Annual Exam: An annual exam is indicated for females beginning at the age of 16. This exam may or may not involve a GYN or pelvic exam depending upon the needs and age of the patient. This annual exam provides an opportunity for discussion with a medical provider typically a Nurse Practitioner (or MD) to discuss health concerns and provide you with updated recommendations and information on how to remain healthy. Prior to having an annual exam it is important to avoid use of tampons, vaginal lubrication, sexual intercourse or non-prescribed vaginal medications for at least 24 hours before your appointment.
Bladder Infection: Common symptoms can include difficulty/discomfort with passing urine, increased frequency of using the bathroom, a sense of needing to go again even though you may have gone within the past hour. Symptomsof a bladder infection warrant an appointment with a medical provider for evaluation.
Dual Protection: Involves the use of a birth control method to prevent pregnancy and a barrier method to reduce risk of STI/STD exposure.
Family Planning Clinic: A clinic that specializes in providing reproductive health services to males and females of ALL ages. Staff at a family planning clinic are local experts in women's health care including life changes such as puberty, pregnancy and menopause , birth control options and management of menstrual cycle (period) issues. Additional services include prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections, health screening and health education/counseling. Confidentiality is guaranteed for all patients regardless of age
Family Planning Waiver Program: A program that is available to women and men ages 15-44 who are US citizens, Wisconsin residents and who meet certain eligibility requirements. It covers selected family planning services and supplies, so most of the services you normally receive at our family planning clinics will be no cost to you!
GLBT: Gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender
GLBTQ: Gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or questioning
Good Vaginal Health: Every woman has "good" and "bad" bacteria in her vagina and as long as our immune system is good, our vagina can typically take keep everything in good balance. The normal ph (acid/base balance) of a woman's vagina is 4.0 Soap has a ph of 12 and semen/sperm has a ph of 8. Maintaining a healthy vagina is easy to do as long as we:
• wear cotton crotched underwear
• avoid wearing underwear when going to bed at night to promote air circulation
• avoid introducing soap into the vagina (raises the vaginal ph above 4.0 and makes it difficult for the vagina to keep everything in balance)
• avoid douching (washes away good as well as bad bacteria)
• wear condoms unless you are in a long term stable monogamous (only one partner) relationship.
GYN Exam: A gynecological exam involves as assessment of a females reproductive health system including a breast and pelvic exam.
Hormone Testing: Hormone testing can be done either through a blood or saliva test. Typical reasons why someone may desire hormone testing can include a decrease or absence of sexual interest, fatigue, and/or a desire to know levels of hormones related to "change of life" or menopause issues.
Hormone Therapy: Hormone therapy involves the prescription of hormones for medication management of transgender persons who are desiring assistance with gender identity issues; symptom management of perimenopausal or postmenopausal women or persistent fatigue and/or lack or or absence of libido.
LGBT: Lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender
Nurse Practitioner: A registered nurse who typically has a master's degree in nursing in a specialty area such as women's health, family practice, pediatrics, etc. A nurse practitioner is nationally certified, has a license to practice from the state she/he works in and is authorized to practice medicine including performing examinations, ordering and interpreting tests and prescribing medications.
Options Counseling: This counseling takes place at a family planning clinic after a female has had a positive pregnancy test. A clinician will talk with the patient about her feelings about the pregnancy options which include prenatal care, adoption and abortion. (please link to our pregnancy testing page)
Partner: In a health care setting the term, partner refers to a boyfriend, girlfriend or any person(s) with whom you have "hooked up", are having or have had sex, regardless of the existence of an actual relationship.
Pelvic Exam: A pelvic exam has several parts but is usually over quickly. The clinician inserts a speculum into the vagina for the purposes of evaluating vaginal health, screening for cervical cancer and/or sexually transmitted infections. Following the speculum exam the clinician inserts one or two gloved fingers into the vagina and will gently press on your stomach with their other hand. This part of the exam is done to make sure your uterus, fallopian tubes and ovaries all feel normal. A pelvic exam is not necessary to be started on birth control.
Penis: An organ from which a male ejaculates and urinates.
Saliva Testing: Testing for hormonal levels using a saliva test; typically used in women who are seeking hormone level information as they are experiencing perimenopause or menopause. The Wellness Center does offer this service.
Vagina: The canal that extends from just inside the labia (genital lips) to the cervix. The vagina receives a penis during sexual intercourse between a male and female partner and serves as the birth canal for vaginal delivery of a baby.
Vaginal Lips: Known as the labia these outer and inner lips cover and protect the vagina.
Urinary Tract Infection: An infection of the bladder, urethra or kidneys which if not properly diagnosed and promptly treated can lead to a serious kidney infection and require hospitalization.
Additional Glossary Terms