Women's Health Specialist
When you need compassionate, expert women’s health care, trust HAPPI Provider team, and the expert family medicine team at HAPPI Health. With three locations in Huntsville, Alabama, the practice provides care that includes annual women’s health visits, management of gynecological conditions, and important screenings to protect women from a serious illness. If you’re due for a well-woman exam or have another concern associated with women’s health, call HAPPI Health to set up an appointment or use the online tool to schedule.
What are women’s health issues?
Women have unique health concerns that are addressed at HAPPI Health. Annual women’s wellness visits are part of these needs, but the providers can help you manage so much more.
Women’s health services include:
- Birth control prescriptions
- Sexually transmitted disease (STD) screening
- Evaluation of abnormal bleeding or pelvic pain
- Management of hot flashes and night sweats
- Treatments for vaginal dryness
- Solutions for mild urinary incontinence
- Diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infections
- Pelvic exams, Pap smears, and HPV testing
If you have complex gynecological issues, Dr. Andrews can refer you to another expert in the field to treat your specific case.
What is a well-woman exam?
A well-woman exam is an annual visit where your overall gynecological and reproductive health is evaluated. Schedule this yearly exam so you get the preventive screenings you need to preserve your long-term health.
A well-woman exam is also a time for you to address questions you have about birth control, irregular periods, or menopause symptoms.
Women in all stages of life benefit from well-woman exams. A girl, aged 13-15, can come in for her first well-woman exam to develop a relationship with Dr. Andrews and ask questions about her period, unusual symptoms, and sexuality. These early visits don’t usually involve a pelvic exam.
Well-woman exams continue through your adult years, with pelvic exams and regular Pap smears to screen for cervical cancer starting at age 21. Your provider at HAPPI Health can manage your woman’s health exams through menopause and beyond.
What is a Pap smear?
A Pap smear is a screening that helps protect you from cervical cancer. During your regular pelvic exam, Dr. Andrews uses a swab to take a small sampling of cells from your cervix. During this quick procedure, you may feel slight pressure but no pain.
The sample is sent to a laboratory for evaluation. If it comes back “abnormal,” this is not a diagnosis of cancer. This result simply means some irregular cells were detected and further evaluation is necessary.
Healthy women aged 21-29 need a Pap smear every three years. If you’re 30-65, Dr. Andrews may suggest a Pap smear every three years or an HPV (human papillomavirus) test every five years.
You may also get a co-test of HPV and a Pap smear every five years. After age 65, some women can stop getting Pap and HPV tests.
Schedule your women’s health visit at HAPPI Health today. Contact the office by phone or set up an appointment online.