Wellness Watch| How often should women visit their gynaecologist?
Vanassa McKenzie / Our Today
There has been much conflicting information as to how often or how soon women should visit their gynaecologist.
Similar to regular dental and physical examinations, routine gynaecology visits are equally important for females. A gynaecologist specialises in female reproductive health and treats a wide range of issues.
The month of September is being observed as Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month, a month dedicated to raising awareness about cancers that affect women’s reproductive systems.
Preventing and detecting gynaecological cancers is linked to regular screening.
According to an article by Harvard Health Publishing, Gyn Care 101: What to Know About Seeing a Gynecologist, women should start seeing their gynecologist when they become sexually active, or at least once before 21.
Earlier visits before the age of 21 are recommended for young females to learn about their reproductive system and make healthy lifestyle choices in relation to their reproductive health.
This includes learning about their periods, the importance of safe sex, birth control options, and reducing their risk of sexually transmitted infections.
Most women generally have their first pelvic exam and pap smear done at age 21. According to the Mayo Clinic, a pelvic exam checks the health of the reproductive organs. This is a procedure where the gynaecologist checks your vulva, vagina, cervix, ovaries, uterus, rectum, and pelvis for any unusual changes.
A pelvic exam may form part of a female routine checkup, which happens annually.
Meanwhile, a pap smear or pap test is a procedure by which the cells of the cervix are collected for testing to detect cancer. Women 21 and 30 are recommended to get a pap smear at least once every three years.
While women 30 and 65 are recommended to have one done once every five years.
READ: Wellness Watch| September marks Gynaecological Cancer Awareness Month
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