Scientific research sometimes presents mixed messages for us women. These messages are intended to be helpful but can sometimes really just confuse this whole taking care of my body thing.
We learn we should drink wine, coffee, green tea, but avoid too much of any. We hear that taking special vitamins can help our particular health, was it more B-12 that we need? Or Iron? I always forget. We can wait until 18 to have our first gyno exam, or maybe it’s 21?
All this confusion coupled with classes, clubs and relationships leaves little room for actually taking care of ourselves in college. Thankfully, UF has an entire team of specialty care for women — if you know that it exists.
Alex Gonzalez, a senior, says that she always goes to the women’s clinic for her normal checkups and exams.
“The women's clinic was always super helpful," she says. "They made me feel comfortable enough to share questions of sexual health, and I've gone to the same two gynecologists my whole time at UF”
Many women find that going to a primary care doctor is no longer necessary once they begin seeing a gynecologist. The women’s clinic doctors can answer more specific, relevant questions as they stay up to date on the particularities of women’s health.
However, UF’s infirmary doesn’t always make it super obvious that we can access these resources easily.
“I think it would be more helpful if more people knew about the women's clinic. “ Alex continues. “People always seem surprised when I mention that I go there frequently or that it's so easy to get tested”
Well, I’m here to tell you that I agree with Alex. It’s so simple to see a women’s doctor here on campus, if you just know where and when to go. Whether it’s for your first general women’s checkup, receive a baseline pap smear (by the way, with current research 21 is the recommended age) or for specific questions and tests. Here are the details to get you on the journey to easily accessible, safe, women’s health.
The women’s clinic is on the 1st Floor of Infirmary Building, 280 Fletcher Drive. They are open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. — 5 p.m. They offer answers to general women’s health questions specific services such as: counseling on contraceptive options (the pill, IUDs, ect), sexually transmitted disease/infection, general women’s health issues; STD screenings and same day appointments for treatment; pap smears and routine pelvic exams; and pregnancy testing.
When you walk in, you’ll complete a quick women’s health history form to aid in your appointment. That’s it! The process is simple and you can see a women’s care doctor as your primary care doctor, if you find that’s right for you.
Finding out that we have these really important resources on campus may not be easily, but once they’re discovered they can greatly improve your health and the ease of attending UF.
