Being mindful of your well-being is something you should never take for granted. As a woman, you need to understand that your health needs are unique and change as you grow old. For example, your hormone production will change as you approach menopause. Also, once you enter pregnancy, you risk developing health complications such as frequent urination and yeast infections. Therefore, every woman needs San Antonio, TX obstetrics and gynecology care for regular exams to know their health changes as they approach menopause and when they are pregnant. Here are the misconceptions about women’s health that you should stop believing.
You do not have sexually transmitted infections (STIs) if you have no symptoms
Many believe that STIs must come with a physical warning, which is wrong. Most STIs, such as gonorrhea, infect your reproductive systems without signs or symptoms. Also, women below twenty-five years are vulnerable to chlamydia which they consider a silent infection since genital herpes remains dormant until the outbreak of this condition. Therefore, you should undergo regular tests for STIs even if you do not have any symptoms.
You cannot visit the gynecologist unless you are twenty-one years and above
Sometimes you may think that only adult women should seek gynecologist services. The truth is that even a younger girls in their teens can consult a gynecologist. Even if the appointments may not include Pap smear exams, the gynecologist can educate young girls about the menstrual cycle and pregnancy prevention measures. Therefore, you should build a trusting relationship between your teen girl and the gynecologist.
You lose the sex drive only when you grow old
Most women lose interest in sex, although this is not always an effect of aging. Women of any age can have low sexual desire when they have anxiety and health conditions such as endometriosis. Therefore, you should talk with your gynecologist about your low sexual desire, irrespective of your age, to find the trigger of your low sexual urges.
You need a Pap smear test every year
There is no single cause of cervical cancer; therefore, you need screening for early detection. A Pap smear test is one exam that can help detect cancer in women’s reproductive system. The previous health guidelines required every woman aged twenty-one years or above to undergo a pap smear test yearly. Nevertheless, the present policies have changed those provisions allowing women to have longer screening intervals depending on their medical history. To date, personal health history dictates how often women should go for the Pap smear test.
Pap smear exams test the STIs
Some women have a misconception that Pap smear tests also detect STIs, which is wrong. Not all medical providers check for sexually transmitted diseases automatically. Therefore, if you have had pelvic discomfort or yellow discharge, you should request the gynecologists to test you for STIs. Consult your gynecologists on the tests that are a good fit for your lifestyle.
Women are subject to changes in their bodies as they approach menopause and when they are pregnant. These changes make women’s health to be unique, requiring regular checkups. If you wonder where you can get regular physical exams to maintain your reproductive health, I have great news. At Aurora OB/GYN, Karen Allsup, FACOG, MD, and her team of certified professionals offer passionate care through regular checkups to women of all ages. To get started, book an online consultation and visit the facility today.
