Health is an important facet of everyone’s life, but women often face unique health challenges that can lead to unpleasant complications.
Data from the National Health Survey indicates that 13% of women over 18 are in fair to poor health. Additionally, less than half perform the basic amount of physical exercise to meet federal guidelines, and over 32% of women over 20 are obese.
Well woman visits are an essential way to monitor your gynecological and overall health, and examine the risk of these and other problems. If you have a visit coming up, we have some things you should consider talking about.
If you live in the Lake Mary, Florida, area, and you have some concerns about your next well woman visit or other obstetric and gynecological needs, Dr. Christopher Quinsey and his experienced medical team are here to help.
Let’s take some time to look at some health concerns you may have, the benefits of a gynecological exam, and what questions might be helpful during one.
There are several common health concerns women face, including:
Several types of cancer are common and unique to women, such as breast, ovarian, and cervical cancer. Breast cancer is most common, but all of these are issues are common enough to be a matter of concern.
A variety of issues can cause depression, and women are twice as likely to deal with it as men. It can happen at any point, but the risks are higher during hormonal changes such as puberty, pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause.
Many factors can contribute to becoming infertile, such as medical problems, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), age, weight, lifestyle choices, environmental changes, and pelvic surgeries.
This visit allows us to gather information about your family history, health changes, lifestyle habits, and eating habits, along with a physical exam and various screenings to assess your current health and potential for health conditions in the future.
Height and weight measurements, blood pressure checks, breast exams and pelvic exams are all part of the process to better understand your health and what we can do to help if something is wrong.
General guidelines indicate that women should get a first pelvic exam by 21 and continue to get them up to 65 years of age every one to three years, depending on your specific health needs. These exams are used to check for many of the conditions listed above, including STDs, cervical cancer, and other signs of infertility.
Here are some concerns to consider asking about at your next visit by category:
Bring up any irregularities with flow, pain, cramps or other symptoms during your next visit.
If you’ve started having sex with a new partner, have symptoms of an sexually tranmitted disease, or have discomfort during sex, don’t be afraid to bring these issues up.
If you’re considering sex with a new partner or are having sex but don’t want kids, ask about the types of birth control available and which might fit your lifestyle.
If you’re thinking about having kids and have concerns about conditions that may affect pregnancy or your fertility in general, ask the doctor.
Breast, cervical, and ovarian cancer are major issues to be worried about, and if you have any symptoms or concerns, don’t hesitate to ask.
The changes you go through in life don’t wait for appointments, so even if you don’t have a scheduled visit, don’t be afraid to voice concerns about your health. Contact our office today for an appointment with Dr. Quinsey to get answers.
