Women's Life Link Be Well, Be Happy, Be YOU!
As women, from the moment we start menstruating, our lives can be health minefields. With fluctuating hormones all throughout life, sexual health, and reproductive issues, there always seems to be a reason to visit a health professional.
Even if you haven’t had any significant issues in the past, your health as a woman depends on proper self-maintenance and consistency with regular checkups. And, it’s no secret that during the COVID-19 pandemic, it has been increasingly difficult to see a doctor face-to-face due to changing protocols and even closures. Unfortunately, this has caused an abundance of women to miss their annual exams and screenings.
Doctors, in turn, are concerned about the inability to see patients on a regular basis this year. Even societies such as The Memphis Medical Society, who advocate for physicians and patients alike in their communities, can’t solve the issues presented by the novel coronavirus. So how can you ensure your health is taken care of as a woman in this turbulent time? Though we can’t change what’s happening in the world, we can still be vigilant with our healthcare. Here are some ways to stay connected to your physician and care for any specific women’s health issues.
Choose Online Appointments
Many general practices are offering video or phone consultations instead of in person as a way of adhering to coronavirus restrictions. This enables patients to discuss any concerns and helps doctors to vet who needs in-person care. I recommend doing a video chat, as this allows for more of a connection with the person you are speaking to. Particularly if the topic is highly sensitive, as medical topics sometimes are, this connection is vital.
Get Regular Checkups
If and when you can visit a doctor in person, you should do so. If you are over the age of forty, visiting the doctor at least once a year for a checkup is vital for your health. Some key reasons to keep your annual check-ups are examining for breast cancer, having cervical smears, blood pressure changes, and checking in with your mental health as you approach menopause. This is especially important if your family has any predispositions to cancer or other genetically inherited illnesses.
Assess Your Mental Health
Women are statistically more likely to seek help for their mental health than men, but this doesn’t mean we all find it easy to do so. Women with careers and children are frequently overwhelmed and can slip into a crisis without them even knowing it. This is because we often feel like we need to have it all together. Asking for help becomes more of a bother than doing everything ourselves. Regular mental health checks are just as important as physicals. Your primary doctor should be asking important mental health questions at your exam. If not, don’t hesitate to mention anything that seems off with emotions and mood.
If you have found yourself lagging behind on checkups and exams, make sure to contact your healthcare professional today for an appointment (online or otherwise).
**** This post is strictly informational and is not meant to replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Women’s lifelink, its owners, administrators, contributors, affiliates, vendors, authors, and editors do not claim that this information will diagnose, treat, or improve any condition or disease.
