Women’s Health

Women have unique health concerns relating to their reproductive system, including menstrual problems and certain cancers. Integrative Health DPC in Zionsville, Indiana, offers extensive women’s health services to ensure patients stay healthy and feel well. These include Pap smears, gynecological exams, healthy lifestyle assessments, and other forms of preventive medicine. Call Integrative Health DPC to arrange a well-woman exam or request an appointment online today.

What is women’s health?

Women’s health covers everything related to the female reproductive system and the hormones it produces (estrogen and progesterone). It can also include associated systems like the urinary tract and general health concerns like weight management and mental well-being.

The female reproductive system includes the following:

• Cervix
• Uterus
• Fallopian tubes
• Ovaries
• Vagina
• Vulva

Primary women’s health problems are unique to people with these organs. Other conditions, like breast cancer, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and osteoporosis, are more common in women but also affect men.

What women’s health conditions might affect me?

Common women’s health conditions include:

• Ovarian cysts
• Yeast infections
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Endometriosis
• Uterine fibroids
• Pelvic prolapse
• Dysmenorrhea (painful periods)
• Heavy or irregular menstruation
• Bacterial vaginosis
• Uterine, ovarian, cervical, and other cancers
• Menopause

Menopause is a natural event occurring in middle age (typically around 50 or a few years either side) where your periods stop. It marks the end of a woman’s reproductive capability.

Female sex hormone production naturally slows during perimenopause (the time leading to menopause). For many women, it can be a prolonged, distressing experience with problems like hot flashes, vaginal dryness, night sweats, mood swings, and other unpleasant symptoms.

How does preventive medicine support women’s health?

Preventive medicine is a vital aspect of women’s health — avoiding preventable diseases and identifying problems in their earliest stages is far more effective than waiting until you get sick. Preventive healthcare services Integrative Health DPC offers include:

Well-woman exams

Well-woman exams are typically yearly check-ups, similar to annual physicals, but focusing on the female reproductive system.

Pap smears

Pap smears are lab tests that check for early-stage cervical cancer. Your provider takes a cell sample from your cervix using a cotton swab and then sends it to the on-site lab testing facility for analysis. Pap smears can also identify human papillomavirus (HPV) infection — the leading cause of cervical cancer.

Gynecological check-ups

Check-ups involve pelvic exams to assess your internal reproductive organ health.

Lifestyle assessments

A healthy lifestyle consultation considers all the factors affecting your well-being, including diet, exercise, smoking, alcohol consumption, substance misuse, excess weight, and chronic stress. Addressing these issues significantly reduces your risk of developing many long-term health conditions.

Your Integrative Health DPC provider can also offer expert advice on choosing appropriate birth control for optimal fertility management.

Call Integrative Health DPC for more information on women’s health services, or request an appointment online today.