Why Annual Gynecologic Care?
While it is important to see a primary care provider yearly, it is also important for women to schedule annual appointments with their gynecologist. A gynecologist is a doctor who specializes in the health of the female reproductive system. According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), it is recommended to see a gynecologist for the first time between ages 13 and 15 or as soon as puberty begins. Women should also see a gynecologist if they are concerned about any menstrual or sexual health-related issues. The importance of regular gynecologic care is about overall women’s health.
Your gynecologic appointments should address the following:
- Reproductive concerns – birth control, egg freezing, or difficulty in getting pregnant
- Menstrual concerns – heavy menstruation (menses), painful menses, prolonged menses, or absent menses
- Peri-menopausal concerns – hot flashes, night sweats, weight gain, inability to sleep, painful sex, or vaginal dryness
- Cancer screenings – cervical cancer, breast cancer, or colon cancer screenings
- Obstetrical concerns – prenatal appointments
- Bone health – osteoporosis screening
- Vaccinations – age and pregnancy-related vaccines
- Urinary Habits – looking for abnormalities in the position of the bladder, rectum, or uterus
- Screening for depression, intimate partner violence, and sexually transmitted diseases
During an appointment with a gynecologist, different exams may be performed, including a pelvic exam to check the reproductive organs, including the vagina, cervix, uterus, and ovaries; speculum exam to check the cervix and vagina; breast exam; and possibly cervical cancer screening. Cervical cancer screening is recommended to begin at age 21 and should be done every three years until the age of 30, when it can then be done every three to five years, depending on if your physician tests for human papillomavirus (HPV).
Despite cervical cancer screenings beginning at 21 and occurring every three years, it is still important to schedule annual appointments with your gynecologist to check on other aspects of gynecologic health.
Women’s Health Services at Valley
At Valley Health System, there are five obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) offices located in Montvale, Ramsey, Paramus, Fair Lawn, and Wayne. A physician who provides complex family planning options is available at each practice. There is also a sole gynecology practice located in Ridgewood.
Valley also offers gynecologic specialty care, including The Valley Hospital Fertility Center, maternal-fetal medicine, urogynecology, minimally invasive gynecologic surgery, gynecologic oncology, and pediatric gynecology.
Valley Medical Group is also proud to have physicians who are Menopause Society Certified Practitioners (MSCP). The Menopause Society offers a competency examination for healthcare professionals who seek to become credentialed in menopause and midlife women’s health.
Valley’s MSCPs are dedicated to looking at women in different stages of their life continuum. They also work closely with the patient’s cardiologist, medical oncologist, nutritionist, metabolic weight loss and endocrinology specialist, or sleep center physician to ensure that the patient is heard and cared for. The team works with you to find the right treatment to help you handle your menopause, whether that be lifestyle adjustments, medical treatments, or complementary and alternative therapies.
“Menopause health is mental, physical, and sexual,” said Tia Welsh, MD, Chair of Women Services for Valley Medical Group. “Many women cope with their symptoms, but there is treatment and support during this time. You are not alone.”
For more information about women’s health services at Valley, please visit ValleyHealth.com/Women.
