It’s easy to understand that routine wellness exams are important at every age. But it’s equally easy to put preventive checkups on the backburner, especially if you’re juggling many responsibilities. To continue keeping pace with your fun and active life, however, you have to prioritize your health.
Here’s a closer look at the women’s exams you should be receiving regularly, and why they ought to top your to-do list.
Why Are Women’s Wellness Exams So Important?
Checkups help you and your healthcare team members look for early warning signs of disease or other conditions, and address them proactively, for better preventative wellness. They’re also a great opportunity to set a baseline for when you’re feeling healthy and normal, so that problematic changes are easier to identify.
This preventive approach can promote better health outcomes compared to reactive care, which addresses health challenges only after they’ve developed or progressed — and are harder to treat.
The Wellness Experts All Women Should See Annually
Primary Care Physician
A primary care doctor is your partner in keeping track of key indicators to ensure your health is staying on track. For instance, they may routinely call for cholesterol tests to gauge your risk for heart disease, the leading cause of death in the U.S. Blood pressure and blood sugar levels are also monitored to measure your heart health and diabetes risk. Should any of your numbers exceed recommended thresholds, they can recommend early intervention strategies to lower your risk of chronic illness.
Your primary care provider is also your best advocate for determining an appropriate schedule for preventative health measures. For example, during checkups, doctors can recommend vaccines to prevent serious illnesses such as shingles and the flu. They can also discuss various screenings with you (such as mammograms or colon cancer screenings) based on your unique risk profile, including whether you have a family history of certain cancers or other illnesses. When it comes to bone health, your doctor can also assess your risk for osteoporosis, a condition involving bone loss for which women are at a higher risk.
Gynecologist
Though your primary care physician can manage many aspects of your general wellness, there are some areas of your health that require care from a specialist. In particular, reproductive health is overseen by your gynecologist.
During your annual visit with one of our providers, you’ll most likely receive a Pap smear, which can detect warning signs of cervical cancer before the disease actually develops. We’ll also address any other areas specific to women’s healthcare as needed, including irregularities or pain with your menstrual cycle, birth control options, preparing for or managing menopause, and prevention against sexually transmitted infections.
Dermatologist
The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends seeing a dermatologist annually for skin cancer screenings, and we agree with them! Especially as these routine visits present the best opportunity to discuss how to best care for your body’s largest organ.
Eye Doctor
As we age, our vision can change naturally, but we also face a greater risk for eye conditions like cataracts. Routine visits to the eye doctor’s office can also reveal signs of other underlying health conditions, such as diabetes, and ensure you’re maintaining the right prescription of eyeglasses or contact lenses.
Allow the team at Peachtree Obstetrics & Gynecology to help you maintain reproductive health at every stage of life. Our providers are dedicated to covering all aspects of women’s wellness in a comfortable atmosphere. Schedule an appointment with us online or call 770-487-9604 directly.