Many people associate women’s health centers with gynecology. While women’s reproductive health is an important part of any health clinic for women, most provide comprehensive care that goes beyond reproductive health. Women have different physical and mental health needs, and health clinics for women are equipped to go beyond the typical family health clinic. Here are three somewhat surprising services offered by women’s health centers, which may even be offered at a low cost health clinic or walk in center.
STD Testing
Visits to your doctor’s office sometimes have to be made weeks or even months in advance. If you think you may have contracted an STD/STI, you can often get into a health clinic for women or free health clinic for quick testing. Anonymous STD testing should be available that day and should only take a few minutes to process. In addition, primary care providers at women’s clinics often are women themselves, and the clinics are often by women with the needs of women in mind. You can rest assured that your physician and office staff will be discreet, supportive, and sensitive to your needs.
Depression Symptoms
Women report depressive symptoms twice as often as men. While researchers continue to debate whether this is due to biological factors or whether women are more likely to seek depression support, depression in women may be a symptom of other conditions. Talking to an expert at the women’s health clinic can help uncover if your depression is resulting from hyperthyroidism, PMS, postpartum depression, or a hormone imbalance. Staff are usually trained to look for signs of abuse or domestic violence as well and can provide confidential support.
Cancer Prevention
Your visit to a health clinic for women won’t just include gynecological services. A women’s medical walk in clinic is designed to provide general care much like a family health care, with the emphasis being on one gender. One of the biggest things that physicians will look for are early signs of cancer in the breasts, ovaries, cervix, and even the pancreas.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions when you visit the women’s health clinic for the first time. Physicians are trained to support women and their needs in particular, and they will often be happy to give you the information you need to be healthy and happy.