Care focused on your health and well-being
Gynecologic health includes your sexual health and wellness. It is not just about physical health but also mental and emotional wellness, healthy relationships and making the right choices for you.
No matter your age, you should feel in control of your body and your relationships. From protecting yourself to choosing if or when to get pregnant, you will have access to compassionate and supportive medical care with Baylor Scott & White.
Your women’s health provider can support you in all aspects of female sexual health and will not judge your decisions. Your provider will listen to your preferences and goals to find the best solution or treatment for you.
Family planning
You may want to get pregnant later in life, or you may choose not to have children. Your women’s health provider can discuss options for planning your family, whether you are looking for birth control or egg preservation. Our providers work with families of all types interested in surrogacy, insemination and other alternatives for having children.
Infertility
Both women and men can experience infertility, and the causes can range from medical conditions and age to physical abnormalities. Infertility can be challenging, but with the help and support of a dedicated fertility specialist, couples can find the right treatment and gain hope for having the family they want.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
STIs are bacterial or viral infections transmitted through sexual contact of any type. Anyone sexually active can get an STI, no matter their age.
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common STI in the United States, but fortunately, it can be prevented with a vaccine. Other common STIs include syphilis, gonorrhea and chlamydia, which can be treated effectively.
Sexual health and safety
Sex should be safe, pleasurable and consenting, without coercion or violence. Unfortunately, more than half of women in the United States experience sexual violence during their lifetime, and these incidents can have a lasting impact on a woman’s health and well-being.
If you are worried about your safety or in an abusive relationship, the first step is talking to someone you trust. You can contact many organizations, such as the National Domestic Violence Helpline (1.800.799.7233). Your healthcare provider can also connect you with helpful resources.
Our female reproductive health services
Taking care of your sexual and reproductive health is vital for your overall well-being. You can find the support and treatments at Baylor Scott & White.
Birth control options
You can choose from numerous birth control options, depending on your personal needs, medical history and goals for having children. Your provider will discuss the various pros and cons and help you choose the best birth control method for you.
- Contraceptive implants: Progestin-releasing implants inserted under the skin on your arm
- Emergency contraception: Medication, such as the morning-after pill, that you can take up to five days after unprotected sex
- Intrauterine devices (IUDs): Progestin-releasing or copper (non-hormonal) devices inserted into your uterus that last up to 10 years
- Tubal ligation: A permanent option for birth control performed as an outpatient procedure, if you know you do not plan to have any more children
- Short-term hormonal methods: Birth control pills taken daily, hormonal patches and vaginal rings replaced monthly, and injections or shots given every three months
Fertility and reproductive care
Your healthcare team can support you and your partner through fertility treatments. Women and men have access to a wide range of treatment options, including treatments for underlying health issues and advanced options, such as in vitro fertilization and uterus transplants. Your OBGYN can refer you to a fertility specialist, who will complete an evaluation and discuss your options with you and your partner.
STI treatment
Your provider can test you for many STIs. Testing is a simple but important process, mainly if you are pregnant or think you are at higher risk, as many common STIs do not cause symptoms. Regular checkups and conversations with your doctor are crucial for sexual wellness throughout your life.
STI treatments include:
- Antibiotics: Used to treat gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis
- Antiviral medications: Helpful in preventing outbreaks of genital herpes and managing HIV/AIDS
HPV vaccination
The HPV vaccine can prevent many forms of HPV that can cause cancer. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that vaccination start at age 11 or 12. However, if you did not receive the vaccine as a child, you may still benefit from it. Your provider can discuss whether you should get it and offer other strategies for preventing HPV.
Mental health counseling
Many women experience both physical and psychological issues with sex throughout their lives. If you find sex painful or no longer enjoy it, your gynecologist can help. Your provider may be able to connect you with resources to address past sexual traumas or abuse, depression, anxiety and many other mental health conditions.