Women’s Health: When Your Needs are Urgent
When your women’s health needs are urgent, it is not always clear what to do. Do you go to the urgent care center in person? Or is a virtual appointment better? Do you wait for an appointment with your OBGYN? Before you decide, you might want to consider the following factors.
Common Urgent Women’s Health Needs
There are several common women’s health needs that require urgent care.
Common urgent needs for women include:
- Urinary tract infection
- Vaginal discharge
- Burning
- Painful urination
- Stomach pain
- Pregnancy test
- STD test
If you experience any of these symptoms or needs, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Waiting could worsen your symptoms and any underlying conditions.
When Should You Visit an Urgent Health Center In-Person?
In general, the faster you seek and receive treatment, the better. However, not every woman’s health issue means heading to the emergency room.
You should visit an urgent health center in person when you have a medical problem that requires quick attention but is not fatal. Baptist Health Urgent Health Centers provide care for conditions that are not serious enough to require an emergency room visit but still benefit from treatment within 24 hours.
When Should You Wait for an Appointment with Your OBGYN?
In many cases, you can schedule an OBGYN appointment for the same day.
If you’re experiencing severe symptoms, it is always best to see a doctor right away. This is especially true if you are bleeding heavily or in pain. If your symptoms are milder, you might be able to wait a few days.
If you have recently had unprotected sex or think you might be pregnant, please see an OBGYN as soon as possible.
In general, it is always best to err on the side of caution and see an OBGYN sooner rather than later.
However, if your OBGYN is not immediately available, you can usually walk into a Baptist Health Urgent Care clinic without an appointment.
When Should You Schedule a Virtual Visit for Urgent Care?
There may be times when an urgent care video visit makes the most sense. If your needs are urgent but not a medical emergency, a video visit can save you time and money.
Plus, if you are unable to leave your home or do not have transportation, a video visit can be a convenient way to get the care you need.
When deciding whether to do an urgent care video visit consider the following:
- Do you live in a rural area?
- Do you have transportation issues?
- Are you too sick to leave your home?
- Do you have childcare challenges?
- Is the condition you are experiencing non-life-threatening?
If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, an urgent care video visit might be right for you.
Baptist Health makes urgent care video visits easy. You can access them through your My Chart account, using either your computer or smartphone, and usually receive care on the same day.
Video visits are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year.
When Should You Go to the Emergency Room?
If you or someone you know needs immediate medical care, contact 9-1-1 or go to the nearest emergency department right away.
The following are common medical emergencies:
- Chest discomfort
- Breathing issues
- Unconsciousness
- Extreme abdominal pain
- Stroke
- Severe bleeding
Learn More About Urgent Care at Baptist Health
Learn more about Baptist Health’s Urgent Care Services or find a Baptist Health provider online.
Next Steps and Useful Resources
