Our Clinic

At Signature Medical Women's Health Clinic, we are committed to providing our patients with a range of advice and services related to women's general and reproductive health. We focus on ensuring our patients are equipped with all of the information, support, and care they need in making informed choices regarding their health; whether it's providing guidance regarding the right birth control options for your lifestyle, offering prenatal and postnatal advice, to supporting women as they transition through menopause.
 

IUD Clinic 

Did you know that 50 per cent of pregnancies in Canada are unplanned and half of these are the results of contraceptive failure? It is important to know that not all unplanned pregnancies are unwanted. We strongly believe in the importance of educating and informing patients on the available options for contraception, ensuring patients have improved access to the most effective form of contraception on the market, long acting reversible contraception (LARC).  

Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are one of the most recognized LARCs that have various uses including contraception, management of heavy menstrual bleeding, painful menses and endometriosis. They are most commonly used for contraception (including emergency contraception) due to their convenience and are an excellent choice for any women of child-bearing age.

RAICE clinics must meet the following criteria: 

1. Have an expert IUD insertion team
2. Accept patients making their own appointments without referral by their health care provider
3. Appointments for IUD discussion and insertion made quickly
4. Offer training in their communities to the public and/or to other health care providers
5. Are committed to continuously improving the care they provide
6. Must provide access to the copper IUD as emergency contraception

Choosing your IUD:
 

Note: Copper IUDs are available for sale at the clinic. Additionally, the LARC Nexplanon® was recently approved in Canada. We will update our website with information on the availability of this product once more information is available. 

Prior to your procedure: 

• Review the information above and come prepared with your questions to the first appointment 
• No unprotected intercourse for a minimum of two weeks prior to your IUD insertion appointment
• If you currently have an IUD in place, abstain from intercourse for one week prior to your appointment 
• Come prepared to your appointment to provide a urine sample (we always want to rule out pregnancy prior to your insertion)
• Take ibuprofen 600-800mg one hour prior to the appointment if you are able to tolerate for pain control
• You are welcome to bring a support person to join you during your appointment if that will make you more comfortable

Please watch the below video, which describes what occurs during your procedure. 

The procedure takes place in the office and takes approximately 20 minutes. The actual insertion itself only takes a few minutes. 

After your procedure: 

• You may continue to experience cramping for up to 7 days. You are welcome to manage this cramping with ibuprofen 600mg to 800mg every 6-8 hours as needed
• Avoid the use of tampons, menstrual cups or intercourse within the first 24 hours after your procedure to reduce the risk of infection
• If you develop symptoms of fever, abnormal vaginal discharge or lower abdominal pain, please call the clinic at 403-454-7550
• You are encouraged to use back-up contraception (e.g. condoms, abstinence) for 6 weeks after your insertion as the risk for expulsion of the device is greatest during this period of time
• Book your 6-week IUD check-up appointment to review your IUD and to make sure it is in good position

IUD FAQs

Do I need a referral to be seen?

A referral is strongly encouraged from your family physician or a walk-in clinic so that a note of your visit can be sent to the referring provider.

What is your cancellation policy?

We fully understand that life may get in the way and you may need to reschedule your appointment. We kindly ask that you provide our office with a minimum of 24 hours (business) notice if you need to cancel your appointment so that our staff can kindly reschedule you as soon as possible. Patients providing less than 24 hours notice or those who fail to show up to their appointment will be charged $50-$100 depending on the nature of the visit.

What happens at my 6-week IUD check-up appointment?

This appointment allows your physician to do a check-in with you to see how you are coping with your IUD. A pelvic examination will be performed to confirm placement of the IUD.

Patients are strongly encouraged to book an appointment to explore the various options available to them prior to booking their IUD insertion appointment.These appointments are generally best for patients coming in for a replacement of their device rather than first time IUD users.

Helpful links:

SEX & U   RAICE

Reproductive Health and Family Planning

We provide women with advice and support that allows them to make the right decision as it relates to family planning and their reproductive health. We offer services for the following regarding reproductive health:

• Family planning/preconception care
• Prenatal care until 24 weeks
• Pregnancy tests
• Counselling and support regarding pregnancy decision-making
• Referrals to appropriate providers
   

Fertility 

Family planning is an important aspect of reproductive care when couples have the opportunity to prepare for starting their families. We know that 16% (1 in 6) couples in Canada will struggle with infertility and it is important for couples to understand that we are here to help support them through this journey. Dr. Shymansky is happy to see and provide education, and referrals when appropriate, to heterosexual and same-sex couples who have a desire to start planning for pregnancy. 

Infertility is defined as failure to conceive after a reasonable period of intercourse without the use of contraception for women under the age of 35 and six months for women over the age of 35. Women over the age of 40 trying to conceive should speak to their doctor if they are not pregnant after 3 months of unprotected intercourse. 

Causes of infertility may be related to female factors (e.g. age, tubal factors or uterine factors), male factors (e.g. poor sperm quality, low sperm count), combination of both, or unexplained. A common misconception is that infertility is often because of the female. Therefore, if you and your partner are trying to conceive, it is important that an assessment of both partners takes place in order to identify a root cause.

Dr. Shymansky will arrange for the appropriate tests, investigations (bloodwork, imaging) when appropriate, and will guide patients in providing appropriate referrals to help assess for fertility. 

Prior to conceiving, women are strongly encouraged to do the following:

• Start folic acid 0.4mcg daily (taking a standard prenatal vitamin will also suffice) 
• Avoid smoking, alcohol and recreational substances 
• Try to embark on a balanced diet and exercise
• Ensure your pap is up to date
• Arrange for a dental check up

Once pregnant, you will be assessed and sent for a variety of bloodwork and imaging. Prenatal genetic testing will also be offered as a part of your prenatal care. 

Helpful links:

PREGNANCY INFO

Contraceptive Care

The clinic also provides education and counselling for other forms of contraception including:

• Birth control pills
• Evra Patch
• Depo-Provera injection
• NuvaRing®

Emergency contraception 

Emergency contraception is contraception that is used to reduce the risk of an unintended pregnancy. This may be the result of contraceptive failure such as missing a dose of your medication, failed condom use, sexual assault or unintended pregnancy after vaginal intercourse. Various options available include: 

Copper IUD 

This is the most effective form of emergency contraception and is 99% effective in preventing unintended pregnancy. It can be inserted up to 7 days after unwanted sexual intercourse. Another great benefit of the copper IUD is that it can also provide ongoing contraception.

*We will soon be providing copper IUDs on site at our women's health clinic so there's no need to go to a pharmacy after your appointment to obtain your IUD. 

Ella® (ulipristal acetate)

Roughly 65% effective when taken within five days of unprotected intercourse. It is more effective than the progesterone only containing pill (i.e. Plan B), and doesn’t seem to be affected by the women’s body size.

Plan B®

A pill that contains progesterone and is roughly 50%  effective and most effective when taken within 24 hours of unprotected intercourse. It’s efficacy declines the later it is taken, but it can be taken up to five days after unprotected intercourse. If you weigh more than 165 lbs. or have a BMI > than 25, it is advised that you speak to your physician as the medication may not be as effective.

Helpful links:

WHAT'S NEXT FOR ME
 

Menopause