At the Women’s Clinic at Metropolitan Gastroenterology Associates, we know that women have unique gastrointestinal needs. Hormonal changes, pregnancy and stress can increase the likelihood of women developing specific gastrointestinal (GI) conditions and diseases. Some medications are metabolized differently by the female body. As a team of all-female staff and a female physician, we are equipped and experienced to meet your unique needs.
Our clinic is led by Dr. Rebekah Lemann, a graduate of Louisiana State University Medical School in New Orleans and Tulane University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. Dr. Lemann is board certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology, and she is passionate about women’s gastroenterological health.
We look forward to serving you by meeting your unique gastrointestinal needs as a woman. Please click here to request an appointment.
At our clinic, we take a multidisciplinary approach, working closely with obstetricians, midwives, gynecologists, and other specialists, as needed. We participate in a gastroenterology tumor board and provide comprehensive consultation and follow-up care, as well as nutrition consultation. Whatever services you require, we always take the time to discuss your diagnosis and treatment options with you, and to answer your questions thoroughly.
The mission of our women’s clinic is to provide comprehensive collaborative care by and for women. The conditions that we treat include, but are not limited to:
An upper endoscopy, also known as esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), is a sedated procedure used to determine the cause of gastrointestinal disorders and symptoms including chronic acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), heartburn, swallowing difficulties, and upper abdominal pain. An upper endoscopy lets Dr. Lemann examine the lining of the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract, which includes the esophagus, stomach and duodenum (first portion of the small intestine).
An upper endoscopy uses a tiny video camera and light on the end of the endoscope. A high-quality picture is shown on a TV monitor to give a clear and detailed view of the upper gastrointestinal tract lining. This is a safe and effective way to diagnose conditions such as GERD, ulcers, tumors, and celiac disease. Upper endoscopy can also help treat some conditions such as bleeding ulcers or strictures.
Colon cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death in the United States among men and women, but it is largely preventable by routine screening. A colonoscopy is the most effective screening for colon cancer. It is a sedated procedure during which a lit, flexible tube called a colonoscope is inserted into the rectum to examine the entire length of the colon. A tiny video camera on the end of the colonoscope projects a high-quality image of the intestinal wall on a TV monitor. If any colon polyps are detected during the exam, Dr. Lemann can remove them before they develop into cancer. A colonoscopy is recommended for adults after the age of 50 (45 for African Americans).
A colonoscopy is useful in diagnosing patients with:
Pregnancy, childbirth, and advanced age can contribute to constipation and fecal incontinence (leakage of stool). Anorectal manometry is an outpatient test that evaluates patients with constipation or fecal incontinence. This test allows Dr. Lemann to measure factors such as:
If abnormalities are detected during the test, Dr. Lemann can use anal manometry biofeedback techniques and pelvic floor exercises to improve muscle strength, function, and sensation.
Another unwelcome side effect of childbearing and age is hemorrhoids, inflamed veins in the anus or rectum. One option to treat hemorrhoids is called hemorrhoid banding or rubber band ligation. It is a simple but effective procedure whereby Dr. Lemann uses a rubber band to cut off blood supply to a hemorrhoid, causing it to eventually fall off. This minimally invasive procedure is most often used for small or medium-sized hemorrhoids. The advantages are that the procedure is easy to perform, it is relatively inexpensive, and it usually requires no anesthesia.