By Leah Jennings
There are some things you’re better off not knowing. Your health, particularly in your nether regions, doesn’t fall into that category.
Well-woman visits are annual checkups with your doctor to make sure all your are lady parts and general health are in working order. In addition to the dreaded Pap smear and pelvic exam, doctors also screen you for certain potential risk factors and diseases, from breast abnormalities to the human papilloma virus (HPV).
Although statistics show women are more likely to make doctors visits than men, there are quite a few of us who don’t place preventative care appointments on our calendars. A well-woman visit should not be optional, ladies. Your doctor may discover something about your reproductive health that needs immediate attention or may have some serious consequences down the road if left unchecked.
I remember when I was in college, a Pap smear came back showing abnormal cells. Sure, I was scared, but it showed me early on how a person could go around feeling “normal” despite something being amiss in the body. It turned out to be nothing serious, but I never missed another visit again.
In honor of Women’s Health Week May 10-16, let’s all schedule our well-woman visit if we haven’t already. The good news is most insurance companies cover one annual preventative care obstetrician-gynecological appointment each year — so there really is no excuse! Make the appointment today. And after the appointment, go treat yourself to something nice — that much awkwardness needs a little “me time” to counteract it!
For more information on well-woman visits, click here.
Leah Jennings is a certified personal trainer, Zumba instructor and a lifestyle and wellness coach. She is passionate about helping people achieve a balanced lifestyle in the areas of proper nutrition, exercise, mental health and organization. In addition to her career in health and wellness, Leah has also spent time in both the journalism and public relations industries, writing for various publications and businesses across the United States.