Women’s Health FAQs
How do I know if I have a vaginal infection?
How would I know if I had a sexually transmitted infection (STI)?
What does it mean to have bleeding in the middle of the cycle?
If I’ve had a pelvic exam, did I have a pap smear?
If I come in for STI testing, was I tested for all sexually transmitted infections?
If my pap smear was normal, does that mean I don’t have HPV?
How do I get a copy of my records?
Does spotting mean my birth control isn’t working?
What do I do if I miss a pill?
I don’t know if I have a vaginal infection, a urinary tract infection, or a sexually transmitted infection. How do I know if I should make an appointment in the women’s clinic, primary care, or the sexual health clinic?
Good question! While it is true that symptoms of these three conditions are sometimes similar, at the women’s clinic we can evaluate and test for all of these problems during an appointment. We will do our best to help sort it all out. At UHS, we all work together to provide the best care to students, so any of these areas would also be able to evaluate you for these conditions, and treat if indicated.
I’ve never had a pelvic exam and I’m kind of nervous about it. Do other people feel that way? Will it hurt?
Many women are nervous about having a first pelvic exam, mostly because they do not know what to expect. At the women’s clinic, we take the time to explain the procedure and our providers are caring and gentle. While everyone has a different experience with the first exam, most women say that although the exam was a bit uncomfortable, it was not nearly as bad as they had imagined it to be.
How do I know if I have a vaginal infection?
Vaginitis is an inflammation or infection of the vagina. Signs and symptoms of vaginitis (itching, burning, discharge, odor, swelling) differ depending on the kind of infection. Vaginitis is very common. It's best to see a health care provider for a diagnoses and treatment rather than trying over the counter products.
How would I know if I had a sexually transmitted infection (STI)?
Many STI’s have no signs or symptoms. If you’ve had unprotected intercourse or have a new partner, or are concerned about a possible STI exposure, see a health care provider and get tested.
What does it mean to have bleeding in the middle of the cycle?
Abnormal bleeding (bleeding other than a period) is a possible side effect of synthetic hormones (birth control pills, Nuva Ring, the patch, Depo-Provera). Abnormal vaginal bleeding can also be a sign of a sexually transmitted infection or even an early pregnancy. Sometimes women who have never had sex and are not on birth control will have abnormal vaginal bleeding. It is best to see a health care provider to determine the cause of any abnormal bleeding.
I missed a period, now what?
Initial evaluation of a missed period would include a pregnancy test. There are other reasons a woman might miss a period including stress, unhealthy eating patterns or dieting, excessive exercise, hormonal medication, thyroid disorder, or illness. If no period for greater than three months, see a health care provider for a history, physical exam, lab testing, diagnosis, and treatment, as indicated.
Do I need a pap?
New national screening guidelines published in 12/2009 changed when and how often pap smears are needed for cervical cancer screening. Starting at age 21, pap screening is recommended every two years after age 30 is recommended every three years unless:
- You have needed treatment for pre-cancerous changes on the cervix (dysplasia)
- You have had an abnormal pap in the past year
- You have had high risk HPV testing in the past year
- You have had colposcopy in the past year
- You have had a hysterectomy
- You are over 70 years old
Because the chance of cervical cancer in women less than 21 is 1 in a million and HPV infections clear without medical treatment in >90% of cases in young women and there are risks to future pregnancies that result from treatments, screening and treating at a young age is no longer recommended.
If I’ve had a pelvic exam, did I have a pap smear?
Many women think that a pap happens every time a gynecologic pelvic exam is performed, which is not the case. A pap smear is a lab test that screens for cervical pre-cancer, and is not done every time we look at the cervix with a speculum. If you are sure of when your last pap screen for cervical cancer was done, contact your prior care provider for a copy of your records and results.
If I come in for STI testing, was I tested for all sexually transmitted infections?
We routinely at annual health exams ask and test for chlamydia, and individualize further testing based on personal risk factors and exposures. Because some STI tests, (like those for herpes), do not give clear yes or no results in women without symptoms or lesions, testing for all STIs is not always possible, even if you request complete STI testing. If you have a lesion, however, the test done directly on that lesion is very accurate. In contrast, HIV screening can be done in someone with no symptoms, and is very accurate. Consultations with a women’s health provider can provide personalized answers to questions about STI’s, testing, or related concerns. General information on STI’s is also available on our website with links to national information resources.
If my pap smear was normal, does that mean I don’t have HPV?
No. If you are sexually active, you may have HPV, but a normal pap suggests your immune system is preventing the HPV virus from changing your cervical cells in a pre-cancerous way. Most women, over 80%, will clear an HPV infection without treatment, so HPV testing is not part of routine screening in women less than 30. You can help prevent infection with HPV virus by getting vaccinated and using condoms. Men cannot be tested for HPV that can lead to cervical cancer in some women, so keep this in mind when making choices about using condoms. Consultation with a women’s health provider can provide personalized answers to questions.
How do I get a copy of my records?
Federal law has strict rules about how medical records can be obtained to assure protection of your privacy. To have a copy of your UHS records sent to you for future medical care, send us a signed medical release form, available in the clinic or on the website. Your signature is required by federal law, so a phone call or email will not suffice. If you prefer to have your records sent to another care provider, fill the form out requesting this, though keep in mind, this care provider cannot forward these records to another care provider. If you obtain a copy for yourself, you can share a copy with as many future care providers as you'd like, without having to go through this medical request form process again.
If you are trying to obtain records from a past provider to facilitate your care at UHS, you can sign a medical request form, and send it to that provider or hospital. If you bring the signed form to us, we can look up an address or fax it if you’d prefer. It commonly takes weeks to get records, especially if requested from a large facility, so plan ahead. If you have these records sent to you, rather than us, you will know that they have been received for review at your next appointment with us, saving time at your visit.
Does spotting mean my birth control isn’t working?
If you are using the method regularly and correctly, like taking a pill every day, your method is working. Missing the pill by a couple of hours may cause spotting but this spotting does not mean the contraception is not working. Continue to take the pill daily, even if you have spotting, to maximize pregnancy prevention. Consider an appointment for STI testing if you are at risk, or to discuss other birth control options if you miss pills often.
What do I do if I miss a pill?
If you are late taking the pill, take it as soon as you remember, and if it is the next day, you can take two pills together, and use condoms for back up prevention for the rest of the pill pack.
