What if we also have a warning light? Then what will our bodies indicate, ladies?
A big blinking red light, right.
Because only 2% of women go for regular check-ups and are aware of their health, and the remaining are living and thinking they’ll go if the problem arises. Don’t you think, taking care of our bodies should be our priority?
We understand you are busy with your work, family, and me time. But ladies, you can pull out a day in a year to take care of your reproductive health. Women have widely different health in comparison to men, and they need more care than they know.
More than half of the population of women are aware of feminine health problems, yet they don’t even bother to visit a gynecologist. Either they talk to friends, family members, or their spouse, but avoid visiting the doctor. And their main concern is, what if an issue is detected?
It is crucial to understand that early detection can prevent you from major health complications.
Cradle Children’s Hospital in Jaipur encourages women to take a step towards their health.
Why is An Annual Gynecology Screening Necessary?
In India, between 56% to 82% of women delay or avoid seeking medical care due to a lack of awareness. While out of that, more than 90% of women feel ashamed to talk about it. Fertility care, menstrual health management, menopause care, and sexual and reproductive health care are some of the topics also covered during the examination.
Your annual check-up is like a report card that shows how your body is working.
Why is Women’s Health Deteriorating?
- Lack of Knowledge and Awareness- women need to understand the importance of routine preventive screening to avoid the risk of long-term damage. Not having knowledge related to their own health, misinformation, and taboos, which create barriers to seeking professional medical help.
- Lifestyle- eating and drinking unhealthy food items, not focusing on health through regular check-ups, weight gain, less physical exercise, stress, and exposure to pesticides are also contributing factors.
- Lack of Accessibility- first, most women don’t even know who to and how to consult. More than half of the women reported having reproductive morbidity (suffering from a medical disease).
- Delayed Diagnosis- sometimes, women are unable to understand why they are experiencing so much inflammation in their bodies, and they consider the issue to be either food or work.
- Lack of Personalized Management and Education- regular visits allow women to access care by discussing their health concerns. But avoiding visiting doctors and ending up doing self-care, or choosing social media self-proclaimed gynecologists’ recommendations, takes away their opportunity to access care and education.
- Intreated Primary Gynecological Concerns- around 66% of the women with reproductive illness remained untreated. Issues like endometriosis, fibroids, chronic pelvic pain, and pelvic inflammatory diseases are some examples of reproductive health concerns that are usually ignored by most women. Ignorance leads to issues that result in problems like cancer or infertility.
That is why, rather than glorifying not visiting a gynecologist because your body is not indicating any issue, it is better to encourage each other and understand the importance of regular women’s health check-ups.
Why Women Should Consider Annual Gynecology Check-ups?
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Early Detection-
Screening tests are designed to detect health problems in their early stage, even before the signs start to show. Through medical history, risk factors, and signs (if any), gynecologists can able to detect the issues. Screening for cancer, STDs, and other tests is conducted depending on age. If a diagnosis is done on time, it can prevent you from major health complications. Therefore, sexual health and STI screening are important, since the majority of infections, such as chlamydia and gonorrhea, are asymptomatic. More than 374 million new STI cases occur every year in the world. Providers also guide contraception, safe sex, and sexual wellness.
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Mental Health Support-
Along with physical health, the mental health of women has a strong correlation, as both are interconnected, which influences their health.
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Menstrual Health Condition-
Screening aids in diagnosing several reproductive health conditions early, such as irregular periods, pelvic pains, infertility, and other hormonal imbalances. One such condition is PCOS, which affects 6-13% of reproductive-age women, of which almost 70% remain undiagnosed and thus become one of the leading causes of infertility. Thyroid disorders are yet another factor affecting reproductive health. Early screening thus ensures better management of menopausal symptoms and overall well-being.
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Early Prevention of Cancer-
Another priority is the prevention of cancer: cervical cancer accounts for over 14,000 new cases annually, while breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the world. Early symptom identification, like abnormal bleeding, can save lives.
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Contraception and Planning of Pregnancy-
It provides women with an opportunity to update methods of birth control while planning healthy pregnancies. It also offers menopause support and manages the signs like hot flashes, bone health, and hormonal changes because these can also increase the risk of osteoporosis, which usually increases after age 50.
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General Health Monitoring-
This includes blood pressure, BMI, and lifestyle factors. Many women rely on gynecologists as their main wellness provider; thus, these visits often extend beyond reproductive health to overall preventative care, which is a bonus for you.
Examinations and Tests That You Shouldn’t Skip
– Pap Smear and HPV Test
This is the most important test that every woman should participate in. The cases of cancer are continuously growing because of the negligence and delay in diagnosis. Women aged 21 to 29 are recommended to go for these tests every 3 years. This indicates the seriousness of the issue.
– Breast Examinations:
One in 8 women has breast cancer, and most of them are diagnosed at a later stage. Although our bodies started showing signs in the early stages of breast cancer, we do avoid those signs. But with annual check-ups, you can get to know whether your breasts are healthy or not. And if not, early diagnosis can help in preventing cancer. Apart from annual screening, you can conduct monthly analysis by yourself.
– Monitoring Ovarian and Uterine Disorders:
Menstrual irregularities, endometriosis, polyps, cysts, fibroids, hormonal imbalance, and overall quality of life are analysed under this test. A pelvic exam and ultrasonography are conducted to visualize ovarian functions and the uterine lining. Also blood test is used to check the hormonal level.
– Screening for UTI (urinary tract infection) and STD (sexually transmitted diseases):
STI do not always comes with red signals; sometimes they happen without even knocking door. Urine, swab, blood test, and lumbar puncture are conducted from the vagina or anus to determine the situation. Depending on the results, it is analyzed whether you have an infection or not. Remember that it is nothing dirtier than you need to be ashamed of. These basic gynecological tests are only to make your body healthy.
– Ultrasound and Pelvic Examination:
This might not be a test that every woman wants. Still, it is one of the most crucial examinations that helps in understanding the uterus, cervix, ovaries, bladder, rectum, and fallopian tubes. These tests detect abnormalities, identify infection, screen for cancer, evaluate infertility, and diagnose symptoms before they become serious.
– Bone Health Assessment:
Assessment of bone health is, therefore, an important component of women’s annual gynecological examination in view of the fact that, compared to men, women are at a far greater risk of developing osteoporosis, and even more so after menopause when levels of estrogen drop and bone loss accelerates. Early assessment helps detect problems before they can cause serious fractures or long-term disability, as bone density decreases silently without noticeable symptoms. The gynecologist will identify risk factors, recommend lifestyle modifications concerning calcium and vitamin D intake, weight-bearing exercises, and may suggest further testing with a DEXA scan when necessary. Regular evaluation ensures strong bones, better mobility, and the prevention of age-related complications.
– Cancer Screening:
Cancer screening forms the most important aspect of annual gynec checkups, as this enables the early detection and prevention of cancer common in women, such as cervical, breast, uterine, and ovarian cancers. Precancerous changes are normally detected by regular tests, including a Pap smear and HPV screening, long before symptoms may arise, which makes cervical cancer extremely preventable. Clinical breast examinations and appropriate imaging can find indicators of the presence of breast cancer at the earliest and most treatable stage possible.
Final Note
Annual gynec check-ups are just for women for are pregnant or planning to have; these are a basic necessity for women. Think like that, a woman goes through immense hormonal fluctuation throughout the month, then think, consider how much her body undergoes throughout the year. With regular check-ups, you can prevent yourself from diseases or health complications. Also, these visits will let you know what is going on in your body. So, rather than talking to your friends or partner about your health, it is better to get expert advice.
Cradle Children’s Hospital is helping so many women to know about their bodies better, so that they can take care of themselves. If you are looking for someone to consult about your reproductive health, then Cradle Children’s Hospital is the ideal choice, as they offer one of the best gynecological services in Jaipur.
Book your consultation today, and start your journey of long-term good health.
Get in Touch With Us.
Hesitation should leave the place when it comes to your baby. With our experts, mothers can ensure their smoothest journey to motherhood. Book your appointment and begin your journey with adequate care.
What else we offer:
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Visit us:
212, Neminagar Extension,
Near Karni Palace Underpass,
Vaishali Nagar, Jaipur.
FAQ’s
How often should one visit a gynecologist?
Although doctors recommend going for this once a year, depending on the situation, like unusual discharge, irregular periods, bleeding, pain around the breast, lumps, or any other unusual problem. Make sure to take care of your health, and understand the signals that your body gives.
At what age should one start annual gynecologist visits?
After 13, teenagers should start visiting a gynecologist for annual check-ups. This is not just about knowing your fertility or sexual health. The purpose of these early visits is to let girls be aware of the menstrual cycle, issues, sexual health, and many more, so that they can make informed decisions.
Is regular screening different from full-body check-ups?
Yes. In regular check-ups, doctors take essential tests based on age and condition. While in full-body, they access the test in comprehensive detail.
Why are regular checkups crucial?
First of all, you will get peace of mind, and secondly, you can get to know about your health, because sometimes, we ignore some minor infections that can turn into major issues.
