Women Between 18 And 39: Checkups You Shouldn’t Miss
You may be great at taking care of those around you, but every woman needs to learn how to take care of herself. One of the best ways to do this is to make sure you are going in for necessary checkups regularly. Here are a few you don’t need to miss.
Wellness Visits
Don’t wait until you feel sick to see a doctor. Yearly wellness visits are important because they can help your doctor spot potential problems before significant issues. Your wellness visit will include bloodwork that can reveal underlying problems, such as thyroid problems or diabetes. You will also have your cholesterol, and blood pressure monitored.
Wellness visits also give you a chance to talk to your doctor about your mental and emotional wellbeing. Stress contributes to various illnesses, so your doctor can help you figure out how to handle chronic stress so your mind and body don’t suffer.
Vaccinations
Kids aren’t the only ones who need to have regular vaccines. As we age, boosters for certain conditions may be necessary. Without them, we open ourselves to diseases that can affect our health on a much larger scale.
Make sure your checkups include updates on your vaccine record. You want to make sure you receive your vaccines on time, and you can also ask your doctor for yearly flu shots if needed. Ensure your doctor knows if you plan to get pregnant since you will need to make sure certain vaccines are updated before you do.
Pap Smear
Though no one looks forward to going in for pelvic exams and pap smears, they are necessary to take care of your overall health. Pap smears help check for cervical changes, and they can also help preserve your fertility by finding and treating problems early.
Recommendations for how often to have a pap smear vary depending on a woman’s health history. Talk to your doctor and expect to have an exam at least every 18 months to 3 years. An OBGYN in Richmond VA, can help make sure you are receiving the tests you need each time you go in, and they can tell you how often they will need to see you.
Eye Exams
Unless you are getting headaches or having vision problems, you may be tempted to skip your regular eye exam. That is a mistake. Glaucoma, macular degeneration, and even diabetes can be found at an eye appointment. Sometimes these conditions offer no symptoms in the early stages, which means catching them through regular checkups is even more critical.
Even high blood pressure and lupus can sometimes be detected through a routine eye exam. Catching these problems early gives you a better chance of treating them before you suffer from damage that is harder to cure.
Breast Cancer Screenings
Every woman needs to give herself breast exams at home. However, this is not a substitute for going to the doctor for breast cancer screening regularly. Doctors often notice things we don’t, and they have specialized tools to investigate any questions they have if the initial exam is not conclusive.
Discussing your family history with your doctor will also help her decide when you need more intense screenings, such as mammograms. Though most doctors don’t suggest those for women under 40, a family history of breast cancer may mean you need to start earlier. You can also ask your doctor if testing specific genes associated with breast cancer is beneficial for your unique situation.
Dental Visits
Going to the dentist does more than take care of your teeth. Dentists check your mouth for oral cancer and look for signs of habits that can cause you problems down the road. Grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw can lead to chronic pain, and a dentist can help you deal with these habits before they are a significant problem.
Dentists also check for gum disease. Regular checkups and cleanings mean you are less likely to have dental problems that cost a ton of money out of pocket or result in lost teeth.
It’s great to be young and feel well, but that doesn’t mean you should skip essential checkups. Plan your visits responsibly to cultivate your health as you continue to age.