Your annual well-woman exam is crucial to your whole health. So, what should you be asking?
Breast Health
Ask about when you should begin your mammograms. Most women with average risk for developing breast cancer start mammograms between 40 and 49.
Your doctor will take into account your family history and other factors to determine the right age to begin screenings.
Pap Testing and HPV
Certain strains of HPV (human papilloma virus) are linked to an increased risk of cervical cancer, so sometimes an HPV test will be ordered along with your pap test.
If you test positive for HPV, you could require more frequent screenings, but this does not mean you will develop cervical cancer.
One way to decrease risk is with the HPV vaccine.
Incontinence
Incontinence can affect women at any age. If you experience leaking when you laugh or pick up something heavy, there are treatments that your gynecologist can recommend.
Menstrual Cycles
Everyone’s different, but in general you should tell your gynecologist if:
- Your period lasts longer than seven days
- Your cycle occurs more frequently than every 21 days
- You’re saturating more than one pad an hour
Infertility
Women with no underlying conditions have a 20% chance of conceiving every month with an 85 to 90% chance of conceiving within 12 months.
Talk to your gynecologist about the best way to boost your odds. Sometimes, it’s a simple fix related to the timing of your cycle, while other times, there’s a condition to address first.
Scheduling Annual Check-Ups
At AdventHealth for Women, we offer a trusted partner for your health care journey. Doreen Forsythe BSN, RN, our Women’s Health Navigator, is an experienced health care advocate who can help find the right care for you and schedule an OB/GYN visit. Learn more at http://www.herhealthnavigator.com/.