The time for New Year’s resolutions is almost upon us. For those looking to improve their well-being in 2017, PGOMG has a list of five resolutions you can make to address your gynecological health.
Schedule an annual well woman exam.
Annual exams, also known as well woman exams, provide an annual opportunity for you to check in with your gynecologist and get screened for preventable health conditions. Well woman exams include a breast exam and Pap test, so the appointment should not be put off or ignored. Save time during your next appointment and learn how an annual exam can help prevent cervical and breast cancer.
Vocalize any symptoms or health concerns ASAP.
If you experience changes to your period, such as irregularity or change in flow, changes to your breasts or any other symptoms, it’s very important to contact your PGOMG provider and see if they advise visiting the office for an appointment. Unpleasant symptoms like painful periods and heavy menstrual bleeding aren’t something you should have to put up with, and treatments are available at PGOMG. Strange symptoms may indicate an underlying but undiagnosed health condition, so it’s still important to contact PGOMG.
STD and STI prevention.
Practicing safe sex to prevent an STD (sexually transmitted disease) or STI (sexually transmitted infection) comes down to the decisions every woman makes with her partner. Disease and infections that are transmitted from sexual contact can come from oral and anal sex as well, so it’s incredibly important that you take the appropriate steps to protect yourself. If you have any questions regarding STD screening, treatment or prevention, please contact PGOMG today.
Family planning goals.
Perhaps your plans to start a family won’t start taking shape for another couple of years, but if you do wish to start trying for a pregnancy in the next few months, PGOMG recommends considering preconception counseling. Preconception counseling walks you through the steps that are important prior to becoming pregnant, including how to evaluate peak fertility times during your ovulation cycle.
Consider vaccination.
PGOMG offers the HPV vaccine Gardasil to help prevent against the spread of HPV (human papilloma virus), which is linked to cervical cancer. The vaccine is recommended by the CDC to young women and men starting as young as 12 – you do not need to be sexually active to receive the vaccine. HPV is spread through intercourse, but even a condom cannot fully protect a person from getting the virus.
The start of a new year is the perfect time to reassess all of your goals, including ones relating to healthcare. No one is going to take care of any troubling concerns or important questions for you, but PGOMG is here to help whenever you are ready to reach out.
