All About Women’s Healthcare
There’s a reason why women’s healthcare is its own branch of medicine! Women and patients who were assigned female at birth (AFAB) have very specific healthcare needs relating to reproductive and general physical health that often go beyond the scope of standard annual checks. Monarch Medical is proud to offer high-quality women’s healthcare services in Twin Falls, Idaho.
In today’s blog, we’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the most common women’s healthcare procedures, including Women’s Health Exams, Pap Smears, and Breast Exams. If you have questions or healthcare concerns and you’d like to sit down with a provider, get in touch with our office to schedule an appointment!
Women’s Health Exams
What are Women’s Health Exams?
Women’s health exams, also known as well-woman exams or annual check-ups, are comprehensive health assessments aimed at promoting overall health and detecting any potential health issues specific to women. These exams typically include a range of screenings, evaluations, and discussions with healthcare providers.
Why are Women’s Health Exams Important?
Just as the name implies, women’s healh exams are intended to help maintain a woman’s overall health! These exams are essential for checking in on the patient’s current health as well as addressing any specific health concerns that may come up throughout their life.
These exams provide you and your primary healthcare provider with a regular opportunity to assess various aspects of your overall health as a woman, including your: reproductive health, bone health, mental health, cardiovascular health, and more. Early detection of health issues via regular exams can lead to more timely interventions which are often associated with better health outcomes than late detection and diagnosis.
How Often Should I Have a Women’s Health Exam?
The recommended frequency of women’s health exams may vary depending on factors such as age, medical history, and risk factors. However, as a general guideline:
Young Women:
Women in their late teens and early twenties should have annual well-woman exams to establish a baseline for their health and discuss reproductive health, contraception, and other relevant topics.
Reproductive Age:
For women of reproductive age, annual well-woman exams are recommended to monitor reproductive health. Additional annual testing may include Pap smears, breast exams, and discussions about contraception and family planning. Learn more about the contraceptive options that are available at Monarch Medical by viewing our post on birth control.
Perimenopause and Menopause:
As women approach perimenopause and menopause, the frequency of well-woman exams may decrease. However, regular check-ups are still important for monitoring menopausal symptoms and screening for conditions such as osteoporosis and heart disease.
Ongoing Health Maintenance:
Regardless of their age, women should continue to have regular health exams throughout their lives to monitor overall health, screen for specific conditions, and receive appropriate preventive care.
Women’s Health Exams Can Help Detect…
Earlier we mentioned that early detection is often associated with better patient health outcomes. This is true for a variety of conditions. Women’s health exams can help with the early detection of a wide range of health conditions, including:
- Reproductive Health Issues: through screenings for cervical cancer, breast cancer, ovarian cysts, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
- Cardiovascular Disease: through blood pressure checks, cholesterol screenings, and discussions about heart health.
- Bone Health: through assessments for osteoporosis, bone density screenings (DEXA), and through discussions about nutritional intake, particularly calcium.
- Mental Health: through discussions about emotional well-being, stress management, and screenings for depression and anxiety.
Women’s health exams are essential for maintaining your overall health and addressing specific health concerns that can affect women at different stages of life. Take proactive steps to monitor your health, prevent illness, and optimize your well-being by scheduling regular check-ups with your healthcare providers. Contact Monarch Medical today to schedule your next women’s health exam.
Pap Smears
What is a Pap Smear?
A pap smear is an outpatient procedure where cells are collected from the cervix in order to screen for cancer. The cervix is the lowest portion of the uterus and connects to the vagina. There may be some discomfort during the collection of the cervical cells, but a pap smear procedure is often very quick and can be performed in just a few minutes.
Why is a Pap Smear Important?
Pap smears are crucial for early detection of cervical cancer and pre-cancerous changes in the cervix. Detecting abnormalities early greatly increases the chances of successful treatment and cure. When cervical cancer is detected in the early stages, the 5 year relative survival rate is 91%. Pap smears can save lives, literally, and they are a quick and affordable procedure.
Pap smears are also effective at detecting other common cervical infections, such as those caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), a common sexually transmitted infection linked to cervical cancer.
How Often Should You Have a Pap Smear?
How frequently you need a Pap smear depends on various factors, including your age, risk factors, and medical history. Generally, the guidelines recommend:
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Women aged 21 to 29 should have a Pap smear every three years.
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Women aged 30 to 65 can choose to have a Pap smear every three years or a combined Pap smear and HPV test (co-testing) every five years.
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Women over 65 who have had regular screenings in the past and have no history of abnormal results may not need to continue with Pap smears.
It’s important to note that individual recommendations may vary on a patient-by-patient basis.You should always speak with your healthcare provider to determine the most appropriate screening schedule for you.
Pap Smears can Help Detect…
The primary purpose of pap smears is to detect pre-cancerous and cancerous changes to the cervix. Specifically, a Pap smear can identify:
- Pre-cancerous Changes: Cells in the cervix may undergo abnormal changes before cancer forms. Pap smears can detect these changes, allowing for early intervention to prevent cancer from developing.
- Cervical Cancer: Pap smears can detect signs of cervical cancer, such as abnormal or cancerous cells.
- HPV Infections: Pap smears can detect the presence of HPV, the primary cause of cervical cancer. Identifying HPV infections early can enable monitoring and treatment to help prevent the development of cervical cancer.
Pap smears are essential for women’s health as they play a crucial role in the early detection and prevention of cervical cancer and other cervical abnormalities. Having regular screenings according to your provider’s guidelines can significantly reduce the risk of cervical cancer-related complications.
Breast Exams
What is a Breast Exam?
A breast exam is a manual examination of the breasts. It can be performed by a healthcare provider in the office (Clinical Breast Exam, CBE), or you can perform a self-examination at home (Breast Self-Exam, BSE). The purpose of a breast exam is to check for any abnormalities such as lumps, bumps, changes in size or shape, or changes to the skin. [OPPORTUNITY TO WRITE A GUIDE ON HOW TO PERFORM A BREAST EXAM AT HOME AND LINK TO IT HERE.]
Why are Breast Exams Important?
Breast exams can aid in the early detection of breast cancer. Early detection of breast cancer significantly increases the chances for successful treatment and improves survival rates. Regular breast exams performed at home promore breast health awareness and help you become familiar with your body, allowing you to better detect changes in the future.
How Often Should You Perform a Breast Exam?
There are two main types of breast exams: clinical breast exams (CBE) performed by a healthcare provider and breast self-exams (BSE) performed by individuals.
Clinical Breast Exams (CBE):
The American Cancer Society recommends that women aged 25 to 39 should have a clinical breast exam about every one to three years. For women aged 40 and older, a CBE is recommended annually along with mammograms.
Breast Self-Exams (BSE):
While there is no specific recommendation for breast self-exams, many healthcare providers encourage women to be familiar with the normal look and feel of their breasts and to report any changes promptly.
It’s essential to note that regular mammograms are also an integral part of breast cancer screening, especially for women aged 40 and older. Speak to your healthcare provider about how frequently you should have breast examinations and mammograms performed. Certain risk factors such as the BRCA gene and a family history of breast cancer can impact the frequency of testing.
Breast Exams Can Help Detect…
Breast exams can help detect various breast abnormalities, including:
- Breast Cancer: Breast exams can detect lumps or other changes in the breast tissue that may indicate the presence of breast cancer.
- Benign Breast Conditions: Not all breast lumps are cancerous. Breast exams can identify benign (non-cancerous) conditions such as cysts or fibroadenomas.
- Changes in Breast Tissue: Breast exams can detect changes in breast size, shape, or skin texture that may be indicative of hormonal changes, infections, or other health issues.
Regular breast exams are essential for early detection of breast cancer and other breast abnormalities. Whether performed by a healthcare provider or as self-exams, they play a vital role in maintaining breast health and promoting early intervention if any abnormalities are found.
Schedule Your Next Women’s Health Appointment
Monarch Medical provides family health services, including women’s health services, in Twin Falls, Idaho. If you’re looking to get established with a new provider or if you’re a returning patient, the team at Monarch Medical is here and ready to help! Give our office a call or get in touch with us online to schedule your next appointment.