Dr. Darine Georges El-Chaar – Obstetrician and Gynecologist (OBGYN) | Ottawa, ON

As a skilled Obstetrician and Gynecologist (OBGYN), Dr. Darine Georges El-Chaar offers a full spectrum of services from routine gynecological exams to managing complex obstetrical cases, prioritizing patient well-being and informed choice. Practicing at LHSC Victoria Hospital in Ottawa, ON, she provides accessible and high-quality care to the community. Her practice adheres to the standards and guidelines set forth by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), ensuring that every patient receives safe and evidence-based care. Dr. El-Chaar's primary focus is providing comprehensive care across the full scope of Obstetrics and Gynecology, including routine and complex conditions. She is dedicated to supporting women through all stages of life—whether it involves pregnancy, postpartum, or managing gynecological health concerns. Her approach is compassionate, reassuring, and centered on personalized patient needs.

Dr. El-Chaar graduated with a Medical Degree from the University of Ottawa in 2006 and has been practicing as a specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology since 2012, accumulating over 12 years of experience. She is certified as a RCPSC Specialist, demonstrating her commitment to maintaining the highest standards of medical excellence and continuous professional development. Her expertise encompasses a wide array of obstetric and gynecological services, ensuring her patients receive comprehensive and up-to-date care.

With a philosophy rooted in patient-centered care, shared decision-making, and evidence-based practice, Dr. El-Chaar is committed to empowering women in Ottawa to make informed choices about their health. She speaks Arabic, English, and French, allowing her to communicate effectively with a diverse patient population. Her dedication to women's health is reflected in her compassionate approach, ensuring each patient feels heard, supported, and confident in their care journey.

Dr. Darine El-Chaar provides care for a wide spectrum of women's health issues, including:

Screening and Preventative Care

• Contraception Counseling & Family Planning: Providing information and access to various methods of birth control to help individuals plan their families.
• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) Screening & Counseling: Testing for common STIs based on risk factors and symptoms, along with counseling on prevention and safe practices.
• Breast Cancer Screening Awareness & Clinical Breast Exams: Performing clinical breast exams and advising on mammography guidelines and breast self-awareness for early detection.

Sexual Health and Dysfunction

• Decreased Libido / Sexual Desire Disorders: Persistent lack of sexual interest or desire, which can have various physical or psychological causes.
• Dyspareunia (Painful Intercourse): Persistent or recurrent genital pain that occurs just before, during or after sexual intercourse.
• Vaginismus: Involuntary muscle spasms in the pelvic floor muscles that make vaginal penetration painful or impossible.

Common Benign Gynecological Conditions

• Vulvodynia & Vulvar Pain Syndromes: Chronic pain or discomfort around the opening of the vagina (vulva) for which there's no identifiable cause, requiring careful management.
• Adenomyosis: A condition where endometrial tissue exists within and grows into the muscular wall of the uterus, often causing heavy, painful periods.
• Uterine Fibroids (Leiomyomas): Noncancerous growths of the uterus that often appear during childbearing years, which can cause heavy bleeding, pain, pressure, or infertility.

This list highlights some common conditions managed within Obstetrics and Gynecology and is not exhaustive. For personalized advice regarding your specific health concerns, please schedule a consultation with Dr. Darine El-Chaar or your primary care physician for a comprehensive evaluation and appropriate referral if needed.

• Comprehensive Prenatal Care & Risk Assessment: Regular check-ups, monitoring, and guidance throughout pregnancy to ensure maternal and fetal well-being, including initial risk assessment, ultrasound referrals, genetic screening discussions, and prenatal testing.
• Oophorectomy / Salpingo-oophorectomy (Laparoscopic or Open): Surgical removal of one or both ovaries, and potentially fallopian tubes, often for cysts, tumors, endometriosis, or cancer risk reduction.
• Contraceptive Counseling & Full Range Management: Comprehensive discussion and provision of various birth control methods, including oral contraceptives, patches, rings, injectables, IUD insertion/removal (hormonal and copper), and contraceptive implant insertion/removal.
• Hysterectomy (Abdominal, Vaginal, Laparoscopic, Robotic-Assisted): Surgical removal of the uterus, performed through various approaches including minimally invasive techniques, depending on the medical indication and patient factors.
• Annual Gynecological Exams & Well-Woman Care: Routine check-ups including pelvic exams, clinical breast exams, preventative health screenings, and discussion of overall gynecological health.
• Management of Menstrual Disorders & Abnormal Uterine Bleeding: Diagnosis and treatment for conditions like heavy menstrual bleeding (menorrhagia), irregular periods, painful periods (dysmenorrhea), amenorrhea (absence of periods), and premenstrual syndrome (PMS)/PMDD.
• Endometrial Biopsy: Office procedure to take a small sample of the uterine lining (endometrium) for diagnostic purposes, often for abnormal bleeding or suspected abnormalities.

Note: This list may provide an overview of common services in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. El-Chaar provides a wide array of diagnostic, therapeutic, and surgical options tailored to individual patient needs within women's health, pregnancy, and childbirth. Specific services offered can be confirmed by contacting the clinic.

All medical and surgical services are provided in accordance with the standards of practice set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO). A referral may be required for insured services.

Dr. El-Chaar practices at LHSC Victoria Hospital, located in the Elmvale Acres, Hawthorne Meadows, and Billings Bridge neighborhoods of Ottawa. The hospital is conveniently situated near the Supreme Court of Canada and is easily accessible via public transportation, including OC Transpo’s O-Train LRT and bus services. The facility is wheelchair accessible to accommodate all patients. Metered street parking is available nearby for those arriving by car, providing convenient access for patients and their families.

Are services from Dr. El-Chaar, an Obstetrician and Gynecologist, covered by Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in ON?

Medically necessary consultations, prenatal care, delivery, gynecological surgeries, and diagnostic procedures performed by a licensed Obstetrician and Gynecologist like Dr. El-Chaar are generally covered by Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) in ON when you have a valid referral from your family doctor or another referring physician. Some elective procedures, certain fertility treatments, or non-medically indicated services may not be covered. It's always recommended to confirm specific coverage details with Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) or the clinic.

Do I need a referral from my family doctor to see Dr. El-Chaar, an Obstetrician and Gynecologist?

Yes, for services to be covered by your provincial health plan (Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)), a referral from your family physician or another specialist is typically required to see an Obstetrician and Gynecologist like Dr. El-Chaar for most consultations and treatments. This ensures coordinated care. Some specific services or clinics (e.g., some sexual health or contraception clinics) might have different access pathways, but for ongoing obstetrical or gynecological care, a referral is standard. Please check with Dr. El-Chaar's office or your referring doctor.

At which hospital(s) does Dr. El-Chaar deliver babies or perform surgeries?

Dr. El-Chaar is affiliated with hospitals in Ottawa. You can confirm the specific hospital(s) where she performs deliveries and gynecological surgeries by contacting Dr. El-Chaar's office directly. This information is important for planning your care and delivery.

What are the treatment options for endometriosis that Dr. El-Chaar might recommend?

Treatment for endometriosis aims to manage pain and improve fertility if desired. Options vary based on symptom severity and patient goals and can include pain medications (NSAIDs), hormonal therapies (like birth control pills, progestins, GnRH agonists) to suppress endometrial tissue growth, and surgical treatments (laparoscopy) to remove endometrial implants and scar tissue. Dr. El-Chaar will discuss the most appropriate approach for your situation.

What does an Obstetrician and Gynecologist (OBGYN) like Dr. El-Chaar do?

An Obstetrician and Gynecologist (OBGYN), like Dr. El-Chaar, is a medical doctor specializing in women's reproductive health, pregnancy, and childbirth. They provide care throughout a woman's life, including prenatal care, labor and delivery, postpartum support, diagnosis and treatment of gynecological conditions (e.g., infections, fibroids, endometriosis, menstrual disorders), family planning, contraceptive management, preventative screenings like Pap tests, and management of menopausal symptoms.

What are some common gynecological surgeries Dr. El-Chaar might perform?

Common gynecological surgeries include procedures like hysterectomy (removal of the uterus), oophorectomy (removal of ovaries), tubal ligation (female sterilization), D&C (dilation and curettage), endometrial ablation, and surgeries to treat conditions such as fibroids (myomectomy), endometriosis, ovarian cysts, or pelvic organ prolapse. Many of these can be performed using minimally invasive techniques like laparoscopy or hysteroscopy. Dr. El-Chaar will discuss if surgery is appropriate for your condition and explain the specific procedure, risks, and benefits.

LHSC Victoria Hospital
Room E6-206, 501 Smyth Road, Division of Respirology
Ottawa, ON K1H 8L6

Phone: (613) 737-8899

The facility is wheelchair accessible.

Dr. El-Chaar is a licensed Obstetrician and Gynecologist regulated by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO) under the Regulated Health Professions Act, 1991 and Medicine Act, 1991 in ON. A referral from your family physician or another qualified healthcare provider is typically required for provincially insured consultations and treatments.

Verify registration with the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO): https://doctors.cpso.on.ca/DoctorDetails/ElChaar-Darine-Georges/0233448-84231