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WOMEN’S HEALTH CLINIC

  • Well woman examinations
  • Pap smears
  • Screening and treatment for sexually transmitted diseases
  • Birth control counsel and prescription
  • Pregnancy options
  • General women’s health care concerns

Prior to your annual visit/exam please do the following:

  • Print and complete the Annual GYN History form
  • Bring this completed history form to your appointment
  • This history form must be completed prior to seeing your health care provider
  • If you arrive late and do not have this form completed this will delay your appointment and possibly require you to reschedule. Arrive 20 minutes early if you need to complete the history form at the clinic.

If this is your FIRST visit for birth control at WSU Student Health Services, also complete the following prior to your visit:

  • Read the online Contraceptive Class.
  • Print out the Contraceptive Class Quiz and complete.
  • Bring your completed quiz to your appointment
  • You will meet with an R.N. for birth control and women’s health education prior to seeing the clinician.

If you have previously had your annual GYN visit at WSU Student Health Services:

When to begin your Pap test:

  • Begin pap test screening either after you have been sexually active for 3 years or at age 21
  • In order to obtain the best possible pap smear sample, it is important to follow these instructions:
    • Do not douche or use any vaginal products, creams, suppositories or lubricants for 48 hours prior to your appointment
    • Refrain from sexual intercourse for 24 hours prior to your appointment
    • Do not schedule your appointment during menstruation

If you have any questions, please call one of the Student Health Services nurses at 507-457-5160.

There is a cancellation notification policy for GYN exams. Call as soon as you are aware that you cannot keep the scheduled appointment to allow the time to be given to someone else.

  • If you do not keep the appointment and have not notified the Student Health Services prior to the appointment, you will be charged $5.00.
  • If you are interested in obtaining more information on free or reduced-cost family planning services, click here.

 

 

 

 

 

WELL WOMAN VISIT

Initial visit: At the beginning of your appointment you will meet with an R.N. for initial intake assessment and women's health education prior to seeing your health care provider.  Your initial visit will take 60-90 minutes.

Annual visits in subsequent years:  A nurse will check your vital signs and prepare you for your exam. Your entire visit time will be approximately 60 minutes if you also have your prescription filled at Student Health Services.

Pap test:

  • Begin pap test screening either after you have been sexually active for 3 years or at age 21

  • In order to obtain the best possible pap smear sample, it is important to follow these instructions:

    • Do not douche or use any vaginal creams, spermicidal products, suppositories or lubricants for 48 hours prior to your appointment

    • Refrain from sexual intercourse for 24 hours prior to your appointment

    • Do not schedule your appointment during menstruation as this may either prevent testing or result in an unsatisfactory result and must then be repeated

General health history & GYN/Sexual History will be reviewed with your health care provider.

General exam includes the evaluation of:  thyroid, lymph nodes, heart, lungs, breast, abdomen and pelvic exam.

Breast exam: Screening exam for breast cancer. Your clinician will be assing for any breast changes, such as lumps, tenderness, masses or nipple discharge.

Pelvic exam:

This portion of your exam begins with a visual inspection of the external genital area. Then a speculum is inserted into the vagina to allow visualization of the vagina and cervix (the opening to the uterus).

Pap test is a screening test for detecting cervical cancer or even pre-cancerous cervical changes. Cells are sampled from the surface of the cervix. Current recommendations advise to begin screening Pap tests either after a woman has been sexually active for 3 years or at age 21, whichever comes first. If abnormal cells are detected, additional screening may be recommended. (These recommendations for beginning the Pap test are from the American Cancer Society, Mayo Clinic and Center for Disease Control).

Gonorrhea and Chlamydia screening:  annual screening is optional. Chlamydia screening is strongly recommended annually for women who are sexually active and under the age of 26. Testing should be done whenever there has been a new partner. Chlamydia is an infection that can be present without symptoms for either partner and left untreated can lead to fertility problems.

Evaluate for vaginal infection if any signs or symptoms. If you have symptoms of increased vaginal discharge, itching, burning or odor or if your provider finds it to be indicated based on his/her exam then a wet prep (a sample of the discharge) will be taken and evaluated in the clinic laboratory the same day as your visit.

Bimanual exam is done to evaluate the size and shape of your uterus and ovaries. The clinician inserts one or two fingers into the vagina and places the other hand on your lower abdomen (over the uterus) to palpate the pelvic area.