Women’s Health is an important branch of medicine specifically focused on the physical and emotional needs that affect a woman’s overall health.
While many men and women can experience the same illness or condition, they can be presented differently and require different treatment in women.
Along with reproductive health and pregnancy services, Cook County Health offers comprehensive care for every aspect of women’s health and overall wellness, including the conditions women are most at-risk to develop.
schedule an appointment with a Women’s Health provider
Arlington Heights Health Center
Austin Health Center
Blue Island Health Center
Cottage Grove Health Center
Dr. Jorge Prieto Health Center
Englewood Health Center
John Sengstacke Health Center
Logan Square Health Center
Morton East Adolescent Health Center
North Riverside Health Center
Robbins Health Center
Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center
Specialty Care Center
Gynecology
A gynecologist provides the diagnosis and management of the reproductive system and disorders that may affect your reproductive health.
Many women begin seeing a gynecologist during their teenage years and are recommended to have annual check-ups. The Cook County Health team provides general gynecology services, as well as more specialized care.
Menstruation and menopause management
Reproductive endocrinology and hormone care
Infertility services
Gynecologic cancer screenings and treatment
Family planning
Screening and treatment for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)
Chronic gynecological conditions
Pregnancy
Cook County Health provides complete care for pregnant women from early symptoms through postpartum.
Cook County Health specializes in general services, as well as maternal-fetal medicine, or high-risk health concerns for mom and baby. John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County is a Level III Regional Perinatal Center and provides the highest level of care to pregnant women and their newborns.
The labor and delivery facilities offer private and calming rooms with modern technological advances. Our commitment to women’s health is long-standing, and our broad range of expertise allows us to provide care for patients at every stage of their pregnancy and after. You can rely on us for care after your baby is born, so you can recover quickly and feel confident in your new role as a mother.
Routine checks
Advanced diagnostic ultrasound evaluations
Chorionic villus sampling
Fetal cardiac ultrasound
Fetal heart rate monitoring
Genetic screening and testing
Labor & Delivery
Medically complicated mothers or pregnancies
Ongoing care for mothers
Percutaneous umbilical cord sampling
Pregnancy complications: morning sickness, heartburn, leg and back pain, gestational diabetes
Mental Health
According to the Office on Women’s Health, 1 in 5 women are likely to experience a type of mental health condition.
For example, women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with depression as men are. Women can experience depression during any time of their lives. However, changes in hormones during menstruation, pregnancy, postpartum and perimenopause have been linked to depression in women. Talking to your doctor and seeking treatment can help treat your depression.
Cancers Affecting Women
Women can be affected by many types of cancer, but it is important to know about the cancers that most commonly impact women.
Heart Disease
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women.
However, heart disease may present itself differently in women than in men and the signs of a heart attack in women are subtler and less recognizable than in men. According to the American Heart Association, women can experience chest pain, but many women never have those symptoms. Many symptoms, like shortness of breath, pain in abdomen, nausea or vomiting, extreme fatigue, or dizziness and fainting, can mimic the flu or even acid reflux.
A woman’s risk of heart disease increases once they start menopause. During menopause, a woman’s ovaries stop producing estrogen and progesterone. This loss of estrogen is thought to be a major factor in why women have a greater risk of developing heart disease since it can increase blood pressure and cholesterol.
Osteoporosis
According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, an estimated 8 million American women develop osteoporosis.
While younger women can develop osteoporosis, in most cases women develop osteoporosis as they age and reach menopause. This is because during menopause, the ovaries stop producing estrogen, which protects your bones. Additionally, women also live longer than men, meaning their bones gradually weaken as they age.
Osteoporosis can be genetic, and many women do not know they have it until they fracture a bone. Women 65 and older, as well as high-risk women, are recommended to have a bone density test to determine if you have any bone loss. Speak with your doctor if you are under the age of 65 and think you should have a bone density test. Osteoporosis is generally treated with medication that either prevents bone loss or builds bone strength.
How to prevent osteoporosis:
Eat a diet high in calcium and vitamin D
Exercise regularly and stay active
Drink alcohol in moderation
Quit smoking
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