Women's Health and Well-Woman Care in Boulder, CO
Most women split their health care between two offices: a primary care provider for everything general, and a separate GYN for the annual exam, the pap smear, and the birth control refill. Both have waitlists, and your records live in two places. Base Camp Health handles women's health as part of your primary care, so one provider who already knows your history covers the well-woman exam, the screenings, and the questions in between.
Ruth Bentley, FNP-C is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner who has practiced in Boulder since 2020. A well-woman visit here runs 45 to 60 minutes, which leaves room for the exam, your screening history, and whatever you came in wondering about. Because Base Camp Health is a direct primary care practice, you can text her afterward with the question you thought of in the parking lot.
What women's healthcare at Base Camp Health includes:
Fatigue, heavy periods, painful sex, brain fog, low libido: these take longer than 15 minutes to sort out, and are often multi factorial. If a lab comes back abnormal, you follow up next week at no extra cost instead of waiting for next year's annual.
Women's health is one of many covered services in a Base Camp Health membership, starting at $125/month for adults. Labs run at member pricing through Quest and Labcorp.
Well-woman exams: a full annual visit with breast and pelvic exam as appropriate, plus a review of where you stand on screening
Pap smears and cervical cancer screening: collected in office during your visit
STI and STD testing: confidential screening and treatment, with panels run through Quest or Labcorp at member pricing
Birth control: prescription contraception (pill, patch, ring) and a straight conversation about the options, including the ones Ruth refers out
Mammogram and bone density (DEXA) orders: Ruth writes the order, points you to a local imaging center, and reviews the results with you
Menopause and perimenopause care: symptom evaluation and treatment, including hormone replacement therapy
Period and cycle problems: heavy, irregular, or painful periods, PMS and PMDD, and PCOS evaluation
UTIs, yeast infections, and bacterial vaginosis: in-house testing and same-day treatment
Osteoporosis and osteopenia: screening and ongoing treatment once a DEXA result comes back
Thyroid, iron, and fatigue workups: the labs behind low energy, hair changes, and heavy periods
Pregnancy testing: in-house confirmation and a referral to a Boulder OB or midwife.
Base Camp Health is a family practice, for the elements of women’s health that belong with a specialist (IUD and implant placement, colposcopy, endometrial biopsy, prenatal care and delivery, and fertility care), Ruth refers patients to trust local midwives, OBGYNs, surgeons and oncologists. She knows the Boulder specialists and will tell you who to see.
Same for imaging. Mammograms, bone density scans, and pelvic ultrasounds happen at outside imaging centers- choosen with you in mind.
FAQs
Do you do pap smears?
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Yes. Ruth collects pap smears in office during well women exams. Members can opt to pay discounted member prices or bill insurance.
How often do I need a pap smear?
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Do I still need a separate GYN?
For most women between 21 and 65, every 3 to 5 years, depending on your age and which test is used. Ruth will tell you where you land at your annual visit.
Can Ruth order my mammogram and bone density scan?
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Yes. She writes the order, refers you to a local imaging center, and reviews the results with you. The scan itself is billed by that facility and is not included in membership.
When should I start mammograms, and how often?
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The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends a mammogram every two years for women aged 40 to 74. Your own history may call for a different schedule, and that is what the conversation at your annual visit is for.
Yes. Screening and treatment are confidential and handled at your visit, with lab panels at member pricing or through insurance.
Ruth prescribes contraception (pill, patch, ring) and manages it over time. For an IUD or a contraceptive implant, she refers patients to local midwives & OBGYNs
Many women do not. Ruth handles the annual exam, the pap, screening orders, contraception, and menopause care. She refers you out for procedures like IUD placement, colposcopy, and prenatal care.