As a woman, you probably have heard a lot about the importance of regular visits to the gynecologist from friends, family, or your primary care provider. Of course those visits can seem unnecessary when you’re feeling fine, but routine gynecological exams are a critical step to maintain your well-being from puberty to menopause. These are going to be of help to answer your questions and doubts, catch issues early on, and ensure your reproductive health in general.
But, when are these visits supposed to be? Our team at South Plains Rural Health Services is about to give you all the answers about this and other essential questions regarding visits to your gynecologist. Keep reading to discover how frequent they should be, as well as which exams are necessary to maintain your reproductive system.
Why Are Gynecological Visits So Important?
Taking care of your reproductive health is essential, which involves more than just watching out for your well-being when you’re trying to get pregnant. It’s about taking care of you, whether you’re a teen who just started your menstrual cycle, a woman trying to get pregnant, or approaching menopause. It is a whole process that involves awareness, regular screenings, and exams, to ensure a safe life—and your gynecologist can guide you through it.
Some things our gynecologist can help you with are:
- Reproductive health counseling
- Preventive care and regular screenings
- Early detection and prevention of health issues
- Address menstrual or reproductive problems
Related: 5 Ways an OB/GYN in Lamesa, Texas, Can Save Your Life
When Should I Go See My Gynecologist?
1. For Your First Visit to the Gynecologist
Experts recommend a first visit to the gynecologist for girls between the ages of 13 and 15. Not to perform any pelvic exams—unless it is medically necessary—but to learn about their reproductive system. This is the ideal time to learn what is normal when it comes to menstruation, and understand what is to be expected during puberty and hormonal changes, In addition to getting to know their gynecologist and building trust with them.
2. See Your Gynecologist for Annual Exams
Just as the name suggests, this exam should be performed yearly for women around the age of 21 to 29. During this check-up, your gynecologist conducts a pelvic exam, which is a brief and routine inspection of the female reproductive organs, to confirm that everything is in order. This is also the ideal time to discuss any complications with menstrual cycle, or fertility concerns.
After the age of 30, it’s possible to extend your visits to every other year, but do this only if your general wellness is good. If you’re trying to get pregnant, being treated for an illness, or having problems with your menstrual cycle, going to your yearly exam is the best choice.
Once a woman reaches the age of 40, starting on regular mammograms is also recommended, along with a routine check-up. For women entering perimenopause and menopause, yearly visits are a must. Your gynecologist will be able to guide and help you manage any symptoms that start to show up during this stage of your life.
3. If You Start Having Unusual Symptoms
It’s important to keep in mind that concerns about your reproductive health can arise at any time. If that happens you should see your gynecologist as soon as possible to avoid further complications—even if it’s outside of your routine exams.
Some unusual symptoms that warrant a visit to our professionals could include:
- Irregular or missed periods
- Bleeding between periods
- Abnormal bleeding during periods
- Unusual vaginal discharge
- Bleeding after menopause
- Pelvic pain that goes beyond usual menstrual cramps
4. For Routine Pap Smears and HPV Tests
After reaching the age of 21, women should begin getting pap smears every three years if their first result is normal. A pap smear involves taking a swab of cells on the cervix with the purpose of detecting precancerous or cancerous cells. A screening done in order to identify cervical cancer early on, when treatment is more likely to be successful.
After the age of 25, it’s also recommended to test for human papillomavirus (HPV) every three years. If your HPV tests and pap smears show normal results, it’s likely that our professionals would recommend extending these screenings to every five years—unless there are risk factors.
Come See Our Gynecologist for Your Annual Exam
Going to the gynecologist regularly is a small step to ensure that you’ll keep taking care of your reproductive system. It’s what will help you prevent problems, and maintain your overall well-being. At South Plains Rural Health Services we’re committed to delivering comprehensive care for women in Lamesa, Texas. To ensure that, our gynecological team is here to help you through every stage of your life, with expert examinations and personalized treatment. Contact us to take care of your wellness with our team of dedicated specialists.