The Importance of Well Woman Care

With all of the responsibilities women have to deal with in their daily lives, well woman care can fall by the wayside. It's an unfortunate truth, and one that can have negative consequences for a woman's health, vitality and quality of life.

If you're one of those women who is likely to put off her regular OB/GYN exam when life gets hectic, find out why it's important to make yourself a priority.

Women who make well woman care a priority know sooner when something has changed with their bodies, are more prepared for the onset of menopause, and in general are more proactive about their own health, giving them a great advantage in their quest to stay healthy.

Regular OB/GYN Visits Aid in Prevention

A number of illnesses that affect women can actually be prevented when proper well woman care is a priority.

Cervical cancer, when caused by Human Papillomavirus, often presents with abnormal cells in the cervix years before cancer emerges. Regular OB/GYN exams allow medical personnel to find and remove these abnormal cells, preventing cancer and in many cases protecting fertility.

Diabetes, as well, can in some cases be prevented. Well woman care exams can help your OB/GYN or nurse midwife identify the potential for adult onset or gestational diabetes and get you on an eating plan designed to get your blood sugar back in line and keep it there.

Additionally, studies have repeatedly shown that women who prioritize well woman care are also less likely to develop sexually transmitted illnesses and experience unwanted pregnancy.

Early Detection Through Well Woman Care

Even illnesses that can't be prevented have a much better prognosis when detected early during a regular well woman care exam by an OB/GYN or Nurse Midwife.

Breast and reproductive cancers, when caught early, can be treated much more successfully. For women planning to have children, early detection of certain potential fertility problems can actually protect their ability to give birth in the future.

Women who make well woman care a priority know sooner when something has changed with their bodies, are more prepared for the onset of menopause, and in general are more proactive about their own health, giving them a great advantage in their quest to stay healthy.

Maintain a Higher Quality of Life

Well woman care isn't just about detecting and preventing serious illnesses. This is particularly true because of the unique relationship a woman has with her OB/GYN or Nurse Midwife.

Women are often more candid with their women's health care providers than they are with other medical personnel. They share things that they may not mention to other doctors because of embarrassment, or because the issue may seem small.

When a woman lacks this sort of personal relationship with a health care provider, she may neglect to mention issues or continue to live with unpleasant symptoms unnecessarily, when oftentimes a simple treatment or lifestyle change could alleviate the problem entirely.

Make Yourself a Priority

Women may neglect well woman care exams for a number of reasons, but in the end it comes down to whether or not you make yourself a priority. You put so much of your energy into caring for others every day, and you deserve that same level of care yourself.

If you've been neglecting your well woman care, call your OB/GYN and make your health a priority now, and if you're in or near Gainesville or Lake City, FL, make sure that call is to the experienced, dedicated well woman care providers at All About Women OB/GYN.