- Warts
- Emergency CareHealth Care for Women is a privately owned practice and has been a leader in providing comprehensive women’s medical services in Coeur d’Alene and its surrounding cities for over 40 years. We provide a full range of gynecological services as well as high quality obstetrics care. Outpatient and inpatient surgeries and labor services during pregnancy are carried out at Kootenai Health, conveniently located minutes from our office. Our goal is to deliver exceptional medical care and to provide you with advice that is necessary for you to make the best decisions for your health concerns. Our doctors are all board certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Midwifery and Nurse Practitioner services are also available. Same day appointments are often available for new and established patients who need urgent care. The convenience of telemedicine visits is provided for appropriate conditions which results in less time away from family and less disruption of work schedules. In-office ultrasound and a lab blood draw station contribute to streamlining your medical needs.
- Constipation
- Urinary IncontinenceIn 2003, Dr. Penney and his family relocated to Idaho after serving as an OB/GYN in the United States Air Force. Dr. Penney lives in Coeur d’Alene with his wife Lori. He has three children. In his spare time he enjoys hiking and is an avid disk golfer. A major focus of his practice is the repair of vaginal and uterine prolapse as well urinary incontinence surgeries.
- ImmunizationsThe well woman visit provides an excellent opportunity to counsel patients about maintaining a healthy lifestyle and minimizing health risks. It includes a physical examination along with screening, evaluation, counseling, and immunizations based on age and risk factors.
- GynecologyHealth Care for Women in Coeur d’Alene aims to provide the highest quality gynecology services to women of all ages. Doctors Penney, Richardson, and Helal are Board Certified Obstetricians/Gynecologists. Stephanie Olscamp is a Certified Nurse Midwife, Family Nurse Practitioner and Kate Forsman is a Family Nurse Practitioner. Together we offer a broad range of experience providing our patients with the most up-to-date OB/GYN care in north Idaho. If you are looking for exceptional Obstetrics or Gynecology care in Kootenai County, Health Care for Women in Coeur d’Alene is the proven leader in women’s health and OB/GYN Services.
- Female Infertility
- ObstetricsDr. Helal served as clinic chief of the Women’s Health Center at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska before entering private practice. He served as the Obstetrics and
- EndometriosisPelvic pain is a common reason why women seek medical care. Pain may be related to gynecological organs such as the uterus, fallopian tubes, or ovaries; however, pain may not be of gynecological origin and may arise from the bladder, intestines, muscles, or skeletal system. In women of reproductive age, pregnancy must be excluded as ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage may result in pain. Potential non-pregnancy causes of pain include endometriosis, uterine fibroids, pelvic infection, ovarian cysts, and less commonly cancers. Evaluation includes a physical examination and then appropriate diagnostic tests are ordered. These tests may include urinalyses assessing for bladder infection, pregnancy test, tests for pelvic infection if felt to be necessary, and possible pelvic ultrasound or in some cases, CAT scan of the abdomen and pelvis. Treatments are based on the results of these tests.
- Pelvic Pain
- PregnancyObstetricians are doctors who have specialized training to care for our patients through their pregnancy and childbirth. Health Care for Women appreciates the care you have taken in choosing an Obstetrician to take care of you for this journey. We have 3 Obstetricians on staff, as well as a Certified Nurse Midwife and a Nurse Practitioner to help you on your individual experience. We have included some information to help you through each phase of your pregnancy, so please take a look but always feel free to ask questions! You can make a list of your questions to talk to your care provider at your appointments or send us a message on our patient portal, or for urgent needs please feel free to call the office.
- Labor and DeliveryIt may be hard to believe that childbirth is over and that this baby is really yours. The postpartum period can be a time of joy and happiness, but it also can bring fatigue and sometimes sadness. If you know what is happening to your body and emotions, you can better face the ups and downs of the first few months of being a mom.
- Kidney StonesAround the time women begin to menstruate until they reach menopause, they ovulate. This is the process where an egg is released from the ovary. A small, benign cyst about an inch in size results. The cyst usually resolves about 2 weeks after forming. In some cases, this ovulation cyst persists beyond a few weeks. It may or may not be painful. Other common cysts not caused by ovulation can develop. Fortunately, the vast majority of ovarian cysts are benign (non cancerous). Some may be painful if they grow or if they twist (known as ovarian torsion). Pelvic ultrasound is the typical imaging test to diagnose a cyst. In some cases if pelvic pain is present, a CAT scan may be ordered to look for other non-cyst causes of pain such as appendicitis, intestinal condition, or kidney stone. Complex appearing cysts which contain solid areas are more commonly seen in certain ovarian cancers. If the cyst appears benign and there is no pain or just mild pain, they are often managed with medicines such as Tylenol or ibuprofen with an anticipation that they will resolve on their own. Oral contraceptives can be used to decrease the risk of painful ovulation cyst formation. If pain is moderate to severe and cannot be controlled with medication, surgery (such as a laparoscopy) may be needed to remove the cyst. This is a surgery completed in the operating room through several small abdominal incisions.
- Ovarian CancerHysterectomy is carried out in an operating room. It refers to removal of the uterus. A “total” hysterectomy means removal of the uterus and cervix. A “subtotal” or “supracervical” hysterectomy is when the uterus is removed but the cervix is left in place. Removing the cervix prevents the development of cervical cancer in the future. In women who do not have a history of precancerous cervical conditions who undergo a “total” hysterectomy, PAP smears may not be needed after hysterectomy. When the cervix is left in place, routine PAP smears are collected after surgery. The cervix may be left in place if removing it would be difficult such as in women who have had Cesarean sections (as the bladder may be scarred to the cervix) or if the cervix is scarred to the rectum (as may occur in severe endometriosis). Fallopian tubes are commonly removed during hysterectomy as they are not needed after hysterectomy. Also, up to two-thirds of ovarian cancers begin in the fallopian tubes so removing them decreases the risk of ovarian cancer in the future. Ovaries are typically removed in women over the age of 65. Younger women may or may not have an ovary or ovaries removed based on the reasons for hysterectomy. Removal of both ovaries in premenopausal women results menopause, therefore, they are usually left in place.
- Cervical Cancer
- Insomnia
- Anxiety
- Diabetes Care
- UltrasoundFetal nonstress test is a procedure whereby two monitors are applied to a pregnant woman’s abdomen. This is typically performed at about 22 weeks and beyond if pregnancy complications (such as preterm contractions, vaginal bleeding, abdomen pain, decreased fetal movement) occur. One monitor records the speed of the baby’s heart rate and the other monitor picks up contractions if they are present. This test is typically performed once or twice weekly in high risk pregnancies in the third trimester. Certain high risk pregnancies include those affected by diabetes, high blood pressure, poor fetal growth, and maternal age more than 35 years. A normal result indicates that the baby is healthy at that time. Abnormal results may require additional monitoring of the baby or an ultrasound test such as a Biophysical Profile.
- MRIRemoval of ovarian cysts or ovary(ies) is conducted in an operating room. These procedures are performed in situations where the cyst causes acute or chronic pain or if the cyst has suspicious features such as those that might be present in cancer. Ovarian cysts are common and most often occur in premenopausal women and are caused by ovulation. They usually resolve without causing symptoms. Problematic cysts, those that cause pain or are are detected as a mass on pelvic examination, are usually further evaluated by pelvic ultrasound and in some cases CAT scans or MRI studies. Treatment depends on the radiologic features of the cyst and if it is causing symptoms. Cysts are classified as simple or complex. Simple cysts are uniform in appearance and contain clear fluid. The fluid appears black on ultrasound. Complex cysts or ovarian masses may have an irregular internal appearance, have solid components, or may be fully solid.
- General SurgeryKate was born and raised in Coeur d’Alene. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Lewis-Clark State College. She went on to earn her Master of Science in Nursing Degree through Idaho State University graduating in 2008 from the Family Nurse Practitioner Program. Prior to transitioning into Women’s health, her background was working on inpatient general surgery and orthopedic/neurosurgery units.
- Minimally Invasive SurgeryDr. Richardson is board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and is a member of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists, and American Institute of Minimally Invasive Surgery. She also holds certifications from the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons Fundamentals of Laparoscopic Surgery program as well as certification in Robotic Surgery. She relocated to Coeur d’Alene in 2016 and lives with her husband, daughter, and son. Prior to that she
- Cyst RemovalIn gynecologic surgeries, laparoscopy is used for tubal sterilization, treatment of ectopic pregnancies, ovarian cyst removal, evaluating and treating pelvic pain caused by endometriosis, and to assist in performing hysterectomies in select cases. Laparoscopy is also commonly used for removal of the gallbladder and appendix by general surgeons. Once the surgery is completed, the carbon dioxide gas is drained from the abdomen and the incisions are closed with absorbable sutures. Postoperative pain is mostly for a few days to a week but soreness at incision sites can last up to a few weeks.
- Neurosurgery
- Robotic SurgeryRobotic surgery refers to a laparoscopic technique that employs a surgical “robot”. The robot does not think or act on its own. It is a device that holds instruments during the surgery but it is fully controlled by the surgeon. Typically four small abdominal incisions are needed for this surgery. Benefits of robotic surgery may include greater magnification through the robotic telescope so visualization of structures is optimized. Also, laparoscopic suturing of tissues using the robot is often easier than suturing without it. The surgical robot may be used in treating endometriosis, removing uterine fibroids, and hysterectomies.
- HysterectomyUterine prolapse occurs when the uterus descends close to the vaginal opening or beyond it. Common symptoms include pelvic pressure, low back pain, and discomfort with sexual intercourse. Rectocele and cystocele are often present at the same time. In women who have not completed childbearing, a vaginal support device known as a pessary may be used to support the uterus. In women who have completed childbearing, typically a hysterectomy is performed. In addition to removing the uterus, procedures are needed to elevate and support the vaginal tissues or else these tissues may prolapse after surgery. Surgery may be performed vaginally in some cases; however, women with recurrent vaginal prolapse or with complete uterine prolapse (when the entire uterus descends past the vaginal opening) may benefit from a surgery known as a sacral colpopexy. In this surgery, after the uterus is removed the upper inside (intraabdominal) aspect of the vagina is attached via a mesh to intraabdominal sacral tissues to support the vagina. The mesh is placed laparoscopically or via an abdominal incision.
- Endometrial AblationUterine fibroids are common growths that arise from the muscular layer of the uterine wall. 20-80% of women may have these. They are almost always benign (not cancerous). Not all women with fibroids have symptoms. For those women who have symptoms, they may include pain, heavy or irregular vaginal bleeding, abdominal bloating, and when large, abdominal enlargement. Diagnosis is usually made by pelvic ultrasound. MRI is sometimes used to gather more detail on fibroid location or when an ultrasound cannot determine whether a pelvic mass is a fibroid or if it might be an ovarian mass. Fibroid treatment is indicated when symptoms effect one’s quality of life. Hormonal therapies such as oral contraceptives and progestin releasing IUDs may be used to decrease menstrual bleeding and regulate cycles. Tranexamic acid is a nonhormonal medication that causes the uterine blood vessels causing bleeding to clot more quickly to decrease bleeding. It can be taken monthly during heavy bleeding for up to 5 days at a time. Newer medicines, Oriahnn and Myfembree, are a combination of 3 medicines. One acts to lower estrogen production from the ovaries to cause fibroids to decrease in size. The other two are low doses of estrogen and progesterone that work to decrease side effects from estrogen underproduction (bone loss, hot flashes). Oriahnn and Myfembree may lessen menstrual bleeding by 50-80%. Surgical treatments for fibroids include fibroid removal, uterine artery embolization (a procedure where a radiologist is able to pass a tube into blood vessels in the region of the groin to introduce particles that block off the blood supply to the uterus, thereby decreasing fibroid size), endometrial ablation (only performed in premenopausal women who have completed childbearing), and hysterectomy (removal of the uterus).
- LaparoscopyEndometriosis is a condition that may cause painful menses, painful sexual intercourse, chronic abdominal pain, and infertility. When conservative medical therapies fail to resolve symptoms, surgery is often needed. Laparoscopy is the most common surgical technique employed for this. Attempts are made to remove or destroy areas of endometriosis. Care is taken to do nothing surgically that might affect fertility in women who desire childbearing. In women who have completed childbearing, hysterectomy with removal of the fallopian tubes and sometimes the ovaries may be needed if more conservative surgery is not effective in resolving symptoms.
- Laparoscopic Surgery
- Cyst
- FrostbiteCryosurgery involves applying extreme cold to treat precancerous cervical conditions of the cervix as well as benign ones such as genital warts. The cold temperature essentially creates frostbite to the affected tissue and the abnormal tissue sloughs.
- Physical TherapyPelvic organ prolapse refers to conditions where the vagina, urethra, cervix, or uterus descend towards the vaginal opening or protrude past the vaginal opening. Common symptoms may include fullness or pressure in he pelvic area, low back pain, painful sexual intercourse, a feeling that something is falling out of the vagina, urinary problems such as leaking urine, and constipation. Diagnosis is typically made during pelvic examination. Based on the degree of prolapse and severity of symptoms, treatment may include pelvic floor physical therapy, placing a device in the vagina to support tissues (the device is called a pessary and is made of silicone), and surgery to repair the affected tissues.
- Back Pain