There are many things that may be preventing women from taking better care of our health. Sometimes it’s their overflowing work schedule. Other times, it’s their seemingly never-ending to-do list of tasks around the house.
While we all get busy from time to time, making room for our personal health is vital. Below, five essential annual appointments every woman needs to make – and stick to.
An annual/biennial mammogram with a radiologist
Many women may not think of mammograms as an essential annual appointment. Still, according to the American Cancer Society, they should consider scheduling one annually once they’re in their 40s. This is especially true for women who had breast cancer in their family history. In that case, frequent visits to the radiologist for a breast screening will be recommended by the doctor.
Fortunately, this type of cancer is completely treatable when caught early. Therefore, make sure to schedule an annual mammogram with your radiologist if you’re at a higher risk of developing it. Otherwise, you should schedule one appointment every two years, until you’re 75.
A yearly exam with a trusted gynecologist
It goes without saying that pregnant women should be making frequent visits to the gynecologist. Otherwise, a yearly routine screening with a trusted gynecologist should be enough. According to a reputable gynecologist in Doral Beach, reproductive system issues that are left untreated can harm other systems in the body. Although many women are not so happy to schedule their exams, these exams can prevent many other health issues from arising in the future.
During the visit, the doctor will perform a pelvic exam to check if there’s anything out of the ordinary. They may offer a PAP test depending on your age, as well as STI screening. This is also a great opportunity to address any concerns related to your reproductive health, so feel free to ask.
A once-a-year full skin checkup with your dermatologist
Just because there aren’t any visible skin problems that you’re experiencing doesn’t mean you don’t have to make that annual trip to the dermatologist. Skin check-ups are vital to catching skin cancers while they’re still in their early stages.
It’s best that you get a full-skin check once a year, but if you’re afraid, divide it into stages. Head to your dermatologist for a particular area such as the face for a checkup. Once you’ve done that, you can schedule a next visit for another area, and then the full skin yearly checkup. Prevention is the best cure, so if you’ve been heading to a tanning salon a lot lately or spent too much time in the sun and got burnt, be sure to schedule an appointment as soon as possible.
Biannual oral exam with a reliable dentist
It’s true – good oral care starts at home, and good cleaning habits are vital for preserving healthy gums and teeth. But despite your best efforts to maintain your regular dental health routine, dental issues may arise at some point. Whether it’s due to a not-so-healthy diet or not-so-detailed cleaning, you may experience tooth decay, gum disease, or cavities.
While at the dentist’s office, you can expect them to perform an X ray to check for any irregularities. They will also look for symptoms of conditions such as diabetes, as well as oral cancer. Truly, heading to your dentist’s office is non-negotiable, so make an effort – at least twice a year.
A yearly therapy session with a psychologist
Therapy isn’t really the first thing that comes to mind when talking about annual check-ups. Still, good mental health is a vital component of a balanced lifestyle, and it’s just as important as physical health.
Truth be told, we all have certain issues and problems we struggle with, even when everything looks good on the surface. If you’ve been going through some tough times lately, feel depressed, or lack motivation, consider scheduling a yearly therapy session. It’ll help you learn some valuable skills that will serve you long after you stop going to the therapist. Who knows? It may work for you, or maybe you won’t need more than one session. If you don’t give therapy a try, you’ll never know.
Wrapping up
Our busy lifestyle can make it easy for us to put our health on the back burner. This is why it’s so important that you make self-care a priority. Remember – you can’t pour from an empty cup. Take better care of yourself, and you’ll be able to take better care of everything and everyone around you. Take that first step, pick up the phone – the rest will follow, and your health will thank you.
