An annual woman wellness exam may seem inconsequential if you have no symptoms of health problems. But skipping the yearly checkups could put your long-term health at risk. Dr. Richard Strathmann OBGYN from the Women’s Healthcare Physicians of Naples provides compassionate and personalized care for women’s wellness.
Prevention and early detection
Your OBGYN will schedule screenings depending on your age, health status, or symptoms. The tests may include pap smears, physical exams, or blood pressure tests.
These routine screenings can detect signs at the initial phases of the disease. Even if you feel well, you may still have symptoms of an emerging health condition. Early detection is essential for effectively managing the illness and reducing the risk of complications.
The treatment is more complicated and expensive in the later phases of the disease. For example, there are multiple treatment protocols for breast cancer, including hormone therapy, surgery, and chemotherapy.
However, you will have fewer treatment options if the cancer metastasizes or has spread to other regions of your body. Managing the condition at these later phases involves remission. Remission seeks to minimize cancer until it disappears. But the process is likely to be more invasive and costly.
Screenings to monitor health changes
Your body could still experience significant changes even after a clean bill of health from your previous visit. A women’s wellness exam reviews your medical history, diet, and lifestyle to determine if there are new health developments.
One of the changes women may experience is hormone imbalances. Hormonal issues may cause multiple problems like stress and anxiety, painful periods, insomnia, or low libido. The condition could also be responsible for an irregular menstrual cycle and infertility.
Your OBGYN has the requisite skill and experience to monitor other triggers leading to health changes. For example, hormonal imbalances may occur due to stress, excessive weight, or medication misuse. If you have mild symptoms, your provider may recommend non-pharmacological ways to manage such conditions. Some non-invasive approaches to disease management may include exercise, nutrition therapy, or relaxation exercises.
Additionally, your provider will ensure your screenings and vaccines are up-to-date. Vaccines can prevent HPV (Human papillomavirus), one of the leading causes of cervical cancer. In the past, HPV vaccines were administered to women between nine and 26. But health officials recommend it for all patients under 46.
An opportunity to discuss health problems
Your annual exam is also an opportunity to discuss your reproductive health with a certified specialist. If you have delicate questions about your sex drive, fertility, and STIs, your OBGYN can provide comprehensive answers.
Your OBGYN may review your medical history and symptoms before discussing your reproductive health. They can offer accurate responses to your queries based on your diagnosis.
You don’t need to feel embarrassed about asking sensitive questions about issues like vaginal odor or dryness. OBGYN specialists have a lot of experience working with women in similar situations.
Your provider will handle your case with utmost sensitivity and compassion. You can organize another appointment if you don’t want to discuss delicate issues during the exam.
Consult the Women’s Healthcare Physicians of Naples to book a well-woman exam today.
