Now more than ever, it is important to keep our health top of mind. With 2022 just around the corner, we’re sure there are many women who are looking to the New Year as the time to launch new goals to support better health.  

Annual wellness visits are essential to maintaining optimum health. Annual exams can be critical in detecting serious health issues sooner, rather than later. They also play a big role in preventive care, serving to improve and protect your health. Additionally, if you make it a habit to keep up with wellness exams, it becomes easier for your healthcare provider to track health patterns and identify any irregularities that might occur. The time with your doctor is also a good opportunity to ask about any concerns you have or bring up anything you’re considering, such as birth control, the desire to start a family, or menopause. Your gynecologist is a good resource and can help guide you in making informed decisions. 

As part of your New Year goals, check in with your gynecologist to find out which wellness exams you should schedule throughout the year. Recommendations will be based on your age, medical history, and family history. A few of the exams a doctor may suggest include a pelvic exam, mammogram, bone density test, cholesterol test, or a blood test. A blood test for women’s wellness helps a doctor assess your risk for cardiovascular disease, thyroid disease, and diabetes.  

Additionally, there are many things you can do in your daily routine to maintain your health throughout the year. Make sure to fuel your body with the nutrition it needs. Take a women’s multi-vitamin to ensure you are getting all the essential nutrients. Remember to drink plenty of water throughout the day, get a good night’s sleep, and exercise. You don’t need to have a gym membership to work in some physical exercise during the day. Little things like choosing to take the stairs instead of the elevator will help. You should also be cognizant of managing stress. This can be addressed physically through exercise or mentally by seeing a counselor. Supporting the mind and body equally helps ensure good overall health. 

Many women only think of their gynecologist when they need a pelvic exam or pap smear done. However, a gynecologist can also help with many basic healthcare services such as weight loss, blood pressure screenings, and managing menopause. They take a holistic approach to women’s wellness. 

Make a goal for 2022 to take control of your health throughout the year by keeping up with wellness visits and maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle. Be good to yourself and in the long run…you’ll be so happy you did! 

With the holiday season comes celebrations, lots of food, and time with loved ones. However, all of these things can also bring stress-provoking situations like financial strain, travel challenges, family drama, and so on. As much as we plan, holiday demands and expectations can be stressful. With some purposeful intentions and preparation, you can alleviate some of this stress—or at least be better prepared to cope with it. Here are a few tips to keep in mind while making plans for the holidays. 

Maintain healthy habits. You can certainly indulge in some holiday desserts but try not to forget to take the time to fit in some exercise and healthy eating. Exercise and a good diet help you feel good inside and out. 

Seek therapy. If you are grieving over the loss of a loved one or a relationship breakup, the holidays can be triggering. It’s hard to ask for help when everyone around you is so cheery. Consult your doctor about seeking therapy or perhaps medication to help with depression or mood swings. 

Setting boundaries with family. Before making plans, decide what your limits are around family and friends. Can you only handle three days at your sister’s house whose husband you don’t get along with? Agree to not bring up certain topics with family at the dinner table that are sure to cause tension or disagreement. Considering these things in advance will help you have a more peaceful holiday. 

Watch your wallet. During the holiday season, there are additional expenses for gifts, travel, entertainment, and more, that can increase financial stress. Before you start spending, establish a budget that you can realistically stick to so you don’t put yourself in a financial bind a month from now when the credit card bills start arriving. 

Journal. Journaling is a good way to release whatever is on your mind. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, writing your feelings down on paper can help you work through them. A bullet journal that is designed for quick entries may help encourage writing what you are grateful for, or putting together to-do lists. 

Learn to say no. Don’t feel obligated to accept every party invitation, cookie exchange, or gift swap. Trying to do too much can generate unnecessary anxiety.    

Stress can have a harmful impact on your well-being. If your efforts to avoid or reduce stress over the holidays aren’t working, because you are still feeling overwhelmed or anxious, please see a doctor to see what can be done for you either medically or mentally. Feel free to call our office at 307-643-5216.

There are a number of wellness exams that help women maintain good overall health. Of all the routine exams though, the Pap smear seems to be the one that is most dreaded and uncomfortable for most women. Here is a quick primer on what a Pap smear exam is, how to prepare for it, and what happens when it’s over. Hopefully, this will ease your mind (and body!) especially if you’re getting ready to schedule your first one.  

Why a Pap smear exam is important 

A pap smear screens for cervical cancer and HPV (human papillomavirus) and any abnormal growth. It is generally recommended that a woman undergo this exam every one to three years after the age of 21. Early detection of cervical cancer is critical. With an early diagnosis, treatment of the cancer is possible. 

How to prepare for a Pap smear exam 

It’s best to avoid having a Pap smear done during your menstrual cycle. Periods can affect test results. It also is a good idea to avoid sexual intercourse, douching, using tampons or any vaginal creams or jellies before your scheduled visit. It is also advised to empty your bladder before the exam, so consider using the restroom before going to the doctor’s office. 

What to expect during a Pap smear exam 

The doctor will get you as comfortable as possible. You will lay on your back with your feet in stirrups. You may want to wear socks to keep your feet warm. A speculum will be inserted into the vagina to allow for the doctor to easily access and examine the cervix. The doctor will give you a warning before inserting the speculum, so you know when to expect it. The doctor will then use either a soft brush or a flat scraping tool to take a sample of cervical cells. You may feel some discomfort during this time; some patients compare it to period cramps. Once the sample is collected the exam is over! The sample is sent to a lab for testing.  

After the exam is over 

You may continue to feel a little bit of that cramping feeling, but you can continue with your usual routine for the rest of the day. Your doctor’s office will contact you about the results of the exam. If the results are negative, you don’t have to worry about another Pap smear for at least a year. If the results return as abnormal you will need further testing. If your results come back abnormal, do not stress – it does not automatically indicate cancer. The next step is often a colposcopy which is a more detailed exam of the vagina, cervix and vulva to assess the degree of abnormal cells. 

If it’s time to schedule your pap smear exam, or if you have any further questions, please give our office a call at 307-634-5216. 

Many young women may feel uncomfortable about going to a gynecologist, but a trip to the gynecologist should be looked at as other wellness visits benefiting overall health. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) recommends seeing a gynecologist as early as age 13 to establish healthy routines and be knowledgeable about female self-care. It’s also good to establish a relationship with a doctor early. A good relationship with a doctor will enable a teen to be more comfortable asking questions about sexuality, sex, periods, and other developmental questions or concerns. The more a doctor knows about a patient’s routine and medical patterns, the better a doctor can guide her toward making safe and smart choices. 

Some of those choices may pertain to sex and relationships. It may not be easy for some young girls to talk to their parents about those topics. A gynecologist can be a safe and reliable confidant who can provide expert advice. These conversations may eventually lead to discussing pregnancy, or options to avoid getting pregnant. It’s important for young girls to have these conversations about their choice to have sex, losing their virginity, and how to be safe engaging in a sexually active relationship. Gynecologists can educate young women on birth control options, awareness of sexually transmitted diseases, and more. 

Additionally, seeing a gynecologist is important to a young woman’s developmental health. A doctor can advise a young woman about her menstrual cycle, like whether her cycle seems normal, or address any concerns like missed, light, or heavy periods.  

Starting regular visits with a gynecologist will help a young girl identify anything that doesn’t seem normal. Of course, these visits won’t replace regular checkups with a primary healthcare provider, but they will add to her health care and knowledge. 

Adolescent women should know that their first visit is intended to make them feel comfortable and start a trusting relationship with their gynecologist. They shouldn’t be too nervous about what will happen during their first appointment. If a patient is under the age of 21, she will most likely not have a pelvic exam done, unless she is sexually active or expresses a concern in which it would be necessary to administer the exam. For most young women, the first gynecological visit includes the doctor checking vitals, a quick external genital exam, and a breast exam. Patients may request a female doctor if that would make them more comfortable. Patients can also request to have their mom, sister, or friend in the room during their visit, too, for support. 

Starting early with visits to the gynecologist will help a young lady be more knowledgeable when it comes to taking care of her body, learn to identify problems, and establish trust with a reliable expert. 

If you have any questions about bringing your teen to the gynecologist, please give us a call at 307-634-5216.