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Women's Health

The Student Health Center Primary Care Clinic provides Routine Annual Women's Exams, evaluation of gynecological complaints, and both contraception and STD evaluations and treatments. Referral to specialists may be obtained.

Appointments are required and can be scheduled online using the Healthy Coog 24/7 patient portal or by calling 713-743-5151 during regular business hours.

We request that you plan to arrive at the Student Health Center at least 15 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment to allow enough time to complete the check-in process. Please take into account the time to travel to our destination which includes traffic and finding a parking space as well as the check-in process so as not to risk a late arrival or no-show.

If you arrive after your scheduled check-in time, you will be asked to reschedule your appointment and will be charged a No Show/Late Arrival/Late Cancellation Fee.

Our Services

Routine Annual Exams
All women, whether they are having sex or not, should have an annual exam at least once a year. A Routine Annual Women's Exam includes a general check of your health and may include a physical exam of your breasts and pelvic organs and blood tests if indicated. During this exam, the healthcare practitioner will obtain a health history. This includes asking questions about your past illnesses, family history, current medications, and menstrual cycle. Your healthcare practitioner will also provide information to help you stay healthy and answer any questions you may have.

Routine Pap Smear
The Pap smear checks for changes in the cells of your cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb) that opens to the vagina (birth canal). The Pap smear is a screen for cervical cancer.

It is now recommended that women have their first Pap smear when they are 21 years of age. It is no longer recommended that women less than 21 or over 65 years of age have a Pap smear. A Pap smear is now recommended every 3 years between the ages of 21 and 30 and every 5 years between 30 and 65 when a test for HPV is included, assuming no abnormal results are obtained.

Breast Exams
A breast exam helps detect abnormalities in the breasts that might indicate cancer or other problems.

Contraception
Contraception reduces the risk of pregnancy. There are many types of contraception; some require a prescription from a healthcare practitioner or a medical procedure while others may be purchased over-the-counter. Some forms of birth control are reversible, and others are permanent and cannot be reversed.

Common forms of contraception include devices, prescriptions, behavioral methods, over-the-counter, and permanent procedures.Birth Control Methods

The Student Health Center offers prescriptions for the following contraceptive methods:

  • Injection
  • Oral
  • Patch
  • Vaginal Ring

Referrals are available for those requesting other forms of birth control.

Immunizations (including Gardasil)
A vaccine is available for women and men that can prevent infection with HPV, a virus that may lead to genital warts and cervical, anal, and other genital cancers. The Student Health Center follows recommendations from both the FDA as well as the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP).

Prevention and treatment of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
There are more than 25 types of organisms that cause sexually transmitted infections (STIs). STIs are capable of being spread from person to person during sexual activity. Common symptoms of an STI include itching, abnormal vaginal discharge, burning during urination, pain during intercourse, blisters, or warts. Some STIs have no symptoms but may still be passed to others and may cause problems even if there are no symptoms. Untreated STIs can have severe consequences for a woman, such as infertility.

The Student Health Center offers confidential STI and HIV testing. We also provide therapy for STIs that are curable and treatment to help minimize the symptoms of STIs that are not.

Diagnosis and treatment of Vaginitis
Vaginitis is an infection of the vagina. A change in vaginal discharge, itching, pain, or burning are common symptoms of vaginitis. There are 4 major kinds of vaginitis, bacterial vaginosis, Trichomoniasis, yeast infection, and atrophic vaginitis. These types of vaginitis may require different treatments, so an exam to determine which kind is causing symptoms is often needed.

Also Available, Referrals for:

  • Reproductive Endocrine Gynecologist
  • Mammogram and/or Ultrasound
  • Colposcopy/Biopsy
  • Long-Acting Reversible Contraception (LARC): Intrauterine Device (IUD) and Implant
  • Pregnancy
  • Thyroid Disorders
  • Obstetrics and Gynecological Services