WH – Diversity Liaisons

Women’s Health Resources

All information found on this page can be downloaded as a handout

Family Doctor

-Services done:
– Annual Check-ups
– Breast exam & Pap tests
– Pregnancy
– Flu & Cold, small pains
– Referrals to Specialist
– Order medical tests

How to find a family doctor:
– College of Physicians and Surgeons website (search by language – advance search)
– Search one near an address on Primary Care Network website
– Call Health Link Alberta 811
– Ask your friends and family

Pharmacist

Consultations provided on:
– Prescribed & non-prescribed medicines
– Vitamin & supplement use
– Doses
– Prescription list
– Weight management
– Tobacco Use

Alberta Health Services Nutrition Services

General Health

Call 811 and ask for Dietician/Nutritionist for questions

811

Health Condition

Patients with long-term health condition can sign up for Alberta Healthy Living program. This program have access to a dietician.

1-844-527-1160

Pregnancy

Low-income families can sign up for services by Best Beginning Program. This program have access to a dietician.

403-228-8221

Diversity Liaisons

Diversity Liaisons of Alberta Health Services offer general nutrition sessions.

DiversityCalgary.ca

Women’s Health Topics

1. Breast Health

Breast cancer screening
80% of women with breast cancer have no family history
90% of women with breast cancer have no gene mutation
Self / clinical exam done at annual check-up
Affects 1 in 8 women
Family doctor’s referral needed for mammogram

2. Pap test

Cervical cancer screening
Sexually active women: start at 25
3 years after having sex: e.g. 25+3= start at 28
Then once every 3 years till 69
Pap test: family doctor / women’s health clinics
Colposcopy test: family doctor’s referral needed

Consider Vaccination

100% of cervical cancer are caused by HPV
sexual or skin-to-skin contact in genital area
75% of sexually active people will get HPV
hide in body for years
vaccine is good for females: 9 – 45 ; males: 9 – 26
vaccine: 3 shots in 6 months

3. Sexual Health

Talk to your Family doctor
Sexual and Reproductive AHS Health Clinics (Appointments only)

Services these AHS clinics offer:

Birth control information, supplies and prescriptions
IUD & contraceptive implant insertions & removals
STI, HIV, and syphilis testing and treatment
Emergency contraception
Pregnancy testing and pregnancy options support (parenting, adoption, abortion)
Pap tests
Post-abortion check-ups
Care after a sexual assault

4. Obstetrics & Gynecology

Women’s Reproductive system consult
Minor surgeries
Hysterectomy
Hormone therapy
Abnormal periods
Abnormal cysts
Severe PMS

What is the difference between Menopause & Perimenopause?

Menopause

– No period for 1 year
– Around age 50 (mid 40 – mid 50)
– Normal changes in reproductive and hormone systems
– Some treatments can trigger earlier

Some of the common symptoms include:
– Irregular periods (light/heavy bleeding, shorter/longer)
– Hot flashes
– Insomnia
– Emotional changes, depressed
– Headaches
– Heart beating too fast/unevenly
– Problems with remembering or thinking clearly
– Vaginal dryness

Overtime, many improve or go away.

Perimenopause

– Process of change leading up to menopause
– Late 30~early 50
– Can last for 2 to 8 years

5. Pelvic Floor

Bladder or bowel problems
Uncontrolled loss of urine
Treatment
Family doctor’s referral needed

6. Osteoporosis

Bone health test (bone density test)
Affects 1 in 4 women over 50
Family doctor’s referral needed

Risk Factors

– Not enough calcium
– Older than 65
– If a family member broke a bone after age 50
– If you have broken a bone after age 40
– If you are a women and have been through a menopause

How to reduce risks

– Enough calcium and Vitamin D
– Exercise (Weight-bearing and resistance)
– Stop smoking
– Lower your caffeine intake
– Limit your alcohol intake

7. Colonoscopy

Colon Cancer screening
Affects 1 in 13 men, 1 in 16 women
Home stool test FIT at 50, once a year
Colonoscopy – family doctor’s referral needed

Resources

Alberta Healthy Living Program

– Education classes
– Better Choices, Better Health (Peer Support)
– Nutrition services
– Free and at various sites in Calgary
– Virtual and in-person available
– To register, go online or call 1-844-527-1160

Women’s Clinic – Mosaic Primary Care Network

– Self-referral or family doctor’s referral
– 1-2681 36 St NE, 403-250-5066
– Pap test, breast examination, birth controls including IUDs, STI testing and counselling, menopause and more
– Interpretation available

811 Health Link

– For any general health questions, please call 811 Health Link.
– 24/7, free, confidential
– Interpretation available.
– baby care advice and classes

All information found on this page can be downloaded as a handout. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us.