Family Planning & Gynecology
The Benjamin Wellness Center offers a range of gynecological services; including pap smears, breast exams, and routine check-ups. Our OB-GYN Dr. Vaunrance Benjamin has over two decades of experience serving patients in public health, family planning, women’s health, and more. Schedule an appointment at The Benjamin Wellness Center in Hollywood, FL for your gynecological and family planning needs!
Comprehensive Pap Wellness
When you choose this screen, 5 separate tests are conducted to examine for cervical cancer and HPV. We identify high risk HPV, low risk HPV, and the other non-typical, unspecified cancer agents. We do this through different technologies that include sophisticated machinery, DNA extraction, staining and pathologist assessment.SS
Conventional Pap Test
A valuable screening test for cervical cancer and its precursors
Pre-Cancer Antibody Screen
Immunohistochemical detection of telomerase enzymes in human cancer tissues
HPV/ISH Screening
All high risk and low risk 6/11
Comprehensive Vaginal Health Panel by PCR
(34 Targets w/ABx) Includes all high risk HPV types
P16 High Grade Cervical Cancer Marker/Screen
Grade III Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia (CIN) Biomarker (If moderate displasia or above – HSIL, ASC-US, AGUS, AIS)
Pre-Cancer Antibody Screen – Telomerase Enzymes
Cancer cells are characterized by high telomerase activity, which enables cells to divide indefinitely. Telomerase is active in 85–95% of cancers (1,2).
Cancer cells often avoid senescence or cell death by maintaining their telomeres despite repeated cell divisions. This is possible because the cancer cells activate an enzyme called telomerase, which adds genetic units onto the telomeres to prevent them from shortening to the point of causing senescence or cell death.
Comprehensive Vaginal Health Panel by PCR
We provide you with results from 37 targets which includes 14 high risk HPV types. Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is one of the most sensitive tests, with an accuracy rate well in excess of 99%. In the event we find an infection that would ordinarily be treated with antibiotics, we prepare our Antibiotic Resistance matrix for your consideration in prescribing medication.
Targets
- Atopobium vaginae
- BVAB1,2
- Mobilincus curtisii
- Mobilincus mulieris
- Candida albicans
- Candida auris
- Candida dubliniensis
- Candida glabrata
- Candida guilliermondii
- Candida parapsilosis
- Candida tropicalis
- Chlamydia trachomatis
- Finegoldia magna
- Gardnerella vaginalis
- HSV1
- HSV2
- HPV 16
- HPV 18/45
- Other High-Risk HPV types
- Lactobacillus crispatus
- Lactobacillus gasseri
- Lactobacillus iners
- Lactobacillus jensenii
- Megasphera 1,2
- Mycoplasma genitalium
- Mycoplasma hominis
- Neisseria gonorrhoeae
- Peptostreptococcus prevotii,
- Peptostreptococcus asaccharolyticus Prevotella Spp
- Prevotella bivia
- Sneathia amnii
- (Leptotrichia amnionii)
- Sneathia sanguinegens
- Streptococcus agalactiae
- (Group B Strep)
- Streptococcus anginosus
- Treponema pallidum
- Trichomonas vaginalis
Antibiotic Resistance Genes
IMP-16, IMP-7, NDM, VIM, MecA, mel (mef A), cfr, OXA-48, CTX-M, GES, PER, VEB-1, mcr-1, QnrA, QnrB, TEM, SHV, MIR, aadA1,VanA, VanB, tet B, tet M, tet S, ErmA, ErmB, ampC, FOX, ACC, KPC, dfr(A1,A5), sul(1,2)
Conventional Pap Test: (16) High-Risk and (2) Low-Risk Strains
The test aims to detect potentially precancerous changes (called cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) or cervical dysplasia; the squamous intraepithelial lesion system (SIL) is also used to describe abnormalities) caused by human papillomavirus, a sexually transmitted DNA virus. The test remains an effective, widely used method for early detection of precancer and cervical cancer. The collected cells are examined under a microscope to look for abnormalities.
HPV/ISH Screening: (21) High-Risk and (2) Low-Risk Strains
We can separate and identify the most common HPV types (16, 18, 31, 33, 51) and the 2 most prevalent low risk HPV. PCR is extremely sensitive, but will not identify a particular HPV strain. Using our anatomic pathology – synthetic tissue block technology – we will provide you with the answer to your question: “What strain of HPV do I have?”
P16 High Grade Cervical Cancer Marker Screening
Because of the different forms of the virus, the differing types of HPV-specific tests can give different information. HPV, DNA, RNA, and protein assays have varying sensitivities for virus detection and also varying availability from formalin-fixed, paraffin- embedded tissue. Since p16 protein over expression is very sensitive for the presence of transcriptionally-active HPV and since it correlates strongly with patient outcomes, is widely available, and easy to interpret.
P16 cytology has the potential to provide high sensitivity for the presence of underlying HGCTN, with significantly higher specificity rates than HPV testing. Therefore, P16 may further improve the current approach for triaging ASC-US cytology with HPV testing and may provide an efficient, immediate triage tool for LSlL cytologic results.
The study has shown that P16 cytology provides significantly better specificity than HR-HPV for the triage of ASC-US and LSIL Pap cytologic cases. Furthermore, the specificity associated with P16 cytology on LSlL is comparable to that seen with HR-HPV triage of ASC-US Pap cytologic results. Sensitivity rates of Pl6 cytology for underlying CIN 2+ or CTN 3 were found in a range similar to that for HPV testing for cytotechnologist’s review and after pathologist adjudication.
What Does a Gynecologist Do?
A gynecologist is a physician who specializes in female reproductive health. Gynecologists diagnose and treat female reproductive tract issues, which includes any issues regarding the uterus, fallopian tubes, breasts, and ovaries. At The Benjamin Wellness Center, Dr. Benjamin offers a range of reproductive and sexual health services including:
Pap Smears
Pelvic Exams
Treatment and Testing for Vaginal Infections
Cancer Screenings
Gynecologists diagnose and treat reproductive system disorders such as infertility, endometriosis, pelvic pain, and ovarian cysts. An OB-GYN is a gynecologist who has experience in both obstetrics and gynecology, which is what OB and GYN stand for. Obstetrics is the field of medical care dealing with pregnancy and birth. Dr. Benjamin is an OB-GYN, which means that along with treating female reproductive issues, his obstetrics education also allows him to care for a woman before, during, and after a pregnancy. Whether you are going in for a routine annual gynecological checkup, interested in preventative screenings, facing reproductive issues, or need an obstetrician because you’re pregnant or planning on being pregnant, you can turn to Dr. Benjamin for excellent medical care. Remember – the best way to stay healthy is through preventative care. Just because you feel fine and are not currently experiencing any reproductive health issues, it doesn’t mean you don’t need to go in for an exam at least once a year. Women who appear healthy and are not experiencing any immediate reproductive health issues should still receive an annual preventive check-up so that they can catch any medical issues like ovarian cancer and symptomless STIs early on.
OB-GYN Services We Provide
Pelvic Pain Evaluations
Gynecological Cancer Screenings
Breast Cancer Screenings
Urinary Incontinence Treatment
Pap Smears
Family Planning and Pregnancy Care
Dr. Benjamin has decades of experience guiding women and their partners along their journey to build a family. Family planning can be a delicate and emotional process, and you need a doctor you can trust and feel comfortable with. Some family planning services he offers include:
Pre-Pregnancy Planning
Pregnancy Care
Prenatal Care
Postpartum Care
Other Pregnancy, Labor, and Delivery Services Include:
Nurse midwifery
Genetic screening
Breastfeeding education
Gestational diabetes management
Any precautionary tests and services for women who are more advanced in age during pregnancy (35 and over)
Women’s Health Procedures
Most of the surgical procedures performed by OB-GYNs like Dr. Benjamin are minimally invasive, including:
Endometrial ablations
Hysterectomies
Dilation
Colposcopies
Transvaginal ultrasounds
Curettage
Contact Us Today
As a woman, you will need to regularly visit an OB-GYN, so you need an OB-GYN you can trust. Call The Benjamin Wellness Center to schedule an appointment with Dr. Benjamin for your gynecological or family planning needs today!