As a woman, it is important to make sure that you are doing everything you can to ensure that you are making it to your yearly OBGYN health screenings. Even if you believe that you are perfectly healthy, there are some very good reasons to get this type of appointment scheduled for yourself. Keep reading to find out what those reasons are.
Breast Exams
Regular breast exams are an important step when it comes to obtaining an early diagnosis of breast cancer, and the sooner breast cancer is discovered, the better. The yearly breast exam given by your OBGYN should be in addition to the self-administered breast exams that you should be doing at home. This way, if you were to miss a lump, your OBGYN will be able to find it, especially since he or she will have much more experience in regards to what to look for.
Pelvic Exams
You want to make sure that you are in good health when it comes to anything that a pelvic exam would be able to check out. You can find out if you have any conditions or diseases and whether there are any other causes for concerns. Some swab tests will be taken at the time of your visit, and you will have to wait for the results, as the swabs have to be sent over to a lab to be processed. Many OBGYN offices will simply call you if there is a reason you need additional testing or scheduled for treatment. If you do not hear anything back from them, your tests were most likely all good.
Discussion Of Birth Control
It is important to make sure that you and your OBGYN are keeping in touch regarding the birth control that you are using and how it may be working for you. Remember, some birth control methods will have side effects that range from mild to severe, and they can appear right after starting them or a year later. Discussing how the birth control is working for you and whether there is a better option for you is vital.
If you do not have your next OBGYN appointment scheduled, or you are long overdue for one, you will want to make that phone call as soon as possible. If you do not have an OBGYN doctor, you can call your insurance company to find out which local offices take your insurance and call around to find a new one. For more information on health screenings for women, contact your local medical clinic today.