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