Women’s Health

A physical exam/preventive examination is a once a year routine visit to the doctors office. During the visit your vitals, a brief mental health survey, a general physical examination, and blood/urine tests will be conducted.

Women should perform a Self breast Exam every month. The US Preventive Services Task force recommends screening mammograms every 2 years for women aged 40-49 and yearly for women aged 50-74 with average risk assessment for breast cancer. This minimum age and frequency of mammograms changes based on individual risk factors including but not limited to family history of breast cancer and personal history.

Pelvic exam and Pap smears are an integral part of a female physical. They are performed at your gynecologist office. Pelvic exams are recommended annually, whereas Pap smears are recommended every 3 years.

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the American College of Obstetricians and gynecologist (ACOG), and CDC recommend that pregnant people get a flu vaccine during any trimester of their pregnancy because flu poses a danger to pregnant people and a flu vaccine can prevent serious illness, including hospitalization, during pregnancy.

Evidence continues to build showing that COVID-19 vaccination before and during pregnancy is safe, effective, and beneficial to both the pregnant person and the baby. The benefits of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine outweigh any potential risks of vaccination during pregnancy. Research shows Pregnant people who received the COVID-19 vaccines generated antibodies against specific types of SARS-CoV-2. These included antibodies against the D614G variant (which the vaccines were designed to protect against), as well as the Delta and Omicron subvariants. The antibodies effectively crossed the placenta and were also found in the cord blood of vaccinated participants. This likely conferred some protection in the newborns against these variants immediately after birth—a critical time when they are vulnerable to severe COVID-19 disease but are too young to be vaccinated, according to the researchers.

The first sign of the menopause is usually a change in the normal pattern of your periods. You may start having either unusually light or heavy periods.

The frequency of your periods may also be affected. You may have one every two or three weeks, or you may not have one for months at a time. Eventually, you’ll stop having periods altogether.

All women will experience menopause differently, but there are some common symptoms that are helpful to look out for. Some you will be aware of, but some that might be unexpected.

It can be really helpful to know the common symptoms of the menopause and how these might affect you. Many women feel unaware of and unprepared for the range, severity and impact of the symptoms. 

Common symptoms of the menopause include:

• anxiety
• changes in mood – such as low mood or irritability
• changes in skin conditions, including dryness or increase in oiliness and onset of adult acne
• difficulty sleeping – this may make you feel tired and irritable during the day
• discomfort during sex
• feelings of loss of self
• hair loss or thinning
• headaches or migraines
• hot flushes – short, sudden feelings of heat, usually in the face, neck and chest, which can make your skin red and sweaty
• increase in facial hair
• joint stiffness, aches and pains
• loss of self-confidence
• night sweats – hot flashes that occur at night
• palpitations – heartbeats that suddenly become more noticeable
• problems with memory, concentration and ‘brain fog’
• recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), such as cystitis
• reduced sex drive (libido)
• tinnitus
• vaginal dryness and pain

If you have concerns about menopause, schedule an appointment today with our providers to discuss diagnosis, and management options

Postmenopausal bleeding is never normal. If you have gone through menopause (no menstrual cycle in 1 year), and are experiencing bleeding, contact our provider today.