Having a gynecologist to guide and care for you before, during and after pregnancy is a must for a healthy reproductive system and a successful pregnancy and childbirth. Knowing what to ask your gynecologist can make a big difference for you and your baby's health.
She Knows shared some important gynecologist tips. Learning these valuable tips can save you and your family a lot of time, money and discomfort.
Gynecologist Tip # 1: Pap smear
Being educated on the frequency of doing pap smear is one of the most important gynecologist tips. After three normal annual paps, women can get paps every three years.
Gynecologist Tip # 2: Pelvic exam
This refers to the examination of organs in the pelvis including the bladder, uterus, vagina, vulva, cervix and rectum. This exam can help detect many health conditions in the pelvis except ovarian cancer. Gynecologists recommend women to get a pelvic exam every year.
Gynecologist Tip # 3: Mammogram
"The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPTF) in 2009, after reviewing the available evidence, recommended screening mammography be done every two years starting at age 50," She Knows shared. This was proposed "after determining there was not enough evidence to support annual mammograms in women between the ages of 40 and 50."
However, that suggestion has changed, with the American Cancer Society recommended in October 2015 that women should start going for annual mammography at the age of 45 and continue until 55 years old. After this age, women are encouraged to go for a mammography every other year.
Gynecologist Tip # 4: Natural family planning
Natural family planning methods have a high success rate for many couples. However, being consistent and disciplined is very important in practicing natural family planning methods.
Gynecologist Tip # 5: Being open and honest
One of the most essential gynecologist tips for women is to be open and honest. "No detail is too insignificant, trivial or shameful; the more honest you can be with your doctor, the better chances are that you will make a full recovery," Everyday Health explains.