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Women’s Health

Women’s Health in Salem

Traditional primary care offices sometimes fail to address all of the important physical and emotional issues that impact a woman’s health. These include family planning, preconception planning, STD screening, cancer screening, bone health, and more. That’s why we established our women’s health clinic in Salem. Our health center addresses the issues that are unique to women and makes care accessible to residents in Salem, Lynn, Peabody and other North Shore towns in Massachusetts.

Here are the services we provide:

  • Contraceptive services
  • Pregnancy testing and counseling
  • Sexually transmitted disease services
  • Broader reproductive health services, including patient education and counseling
  • Breast and pelvic examinations
  • Breast and cervical cancer screening
  • Mammogram, ultrasound and colonoscopy services
  • Sexually transmitted infection (STI) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention education, counseling, testing, and referral

Family Planning in Lynn, MA

One of the primary concerns for women’s health in Salem, Lynn, and other communities in the North Boston area is family planning. Some women are concerned about what type of birth control is best for them; others have concerns about fertility. Our primary care office is able to help you make sense of  the options for family planning and also help you find help and choose what will work best for you and your family. Whatever your concerns about family planning in Lynn, MA, we can help.

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Birth Control and Contraceptive Options

Per Healthy People 2020, almost half (45%) of the 6.1 million annual pregnancies in the US are unintended. There are many options for birth control available including pill, patch, ring, and long-acting reversible contraceptive (LARC) such as IUDs, nexplanon. Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) are the most effective birth control (BC) methods, followed by Depo-Provera shot, pill, patch, ring. BC can also be used to address menstrual issues such as prolonged periods, irregular periods, no periods, etc.

Our treatment plans are tailored to each patient. By conducting thorough reviews of each patient’s history accurately discussing all the different types of BC options with our patients, we are able to provide the safest birth control treatment options available for them.  All LARC procedures can be easily inserted and removed in-office, and we work with insurance companies to figure out what is covered for each patient.

Mammograms near Peabody

Mammograms and breast cancer screenings are a significant part of women’s health in Salem, Peabody, and other cities in the North Boston area. The American Cancer Association recommends that women have a baseline mammogram around age 40. After that, women aged 45-54 should get a mammogram every year, and women aged 55 and older should get one every two years. We make it easy to get the diagnostic tests you need without having to wait an extended period for an appointment or spend all day at a clinic.

Pap Smear near Danvers

Pap smears are a primary diagnostic tool in identifying cervical cancer in its early stages. Women should get a pap smear beginning at age 21 and every three years until age 30. After age 30 PAP smears should be done every 5 years along with human papillomavirus (HPV) testing. PAP smears are done in our Salem, MA, office. We will have your test results back within one week.

Bone Health

Bone health is a very important part of caring for women, particularly those who have gone through menopause. Post-menopausal women should have a bone density scan every 2 years to screen for osteopenia and osteoporosis. These are conditions in which the density of the bone is decreased which raises one’s risk for fractures. Your provider may recommend a more frequent test if you’ve been diagnosed with osteoporosis. Good bone health is vital for good posture, support of your muscles, and for overall mobility and agility as we age.

Healthy lifestyle measures for improving bone density and strength include regular weight-bearing exercise, adequate calcium and vitamin D intake, avoidance of smoking, and limitation of alcohol to an average of no more than two drinks per day. For postmenopausal women and men over 70 years old, the recommended total calcium intake is approximately 1200 mg daily (total diet plus supplements, if needed).

Areas We Serve

Women from the following towns on Boston’s North Shore come to specialize in women’s health for individuals in the following Massachusetts communities:

●     Salem

●     Peabody

●     Danvers

●     Lynn

●     Swampscott

●     Beverly

●     Middleton

●     Boxford

●     Topsfield

●     Lynnfield

●     Stoneham

 

In addition to being women’s health medical professionals, residents in Marblehead, Beverly, and the surrounding areas can turn to our team for primary care physicians and to set up a virtual doctor appointment in Salem for obesity treatment. For more information, contact us today!

Cancer Screening in Women

Pelvic exams with Pap smear testing for cervical cancer screening is done in our office.   Mammography for breast cancer screening is done at North Shore Medical Center or at any of the Mass General Brigham imaging centers.  Women with strong family histories of breast cancer will undergo additional risk assessments.   In addition, we recommend colonoscopy at age 50 and perform annual skin checks to screen for skin cancer. 

Gynecologic Symptoms

Common acute complaints include vaginal and pelvic symptoms. We are experienced in the diagnosis and management of these complaints and we perform pelvic exams in the office in a safe and pleasant setting. We will refer our patients to our OB/GYN colleagues as needed to manage certain conditions.  

Family Planning

Our Women’s Health team provides expertise in contraceptive counseling and treatment options.  We are certified to place long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) including intrauterine contraceptives and skin implants.  LARCs are considered the most effective form of contraception and are safe for most teens and women. 

Bone Health

Osteoporosis is a major issue for women before and after menopause. We follow Mass General Brigham guidelines for bone health imaging and have expertise in managing osteopenia and osteoporosis. If necessary, we will refer our patients to endocrinology specialists.  

Menopause

Women often have questions and concerns as they approach menopause as to whether or not to start hormonal or other therapies. The Charter team is experienced in addressing these issues and will offer advice and care that is tailored to the patient’s needs. 

See What Charter Health Can Do

At Charter Health, we offer a variety of services and treat multiple common conditions. Click below to view all services! 

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Get in Touch

55 Highland Hall, Suite 304, Salem, MA 01970

978-354-4651

Charter Health