Dr. Merit Lemke MD

09/26/2024

12/08/2020

Wishing all a healthy and happy holiday season from Dr Lemke and the staff at Pinnacle Women's Health and Breast Center.

09/30/2020

04/27/2020

Again I hope you are staying healthy and safe in this challenging time. During the Month of April I have provided care to patients with urgent needs. Beginning on May 4th Pinnacle Women’s Health Center will return to a more “normal” schedule. I will be providing care to all patients that seek my care. Pinnacle, as all other facilities, will look a little different. All staff will be wearing masks. We also ask that all patients who enter the building wear face coverings. Still no visitors coming with the patients will be allowed and every person entering the building will have their tempature checked and screened for concerning symptoms. We hope this model will allow us to return to providing you with good and safe health care. Dr Lemke

04/08/2020

Again wishing everyone is staying healthy and staying at home. Again, I am encouraging my patients to stay at home during this challenging time along with supporting the extension of the stay at home mandate. I will being seeing patients in the office on an emergency basis only during the rest of this month. If you feel you need to be seen, please call the office. In addition, the office phone is open for your needs for prescription refills and problems that can be addressed over the phone. As always, please call if you need anything and I hope to get back to our normal care of our patients soon.

03/27/2020

During this very challenging time I wanted to reach out to the community and my patients. First, I wish you all to stay healthy and safe. I wanted to update you to the state of Pinnacle Women’s Health Center. We are respecting the stay at home order and have no scheduled patients until April 8th. That being said I am available for problem visits if needed. The phones will be answered during normal business hours and if deemed medically appropriate I will be available for you. I want patients to be safe and stay at home but also to know that I am available if you need my care. As we know, things are changing hourly. I will update changes with this practice as they occur. Dr Lemke

03/10/2020

What are long acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) options?
Intrauterine devices and contraceptive implants, also called long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARC), are the most effective reversible birth control methods. The great thing is they require no ongoing effort or actions for long-term and effective use. In addition, after the device is removed, the return of fertility is rapid. All these options are recommended for any age group desiring easy and highly effective birth control, even teenagers.
Hormonal intrauterine devices, that contain progesterone, include Mirena, Liletta, Kyleena, and Skyla. They provide contraception for 3 to 6 years depending on device. There is a nonhormonal Copper IUD, Paraguard, that is recommended for contraception for up to 10 years. Nexplanon is the contraceptive implant that goes under the skin in your arm that can be used for pregnancy prevention for up to 3 years. These are all recommended and highly effective forms of contraception. Having a conversation with your gynecologist can help decide which LARC device would be best for you. DR. Merit Lemke

02/27/2020

Do I need to see my gynecologist every year?
The short answer is Yes. It has become confusing to many, including some doctors, how often route gynecologic care is recommended follow the new pap smear recommendations that were released. Pap smears, or screening for abnormal cervical cells, in the past were recommended annually with your route well women’s visit. Now the recommendations for pap smears have changed significantly. The first pap smear begins at 21yo and continues every 3rd year until 30yo. After 30yo, it is recommended to perform a pap smear plus screening for HPV every five years (every 3 years if HPV is not done). If the patient has or has had an abnormal pap smear or other risk factors these recommendations change.
These recommendations do not negate the rest of the annual Well Women’s Visit. The annual Well Women’s Visit should include a comprehensive evaluation of the rest of the routine women’s care. As a teenager, we may review Gardasil vaccination or safe practices. Over 21yo a complete exam including a breast and gynecology exam will be recommended (with a pap smear of appropriate in timing or risk factors). For younger patients, preconception or contraceptive options can be reviewed. Older patients, mammography or colonoscopy will be discussed along with other patient specific recommendations. So, the answer is yes, you should see your gynecologist every year. Dr. Merit Lemke