Women’s Health Clinic

Initial visit: At the beginning of your appointment you will meet with an RN for initial intake assessment and women's health education prior to seeing a Nurse Practitioner. The total time for an initial visit will be 60-90 minutes.

Annual visits in subsequent years:  A nurse will check your vital signs and prepare for your exam by the Nurse Practitioner. The total visit time will be approximately 60 minutes.

A Pap Test is a screening 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 the Centers for Disease Control).

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, requiring that testing be repeated. 

If you have any questions, please contact the Ask-A-Nurse.

You are encouraged to consult with WSU Health & Wellness Services about your sexual health needs.
• If you have a question about your sexual health, please call or email the Ask-A-Nurse.
• For more information about sexually transmitted diseases, visit MedlinePlus.

***Health & Wellness Services is now able to screen for STIs using just a urine sample! Even if you have no symptoms, put your mind at ease with this convenient screening! Contact Ask-A-Nurse  if you have questions about getting tested!

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. Gonorrhea is bacterial infection that normally produces symptoms of painful urination, increased frequency of urination, and discharge from the vagina/penis; this infection can also result in complications for both men and women if left untreated, including fertility problems. 

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, a wet prep (a sample of the discharge) can be taken and evaluated in the clinic laboratory the same day as your visit for a possible vaginal infection.

• For information about birth control prescriptions, visit Minnesota Family Planning Program.
• For information about types of birth control available, visit Contraceptive Choices.
• If you have concerns or curiosity regarding birth control, visit Your Contraceptive Decision.

• If you suspect you may be pregnant, you can come to the Health & Wellness Services to have a pregnancy test done. Having your suspicions confirmed or denied will help you decide what to do next.
• To get a pregnancy test: Call Health & Wellness Services at 507.457.5160 to schedule an appointment. You will be asked to provide a urine sample in the clinic.
• If the test is negative: You will be asked to return for a second test if you do not have your period within 10 -14 days. You will be asked to schedule a gynecological exam if you have not had one within the last six months. If you are not pregnant, talk to the clinician about the symptoms you are having that made you suspect pregnancy. You may also want to schedule an appointment to learn more about your contraceptive options. Perhaps you may want to try a different method of birth control. If you haven't been using one, you may want to start.
• If the test is positive: You will receive counseling and referrals which address your options (carrying the pregnancy to full term, adoption alternatives, terminating the pregnancy). You need to make sure to give yourself time to explore your feelings and your options.

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

Breast exam: Screening exam for breast cancer. Your clinician will be accessing 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).

A 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.