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Home > IA Providers > Reproductive Endocrinologists

Dr. Rachel Beth Mejia, DO

(Dr. Rachel Beth Mejia Sounhein, D.O.)

(416 Ratings)

Specializes in: Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility

Des Moines University, College of Osteopathic Medicine

Professional interests include: in vitro fertilization (IVF), robotic surgery, male fertility testing, and more.

200 Hawkins Drive
Iowa City, IA 52242

(319) 356-3445

Dr. Rachel Beth Mejia, DO is an infertility specialist in Iowa City, IA specializing in reproductive endocrinology and infertility. She graduated from Des Moines University, College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Rachel Beth Mejia, DO is affiliated with University of Iowa and University of Iowa Health Care.

Office Locations

Address:

200 Hawkins Drive
Iowa City, IA 52242

Some issues Dr. Rachel Beth Mejia, DO can help you with:

Gynecologic Surgery

Gynecologic surgery is surgery performed on a woman's pelvic region. It is usually performed by an OB/GYN and can involve the bladder, rectum, or reproductive organs. Surgery in this area may be performed for many reasons, but the most common procedures include:

Hysterectomy
Fibroid removal
Treatment of endometriosis or other heavy bleeding
Cancer treatment, including cervical, uterine, and ovarian cancers
Removal of ovarian cysts
Infertility treatment
Treatment for incontinence
Sterilization or 'tube-tying'
Surgery for pelvic organ prolapse
Repair of vaginal tears

More and more, gynecologic surgery is moving towards the use of minimally invasive surgery. Minimally invasive surgery uses several small incisions and tiny tools and scopes to perform the operation, rather than one large opening. While it is not appropriate in every case, minimally invasive surgery can lead to less scarring, less blood loss, faster recovery, and a lower chance for infection. Minimally invasive gynecologic surgery may be performed with a laparoscope, a thin tube with a camera on the end that allows the surgeon to see inside the body. It may also be performed robotically, using even smaller tools and cameras that a surgeon controls from a computer. Robotic surgery allows even better vision, precision, and control than laparoscopic surgery.

Over the course of a lifetime, many women need pelvic surgery to stay healthy. Qualified gynecologic surgeons will have the right tools at their disposal to provide care with a minimum of discomfort.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS)

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is a common endocrine disorder that causes symptoms such as acne, facial hair, and weight gain. It is often diagnosed when patients experience problems getting pregnant, because PCOS can interfere with ovulation. There is no cure for PCOS, but there are effective treatments that can lessen the severity of the symptoms.

Despite the name, not everyone with polycystic ovarian syndrome develops cysts on their ovaries. It is also possible to have ovarian cysts without having PCOS. The symptoms of polycystic ovarian syndrome are actually related to insulin resistance, a condition where the insulin made by the body is not effectively recognized by the cells. This causes the pancreas to release higher levels of insulin in order to keep blood sugar levels stable, and the excess insulin interferes with hormone production in the pituitary and ovaries, causing the PCOS symptoms.

The symptoms of PCOS include:

Weight gain
Acne
Facial or body hair
Thinning head hair
Missing or irregular periods
Infertility

PCOS is a syndrome, which means that if patients have PCOS, they might not have each and every symptom. Even a few of them might be enough to have physicians check for polycystic ovarian syndrome. A doctor might perform an exam and order blood tests to measure hormone levels.

Treatment for PCOS may include:

Insulin sensitizers, which help the body use insulin more effectively, lowering hormone levels. The most commonly used insulin sensitizer is metformin.
Weight loss. Being overweight does not cause PCOS, and PCOS can make losing weight difficult. Still, weight loss can improve symptoms for many women.
Birth control pills to regulate menstruation and sometimes reduce symptoms such as acne.
Fertility medications, especially medications to stimulate ovulation such as clomiphene.
Anti-androgen medications, which work to treat symptoms such as acne and facial hair.
Low-carb diets, which work similarly to insulin sensitizers to lower hormone levels and help reduce weight.
Ovarian drilling or resectioning, surgical procedures sometimes performed if infertility is a persistent problem. These procedures open up the wall of the ovary to temporarily make ovulation more likely.

Polycystic ovarian syndrome is one of the most common endocrine disorders affecting women. Left untreated, it can increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and certain cancers. Fortunately there are many good treatment options available.

Robotic Surgery

Robotic surgery is a type of minimally invasive surgery, using a tiny opening to get inside the body instead of making a large cut. It uses small tools attached to a thin robotic arm, which is controlled by the surgeon. Robotic surgery may be referred to by the specific kind of robot that is used. The most advanced robot currently in use is called the da Vinci, and surgery using it is sometimes called da Vinci surgery.

There are many benefits to robotic surgery, both for the patient and the surgeon. Robotic surgery allows for more precise movements and increased control during very delicate surgical procedures. This makes performing surgery accurately much easier for surgeons and reduces fatigue. The smaller 'hand' of the robot can enter the body via a much smaller opening, which reduces the risk of infection and scarring and leads to a faster recovery. The robotic hands also contain tiny moveable cameras among their tools, giving surgeons a much closer view of the procedure than would be possible with traditional surgery.

**Age**
From 65 to 74	0
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	11

pelvic imaging	24
ultrasound (sonogram)	24
women's imaging	25

**Age**
From 65 to 74	0
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	14

Hypertension	72
High Cholesterol	0
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	0
Depression	62
Chronic Kidney Disease	41
Asthma	0
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	0
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

pelvic imaging	93
ultrasound (sonogram)	93
women's imaging	80

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	80
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	47
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	31

Hypertension	65
High Cholesterol	43
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	27
Depression	42
Chronic Kidney Disease	32
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	0
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	12
Diabetes	31
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

pelvic imaging	119
ultrasound (sonogram)	119
women's imaging	100

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	91
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	44
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	40

Hypertension	62
High Cholesterol	44
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	28
Depression	37
Chronic Kidney Disease	37
Asthma	11
Osteoperosis	0
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	21
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	13
Diabetes	32
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

pelvic imaging	139
ultrasound (sonogram)	139
women's imaging	103

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	104
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	0
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	51
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	36

Hypertension	66
High Cholesterol	43
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	20
Depression	40
Chronic Kidney Disease	26
Asthma	12
Osteoperosis	10
Atrial Fibrilation	0
Heart Failure	17
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	0
Diabetes	25
Dementia	0
Cancer	0

pelvic imaging	206
ultrasound (sonogram)	206
women's imaging	159

**Ethnicity**
Non-Hispanic White	152
Black	0
Hispanic	0
Asian	0
Other	11
Native American	0

**Age**
From 65 to 74	76
From 75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	56

Hypertension	58
High Cholesterol	53
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	10
Depression	34
Chronic Kidney Disease	15
Asthma	13
Osteoperosis	14
Atrial Fibrilation	9
Heart Failure	14
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	9
Diabetes	20
Dementia	0
Cancer	14

Average Medicare Procedure Volume From 2014 - 2022

Volume of procedures performed by Dr. Rachel Beth Mejia, DO for Medicare patients.

The highest averages for the top procedures that Dr. Rachel Beth Mejia, DO treated as an infertility specialist in Iowa City, IA were ultrasound (sonogram), pelvic imaging and women's imaging.

pelvic imaging	116
ultrasound (sonogram)	116
women's imaging	93

Average Medicare Patient Data From 2014 - 2022

Information about Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rachel Beth Mejia, DO.

**Gender**
Male	0
Female	55

**Ethnicity**
Black / African American	0
Asian / Pacific Islander	0
Non-Hispanic White	42
Native American / Alaskan Native	0
Hispanic	0
Other	1

**Age**
75 to 84	0
85 and over	0
Less than 65	18
65 to 74	21

Average of Total of Conditions of Medicare patients treated by Dr. Rachel Beth Mejia, DO From 2014 - 2022

The highest averages of the most common conditions of Medicare patients that Dr. Rachel Beth Mejia, DO treated were hypertension, depression, high cholesterol and chronic kidney disease.

Hypertension	32
High Cholesterol	18
Stroke	0
Ischemic Heart Disease	8
Depression	21
Chronic Kidney Disease	15
Asthma	4
Osteoporosis	2
Heart Failure	5
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease	3
Diabetes	10
Atrial Fibrillation	0
Cancer	1
Dementia	0

Education & Training

Dr. Rachel Beth Mejia, DO graduated from Des Moines University, College of Osteopathic Medicine. She is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology and has a state license in Iowa.

Medical School: Des Moines University, College of Osteopathic Medicine

Board Certification: American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Licensed In: Iowa

Affiliations & Hospitals

Dr. Rachel Beth Mejia, DO is associated with these hospitals and organizations:

University of Iowa

University of Iowa Health Care

Ratings & Reviews

Dr. Rachel Beth Mejia, DO has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.68 out of 5 stars based on 416 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Rachel Beth Mejia, DO from all over the web to help you find the right in Iowa City, IA.

4.68

Overall Rating

(416 Ratings)

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General Payments

These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Rachel Beth Mejia, DO. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.

**Payments by Company**
Ferring Pharmaceuticals Inc.	$1,035 $1,035
Sumitomo Pharma America, Inc.	$50 MYFEMBREE $50
Myovant Sciences GmbH	$49 MYFEMBREE $49
Novo Nordisk Inc	$16 Saxenda $16

**Types of Payments**
Travel and Lodging	$933
Food and Beverage	$216

Research Payments

Dr. Rachel Beth Mejia, DO has received 1 research payments totaling $8,000.

Biography

Dr. Rachel Mejia is a reproductive endocrinology and infertility specialist in Iowa City, IA. She studied medicine at Des Moines University, College of Osteopathic Medicine. Dr. Mejia's areas of expertise include hysterosalpingography, salpingo-oophorectomy (fallopian tube and ovary removal), and fibroids (leiomyoma). She has received a 4.5 out of 5 star rating by her patients. She speaks Spanish. Dr. Mejia is affiliated with the University of Iowa Health Care.