Serving Patients On Massachusetts’ North Shore
Women’s Health
Women’s Health Specialists
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 at Charter Health PC Salem, MA location. Our health center addresses the issues that are unique to women and makes care accessible to residents in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.
Women’s Health Services include, but not limited to:
- Contraceptive Services
- Pregnancy Testing & 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
Comprehensive Women’s Health Services at Charter Health PC
Comprehensive Birth Control and Contraceptive Options
According to Healthy People 2020, nearly 45% of the 6.1 million annual pregnancies in the U.S. are unintended. To help address this, a variety of birth control (BC) options are available, including:
- Oral Contraceptives (the pill)
- The Patch
- The Vaginal Ring
- Long-Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARC), such as IUDs and Nexplanon
LARC methods are the most effective form of birth control, followed by the Depo-Provera shot, the pill, the patch, and the ring. Birth control can also help manage menstrual issues like prolonged, irregular, or absent periods.
Our birth control treatment plans are tailored to each patient. By conducting thorough reviews of each patient’s history and accurately discussing all the different types of birth control options with our patients, we’re able to provide the safest birth control treatment options available for them. All LARC procedures can be easily inserted and removed in the office, and we work with insurance companies to figure out what is covered for each patient.
Mammograms
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 Smears
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).
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.
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.
