Annual gynecologist visits are an excellent time for a woman to ask her physician questions. Thoughtful preparation allows her to get expert advice on a range of topics. Sometimes, however, it is hard to know what to ask. Women’s health concerns vary by age, but here are some topics that can get the discussion started.
TEENS/EARLY 20S
In her teens or early 20s, a woman’s first questions might be about what is normal. Understanding normal timing and flow of menstrual cycles, as well as common variations, is important for her overall health. Heavy menstrual flow is a frequent cause of anemia, and irregular cycles may point to other conditions like polycystic ovarian syndrome.
Another frequent question concerns what is normal for vaginal discharge. This also leads to a discussion about sexually transmitted infections and how to be protected.
MID-20S TO 40S
From the mid 20s to 40s, women should ask about genetic risks and screenings. A woman should know all the particulars of her family history so she can ask her doctor what genetic testing she may need. With this information, the doctor may perform risk calculations based on history, order blood tests for genetic cancer markers or refer a patient for screenings, like mammograms, earlier than the usual age.
Another type of screening based on personal and family history is prenatal testing for carrier status for genetic-based diseases. It is important to know if a female carries genes for such conditions as cystic fibrosis, sickle cell anemia or Tay-Sachs disease before she becomes pregnant.
AGES 45-50
Frequently between 45 and 50, women are experiencing signs and symptoms related to the menopausal transition. This is usually referred to as perimenopause until periods stop completely.
Getting educated about menopause can help a woman manage the numerous symptoms more easily. New research about how menopause affects overall health is being published constantly, and new medications are available to help with many symptoms. The benefits of hormone therapy for some people are becoming more widely recognized, although risks still exist. Every woman should ask her gynecologist about menopause so she can know what to expect.
Obviously, gynecological visits and appropriate questions are highly personal and differ for everyone.
This broad overview hopefully will lead to more questions and discussions to help all the women in our community get the most out of their healthcare and the facetime with their physicians.