Women’s Health Services

Routine Pap Exams
Pap Smears samples collected by a Naturopathic Physician are sent to a central cytology laboratory operated by the BC Cancer Agency, as would samples from a medical doctor. The ability to decrease cervical cancer mortality through screening depends on three factors: women’s participation, the quality of the Pap smear, and the performance of the laboratory. Based on statistics collected by the Cervical Cancer Screening Program of the BC Cancer Agency, Naturopathic Physicians have consistently submitted high quality samples. It is recommended that women have Pap exams done between every year and every two years. Frequency of exams depends on your gynecological history, which you can discuss with one of the Village Health Clinic physicians.

Breast Exams
Routinely done as part of the pap exam, Clinical Breast Exams (CBE) assist in screening for breast lumps. A CBE can also be done if a breast lump is found on routine Self Breast Exams (SBE). Women are encouraged to do a SBE every month. To learn how & when to do a SBE, schedule a visit with your Village Health Clinic physician.

Cervical Cap fitting
Cervical caps are considered a barrier method of contraception. It is literally a barrier to sperm reaching, & potentially fertilizing an egg. Use of a cervical cap with spermicide jelly can be up to 98% effective as a birth control method. Combine that with Fertility Awareness method and that rate can go up to 99% effective. Cervical caps have to be specially fitted to the size of your cervix. Ask your Village Health Clinic physician for more information on the advantages & disadvantages of cervical caps.

Other Women’s Health Issues to discuss with your Village Health Clinic physician include infertility & preconception care, menstrual problems (PMS, irregular / painful periods), Polycystic Ovary Syndrome, Fibrocystic Breast Disease, fibroids, menopause, osteoporosis & cardiovascular risk screening. The majority of health care needs can be addressed naturally.

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