Women’s Health

Lifelong Care for Women Of All Ages

At Salem Family Medicine in Salem, VA, we take an education-based approach to women’s health. When it comes to gynecological and reproductive health, we encourage patients to take an active role in their care. Whether you are seeking relief from painful periods or hoping to start a family, our providers can help you make informed decisions about your care. Salem Family Medicine’s women’s health services include routine preventative care, treatment for menstrual disorders, menopause management, family planning services and treating infections and sexually transmitted diseases. For more information, explore our women’s health service pages below.

Pap Smears

Salem Family Medicine is pleased to offer preventive care for cervical cancer. Regular Pap smears can detect cancer early, which can ultimately help save lives. According to the CDC, patients should begin Pap screenings at age 21. From there, if the results are normal, you should get screened every three years. However, every woman is different and we may recommend screenings more often based on your medical history. Other guidelines for screenings include:

  • Women between the ages of 21 and 65 should have a Pap smear every three years

  • Women 30 and older can have this screening every five years, when combined with the HPV test

  • If they meet certain conditions, women older than 65 may no longer need this screening

Breast Cancer Screening

Routine breast cancer screenings can help save lives—along with mammograms, they are the best method of identifying breast cancer early. Although screening cannot prevent breast cancer, it can help catch it early when it is treatable. Your risk of developing breast cancer increases with age, and women 40 and over should start getting regular mammograms, or X-rays of the breast tissue, as outlined by the American Cancer Society. If you have a family history of breast cancer, you may need to begin screenings at a younger age.

Menstrual Disorders & Menopause Treatment

From menstruation to menopause, a woman’s reproductive cycle—and all that comes with it—is a natural part of life. However, if at any point a woman feels that their resulting symptoms are too much to manage or are abnormal, we encourage patients to seek our help. We diagnose and treat menstrual disorders and offer various menopause treatments to make symptoms more manageable and promote women’s overall health.

Family Planning Services

Depending on your goals, family planning can either help plan for or help prevent pregnancy. At Salem Family Medicine, these services include planning for pregnancy, providing birth control and pregnancy testing and educating patients on their reproductive choices. We aim to foster a judgment-free environment that makes patients feel comfortable discussing their reproductive goals and concerns.

Vaginal Infections & STIs/STDs

Burning, itching, discharge and pain from the vagina may be symptoms of a vaginal yeast or bacterial infection or, in some cases, a symptom of sexually transmitted infections and diseases (STIs/STDs). While the causes of vaginal infections are not always clear, sexually transmitted diseases are spread through sexual contact. It is important to get regularly tested for STIs/STDs, even if you do not have any symptoms—these infections can often go undetected, and left untreated, can lead to more serious consequences. It is also advisable to get tested for STIs/STDs each time you have a new sexual partner. With our on-site lab, our team can diagnose a variety of sexually transmitted infections and develop a treatment plan that treats and/or manages your symptoms.