Many women aren’t sure who to call for their care. Should you book your primary care provider, or go straight to an OB/GYN? The uncertainty leads a lot of people to either double up on appointments or, worse, skip care altogether. The reality is that a primary care or internal medicine provider handles a large share of women’s health, from screenings to menopause, and the providers at Millennium Park Medical Associates in Chicago’s Loop can manage most of it in one place.
More than most people expect. A primary care provider trained in women’s health can take care of routine and ongoing needs without a separate specialist visit, including:
Can a primary care provider do a pap smear? Yes. A pap smear and pelvic exam are a standard part of women’s health care at a primary care practice like MPMA. You can see the full scope on our women’s health page.
The advantage of handling these through primary care is continuity. The same provider who tracks your blood pressure, thyroid, and mental health also manages your screenings and hormones, so nothing falls through the cracks between offices.
Most women’s health care begins with one annual appointment. The well-woman visit is where your provider reviews your history, performs age-appropriate exams, and orders the screenings you are due for.
A typical visit covers a health and reproductive history review, a physical exam, and a conversation about any symptoms or concerns. Depending on your age and risk, that may include a pelvic exam and pap smear, a clinical breast exam, and bloodwork. It is also the natural moment to discuss contraception, irregular periods, or menopause. Much of this folds neatly into your annual physical.
Due for a well-woman visit? Book with the women’s health providers at MPMA in the Loop. Call (312) 977-1185 or request an appointment online.
Primary care covers a lot, but it does not replace an OB/GYN or other specialist for everything. You will typically still want specialist care for:
The point of a good primary care relationship is not to handle everything alone. It is to manage what fits primary care, recognize what doesn’t, and coordinate the referral when you need a specialist. At MPMA, that coordination is part of the care.
Several of the conditions women deal with most are well within the scope of an internal medicine practice.
Hot flashes, night sweats, sleep changes, and mood shifts are treatable. Options range from hormone replacement therapy to non-hormonal medications, and the right approach depends on your symptoms and health history.
Polycystic ovary syndrome affects periods, weight, skin, and fertility, and it often goes undiagnosed for years. Primary care can diagnose it, manage symptoms, and coordinate further care when needed.
Thyroid conditions are more common in women and can quietly drive fatigue and mood changes, so a simple blood test is worth it. Depression and anxiety also affect women at higher rates and shift with hormonal changes, which is why mental health care is part of whole-person women’s health, not separate from it.
Urinary tract infections and vaginal infections are common and very treatable. Prompt UTI treatment keeps a minor issue from escalating.
Patients across Chicago’s Loop and nearby neighborhoods choose MPMA for women’s health handled alongside their primary care, by providers who know them by name rather than by chart number. The practice is led by Farah N. Khan, MD, FACP, who brings more than 20 years of internal medicine experience. With a convenient Michigan Avenue location, same-day availability, and a private, judgment-free setting, getting care is genuinely easier.
Millennium Park Medical Associates 30 S Michigan Ave, Ste 500, Chicago, IL 60603 Phone: (312) 977-1185
Make your health a priority this year. Schedule a women’s health visit at MPMA in the Loop. Call (312) 977-1185 or request an appointment online.
Can a primary care provider do a pap smear and well-woman exam? Yes. Pap smears, pelvic exams, and well-woman exams are a standard part of women’s health care at a primary care practice like MPMA in Chicago.
Do I need an OB/GYN, or can primary care handle my women’s health? Primary care handles most routine and ongoing women’s health, including screenings, contraception, menopause, and common conditions. You will still want an OB/GYN for pregnancy and delivery, complex gynecological surgery, and certain specialized issues, and your provider can coordinate that referral.
Does MPMA treat menopause and PCOS? Yes. MPMA provides menopause symptom management, including hormone replacement and non-hormonal options, and diagnoses and manages PCOS and other hormonal concerns.
Where is MPMA’s Chicago women’s health clinic located? MPMA is at 30 S Michigan Ave, Ste 500, Chicago, IL 60603, in the Loop near Millennium Park. Phone: (312) 977-1185.
Is MPMA accepting new women’s health patients? Yes. MPMA welcomes new patients for women’s health care. Call (312) 977-1185 to schedule.
For most women, comprehensive women’s health does not require juggling multiple offices. A primary care provider can handle your screenings, hormones, and common concerns, and coordinate a specialist when you truly need one. The providers at Millennium Park Medical Associates in Chicago’s Loop offer that care in one place that knows your history. Call (312) 977-1185 or request an appointment to get started.
