{"id":1713,"date":"2022-11-09T11:30:07","date_gmt":"2022-11-09T11:30:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/?p=1713"},"modified":"2022-11-09T11:30:07","modified_gmt":"2022-11-09T11:30:07","slug":"why-annual-check-ups-are-important-for-women","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/why-annual-check-ups-are-important-for-women\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Annual Check-Ups Are Important for Women"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap\" style=\"max-width:1216.8px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\" style=\"--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:1.92%;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:1.92%;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-spacing-right-medium:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-medium:1.92%;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-spacing-right-small:1.92%;--awb-spacing-left-small:1.92%;\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">It\u2019s that time again.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There is something about the end of the year that triggers our internal reminder to schedule our annual check-up with our OB-GYN.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The good news is it is free even if you have not met your insurance plan\u2019s deductible. Under the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Affordable Care Act, women are entitled to one free well-woman exam each year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What Is an Annual Check-Up?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">An annual medical check-up, often also called a well-woman exam, is performed by a medical professional specializing in women\u2019s obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN). An OB-GYN professional is trained in gynecological health and understands what to look for to prevent diseases and reproductive problems.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The goal is preventative care. Often, problems may develop with no noticeable signs or symptoms. If left untreated, these problems can become more challenging to treat later. For this reason, annual <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/womens-health\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">health checks for women<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> are an important way to identify and deal with health problems as early as possible. Visiting your OB-GYN each year helps ensure optimal health and serves as an opportunity to catch any signs of serious issues early.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Your annual health screening will generally begin with a conversation with your OB-GYN and or our nurse practitioners. Here are some typical questions:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Family history<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Medications you are currently taking<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sexual health<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Menstrual changes<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Vaginal infections<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Methods of birth control<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pelvic pain<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Family planning<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Diet<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Alcohol consumption<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload size-full wp-image-1715 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2022\/11\/What-Is-an-Annual-Check-Up.jpg\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2022\/11\/What-Is-an-Annual-Check-Up.jpg\" alt=\"Gynecologist Preparing for an Examination Procedure for a Pregnant Woman Sitting on a Gynecological Chair in the Office\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271000%27%20height%3D%27667%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201000%20667%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271000%27%20height%3D%27667%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2022\/11\/What-Is-an-Annual-Check-Up-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2022\/11\/What-Is-an-Annual-Check-Up-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2022\/11\/What-Is-an-Annual-Check-Up-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2022\/11\/What-Is-an-Annual-Check-Up-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2022\/11\/What-Is-an-Annual-Check-Up-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2022\/11\/What-Is-an-Annual-Check-Up-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2022\/11\/What-Is-an-Annual-Check-Up.jpg 1000w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><b>How Should I Prepare for My Health Screening?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you\u2019re seeking a new OB-GYN, there are several things to keep in mind to ensure your comfort and to make the most of your visit. First, organize any concerns or questions you\u2019d like to address in advance. Is there something that has been bothering you for a while? Are you worried about something? Take notes of those thoughts and bring them with you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Second, consider if you are more comfortable having a male or female OB-GYN. Being with a physician, you feel comfortable with can make a big difference in establishing a good provider relationship. At <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/our-team\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">South Miami OB-GYN Associates<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, we have both male and female physicians as well as nurse practitioners, which provides our patients with a wide variety of excellent options. Lastly, prepare yourself to communicate openly and honestly with your OB-GYN. Some topics or concerns may be uncomfortable to discuss, but a good open conversation can lead to practical solutions, and HIPAA regulations ensure your information remains confidential<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Here are some typical topics to discuss with your OB-GYN:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Missed or late periods<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Abnormal or heavier-than-usual bleeding<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Unusual pain during intercourse<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Unusual vaginal discharge<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Any breast pain or lumps observed<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>What Tests Can Be Done During a Medical Check-Up?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There are three basic exams your OB-GYN will do with each annual check-up. These include a <\/span><b>pelvic exam, a breast exam, and a pap smear.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> The pelvic exam will use a device called a speculum to check all areas of your pelvis for signs of any cysts, infections, or cancers. For a breast exam, your OB-GYN will perform circular motions around each breast to check for lumps and other signs of cancer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The third test, a pap smear, is painless and is done during the pelvic exam. The purpose of a pap smear is to look for any precancerous cells in the cervix. During the pap smear, your OB-GYN will use a long swab to collect cell samples around the cervix. These cells will then be sent to a lab for testing. The result of this test will either show as \u201cnormal,\u201d meaning no signs of precancer were detected or as \u201cabnormal,\u201d which will prompt further examination.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">According to the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.acog.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, scheduling your pap smear depends on your age:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Women 21 to 29:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Every three years<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Women 30 to 65: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Every five years, with an HPV test<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">While these are the three standard exams your OB-GYN will conduct, there are many others that can be done as needed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Here are a few additional tests that can be scheduled during an annual check-up:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">HPV testing to check for signs of HPV<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Mammograms to check for breast cancer<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">HIV testing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Chlamydia testing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Gonorrhea testing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Hepatitis C testing<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Diabetes profile assessment<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">These tests may incur additional fees since they are not a standard part of the annual exam.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"lazyload size-full wp-image-1717 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2022\/11\/What-Tests-Can-Be-Done-During-a-Medical-Check-Up-1.jpg\" data-orig-src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2022\/11\/What-Tests-Can-Be-Done-During-a-Medical-Check-Up-1.jpg\" alt=\"Mature Female Doctor Assisting Young Patient During Mammogram X-Ray Test\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%27http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%27%20width%3D%271000%27%20height%3D%27667%27%20viewBox%3D%270%200%201000%20667%27%3E%3Crect%20width%3D%271000%27%20height%3D%27667%27%20fill-opacity%3D%220%22%2F%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2022\/11\/What-Tests-Can-Be-Done-During-a-Medical-Check-Up-1-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2022\/11\/What-Tests-Can-Be-Done-During-a-Medical-Check-Up-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2022\/11\/What-Tests-Can-Be-Done-During-a-Medical-Check-Up-1-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2022\/11\/What-Tests-Can-Be-Done-During-a-Medical-Check-Up-1-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2022\/11\/What-Tests-Can-Be-Done-During-a-Medical-Check-Up-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2022\/11\/What-Tests-Can-Be-Done-During-a-Medical-Check-Up-1-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/55\/2022\/11\/What-Tests-Can-Be-Done-During-a-Medical-Check-Up-1.jpg 1000w\" data-sizes=\"auto\" data-orig-sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2><b>What If the Results of My Pap Smear Are Abnormal?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If the results of your pap smear come back as \u201cabnormal,\u201d try not to panic. Your OB-GYN will likely schedule you for further examination to determine what caused the abnormality. This determination will be made through a colposcopy exam.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A colposcopy exam is a way to test for cervical cancer by taking a closer look at the cervix than can be done with a standard pap smear. Similar to a pelvic exam, a colposcopy involves inserting a speculum into the vagina to create an opening. Then, your OB-GYN will insert a vinegar-like solution onto the cervix so they can better see any abnormal cells.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Once this is done, a colposcope is used to examine the cells closely. Unlike the speculum, the colposcope does not go inside the body. It remains on the outside and features binocular-like qualities with a bright light to enable your OB-GYN to do the examination. If your OB-GYN notices anything unusual, they will do a biopsy to take a small sample of the unusual cell to send to a lab.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A colposcopy is a health screening that only takes 5-10 minutes and is generally pain-free.\u00a0 You may experience slight pressure similar to a pap smear with a colposcopy. If a biopsy is performed, this can feel like a period cramp and may result in some light spotting for a few days afterward.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What is HPV?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is a cancer-causing virus transmitted sexually through infected partners. Often, people infected with HPV are not aware that they are carriers, as HPV doesn\u2019t always have signs or symptoms. Further, a person may have contracted HPV, and not develop symptoms until years later, making it difficult to identify when and from whom it was contracted.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">While there were 43 million new infections of HPV in 2018 <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/std\/hpv\/stdfact-hpv.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">according<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to the CDC, this virus is particularly concerning for women. HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer in women, and the American Cancer Society <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.cancer.org\/cancer\/cervical-cancer\/about\/key-statistics.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">estimates<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> about 14,100 women will develop cervical cancer just this year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Visiting your OB-GYN annually for a medical check-up and pap smear is the best way to check for and monitor HPV. If you contract HPV, your OB-GYN can then set a plan in place to monitor the cervix more often for any signs of pre-cancerous development. Of course, there isn\u2019t a way to prevent cancer, but if signs are caught early, treatment will be more effective. If you\u2019re under the age of 18, talk to your OB-GYN about getting the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.plannedparenthood.org\/learn\/stds-hiv-safer-sex\/hpv\/should-i-get-hpv-vaccine\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">HPV vaccine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Ensuring Your Optimal Health<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Scheduling an annual health screening with your OB-GYN is just one part of managing your overall health. Addressing any health concerns in all areas, including reproductive health, is optimum.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">At <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">South Miami OB-GYN Associates<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, we have seen firsthand the benefits of our patients returning each year for their regular health screenings. With offices both in Downtown Doral and South Miami, we look forward to welcoming you and taking care of both your OB and GYN needs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Schedule your annual health screening in South Florida today <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">online<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> or by calling 305.665.1133.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1714,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[348],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1713","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-annual-check-ups"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1713","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1713"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1713\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1714"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1713"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1713"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/south-miami-obgyn-associates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1713"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}