Dr. Sonya Ephraim
Raised in Western New York, Dr. Sonya Ephraim has always had a passion for women’s health. From the age of 8 when she opened her favorite toy, The Visible Woman, she knew she wanted to be a physician. Through the encouragement of her parents and excellent mentorship she realized her dream earning her medical degree at the University at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY.
Education & Experience
Dr. Ephraim then completed her Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at Rush University Medical Center, Chicago. She practiced as a general OB/Gyn in Rockford, IL for over 4 years before deciding to complete a fellowship in Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery at St. Luke’s University Health System in Allentown, PA. Dr. Ephraim was in private practice in eastern Pennsylvania for 4 years before deciding to return to the Chicagoland area.
She served as the Chief of Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery at Mercyhealth in Rockford, IL. Dr. Ephraim also served as a clinical assistant professor at the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Rockford.
Approach
Wanting to consistently offer the best and most cutting-edge treatments to her patients has led to the founding of Allure Pelvic Wellness and Aesthetic Gynecology. This private venture allows Dr. Ephraim to offer treatments that might not otherwise be accessible in a traditional hospital-based practice. At Allure, the goal is to take care of the whole woman. To critically assess what is compromising her health and wellness and to offer an individualized treatment plan that will optimize health, improve confidence and bring back joy through improved quality of life.
Certifications & Memberships
Dr. Ephraim is double board certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology in both Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery and Obstetrics and Gynecology. She is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (FACOG). She is also a member of the International Society of Cosmetogynecology (ISCG) and has received certification for her additional training in cosmetic gynecology. Dr. Ephraim is also a member of the American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS), the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the North American Menopause Society (NAMS).
Special Interests
Her special interests include:
- Stress Urinary Incontinence
- Pelvic Floor Reconstruction
- Overactive Bladder
- Pelvic Organ Prolapse
- Vaginal Atrophy
- Painful Intercourse
- Menopause
- Lichens Sclerosus
- Cosmetic Gynecology
- Sexual Dysfunction
Passions & Personal Life
Dr. Ephraim has a passion for teaching and speaks on topics of women’s health for different organizations, most recently for the Forum for Executive Women. She is also a social media content creator for WebMD.
“I believe strongly in patient education. I take a lot of time explaining to my patients and their loved ones what the pathophysiology of their defect is. A lot of women present to me quite scared of not only what is happening to their body, but also of consequences and treatment. I try to alleviate that fear through education. Many women think that surgery will be debilitating and painful. While surgery is an option for many women, it can be done in a minimally invasive way and oftentimes it is not a necessity. Often, I can offer more conservative treatment options to relieve symptoms.”
Dr. Ephraim is wife to Yerachmiel “Rocky” Ephraim, and mother to Laila and Lennox Ephraim. Their family enjoys being active members of the South Barrington Community.