Women have specific healthcare needs that need to be managed and monitored. It’s important that you visit your doctor for women’s wellness checkups annually. This includes care like Pap smears, gynecological checkups, and mammograms. Without care like this, you increase the risk of dealing with severe issues and not getting treatment as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more severe the issue can get and the harder it may be to treat. Dr. Joel Biggers and Dr. Elizabeth Biggers at Biggers Family Medicine in Brandon, FL, can explain women’s health and what you can expect during a check-up.
What To Expect During a Women’s Health Check-Up
Women’s healthcare is extremely important, and women need different types of care at different ages. When you visit your doctor in Brandon, FL, for women’s health check-ups, you’re taking charge of your health and body. It’s important to be prepared for your visit and know what you can expect.
During a check-up, you’ll have a gynecological exam performed. Your doctor will use a speculum to look inside and check for any issues. They’ll ask about pain and any concerns that you may have. This can help with diagnosing any problems you might be dealing with. You may also want to have STI testing done during this to ensure that you have a clean bill of health.
Once you hit the age of 21, you should be getting Pap smears regularly. This looks for any signs of cervical cancer or any irregularities in your cervix. This will be done during your gynecological exam. Your doctor will brush your cervix and test it for any issues. If you have a regular test, you’ll only need this done every 3-5 years. If there are any irregularities, you’ll need another test done in one year.
As you get older, you can start expecting a mammogram to be performed. This checks for signs of breast cancer and isn’t usually done until the age of 40. This may be performed earlier if you have a family history of breast cancer or a higher risk of dealing with breast cancer.
Your doctor can also take this time to talk about any issues you might be dealing with. This can include discussing any lifestyle changes that can help your overall health and reproductive health. You can discuss options for birth control or discuss any reproductive issues you might be experiencing if you’re looking to learn more about family planning.
Contact Our Doctor Today
Make sure that you understand what goes into your healthcare. Contact Dr. Joel Biggers and Dr. Elizabeth Biggers at Biggers Family Medicine in Brandon, FL, to learn more about women’s health. Call today at (813) 655-4646.