Women's Clinic

• Routine annual women’s exam; includes:
  • Hematocrit (a finger-prick blood test)
  • Urinalysis
  • Breast exam
  • Physical exam (including a Pap smear and pelvic exam)
  • STD/STI testing (optional during an annual exam; discuss your concerns with your practitioner to determine if testing for STD/STI is necessary for you)
• Birth control advice and prescriptions
  • Provision of long-acting reversible forms of contraception (IUD, contraceptive implant, Depo Provera)
• Sexually transmitted disease/infection (STD/STI) testing and treatment
  • Provision of pre-and post-exposure prophylaxis against HIV (PrEP and PEP) 
  • STD/STI testing is offered at your annual exam, or you can schedule an appointment to be tested. The Women’s Clinic is able to test a variety of STDs/STIs including HIV, syphilis, chlamydia, herpes and gonorrhea. Results are usually available within a few days, and a follow-up appointment is required to review the tests results. Test results cannot be given over the phone.
• Emergency contraception prescriptions for students age 17 and younger. (No prescription is necessary for women ages 18 and up.)
• Gardasil (HPV immunization)
  • Gardasil is a three-part vaccine series designed to protect against four of the most common strains of HPV that cause 70 percent of cervical cancers and 90 percent of genital warts. It is highly recommended for women nine to 26 years old and is available through the Allergy and Immunization Clinic. Appointments for the Gardasil vaccine usually last 10 minutes with little to no wait time after the injection. You are expected to pay for only the injection you receive at your appointment, not for the entire three-part vaccine at once. Schedule an appointment to receive the vaccine.
• HIV testing
  • HIV testing is done by blood sample. Results are ready for review with the patient in a few days.
• Judgement-free pregnancy counseling and referrals
  • Pregnancy testing can be done by either a urine or blood test. Urine tests will have results in five to 10 minutes, and the results of the blood tests are available in 12 to 24 hours.
• Breast health assessment
  • A clinical breast exam is performed during the routine annual exam. You can also schedule an appointment if you have a problem or concern.
• Referral and assistance with management of transgender concerns
• Evaluation and treatment for other common women’s health issues such as:
  • Menstrual concerns (cramps, irregular bleeding, PMS, other related problems)
  • Vaginal infections
  • Urinary tract infections
  • Sexual assault support services
    

Although the Women’s Clinic would like to meet all the needs of the female population, there are some services that the clinic cannot perform. The Women’s Clinic will be happy to provide you with a referral to OB-GYN physicians in the area that are available to help with these services. Services the Women’s Clinic cannot perform include:

• Colposcopies (a procedure performed to detect early precancerous lesions)
• Prenatal care

Student Health Services (SHS) is committed to a culture of safety, dignity,
respect and patient privacy. Sensitive examinations are times when these values are especially important to uphold.

SHS seeks to provide a safe and empowering experience during sensitive examinations by
engaging patients in the informed consent
process and offering clinical chaperones. Our goal is to ensure that patients are informed, active partners in their healthcare.


What is a sensitive examination?

We define a sensitive examination as a physical examination of body parts that are typically covered by undergarments such as underwear and bra. These body parts include genitals, pubic and pelvic region,
buttocks and anal/rectal region, and breasts. Additionally, since every patient has a different history and a different experience with their body, you may define other body parts as sensitive. How you
define your sensitive body parts also may vary from day to day. We encourage you to let us know if you have specific needs or concerns about any physical examination of your body. We can always make time to discuss this with you in more detail.

What is a clinical chaperone?

A clinical chaperone is a member of the SHS staff who has specific training in providing support for a safe, respectful and dignified interaction between provider and patient during a sensitive
examination. The chaperone serves to observe both the patient and examiner and assists as needed. You can and should request a clinical chaperone any time you feel it would improve your sense of safety and respect at Redfern Health Center. Your provider also can request a clinical chaperone if they feel it would support the safety, dignity and respect of the interaction.

Of note, patient visitors/family members and clinical learners are not appropriate chaperones.

What is informed consent?

As with all aspects of your health care, you have a right to control what does and does not happen with your body during your visit to Redfern Health Center.
If your provider determines that a sensitive
examination is necessary to best evaluate your
health concerns, they will obtain informed consent from you prior to the exam.
This conversation will include information about why your provider feels this examination is clinically necessary, what the exam will involve, and a discussion about the use of a
clinical chaperone. You will have a chance to
ask questions.
Remember, this conversation is designed to give you information to make a good decision about your own health. The choice is always yours. You can always decline the examination or change your mind about your decision at any point.

What can I expect from a clinical chaperone during a sensitive exam?

Clinical chaperones will typically come into the room for the sensitive examination only, unless you
prefer a different arrangement. They will stand in a place where they can actively support both you and your provider without impacting your right to privacy any more than is strictly necessary. They are also available to assist either you or your provider if asked to do so. Once your exam is complete, they
will usually leave the exam room with your provider to allow you to get dressed in private.

Can I request a chaperone with a specific identity?

It is vitally important to us that you feel comfortable with, protected by and respected by the clinical
chaperone. If you have specific needs regarding the identity (gender or otherwise) of your clinical
chaperone, please let us know and we will do everything we can to accommodate that need. If we
cannot accommodate your needs due to staffing, we will work with you to find a mutually acceptable alternative plan.

Other SHS commitments during sensitive examinations:

• We will always give you privacy to
 undress and dress.

• We will provide drapes, gowns and shorts that allow you adequate cover for your
body during an examination.

• We will uncover only the parts of your
body that need to be examined and
 keep them uncovered for the shortest time necessary to allow for appropriate examination.

• We will foster a culture of
 responsibility and accountability within
 Redfern Health Center, to include clear reporting mechanisms should anyone suspect unsafe or unprofessional behavior.

• We will continue to monitor research and best practices regarding sensitive examinations, chaperone use and 
respectful clinical care. We will adjust and improve our policies and practices as needed.

• We will listen to you when you have questions, voice concerns or provide feedback.

If your first visit to the Women’s Clinic is for your annual exam, you should allow ample time for your appointment as an annual exam appointment averages about an hour, much longer than other types of visits to the Women’s Clinic. During this time, you will be filling out paperwork concerning your personal and family health history, your height and weight will be measured, and the following procedures will be performed: hematocrit (finger prick/stick), urinalysis, head-to-toe physical, breast exam, Pap smear and pelvic exam.

If your first visit is a problem visit, your appointment will most likely require much less time than an annual exam. During your appointment, your vitals will be taken and your problem and concerns will be discussed with the nurse or nurse practitioner. Any additional tests or exams will depend on the problem.

There are many decisions to make when choosing the right birth control method for you, from what type of hormones to how often you want to remember to take it (daily, weekly, monthly, etc.). If you are not sure which method of birth control is best for you and your lifestyle, the nurse or nurse practitioner will discuss the different types of birth control with you. Usually, you will be able to make an informed decision within the visit.

The quick-start method (starting the pill on the day of your exam) has become the easiest and most popular method to start the oral contraceptive pill. Another option is to start taking the active pills on the first day of your period. There is no wrong time to start the birth control pill, but it is important to remember, once beginning, to take the pill about the same time every day (plus or minus one hour).

When taking birth control pills, it is important to remember to take your active pills about the same time every day. However, if you do miss an active pill, there are steps you can take to get back on track.

• If you miss one active pill, take it as soon as you remember. Take your next pill at your regularly scheduled time; this could mean taking two pills in one day.

• If you miss two active pills in a row, take two pills on the day you remember and take two pills the next day. Then take one active pill daily.

• If you miss three active pills in a row, you may start a withdrawal bleed. If you are taking a monophasic pill (a pill that contains the same amount of hormones in each pill), you can start taking your pills where you left off, skipping the placebo pills and go to a new pack of pills. If you are taking a tri-phasic pill (a pill that contains varied levels of hormones), once you have started a withdrawal bleed, start a new pack of pills, using a backup method for seven days.

If you are approaching the time for your annual exam, make an appointment for your annual exam, and the Women’s Clinic will refill your prescription at that time. If your prescription will run out before your next annual appointment, there is no need to run out of birth control pills. Simply call and schedule a 15-minute appointment with the Women’s Clinic or come to Redfern and ask to be seen in the nurse’s clinic, where you will be provided with a prescription to last you until your next annual exam.

During the first few months of taking the pill, your body will be adjusting to the introduction of hormones, so you might experience spotting between withdrawal bleeds, called breakthrough bleeding. If you continue to experience breakthrough bleeding after three cycles on your pill, you should make an appointment to change your birth control prescription. Emotional changes lasting more than three weeks warrant a change in birth control, and you should make an appointment to change your prescription.

If you have started taking birth control, there’s no need to be concerned. Withdrawal bleeds on birth control usually are lighter, shorter and less painful. If the period/withdrawal bleed is heavier, longer or more painful, you will need to make an appointment with the Women’s Clinic to see a nurse practitioner.

If you have concerns about pregnancy, schedule an appointment with the Women’s Clinic. We can address these concerns and provide you with reliable testing. Serum and urine testing is available through Student Health Services' laboratory. Urine test results are available in five to 10 minutes, while serum blood test results take 12 to 24 hours.

Plan B (also called the Morning After Pill/Emergency Contraceptive) is a backup birth control method that can prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex or when other methods of contraception fail. It is most effective if taken immediately after unprotected intercourse has occurred. If taken within 72 hours of unprotected sex, studies show that pregnancy can be reduced by 89 percent, and while the percentage decreases over time, Plan B can be effective up to 120 hours after unprotected intercourse. To take Plan B, take one tablet as soon as possible and take the second tablet within 12 hours of taking the first. Or you can take both tablets at the same time; it is just as effective and easier (since it prevents forgetting to take second tablet).

If you are 18 years or older, you do not need a prescription to obtain Plan B. Redfern’s Pharmacy does offer Plan B. For privacy, a notepad is located at the pharmacy window for requesting Plan B or refills on other medications. If you are not sure that you need Plan B, please feel free to call Student Health Services' Women’s Clinic.

Yes. All visits, medical or psychological, are strictly confidential. Your medical records cannot be released without your written consent except in the event of a life-threatening medical emergency, under subpoena or for reporting certain contagious diseases.

If you think you have been sexually assaulted, it is important that you take the following steps.

DO

• Go to a safe place

• Call someone you trust for support

• Call 911

• Seek medical attention as soon as possible

If the attack occurred in the last 72 hours, it is important that you do not do any of the things listed below before going to the emergency room. If you believe you were given a date rape drug, be sure to tell the emergency room personnel.

DO NOT

• shower

• urinate

• defecate

• douche

• drink

• eat

• smoke

• comb your hair

• change your clothes

Contact CU CARES at 864-656-2451 to obtain counseling services or to see what support services are available to you.

Additional Resources

• Clemson University Police Department: 911 or 864-656-2222

• Healthy Campus: Interpersonal Violence
  

  • What to Do: Survivor of Sexual Assault or Victim of an Abusive Relationship

  • Local and national resources