What Is Considered a High-Risk Pregnancy?
Being pregnant means a lot of changes in your body over a nine month period. It always comes with some level of risk but when does a pregnancy become high risk, and what can be done about it?
5 Important Questions to Ask at Your Next Well-Woman Exam
Comprehensive examinations like well-woman visits are important to keep an eye on your current health and check for possible conditions that can affect you in the future. And to get the most out of each visit, you should be ready to ask questions for better ways to stay healthy, and give yourself some peace of mind on issues you may be concerned about.
If you live in the Las Vegas, Nevada area and have concerns or questions coming into your well-woman visit, Dr. Staci McHale and her team at New Beginnings OB-GYN can give you the answers you need. Let’s have a look at what you can expect from these examinations, and what questions would be important to ask at each visit.
The basics of a well-woman exam
More than just a standard annual physical exam, a well-woman exam covers several needs specific to female issues:
- Relationship concerns: this includes concerns about sex, emotional well-being, and other things that may affect your personal life
- Contraception: choosing the type of birth control that suits your needs, managing any problems or complications that may happen, and deciding when you want children
- Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs): getting tested for STDs and getting the right treatment
- Fertility: if you’re trying to conceive, determining when you’re ovulating and diagnosing any infertility
- Hormone issues: changes in hormones are common, but they can be due to several issues, so managing the changes and treating related problems is vital
Your exam also covers standard vital testing like blood pressure, heart rate, and weight. Your age and medical history determine additional testing but may include breast exams, pelvic screenings, and Pap smears.
Best questions for the visit
When you’re at you’re appointment, your concerns may vary, but these are some essential questions to consider:
1. Are your monthly cycles normal?
Some changes in your menstrual cycle are normal, as things like flow, mood, and degree of pain may vary. If things seem unusual for your cycle, or you’re not experiencing things common to yours, there may be reason for concern.
2. Do any changes in your personal life affect your health?
If you switch partners, have multiple partners, start or stop using birth control, or make other changes in your personal life, you may have concerns regarding your health.
3. What effect are my lifestyle habits having on my health?
This includes drinking, smoking, eating habits, and the amount of physical activity you perform regularly. Any of these can affect your chances of dealing with various diseases and other problems.
4. What are my risks for conditions that affect women?
Female-related medical problems like endometriosis, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), uterine fibroids, and various STDs are all things that need attention during your visit. Some conditions may be hereditary or influenced by your medical history.
5. What vaccinations do I need?
This is a great time to find out if you need to be vaccinated for any number of issues, including human papillomavirus (HPV), influenza, COVID-19, and hepatitis B.
Many other questions can be raised during your well-woman exam, but this covers many of the important issues you may have for your overall health. If you’re ready for your exam, go ahead and make your appointment with Dr. McHale and New Beginnings OB-GYN today.
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