We are located in the heart of West Hollywood, a thriving Lesbian, Gay, Transgender and Bisexual community and we are proud to be a part of it. We're family!
Everyone faces certain health risks, however, our beautifully diverse community experiences specific health concerns. Your individual risks are shaped by many factors beyond your sexual orientation and practices—including family history and age—it's important to select a provider that understands common health issues, social pressures, and our community.
Featured Services
Routine Healthcare
At The Doctor, we emphasize the importance of routine healthcare. We encourage everyone to make an annual checkup a part of your healthcare plan. Here’s what we recommend:
HPV. The virus that is more common than any other STI. HPV can cause cervical cancer in woman and anal cancer in gay men. Everyone needs to be checked annually for HPV, and gay men specifically need an anal PAP smear to check anal warts (condyloma) and anal cancer.
If you have precancerous cells or anal warts, you need a specialized treatment with a laser called an IRC. The Doctor performs this procedure in house at our office, so we screen, detect, and treat early-stage anal cancer all right here here in one comfortable place.
Anal cancer. The HPV virus causes anal cancer in men and cervical cancers in women. We can screen, detect, and treat early-stage cancer right here in our office.
Colon and prostate cancer. Annual screenings for our patients start at age 40, unless you have a history of colon polyps or colorectal, breast, ovarian or uterine cancers in your family. Those with such a history need to get screened earlier, so be sure to let your provider know if you have a family history of cancers.
HIV. At The Doctor, we follow the CDC’s HIV testing guidelines that recommend that all adults ages 13-64 get regular screenings. Our rapid HIV tests allow readings within 20 minutes onsite from our in-clinic lab. As always, we use up-to-date testing methods to provide the best care possible—a rapid 4th generation test that detects HIV after only 10 days of exposure.
Screening for other sexually transmitted infections. It is important for everyone, and especially LGBT men and women to2 be tested frequently for STIs. The frequency of your specific testing regimen is determined based on your sexual history.
Some clinics only test for STIs through urine, but The Doctor takes a more comprehensive approach. For our LGBT population, we test for Gonorrhea and Chlamydia at three sites—the throat, penis or vagina, and anus because we understand how you have sex.
Other things we check
Cholesterol. You should have it checked every year.
Blood pressure. Should be checked at least once every year.
Immune system. We include Vitamin D testing, which is a signal marker for the health of your immune system.
Diabetes. A simple blood test called Hemoglobin A1C , allows us to diagnose pre-diabetes or diabetes so that we can help you keep your blood sugar levels under control
Body Fat. We measure percent of body fat/lean muscle and body mass index.
Heart Disease. Our office staff will take an EKG (electrocardiogram) to test for all kinds of heart conditions.
After we complete your screenings, your provider will discuss results, treatment plan, and follow up needs with you.
Body Image Concerns
The LGBT community is more likely to experience body image problems and eating disorders, such as anorexia and bulimia nervosa, than straight people. If you're struggling with body image concerns or an eating disorder, come see us about treatment options.
If you’d like to learn about our aesthetic services, go here.
HIV Prevention: PrEP and PEP
HIV is no longer the death sentence it once was, and in fact, there are drugs that aid in the prevention of HIV pre and post exposure. We focus on complete care for LGBT issues, and that includes educating patients about options to protect against HIV and prescribing medication regimens that are appropriate for your medical needs.
Learn more about our HIV prevention services here.
Testing & Vaccines
Treatment for diseases has come a long way, but the best tool we have to fight serious health problems is to prevent them entirely or catch them and deal with them as early as possible.
Our team and onsite lab are ready to test you for sexually transmitted infections and prescribe follow up treatment and counseling, as well as to offer vaccinations you need based on your medical history.
We highly recommend that you get tested for sexually transmitted diseases or infections if you’re sexually active. Even those who are sexually active with only one partner should consider testing.
You should visit The Doctor as soon as possible if you’re experiencing any of these common STI-related symptoms:
Burning during urination
Itching
Discharge
Sores
Common vaccinations we offer include:
Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B
Measles/mumps/rubella
Influenza (flu shots)
Polio Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTP)
Chickenpox (varicella)
Pneumococcal
Travel vaccines
Substance Abuse
Substance misuse is a common and growing issue in our community, and we are here to help patients who struggle with substance abuse issues. If you’re dealing with a substance addiction, The Doctor can help. Our providers are patient, empathetic, and skilled with helping individuals successfully kick addictions. We’ve also developed long standing relationships with referral sources for specialty treatment if needed. And remember, The Doctor is a JUDGEMENT FREE ZONE, so come as you are. Our approach is motivational with a strong dose of accountability, but never confrontational. We’re The Doctor, not your parents. :)
Hormone Therapy
The aim of hormone therapy is to make you feel more at ease with yourself, both physically and psychologically. If you are experiencing discomfort because you’re unhappy with your male or female appearance, or if you’re uncomfortable in your gender role as a man or as a woman, talk to our providers. Our providers are ready to discuss ways to help you resolve conflicts you may have lived with for years.
Hormone treatment (testosterone if you are a trans man, and estrogen if you are a trans woman) may help to overcome your distress. This kind of treatment is sometimes referred to as ‘cross-sex’ hormone therapy, and should be managed only by professionals who are trained and well versed in the various therapy regimens.
Depression
LGBT people are more likely to experience depression and anxiety. Risk varies according to group, with gay and bisexual men experiencing a higher lifetime prevalence of anxiety and depression than lesbian and bisexual women. Suicidal attempts are also more common in gay and bisexual men, who have a lifetime risk four times higher than that of heterosexual men. If you are experiencing signs of depression, you need help and we’re here for you.
If you feel sad or miserable most of the time, or feel nervous, anxious or on edge, you may be depressed. Make an appointment to see one of our providers for an assessment and treatment.
Eye Exams
The Doctor recognizes the lack of attention given to the ocular manifestations that go along with HIV and AIDS. This is alarming because 70% of this patient population will experience problems in and around their eyes. Some of these issues may not become apparent until vision is irreversibly compromised.
If you are HIV positive, you are at a higher risk of vision loss due to a complication called HIV retinopathy. Unfortunately, most HIV providers don’t screen patients for this vision impacting retinal disease. We are closing the care loop for HIV patients with convenient access to eye care and screenings by board certified ophthalmologists, right from within our clinic.
If any of the following applies to you, come get an eye exam:
HIV positive and haven’t had an eye exam in the last year
Over the age of 40 and haven’t had an eye exam in the last year
African American or Latino who hasn’t had an eye exam in the last year
White over the age of 50 and haven’t had an eye exam in the last year
If you are experiencing vision loss, eye pain, or blurred vision
