As a woman, you have unique health needs. Fortunately, gynecologists, obstetricians, and other professionals who focus on women’s health are available to address your health concerns.
When You Turn 21
Schedule your first internal examination when you turn 21. For this exam, your doctor will use gloved fingers to assess for any abnormalities in your vagina.
You’ll also be given a Papanicolaou test, also known as a Pap smear. During this test, your physician will collect a sample of your cervical cells to evaluate them for cervical cancer or abnormalities that could indicate cancer in the future.
Menstrual Problems
You should visit a women’s health doctor any time you experience persistent issues with your menstrual cycle, such as missed or irregular periods, abnormally heavy menstrual bleeding, or even unbearable cramping.
Signs of a Sexually Transmitted Disease
Book an appointment with a women’s health expert if you have signs of a sexually transmitted disease (STD). During sexual activity, you can develop a parasitic, viral, or bacterial infection from the other person via blood or vaginal or seminal fluid.
Without treatment, an STD can cause pregnancy complications, infertility, heart disease, certain cancers, and arthritis, depending on the STD.
Signs of an STD include:
- Abnormal vaginal discharge
- Painful urination
- Foul-smelling vaginal discharge
- Sores
- Rash
- Pain in lower abdomen
- Abnormal vaginal bleeding
Need a Routine Exam
As a general rule, you should undergo a yearly gynecological exams, as noted by the Cleveland Clinic. At your annual visit, you’ll receive a Pap smear, and the doctor will look for any other vaginal or cervical issues. You may also receive a breast examination and request an STD test to evaluate you for diseases you may not have symptoms of.
If you have routine exams, your practitioner can detect problems early and provide interventions to prevent complications in the future.
Think You’re Pregnant
Schedule an appointment with a women’s health doctor if you think you’re pregnant or took a pregnancy and got a Positive result.
At your first appointment, your physician will confirm your pregnancy. You’ll be asked questions about your personal and family medical history, including information about any previous pregnancies. You’ll also receive lifestyle advice regarding your health and your unborn baby’s health.
Your practitioner may also conduct a physical examination and collect a blood sample. You may also receive a referral for an ultrasound with an advanced imaging center, so you’ll see your baby for the first time and monitor his or her heartbeat.
Turned 40
If you recently turned 40, you should schedule a visit to a women’s health doctor for breast cancer testing, as recommended by the Mayo Clinic. They may refer you to an advanced imaging center where you’ll receive a mammogram – an X-ray of your breast tissue. The test evaluates the inside of your breasts for any tumor formations.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a mammogram may be able to detect breast cancer up to three years before you would’ve felt the mass.
Why Visit a Women’s Health Imaging Center in Bronx, NY
You want a doctor you can feel comfortable with for your reproductive health. You also want to choose an advanced imaging center with practitioners you can trust and speak openly with, like those at Starling Diagnostics.
Our advanced imaging center offers 3D breast cancer testing and sonography to monitor your pregnancy, among other imaging services for your reproductive health, as part of our affordable preventive care.
Contact Starling Diagnostics, serving the Bronx and the surrounding New York area, to schedule imaging or learn more about our women’s health services. We’re available at 718-319-1610 or through our online appointment scheduler.
