WH – Diversity Liaisons

Women’s Health Resources

Resources

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

Healthcare professionals

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.

Disclaimer: This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an “as is”, “where is” basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from such use. Last updated August 2022