What’s different about primary care tailored for women?

A woman’s health isn’t just about obstetrical, gynecological and breast issues. Many medical conditions affect women differently than men, explains Laura Lipold, MD, Director of Primary Care Women’s Health at Cleveland Clinic.

“Women can have different risk factors and symptoms than men,” she says. “Sometimes they require different treatments.”

Heart disease is one example. Women have a higher chance of dying from it. And they can have symptoms that are more vague and differ from those seen in men, she notes. While a man is more likely to have chest pain during a heart attack, a woman isn’t. Women more often experience “atypical” symptoms such as fatigue, lightheadedness, nausea, shortness of breath, or pain in their hand or arm.

“Recognizing these signs and risk factors could be life-saving,” Dr. Lipold says.

She and other board-certified family medicine and internal medicine doctors and nurse practitioners offer primary care tailored to women’s unique needs. They see patients at 19 Cleveland Clinic locations around Northeast Ohio, including Willoughby Hills Family Health Center and Mentor Medical Office Building.

These primary care providers (PCPs) have a special interest in providing and promoting high-quality women’s healthcare, education and research. They collaborate with other women’s health specialists, including Ob/Gyns, women’s health endocrinologists and women’s health cardiologists.

“The benefit of seeing a women’s health PCP is onestop convenience,” Dr. Lipold says. “Women can have their annual physical exam, cervical and breast cancer screenings, and other care without seeing multiple physicians.”

Women’s health PCPs care for all of a woman’s primary medical needs, including those that overlap medical specialties. For example, women with polycystic ovary syndrome sometimes can be treated by a women’s health PCP rather than going to: An endocrinologist for hormonal issues A gynecologist for menstrual abnormalities and reproductive needs A bone specialist for the associated risk of osteoporosis A cardiologist for the associated heart risk

“There are times when patients need to see specialists too, but women’s health PCPs treat conditions at all life stages – and at all ages,” Dr. Lipold says. “In some families, I have the privilege of caring for three generations of women.” Find a list of Primary Care Women’s Health specialists and locations at clevelandclinic.org/pcwhdocs. For an appointment with a Primary Care Women’s Health specialist, call 866.320.4573. Cleveland Clinic offers same-day appointments.

Laura Lipold, MD