HEALTH EDUCATION

GYN exams can save your life!

Gyn = gynecology = good health
Gynecology is an important part of health care for women. It protects your sexual and reproductive health.

Periodic gynecological care can

• Help prevent illness and discomfort

• Lead to earlier detection of breast cancer and precancerous growths of the cervix — when they may be more curable

• Detect sexually transmitted infections and other conditions before they cause serious damage

• Detect causes of infertility that may be treated

• Make pregnancy and childbirth easier

Each year about 10,000 women in the U.S. are diagnosed with cervical cancer. Women who do not have regular gynecological care are up to seven times more likely to be diagnosed with cervical cancer.

More than 260,000 women in the U.S. are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. The survival rate for women who detect their cancers early is 79-97 percent, depending on how early. The survival rate is only 16-56 percent for women with advanced cancers that have spread to other parts of their bodies.

Don’t let it happen to you...
Whether you’re young or old, married or single, sexually active or not, or whether you’re lesbian, straight, or bisexual — good gynecological care can keep you healthy and may save your life.

Periodic gynecological visits and exams may include

•Talking about your personal, family, sexual, and medical history

• Laboratory tests and screening for sexually transmitted infections and other conditions

• Counseling

• A pelvic exam

• A breast exam

Pap tests are part of gynecological exams. They can detect

• The presence of abnormal cells in the cervix

• Infections and inflammations of the cervix
(pap tests cannot specifically identify most sexually transmitted infections, but they may detect symptoms)

• Thinning of the vaginal lining from lack of estrogen commonly related to menopause

Don’t let embarrassment become a health risk
Some women may worry about having a GYN exam — especially if it’s the first time. You will be more comfortable if you know what to expect.

Ask your clinician for a copy of the Planned Parenthood pamphlet, The Gynecological Visit and Exam — Your Key to Good Health. It will give you the information you need to understand what happens during a gynecological exam. It has valuable tips on what to expect during the exam, how to prepare for the exam, and what to do to be more comfortable during the exam.

It is very important to be frank and honest about your sex life. Up to one out of two women has a sexually transmitted infection in her lifetime. Some of these infections can cause sterility, birth defects, and cancer. Some can cause death. Great harm can be done even when there are no symptoms. And very often, women have no symptoms. That’s why it’s very important to talk openly with your clinician about how you may be at risk.

Women should start having Pap tests three years after they have vaginal intercourse or when they become 21 years old — whether or not they have had vaginal intercourse. Talk with your clinician about how often you should have periodic GYN visits and exams.

You may need to have checkups more often if you have

• A breast lump

• A history of abnormal Pap results

• A history of sexual health problems

•A mother or sister who developed breast cancer before
menopause

• A pelvic condition such as endometriosis or fibroids

• A sexually transmitted infection or a sex partner who has one

• A sexually related condition such as abnormal cell development in the cervix

You should visit your clinician if you have

• Abnormal vaginal bleeding or discharge

• Any concerns about your sexual or reproductive health

• Changes in size or shape of the breast

• Growths or thickening of the breast or armpit

• Increased pain, discomfort, or emotional distress before
your period

• Itching of the vulva or vagina

• Newly retracted nipples or bleeding or discharge from
the nipple

• Pain, swelling, or tenderness of the vulva, vagina,
uterus, or ovaries

• Painful intercourse

• Puckering, dimpling, or other changes in the skin of the breast

• Severe lower abdominal pain

Take control of your health
Learn what is normal for your body and what is not. Watch for changes in your body and its rhythms that may signal problems.

Your clinician will help you identify problems before they become serious and will provide care if you become ill. Team up with your clinician for routine GYN exams. Learn how the GYN exam can work for you.

Remember — for good health

• Eat properly.

• Get enough sleep.

• Drink when you are thirsty.

• Exercise.

• Avoid taking health risks with your mind and body.

• Have periodic gynecological exams.

• Take advantage of immunizations that are available.

Good gynecological care is a matter of teamwork — you and your clinician working together and maintaining good communication.

To schedule a class or presentation on this subject, click here.
To schedule an appointment, click here.