FAQ's – health
What does the term ‘holistic’ mean?
- A ‘holistic’ approach to health means not simply focusing on medical aspects of health, but how social context, psychological health and wellbeing contribute to women’s health.
Why wouldn’t I go to my GP instead?
Liverpool Women’s Health Centre provides much more than a GP visit:
- Appointment duration – a clinical appointment with one of our doctors or our Clinical Nurse Specialist is allocated 30 minutes. This allows for an unrushed interaction, in which our clients can bring up any issues they wish to discuss without worry of ‘going overtime’.
- Alternative therapy – our Centre counts Chinese Medicine, acupuncture, naturopathy and counseling amongst its services, as well as Western Medicine.
- Group sessions – we offer regular group sessions including (hyperlink to group calendar)
- Laughter Club
- Pursuit of happiness
- Self-esteem (in Spanish)
- Tai Chi
- Yoga
- Advocacy – we provide legal advice on an appointment basis, and offer domestic violence support through outreach services.
- We provide a women focused space, which is safe, supportive and welcoming
Are the doctors female? Are they specialists?
- Our doctors are general practitioners who have an interest in and specialise in women’s health issues.
Do you fit IUDs?
- We do not insert intra-uterine devices at the Centre, but we can remove them. We can also provide information about different forms of contraception, and how they work.
I’ve just found out I’m pregnant. What do I do?
- We can assist in your decision making by providing you with unbiased information and educate you on the options available. This can be helpful for planned and unplanned pregnancy.
Do you do terminations?
- We do not perform terminations at Liverpool Women’s Health Centre, but we can provide information about the procedure, what it involves, and the location and contact details of clinics, which provide this service.
- We can also assist in your decision-making by providing you with unbiased information regarding unplanned pregnancy, and educate you as to the options available.
Do you provide the HPV vaccine?
- We do not provide the HPV vaccine, but we can provide information about it. However, one of our doctors can administer the vaccine if it is bought from a pharmacy.
I’m not sexually active – do I need a Pap smear?
- All women over the age of 18, with a cervix who have ever had sex are at risk of cervical cancer, so even if you are not sexually active at the moment, you still need to have regular Pap smears every two years.
- If a woman starts sexual activity at a younger age, screening should start within two years of first sexual intercourse
I’m not sexually active anymore – do I still need to have a Pap smear?
- If you have ever had sexual contacts, whether you continue to or not, you still need to have regular Pap smears every two years.
I’ve been through menopause – do I still need to have a Pap smear?
- Yes, the risk of getting cervical cancer actually increases with age, so it’s important to continue having Pap smears every two years, even after menopause.
- If you are 70 years or over, and you have had two normal Pap smears in the last five years, you do not need to continue having Pap smears.
I don’t need a Pap smear anymore – can I still come to the Centre?
- Of course! Liverpool Women’s Health Centre provides many different services, such as counseling, massage, acupuncture, Chinese medicine, naturopathy, group sessions and health promotion, all of which are provided at a very low fee. All women are welcome to the Centre to take advantage of these services, regardless of whether they require clinical appointments or not.
When is the best time to have a Pap smear and breast check?
- The best time to have a Pap smear and a breast check is in the middle of the menstrual cycle, so if the first day of your period is counted as day 1, then 14 days after that is the best time to make your appointment. If this is not possible, then straight after your period is also acceptable.
I had unprotected sex – what do I do?
- First, there is the possibility of unplanned pregnancy. You can access the emergency contraceptive pill (Postinor-2) over the counter at a pharmacy. Some pharmacies require you to show proof of age, or a Medicare card to access this, so sometimes several pharmacies will have to be approached to obtain the emergency contraceptive.
- An STD (sexually transmitted disease) check may also be required, which involves a medical check-up, and sometimes a urine or blood test depending on the risk of certain infections. We can also provide information on the common STDs, how they are treated and how to prevent spread of infection.
