From a young age, women are cautioned to keep up with their gynecology appointments on a yearly basis which is understandable considering they are about to undergo so many changes in their lives. Whether it is getting their first period, getting on birth control, having children or trying to prevent diseases, health is an important topic at a younger age. Below are some reasons as to why making getting that yearly check-up will always be important no matter your age.

Life After Menopause

It’s no secret that life is different after going through menopause. Your body changes in so many ways, some of which are confusing and different, which is why keeping up with your gynecologist is a great way of staying informed so that you understand what is going on. After menopause, your hormones change which then cause many changes in your body, and there are also side effects that can occur that may seem normal but they aren’t. One common misconception is that post-menopausal bleeding is normal. This is very false. Any type of bleeding is not normal and should be addressed with your gynecologist immediately. Normally, bleeding after menopause can point to different issues such as lesions, polyps, infections or cancers. Keeping in touch with your gynecologist on a regular basis is a great way of preventing such issues or getting the proper help that you need.

Another post-menapausal issue that women come across is complications in their sex lives. Due to lower levels of estrogen, there is a decrease in blood flow to the vagina which results in dryness. Also, due to the decrease in estrogen, a woman’s sex drive can be affected as well after menopause, which is why visiting your gyno can be very useful in addressing these concerns.

Dealing with Incontinence

With age, it is normal for your muscles to weaken which in turn can lead to incontinence–a condition that can be a result from pregnancy and giving birth. Urinary Incontinence is when you lose control of your bladder a bit and accidentally urinate. There are many types of incontinence which is why visiting your gynecologist is extremely important so that they can assist in diagnosing as well as helping you come up with a plan to manage it. 

Prevention of Disease or Illness 

By not visiting your gynecologist on a regular basis, you are putting yourself at risk for diseases going unnoticed such as cervical cancer, endometriosis, breast cancer and more potentially being overlooked. Women are diagnosed with common diseases every day, most of which are treatable and sometimes curable. However if not caught early enough, minor illnesses can lead to more serious issues down the road. So it is very important to pay attention to your body, and not ignore potential signs of illness. Whether it is a yearly visit to your doctor or a weekly self-breast exam in the shower, take care of your body so that if anything seems off, it is detected early and manageable. 

Finally, understand that your focus has shifted from reproductive health to issues related to aging.  Remember, you’re not the only one. Every woman ages and has to handle the difficulties of this as they grow older. Know that caring for yourself at 50 is just as important as taking care of yourself at 25. Early detection is key. It will always be incredibly important to keep up with your health and routine check-ups, if not for yourself then for those who care about you. If you have any questions or concerns, or would like to schedule an appointment with us, please feel free to call any of our three convenient locations.