Article
Create a checkup checklist for your next appointment
May 15 is National Women’s Checkup Day, which serves as an important reminder for women who are often taking care of children, parents and/or partners, that they also need to make time to care for themselves. Annual checkups can play a significant role in your overall health, especially because health care has become more personalized over the past few years. For example, recommendations about routine screenings have changed. New guidelines take into account women’s health and family histories when determining when screenings such as annual mammograms and PAP smears should start and how frequently they should be repeated.However, even if annual Pap smears aren’t recommended for you, you will still benefit from an annual checkup. There are many sexual, reproductive and gynecological health issues that are important to address.Bringing a list of questions and concerns to the appointment can help you ensure you are covering all your health bases. Matters you may want to add to your list include your:
- Menstrual cycle, including how regular it is, symptoms and their severity, and any changes or issues you have noticed.
- Risks for sexually transmitted infections (STDs) and need for screening. It’s possible to have an STD and not have symptoms. Testing is the best way to screen and diagnose.
- Birth control and family planning questions. We can help you choose the most appropriate birth option based on your health and lifestyle, and can also provide guidance about becoming pregnant when you are ready.
- Cancer risk factors and screening recommendations, as well as instructions for how to perform a breast self-exam.
- Other gynecological issues, such as frequent yeast or urinary tract infections, painful sexual activity or symptoms like itching or burning.
We want you to feel comfortable discussing all of your health issues or questions with us. There’s nothing you can ask us that we haven’t been asked before. Our goal is to provide the best possible care, and to empower you to play an active role in your health.Are you due for a checkup? Call us for an appointment today.
Related posts
Looking for more women's health insights?
We are pleased to announce that we now offer access to a free mobile app called Babyscripts, designed to help guide you through your pregnancy and postpartum journey.
Women’s menstrual cycles typically range from 21–35 days, counted from the first day of a period to the first day of the next one. Even if you are lucky enough to have a cycle that is regular and predictable, there will still likely be times when something throws it off. Below we explore some of the most common answers to the question, “Why is my period late?”
A woman’s fertility ebbs and flows across both her lifetime and her cycle, and can be impacted by a range of internal and external factors. Whether you are trying to become pregnant, or looking to avoid it, understanding what affects your fertility is important. When is your fertility the highest? We break down some highlights below.