Other Services

Walk-in pregnancy testing
Urine pregnancy tests are available during normal business hours and are free of charge.  Results are given in private by a HGC counselor who can then address any questions or concerns you have regarding the results of the test.  If the results of the test are positive, an appointment for an abortion can usually be scheduled at that time, if desired.  Please call the Center for walk in testing hours.  Results are most accurate if a woman has missed her period by at least a week.

Emergency Contraception
Emergency contraception, more commonly known as the “morning after pill,” is a contraceptive or birth control method that can prevent pregnancy immediately after unprotected sexual intercourse or contraceptive failure, but before pregnancy begins.  Reasons for unprotected sex and contraceptive failure vary greatly, but some situations include sexual assault or rape, condom breakage, skipped or missed pill or not having access to a contraceptive method during the time of intercourse.  Emergency contraception is intended for emergency situations and not as a regular method of birth control. 

Emergency contraception prevents pregnancy by delaying ovulation, inhibiting fertilization and/or preventing implantation of a fertilized egg.  Emergency contraception will not interrupt an established pregnancy and does not function as “abortion pill.”  Emergency contraception will not be effective if taken after a woman is already pregnant.

Emergency contraception should be taken within 72 hours of unprotected sexual intercourse and can reduce the risk of pregnancy up to 89%.  Some clinical trials have shown that efficacy (how well it works) is greatest when emergency contraception was taken within 24 hours of unprotected intercourse and decreases somewhat during each subsequent 24-hour period, so it becomes less effective the longer you wait to take it after unprotected sex.  However, at HGC, emergency contraception is available as many as 5 days after unprotected sex.  Emergency contraception is available over the counter to women 18 or older, and is available at Hartford GYN Center during regular clinic hours for all women (those under 18 will need to meet a nurse).  Please call if you require this service and we will be happy to give you more information.

Pap smears and Well Woman examinations
The Pap Smear is a way to examine cells collected from the cervix. The cervix is the lower part of the uterus (womb) that opens into the vagina (birth canal).  The main purpose of the Pap test is to find abnormal cell changes that may arise from cervical cancer or before cancer develops.  The Pap test is one of the easiest and most effective ways to monitor any changes in your cervix, and detect problems quickly.  This test is recommended yearly for most women, and can be done at a well woman visit along with other services.  Please call the office for more information.

STD Testing and Treatment for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea
Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by the bacterium, Chlamydia trachomatis, which can damage a woman's reproductive organs. Even though symptoms of chlamydia are usually mild or absent, serious complications that cause irreversible damage, including infertility, can occur "silently" before a woman ever recognizes a problem.

Gonorrhea is a very common infectious disease. CDC estimates that more than 700,000 persons in the U.S. get new gonorrheal infections each year. Only about half of these infections are reported to CDC. In 2002, 351,852 cases of gonorrhea were reported to CDC. In the period from 1975 to 1997, the national gonorrhea rate declined, following the implementation of the national gonorrhea control program in the mid-1970s. After a small increase in 1998, the gonorrhea rate has decreased slightly since 1999. In 2002, the rate of reported gonorrheal infections was 125.0 per 100,000 persons.

Several laboratory tests are available to diagnose Chlamydia and gonorrhea. A doctor or nurse can obtain a sample for testing from the parts of the body likely to be infected (cervix, urethra, rectum, or throat) and send the sample to a laboratory for analysis.  Please contact the Center for appointment information if you would like to schedule for this service.

Colposcopy
Colposcopy is a painless examination of the cervix and vagina with a low power microscope called a colposcope. This examination, usually done between menstrual cycles, takes between 10 and 30 minutes. Colposcopy is recommended if a cervix looks abnormal or if a pap smear indicates the presence of abnormal cells to aid in the diagnosis and in planning treatment if cervical disease is present.

During your colposcopy, you will lie on the exam table just like you do when you have a regular pelvic exam. Your healthcare provider will use an instrument called a speculum to hold the walls of the vagina open. Your provider will then apply a solution to the cervix. This causes any abnormal areas to turn white. You may feel a slight pressure or burning for a few minutes.

The cervix is then viewed through the colposcope, which is placed at the opening of the vagina. Your provider will look though the colposcope to locate any problem areas on the cervix or in the vagina.  The colposcope provides a magnified view that clarifies abnormalities or locates the appropriate area from which to take tissue samples (biopsy). If any areas are of concern, your healthcare provider may recommend a biopsy or LEEP procedure.   Please contact the Center to schedule an appointment for this service.

IUD Insertion
An IUD (intrauterine device) is a birth control method available for patients desiring long-term contraception for up to 5-10 years.  The IUD is placed inside the uterus, and prevents pregnancy until it is removed.  There are two available IUDs, the Mirena or Paragard.  Patients who wish to explore this option of birth control may contact the Center to schedule an appointment for this service.  Women scheduled for an abortion procedure can also speak with a counselor on the procedure day about the steps necessary to obtain an IUD.

Options Counseling
Women who are facing an unplanned pregnancy are encouraged to schedule an options counseling appointment free of charge at the Center.  During this appointment, the Counselor can answer questions and provide information on all pregnancy options, provide comfort and referrals, and a confidential and safe space for the patient to discuss her feelings.  Please call the Center if you would like to schedule an options counseling appointment.

Ultrasound for Gestational Sizing
Women who wish to have an ultrasound, but are not necessarily planning to terminate the pregnancy, can schedule an appointment with Hartford GYN Center on any of our procedure days.  The office offers ultrasound services that are fast, convenient, and will be able to determine exactly how far a patient is in her pregnancy (the result will be accurate to within a few days).  This information may help a woman in a variety of ways, whether she chooses to continue with her pregnancy or not.  Ultrasounds will be done for a fee that will be applied to the cost of an abortion for any woman who chooses to terminate the pregnancy.  While HGC’s ultrasound scan will not be able to detect sex, or any fetal problems or abnormalities, our staff will be happy to answer any questions that a patient might have about her ultrasound result, and will be happy to offer a referral for additional testing when necessary.

For more information on services at Hartford GYN Center, or to make an appointment, please call 860.525.1900 or 800.877.6335.