Women's Care in Torrance, CA

Birth control and IUDs

The right birth control fits your body, your health history and your plans. Dr. Abigail explains every option honestly, including side effects, and helps you choose with confidence.

• Hormonal IUD (lasts several years, depending on the type): placed in the uterus. Often makes periods lighter.

• Copper IUD (up to about 10 years): hormone-free. Can also be used as emergency contraception.

• Arm implant (several years): a small rod placed under the skin of the upper arm.

• Birth control shot (3 months per shot): an injection every 3 months.

• Pill, patch or ring (daily, weekly or monthly): some types also help with acne, cramps or heavy periods.

• Emergency contraception (one-time use): works best the sooner it's taken.

IUD placement and removal take just a few minutes in our Torrance office, and we talk through pain relief options beforehand. Pill, patch and ring prescriptions can be handled by telehealth.

Well-woman exams and Pap smears

Your yearly exam is the one visit focused entirely on you. Depending on your age and history, it may include:

• A review of your health, periods, sexual health, mood and sleep

• Blood pressure, weight and a general physical exam

• Breast exam, and a pelvic exam when you need one

• Pap and HPV testing on the schedule recommended for your age

• STI testing, if you want it

• Vaccines recommended for your age

• Referrals for mammograms, bone density tests and colon cancer screening when you're due

Most women don't need a Pap smear every year. Dr. Abigail follows current national screening guidelines and tells you exactly when your next one is due. You can ask questions before anything happens and go at your own pace.

Sexual health

Low desire, pain with sex, vaginal dryness, trouble with arousal or orgasm, and changes after childbirth or menopause are common and treatable. They are medical concerns, not something to feel embarrassed about. Dr. Abigail looks at hormones, medications, pelvic health, relationships and stress to find what's behind the change, and offers confidential STI testing and treatment. Learn about pelvic health →

PCOS, endometriosis and fertility

Irregular or painful periods often have a cause that can be found and treated. Dr. Abigail evaluates your symptoms, orders the right labs and imaging, and builds a plan with you.

• PCOS: irregular periods, acne, unwanted hair growth and weight changes. Treatment may include lifestyle support, birth control to regulate cycles, and metformin for insulin resistance.

• Endometriosis: painful periods, pelvic pain and pain with sex. Treatment may include hormonal options to control pain, with referral to a specialist when surgery may be needed.

• Trouble getting pregnant: a first evaluation and lab work, and referral to trusted local fertility specialists. We don't offer IUI or IVF, but Dr. Abigail can continue as your midwife once you're pregnant.

See a provider if you've been trying to conceive for 12 months, or 6 months if you're over 35, or sooner if your periods are irregular or very painful.

Primary care for women

Dr. Abigail is a board-certified family nurse practitioner, so your annual physical, lab work, sick visits and ongoing conditions can be handled in the same place as your gynecology care. Learn about primary care →

Insurance and payment

We accept Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Cross of California, Blue Shield of California, Cigna, Health Net PPO and UnitedHealthcare. Many plans cover an annual preventive visit and birth control. Coverage varies by plan, so call us to confirm yours. Self-pay visits are available.

Call (424) 247-7397