Womens Health

What is women’s health?

Women’s health is an internal medicine subspecialty that diagnoses, treats, and prevents health problems in people with female reproductive organs. 

Men and women experience many of the same medical issues, but they often present different symptoms. As a result, it’s essential to undergo sex-specific checkups and screenings to protect your health and peace of mind.

What services does women’s health provide?

At Tacoma Urgent Care and Wellness Center, the team offers various women’s health services, including:

Sex-specific screenings

Sex-specific screenings like Pap tests and breast exams try to catch diseases like cervical cancer and breast cancer early on, when they respond best to treatment. If necessary, the team at Tacoma Urgent Care and Wellness Center can refer you to a nearby radiology center for a mammogram.

Family planning

If you’re sexually active but don’t want to get pregnant, your Tacoma Urgent Care and Wellness Center provider can recommend birth control. There are several types of birth control, including oral contraceptives, intrauterine devices (IUDs), and implantable devices, like Nexplanon®.

Testing for sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

If you have sex with multiple partners, it’s important to get tested for STIs. Many STIs don’t present obvious symptoms. During an STI test, your provider collects a sample of your blood, urine, or saliva. Then, they send it to the on-site lab for analysis.

Treatment of menopausal symptoms

Menopause occurs after you go 12 full months without having a menstrual period. It’s a normal part of a woman’s aging process, but it can present uncomfortable symptoms, like hot flashes, night sweats, and pelvic pain.

The team at Tacoma Urgent Care and Wellness Center can recommend treatments, like hormone replacement therapy, to help you feel better.

Prenatal care

If you’re pregnant or trying to get pregnant, consider prenatal care. The team at Tacoma Urgent Care and Wellness Center can educate you on having a healthy pregnancy. They can even make recommendations to reduce uncomfortable side effects like back pain, morning sickness, and difficulty sleeping.

How often should I schedule a women’s health checkup?

The team at Tacoma Urgent Care and Wellness Center recommends that all people with female reproductive organs schedule a women’s health checkup annually.

That recommendation applies even if you feel healthy. Chronic conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes rarely present symptoms early on. Regular checkups can alert you to potential problems and help you age more gracefully.

To establish women’s health care at Tacoma Urgent Care and Wellness Center, call the nearest office or book online today.