As a woman, it is so important to be seen by a gynecologist. Sadly, I have spoken to women my age who have never been seen by a OBGYN once. To me, that is very alarming. I started seeing a gynecologist at the age of 16 years old, due to a blood disorder I have, and I was getting very heavy periods once every two weeks. When I ask them why they've never seen a gynecologist, they respond saying they aren't sexually active. Seeing a gynecologist is so much more than seeing them only when you are sexually active.
As women, we need to be on top of our bodies and health. Here are some statistics on women's health:
- About 1 in 8 women will develop invasive breast cancer over the course of her lifetime
- For women, breast cancer death rates are higher than any other form of cancer
- Most women will develop an ovarian cyst at some point in her lifetime
- Ovarian cancer accounts for approximately three percent of cancers in women
These are some alarming statistics. An important aspect of visiting a gynecologist is for an annual breast examination. Doctors recommend that women starting at age 20 should have a yearly breast examination. This is to find any indication of a lump in the breasts. When you are at the age of 21, you should have annual pelvic exams and pap tests. The pelvic exam is to make sure ovaries, uterus, and cervix are healthy and normal. A pap test looks to see if there are any cancerous cells in your cervix.
One thing I often hear from women is they don't want to see a gynecologist because it makes them uncomfortable. Yes, having a doctor going into your private area with a speculum can feel weird, but it's not painful. Women have to understand that it may be weird to have a doctor touch your breasts or insert a speculum, but it doesn't last forever. It last probably a minute or two. The results of the exam and making sure your organs are healthy is way more important than the uncomfortable feeling. Be strong and take deep breaths.
I suggest seeing a gynecologist to make sure your menstrual cycle is normal. If you are not getting your period, or you have really bad period symptoms, it's important to tell your gynecologist that. I went to the doctor because I had very bad and heavy periods, then before I knew it, I got diagnosed with a rare blood disorder. If I would have never went to a gynecologist in the first place, it's very likely I would have developed leukemia. It's important to let your OBGYN know about your periods and if they are normal or not.
You should also definitely be seeing your gynecologist if you are sexually active, especially if you've had multiple partners. It's very important to be tested for different STD's and STI's. You can have an STD without experiencing any symptoms. You may want to look into getting the HPV vaccination or be put on birth control pills.
To all women reading this, PLEASE go to your gynecologist. It is so very important to be on top of your health. If there is anything unusual happening or you feel a weird lump, make an appointment with your OBGYN. They are there to help you with any medical concerns you have. Even if it is nothing, it is better to be safe than sorry.
