Women and individuals who are assigned female at birth (AFAB) will typically require specific healthcare services throughout their lives. Together, these routine screenings, treatment plans, and care will usually fall under the umbrella of what’s colloquially known as “women’s health.” In general, women’s health can include everything from reproductive care and birth control prescriptions to pregnancy and childbirth to hormone replacement therapy and menopause-related therapies.
Many patients will seek women’s health services from specialists, such as OB/GYNs. However, this isn’t always necessary. Primary care physicians–and, in particular, Direct Primary Care physicians–can deliver very effective women’s health services for patients of all genders.
While there will certainly be some treatments available only through specialists, there are some specific advantages and benefits to discussing women’s health with your Direct Primary Care physician. For example, in general, patients will have more time to discuss their care and experience a more personalized approach. It’s why many patients may ultimately feel more comfortable receiving routine women’s health services from their primary care doctors.
Women’s Health Services Offered by Progressive Health Primary Care
When considering where to seek out the women’s health services you may require, it may be important to know what’s routinely offered by Direct Primary Care doctors and what isn’t. Specific services offered may vary from physician to physician or clinic to clinic. Progressive Health Primary Care, for example, offers the following routine women’s health services:
- Common preventative screenings: This can include a wide range of screenings, including pap tests, HPV screenings, and routine blood work.
- Imaging screenings and diagnostics: Progressive Health Primary Care offers referrals for routine mammograms and other imaging diagnostics, such as bone density tests.
- Hormone Replacement Therapies: Sometimes known as HRT, hormone replacement is a therapy that can be used for a wide variety of reasons.
- Reproductive health needs: This can include prescribing birth control medications, performing STI screenings, and other similar services. As an independent practice that has no ties to any insurance company, hospital, or health system, Progressive health Primary Care, and many other Direct Primary Care practices, have no restrictions on pre and post-conception counseling.
The services offered by Progressive Health Primary Care (and other Direct Primary Care clinics) will often fulfill the majority of a patient’s women’s health needs. The results from these screenings and services will be viewed in the context of your overall health, creating a more comprehensive picture of your wellness.
However, there are some services that patients may regularly need which are not commonly performed by Direct Primary Care physicians. This may include:
- Obstetrics care: Obstetric physicians specialize in caring for women during pregnancy and childbirth. These care services should be performed by a specialist.
- Specific gynecological procedures: Some specialized procedures may be relatively routine, but they can require specific care, equipment, and support. As such, most patients will need to see a specialist for these services.
- Surgical procedures: In underserved areas, family medicine trained physicians will even perform OB/GYNE surgeries. Outside of such geographies, however, most primary care physicians do not offer surgical procedures. That’s because even minor surgery must usually be performed in highly specialized environments, such as Ambulatory Surgery Centers or hospitals.
Knowing which women’s health services your primary care physician offers and which they don’t can help you better determine the best place to have your care needs met. We recommend you ask your primary care physician if there are procedures or services they do not offer.
Benefits of Seeing Direct Primary Care Physician for Women’s Health
Those who elect to receive women’s health services from their primary care physician will typically do so because there are substantial benefits. Those benefits will vary from doctor to doctor and patient to patient. But they will generally look something like the following:
- More personalized care plans and wellness programs: At Progressive Health Primary Care, we place an emphasis on empowering patients with the knowledge and information they need to be successful in caring for their health. This is especially true for women’s health needs because recommendations are often changing. As a result, many women aren’t entirely sure and other screenings. We work with patients to make sure they’re keeping up with the latest information and recommendations so it’s easier for them to stay on top of their health.
We Provide Services To These Areas
- More time for discussions: In a traditional healthcare setting, you may often feel rushed during your appointment. As a result, you may not feel as though you have enough time to ask all the questions you have. That’s not true in a Direct Primary Care setting, where lower overall patient counts mean your appointment will never be rushed. You will have the time you need to ask any questions and have in-depth discussions about any concerns. In general, you will feel heard and, as a result, better prepared to take care of your health.
- Your physician knows you better: In a Direct Primary Care setting, doctors see fewer patients than either specialists or traditional primary care doctors. This means your doctor will get to know you better and be better equipped to help you with your unique healthcare needs. When a specialist is needed, a Direct Primary Care physician will be able to help you coordinate your care and help you understand what it all means for your overall wellness.
Get the Care You Need
For women and AFAB individuals, specialized healthcare can be an important aspect of your overall care. It’s important to get the women’s health services you need. Contact Progressive Health Primary Care today to talk about your options!