Taking care of our health should be a priority but we often find it difficult to make time for regular doctor visits. Busy work schedules and family obligations tend to take up the majority of our time. However, tending to our health is important because it gives us the tools we need to carry out other important tasks in life. If you haven’t been to the OBGYN this year, here are a few reasons you should make an appointment as soon as possible.
Visit the OBGYN for Your Overall Health
According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, women should start going to the OBGYN between the ages of 13 and 15 and should see the doctor every year afterward. The OBGYN will take your vital signs, check the abdomen for any abnormalities and inspect the body for lymph nodes. In some cases, you’ll also have a pelvic examination and other clinical tests if the OBGYN sees a potential issue. The doctor will check to see if anything abnormal is going on with your body and refer you to the appropriate specialist if need be. If you or your daughter don’t have a regular gynecologist, you can search online for ‘OBGYN near me‘ to find a doctor in your city.
Visit the OBGYN If You’re Pregnant
Your OBGYN should be an important part of your pregnancy. This is the doctor who will likely deliver your baby and help care for you while you’re pregnant. However, many pregnant women in the US don’t have a specific obstetrician. A study conducted from 2000-2009 on medicaldaily.com stated that 65% of American pregnant women receive medical care from several providers. It’s fine to search around until you find an OBGYN that you’re comfortable with, but you could run the risk of losing some of your important medical data that should be used to care for you and your unborn child if you don’t have an OBGYN that you visit before, during, and after your pregnancy.
Visit the OBGYN If You Have Irregular Periods
If you’re concerned about your menstrual cycle, you should make an appointment with your OBGYN as soon as you can. Some period-related issues could lead to reproductive and fertility issues if they are not addressed in a timely manner. If your periods are irregular, last longer than they should, or have stopped coming, you should talk to your gynecologist about this. Even though it may be uncomfortable to discuss, you should be as detailed as possible so your doctor can get to the root of the problem and prescribe the proper treatment to restore your health.
Visit the OBGYN for Your Breast Exam
Breast exams are usually recommended for women who are 40 and older. However, if you have a family history of breast cancer, you may need to have a breast exam at a younger age. Around 67% of women over the age of 40 get breast exams in the US according to Cancer.org. That means there are more than 30% of women who don’t get breast exams when they should. Cancer.org also reveals that the breast cancer death rate can gone down by 34% since 1990. This indicates that getting an exam every year is important for detecting early signs of cancer.
Visit the OBGYN for Pelvic exams and Pap smears
Women who are 21 and older should be pelvic exams every year, especially those who have irregular periods, pelvic pain, or infertility issues. While the exam can be uncomfortable, they are necessary for detecting problems and helping women maintain their overall health.
It is also necessary for women to get pap smears every few years. This procedure is quick and is just as vital as getting a breast exam. Pap smears can detect feminine health issues and hormone balance so it’s important for women to undergo this exam to become aware of any health issues and remedy them as soon as possible.
These are some of the main reasons you should visit your OBGYN regularly, but you should also make an appointment if you are dealing with specific health issues related to your feminine health. If you’re experiencing symptoms that are causing pain or discomfort or are gaining or losing weight without being sure of the reason, your OBGYN can diagnose your condition and come up with a treatment plan that can help you restore your health and get back to doing the things you love.
