The Importance of Women's Health Checkups

Women’s health checkups, sometimes referred to as well-women exams, are an essential part of your self-care routine. Even when you feel strong, healthy, and focused, a well-woman exam can catch potential problems at an early stage, when they’re most easily treated and even cured.

Once you reach a certain age, your well-woman exams include referrals to imaging centers, too. Your OB/GYN may recommend both mammograms and bone density scans. These important tests give you and your doctor information about your health.

At Mass Medical Imaging, our expert doctors Joseph Calandra, MD, and Karen Mass, MD, work with your OB/GYN or primary care physician to ensure you get the screenings you need to stay healthy as you age. At our office in Lake Forest, Illinois, we offer a variety of mammograms as well as bone density scans.

Why should you make your well-woman exam a priority? Following are a few important reasons.

A well-woman visit includes a physical exam

Many conditions and diseases develop so gradually that you don’t even know you have them until they’re at a later, less treatable stage. You may be in the habit of giving yourself monthly breast exams and skin cancer exams, for instance, but you could still miss important signs.

At a well-woman exam, your doctor may conduct a thorough physical examination. They test your blood pressure, heart rate, and respiration. Your doctor may examine your skin for signs of skin cancer. If you’re having an OB/GYN checkup, the exam may include a breast exam and pelvic exam to check for malformations or growths. 

A well-woman visit tests your organ health

No amount of self-scanning can tell you exactly how well or poorly your organs function. Blood tests and urine tests are your doctor’s way of evaluating the function of your major organs. Your doctor may perform:

• Pap test — to test cervical cells for cancerous changes
• HPV test — to detect human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Blood tests — evaluates organ health and looks for infections, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Urine test — checks for urinary tract infections (UTIs) as well as liver and kidney function
• Pregnancy test — if you’re sexually active

They may also evaluate your hormone levels, or order other types of tests if you’ve noticed any concerning symptoms.

A well-woman visit keeps your immunizations current

Periodically, you need booster shots for basic vaccines. Depending on your age and sexual history, you could also benefit from a vaccine against HPV infection, which could protect you from cervical cancer.

Your doctor can also administer or refer you for flu shots, COVID boosters, or shots. Both flu viruses and the COVID virus mutate. Each year, the vaccine is formulated to address the latest variant. 

A well-woman visit includes referrals

You may be confused by conflicting information about who needs a mammogram or a bone density scan, when you should start, and how often you repeat the tests. Your doctor is not only familiar with the general guidelines, but customizes a testing schedule based on your personal and familial history, as well as the results of your exam.

Depending on your personal risk and where you are in the aging process, they may refer you for a:

Mammogram

These low-level X-ray exams highlight abnormalities in your breast tissue that may require further investigation. Depending on the results of your first mammogram, you may need a diagnostic mammogram or other tests to take a closer look if your breast tissue is dense or if your doctor spots an abnormality.

Bone density scan

A bone density scan looks at the insides of your bones to determine if they’re strong and dense or not. Getting a bone scan lets you know if you already have bone loss (i.e., osteoporosis) or are at risk for it.

These scans help you and your doctor plan interventions to prevent or slow bone loss. These may include lifestyle changes — including weight lifting and a whole-foods diet — as well as possible medications. 

Well-woman exams answer your questions

No matter where you are in your life or reproductive cycle, you could have questions about everything from how to get pregnant to how to attain and maintain a healthy weight. Your annual wellness exam gives you a chance to get the answers and advice you need to optimize your health.

You also learn to develop trust in your doctor, so you know where to turn if you notice disturbing symptoms, such as unusual vaginal discharge or pelvic pain. Your well-woman doctor is a partner in helping you lengthen and strengthen your health span.

Are you ready for a mammogram (you can get an appointment as early as next week ) or a bone density scan in Lake Forest, Illinois? Keep tabs on your inner health by calling our friendly team or using our online appointment form today.