Dr. Helena Mary Alaine Frecker – Obstetrician and Gynecologist (OBGYN) | Toronto, ON

Dr. Helena Mary Alaine Frecker is a dedicated Obstetrician and Gynecologist (OBGYN) providing comprehensive care for women's reproductive health, pregnancy, and childbirth. She offers a patient-focused approach to manage a wide spectrum of conditions. Practicing at a clinic or hospital setting in Toronto, ON, she offers accessible and high-quality care to the community. Dr. Frecker’s practice adheres to the standards and guidelines set by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario (CPSO), ensuring safe and ethical medical care. Providing comprehensive care across the full scope of Obstetrics and Gynecology, including routine and complex conditions, she is committed to supporting women at every stage of life, from adolescence through postmenopause.

Dr. Frecker graduated with her Medical Degree from the University of Toronto in 2009. She has been practicing as a specialist in Obstetrician and Gynecologist (OBGYN) for over 10 years, since 2014. She is certified as a RCPSC Specialist, demonstrating her expertise and commitment to ongoing professional development. Her extensive experience allows her to provide personalized, evidence-based care tailored to each patient's unique needs and concerns.

With a compassionate and patient-centered philosophy, Dr. Frecker emphasizes shared decision-making and respectful communication. She is dedicated to promoting women’s health and well-being across Toronto and surrounding communities. Fluent in English, she strives to create a supportive environment where patients feel comfortable discussing sensitive health issues and making informed choices about their care.

Dr. Helena Frecker provides care for a wide spectrum of women's health issues, including:

Menstrual and Hormonal Disorders

• Amenorrhea (Absence of Menstruation): The absence of menstrual periods, either primary (menarche never occurred) or secondary (periods ceased after previously being regular).
• Menopause & Perimenopausal Symptoms: The natural cessation of menstruation and the preceding transitional period, often accompanied by symptoms like hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness, and mood changes.
• Dysmenorrhea (Painful Periods): Cramping and pelvic pain associated with menstruation, which can range from mild to severe and impact daily activities.

Common Benign Gynecological Conditions

• Lichen Sclerosus / Lichen Planus (Vulvar): Chronic inflammatory skin conditions that can affect the vulvar area, causing itching, pain, and changes in skin appearance.
• Ovarian Cysts (Functional, Dermoid, Endometriomas): Fluid-filled sacs or pockets in an ovary or on its surface, which are common and often benign but can sometimes cause pain or require intervention.
• Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): An infection of the female reproductive organs (uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries), often caused by sexually transmitted bacteria, which can lead to serious complications if untreated.

Gynecologic Cancers and Precancerous Conditions

• Endometrial Hyperplasia & Uterine (Endometrial) Cancer: Precancerous thickening of the uterine lining (endometrial hyperplasia) or cancer that begins in the lining of the uterus (endometrium).
• Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia (VIN) & Vulvar Cancer: Precancerous changes (VIN) or malignant tumors affecting the external female genitalia (vulva).
• Gestational Trophoblastic Disease (GTD) (e.g., Molar Pregnancy): A group of rare pregnancy-related tumors that develop in the uterus from cells that normally form the placenta, requiring careful monitoring and treatment.

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. Helena Frecker or your primary care physician for a comprehensive evaluation and appropriate referral if needed.

• Basic Infertility Workup & Ovulation Tracking: Initial investigations into causes of infertility and guidance on tracking ovulation.
• Preconception Counseling & Health Optimization: Guidance and health optimization for individuals or couples planning a pregnancy, including discussion of folic acid supplementation, chronic medical conditions, genetic carrier screening, and lifestyle factors.
• Diagnostic & Operative Hysteroscopy: Procedure using a thin, lighted scope to examine the inside of the uterus and perform minor surgical treatments such as polyp removal, fibroid resection, or septum correction.
• Tubal Ligation / Salpingectomy for Sterilization: Surgical methods for permanent female contraception, including removal of fallopian tubes (salpingectomy) which may also reduce ovarian cancer risk.
• Endometrial Biopsy: Office procedure to take a small sample of the uterine lining (endometrium) for diagnostic purposes, often for abnormal bleeding or suspected abnormalities.
• 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.
• External Cephalic Version (ECV) for Breech Presentation: Procedure to attempt to turn a breech baby to a head-down position before labor, if appropriate.

Note: This list may provide an overview of common services in Obstetrics and Gynecology. Dr. Frecker 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. Frecker practices in a well-equipped clinic located in the East York (Pape Village) neighborhood of Toronto, ON. The facility is situated within a hospital or clinic setting that is easily accessible by public transportation, including TTC services such as the subway, streetcar, and bus routes. The location is conveniently near Port Lands and Cherry Beach, making it easy for patients to access. The clinic is wheelchair accessible and offers parking facilities for patients who prefer to drive, ensuring comfort and accessibility for all.

Are services from Dr. Frecker, 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. Frecker 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. Frecker, 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. Frecker 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. Frecker's office or your referring doctor.

When should a teenager have her first OBGYN visit, and what does it involve?

The first visit to an OBGYN for a teenager is often recommended between ages 13-15, or sooner if there are specific concerns like very painful periods, irregular cycles, or questions about sexual health. This initial visit may not involve a pelvic exam unless there's a specific medical reason. It's primarily an opportunity to build a rapport with Dr. Frecker, discuss normal development, menstrual health, contraception, STI prevention, and answer any questions in a confidential setting.

What birth control options can Dr. Frecker discuss with me?

Dr. Frecker can discuss a wide range of contraceptive options tailored to your individual needs and preferences. These include hormonal methods (like birth control pills, patches, vaginal rings, injections, hormonal IUDs, contraceptive implants), non-hormonal methods (like copper IUDs, condoms, diaphragms, cervical caps), and permanent sterilization methods (tubal ligation or Essure for women, vasectomy referral for men). The best option depends on your health, lifestyle, menstrual cycle characteristics, and family planning goals. Dr. Frecker will help you make an informed choice.

Does Dr. Frecker discuss or offer the HPV vaccine?

The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is highly effective in preventing infections with HPV types that cause most cervical cancers, as well as other anogenital and oropharyngeal cancers. Dr. Frecker can discuss the benefits of the HPV vaccine, current recommendations for different age groups (including catch-up vaccination for adults), and can either provide the vaccine or refer you to where it can be obtained, depending on clinic services and provincial programs.

How often do I need a Pap test, and what is it for?

A Pap test (or Pap smear) is a screening procedure for cervical cancer. It checks for precancerous or cancerous cells on the cervix. Guidelines vary slightly by province but are generally recommended for women starting around age 21-25 (or once sexually active) and continuing every 2-3 years if results are normal. The frequency may change based on your age, medical history (including HPV status), and previous Pap test results. Dr. Frecker will advise you on the appropriate screening schedule for your individual circumstances based on current provincial guidelines.

658 Danforth Avenue
Toronto, ON M4J 5B9

Phone: (416) 466-2360 | Fax: (416) 466-5076

The facility is wheelchair accessible.

Dr. Frecker 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/Frecker-Helena-Mary-Alaine/0257904-90785