery
If you need to urinate a lot, can’t seem to completely empty your bladder, or you have trouble having a bowel movement, these can also be symptoms of uterine fibroids.
- Being African-American
- Being overweight
- High blood pressure
- 40 years or older
- Early onset of menstruation
One other common theme is that the majority of those with fibroids are deficient or deplete in vitamin D.
If your fibroids cause pain or excessive menstrual bleeding, Dr. Novac may prescribe a medication to help.
In some cases, a minimally invasive surgery, like a laparoscopy or a hysteroscopy, is the best route to take. Dr. Novac evaluates your condition and helps you weigh your options.
Call the office to learn more about how you can treat the unpleasant symptoms of fibroids, or use the online scheduler to book an appointment at your convenience.
Gynecology Q & A
What is a gynecologist?
A gynecologist is a doctor who focuses on the female reproductive system, which includes your vagina, vulva, Fallopian tubes, cervix, uterus, breasts, and ovaries. A gynecologist like Dr. Novac attends to your fertility, menstrual cycle, pregnancy, menopause, and any concerns or problems may arise.
- Family planning
- Fertility
- Pelvic pain
- Irregular bleeding
- Uterine fibroids
- Ovarian cysts
- Genital warts or growths
- Cervical dysplasia
- Incontinence
- Endometriosis
- Polyps
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)
- Sexual dysfunction
- Abnormal Pap smears
The team provides comprehensive testing and evaluations to get to the root cause of your health concerns. In addition, you have access to expert guidance on birth control options, hormone replacement therapy, confidential sexually transmitted disease testing, and minimally invasive procedures.
In addition to your annual pelvic exam, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that you have a Pap smear every three to five years depending on your age. A Pap smear is a simple, in-office test that Dr. Novac uses to screen for cervical cancer.
Dr. Novac steps in to conduct the exam. It begins with a breast check to feel for lumps or nodules. He’ll guide you as you slide your feet in stirrups for your close look at your vagina, vulva, cervix, ovaries, and Fallopian tubes. If you’re due for a Pap smear, he’ll gather a cell sample from your cervix to send to the lab. The whole process takes less than 15 minutes.
For the best in gynecological care, call ACE OBGYN, or use the online scheduling feature to book at your convenience.
Menopause Q & A
Menopause is a normal part of a woman’s reproductive cycle and occurs when your reproductive processes are in decline. This typically occurs during your late 40s or early 50s. Before menopause begins, you’re in a transitional phase called perimenopause, a time of irregular periods. When you haven’t had a period for 12 consecutive months, you’re in menopause. At the end of the process, you are no longer fertile. The average age for this milestone is 51.
- Hot flashes
- Moodiness
- Fatigue
- Vagina dryness
- Hair loss
- Dry skin
- Painful intercourse
- Sleep disturbances
- Night sweats
- Decrease interest in sex
- Weight gain
- Memory problems
Some women also report joint and muscle pain and problems controlling their bladders. Dr. Novac has years of experience helping women optimize their health during this momentous life change.
- Dress in layers
- Keep a cool cloth close at hand to put on your forehead
- Lower your home’s temperature to about 65 degrees
- Minimize caffeine
- Eliminate foods with heat and spice
Ask your caring team at ACE OBGYN if you need help managing your menopause symptoms.
At ACE OBGYN, the primary treatment for menopause is hormone replacement therapy. Your depleted hormones are replaced with hormones that mimic those that your body makes naturally, namely estrogen and progesterone. They’re administered by patches, pellets, injections, gels, or creams.
Don’t let menopause slow you down. Call the office to schedule a personal consultation, or use the online scheduling feature to book an appointment at your convenience.
Menorrhagia Q & A
Menorrhagia is abnormally heavy menstrual bleeding that disrupts your daily activities with cramping and excessive blood flow. A normal period is measured by a loss of blood that averages about three tablespoons during your monthly cycle. When you have menorrhagia, you can lose double that amount or more
- Pregnancy complications
- Onset of menopause
- Hormone fluctuations
- Fibroids or polyps
- Intrauterine devices
- Thyroid disorder
- Certain medications
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome
In rare cases, unusually heavy periods are due to cancer of the uterus or cervix. Dr. Novac keeps a close watch with yearly pelvic exams.
- A period that lasts more than seven days
- Large clots
- Quickly bleeding through a pad or tampon
- Having to double your pads for added protection
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
Dr. Novac meets with you to learn more about your periods, ask questions, conduct an exam or Pap smear, and help you determine if your excessive bleeding is menorrhagia.
- Birth control pills
- Uterine ablation
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Hormone therapy
- Intrauterine device
- Dilation and curettage
- Iron supplements
Based on your condition, age, and goals, Dr. Novac guides you through options to reduce the heavy blood flow and pain. In cases where the blood flow is impairing your quality of life or the pain is immense, a hysterectomy is often the best course of treatment.
To learn more about how you can treat heavy periods, call ACE OBGYN to schedule a consultation or use the online scheduler to book today.

PATIENT FEEDBACK
Dr. Novac is kind, caring, and takes the time you need without rushing to answer all your questions or concerns. Office staff is excellent.
Great provider, always calm & helps me stay calm! Never lets me worry!
Nice experience, Doctor listened to me, explained me everything, great staff.