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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (April 13, 1998)
YOUR HEALTH CENTER NEWSLETTER IS IT YOUR FIRST TIME! what to expect at the cppnecotoaist 111 t's my first time to the gynecologist". The simple phrase makes you shudder doesn't it? (I'm talking specifically to women here, for the slower readers in my audience). Weeks before I made my first appointment, I could almost feel the bite of the frigid stirrups against my bare feet and I swore I could hear the sound of snapping latex gloves as my overimagmative brain worked itself into a frenzy. Well, that's what was running through my mind as I waited for the gynecologist, completely naked except for my socks (with a hole in the toe) and a flimsy sheet that in my opinion, barely met the requirements of an official "annual exam covering sheet." I jumped from one negative emotion to the next; I was terrified, nervous, embarrassed, and basically not happy to allow someone violate my vulnerable self. I couldn't believe I was putting myself through such torturous humiliation willingly. Surprisingly, after the deed was done, my "first time" ended up being a bearable experience. My anxiety and terrible fantasies slowly faded as my doc tor took me through each step, explaining every minute detail of the process. She understood what I felt (after all, she has to go through the same examination every year too). My doctor walked the fine line between profession alism and humaneness; she kept important topics factual while bantering about her travels in Europe. It's okay to be nervous and feel a little anticipa tion for your "first time", It's a difficult thing to initiate (especially if you’ve been thinking about it for a while, like I did). But I promise that it's not that bad. Really. (The stirrups even have warm fuzzy coverings on them). I can't stress enough how important it is to make an appointment for your annual women's health exam when you start having sex or when you are 20 years old (whichever comes first).These exams can detect early signs of cancer (cervical or breast) so that you can be treated in time, They ensure that your sexual organs look and feel normal externally as well as internally. Women go to the gynecologist to gain important information about birth control, and to receive prescriptions for the pill, Depo-Provera (a birth control shot), or any other method. Women also gain important information regarding their men strual cycle, vaginal health, and/or sexuality. Many women in college say that they've "never thought about it" as a reason not to go to the gyne cologist. An annual helps you learn about your bodily functions and how to take care of yourself and pre vent future pain and disease. Please think about it. If you want any more information, or would like to schedule an appointment, call the Women's Clinic at the Health Center at 346-4449. —jenny Lara Semoden WHAT HAPPENS AT YOUR ANNUAL WOMEN'S HEALTH EXAM! I. Nurse checks Hood pressure, height,weight 1. Medical practitioner reviews your personal history md Mta you about any personal concerns; are your periods normal? do you hart abnormal pain? do you exardsa regularly? moke? art you on/do you new Dimi controls 3. You undroM and medical practitioner feeli thyroid then conducts bread examination, ideiin| for unusual masses. 5. Practitioner Ms abdomen far pain, unusual masses. 4. Pelvic exam: practitioner looks for redness, swelling, bumps around vagina, then uses a specu lum to look for the same inside vagina and on cervix. 7. Pap Smear: practitioner rubs off some exfoliated cells off of the cervix to send to a lab when they screen for cervical cancer (they also test for chlamydia at the same time). I. Bi-manual exam: practitioner inserts 2 Angers into vagina and uses other hand to feel uterus and ovaries, assessing size and shape or presence of tenderness. 10.You dress; discuss concerns with practitioner and practitioner prescribes any needed medication or birth control. 11 .You receive Pap and chlamydia results in the mail about 2 weeks later. Cost of the Health Center $S for the visit $21.50 for Pap Smear, $3S.S0 for Pap and Chlamydia test Cost of a privote practice.'$ 100-S150 indy Smith is an Adult Nurse Practitioner who has a master's degree in nursing from the University of California, San Francisco. She works full time at the Health Center We recently interviewed her about common women's health issues at the UO. Wellnow: If you had all of the University students in a forum together what is the single most important thing that you would tell them? Cindy: The Health Center belongs to you, so take advantage of its presence on your campus. From a women's health standpoint. I would emphasize that stu dents should make informed decisions, and that is the result of education. We are available to provide that information. That means that no question is too ndiculous. and no con cem too small. Wellnow: What is the most common myth that women come into the Health Center believing? Cindy; I would have to say one of the most common myths in women's health care might be,"lt can't happen to me." I regularly see students who must deal with a pregnan cy or sexually transmitted infection that they absolutely thought would never happen to them. Wellnow: What are some of the services at the Women's Clinic? Cindy; When a student wishes to come to the Women's Clinic, she can see her choice of either a nurse practitioner or a physician. Both male and female providers are available.Thene is also a specialist (gynecologist) avail able two half-days a week to see students.There are many services available, such as birth control, pregnancy testing emergency contraception, HIV testing STI screening well women exams (such as pap smears and mammogram screening), colposcopy (sometimes used to follow-up on abnormal pap smears) and an evaluation of any number of GYN problems. Examples include: evaluation of a breast lump, dysmen orrhea (painful menstrual cramps), abnormal bleeding, menopausal concerns, infection treatment eating disorders, or PMS concerns.Though forensic exams are not done at the Health Center students do come in for evaluations related to sexual assault Wellnow: What are the most common problems that women go to the Health Center for and what are their treatment options? Cindy: Some of the most common visits to the Women's Clinic are for birth control, annual exams, and infection checks. When students come in for birth control, they will be provided with explanations of the pros and cons of a variety of hormonal and non hormonal birth con trol methods. If desired and appropnate, IUD or norplant insertion, diaphragm or cervical cap fitting and Depo Proveia or oral contraceptive prescnptions are available.The UO pharmacy carries other forms of birth control such as condoms and spermicides. The Women's Clinic staff recognizes that the University of Oregon student population Is a well educated group. I appreciate the interest they show in trying to understand their health better I try to provide them with information and educational matenals to help them make informed decisions about their bodies. It's not uncommon for me to be providing a student with a web site to read more about a particular health top ic or copy of an article. With regard to treatment options, depending on the circumstances, students can be treated in the clinic for most concerns, but we certainly assist with referrals into the community when necessary. Referrals are also made to the Counseling Center Wellnow: What's the average age that a woman should begin to see a gynecologist? Cindy: Women should come in for their first annual exam when they become sexually active, regardless of age, or. if they are not sexually active by age 20. If they are con sidering becoming sexually active and have questions about or need birth control, they should come to the clinic even though it may not necessitate an exam at that visit WtHnow: What are some of the benefits of getting regular checkups, and what are the consequences of not receiving them? Cindy: There are both short and long term benefits and consequences... Routine annual exams are a valuable opportunity to screen for cancer of the breasts, ovaries, uterus, and cervix. Risk factors for future morbidity can be assessed and early intervention or prevention efforts taken. Screening tests can often pick up asymptomatic illnesses For instance, chlamydia infection is often asymptomatic and an undiagnosed infection could possibly lead to infertility. Visits to the Women's Clinic can lead to prompt treat ment of illnesses or simply alleviate unnecessary fear about something that a student is concerned with. To make an appointment with Cindy Smith or any other staff member, call the Health Center (Women's Clinic) 344-4449. —Tiffany More Shleifer Smoking Cessation Wednesdays, 4:00-5:00 p.m. April 23-May 28 Medical Library Quit smoking this term and celebrate life as a non smoker This six week workshop is open to those who want to quit and those who have already quit. Identify tnggers to smoke, leam to overcome urges, adopt alternative behaviors, and address fears about possible weight gain. Weight Management Wednesdays, 12:00-1:00 p.m. April 23-May 21 Room 264, University Health Center Increase energy, motivation and enthusiasm for life! Heighten self-confidence and learn habits for becoming physically and mentally fit including nutri tion, cooking and exercise tips. Delicious Cooking and Nutritious Eating Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00 p.m. April 29-May 20 Health Center Cafeteria Spice up your day! Add variety to your breakfast, lunch, dinner desserts and snacks, Learn what's nutritious, how to cook it and then eat your results. Activities Workshop Thursdays, 4:00-5:30 p.m. April 23-May 14 Meet in front of the Health Center on IJthAve. Ready to learn some fun activities for the spring and summer months ahead? join us for an introduction to yoga, rock climbing, rollerblading, self defense and even white water rafting. Cost will be reasonable. ■CLIP & SAVE^T* HEALTH CENTER We’re a mailer of degrees ^ Hours: Mon., and Wed.-Sat.: 8am to 6pm Tuesday: 9am to 6pm, Sunday: I Oam to 6pm Phone Appointments: . 346-2770 Dental:. 346-4432 Pharmacy:. 346-4454 Physical Therapy:. 346-4401 Insurance:. 346-3702 Urgent Care:. 346-2770. Women's Clinic:. 346-4449 Health Education:. 346-4456 Peer Health:. 346-4456 General:. 346-4441 On-line: http-y/darkwing.uoregon.edu/uoshc/ This four-page insert is a paid advertising supplement. Material contained herein was provided and paid for by the Student Health Center
