When most people think of a routine OB/GYN visit, they think of annual checkups and pregnancy care. What many don’t realize is that those appointments can be genuinely life-saving. For women, access to a trusted OB/GYN in Lamesa, Texas, isn’t just a matter of convenience—it’s a matter of health, longevity, and quality of life.
Why Should I Go to the OB/GYN?
An OB/GYN has the capability and knowledge necessary to tend to female specific health concerns. They can accompany you in the most intimate aspects of your wellbeing, and are properly trained to help you with things that are difficult to share with regular doctors.
Going to the GP for ordinary appointments can be an overall check-up that gets all the major things for a lot of people. But for women, going to the OB/GYN is where a significant part of your healthcare gets the in-depth discussion it needs.
You may think that obstetrics and gynecology are only for when you are on birth control or pregnancy related stuff. And while that is certainly an important part of it, there are many other things that are essential for your wellbeing.
Here we dive into 5 life-saving services that you should have, available at our OB/GYN in Lamesa, Texas at South Plains Rural Health.
Learn more: OB/GYN in Lamesa, Texas: When Should I See a Specialist?
1- Pap Smear: STIs and Cervical Cancer
The pap smear is probably the best known procedure that OB/GYN offices offer. It’s a routine test, where the medical professional examines the vaginal canal, and swabs a sample of the tissue at the entrance of the cervix.
The cells collected are analyzed to determine if they are cancerous or pre-cancerous in nature. In some cases pap smears are also used to test for some STIs.
Cervical cancer is the 4th most common type of cancer and takes around 300.000 lives worldwide each year. Catching it early is the best defence we have against it, and getting an annual pap smear after becoming 21 is ideal to protect yourself.
Much work still needs to be done to increase adherence to cytology. Less than 60% of women in the US report having annual pap smears. At South Plains Rural Health, we understand that women may not go to their appointments out of not living close enough to big cities, which is why we have an OB/GYN in Lamesa, Texas, to tend to the rural population.
2- Breast Exam: Mammograms and Tumors
Another life-saving test that looks for cancer is the breast exam. It’s quite common to overcome with swift treatment if detected while still in stage 1, however the chances of surviving get slimmer as the illness progresses.
This is why getting an annual breast exam at the OB/GYN is essential, as it provides life-saving information with a quick physical evaluation. It might be a little awkward at first, but rest assured that our medical staff work with the highest standards of professionalism, and are also deeply understanding towards any issues you may have.
As women age, getting a mammogram might be the best thing to add on to the annual test. The machine does a quick x-ray that helps analyze tissue better, making it easier and faster to catch any anomalous growths that raise concerns.
Learn more: Why a Mammogram Is the Best Way to Detect if a Woman has Breast Cancer
3- Pre-natal Exams: The More You Know the Better
A huge step in any person’s life is making the decision to be a parent. All sorts of planning and decisions come with having a child, and one of the most important things is getting the necessary pre-natal tests at an OB/GYN, to guarantee the best conditions for fetal development, and to prepare for any needs the baby may have once they are born.
This medical process for some begins even earlier, consulting with a doctor about what can be done to increase the possibility of getting pregnant, getting pre-natal vitamins, etc.
It is always better to go to the appointments your medical professional recommends, even if it can sound like a lot of work and time. Pregnancy is actually very risky, and going to the office regularly is advised to avoid any possible complications that can be managed before they escalate.
South Plains Rural Health understands that healthcare is expensive and that can drive people to cut some corners. After all, pregnancy and caring for a baby isn’t cheap. But we also believe that everyone should have access to our OB/GYN in Lamesa, Texas, regardless of economic status, which is why we offer accessible pricing and a sliding fee rate that can accommodate your means.
4- Postpartum Care: Mental Health Check-ups
Although not common, there are some complications that can also occur during the postpartum phase. Something that has been gaining notoriety lately is the importance of mental health for new mothers.
Postpartum depression is not something to be taken lightly, and catching on to it within the first weeks of the feeling taking over can save the lives of both mother and child. Getting proper support and providing understanding helps immensely in navigating this confusing and upsetting situation.
Although psychiatric help may be needed after getting a diagnosis, your OB/GYN should always be on the look out for signs when new mothers have their regular appointments. If you are having worrying thoughts after your delivery, please contact a medical professional.
At South Plains Rural Health, we offer mental health support and therapy to deal with anxiety and suicidal thoughts. Asking for help is the bravest step and you are not weak for seeking it.
5- Overall Health: a Focus on the Female Body
Did you know that historically women are less likely to be taken seriously by medical staff than men? Pain dismissal by doctors has and continues to put women’s lives in danger, due to unconscious biases that have existed for many centuries.
At the same time, it has been the standard for the majority of medical investigations to use the male body as reference, resulting in quite the gap of information on how health issues affect the female body and it’s specific afflictions.
Going to an OB/GYN that you trust, guarantees that when looking at your symptoms, when checking your vitals, the specific needs and problems that affect your body will be front and center in a way that sadly slips through the cracks in the average GP office.
The Well-woman exams available at our OB/GYN in Lamesa, Texas are comprehensive annual appointments where you can get all the recommended tests plus have your overall health checked with a focus on the specific needs of your body.
Some issues that can be misdiagnosed by non-specialists are more often given the importance and proper treatment that every person deserves, saving time, money and in some cases even your life.
Where to Find and OB/GYN in Lamesa, Texas
At South Plains Rural Health we pride ourselves in offering our patients a service free of any kind of discrimination, as we believe that nobody should be treated differently for their race, sex, ethnicity, income and any other kind of difference.
If you want to find an OB/GYN in Lamesa, Texas with compassionate staff that can help you feel comfortable for such a vulnerable part of health, our clinic has a board-certified team of medical professionals that guarantee excellent service at an affordable price for our community. Contact us and schedule your appointment!