All women ages 21 and older should have yearly check-ups including a pelvic exam and Pap test. If she begins to have sexual intercourse or develops a problem before that age she should begin getting exams at that time. This allows early diagnosis and treatment of conditions that could affect her health and child-bearing capacity in the future. For example cervical cancer is curable if it is found early. Many women come here just for the exam, but this visit also gives them access to birth control prescriptions if needed.

It is important to know that babies born as a result of an unintended pregnancy are at higher risk of birth defects and other problems. Proper care BEFORE pregnancy reduces these risks. Some forms of birth control have health benefits in addition to preventing unintended pregnancy.

The need for regular exams continues throughout a woman's life. Women ages 40-64 may qualify for Pennsylanvia's Healthy Woman Program, which provides free mammograms and Pap smears for uninsured women whose income falls within 185% of the federal poverty level


Here's what will happen if you decide to come to us for this important care.

Call (570) 387-0236 for an appointment at any of our locations. We will do our best to schedule a convenient appointment as quickly as possible. You can be seen during the day or evening though we do not  have weekend hours.

    *  For birth control, a gynecological exam is needed.

    *  For Emergency Contraceptive Pills you will need to be
        seen within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse. 

    *  For a pregnancy test your period should be at least 2 weeks 
        late to ensure an accurate test result.

WHEN YOU ARRIVE if it is your first visit here you will need to fill out a medical history and a consent form. You will be shown our privacy policy. Then you will talk with a nurse or counselor who will determine your needs and provide the information you need to make choices about your care with us. YOUR PRIVACY IS CAREFULLY SAFEGUARDED AT ALL TIMES. EVERYTHING IS CONFIDENTIAL!!

IF YOU ARE COMING FOR A PREGNANCY TEST you will not need an exam, so the nurse/counselor will be the only  medical staff you need to see. We will need a urine specimen so try not to to go to the bathroom for several hours before your appointment. The test only takes a few minutes & you get the results immediately.  The nurse/counselor can also answer questions about where you can go for care if you are pregnant. Sometimes a positive pregnancy test is joyful news; sometimes it is not. We offer non-directive options counseling if you need it. That means that we can discuss all available legal options and make any referrals you request. We will help you to think through all the elements of making this critical decision, but we will not tell you what you should do. That decision must be yours and we will respect and support you through this process.

IF YOU ARE COMING FOR AN EXAM, YOUR EXAM will be done by a sensitive, qualified clinician. This may be a nurse-practitioner, physician's assistant, or doctor. Most of the time it is a woman. S/he will perform the examination or testing you came for and dispense or prescribe any treatment or supplies you need.

We keep most of these medications and supplies in stock and give them to you before you leave. The cost - if there is one - is usually about half the drugstore cost. If we don't have what you need, we'll call a prescription in to your drugstore.

The clinician will discuss exam findings & tell you when test results will be available. We will call you only if there's a problem. They will tell you when you need to come back & make any referrals needed